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"Let the hunt begin," the referee of the game announced and everyone moved in their own packs and hunting gear

There were altogether 20 groups and different noble families had come together to participate. There were tents pitched and the circle tents were sprawling.

Lei had gone with her friends and told Scarlet that she was free to join them, roam about or rest in her tent. There were many servants ready to assist. Everyone had formed their own group.

Scarlet decided to join Lei and her friends.

"I'm betting on the Crown Prince," one of the girls said.

"Oh, he's good. I'm betting on the state mentor, Sam. He's participating too, for the first time!" Lola announced and Scarlet raised her brow. He is?

A plan formed in her head...

All the girls placed their bets along with who they were interested in. It was a no-brainer that the Crown Prince came in top, as always. Some other noble family, another duke and marquis came in close second and third. Barely making it to the list was Sam who was a new entry. Vance sure was popular with the ladies!

"He always looks so distant though. It's as though he belongs to the gods..." Lola started and the girls agreed and started sharing about their 'encounters' with him.

"One time, I tried spraying myself with a special kind of scent," the girls nodded knowingly, "and I tried falling in front of him in hopes that he would get a whiff of that scent and perhaps be enamoured with me. He simply helped me up politely and walked away without even breaking a sweat," one of the noble lady shared.

A special scent? Scarlet had to enquire more.

"Another time, I tried to orchestra a fall as I was carrying gifts to deliver to the royal family. He was supposed to escort me. I was in my best dress," the lady gave a long look (ah, Scarlet noted that that meant dresses that accentuated one's best assets) and she continued, "I fell, he got his bodyguards to carry me while he picked up the gifts one by one,"

"...Is he not interested in girls?" one of them finally asked the million dollar question.

"No one has ever seen him dallying with any girl, he's always distant and aloof. There's always that cool, minty air around him as though he's out of this world," the girls shared and Scarlet nodded. Yea, that was the Vance she knew back then too. Which was why it puzzled her deeply on his current 180 degree change.

There's nothing to be worried about, the system assured, he wouldn't cause much deviation. Although it is a slight hiccup.

"No, wait. He's definitely interested in girls," Lei announced. "The other day, I saw him slipping a note to our scent masters. Out of curiosity, I asked what scent did he get since it didn't look familiar. Guess what the guy said?" Lei paused and the other girls hurried her to share.

"A potent scent that would get any girl addicted to him," Lei shared with a dramatic flair and the girls all went fan girl crazy.

"I want to be addicted to him!"

"I'm already in that club, why would he even need that?"

"That's very uncharacteristic of him! But who cares!"

Scarlet excused herself as they continued gossiping about the other guys and Vance, who was right on top of their hitlist.

She stepped away to mull over her thoughts as she considered everything. Their tents were situated quite near the forest and she decided to head towards the area. She brushed away twigs and branches until she was in a quieter side.

She was certain that there wasn't anything used on her because she still felt very much like herself. Thankfully, he didn't deign to use that yet.

Otherwise, she shuddered to think of the consequences. She was just about to consider her next move when a low growl broke her train of thoughts.

Uh-oh, she thought in alarm as the growl got closer and she saw that it was a wolf. Its saliva was dripping as it approached her. And Scarlet had to congratulate herself on her luck.

As if meeting a wolf wasn't enough, she had to meet one that possibly had rabies.

She moved back slowly and a twig cracked causing the wolf to sprint in her direction. Quickly, she ran as fast as she could on a pathway and she yelled just as someone reached out to grab her into his arms and they tumbled down the foresty slope till they landed in a cave.

Scarlet hit her head and the last thing she saw were someone's hands reaching out to lift her.