Hm. yes, it definitely needs more imaginative descriptions. Thank you for the reviews. And as for it being out of the blue, well, maybe it is. But according to Kidd's investigations on Chris, she had an encounter with Lilly during the Zexen Federation Day Ball when they were young. That's where I kind of got the idea and I think this fan fiction is not that far- fetched. (^_^)

Misconstrued (3rd Chapter)

'Nothing could possibly go wrong today.' Optimism in high gear, Percival sauntered out of his chambers the next day. The sun shone brightly through the glass panes of the tall French windows as he walked the length of the carpeted corridor. He paused and looked out the window for a moment to watch the knights readying themselves for the upcoming competition scheduled that morning. He saw some of the guests strolling around the sparring grounds; their animated expressions displayed their excitement for the impending matches. 'A perfect day for the activities that lay ahead.' He mused as he looked up at the clear blue sky.

He already had the day planned out. It will start with their breaking of fast in the main dining hall which will start in a few minutes. The events for the day will also be announced by then. A tournament to determine this year's best swordsman is the next activity. He will join, of course, to challenge the blond knight Borus who has been holding the title for years. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. "This year would definitely be ours, my friend."

He wasn't informed of the other activities scheduled for the day but he's sure there would be archery contests, jousting competitions, and even hand to hand combats. He would participate in the events that interest him and as for the rest, he could just spend his time drinking or completely ignoring the impossible lady he is supposed to be escorting. He was sure she would appreciate that very much.

Besides, this would be the day she returns to Tinto. And that would mean the end of this unwanted duty.

'Yes, definitely a good day.' The thought made him smile. But first thing's first, he must escort Lilly to the dining hall.

"I've come to collect the lady and accompany her to the hall." He smiled at the chambermaid assigned to Lilly as she was coming out of the room. "Is she done preparing?" The girl looked up and Percival was surprised to see tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. His smile vanished quickly. "What happened?"

Instead of answering, the chambermaid buried her face in her hands and scurried away from him. He watched as the girl disappeared down the corridor.

'Now what did she do?' Exasperated, he knocked on the double oak doors. There was silence on the other side. He frowned and knocked again, louder this time. Still Lilly didn't answer the door. He looked down the hallway to see if anyone was coming. Satisfied that there's no one around, he quickly slipped inside Lilly's chambers.

The richly furnished anteroom welcomed him. Intricately designed cushioned seats were arranged on one side of the room. Bookshelves lined the wall on the other side. A decorative study table was sitting nearby. Paintings of famous artists covered the walls of the room. He realized then that Lilly Pendragon took the largest chambers in the dormitories of the Council Hall.

The rich carpet muffled the sound of his footsteps as he walked toward the arched doorway leading to the main sleeping chamber. He quickly scanned the room and noticed the same eloquence as that of the anteroom. The large bed was located on a dais on the east side. He walked toward it and found the sleeping form of Lilly.

"I don't believe it!" Percival groaned. No wonder she wasn't answering the door. She was still fast asleep! He leaned toward her and nudged her awake. "Hey, get up!"

"I told you to go away." Lilly sleepily replied and turned her back to him. "Or I WILL have you dismissed." She grabbed a pillow and covered her head with it. Percival sighed. Now he knows why the chambermaid was crying. She was nasty even in her sleep. And it's Percival's turn to experience her mean streak.

"Those two attendants of yours must have drunk themselves to stupor last night in celebration of their temporary freedom from you." He said. When Lilly didn't react nor move an inch, he snatched the pillow from her and threw it over his shoulder. "Get up or we'll miss breakfast."

Lilly groggily sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes. And made no other move. Percival sighed yet again. Being a nanny wasn't a part of his duty, was it? He reached for her elbow to gently pull her up. His other arm went around her slim waist to support her. Miracle of all miracles, she let him. Lilly Pendragon, he realized, is definitely not a morning person. "Freshen up. We're late for breakfast." He led her towards the basin. "They could be finishing up by now. We have to hurry else we'll miss the tournament as well."

Percival finally noticed what she was wearing. Her white cotton nightdress reached to her ankles. Her auburn hair rested unbound over her shoulders. At first glance, one could mistakenly think her a girl who has only seen twelve summers. He smiled at the thought. Percival never had a little sister. Lady Chris was closest to that category but she would never let him treat her like so. "Now, be a good girl and get dressed. I'll be waiting in the antechamber." Lilly yawned in response. Percival fondly patted her head before he turned to leave.

"What were you doing in my room?!" Lilly demanded half an hour later when she saw Percival in the anteroom. He was scanning the titles of the books on the shelves before he turned to look at her.

"You're wearing that to the hall?" He returned as he recognized the musketeer-like hat, the black gloves, the tight indigo coat with puffed sleeves, and the brick beige tights. It was the outfit she wore during the war months ago. "Why are you bringing your traveling clothes anyway?"

"It's none of your business." She snapped on her sword to her hip and went straight for the doors. Percival followed. They walked silently down the hallway. When they reached the grand staircase that led to hall, Lilly went straight to the door diagonal to it.

"These stairs lead to the dining hall." Percival pointed out. "That door leads outside."

"I know!" Lilly retorted. "Do you think me stupid?"

"Where are you going then?" Percival asked, confusion marring his dark brows.

"Out." She opened the door and stepped out. "I'm not eating here." With that, she slammed the door shut. Percival stood motionless. She made him wait for her for almost an hour and now this? She never gave him any hints about her not joining them in the hall. Not only did he miss breakfast, he'll also be running late for the tournament. The knight didn't know if he should be angry. . . or be downright furious!

* * *

"Where were you during breakfast?" The Silver Maiden asked Percival when she saw him in the sparring grounds. "And where's Lilly?"

