Happy Chinese New Year folks! It"s a week long holiday for me woo hoo! Have a Part 1! I think I made plenty of mistakes here in terms of naming. If you guys know the right terms, please tell in the comments!
The palace sat at the very heart of the capital Rome. As far as the eye can see, the impressively expansive lawn goes down the slope and up to the palace. The blue sky contrasted the magnificient grandeur of the palace. St.u.r.dy brick walls and cross arch structure created an elegant arched roof, an architecture unique only to ancient Rome. Even in this frigid season, roses can be found blooming in front of the palace. It adds a charming atmosphere to the royal premise.
The author is trying to describe these roof. Here"s the wiki link: here
Lin Ling stood right outside the palace"s front door, and sighed loudly. This is her first time seeing the ancient palace of Rome. To be frank, Camelot"s royal palace is but a speck of dust compared to the majestic building in front of her now. Nevertheless, no matter how grand or impressive it is, it will all belong to Arthur in the end.
"Wait, Lin Ling."
Duarte plucked a pink rose and put it on her hair. He took a good look at his handiwork, and seemingly nodded in satisfaction. Lin Ling wanted to hide from his gaze. The cold-hearted Dark Duke being sweet to her gave her gooseb.u.mps.
This is the first time she saw him clothed in Roman clothings. Purple-striped white robe along with a shawl of the same colour. It seems like the dark aura he emit is weaker than usual compared to when he wore an all-black attire.
He"s wearing something like this. It"s called a toga. Only men could wear it and it"s usually only for public occa.s.sions.
She looked down at her own clothes--- He woke her up early forcefully. Next thing she knew, dressing her up took the whole morning. She even put on gold-embroidered stola. G.o.d knows what on earth he is doing.
If toga is for men, stola is for women.
She followed Duarte for some time and finally, they reached the throne room. On the golden throne sat a young man comforting a beautiful golden-haired female slave, as though she is a kitten herself. His handsome face had a lazy expression to it. Seeing them arrive, he revealed a charming smile. His sapphire-like eyes was amused with the reaction of the n.o.bles in the room. He was holding a gla.s.s of wine in one hand. The b.l.o.o.d.y red alcohol swayed in its crystal cup. Its content glistened like blood.
"Your Majesty."
Duarte stepped forward and greeted his king.
So, this is the great Roman Emperor, Lucius. Lin Ling could not help but stare curiously at this man. Their gaze met and Lin Ling quickly looked away in surprise.
Lucius was not perturbed as he asked.
"So, this is the famed Lion"s Maiden?"
Duarte nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty. She has surrended to us and will soon be one of us."
Surrendered? Upon hearing the word, Lin Ling flared up. Since when did I surrendered?! She was about to refute their words but Duarte held onto her firmly.
"You. Come closer."
Lucius gestured her to come to his side.
Lin Ling"s palm was sweating. But she complied nevertheless. She raised her head, and noticed the other party"s strange gaze.
It was a gaze that says a prey was quickly captured.
Thankfully, he did not say anything. He allowed Lin Ling to return back to her seat.
"Duarte, what is your next step?"
He changed the topic at hand, but Lin Ling could feel his pair of eyes constantly locked onto her. She felt like a rabbit trapped in a cage.
Duarte bowed slightly and replied.
"Your Majesty, I believe we should rally all our allies and send resourceful knights to these places, Ambaji and Allogi. Next, Alexander, India, Armenia, Elta and Damascus, these va.s.sal countries. We should commence the attack after St. Hilary"s Day. What is His Majesty"s opinion on this?"*
TL: I am not sure of many country"s name here. If you know, please tell me in the comments! The paragraph: 杜阿格斯微微欠了欠身：“陛下，依我所见，我们应该召集罗马帝国所有同盟国家的力量，派遣一些年高而有智谋的骑士到这些地方去，先是安巴吉和阿洛基，再到亚历山大，印度，亚美尼亚，还有埃尔太，大马士革这些罗马属国，在喜拉利节过后再发动攻击，不知陛下意下如何？”
"Sounds like a good plan. Then we shall do like you have suggested."
Lucius swallowed every word of his without much thought. The Roman Emperor seem to not care about such affairs at all. He merely whispered to a guard next to him. The chamberlain then nodded and announced to the ministers his king"s wish.
"His Majesty invites all to dine in a special room."
He then gestured to the maids to usher the guests to a room further in.
The room is black. Be it the ceilings or the walls, it is painted black. The colour extended even to the cushionless chairs. The ministers were brought into the room one by one, and placed in front of the chairs are gravestone-like, black silver plate*. In this dark room, the only lighting comes from the candle hanging from the ceiling. The small, dim light was reflected on the silver plates.
TL: ¯_(ツ)_/¯