Hi all! Well, here's chapter 10 of Beauty In Darkness! As promised, this chapter is indeed longer than chapter 9 and I've overcome the writer's block thanks to a couple of friends : )

As always, thanks to the reviewers of last chapter Eevee Blossom and Kimkey Roslina! Especially to Kimkey for her outstanding encouragement with each chapter! And I've got 1621 hits! Grazie everybody! XDDD I can't believe how far this story's come from a daydream in a school assembly...

Anyways, hope u like! There are a few plot twists and new discoveries for you this chapter! Some plot twists and clues are subtle but they're there!

Beauty In Darkness

Chapter 10

Roderich cursed bitterly under his breath. The Great Angel wouldn't heed his request to see Arthur and her body couldn't handle King Roderich's powerful telepathy spell! He rubbed his forehead, slightly tired from using his telepathy from such a long distance. Elizaveta frowned concernedly and softly took her husband's hand.

"She'll understand. Soon Roderich..." She whispered, a tad of doubt in her own words showing. "The Great Angel will fulfil her destiny, light Arthur's heart again..." Roderich gazed intently at the Queen. "But what if she doesn't understand soon enough? Arthur's dark power is beginning to increase rapidly and...His father's chief advisor's curse will soon take full effect."

Elizaveta gulped, worriedly. "So...we're running out of time, love?" She whispered, her voice sounding hoarse with the huge lump rising in her throat. Roderich saw her discomfort and pulled Elizaveta into a warm embrace. "I'm afraid so. At least we know the resistance and The Great Knight are united, our kingdom's sorcerer Kiku has seen to that."

Roderich spoke uneasily, a trait that for the most part was non-existent in the nobleman. Gently, Roderich smoothed his soft fingertips through the Queen's long brown hair. "But even Prince Alfred as the Great Knight doesn't fully understand his role in all this or the curse." His voice quivered just a little bit.

"What do we do?" The Queen asked a new hint of determination in her tone. King Roderich looked up bravely and grasped Elizaveta's hand.

"We fight. We must fight now, love. It may be the only way." He looked to the long glass window in his room and saw a gold-violet sunset gleaming brightly. As if the world itself was unknowing of the turmoil that lay ahead. "It's almost nightfall. I promised Captain Ludwig an answer for tomorrow and he shall get it." Fierce determination and a slight tone of uncertainty graced the King's words.

Elizaveta smiled up at her beloved, admiring his courage and deciding she would be brave too. "Our kingdom will be safe...won't it?" She breathed in a hushed tone. Roderich planted a light kiss on her forehead.

"It will. I solemnly make that promise to you, my people, and the Kirkland kingdom and indeed to King Arthur himself. It will be alright. I shall make it so..."

000

Arthur grimaced as he got up from his position in the corner of his dark chambers, his wounds still burning. His vision still blurred and his blonde hair still filthy and clumped together with crimson blood. But he refused to let himself weaken like that again.

Growling fiercely, he forced his weary legs to push him on to the drawers on the other side of the wide room. Arthur blinked hazily, heaving shaky gasps as he laid his bloody palm to grip the heavily locked drawer. Unable to resist, he exhaustedly closed his green eyes for a moment.

Although his eyelids were closed, a vivid image swam tauntingly before him. It was the rebellious girl...Michelle. Her rosy lips were curled in a light hearted smile. Her dark hair was no longer tied back and the curly ringlets at the ends adorning her slender shoulders. Her eyes shone with happiness...almost like she was looking back at Arthur himself...

Eyes snapping open, he grabbed a porcelain cup and hurled it furiously at the opposite wall. The cup thudded and broke with a satisfying CRASH!

Arthur took shallow breaths, gritting his hard teeth. The girl was weakening him! The demons did this because she was weakening him! Ever since their first meeting, every time Arthur blinked Michelle's lovely gaze pierced him. Making the dark King feel warm but not burning. Like his feet were no longer in the clutches of gravity.

Wait...did he just call her lovely? And was referring to a lowly servant by name?

Arthur growled again, he felt like he...needed her...

Needed her smile. Needed her touch. Needed her rosy lips caressing his cracked, pale lips. He both adored and despised this feeling. Both treasured it and desired to throw it away.

"Is this what all other creatures call...love?" He muttered both bitterly and blissfully. But if this is love, a positive feeling, then Arthur shouldn't feel this...love. He was told that...

