25 Chapter 25 – Acceptance (2/2)

”It was my fault on this account. I shall even compensate you if you do not spread the word of my slight mishap.” He was trying his best to hush the whole situation. It was his best case scenario to not lose a customer and also not have the word spread about the incident today.

He knew this would be hard so the desperation in his voice had become apparent.

”I will hold you to your words later but for now I would still like to know the whole situation. I will first speak to them and understand their story. Only then shall I make my decision. Is that fine with you?”

”I have no problems with this master Adam. Feel free to speak.” He thought that it was just a whim of the boy who was intrigued by the girls to learn more. He did not mind indulging him to gain favour in the negotiations later on.

”I would appreciate some privacy while I speak with the two. I hope you don't mind.” Adam did not want him to realize that he was utterly clueless as to the whole matter.

”It is no problem. You two let's go.” He led the two scantily dressed girls into the curtain behind the stage. He was in an obviously bad mood.

He would usually not allow a customer to be alone with one of his 'products' without completing a deal but his team had already made a mistake in bringing Luna.

Usually, they would have just 'discarded' the 'defective' product before bringing Elaine back. This mess up of theirs had rendered even Elaine unsellable so what was the use of watching over her.

…..

Seeing the three people disappear behind the curtain, Adam waited for a while to make sure they had gone.

Only after being positive that they had the room to themselves did he speak.

”So why did he say you were cursed?”

”Huh, you don't know?” Elaine was stunned. Her eyes were on the verge of popping out.

”Ahh, young master I think I might have a clue.” Fen was finally feeling a bit energetic again after Ungad left the room.

”You do? Why didn't you tell me this before then big sis?” He was puzzled.

”I just figured it out but I'm not sure if it's right. Young master, remember how we read about the light and darkness elements? How only special constitutions can exhibit these elements…”

”I think I get what you are saying, big sis. Elaine and Luna, do tiger tribesmen have different hair colours?”

”No.” they responded together.

”They all have light orange hair with black stripes, there are cases where some are born without stripes but that is the only variation that occurs,” Elaine said.

”I see. I'm guessing Luna has the element of darkness then. Am I right?”

”That's what the elders in our clan said when they exiled us.”

The element of darkness was a bad omen for the people of this land. The greatest calamity of this continent was wrought by Fiends who are born from the element of darkness.

It could be seen how the people would disdain anyone or anything that had anything to do with it.

”What they said?” He asked back. He sensed something peculiar in the way she worded her sentence.

”Yes, they only had the tools to test for the light attribute. Since she did not resonate with it she was deemed to harbour the element of darkness.” She said with a hint of resentment.

”It is fine, Elaine. It was not completely wrong for them to come to this conclusion. If I don't have the light element but still have a special constitution body it is only logical that I have the darkness element.” Luna seemed to be resigned to her fate.

”Don't say that!” Elaine yelled at her.

”Hmm, it's only the darkness element. Why make such a big deal about it.” Adam let his thoughts out verbally by mistake.

”Huh?!” All three girls in the room were shocked. They had always been taught that the darkness element was bad and vile. How could the boy say those words so lightly? The worst part was that he truly did not seem to care regardless.

Seeing how the eyes of the three girls began to pierce into his soul, looking for an explanation to his words. He took in a cold breath of air.

”What I meant was…ugh, why should it matter even if she had the dark element? She is still Luna. I think she is a great person from what I have seen.” He quickly blurted out a response hoping to remedy the situation.

”You really mean that?” Luna's eyes dilated a bit as she asked. Her hands were clutched tightly together in front of her chest.

She had been ostracized for who she was since she was born. Never had she heard words that were even remotely similar to these before.

Something about what he said made her heart skip a beat and then thump wildly.

”Our parents abandoned us when we were born. An elder hid us away and raised us for three years but he passed away on a trip outside and the village discovered us. We were exiled and roamed the plains for 2 years till we were eventually caught by the slavers.”

”Everyone we have ever known has wanted to get rid of us. Even I have faced scorn because my hair is more vibrant than other members of the tribe and they say that I have been affected by my sister. After knowing all of this can you still say the same?” Even Elaine had lost her composure and started to become emotional as she recounted their tale.

Adam may have said it at the moment but his words were true. They were his actual thoughts on the matter. He would not speak random words on a whim.

After hearing what was said, he became serious. He understood how much this meant to the two girls.

He was going to treat the two girls with the sincerity they deserved but were deprived of.

He began pondering on what to say next. This was a very sensitive topic and it would be best if he did not wantonly wade through it.

He straightened his back and looked into the eyes of the two girls.

”My offer still stands. I shall extend it to Luna as well.” He said resolutely.

”I shall say the same words I said to your sister. I require an adventurer to accompany me through life and death. Dangers will be at every turn on our journey. If you understand this and are still willing to accompany me, I shall be glad.”

”No need to worry even if you decline. You will be hired by my mother's lodge. Regardless of your choice, after today you will have the freedom to do as you please.” His words were straightforward and to the point. He did not beat around the bush.