When they finally got out, they were hit with two major news.
One - Rola had been assaulted and was found unconscious by the edge of the river.
Two - Ren came out top with the highest number of kills to his name. He was also the crown prince of this country.
Freia frowned at the smiling figure on stage. The young crowd were cheering for him and suddenly, all the girls were looking at him with adoring eyes. Her killer instincts told her she had better steer clear away from this figure. However, much to her chagrin, Ren seemed hellbent on doing the opposite. He waved at her happily from the stage much to the annoyance of those offstage.
Freia sighed loudly and tried to escape discreetly when Ren called and jogged towards her.
"Freia, you made it. Did you manage to obtain anything interesting in the secret chamber?" Ren asked breathlessly.
"Oh, you're alright too," Ren noted when he saw Khai's veiled appearance. His eyes widened when he saw the mythical beast that lingered around Khai.
"You managed to obtain a mythical beast?"
Khai lowered his head meekly and quivered, "I'm not sure what it is, it just keeps following me. Do you want it?"
Vio (in it's mini version) shook its head fervently and cast even more forlorn looks at its owner.
Khai is acting strange - its evident he's not as weak as he portrays to be. Vio tugged at its master and clung to him for dear life. He knew Khai would surely cast a long sideward stare if Vio so much as moved a step towards Ren.
Vio clung to Khai and shook its tiny head furioisly.
Ren looked at Vio thoughtfully, "It's seldom this submissive as a beast. Unless it recognises that the owner is much more powerful than him."
"Me...? I think it has made a mistake," Khai uttered shakily and nearly tripped on the branch as he retreated backwards.
Freia tried to grab him but her hand was injured and she ended up falling on top of him much to everyone's sniggers and smirks.
"Well, aren't they suited for each other. The ugly and the weak, both as useless. I bet that beast is a fake," the voices of the crowd nodded and agreed unanimously.
Ren helped her and Khai up and Khai glanced at the hand that was holding onto Freia. His eyes narrowed.
"Shall we get that treated?" Jin asked, looking at Freia injury. She shook her head, "It's fine. I have some ointment in my inventory. I'll see you it myself. Khai?"
She walked away, beckoning Khai when Khai suddenly grabbed her hand and immobilised her.
Moving her eyes, she frowned at what Khai was doing as he nimbly and carefully treated her wound.
Vio licked her wound carefully and Freia's brow quirked up.
"That's the antidote or you'll lose your hand before the end of tonight," Khai uttered and Freia turned just a shade paler.
"By the way, Freia, are you aware that you've been cursed?" Khai queried and Freia's eyes blinked. Realising that she couldn't speak, Khai quickly removed the spell and Freia shook her head, "I figured something wasn't quite right. But no, who would curse me? With what?"
"Well, it's a petty curse - basically it a curse that uglifies you so that your real beauty wouldn't be shown. If you ask me, I think that's a blessing in disguise."
"Why so?" Freia glanced at Khai with a pointed look, her demeanour wasn't meant to be the friendliest.
Ignoring her icy looks, Khai blew the ointment. "If you ask me, those looks of yours could start a war between the nations," Khai murmured and Freia looked at her hand in a a daze.
Sure, she was a 10/10. But, one that could cause nations to be at war? She sure hoped not. She was a peace loving individual who valued peace and security in her country. She sure wasn't about to be the reason why wars started. How maddening! And frightening.
She glanced at her reflection and shuddered. Maybe she shouldn't fight this then. Just leave it be? And remain how she was?