Chapter 14

The manticore assisted me to move out the tables that trapped Carlisa. She had only fractured her arm. She almost pierced a dagger into the manticore, if it wasn't for me mediating and assuring her that he was helping and not murdering us.

Everyone mostly was alright excluding some injured knights. There were no casualties and that aided to continue and finish off the hunt by tonight.

The manticore promised me that he would arrive on time before the hunts were evaluated. The whole monster rampage stopped when the manticore stepped out from the tent and roared at the drunken beasts. I believed he was the leader to have such control.

From what is already known, somebody had alcoholized a beast group and caused a rampage during the competition. A traitor was among the noble faction.

Everyone was shocked to see the monsters retreating but I gave a small smile to the cerebrus and the manticore. Come to think of it, I never asked whether they had names.

It's amazing how I was calm during such a situation. I should be screaming like a headless horse but I was doing the exact opposite. How you ask?

To be honest, I was terrified as hell when I saw the monsters. My heart started beating fast and I felt like it would pop out of my chest. The reason it didn't affect me as much was that I still had believed this was a novel.

I was living as Rose for the past few weeks since I died, only to avoid the execution and live with adequate rest as per the story. I was an A-grade imposter!

I had been blind to my surroundings, the family, the danger and it all came back reverberating when the monster attacked my mother(Lady Ameece).

I've lived like a fool in my past life and I had continued that practice here. I wanted to smack myself.

The realization strengthened my will to leave. How? I was sure that Lily will gain favor and I would be ignored quickly. Rather than living a secluded life, I should leave and forge my path. Be independent like I always have been! I've got the money. I've got skills to protect myself, hell, I can even talk with monsters (Even better since they are Greek mythology creatures that I could fawn over!). What have I got to lose?

I sat on a log near a huge tree after bidding farewell to Carlisa at her tent. The situation was under control within a few minutes. And a certain someone had visited to check on Carlisa.

I wondered when Mr. Manticore would show up. It would only be a few hours for the evaluation.

"What a day!" A voice behind me echoed.

"Yes, it was, your highness," I replied nonchalantly to the 2nd Prince who had sat on a tree branch perpendicular to where I sat.

"You don't even look fazed."

"Should I be?" I asked with a smirk.

"No, I guess not! Your sword skills are awesome. I saw you swinging it earlier." He said in a voice almost in a whisper.

"I see that your highness doesn't like to give compliments." I chuckled.

"How do you always figure me out?"

"Me?! I dare not ever insult the prince of the empire. My head would go swoosh!" I joked around.

"Hahaha, let's see your hunt this time. I'm betting that I can beat you a mile away."

"How much is on the table?" I asked curiously.

"You can name your price. " Wow, this guy just sold himself over. I'm winning this without a doubt for sure. What should I aim for?

According to my calculations and all the accounting transactions I went through in my life, (Correction; two lives) 10000 gold coins will last me a little over a decent life here.

"I'm betting on 10000 gold coins" I stated my claim.

"That's it? I'll give you 50000 gold coins. My hunt will amaze all these petty nobles." The Prince jumped down from the tree. I wonder if his legs are alright.

"Good luck, Prince. You'll need it!" I teased him.

"Don't use honorifics with me! It's a waste of time to hear a double edge sword wielder address me like that!" He said it with a scowl.

"Oh, please, I'm much more than that. Then, what should I call you?" I remarked and emphasized the word 'you' for my satisfaction.

"Alvin. Call me Alvin." He declared.

"Isn't that a little too close?" I asked surprised by his words.

"I never bet with strangers." He announced with a smug smile.

A familiar horn blared in my ears.

"I swear, that horn is going to give me nightmares someday" Carlisa's voice rang out with the horn.

A certain twinkle caught my eye through a twin tree branch. That's my cue! It was a manticore signal. I did a quick bye and winked at Prince Alvin or right now, just Alvin. He raised his eyebrow with a smirk but I gave him the benefit of doubt.

Mr. Manticore was waiting out, near the tree that I scarred with my sword on the first day of the hunt.

"Her skills are powerful. If she polished it a little, she could go head to head with Bescrux." The manticore mumbled.

"Who's Bescrux?" I asked.

"How did you find me this fast?" Mr. Manticore flinched.

"Uh...your signal, Mr. Manticore?" He scrunched his forehead as I finished answering.

"You understood it this fast. It even took my brother 3 hours to get the hint." The manticore replied.

"Mr. Manticore, how should I call you? You always scrunch your face when I call you Mr. Manticore." I asked since it had bothered me since the beginning.

"Yeah, I was going to tell you since I'm not that old."

"Really?" I asked. He looked super huge to me.

"I'm 17 years old you know. My name is Leonidas. You can call me Nidas." He said with an embarrassed look.

"Ok, Nidas. You're older. So, your idea?" I prompted him. The previous blush subsided from his face. His answer made me bolt from the blue. He blankly said,

"Get on my back!"

Greetings!

-How are you all doing?

- What do you think about Rose and Alvin's encounter? Leave your thoughts in the comments and feel free to vote for my story. Happy reading!