Night fell over the German castle, and suddenly, the walls shook with a muffled roar that nearly shattered the glass. Ari ran toward Lu Ming's wing, her heart almost dropping into her stomach from fear... and excitement too!
(Ari internally: My God! Has the transformation begun? Will I see the "Charming T-Rex" now? Pull yourself together, Ari; this is a life-or-death moment... but a quick death at the hands of this handsome man wouldn't be so bad!)
She pushed the door open to find the room in total chaos. Lu Ming was kneeling on the floor, his black shirt torn at the shoulders, the veins in his neck bulging with a glowing blue light. His sharp Chinese features were struggling against hard scales that had begun to cover his back and arms.
Fang suddenly appeared from the shadows, holding a golden syringe, and said sternly: "Ari! The curse is stronger than the medicine this time. The beast refuses to retreat... get close to him, and hold him quickly!"
(Ari internally: What? Fang, hold him? He's raging! Are you asking me to commit a romantic suicide? Well... I'll do it!)
Ari stepped forward with trembling steps. She didn't see a monster; she saw a suffering Lu Ming. She knelt behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her head against his broad back, which was beginning to heat up terrifyingly.
She whispered in his ear: "Lu Ming... I'm here. Don't let the beast swallow you."
At that moment, the roaring stopped. Lu Ming turned with lightning speed, locking his massive hands onto Ari's waist, pulling her directly beneath him on the floor. His dark eyes had turned a radiant gold, and his hot breath fanned her face.
(Ari internally: Stop beating, my heart! We are in a dangerous situation... but he is so close! His nose is touching mine... and his muscles are pressing against me... My God, can I ask the beast to stay like this for a little while? The curse has never been this beautiful before!)
Lu Ming looked deep into her blue eyes, and the scales slowly began to recede. His hot breath brushed her face, his glowing golden eyes searching her blue ones for something unexplainable. Slowly, the hard scales vanished from his skin, returning to his cold, smooth complexion, but his grip on her waist did not loosen; instead, it tightened as if he feared she would disappear if he let go.
(Ari internally: My God, is the transformation over? His golden eyes are swallowing my soul... is he planning to kill me or kiss me? Either way, I'm completely surrendered! Look at this closeness; I can hear his racing heartbeat... or maybe that's the sound of my heart deciding to resign from its duties and follow him!)
Lu Ming spoke in a hushed voice, deeper than usual, as if echoing from the depths of the beast:
"Why didn't you run? The beast was about to tear everything apart... why did you choose to stay?"
Ari swallowed hard, and despite her body trembling under his weight, she didn't look away. She whispered, trying to remain steady:
"You said my life is linked to my actions... and I did what I felt would make you return."
(Ari internally: Liar! I did it because I wanted to touch these muscles! Hold it together, Ari, don't tell him you were enjoying this 'romantic suicide' setup!)
A dark semi-smile played on his lips, and he tilted his head until his forehead touched hers.
Suddenly, Fang coughed mechanically while still standing in the dark corner of the room, making Ari jump as she tried to pull away, but Lu Ming didn't let her go immediately.
Fang, in a void-of-emotion tone: "Master, the curse has stabilized faster than usual. Additionally, most of your enemies have pinpointed this location, and they have sent assassins."
(Ari internally, trying to adjust her disheveled clothes: Fang! You spoiler of poetic moments! I'll kill you one day!)
Lu Ming stood up with total coldness, as if nothing had happened, closing the remains of his torn shirt. He looked at Ari and said:
"Go now, prepare and get everything ready. Tomorrow we leave the castle; Germany is no longer safe for any of us."
(Ari internally, as she left the room: Tomorrow? Where are we going? It doesn't matter; I'll follow you even if you decide to return to the Cretaceous period! I feel like my legs can barely carry me. I'll kill you, Fang! I swear I'll put salt in your coffee instead of sugar! How dare you cough at that moment? He was about to say something... or do something! But "assassins"? Does this mean we're in an action movie now? My God, I'm starting to feel like my life has turned into a heavy-duty manhwa... a handsome hero, a T-Rex curse, and enemies chasing us everywhere!)
In her room, Ari began packing her things quickly, but her mind was still stuck in that room, with those hot breaths and golden eyes.
(Ari internally, putting her clothes in the suitcase: Where are we going? China? America? It doesn't matter, I'll follow him to the end of the world. The important thing is to stay close to him... a "maid" for his handsomeness or whatever, it makes no difference to me! But I must be careful; they are real assassins... and the mysterious Ari must show her true abilities soon. I can't just keep falling in love all the time!)
Suddenly, there was a quiet knock on the door. She opened it to find Fang standing there with his usual wooden features, carrying a black leather bag.
Fang: "Ari, Master Lu Ming ordered you to wear this tomorrow. Traveling in the mountains requires more practical clothing, and Master Lu's enemies are watching for girls wearing traditional maid outfits."
(Ari internally, taking the bag: Thanks, you ghost! At least you care about my practical look... Will I wear combat gear? How exciting! I'll look like a real manhwa heroine next to the Dinosaur King!)
She closed the door and looked into the mirror, her blue eyes shining with a new challenge.
"Get ready, Lu Ming... for Ari is no maid; she is the storm that will protect you."