n

n

n

"Can I offer it to myself?

" Luther jokingly uttered.

n

"You could if you see yourself as a girl,

" Conrad commented.

n

"There's no rule about only giving it to a girl, though!

" Luther

n

"I did not know you addressed yourself as a girl, Luther,

" Eon teased.

n'They are starting again…'

nSomeone cleared their throat from beside me,

"Miss Nadia…

"

nAll of us turned to the person, it was a guy of the same age as ours. He is probably a schoolmate.

nThe guy got nervous when all eyes went to him, and made a step backward, seemingly trying to chicken out now. But someone among the sidelines was cheering him on. .

n

"You can do it!

"

n'What a great friend…'

nThe guy gulped a lungful of air,

"I have heard your talk so I came here to offer my spoil to Miss Nadia,

" he muttered, shaking like a leaf.

n'Poor guy…'

nBut wow, why are they dumping it all on me though…

nI gave him a smile, feeling grateful nevertheless.

n

"Thank you.

"

nThe guy suddenly looked hopeful upon seeing it. He shuffled in his feet, seemingly nervous about what he was going to say next.

n

"T-then, can I ask for a strand of hair--

"

n

"What did you say?

" Nathaniel instantly glowered. He did not let him finish his words.

n'H-hair?'

nI gaped at him as if he grew another pair of heads.

n'But why a strand of hair? No matter which way I look, it is kind of freaky. Is he going to curse me or what?'

nThe poor guy flinched and paled like paper from Nathaniel's arctic glare. I feel like he was about to pass out so before that would happen, let's just be done with it.

nI thought for a moment before looking down at myself, particularly at my clothes. The corset I was wearing has tiny red jewels in it, lining the hem. I plucked one, it was small but this would do.

n

"I won't give you my hair but I'm giving this to you instead,

" and put it in his palm,

"Good luck on your hunting.

"

nThe guy's eyes sparkled in delight then bowed,

"Thank you, Miss Nadia!

" and left us staring at his retreating form.

nAll of us watched as he joined his friends.

n

"That guy… Asking for a strand of hair?

" Luther muttered.

n

"Well, there was this rumor going around the academy that Nadia's hair brings great luck or something,

" Noah remarked.

nI was greatly surprised.

n'What? Why didn't I know that? And what's with that weird rumor?'

n

"That's a weird rumor,

" Eon

n'I know right!'

n

"I've heard about that too. They call it 'threads of moonlight' or 'Moon Silk',

" prince Ezekiel added.

nI almost choke after hearing it. What the hell is going on around about me? Moon silk…

nConrad snorted,

"They either hate Nadia or idolize her too much to the point of eccentricity.

"

n

"Pfft-- moon silk. Hahahahaha

" Eon chuckled at the side, doubling over from laughter.

n

"Can we drop this topic please,

" I mumbled in a low exasperated voice.

nI feel uncomfortable being subjected like this… I better gather information about the things that had been going around in accordance to my name. There might be some extensive ones just like this hair thing. Honestly...

n

"How about you give us a strand of your hair as a charm, Nadia?

" Eon says,

"We might even capture that wild boar and win the competition!

"

nNathaniel's eyes coldly stared him down,

"How about I choked you with her hair instead?

"

n

"Nathan!

" I exclaimed,

"Stop this weird talk and no choking either! Especially using my hair!

"

nJeez!

n

"Then we use Beatriz's hair and hang him in front of the palace,

" Conrad joins in.

nBeatriz glanced at her brother for a moment. I thought she was going to scold or get mad at him, but she only lets out a chuckle. A dark one that brought shivers to anyone who would hear it.

n

"That sounds like a great plan,

" she mumbled.

n'Bea, you're kind of scaring me a bit.'

n

"Good day, Miss Nadia!

" A chorus of voices exclaimed from behind me.

nThey were a group of three people, each of them was smiling at me widely.

n'Uhh…'

n

"Yes?

" I have an inkling already and it is making me have mixed feelings.

nThe three bowed, --' I freaking knew it'-- and voiced out in unison.

n

"We would like to offer our kills to Miss Nadia, please give us your blessings.

"

n'What blessing are y'all saying…'

nI internally sighed, still painting the same smile from earlier, not giving away my thoughts. I plucked three gems again and gave them to the guys who then thanked me profusely before leaving.

nI'm not even questioning it anymore...

nJust then, another batch of guys lined up beside me, offering their kills and asking me for the red jewel. I got so bewildered, more so when all the jewels on my corset had been stripped off.

n'This is ridiculous.'

n

"You sure are famous, Nadia,

" prince Ezekiel remarked,

"Doesn't look like you're liking it though.

"

nA sigh escaped my lips,

"It's too troublesome,

" and looked at my corset,

"Adele would kill me if she knew about this.

"

n

"She wouldn't if you won't tell her,

" Luther pointed out.

n'Easy to say, but I bet words would spread about a noble girl giving out some jewels to noble guys. That makes me sound fickle, ain't it?'

nI wouldn't be surprised if it really does happen, especially from all those scrutinizing eyes from the side of noble ladies.

nThe crowd of noblemen has already dwindled down, only a few were left frolicking around just like our group. The others had ventured into the forest already, starting their search for monsters.

n

"Someone is really mad at your popularity though,

" Noah mentioned as he cast a look at Rosamunde's.

nI also did the same and saw her scowling in my direction. She's probably been watching the whole incident from earlier from the looks she's been giving. Even her followers are glaring at me, especially that Chiwa girl.

n