The Destiny that led me to you || Record of Ragnarok: An Unpleasant Encounter

Chapter Eight: Stolen Heart

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Keep love in your heart.

A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.

The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and

a richness to life that nothing else can bring.

- Oscar Wilde

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The next day Atropos immediately went to Linos. She tried to trick him, hoping to dissuade him from continuing to follow Persephone's orders. Fortunately for her, she met him in the corridor.

"Hello, my pretty one. I didn't expect to see you so soon," he greeted her. Atropos rolled her eyes, but tried to pull herself together. "Hello, Linos. I was looking for you." Linos widened his eyes in amazement. "Why?"
"I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior yesterday. You saved me yesterday and I didn't thank you for it," she replied, bowing.

Linos' cheeks flushed and scratched the back of his head. "Hmm... You really are a mystery to me. First you insult me and then the next moment you are so sweet and I am speechless. Your whole existence is a mystery."

Atropos smiled. "So... you think I'm cute? Hmm... maybe I judged you a little too hastily. Forgive me. It was not my intention to hurt you.... How about a round of chess?" Linos' face was now completely flushed. That was easier than I thought, she thought to herself and went into the garden.

Linos followed her, examining her body from top to bottom. He smiled and sat down to play chess with her.
"I'm impressed. You've improved." she said, grinning. "I've also been practicing a lot since the last time you beat me up. I wanted to be a worthy opponent for you the next time we play," he replied, making his next move. Atropos watched him closely. She figured that now would be the time to talk with him about his true intentions.

"Linos... you are... Persephone's spy, aren't you?" she said, looking at him with a penetrating gaze. Linos looked at her in surprise and finally smirked. "Wow... I'm impressed. You really can't be fooled, can you? Yeah... you are right. I've been watching you for a while, but don't worry... I've changed my plans. I won't harm you. You're too lovely for that, and I just enjoy your company too much."

Atropos raised an eyebrow in wonder. "What exactly do you mean by plans changed? Are you going to help Hades and me?" He laughed out loud. "Absolutely not! I'm certainly not going to leave you to that guy. No... Instead, I've found a way that will benefit both Persephone and me." Atropos was unsettled and wondered what he was up to.

He stood up and took her hand to pull her to him. Atropos looked at him in confusion. "What are you up to?" He put on a big grin and whispered, "I want you, and when I want something, I don't give up until I get it." He hugged her and kissed her on the mouth as he put a small pill through her mouth. She swallowed it in shock and looked at him in confusion as she pushed him away.

"What was that? What did you do?" He squeezed her again and said, "My newest poison. Don't worry...it won't kill you." Atropos noticed how her eyes were starting to go black. She collapsed in Linos' arms, who took her in his arms and carried her to his room.

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In the evening, Hades waited for Atropos in the garden. He had been waiting for quite a while and by now he was very worried. When she didn't show up, he decided to look for her. Fortunately for him, he found her in the corridor. He ran to her and hugged her from behind. "Aisa,...there you are! I was waiting for you in the garden. Why didn't you come?"