MOONLIGHT: The Curse Breaker

Chapter 2 : Honey

-Najara-

"Are you okay, dear? You've been walking back and forth in front of the Baron's house several times," asked the elderly vendor. She was well-known around here for selling freshly picked flowers every day. She often gave me some for free because she said I reminded her of her eldest daughter.

"I'm okay, I just want to talk to my friend," I replied. She smiled at me before handing me a red rose, I returned her gesture with a small smile before saying goodbye.

'It's not my fault that your so-called friend is a coward'

Louise's words echoed in my mind. Not the part where she said it wasn't her fault, but the part where she called my friend a coward. I was sure there was a reason why she left me. If only I could talk to her now, I could prove that she left out of fear and regretted what she did.

It had been almost two weeks since that incident, but I still hadn't seen her. I tried sending a letter, but it was returned to me. Even at the places we used to visit often, I hadn't seen her. As much as I wanted to go in, I couldn't. Her family still held a position in Heraum, so people like me, just commoners, couldn't simply enter. With slumped shoulders, I left in front of their house, thinking I'd just try again tomorrow.

Now I'm thinking that maybe it was really Louise's fault that things had turned out this way between me and Ada. If only she knew how important our friendship was to me.

I felt more than friendship toward her, and even though I knew I had no chance, I continued to support her and stay by her side. I knew she noticed that I liked her because of how I acted sometimes, but she didn't say or react about it. The way she sometimes treated me made me think I might have a chance. But because of that incident, it felt like whatever connection we had was suddenly severed.

"You're frowning again, Jara." I jumped in surprise when Hazel suddenly appeared beside me. "Didn't get to talk to your girlfriend again?"

"W-what? Girlfriend? She's not my girlfriend, we're just friends," I reasoned. I knew my face was bright red because Hazel burst out laughing suddenly.

"Who are you referring to?" he teased, raising and lowering his eyebrows mischievously.

"No one... come on! Stop teasing me!" I snapped at him and started walking away.

He followed me, still laughing. Only then did I notice the large box he was carrying, different kind of fruits are present, including oranges, apples, pear and berries.

"Looks like the fruits are selling well today. Is my childhood friend going to get rich?" I nudged his side before taking one from the box. I took a bite as he tried to take it back from me.

My eyes widened at its extreme sweetness. Well, Hazel's father is excellent at taking care of plants, so all the fruits they sell are always popular. Plus, Hazel himself is very charming.

With his short white hair, high-bridged nose, slightly thin lips, pale skin and gray eyes, many woman are captivated by him. He's also expected to become a distinguished knight of the palace, which explains his remarkable physique. He's a handsome knight of Heraum.

"You know, Jara, if it weren't for ki--" Hazel's words were cut off when someone bumped into me, causing my elbow to hit him. I looked curiously at the person who bumped into me, as well as to those who followed him, all seeming to hurry toward the plaza. "Damn it!"

As I glanced at Hazel, he was already kneeling, picking up the apples that had fallen one by one. I quickly followed suit and began gathering the apples rolling away from us, holding the hem of my dress to collect them one by one. I was startled each time someone ran past me.

I couldn't help but glance in the direction of the plaza where everyone seemed to be headed. Hurrying to collect the fruits, I walked and ran to avoid being stepped on by the rushing crowd.

Returning to Hazel's spot, we arranged the apples neatly back into the box. Both of us furrowed our brows when a hand suddenly appeared in front of us, taking one without permission, and walked in the opposite direction of the crowd.

"Hey! Come back here! You should—" I stopped when I recognized the person who took the apple. "What?"

My feet carried me towards the person who's walking away. I could still hear Hazel calling after me, but I needed to make sure it was her. Louise.

I didn't know whether to be happy about what she was doing as she pushed and bumped every person she passed on. Didn't she feel sorry for those she bumped and pushed for no reason? How rude could this person be?

She disappeared from my sight when she turned right on the street, heading towards an alley where outlaws often hid. This alley led to a small village where fortune-tellers, casinos and sellers of illegal weapons were often found.

Out of breath, I reached the alley's entrance she entered. I hesitated on whether to continue or not, holding the hem of my dress before starting to run inside. I stopped when at least five men, nearly twice my size, blocked my way.

"What is a lady doing in the den of lions?" asked the man who I thought was the leader of their group. "Are you lost? Would you like someone like me, a valiant warrior, to accompany you? HAHAHAHAHA!" He even flexed his arm to show off its size.

