Lin Ling saw only darkness the moment she entered the room. If it is not for Duarte holding her hand, she would have tripped. Not long after everyone sat down, the dead emerged from the darkness. These are teenagers dressed up like monsters, and they painted their bodies jet black. They began dancing a hair-raising dance in front of everyone.

Lin Ling was so shocked that she quickly looked down. The only thought she had in mind now was that this emperor is a mad man. In this dim light, she turned to peek furtively at Duarte next to her. He had his gaze fixed on those youngsters. His expression was as calm as the lake's surface. The rest of the audience was not making a fuss either. Be it the food on a ebony plate, nor wine in a black goblet. Everything in this room is but a feast for the dead. Everyone was still. An unknown shadow looms over them.

Lucius seems to be enjoying the current mood very much. He was even chatting up with anyone about the subject of killing and torturing others.

"Why aren't you eating?"

Duarte quietly asked Lin Ling.

She shook her head like a mannequin. Oh please, you expect me to eat in a room with such a ghastly mood? To be frank, even the Dark Duke's manor is better than this.

The Roman emperor is in a good mood today. He talked for a bit before laughing heartily. His sudden laugh gave Lin Ling a scare, but the rest continued eating their food calmly.

"Your Majesty, what made you so pleased today?"

Duarte smiled.

Lucius chuckled.

"It is because with a nod from me, everyone here in this room would have their throats slashed."

Upon hearing these ridiculous words, Lin Ling was sure of her impression of this man--- He is seriously crazy!

The banquet finally came to an end. As she walked out of the pitch-black room, Lin Ling heaved a sigh of relief. She was lucky to be walking out of there alive!

If this continues, she will certainly collapse. It is going to be hard to escape from the Dark Duke's clutches. Perhaps she should go through her options once she escaped to the real world. Unfortunately, her captor has forbid any eggs to reach her hands. Moreover, during that dreadful banquet, it was so dark she could not even see what she was eating. Looks like she needs to find another way out of this mess.

"If you're thinking of escaping, forget about it. It's impossible."

Duarte saw through her and without mercy, took away what hope she has.

Lin Ling hmphed at his words and turned away from him.

"Also, there's no eggs in my house. You will not be seeing any food with eggs in them."

He then added more burns to his words.

Once they walked through the hall, he stopped in his tracks. His expression turned strange.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Ling asked curiously. She was not concerned about him at all. Lin Ling was just anxious to get out of this creepy place.

He gently rubbed his temple.

"Just now... I think I drank too much."

"Huh?"

Lin Ling blinked in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

He then replied helplessly.

"I think I need to resolve my business before I go."*

TL: He needs to pee lmao

"Can't you hold it in?"

Lin Ling blurted out. She certainly do not wish to stay in this place a second longer.

"T-This is not something I can hold it in."

Duarte looked up with an embarrassed expression.

This is the first she saw him with such an embarassed, helpless expression. The Duarte now is much more cuter than the usual ruthless him.

Ah, that's right. While he was settling his business, she'll conveniently slip away.

"Don't think about using this opportunity to slip away."

Duarte grinned, and dragged her to a nearby room. He coldly warned her.

"Wait for me here. There are many guards outside. Don't forget that you have yet to heal from your wound. It's impossible for you to escape with that shoulder of yours."

She watched him turn to leave. Feeling a bit peeved, she looked out the door. True enough, there are plenty of guards everywhere she looked. If it is not because of her injury, these guards would be fodders.

She finally accept that escape is futile and looked around the room. This room looked like a lobby. There is a beautifully carved Roman couch. Next to that couch is a small table and on it, a vase with a rose in it.

Outside the window, the moon is high up in the sky. Just when Lin Ling was starting to get impatient, she heard footsteps from behind her.

"Duarte, you've been gone for far too long."

As she tattled, she turned towards him. Their eyes met, and she turned white as sheet.

That crazy emperor was holding a white rose while he smiled at her. It is undeniable that he is a handsome man. Everyone loves an attractive man, but a good-looking man with crazy tendencies is just no-no. Seeing how scared she was, Lucius slowly and gently kissed the white rose in his hands. That motion of his looked benevolent to those who saw. He then raised it high, allowing the moonlight to reflect beneath the white petals. Lucius then threw the rose her way.

"W-Why are you here?"

Lin Ling was so surprised, she felt that this is a stupid question to start off with.

"This is my palace."

He replied smartly and walked towards her a few steps.

Scared, she stepped back away from him. She has never looked forward to Duarte's return this much before.

"H-Hey! Don't come any closer!"

Seeing how callously he approached her, she shook with fear.

"Oh? Why are you so afraid? My Lion's Maiden..?"

He chuckled and reached out to her.

"Black hair and black eyes... This is the first I've seen a girl like you."

"U-Uhm, Your Majesty, compared to those beautiful girls in your possession, my looks aren't really impressive at all... "

Her heart stilled. The clockworks in her head is spinning furiously to escape this predicament.

"Hm? Did no one tell you? I absolutely love girls like you."

He squinted his eyes, and smiled creepily.

Her instincts was screaming danger. She wants to retreat but her back is already leaning against the wall. There is no escape.

"Your Majesty, Duarte will be back real soon---"

She had yet to finish her sentence when he forcefully hugged her. She panicked and her hands reached out to grab anything she could get. But she grabbed only air. Both her hands was quickly held down by the other party.

The next thing she knew, she was thrown onto the soft couch.