[Day 11 Month 6 Year of Crescent Moon: 16.00]

"Am tired..." with a bang, a young man with black robe throw his body on the bed and relaxed his tired body.

Giggling seeing the man, a girl pulled a chair as she put her mace beside her chair.

"You never change, don't you Harold? You know you dislike attention right?" still giggling, Shirley stare at Harold softened.

Hiding his eyes with his arm, Harold's face turned into a scowl.

"Heh, something like this is nothing! You're the one who trembled on the stage, Rey!" Harold then rolled his body and speaks as he lay sideway with his hand supporting his head above the ear area while smirked.

"!!" seems that Harold word hitting right on the mark, Shirley turn her head away with a ‘Hmmph!'.

Seeing this atmosphere, a third voice suddenly can be heard nearby.

"Both of you sure is close." A voice that sounded plain and expressionless. Roland leans his shoulder near the door as he stared at Harold and Shirley.

Harold changed his position to sitting position and he folded his hand.

"Of course, we are childhood friends after all."

"Hoh." The word of Harold picked Roland interest but he didn't say anything. He turned to Shirley and asks her.

"By the way, Miss Shirley, why did you suddenly trembling when you saw the crowds? Isn't it strange that a priestess of the Holy Shrine shrink in fear when faced with people? Don't you have a job that requires you to meet with people?"

Hearing it, Harold and Shirley was at loss at Roland question. Harold then glared at him while gritting his teeth and Shirley who lowered her head make Roland become confused.

"Are you going to mock her? Don't the stupid you know some consideration?" Harold throws some insult while glaring Roland but only to make him more confused. ‘Ah, this man is hopeless.' Though Harold.

"Sir Harold, I know your word is bit harsh. But please speak with normal speech, you will scare people if keep saying like that."

Now Harold was really at loss to speak, this is the first time someone says that his word was harsh right in front of him! When he hear giggle at the side, he sighed.

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"Rey w-" "Wait, let me said it, Harold." Cutting Harold word, Shirley placed her hand on her chest and take a deep breath before turned to Roland.

"Sir Roland, am sorry for my shame attitude when we are on the stage. It was actually... my weakness... It’s my blunder this time."

Shirley bowed at Roland, but Roland waves his hand as if telling not to mind it.

"So, a weakness is it?"

"Yes, as you can see, my hair was black right?"

Speaking of which, Roland now was watching the beautiful long hair of Shirley and showed a puzzled expression. ‘What of it?' His expression makes Shirley want to laugh as she expects him to mock her or curse at her but his expression is showed a complete confusion. Even Harold who glaring at Roland with an expressionless expression was narrowed his eyes as if want to know Roland’s true intention.

"Sir Roland, this black hair was called a curse by the people. I was a cursed child."

Shirley body trembled as if she remembered something scary and her teeth was biting her lower lips. Seeing Roland silence, Shirley stopped Harold who wants to rush to her side with her hand and continued.

"I who was a child back then was confused when my family always spoiled my sister and never gives me any love. But when the kid on my villages started to bully me I started to know that because of my black hair, They said my hair is the same as the Queen of Darkness. I was hated by everyone."

The atmosphere turned gloomy but Shirley keeps continued her story.

"Then, one day I meet a stupid kid who was a self-proclaimed hero. He was a weak kid back then, and I was the one who can stop his cry and reckless action. And that is the first time I know how to feel having friends. I started to forget my scary day as I play with him each day."

Shirley smile when she remembering her past was dazzling and charming, if a normal man seeing this expression they will surely fall in love with her. But Harold was gripping his hand as he looked down with his expression hidden and Roland who closed his eyes while keeping silence.

"However, my peaceful days were broken when my family told me to go to serve the Holy Shrine. I who always obedient at home suddenly shouted and refused at them which make them scared as I never do something like that. But I was scared. If I go, I will never meet that self-proclaimed hero. I scared that he will hurt himself. So in one night, I keep trying to refuse them."

"But I can't change my family mind, the day before, the priest of Holy Shrine come to pick me. Without able to said my goodbye, I departed from my village. The day of my service of Holy Shrine was good at the beginning, but the stare of the priest and priestess on the Shrine was scary. They who was smiling and speaking at me at the front were actually sneering behind me. And I know it by myself…"

Without Shirley noticing, her body trembled even more and she hugged her body.

"H-However, E-esteemed Father received me when the situation turned worse! He teaches me self-defense and knowledge of the world. And I trained myself to be a Child of the Moon, and the High God grants my wish."

This time, Shirley smiled and stared at Roland. When their eyes meet, Roland feels a strange emotion when he hears ‘situation turned worse' and before he stepped forward, a shadow of person moved first.

"It's fine Rey, you are alright! You don't need to force yourself if you need anything I will gladly help you. No, I will absolutely come to help you."

"Thank you..." Seeing the confidence on Harold's eyes, Shirley smiled and gives her thanks. She closed her eyes to calm her heart and without  her notice, Harold was staring at Roland with a smile on his face, which made Roland eyebrows twitching.

"Sorry to make all of you waiting, it was a hassle to finish the procedure to report to the King. There is also the proposal regarding the journey and- Ah, what with this situation?"

Suddenly a cheerful voice broke the mixed atmosphere in the room as the Head Shrine coming with his arm stretched as his smile cramped seeing the three inside was mysteriously quiet. He looked around in confusion as the other didn't seem to have any mood to give him any answer.