The Princess And The Lord

1251  Loneliness

The day had finally come for Lorry to drive Zhao Li Xin to the labyrinth, so Lory had carefully prepared for Zhao Li Xin to enter the labyrinth but still, she felt her preparation was insufficient. On the other hand, Zhao Li Xin didn't feel worried at all, instead, he was curious about what creatures he would find in the labyrinth that many people feared. thus he can only hope he won't be disappointed.

While Lory was busy thinking about what else Zhao Li Xin might need, the man casually went down the stairs in a relaxed manner, his eyes swept across the room for a moment then found Garrof smoking a cigar on the terrace later on Zhao Li Xin approached him.

"The thing I asked before...did it go well?" Zhao Li Xin stands next to Garrof.

Garrof was startled for a second because it was unusual for someone to sneak up behind him without him realizing, but then again he thought this was normal for a man who dared to marry the Princess of Lorient.

Garrof exhaled cigar smoke while making sure no one else was listening to their conversation. After he was sure it was just the two of them, Garrof nodded. "Yes, I told Jason to leave your trail, I don't think it will take long for them to find out where you are," said Garrof.

"That will be the best..." Zhao Li Xin shifted his gaze to the beautiful scenery before him.

"By the way, are you sure you want to stay in that labyrinth for a month?" Garrof tried to read the face of the expressionless man beside him but as usual, he got nothing.

"Yes..." Zhao Li Xin answered lightly without the slightest worry in his voice.

Garrof suck the smoke gently for a few seconds before blowing the smoke into the air after that he continues "Do you know why most people never explore the labyrinth for a long period of time, most people only last a maximum of two weeks, even if someone stayed longer than that it usually doesn't happen because of their wishes and usually it doesn't end well for them, you must have heard that from her highness and Nathalie, right?"

"I've heard of it" Once again Zhao Li Xin gave a short answer without any visible emotion on his face or voice.

Garrof was already used to Zhao's attitude so he didn't think anything strange about his behavior, lingering in that place tended to drive people crazy. Just imagine not knowing where you are going while being constantly attacked not knowing when and how even though you want to go back you can't find a way out until you find a hidden relic that can transfer you out of the labyrinth, this relic usually guard by the powerful beast"

Garrof smokes his cigar once again then blows the smoke and continues "In low-level labyrinths, the beasts in that place are usually not as strong as the beasts in high-level labyrinths although they are still stronger than the beasts outside the Labyrinth, even so, with strong teammates, that got good experience and meticulous preparation, usually they will manage to get out safely, however, the labyrinth you will enter is a high-level labyrinth so the risks are much higher than a normal labyrinth."

Zhao Li Xin tilted his head in thought "Why doesn't anyone use GPS or magic to guide them out, why need to seek the relic?"

Garrof shook his head "It's useless, as far as I know, the paths in the labyrinth especially the high-level labyrinth will keep changing so where you enter is not necessarily where you come out so GPS is useless therefore the theory of Labyrinths being made by the powerful beast is a total joke"

Zhao Li Xin now understood why one of the functions of the Elysian crystal was to teleport him out automatically from the labyrinth, It turns out Lory was afraid he wouldn't be able to find the way out of the labyrinth. The realization brought a thins mile to his face.

"Oh but... I heard - three people managed to get out" Zhao Li Xin just remembered.

Garrof took a deep breath before speaking, "Asking them how many of their comrades died to get them out" Garrof sneered "...And I heard from Nathalie they were lucky to find the relic not on the beast that inhabited the deepest floor of the labyrinth"

So they didn't face the strongest beast inside. Zhao Li Xin's eyes lit with anticipation.

Garrof noticed the unusual expression on the handsome man's face. for the first time, Garrof saw a flash of emotion in Zhao Li Xin's eyes that had nothing to do with Lory, However, this means Zhao Li Xin only showed emotions at two extremes emotion, one was love and the other was violence.

"As long as you are happy, sir" Garrof blew smoke into the air.

Even though they had just met, Zhao Li Xin had a pretty good assessment of Garrof, in his opinion Garrof was quite reliable, loyal, and trustworthy. The three combinations were difficult to find, especially in his world, therefore he felt quite relieved that Garrof would accompany Lory.

