Uranium: The Jinxed Prince
The Jinxed Prince 15's

"Hiks.... Hicks...."

In the damp and dimly lit hall of the Black Palace, there was the echo of the sobs of a little child. The silvery-haired child sat in the corner, hiding a teary face behind both palms.

Dust fell. Countless spider nests adorn the ceilings and corners. Items such as cabinets, tables, chairs, and large wooden boxes were strewn everywhere. Even the carpet that stretched to all corners of the room looked very dirty, appearing to have been unwashed for many years.

"Prince, why are you crying?"

The boy gasped, spontaneously turning to a woman who was sitting 5 steps away from him. The dull brown hair and my eyes that indicate the woman is tired. But even though he was tired, he was still willing to sit next to his crying self.

"Eloise, what... Are you really going there?" shawn asked with trembling lips. "No, right? That's not true, is it?" The pair of blue eyeballs as dark as the sky in winter were staring at Eloise expectantly. Unfortunately, that hope had to be dashed when the woman's head shook. "I accidentally crossed paths with His Majesty the Fifth Prince and he asked for help from me. As a commoner, how could I possibly refuse?"

"But...." Shawn's words were cut off as his lips felt faint to continue. Eloise smiled, revealing a fresh cut on the palm. "The prince calmed down, because I myself scratched it so that this wound was not too deep. In a few days a wound like this will definitely heal itself."

Shawn bit his lip. In the little prince's heart he completely disagreed with Eloise's words, but did not know how to express them. "If... Eloise moves to another palace, Eloise won't be hurt again, will she?"

The dark-mannered woman froze, then smiled and shook her head. "I will not deny. But if I leave, who will take care of this palace?"

"I can take care of my own palace...."

"really? How could a little boy keep a big palace like this by himself?"

"If Eloise had taught me a little, I would have.... I'm 'shit', Eloise could be more unlucky if she keeps working here...."

The astonishment approached so even Shawn said. Eloise lowered her head, her mind confirming the prince's words, but her heart rebutted. Whose wound was the child concerned about, after which his own knee was wrapped in bandages?

"Prince, do you want to hear a legend?" As if switching the conversation, Eloise asked softly. But Shawn knew very well that something was trying to cover Eloise, either anger or confusion.

The anxiety, sadness, and fear that mixed into one made the boy bite his lips and nod, "You...." At least if it makes Eloise's anger subside, Shawn will.

"Well, you'll love it because it's a legend I've never told you before" Eloise said.

*Some time later, a story flowed about the Legend of the Cat and the Rat in the dimly lit room. Although not too focused on listening to the contents, Shawn remained sitting still as he enjoyed Eloise's soothing voice. Sometimes Shawn does not understand, even though Eloise does not like herself like other people, but still do good and survive in this abandoned palace. If anyone else, Shawn sure must've quit a long time*—though had to lick the king's feet.

"Therefore, do you now understand the Prince?"

Hm? Shawn blinked, he had indeed listened to Eloise's words since then, but that didn't mean he could retell if Eloise asked. For all he heard was Eloise's voice, but not her content.

As if knowing Shawn's thoughts, Eloise simply smiled, then continued, "Any mistreatment will get a heavier reply later on. Like a Rat that cheats on Cats and makes all its offspring always hunted by cats. But of course, I don't expect the Prince to grow up to be such a ruthless person." Eloise glanced at Shawn who was staring at her, staring in a pair of round blue beads that exuded the innocence of a child.

"Just believe that the Almighty will be fair to every creature in the world."

***

"Huh...." The rude sigh became the first thing the young man did once he opened his eyes. He stared at the dark ceiling accompanied by the moonlight that broke through the window. It seemed like he fell asleep while lying down after work earlier.

Shit, because of that conversation I dreamed about it.

After collecting enough lives, Shawn went to sit with his head slightly dizzy. But then his attention was fixed on something neatly folded right next to his pillow. "Outcoat?" shawn said as he picked up and saw the object clearly. The dark blue coat was soft and he had never seen it, but its size matched his body. He then looked at the boy who was asleep on the bed across there, laughing cynically.

I told you to buy it for yourself.

Feeling her sticky and uncomfortable body, Shawn decides to take a bath. It is not healthy to take a bath when you wake up in the middle of the night, but for teenagers who grow up in the forest, it is not too much to worry about. For a moment he stared at the mute clothes Brianna had bought when they had just arrived at the Spleen. The bloody incident in the city flashed through his mind for a moment. Moreover, considering how the girl coldly just stood watching the sight of a tiger slaughtering a city without missing a single human.

Krieet.

