CHAPTER 1472: THE QUIET GAME

Lory’s fingers paused in the middle of fastening Zhao Li Xin’s vest. The golden buttons gleamed under her touch, but her focus had slipped elsewhere. A faint ripple, like a disturbance across still water, shivered through her chest.

Her brows knitted slightly, an involuntary reaction to the subtle turbulence she felt in her power. It wasn’t strong, she knew, unlike the connection between Lucas and the Archknight.

Nevertheless, as a Lucient, she still senses a thin thread, and that’s enough for her to notice when something shifted. Somewhere far away, Jay was borrowing the Lucient’s strength again, tugging faintly at the bond she carried.

"Wife?" Zhao Li Xin’s gentle voice pulled her back. He had been watching her closely, and when her hands stilled, he reached out. With a single finger beneath her chin, he lifted her face until their eyes met. His gaze was calm, steady, a grounding anchor. "What’s wrong?"

Caught in his dark eyes, Lory blinked, startled from her daze. For a moment, she hesitated. Then she shook her head quickly.

"Nothing. It’s nothing... It’s fine." She brushed it off with a small smile, though her voice carried a thin note of strain.

Zhao Li Xin didn’t press, though he could sense the shift in her mood. He wouldn’t corner her with questions she didn’t want to explain, but that didn’t mean he’d stand idle.

His thumb brushed lightly across her chin before he let his hand fall away, his gaze steady, unwavering. "If something troubles you," he said, his voice low and firm, "You know, you can always count on me."

Her lips curved into a soft chuckle, touched by the steadiness in his voice and the weight of his support. "I know." Just like that, her mood lightened, the heaviness easing from her shoulders.

Lory walked to the bed, then reached for the black tailcoat draped neatly on top of the bed, and then helped him slip into it, her hands smoothing over the fine embroidery.

It was Zhao Li Xin’s first time wearing something like this, and she fussed over the folds more than she needed to, grateful for the distraction.

"Too tight?" she asked, frowning faintly as she checked the fit.

Zhao Li Xin tugged lightly at his collar and flexed his shoulders before answering, "It’s fine."

The attire accentuated his model-like figure. The black brocaded fabric embroidered with flames, their edges kissed with threads of gold that caught the light with a subdued glimmer. Every detail exuded luxury without ostentation, the perfect balance of power and restraint.

From head to toe, he was shrouded in darkness, save for the delicate silver bluebell brooch fastened to his chest, its chain catching the light with every movement.

The effect was startling. He looked less like a man and more like a mythical figure from the storybook and movies. Tall, regal, imposing, and detached, with an aura that carried both danger and command.

His hair, tied in a low, messy braid, framed the chiseled perfection of his face, its cold beauty made even sharper against his austere expression.

At first, Lory had wanted to soften his appearance with colors, something brighter, warmer. But it hadn’t mattered. Every attempt only highlighted some otherworldly facet of his looks.

If she dressed him in white or silver, he would look like an untouchable elven king, dignified, regal, otherworldly. In bright crimson, he would become something else entirely: alluring and dangerous, like a vampire lord or a demon torn from the pages of a ’cheesy’ romance novel.

But in black, as he was now, he transcended all comparison. Devastating in his beauty, ethereal yet terrifying, he was a figure who could enchant every man and woman with a single glance.

’Damm*t!’ she can only curse inwardly.

In the end, Lory had to give up; it was a futile effort anyway. No matter what she did, she could never diminish that look of his.

Lory folded her arms and sighed in defeat. "You really are a beauty that could topple a country," she sighed resignedly.

Zhao Li Xin chuckled, amused by her lament. His voice, low and indulgent, carried an edge of truth that only she could hear. "If you want me to topple a country, I could."

Her brows knit tighter, uncertain whether he was joking or not. With Zhao Li Xin, the line was always blurred, though for everyone who knew Zhao Li Xin wouldn’t have doubted the man was perfectly capable of doing so, after all.

Nevertheless, at this moment, that wasn’t her greatest concern at the moment. Lory’s greatest concern was that her husband was too gorgeous!

She groaned inwardly. If even she felt this unsettled, what would happen when other women saw him? In the past, the Mong brothers and the Four Palace Kings had stood guard, intimidating away the bold and delusional admirers who dared approach.

Even then, there had been no shortage of women who dared to court death, just for the chance to be close to him.

But here... here she had no such protection. And worse, she couldn’t even show herself openly. She was in hiding. She couldn’t always be there to fend off every fluttering, foolish girl who might throw herself at her husband.

Lory let out another sigh. She could already picture the swarm of women that would gather around Zhao Li Xin. What should she do? Despite what others might think of her, she was quite a possessive woman. Just remembering the case with Tang Mei Yi was enough to make her lips press into a thin line.

"What are you worrying about?" Zhao Li Xin asked softly, giving her cheek a gentle pinch.

"Ow!" Lory winced dramatically, then pursed her lips in mock protest.

Zhao Li Xin knew she was only pretending, but he still released her cheek and rubbed the spot with his thumb. "Sorry, did I hurt you?"

Lory giggled. "No, I’m just kidding."

Then she slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out a silver ring. The band was engraved with delicate bluebell flowers, and in the center sat a small square purple diamond. Taking his hand, she slid the ring onto his left ring finger.

