"You"re awake." It was a brief sentence. It had a dignified tone to it, but one can pick out the concern the speaker had.
A chill grasped Lin Ling"s heart. She now understood the situation she is in now. She quickly glanced around. All around her are green stone walls (?). It was obvious to see that the walls were well-polished. The bricks were arranged to show intuitive patterns and relief sculpture. However, the dreariness the colour green brought forth had overwhelmed the sense of pleasing aesthetics. There are windows but the curtains are closed. She could not see the outside world, nor could she see the sunlight pouring in.
TL: Wut. Green stone walls. Wut.
Even sounds are lost to her.
She looked around the room again. Even if the walls are painted with bright colours, it could not weaken the dreary atmosphere of this s.p.a.ce.
"This is our temporary residence in Burgundy."
Duarte lighted another two candles.
"The war between England and Rome started a month ago and till now, it is still at a stalemate."
"I think it"s more like you Romans are losing. No matter what, Arthur will be the final victor."
"Is that so?"
His tone changed.
"By the way, that wound looks quite serious. I have never seen such wounds."
Lin Ling still feel a slight pain on her shoulder. She looked down, and saw that it was already bandaged.
"W-Who tend to my wounds?"
"Do you see anyone else here but me? You"re welcomed."
The corner of his mouth turned upwards.
What?! T-Then that means... H-He saw... Heavens! Just how much did he saw?! Lin Ling felt shame and anger rose up in her. The colour of her cheeks switched between pale white and beet red*. She frowned and gritted her teeth. She looked up and cried out.
"Just what do you want?!"
TL: Angry = white. Embara.s.sed = red. Displeased = black. Shocked = green. The different colours when describing facial expressions in Chinese.
Duarte grinned.
TL: Bla bla decorative sentences that wasn"t translated. ????????，?????????????????，????，?????????????。
"Of course, it"s to bring you to Rome."
Lin Ling"s heart sank, but she acted calm on the surface. She turned her head away to ignore him. No matter what, she needs to think of a way to escape from this place. She will see Arthur again.
"Percival, I will leave Lin Ling to you."
Duarte spoke gently while he faced the door. As soon as he finished his words, a young man"s voice can be heard from outside the door.
Lin Ling stared in shock at the person in front of her.
"Xiao Per! Why are you still working for him? You should be at Arthur"s side instead!"
"123..."
As soon as their eyes met, Percival"s gray eyes glinted.
Duarte turned to leave as soon as he gave out the command.
"Xiao Per, what are you today? Evil? Good?"
Once Duarte left the room, Lin Ling quickly questioned the knight to see which persona he is wearing now.
"How did you injure your shoulder? Does it hurt?"
He was clearly concerned for her. Lin Ling is now sure of his persona today.
"Xiao Per, I see that you"re good today!"
"No matter the circ.u.mstances, I will not let you escape. I"ve received strict orders from the Duke himself."
Percival was quick to notice her intentions.
"I won"t make things difficult for you. But, I"m really hungry now. I can have some food, can"t I?"
Percival stood on the other side of the door as soon as he delivered the food. Lin Ling raised her head to look out of the window. From the looks of it, only a few knights are patrolling. The rest are asleep on the ground. She then turned to look at the food Percival gave her, and had a change of heart. With a sweep of her hand, the plate clattered to the ground.
"Lin Ling, what"s wrong?"
Just as she suspected, Percival rushed into the room.
She hold down her stomach and showed a pained expression.
"T-This food has gone bad, hasn"t it? My stomach hurts!"
"How can that be?"
Percival took a few steps forward, and looked down at the unfinished meal.
Now"s the time!
Lin Ling seized the opportunity when he was looking down. She grabbed a candlestick nearby and with all her force, brought it down onto his neck! It was a solid hit. Percival was downed without uttering a word. Without missing a beat, Lin Ling grabbed his sword while she muttered her apology profusely.
"I"m sorry, Xiao Per... I"m so sorry..."
She continued muttering as she pushed open the door. Once she is truly free, she ignored the pain on her shoulder and strike down a knight. She seized the fallen knight"s horse and made her escape...
The knights tried to give chase, but was stopped by Percival who rushed out of the room.
"Let her go."
He rubbed his neck. This girl hits really hard, but to caught him off guard like this... It was not easy in the first place.
"Sir Percival, the Duke will not be happy about th-"
The leader of the black knights held his steed"s reins tight.
"No. He will not push the blame on you for her escape."
Percival cut off his sentence. He turned and headed towards the back of the wutong tree.
"Sir, it happened just as you expected. She really did used that method to escape."
"She must have left to go to Arthur"s side."
Duarte slowly stepped out from the back of the wutong tree.
"Percival, follow her. Once it is time, capture her."
Percival looked as if there is still some doubt lingering in him. He whispered softly.
"Sir, why did you let her meet Arthur?"
"Their meeting must happen this way..."
Duarte smile turned even stranger.
"... for her to despair."