The fierce howling continued to grow louder each second while her body remained stiff on the ground. There was not even time to think whether the liquid he force-fed her was poison or not. But considering the situation, Ming Yue was still alive and not in pain meant it was not toxic but the situation of her being unable to move was a result of the spell the trickster used. Often times spells like the one he used has side effects on a tired body. Which means it takes longer for the spell effect to wear off.
As she lay helpless, three black bloodhounds with their eyes red approached at a swift pace. Ming Yue cursed in her head as she closed her eyes thinking about what to do.
"what can I do? Is this how I die? again? First, burnt to death and now eaten by beasts?"
The beasts were now really close to her, and Ming Yue could even feel their panting breaths. However, the awaited attack did not come. Instead, a screech of pain came from the hound and the sound of it being bashed on the ground.
Ming Yue cautiously opened her eyes. Only to find the hounds struggling to get up and a tall figure standing protectively between the hounds and her. His silver hair swayed in the cool wind and even from her position on the ground, she could tell the man was handsome.
"Who are you?", Ming Yue asked.
The man turned around wearing a silver dragon mask. Only his purple eyes could be seen as he smiled at her showing his pearly white teeth,
" a friend, sister-in-law", he said with a grin.
Before Ming Yue could even say anything back, the silver-haired man opened his mouth and used a sleep spell.
The last thing Ming Yue could see was another man with a silver dragon mask and black hair approaching them. Before her consciousness completely faded, she heard a charming voice,
"Good work Louis".
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The man named Louis bowed slightly, to the other man.
"Since you're here, why didn't you save her yourself?" Louis asked.
The other man crouched over and held the unconscious Ming Yue in his arms snuggly. 'Damn that trickster!' he thought. His face was grim seeing her dishevelled look in her satin night robe. He looked at Louis who was looking at them intriguingly.
"Turn around," the man said to Louis.
"What?" Louis did not know what his best friend and leader meant.
"I said turn around and walk fifty steps, Louis," the man retorted loudly.
Taken aback Louis grumbled yet followed the order sulkily walking fifty steps away from them while grumbling under his breath, "you know I would still be able to hear you, Yan,"
As if on cue, the man called Yan shouted again, "And cover your ears", clearly even more displeased with the entire situation.
After Louis walked away, Yan looked fondly at the woman in his arms. All his displeasure vanished as he admired the beautiful woman. He gently fixed her dishevelled robe and smoothed her hair, while looking for any injury. Even though he knew injuries heal faster when their kinds awaken, and any injury from the fight earlier would have healed by now. He still could not help himself worrying and looking over.
"My little moon", Yan's voice was barely a whisper,
"You wouldn't still remember your brother Yan, would you little moon? It's okay, I will give you all the time you want to realize what you want and what you need to find. I am sorry your brother yan couldn't be the prince from your favourite fairy tale and protect his princess. This is why It is not time yet for you to know about my role in your life. You need to do what you want first. Until the time comes, I will always help you from the shadows. We will meet each other again little one."
Yan gently kissed her forehead and walked towards the cabin where Ming Yue was staying. The lights were still on as Mrs Ning was panicking looking around for Ming Yue. As Yan knocked on the main door, a very worried-looking Mrs Ning opened the door surprised to find the young master Yan holding an unconscious Ming Yue.
"Young Master Yan, why are you here? What happened to the young miss?" Mrs Ning asked frantically.
"Do not fret aunty Ning, she is just sleeping. She had a fight with some tricksters. Let her rest well. She will be fine when she wakes up." Yan said walking towards her bedroom and gently laying her on the bed before covering her with the duvet.
"Sleep tight", whispered Yan walking out of her room and bidding farewell to the now-relieved Aunty Ning.
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That night, Ming Yue had the most pleasant sleep and an old dream. She was around two in her dream still learning how to walk in a straight line. Suddenly she stumbled and was about to fall when a pair of small arms caught her just in time. A boy around the age of 6 held her protectively in his arms as she giggled joyfully at the sight of this young boy. The face was unclear, only the jet-black hair of the boy was dripping from sweat. He must have run over when he saw her topple.
"Little Moon," the dream ended with the boy calling her and picking up Ming Yue with all his strength and they both giggled over something. Ming Yue peacefully went into a deep sleep smiling at the dream.