Though Penelope said she was okay, Crow wasn’t sure if she was being completely honest with him. When he had seen her face a moment ago, she had looked pretty upset. He held her tightly and rubbed one hand down and up her back as she pressed against his chest, listening to her go on about what William had said to her. He knew she loved him, but her words sent a flutter of nervousness through his heart. It sounded like William had brought up some valid points, ones that he was concerned about as well.

While he knew he wasn’t trying to manipulate her, he was also aware that by being with her, he was causing her to risk everything she had. He wasn’t just a criminal; he was the most wanted thief in the Kingdom of Brerra. There would be no hiding that when they got back. If she stayed with him, it was only a matter of time before someone found out they were together and told her family. In fact, William probably intended to do so, himself, now that he had caught them. It may have already been too late to save her reputation.

He looked down at her, wanting to reassure her somehow, but not sure what to say. However, he didn’t need to say anything at all, because in the next moment, she leaned up and kissed him again. Closing his eyes, he met her lips with equal passion, letting go of his fears as they pressed into each other. When she pulled back again, he returned her smile, feeling a little better now. [i]She said she wants to be with me no matter what,[/i] he reminded himself. [i]I should stop feeling so guilty. This was both of our decision.[/i]

[color=fdc68a][b]“I think that’s enough.”[/b][/color]

Crow looked up to see that William had returned to the clearing, his face scrunched in anger at the sight of the two of them kissing again. Feeling a pang of annoyance, the thief returned his glare. He held his ground without moving, unwilling to give in to the knight. It was too late to go back now. William already knew they were together, so there was no point in pretending like they weren’t. If he didn’t like it, then that was his problem.

Suddenly, he felt Penelope move in his arms, taking a step back from him. He glanced down at her in surprise, wondering why she was giving the older knight what he wanted. It wasn’t like he could do anything to stop them, after all. She had no reason to comply.

“As for [i]you[/i],” William’s eyes hardened as he met Crow’s gaze. He moved towards him, and the thief stepped back, uncomfortable with the lack of distance between them. “You may have fooled her, but I will not be so easily tricked,” the knight went on in a threateningly quiet tone. “I don’t know what sort of game you’re playing, thief, but believe me, you’re not going to get away with it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Crow curled his lip. He averted his gaze and forced himself to take a calming breath. He knew that William was just trying to get a rise out of him by getting in his face, but it was hard not to let the man get under his skin.

“Please,” William spat, noticing that the thief was struggling to keep a handle on his temper. “You really expect me to believe a low life like you would pursue a knight without an ulterior motive?” He stepped even closer before going on. “So what is it? Do you think you’re going to make a mockery of knights somehow? Or is it something pettier, like trying to ruin her name?”

Crow flinched despite himself at the last accusation, and William smirked, seeming to think he had found a lead.

“I see,” the knight purred. “You know you’re never going anywhere in society, so you just want to drag her down with you. How pathetic.”

“Shut up,” Crow muttered, narrowing his eyes at him warningly. He clenched his hands into fists at his sides, trembling slightly as he fought to hold back from swinging at the knight.

“You’re never going to get away with it,” William prodded. “As soon as her father catches wind of this little [i]romance[/i], he’s going to have you arrested so fast, you won’t even know what happened.”

“Shut up,” Crow repeated, a bit louder this time.

“And you won’t just go back to prison this time,” William smirked cruelly. “Oh no. I’m sure he’ll have you [i]hanged[/i] for disgracing his daughter.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Crow threw a punch at the knight’s face. However, William was prepared for the attack. He caught hold of the thief’s wrist, pulling him sharply to the side and twisting his arm behind his back to restrain him. “I should break your arm for that,” he growled.

“I’d like to see you try,” Crow challenged. In an attempt to break free of William’s grip, he drove his heel into the knight’s foot. Instead of releasing him, however, William just grunted and twisted the thief’s arm further behind his back, causing him to bite his tongue to keep from crying out in pain.

“Miserable wretch,” William snarled. “Don’t forget your place.” He turned to Penelope. “Do you still say he’s a good man? You saw the look on his face when I accused him. He’s just using you for his own selfish ambitions, Penelope! I cannot allow you to throw everything away just to be manipulated by some heartless criminal.”