NoGift

A GROUP of soldiers first came down the ship. Then they parted to let a young man through. Based on the guards action and respectful attitude, the young man could only be the fourth prince of Xing - Li Jun. The prince was wearing a red brocade robe that perfectly showcased his white skin. His long black hair was tied in a jade crown. You could see from his delicate features that he's from the Eastern continent. Men from the East usually have softer features compared to men from the West. The fourth prince of Xing was a prime example of that.

Icelyn made a curtsy when the prince walked in front of them. "Welcome to Albion, Prince Li Jun," she said using the Xing language. "I'm Icelyn Jade di Albion, the first princess of Albion. It's my pleasure to welcome you to our country."

Li Jun was slightly surprised. It didn't really crossed his mind that he would hear a royalty from another country speak their language. He expected a translator to be present at best. That's why he couldn't help but gave a second look at the princess. Though she couldn't be said to be a devastating beauty, she has a very graceful temperament which made up for that. She reminded him of the Empress. Which was really not a compliment considering the Empress was a calculative, manipulative bitch. So he couldn't help but put the first princess on his 'not-to-be-trusted' list.

"I didn't expect the first princess to speak our language so well. It truly made me feel welcome," Li Jun said, smiling.

"I'm glad the prince feel that way. It seems learning the language was not at all in vain," the princess said, smiling back at him.

"I appreaciate the effort of the princess, but I'd rather we speak the common tongue. After all, I'm in Albion now. It's impolite of me to let the princess speak my language when I can perfectly speak yours," Li Jun said using the common tongue, a gentle smile on his lips.

Most countries in the world used the common tongue to speak. But some of the countries in the Eastern continent still used their own language. These countries were quite exclusive and refused any foreign influence. A perfect example was the Xing Empire. A foreigner would need to pass a lot of clearance before they could enter Xing. But because of the rising influence of sPhones to society, the rigid laws in Xing regarding foreigners were slowly starting to soften. That's why a diplomatic visit like this became possible. The time when countries like Xing would completely open itself to outsiders might not be far off.

Icelyn smiled, not minding what the prince said. "Of course," she answered, switching back to the common tongue.

"Prince Li Jun, the carriage is ready. We will escort you first to the royal palace and then we will bring you to your temporary residence," Winter said with his usual cold expression.

Li Jun turned to the person who just spoke. He has the same hair and eye color as the princess. It was safe to assume that this guy was probably also an Albion royalty. "You must be...?"

"Winter di Albion. Pardon me for not immediately introducing myself."

The man standing beside the prince of Xing lifted his gaze when Winter introduced himself. Honestly speaking, the man was more eyecatching than the prince. He was tall and well-built with wide shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs. No one could ever say that he looked delicate. The word 'handsome' wasn't even enough to describe him. But because he was intentionally masking his presence, no one paid much attention to him. Yet now, when he suddenly looked at Winter, the intense power in his obsidian black eyes showed. Attracting the attention of the people around them.

The man looked at Winter as if he's sizing up the prince. There was no hostility in his gaze. It was like he was making certain if the prince was a worthy opponent or not. But then, he quickly turned his gaze away, making people feel that it was all in their imagination. But that split second was enough to intrigue not only the first princess but Winter as well.

Winter was a bit confused why the man looked at him that way. It seemed that the man was some sort of personal guard for the prince of Xing. He never showed any hostility to the prince. So why?

"Please, lead the way," Li Jun said completely cutting Winter's thoughts.

But before everyone could move, a falcon suddenly came flying downward and landed on the shoulder of the man standing beside the prince of Xing.

The falcon leaned on Lei Feng's ear and he heard An Si's voice. An Si was one of his dark guards. He has a rare Gift. He was what people called a warg - a person who could transfer his conciousness to an animal. His Gift was perfect for spying and information gathering. His Gift was at A level which meant he could transfer his conciousness to five animals at a time. That's why when the sPhone reached Xing, he immediately sent An Si to Amexem to gather information on Silver Corporation. Because he knew she was there.

Xia Yin was the only one who could create something like the sPhone.

But at the end, during the five years that An Si stayed at Amexem, the only really important information he gathered was that the one who created the sPhones was the one who founded Silver Corporation. An Si did his best to find out who it was but it was like looking for a ghost. Not even the employers of the company knew who it was.

Until that interview happened.

Lei Feng felt like he was drowning for years, but when he saw that interview, it's like a driftwood was given to him. That was the only moment he truly felt that he could continue on living.

This time, this time for sure, he wouldn't make the same mistake.

Lei Feng listened to An Si's voice through the falcon. After listening to what it has to say, there was a slight change in his expression. Then he turned to Li Jun. "I need to go somewhere," he said in the Xing language.

Li Jun was a bit confused when he heard that. "Where are you going?"

"Two of my dark guards are here to protect you," Lei Feng said instead of answering the prince's question.

The falcon flew. There was a static in the air and Lei Feng followed the falcon, moving as fast as lightning and almost disappearing in place.