"U-umm, I just wanted to pass through," I replied with a trembling voice, causing them to laugh again. I took a step back as one of them approached.

What was I thinking, following that person? I just wanted to demand payment for the apples she took. Yes, that's right, I just wanted to demand payment from her.

Turning away from them, I was about to walk out when three more men blocked my path. With nowhere else to go, I squeezed myself to the side. I closed my eyes in frustration because once again, I was in trouble due to my wrong decision.

'If I'm not crazy, why did I follow her? It's her fault.'

"No, it's not," I snapped my eyes open upon hearing the familiar voice of the person I'd been following. "Why is it always me?"

I didn't know whether to be happy that I might avoid danger again because of my pursuit or to be embarrassed because of how close Louise's face to mine.

I chose to remain silent because now wasn't the time to think about anything else. All I wanted now was to leave.

"Don't worry, my honey... I will save you, again," Louise said, making me feel ashamed. Why was I happy to be rescued again? I should learn to defend myself.

"Hey! Kid, get out of here!" It was only then that I noticed she was still staring at me, so I quickly pushed her away and pretended to brush off my clothes. She grinned at me when I glanced at her. I raised an eyebrow and gestured for her to talk to the person in front. She nodded like a kid and faced them, the grin disappearing from her lips and replaced by irritation.

"I'm sorry, sir... but what?? Do I look like a kid to you?" Louise complained, pointing her index finger at herself. "Just stop whatever you're doing and let my honey go" she persuaded them.

Did she realize these thugs would not listen to him? And what's with the 'honey' thing?

"Kid, get out of here! " their leader angrily replied, drawing his sharp sword. His companions also brandished their weapons, waiting for a signal from their leader to attack. I gulped as he glanced at me before looking at his sword. "Unless you don't mind not seeing the world forever" he laughed loudly again.

"You mean... you're going to gouge my eyes out?" Louise asked, confused.

'Is she stupid?'

"Old man, let us go, okay?" she said, giving him a thumbs-up while smiling.

But it seemed to annoy them even more when they were called 'old man'. If the situation weren't serious, I would have laughed at how bluntly she spoke the truth.

The leader suddenly swung his long sword and swiftly aimed it at Louise's neck. She stood confidently as if being threatened with a blade at her neck was nothing. She even managed to face me and smile.

"Man, you want a death wish, huh?" His expression changed. Her smile not leaving her face, but there was a different meaning behind it now.

Goosebumps ran down my body as I felt her chilling aura again. My heart raced rapidly. Just by looking at these thugs, I was sure they had killed many, and they wouldn't hesitate to do it to us.

'Moon goddess, help me.'

"Tsk, I told you the goddess won't listen to any of your prayers," Louise's cold tone added to my anxiety. She stared defiantly at them as if she could defeat them all at once.

'of course she can, she's a monster!....a beautiful monster'

"Tell me, kid," the leader began, bringing the sword closer to Louise's neck. "Are you crazy? Who are you talking to?" His face showed clear confusion.

"My honey, old man. Stop talking," the mischievous grin returned to her lips.

I swear to the moon goddess, her mouth will get us into more trouble.

I was startled when Louise delivered a powerful kick to the sword that had been pointed at her neck for a while. I noticed a small cut on her neck, so I tried to approach her, but she quickly pushed me away as one of the men tried to grabbed me. She took the sword and examined the sharpness of it.

"f*****g psycho," I heard her muttering while she's wiping the blood or her neck, and then proceeded to walk closer to the man on her left who tried to grab me.

She grabbed the man's hands and without hesitation, broke it. The man let out a loud scream, but Louise swiftly kicked him in the face. The other four men stepped back, and hesitation was evident on their faces. Louise was still holding the sword, preventing anyone from getting close.

The leader of the group signaled the two men on his right. They nodded and charged at Louise, who had been waiting. She jumped from her position and kicked them both in the face. She then kneeled and kicked one of them in the leg, causing the man to fall. Louise used the sword she had been holding and slashed the arm of the other man she had kicked in the face.

'I don't want to see this anymore, damn you, Louise.'

It seemed like she read my mind because she was laughing while looking at me. Panting, She signaled me to leave, and being the obedient person I am, I immediately ran.

"Wait for me outside!" Louise shouted, followed by a scream from the other men.

'You made another mess, Jara, always.'