“I would like to thank everyone for participating in this event…” Ezekiel had now started his speech by expressing his gratitude for the hunting’s success.

Looking at him being so princely and responsible, I could not help but be amazed. It is not an easy feat, because he has a huge responsibility atop his shoulders. One could say that being born in the palace makes your life easier, but that is not true. I may not know how complicated it really was, because I have not experienced it firsthand. But I saw how Ezekiel worked harder than any other person out there.

‘He really is fit to be the next emperor.’

“Now, you all might be wondering who had caught the wild boar and brought glory to themselves,” Ezekiel’s eyes then turned to me, smiling indulgently. Conrad had beckoned me to come up, so I did.

“I present you Miss Nadia, the slayer of the wild boar, and the King of The Hunt,” Ezekiel proudly announced. .

There was a huge uproar, as expected. People, men, and women had started whispering at each other. They were all stumped, staring at me wide-eyed, and all looking unbelieving. Some were even very surprised that they had literally yelled their skepticism.

My feet steadily sauntered to the podium. I may have looked all calm and pristine, but mind you, I was sweating cold bullets inside. This is not the first time that I had been subjected to the eyes of this many people. The student body was even a larger crowd than this, but this was much more intense.

At least, the students were all welcoming, and while there were voices of displeasure, it was drowned by the majority. But this one, this crowd was really vocal to their discontent. The side of the women was silent, except for Rosamunde of course. And by silent, I meant they are not making any ruckus like what these men are doing. They only gossip among themselves, and bored holes at me with their hawk-like eyes.

The men are worse. They are sprouting out one complaint to another, hollering like some bunch of headless chickens.

“What?! No way!”

“How could we believe that bull?!”

“A woman? A little girl at that? Don’t pull our legs!”

“Stop joking and tell us the real winner!”

Those were the few things that you can hear among their chorus. I stood there at the center, blankly staring at everyone with only a fake smile on my face. My eyes surveyed each and every face of those who had cursed me. Some were openly hostile, while some were looking at me with a disgusting look in their eyes, leering at me. The minority was only doubtful but had remained silent.

I committed them to memory because later, I would then know who to curse with voodoo magic.

“Please calm down everyone!” Ezekiel shushed the raging crowd, looking miffed and a little vexed. It didn’t show on his face though, but if you are close with him and know his personality, you would know.

Also, I don’t even need to look in the direction of Nathaniel, because even from here, I could feel his murderous aura. I bet he’s being restrained by the two guys with him. It could only last for a moment.

The fox around my shoulders growled. It was low, but I heard it. If I could only see its expression, I would see how it was baring its fangs to the people who were complaining. I assumed that it was overwhelmed by how loud they were being. An animal’s sense of hearing is more sensitive than humans after all.

My right hand went up to pat its head, trying to make it calm down. If I knew that it would be distressed, I should have left it in the tent.

“Come on! Are you taking us like an idiot?!” One vocal person yelled out. It was a hot-blooded man in his mid-thirties, perhaps. Or he just looks older, given from his pudgy height. He looks cute, like a little penguin. I will now call him a penguin.

Conrad suddenly steps in and raises a sword mere inches from Mr. Penguin’s neck.

“How dare you disrespect the Crown Prince,” he uttered with a sharp voice.

Mr. Penguin began to sweat and was gulping as he stared at the edge of the sword with frightened eyes.

“I–” his voice cracked, to my amusement. He then cleared his throat– “I am only trying to reason out.”

‘Reason out, my ass.’

Conrad did not move an inch back and still pointed the sword at him.

“Now, now. Let us all calm down first. Sir Conrad, you can lower your sword now,” Ezekiel ordered. “The gentleman knows what to do already,” he added and smiled at Mr. Penguin.

The former then followed what he said and got back to his position below the podium. He was still staring the man down though.

“Whether you like it or not, Miss Nadia had slain the boar herself. This is the absolute truth. I swear it in my title as the Crowned Prince,” Ezekiel declared in a loud voice.

“Cheh! What is this? Who would buy that crap?” Another unsatisfied nobleman voiced out. He was at the very back, so he was feeling confident that the knights at the forefront wouldn’t bolt and maim him.

The buzzing continues, agreeing to that man. I felt nothing at that moment but just tiredness and annoyance. So I was not caring whether these people didn’t like me or whatnot. I just want it to end quickly.

The little fox made a growling sound again, so I patted it for the second time. Hoping against hope that it wouldn’t turn mad from anger and bit my hand. That would be tragic…

“Hmm?” Ezekiel hummed and gazed at the person. “Are you all telling me that my words are not enough?”

A hush fell over the grounds. The air was filled with tension. Everyone knows what the prince had meant by that.