The candle's light was reflected on the marbled floor. Lin Ling can feel her sweaty clothes sticking to her back. It is as if her clothings are now her second layer of skin. It embraced her body tightly. The air she breathes in burns her lung and heart. It then sizzles down her veins, and to every limbs she has. Her body is paralyzed in fear.

She watched as his face gets closer to hers. She no longer cared about her injury and struggled with all her might to get free from his grasp. With her hand now free, she wildly grabbed the roses nearby and threw it at his face.

Lucius's face was immediately scarred by the roses' sharp thorns. However, that was not enough to stop him. In fact, he seemed to be aroused by the pain.

It was hopeless. Lin Ling began to despair.

"Your Majesty."

Duarte's voice broke up the tension. Lucius seems to be surprised and stopped. He spoke with a disappointed tone.

"Why are you here, Duarte?!"

"Your Majesty, I was getting ready to bring her back."

Duarte went up to the couch and with a straight face, spoke to her.

"Get up. We're leaving."

She have yet to recover from her fright. Although Duarte was the most dangerous devil she knew compared to anyone else, he is now the opposite of what she labels him to be; a haloed angel.

"Duarte!"

It is the first time she called out to him with such vigor. Duarte was somewhat touched.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Lucius was glaring at her saviour. He is furious at Duarte for gatecrashing his pleasure time.

"Your Majesty, she is now my comrade. If you wish to conquer England, then do not touch her."

Under the moonlight, his ebony hair is like that of satin. His silver eyes coldly glared down at the king of his fatherland.

Perhaps an intangible fear of Duarte overtook his body. Lucius was actually stunned for a moment.

Lin Ling took the opportunity of Lucius's pause. She quickly climbed out of the couch and hid behind Duarte's back.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Duarte grabbed her hand and walked out of the palace.

Outside the palace, he can feel the girl's trembles. She held his hand firmly all this while. Her fingers were closely intertwined* with his, as though seeking some kind of protection. Her face was pale and expression lifeless. She looked very, very frightened. It was obvious to see she have yet to recover from the horrifying experience just now.

It hurts him to see her like this. The feelings he long buried slowly bubbled back up.

"Why are your hands bloodied?"

He finally noticed the blood on her hands. He recalled the roses scattered on the floor, and realized the cause of it. He questioned her to reaffirm this.

"Roses?"

She kept silent and merely nodded. Lin Ling was overwhelmed with fear when she grabbed those roses. She did not even notice the pain on her palm.

"You really are a stupid woman."

He tore off a piece of his toga and gingerly wrapped up her wound.