"I'm afraid weak creatures such as you aren't entitled to life's pleasures. Hope, acceptance...love. If you discover your spirit of ruthlessness...you can take it for yourself. You will be strong..." The words from Arthur's childhood stabbed him, so painfully. Like each sound of each letter was a knife, a sword.

Shaking his head dizzily, Arthur made for the single cushion and black quilt he had on the floor. Slumping into a lying position, his eyelids immediately began to weigh down and droop. The girl gazed at him again and like an annoying fly, the dark King tried to swat it away.

Exhausted, Arthur fell asleep quickly. Colours swirled round his tired and confused dreams. Images appeared. First was the girl, Michelle. Her brown eyes sparkling as if she was happy that the King was dreaming of her. Arthur burned with fury at his own weakness again, however...he felt relaxed. More relaxed than he'd felt in a long time. Michelle seemed almost coercing him into soft peaceful slumber.

But Arthur knew that was impossible. First there was his nightly visions of the future. And nightmares of the past.

And the vision came now, it was a little girl dancing before him and smiling. She looked no more than four years old and Arthur felt her smile was somewhat familiar.

The little one giggled then disappeared. An inky black abyss swirled round tauntingly. The nightmares began.

000

As night fell, Francis marched proudly into the hall of the rebels. He had called an emergency meeting and it seemed everyone had turned up. Their mysterious yet opinionated guest, Wang Yao stood up front with Kiku and ugh...Alfred. Francis was still pissed with him, if he hadn't left his kingdom with that madman Arthur none of this would've happened.

Wang looked over and waved Francis over, nodding Francis stepped to the front. The bustling hall of the resistance instantly falls quiet. Francis smirked a bit smugly, admiring the power his presence had over his comrades.

Gilbert pushed his way through the crowd "Has there been word from mein bruder or the piano bastard?" He shouted, concerned for his little brother and still furious with Roderich. Ignoring the cursing, Kiku replied curtly "Hai. Ludwig has made his request and is being given an answer tomorrow morning."

Gilbert nodded, still scowling angrily. Alfred spoke up "OK dudes! Whether or not Roderich joins us it doesn't matter. We gotta prepare! Show that the people of this Kingdom are not to be underestimated!" Many yells of agreement follow this and Wang Yao steps forward as Alfred gestures to him.

"This is Wang Yao! He is the wise sorcerer as spoken of in the oldest legends of our three kingdoms!" Gasps and whispers of disbelief echo loudly. Francis asked for quiet, his blue eyes turning icy toward the Prince. Oblivious, Wang Yao answers clearly "Aiyah! This is true! I've been around for about four thousand years aru!"

Glancing over the crowd, his amber eyes harden. "I have tons of information about your King and how to beat him! But first we must find the Great Angel aru!" The throng of villagers murmur in confusion until the sorcerer shouts out "She will be key to defeating Arthur and lifting his curse!" The crowd cheers, pleased by this.

After checks of food and water supplies, Francis dismisses the meeting saying he needs his beauty sleep to look good when he kicks Arthur's ass and saves his Michelle. As the rebels gradually vanish, Alfred makes to leave with Kiku until Wang Yao grasps his robe with urgency.

"You have many questions. About how your brother became evil. About what the chief advisor that ruled in your father's place has to do with it." The wise sorcerer's voice was low and knowing. Alfred's sapphire eyes widen and he turns to Wang Yao.

"H-how do you know my question? W-what does the heif advisor have to do with it?" Alfred blurted, panicky. Wang Yao simply smirked. "I read people like you like a book. And as for the chief advisor...meet me in the training grounds. Dawn, tomorrow."

Then the sorcerer leaves casually. Leaving the young prince's head spinning with countless thoughts.

...

Wow, this is my longest chapter yet! I think this chappie was one of my best XDDD

Please review! Tell me what you think, give advice, criticism whatever! I'd also like to see all your predictions for what you think will happen next...

Who's the chief advisor? What does he have to do with Arthur's evilness? Who's the little girl in the dark King's vision? What'll become of Roderich and Elizaveta's kingdom? How does Roderich know about the chief advisor and the chosen two? Who said those words in Arthur's flashback? What will become of Michelle? I've raised a lot of questions I hope!

I really wanna know what you think the answers are to these questions!

Sooo...PLEASE REVIEW!

xxrubyredrosesxx