She looked at him beneath the dim moonlight. Her gaze unwavering, it speaks of the strong resolution she now holds. Duarte thought he must be mistaken when he met with her strong gaze. The fire burning in hers easily extinguished his own conviction. Her slender wrist he was holding in his hand was warm to the touch.

He does not understand why, but ever since he met this girl, the door in the depths of his heart long closed now begins to open up.

With every meeting, the door that once sealed shut began to weaken it's hold from the pull. His eyes long used to the dark begin to see the light pouring in.*

TL: Okay fine I got a bit poetic here. Duarte deserves some love.

He knew it is a colour that he should hate.

The things that he love should have been darker than black, cold, and it ought to be the shade of curses. But still, it is puzzling that such a gentle, pure light could make him feel warm on the inside. He thirsts for that light, hoping to make it illuminate places that were devoid of it.

He mused that he could just be finding a reason to keep her by his side. There are many ways he could use to ensure that she'll never be able to leave him. These thoughts of his is like fishes swimming quietly in the deep ocean of his heart. He knew he harbored these thoughts, but he can't clearly see it. He couldn't help but be troubled by these 'fishes'.

"You'll be going with me to the royal palace tomorrow."

He slowly released her wrist and worded his words carefully.

"Be careful not to repeat those words in the presence of the emperor. You may be thrown into the arena, or worst."

Lin Ling was surprised.

"The emperor? What emperor? Why must I go see him?"

"I previously said, didn't I? The Romans are familiar with the Lion's Maiden. Even if the Englishmen forgets, the Romans remembers."

He glanced at her meaningfully.

"Perhaps you'll look forward to seeing our emperor personally."

Lin Ling glared at him.

"I've heard people once said no matter which monarchy it is, among five of them, only one is normal. Among ten monarchs, only one is a wise king and as for the rest, they are either idiots, perverts or indulges in debauchery. "

Duarte was stunned for a moment, but he chuckled at her statement.

"Well, this is a first I've heard of this. Then what about Your Majesty Arthur?"

"Obviously, he is the wisest king among the wisest ones!"

He did not rebute her words. He merely smiled before turning to leave the room. Outside the door, he instructed the guards.

After some time has passed, Lin Ling could not hear footsteps on the other side of the door anymore. It is now quiet. She did not know when the footsteps has quieted down. She looked out through the small window on the door, and saw many guards doing their job. Be it on the outside, or the floors below, guards filled the area. Looks like she could not escape before her shoulder fully heals.

The author meant this type of window.

"Hey hey! I need some water!"

She hesitantly slammed her door and soon, she can hear footsteps come running at her call.

Soon after, a pot of water was given to her through the small window. She took it and noticed that it was Percival who brought water to her.

"Xiao Per... I'm so sorry for what I did that day."

She apologized with all her heart.

Percival huffed at her words.

"I'm just glad you did not take the chance to kill me that day. I should be the one thanking you instead."

Lin Ling sighed helplessly. This tone of his...

"I had no choice at that time. You see, I will be meeting that emperor of yours tomorrow. I may even be thrown to the lions. I should be escaping instead, isn't that right?"

"You'll be seeing that emperor tomorrow?"

Percival glanced at her calmly.

"Yes."

Lin Ling touched her chin worriedly.

"Is this emperor a tyrant? Murderer? Or is he a cruel man?"

Percival glanced at her coldly before relaxing his gaze.

"At any rate, be careful tomorrow."

Lin Ling blinked in surprise. She looked down, and warmth bloomed in her heart. She replied softly.

"Xiao Per. This is strange. I couldn't tell if you're evil or good now."

Percival's expression changed to a strange one. He slammed the small window shut and cut short their conversation.

Ever since he was cursed, his personality was split to two. The first half is good but he is fearful of it. It is a side of him that he despises. The other half is evil and it excites him to wear it. However, danger lurks in every corner while he wears this half.

There are times where he did not know which side he is wearing, or which 'mask' he should wear.

He did not know the reason behind this, but the boundary between the good and evil begins to blur.