I Don’t Want This Bad Ending

The second day went by without a hitch, and everyone was preparing for the last day where the winner will be announced based on the precured number of their hunt.

Gab looked at the hilt of his long sword. A tassel with a small gem was wrapped around it. On the first night of the event he asked Evelyn if she made a lucky charm.

Knowing her character, Evelyn wouldn't give it to someone even though she prepared and made it.

He was embarrassed first and told her in a roundabout way. though Evelyn knew immediately what he wanted. So, without a moment's notice, Evelyn tied it in his sword.

It was a red gem with a black tassel. It was a weird combination for him, and it was made personally by his master and seeing that it has a similarity to his hair. He was happy about it.

"Sorry, it was a little bit tattered. Someone tampered it." He remembered her saying it, nonetheless, he was still happy that he received it from her.

So, he decided that he'll win for his Lady. Her master, Lady Evelyn.

Back to the present, his slain enough he thought. He had encountered a white tiger and a bear when he went deep in the hunting grounds. And he immediately hunts it down.

He succeeded, and he recalled the forest of Shield and smiled when he thought they were the one who was being hunted down before by a splik and a giant black snake.

It was the first encounter for him and Evelyn.

At first, he thought that she was haughty and naïve. But he admired her when she did everything for him and didn't abandon him in that serious situation. Though, she doesn't know his background and when he was conflicted to tell her the truth, Evelyn just said that it doesn't matter if he is not comfortable telling his tale.

He was relieved that her master thought like that but at the same time he's afraid that Evelyn might feel that he was betrayed if he kept his identity hidden, and that when she learned the truth she would feel that he didn't trust her enough.

He did not know how long he would stay next to Evelyn because he had to go back to his place and take revenge on the traitor who planned his captivity.

So, after this event, he planned to tell her everything.

Everything that he kept from Evelyn including his feelings.

***

The sunset had fallen and the beautiful color of the honey sky was surrounding the forest where people had gathered to hunt, the whispers of the calm wind kept on blowing and the therapeutic sound accompanied by the falling leaves from the trees was heard at the site, as well as the swing of the thin branches.

The students gathered at the camp with their respective hunting.

Everyone was looking at each other's prey that they were slain trying to eye each other's tally and who would win the year's hunting event.

While the young ladies are excited and expecting their escort to win and offer them the title as this year "Lady of Fortuna". The King took the center stage.

The nervousness the crowd felt as they looked at the central stage where they felt the valiant figure of the King. As they wait for the result in the hands of their mighty King, the beige color of the scroll where rolled, and the name of the winner is placed at the top.

As King Charles

opened his mouth and his loud voice that was amplified by the magic echoed

throughout the place. The heartbeat of the young men who participated for the

event was so strong that they also felt it reach their ears as they held the

sound of their breathing to a stopped

"I have seen the result and I'm pleased that these young men did their best to fulfill their duty. I won't let you wait any longer. The Elite Force will announce the winner."

The scroll with the written names was relayed to Crown Prince Edickart who is the president of the Elite Force, Cabel was also at his side. Both can't participate at the event as they have the responsibility to take charge of the safety of the students.

Edicakart coughed to get their attention. He opened his thin and reddish lips, and his handsome voice announced the name of each who got a big score and reached the top 5 that killed most of the monsters.

He started from the bottom, and when he reached at the last name, his brows knit for a split second before he straightened it and called his name.

"The winner who slain a white tiger, a bear, and a dead wolf is…"

Most are amazed, even if it is small, the animals and monsters listed and killed are rare and difficult to hunt for most young noble men with little hunting experience in this field. They looked and searched for the competitive man.

"…Sir Gab, the scholar from the house of Emsworth."

The crimson hair with a manly build step from the crowd, it looks like a prophet came as the people parted like the sea as the said man took every step to get to the front and kneeled in front of the King.

King Charles eyed Gab. It was hard to imagine that Duke Keene would sponsor someone and also get him in the St. Prisch Academy but looking at the result, he understands it.

As someone who knew Duke Keene, the man was known to value a person's ability. He will help those with potential, and this young man, who won the competition is the complete example of how Duke Keene valued one's strength.

King Charles had a knowing look. He will try to get Gab to his side and make him abandon the household Emsworth.

The King beckons him to stand-up and tell his wish.

"… I don't have a wish, your Majesty." Gab said.

"You don't have…? You don't need to worry, I'll grant whatever you have that you wish, go on…" The King urged him.

"I don't really have... your Majesty."

The King sighs and a little bright idea comes to him, so he speaks again.

"Then as a reward, I'll grant you a position of a Knight inside the Imperial Palace. Once you graduate from the Academy you can work under my Palace." The king announced.

"Thank you, your Majesty," Gab responded.

Then he looked at his right where a familiar figure came upon his view.

"… your majesty, it might be presumptuous, but I want to offer my gratitude to Lady Evelyn."

King Charles, Crown Prince Edickart, and the heir to the Sigrid household, Cabel had all the same look. They crumpled their faces as they heard the name of the Lady.

"Why…?" the king asked, his emerald eyes glowing dangerously.

It was really a presumptuous request, as Evelyn was a candidate for the seat of Crown Princess and practically the Crown Prince fiancée.

No one was supposed to give an offering to them without valid reason.

"Your Majesty, I'm the personal Knight of Lady Evelyn and also her attendant. As her servant, I want to offer my gratitude to my master." Gab said.

"Is that so…" The king said and after a few minutes of silence, the King approved his reason.

Cabel and Edickart weren't convinced though, they're suspecting the intention of Gab who always sticks to Evelyn like a glue and their closed relationship.

"Call for Lady Evelyn…" the king beckons to his Knight.

A moment later, Evelyn was also at the center of the crowd. She greets the King and curtsy as a sign of respect.

"I greet the Sun of the Kingdom of Levingstone your Majesty the King, may the sun guide your path…"

"Rise"

"Thank you, your Majesty."

"It's been a long time, Lady Evelyn…" The king said.

"Yes, your Majesty…" she answered.

"You should visit the palace sometimes…"

"Yes, Your Majesty…" she repeatedly answered.

King Charles brows twitched at the short replies of Evelyn, and her lack of enthusiasm responding to him.

'Like father, like daughter… she inherits his father's ego!' he thought.

The headmaster took the stage and carried on with the announcement. He barely manages to attend the Hunting event and arrived yesterday from his three-day absence from the school.

"As the request of this young man, Lady Evelyn from the house of Emsworth will become the "Lady of Fortuna"."

Clapping and greetings of congratulations was heard from the students who wanted to get points and sucked up to Evelyn who became the belle of the event.

Soon, the bonfire was lit accompanied by the fireworks, the three-day event came to an end and the after party started. The noble parents once again gathered.

The prominent noble man talked about politics, the madams talked about their household, the young ladies talked about their prospective fiancée, while the bachelors talked about business.

Everyone was busy with their own world.

Suddenly a loud boom was heard and the night sky lighted like a blazing sun and in the distance, it can see that it lit up against the dark surroundings, followed by a huge black smoke.

They heard a loud shriek of voice accompanied by a fast and heavy panting, the young man yelled.

"Fire…!"