The people left were quite surprised by his sudden movements.

"You sure have an interesting guard, Prince Li Jun," Icelyn commented and based on the informal way they communicated with each other, it was obvious that that man was not an ordinary guard. And that amount of Mana, the man was probably at least S level or even higher.

"Yes," Li Jun answered but he kept wondering where Lei Feng would go. As far as he knew, this was the first time Lei Feng has been in this country. So where could he possibly go? And in such haste too?

He just shook his head and followed the first princess and the second prince towards the carriage.

---------

Ruby kept pacing. She was inside a gorgeous room but she has no time to appreciate it because of the circumstance on how she actually ended up here. She was finally accepted as an apprentice to a very famous painter. But when she went to Gaul to meet her master, the servants told her that her master was in retreat and he wouldn't be back until a month later. So Ruby decided to travel to Albion since she heard from his brother that Argent and Aurum were already back there.

She just arrived at Albion and thought of shopping in town first before going to Hanover manor and surprising the twins. But who would have thought that someone would actually kidnap her? She remembered she was looking at some clothes when she felt a sting on her neck. Then everything turned black. The next thing she knew, she was already in this place. She probably lose conciousness.

But how bold of those people! Actually kidnapping someone in broad daylight? Weren't they afraid of the authorities? Wasn't Albion supposed to be the 'land of gentlemen'? Then how could something like this happened?

Ruby was really tempted to just burn everything here. But then she thought she was not in Amexem. Her status was currently a foreigner in a foreign county. Obviously, someone who has the nerve to do this kind of thing in broad daylight was not an ordinary citizen. They might even be an aristocrat. If she caused an international incident, then Uncle Jaxon would surely lock her up and never allowed her to leave Amexem again.

She was just glad that those people didn't take her space ring. Good thing she always wore it as a necklace. Those people probably didn't see it. If not, then she wouldn't be able to call Argent.

Ruby took a deep breath. It's okay. She already called Argent. He said he'd be here and fix this situation. She only had to stay put and wait for him. She calmed down after thinking that Argent would soon be here.

Her relationship with the twins eased up a lot during the past seven years. That kidnapping incident really forced her to grow up. Seeing Argent all covered in blood made her realized that she couldn't continue being a willful and spoiled child. Despite being a child and a NoGift no less, he still did his best to protect his sister. And there she was, thinking what kind of story she should tell to her friends when they went back. That incident really woke her up.

As the years went by, she realized her fascination with Argent was not really the romantic kind. Every child that age wanted things that were pretty and Argent fell perfectly in that 'pretty' category. But now, Ruby's feelings for Argent could only be described as sisterly. No matter how pretty Argent was, she just couldn't feel any attraction for him. Which was probably good. Because seriously, anyone who would like Argent would need to overcome a lot of trials. Aside from having a sister with a huge brother complex, Argent was also oblivious to other people's feelings. Especially if those feelings were directed towards him.

So now, Ruby could only light a candle for those people who would seriously like Argent.

Her thoughts stopped when the door was suddenly flung open. And a tall man entered. His shirt was not buttoned up, revealing a wide expanse of his chest. His icy blue hair was disheveled. There were even some marks and bites on his skin. Ruby might be only 16 but she knew what a hickey was when she saw one. The man's gaze fell on her. He looked at her from her head to toe and his gaze stayed on her chest. The obvious desire that filled his blue eyes made Ruby shiver from disgust.

He might be handsome. But no amount of handsomeness could cover up the perverted gaze he just gave her.

Jasper just had a very bad week. Everything was just falling into chaos. Even playing with women doesn't calm his anger. He just finished f*cking one and yet he's still not satisfied. Good thing his men just informed him that they got a new woman for him. And they even assured him that this one would thoroughly satisfy him. Looking at the girl in front of him, he couldn't agree more.

The girl has wild flaming red hair and a pair of big hazel eyes. The white trousers she has on perfectly showed the curve of her hips. The suit dress she was wearing didn't hide her huge chest. He couldn't help but gulp. She was definitely more than he expected. And according to his men, this girl was a foreigner. So he could probably do whatever he wanted to her.

When the man started walking towards her, Ruby stepped backwards. "What the hell do you want?"

The man smiled sleazily at her. "Isn't it obvious? Of course, to have fun with you."

Ruby already had an idea what kind of 'fun' this man was talking about. "If you dare touch me, I swear I'll burn you into ashes."

"Oh, a spitfire. I like that."

He continued on walking towards her. Before she could react, he already pushed her towards the bed and loomed over her. Ruby's body stiffened. She swore if this guy touched her, she would really set him on fire. Because she was too busy feeling disgusted, she didn't hear the commotion happening outside. She was readying herself to attack but before she could do that, the man was suddenly pulled away from her.

When she looked up, she saw a tall youth with silver hair and purple eyes standing by the bed. He was obviously the one who pulled the guy away from her.

Ruby excitedly stood up. "Argent!"