Nova kept on shaking, and Ning who was looking at her couldn't help but feel bad about it.
"Was it because of what I asked?" Ning asked as he dropped from the branch next to the girl.
The girl nearly jumped in fear when she saw him land. "Wait, you don't have to be scared," Ning said.
"Please go away and leave me alone," the girl said with a solemn tone to her voice.
"I don't think you should be alone right now," Ning said. "Don't you need a friend?"
"I… I…" the girl stammered for a moment before finally saying in a very low voice, "I don't deserve a friend."
Her guilt had been eating her up more than this entire competition ever could.
'I don't want to hurt anyone! I don't want to hurt anyone!' she shouted in her own mind.
Ning saw the troubled look on her face and patted her head. "Don't worry, it will all be fine," he said. The crown did nothing to obstruct his hand.
