The hour before dawn is the darkest of the day. The surrounding is quiet and stifling. The twinkling stars hang spa.r.s.ely in this silk-like night sky, illuminating the underlit world beneath. Lin Ling barely slept. Her eyes once clear is now bloodshot.
After a night of deep thinking, she has finally calmed down. Now that she think about it, there are too many questions unanswered. Why does Arthur and his men has forgotten everything about her, but not the Dark Duke and his men? Could there be some problems with the game itself? Previously in these chaotic situations, only Merlin knew what was going on.
While she was pondering whether she should find Merlin or not, a shadow pa.s.sed by her window. Not long after that, she can hear sounds coming from the door. Next thing she knew, the door is opened!
A young man with brown hair and gray eyes stood at the doorway. He is like a flower that blooms only at night and by the cliff; solitary, yet a charming fragrant.
"Xiao Per, why are you here?!"
Lin Ling cried out in surprise.
Percival looked like a changed man. With a pitiful gaze, he looked at her.
"The Dark Duke sent me here to rescue you."
Lin Ling was even more surprised.
"Him? He sent you here to save me?"
"Let"s stop the idle chatter. Hurry up and follow me."
Percival hurriedly pulled her by her sleeve, and dragged her out of the room.
Seeing how rough Percival is, Lin Ling understood that he is now wearing the mask of his evil persona.
"I never said that I"ll leave with you."
The stinging pain on her shoulder returned.
"Your opinion is of no consequences to me. I am only following orders."
Percival"s expression then changed to a sneering one.
"Looks like they aren"t fools after all."
His voice faded with the wind as dozens of knights came swarming out of their hiding, surrounding Lin Ling and Percival.
"Your Majesty, I was right after all. This woman is a Roman spy. If not, why did Dark Duke"s men come to save her?"
Guinevere"s sharp voice is exceptionally clear on this quiet night.
Lin Ling raised her head, and saw Arthur approaching from within the group of knights. His line of sight was directed at Lin Ling and Percival. Lin Ling was heartbroken to see the disdain in his gaze.
His lips pursed like a razor sharp blade. He then spitted out equally cold words.
"Capture them."
Actions speak faster than words. In a flash, Percival unsheathed the sword hanging on his waist and readied himself. His expression was serious and unperturbed. The knights too, raised their weapons at ready. Percival"s swordmanship is indeed impressive. Be it on the offensive or defensive, it was obvious to see that he was taught well. Dexterous and light on his feet, he effortlessly dodged every slashes that came his way.
Lin Ling took advantage of the chaos to approach Arthur.
She could not accept it. She does not want to believe that their paths would no longer cross. She refuse to accept that they are now strangers after what they"ve been through.
"Arthur..."
She whispered the words filled with bitterness and sorrow.
The sword in his hand glistened dangerously. His pair of purple eyes locked onto her coldly. The warm hands she once held close to her is now far from her grasp.
"Arthur... You... You really don"t recognise me?"
Lin Ling wished to confirm it once more no matter the cost.
She no longer recognise those eyes of his. It was not the tender and loving gaze she once knew. The pain in her chest hurts the worst than it had been.
In a flash, a frigid wind came down as quick as lightning. Her eyes wide with surprise, she raised her arms in front of her.
The young king stopped his hand. The cold, glinting silver tip was right in front of her face.
Although he did not bring the sword down, her soul felt like it was stabbed. It was cold initially, but soon the feeling spread all over her limbs. Those warm hands of his... is no longer within her reach.
Why?
She seems... familiar all of a sudden? Arthur stared at the black haired girl. The voice in his heart grew louder with time. That echoing voice caused him to forget what he was previously doing.
Percival saw a small window of opportunity, and took down two knights. He glanced towards Lin Ling"s direction, and was filled with anxiety. He does not know what she"ll do next nor what was she thinking. All of these thoughts filled his mind.
"123, quickly come to my side!"
He shouted at her.
Lin Ling did not hear a word at all. She pursed her lips. All of a sudden, she grabbed the sword in front of her. She did not feel any pain on her palm as blood continues to drip. Her vision blacked out all of a sudden, and her small frame wobbled. She lost her footing and leaned forward.
Arthur hastily pulled away his sword in hand, but it was too late. The tip pierced through the old wound on her shoulder causing the blood to spurt.
Percival moved in a flash, and rushed in front to catch the girl.
Seeing how the girl was safely in the arms of the intruder, Arthur had a splitting headache. Memories flashed in his head. It is a memory of someone he knew. The familiar voice echoed next to his ear. It was nostalgic and warm... But then, it turned into a painful and grievous feeling. When he finally recovered, the young man had already stole away a warhorse and fled with the girl in tow.