"It’s made from zerenium," she explained, her voice warm. "I added an anti-heat rune, and the diamond isn’t just any diamond. I imbued it with my power to keep the ring from ever breaking. Even if you use your immortal flame, it won’t melt." She raised her own hand, showing a matching ring on her finger. "See? It matches mine." She smiled sweetly.

Zhao Li Xin stared at the ring, and a wave of warmth washed over him—tender and all-encompassing, like being wrapped in a thick blanket on a winter night. His throat tightened, words failing him. "You made this yourself..."

"I designed it and engraved the rune, but Hadius helped craft it at my request," she said quickly, eyes sparkling. "Do you like it?"

"I love it... very much." Zhao Li Xin’s smile grew wider, brighter, casting away the gloom that had always clung to him.

Seeing his face radiant with joy made Lory’s own heart brim with happiness, though a pang of guilt lingered. Why didn’t I do this sooner?

She tilted her head with a playful smile. "Why are you so happy? It’s just a simple ring. I don’t think I’ve given you nearly enough gifts to make you look this overjoyed."

Zhao Li Xin wrapped his arms around her waist, his dazzling smile almost blinding. "As long as it comes from you, I will always treasure it," he said, his voice low and earnest.

His gaze held hers, unwavering. "But it makes me wonder... what gift could ever be worthy enough to give you in return?"

"Don’t even bother with that." Lory tapped his chest, her expression shifting to mock sternness. "You’ve already given me so much. Just promise me one thing: stay away from all those crazy women, okay? No touchy-touchy. Just tell them it’s a family custom or something."

Lory had seen how some women could be overly familiar with other people’s men, teasing, leaning too close, even flirting without shame. In the past, she might have brushed such things off, but when it came to Zhao Li Xin, she simply couldn’t act indifferent. The thought alone made her chest tighten.

Zhao Li Xin chuckled, his laughter low and melodious, and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead. "Of course. That goes without saying."

The truth was, even if Lory permitted it, he had no desire to touch, or do a simple shake hands with, any other woman. Part of it came from the strict conservatism of the world he was raised in, but more than that, it was simply his nature.

Lory felt petty for nagging Zhao Li Xin about this. Had she forgotten his nature? Had she forgotten how he treated other women besides her? If anything, instead of fretting over Zhao Li Xin, she should be worry the foolish woman who dared provoke him.

"Alright, I know I’m being silly." She tugged her coat into place and managed a crooked smile. "Okay, if anyone tries to get close to you, just speak bluntly, but...don’t be too harsh, okay, it wouldn’t be good for your reputation either."

Zhao Li Xin chuckled, like he ever worried about his own reputation, but because his reputation was strongly connected to Lory, he will learned to hold himself.

"Okay, I’m leaving now." He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before walking out of the room. Since this was his exhibition, Hugo and Edmund Hamilton were surely already waiting for him.

Lory watched the door click shut. A moment later, she exhaled a long, steady breath, praying in her heart that the event would go well.

Turning away, she crossed to her wardrobe. The soft creak of hinges broke the stillness as she pulled it open, her hands brushing past silks and gowns until they settled on something plain.

Moments later, she emerged dressed in casual wear, simple jeans, a crisp white shirt, and a light brown leather jacket. A quiet contrast to the opulence around her, yet perfect for her.

With practiced ease, she shifted her appearance, then uncorked a vial of Versipell potion. The bitter liquid masked the trace of her shapeshifter spell, ensuring no one would sense it. She tossed the empty vial into the bin, her movements calm and deliberate, before stepping out of the room.

She pulled out her phone and pressed the call button. The line rang few times before it was answered.

"Luc."

"Lory." Lucas’s voice was steady, almost reassuring.

"Do you feel it? Is it real?" Lory asked, cutting straight to the point.

"I did. But don’t worry—my heart tells me he’s still alive." Lucas’s tone was steady, though he knew as a Lucient she would sense the turbulence when Jay borrowed their power. "He’s not easy to kill. And if something had happened to him, someone would have reported it to me by now."

Anxiety gnawed at him, yet Lucas remained calm and composed, carrying the unshakable bearing of a king.

"Call me right away if you hear anything new, okay..." Lory exhaled heavily. "I’m also worried about Lydia and Maddeline."

"Of course. But don’t let your imagination run wild, we got work to do..." Lucas reminded her.

Lory rubbed her temples with a sigh. "I know - I know..."

Her eyes drifted to the giant glass window beside her, and her expression deepened. "It’s a big day today," she murmured.

"Hm, keep your guard up. Stay focused," Lucas urged.

Lory chuckled softly. "As you wish, Your Majesty," she teased before hanging up the call.

Turning back to the window, she let her gaze linger. Though Cestine Palace stood apart from the other residences, the festive air still reached this far.

Trails of colorful smoke curled through the sky where airplanes had flown, and airship balloons floated lazily above the city. Yet beneath the celebration, something else lingered, very subtle, yet it was unsettling, undeniable.

It felt like the opening of a chess game: pieces quietly taking their places, the board waiting, the silence heavy with possibility. And somewhere unseen, a hand was already reaching for the first move.