Percival was able to catch up with the tournament after his late breakfast. The moment he arrived, the third match was about to end. Luckily, he was listed on the fourth match and that meant he'll be up next. Even without warming up, he was able to defeat his first opponent. He smiled. The day is getting better for him already. And he won't let anything or anyone ruin it. Not even Lilly Pendragon.

"Out there somewhere." Percival shrugged as he grabbed a glass of cold water from a nearby booth. He tore his gaze away from the swordfight and concentrated on the archery contest which was also being held at the same time. He saw Roland shoot his third arrow and it found the mark. The Knight Elf is definitely a sharpshooter and he would probably win this year's archery contest. Again.

"And you don't know where 'out' is, do you?"

"No." He drained his glass and replaced it on the booth.

"Giving up on her already?" Chris tipped her head sideways. Percival merely glanced at her then focused once again on the shooting range. The muscles in his jaw clenched. "I thought better of you." The captain said softly then walked away.

"He seems a little distracted." Leo observed Percival's third match. He stood with Salome and Borus as they watched their comrade parry his opponent's attacks.

"His steps are getting hesitant." Borus said. He frowned. "Wonder what's bothering him?"

"I saw him speaking with Lady Chris before this match." Salome supplied. "They were discussing something serious. And Percival looked none too happy about their conversation."

A moment of silence passed. Then one reason entered their minds as to why Percival wasn't fighting in full strength. "Lilly Pendragon." All three chorused.

The match between the Swordsman of Rage and the Swordsman of Gale finally came. Guests and knights alike came to watch the fight for it was the most awaited in the tournament. Cheers were heard from the spectators as Percival and Borus stepped inside the ring.

"Think you can beat me now?" Borus grinned as he unsheathed his sword.

"Only one way to find out." Percival grinned back as he, too, unsheathed his sword. The moment he was waiting for. Percival took a deep breath and blocked all the distractions around him. There is only one thing in his mind: the defeat of the Swordsman of Rage. He will win this match and unseat Borus from his title! The two shifted to their fighting stances and prepared to charge at each other. Both only took a step forward when a voice called out to Percival.

Borus watched as Percival shrugged and signaled him to wait. His opponent sheathed his sword back in and walked toward the knight who called him. Borus saw Percival frowning as he listened to the knight's message. It must be urgent, he thought. When Percival nodded and said something back to the messenger, the blond knight walked toward the two.

"What's going on?" Borus asked as the message bearer nodded toward the dark haired knight and bowed before them before turning to leave.

"The message was from Miss Lilly." Percival answered. "She's in the Brass Castle. It seems she has gotten herself into trouble." Damn, he shouldn't have let her leave the Council Hall. Lady Chris will have his hide if she found out about this.

"What kind of trouble?" Borus asked worriedly. "I hope she's all right."

"My thoughts exactly." Angry at himself for neglecting his duty, no matter how infuriating, Percival marched toward the gates. "I have to go find her." He looked back at the younger knight and grinned wryly. "I'm dropping out of the tournament, Borus."

The Swordsman of Rage understood completely. Duty always comes first. He smiled. "I hope you have better luck next year."

"You just wait." Percival answered, a little smile forming on his lips, as he turned to leave for Brass Castle.

His mighty steed galloped pass the Zexen Forest. His mind was consumed with thoughts about Lilly getting hurt because of his neglect. Some knights are rough in the Brass Castle If one isn't too careful, he might end up getting thrown out, or even worse, finding himself in the dungeon. And Lilly isn't someone who is careful. But she is a lady, perhaps the knights could go easy on her. He thought. But that didn't calm him down. It was his job to look after her in the first place. It would be his fault if something bad happened to her. He hastened his pace.

Percival finally reached Brass Castle and quickly dismounted when he crossed the wooden drawbridge. "Did you notice a young woman with blue eyes and fiery red hair pass by here?" He asked one of the gatekeepers near the castle entrance.

"You don't happen to be looking for the girl who's truly beautiful until she opens her mouth, milord?" The castle guard asked and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another.

"That's the one." Percival sighed. He might already be too late. They HAVE thrown her in the dungeon. "Where is she?"

"I saw her walking down the street earlier. She appeared to be looking for something."

"She's not in the dungeons?" When the knight looked at him in confusion, Percival shook his head. "Never mind. I'll go look for her." He proceeded inside. 'The knights haven't bothered her,' he thought. 'Rather, she hasn't bothered the knights.' He corrected himself. So what could the problem be? 'Sadie's Teeth, I hope she isn't hurt.' The street was busy as usual. People from different clans walked in and out the area. But he saw no sign of Lilly.

He entered their main headquarters. A soldier pointed to the other side of the castle when Percival asked him if he saw Lilly. "The girl was by the item shop when I last saw her." He supplied. The knight nodded his thanks and left.

'The item shop?' He thought. 'I hope she didn't get herself into an accident and had to buy medicine.' Percival scanned the street and found her leaning beside the shop. He sighed with relief. She was still in one piece. Lilly straightened up when she spotted him. He walked toward her and she met him halfway.

"About time you got here." Lilly said irritably. "I've been waiting for hours!"

"What happened? Are you all right?" Percival examined her from head to foot, checking if she's physically fine. He saw nothing wrong with her. Good. "The messenger said that you're in trouble. You're not hurt, are you?"

"As you can see I'm not hurt! I can take care of myself!" Lilly saw the sincere concern in his dark eyes but deliberately ignored it. She wasn't used to receiving such kind treatment from others. Especially from strangers.

"Then why summon me?" He asked patiently.

"I saw this wonderful amulet in the rare finds of that item shop." She waved her arm carelessly to indicate the store. "I already spent my money purchasing other stuff here. I'd like to borrow 2000 potch from you."