Unlike his dark room, the lighting in the hallway as soon as Shawn stepped out was very bright, making him a squinting reflex. The young man's slow steps were clearly heard in the deserted passageway. If it was someone else, it might have rubbed his goosebumps arm while gulping his saliva. Suddenly the young man's steps had to stop when there were 3 burly people standing in his way.

"Just tell me the truth, son. Whoever you answer, we won't hurt you" the brunette next to him added with a laugh, as if convinced Shawn would point at him.

The other man also did not want to lose, bend his elbows and show off the sturdy muscles that make up his two arms, "Son, there is no need to worry. Of course the person with the biggest muscles is the strongest, right?"

The three men continued to argue with each other, as if from the beginning they had not paid any attention to Shawn's opinion at all, as well as the late time and the position of those who are in front of the rooms with sleeping residents. Seeing their obnoxious behavior, Shawn intends to leave before one of the words thrown by the men stops him, "...it was certain that I would be the most prominent in the hunt this time and earn the most money from all the participants!"

"'Money'?" shawn said unconsciously, but one word was successful to make the debate between the three people stopped and simultaneously turned to Shawn.

"Well, look at this kid!" the cynical man had orange hair, then showed a "33" shaped tattoo on his neck. "Son, I'm sure you must know this tattoo. You certainly didn't mean to challenge a member of the Arsenic Guild, did you?"

Shawn's heart was racing. Not out of fear, but out of anger and resentment overflowing in the chest. A flash of memory of the night he had to fight against those who were after his life passed by. The red trail left behind a dagger in the fight seemed to heat up, as if telling Shawn to 'tow' these 3 people to their colleagues.

"Don't do that, you're freaking this kid out. You know we have to hide our identity because it will only scare others, why are you so careless?" The brown-haired burly man elbowed his friend, but there was little sympathy on that cynical face.

"Son, I know life's hard, but don't sacrifice your life for money" the man who showed off his muscles at Shawn patted the young man on the shoulder. "The Arsenic Guild held a hunt to eradicate the wolf pack in the forest near here and promised great monetary rewards, but with a frail body like this, I'm sure you never even held a sword."

The three men laughed, so loud that Shawn's ears hurt.

Back, Shawn felt it. The feeling he felt 5 years ago when he passed the son of the duke. But as hard as he could, Shawn tried to hold him back, holding back the burst of rage that could explode in the form of sharp ice crystals that pierced through the chests of these three people.

Of course, he does not want to get the same 'reward' as 5 years ago, or when in the spleen. He did not want to harm himself, nor kill the whole city again.

Satisfied laughing, the three burly men just passed by. Not even a little more to bully Shawn who is still standing on the spot.

"Arsenic Guild...."

***

"Wake up, Old Tiger!" the white tiger's eyelids lifted when he felt a disturbance that disturbed his sleep. Without even opening her eyes, the white tiger knew exactly who woke her up. That's the only reason why he didn't pounce on the perpetrator.

"Listen, I've registered myself following the hunt with the last group of assassins that attacked me at Roldwix, starting in 5 days and lasting for a week. I hope that you'll pay more attention to the boy."

Two sentences were thrown from Shawn's lips make the white tiger's body immediately stand up.

"I don't want to hear anything, just do what I ask."

"Hey!"

No matter how hard the white tiger tried to stop him, Shawn showed no sign of turning back. Though he did not want to complain, but asked how could Shawn register while ordering a room alone he was very difficult!

On the other hand, Shawn who had already returned to the urban area was warmly welcomed by an old man. He was very advanced, visible from his hair that was completely white. His eyes were narrow and his back was bent. Although he looks vulnerable, he can still walk with Shawn.

"Have you finished all your business, young man?" asked the old man with a warm smile.

Shawn nodded. He met the old man when he came out of the inn. He said he had a very similar face to a child who worked at his bookstore and asked if he knew 'Rein'. Of course Shawn agreed and the grandfather volunteered to help Shawn.

Yeah, that grandpa led Shawn to the guild and signed up for the hunt. He also introduced her to some of the people they passed by. Everyone praised how kind and funny Rein was. Shawn wasn't comfortable getting this much attention, but on the other hand he was quite relieved to know how the boy was going about his day at work.

Instead of worrying, I was just wondering if her job was smooth.

Let alone seeing how friendly and warm the people here were, it seemed like Shawn did not have to worry about leaving the child alone in this city temporarily. Although it was a little annoying, but the innkeeper was being very kind to Rein.

Ah, or maybe he just left the kid here? Considering he only stayed here temporarily because he had to find flowers to.