Hellbents
Chapter 32: The Temple

Ava's eyes were still closed, but her hands under the blanket were busy opening an inventory that no one else could see, taking out three blades.

He felt the presence of others in his room.

A thief? A killer?

That was why, when a dark figure emerged from the shadows, Ava immediately threw the three knives in her hand. Then he grabbed the gun he had hidden under the pillow.

"Just calm down, Miss. It's me" the mysterious figure interrupts before Ava can shoot. A familiar voice made Ava lower her shot. "Blowing midnight like this into a girl's room is not polite, sir."

This time Al really showed himself clearly under the moonlight. The black hood that helped her hide amongst the darkness was lowered, revealing gray hair as well as sharp cuts with cold gray eyes that seemed to want to stab Ava at that very instant.

Well, it's understandable. Ava practically threw it with a knife.

"I'm sure you're not here to say goodbye," though Ava didn't ask, Al understood that was the girl's purpose.

"We just want to talk privately, not with a puppy following you all day." Ava's left eyebrow twitched, interrupted. To call River a dog is too rude and disrespectful. He even almost gave the man in front of him the same name, considering that the old servant was also attached beside the prince.

"All you can do is ask nicely, River is a friendly and polite person, he'll leave us alone if your intentions aren't bad." The corner of Al's lips was almost lifted, slightly attracted by the innuendo he had secretly received.

Ava had realized from earlier that Al spoke to a plural subject, which is why he also said the same thing. But the girl did not catch the presence of anyone other than the two of them. "Then, who do you mean by "we"?"

With his long legs, Al stepped into Ava's bedroom door, but once opened only a dark and empty hallway could be seen. But not long Ava then heard the sound of two pairs of footsteps approaching. Suddenly, Ezra and Roy stand at the end of his bed.

A piece of grey cloth that Roy carefully folded immediately caught his attention, Ava immediately concluded, the artifact. In a fantasy world like this, it is no wonder there will be some magic items that have various useful functions, for example, to hide. Artifak who had fooled his sharpened senses.

"I never let you in" Ava said, "So, what's going on?" Jump into core issues.

"I want to recruit you as one of my bodyguards."

Ava almost sighed. This one prince was very stubborn with what he wanted, was this because of his high status? So he's not used to being rejected, is he?

"I thought my point was clear this afternoon." Naturally, Ava also staunchly refused.

Roy swiftly lifted a chair as Ezra's hand waved, the prince comforted himself on the chair his servant was carrying, sitting elegantly.

Oh, they're blatantly showing their relationship as employer-servant now?

"Actually .. I am the third prince of this kingdom. My real name is Ezra D'albermer."

Just thinking about it made Ava's expression darken. But Ezra failed to see it, so he continued, "A few weeks ago was my 18th birthday, and the opening ceremony of the maturite, too, the process that every prince and princess of the kingdom must undertake to officially fight for the throne. In the course of the next few years, the prince or princess who has the highest credit score will be chosen to be king or queen for the next period."

Silent. Even after being extended, only the sound of the wind was irrigating Ezra's explanation. That was why he looked up, finding Ava looking at him indifferently.

"You don't seem surprised." Ezra thought he would see the girl in front of him prostrate in fear, or immediately behave respectfully with a fake smile, considering the benefits or harm associated with the prince of the three kingdoms like a merchant.

But Ava is a girl from the modern world with a democratic system of government, not a monarchy, so she can only imagine if a presidential child is the one who gave her a task, he said, but still he will not move if the task is not in line with his personal goals. His actions were not unlawful given his status as a mere resident, not a civil servant, moreover the authority of the son of the president was essentially non-existent given his unofficial position in government.

But Ava knows history. Nothing would end well if he crossed the line clearly.

"As I have said before, my involvement will cause trouble for His Majesty. So I'm going to keep resisting, "at least Ava should be more polite and formal from now on.

"But you're the only person with potential that can't be counted."

Potentialities. Keywords of Ezra skill that made him interested desperately with Ava. Here's opportunity. "The potential that a person has can't really be counted, Your Majesty."

"No, I mean from what I saw you-"

"Young master," Al instantly cut in. One would find it easier to refute a statement than to explain, but unfortunately Ava's trick was interrupted by the old servant.

Conscious of the emotions that almost preceded him, Ezra calmed down for a moment.

On the other hand, Ava grew tired of this debate that felt more elongated than it should have been. This stubborn prince had to stop trying to hook him into becoming his pawn. So Ava will show you the bait she prepared. "Maybe my presence can be replaced with this," Ava said sweetly while removing the double EXP herb from her inventory. "This was a drink that could double the experience points gained while killing monsters, making one easily raise their level."

"Oh!" Roy exclaimed, "But isn't such a potion usually just a trick?"

"You will give me 3 bottles for free, if you want more, just order in the store [System], I keep stock there." Ava paid no heed to the doubtful gazes of the three pairs of eyes staring at her, believe it or not, the potion would definitely distract them at least until Ava boarded the ship tomorrow.

"Well then, if you still want to refuse for that reason, for now I can't persuade you anymore."

The sentence annoyed Ava, meaning that the prince had not completely given up.

Without waiting for a reply, the three of them in an instant disappeared from Ava's room.

At least now he can sleep.