"I owed you...when you need my help, I will be there" Zhao Li Xin gave a profound gaze.

Garrof took Zhao Li Xin's words as simple good intentions because he didn't take them seriously, if only he knew how precious those words were coming from Zhao Li Xin, but one day he would know.

[Li Xin, are you ready?] Lory came out in a hurry carrying Zhao Li Xin's backpack which looked bigger than before. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Zhao Li Xin was rendered speechless still he didn't make any comment he only took the backpack from Lory's shoulder while saying [Let's go]

[Okay, I'm going to drop my husband into the labyrinth at the moment] Lory said like a wife who would take her husband to work.

[Okay, be careful on the road, princess, and good luck, Mr. Zhao] Garrof grinned broadly.

Zhao Li Xin gave a polite nod at Garrof before entering the car with Lory.

Garrof waved his hand as the car drove away, soon Lloyd appeared beside him carrying a sandwich. "Since when are you close to Mr. Zhao?" He found it strange to see two people with such different characters being friends with each other.

"What's wrong with that? Mr. Zhao is actually quite fun to talk to, no unnecessary pleasantries, he said what he wanted without beating around the bush, he straightforward giving no bullsh*t whatsoever, it's quite easy talking to him" said Garrof.

Lloyd was stunned for a moment, but then he nodded in agreement, he also thought there was nothing wrong with Zhao Li Xin besides being silent and far away from others but there was nothing with that, he heard Zhao Li Xin is a talented painter that easily gained interest from someone like Hugo Hamilton, he Also able to learned Harlandish language in just a few weeks so it is not strange he is a little eccentric, isn't most geniuses like that.

_____________________________

Lory drove towards the entrance to Gray Valley, they stopped because the asphalt of the road ahead was so badly damaged that it was overgrown with weeds.

Lory sighed and then opened the car door, Zhao Li Xin took his backpack then got out of the car, for a moment he cast his gaze to the abandoned area around him, and then he looked to the distance that was covered with mist after that he looked at Lory then said [From here I will go alone]

Lory still unwilling to see him go [I can accompany you to the entrance of the Labyrinth] she said in a half-pleading voice.

His heartstring was tugged by Lory's sad face immediately Zhao Li Xin wrapped his arms around her waist [You're not in good condition so it's better for me to go alone from here]

Lory pouted [I still can fight—]

[You can...] Zhao Li xin interrupted [But, let me go with peace of mind okay, I will be worried if you walk alone in this vast valley]

Lory let a long sigh [Fine, but do you know the way to the labyrinth?]

[I'm not a child Lory, and I got the location on my new phone] he showed his cell phone in front of Lory. Lory saw the flashing blue mark on Zhao LiXin's cell phone and could only surrender to his wishes. zhao Li Xin didn't say anything else, he let go of her hug but Lory suddenly held his wrist. [Thirty days, no more than that!] Her eyes were filled with heavy emotions.

A charming smile swept across her face, Zhao Lixin gently stroked her cheek as if trying to trace every inch of her face [I'll be back on the thirtieth day, I promise]

[You better know what I'm like when I'm angry] Lory's voice held a hint of warning.

Zhao Lixin chuckled as he found it adorable. Zhao Li Xin walked to the cliff's edge and then looked at the GPS on her cell phone while Lory stood beside her.

[IT seems I just need to get straight from here...] Zhao Li Xin stared into the distance.

[Be careful...] said Lory.

[You too, or no cake for you] Zhao Li Xin flicked her forehead gently.

Lory rubbed her forehead with a weak smile on her face.

[I'm leaving now, wait for me!] Zhao Li Xin put his phone in his jacket.

Lory took a deep breath and nodded after that Zhao Li Xin jumped from the cliff, he bounced between the rocks and disappeared into the dense trees.

Lory's eyes were fixed to the place where Zhao Li Xin disappeared, then she took out her cell phone which had been synchronized with Zhao Li Xin's cell phone. From there Lory could see where Zhao Li Xin went.

Judging from Zhao Li Xin's speed it wouldn't take long until he reached his destination. Lory clutched her phone as she cast her gaze across the gray valley covered in thick gray mist suddenly the cold breeze blew her face. For the first time in a very long time, she felt alone in the world.