Chapter 47: Baiting the Third Prince

In every man’s life, everyday they step out is a new challenge to be faced.

That’s how King Aldrius felt.

But in more honest terms, everyday he wakes up to some bullshit concerning this bastard prince.

Today is one of those days.

In fact, everyday is one of those days.

Even when Adonis left the castle for over a month, the King was glad he didn’t have to deal with his headache... until he found out that miscreant prince stole all the mana crystals they were managing. At some point, this young man’s antics would give him a heart attack.

Sighing heavily, he focused on the gala. Every noble listened and looked at Adonis tell his story like he was suddenly some idol they all looked up to.

"And that’s how Mariella proposed to me. She may seem like a chaste one, but she’s wild."

"HONEY!" Mariella’s face was red like chili pepper.

The nobles got excited and started firing all sorts of questions at the Fifth Prince.

"Can you give us more details about your relationship? You look so sure you’ll marry Lady Mariella?"

Adonis smiled and cleared his throat.

"Well, first of all, I’m not my brother. I’ve already shared a night with her, and since then, she’s been asking to receive my care every night... heh, please be gentle, she says."

"WOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

All the men snorted steam from their noses.

"HONEY, STOP IT!" Mariella screamed as she buried her face in her hands.

Prussia chose to remain silent. While she was also a coveted maiden across the entire continent, no one in their right mind would ask about her relationship with her "fiancé" Adonis.

With timing like the devil, Adonis giggled.

"Then there’s my sweet Prussia. She always acts like she doesn’t love being around me, but she’s such a soft and jealous woman that I fear I won’t be able to handle these two women living under the same roof with me."

The nobles oou-ed and ahh-ed.

Mariella and Prussia were two of the most prized damsels in the continent. The fact they both ended up with the same man was something the crowd wanted full, juicy details on. No one loved gossip more than nobles... especially when it’s coming straight from the source!

"SHUT UP!" Prussia was a little red now.

Prussia is cute when she’s red.

Her voice, which was usually deeper and commanding, now sounded light... almost like a little girl’s.

That left all the nobles trembling in shock.

"Lady Prussia... this she-beast is sounding like a little girl in front of her husband..."

"Maybe she’s one of those tough man-ladies that turn to shy mush in bed! Is that true, Prince Adonis?!"

"I can’t tell you that." Adonis winked cheekily.

The nobles were overjoyed nonetheless.

Queen Minerva scowled meanly at Adonis bragging about his two fiancées.

’Hmph. If our relationship wasn’t so hidden, he’d be bragging about me too. Is there even a future for us? Does Adonis see one? Or is he just wasting all this time with me to satisfy his wants? You can never really tell with men...’

Her face turned a little solemn as she bit her flushed lips in unbearable frustration.

King Aldrius looked at his wives, then at the laughing nobles who rapported with the disgraced prince like they were old school friends. There were still conservative nobles that stayed loyal to the King and ignored the boy’s antics, but others simply didn’t care at this point.

’What is this boy up to?’

He didn’t know the answer.

No one did.

Not even the two beautiful damsels that likely knew him best in that room.

Only the Fifth Prince knew how his mind worked.

He was still getting cheered by nobles and smiling back at them, but inwardly, he was burning with frustration as he glared at the calm Leander.

’I’m trying to get this bastard mad, but it doesn’t seem to be working! My plan won’t work if I can’t get him angry. Where’d this sudden buddhahood come from? A one-month timeskip and he’s suddenly the calmest guy in the room?! I hate protagonists!’

All his attempts to bait Leander seemed to fail miserably.

Even with how lovely Mariella and Prussia were looking tonight, Leander didn’t look angry about losing them.

Moreso, the two women were wearing such lovely dresses that even married noblemen couldn’t take their eyes off them. Mariella always looked graceful in her ball gowns, and the one she wore tonight was a stunning look of white, burgundy, and gold, all intricately designed.

However, far more people had their eyes on Prussia.

Even the pretty noblewomen in the room were looking at her with indescribable jealousy.

Prussia had an amazing body after all, and her noblewoman attire was... quite the sight.

She was dressed like a belly-dancer, a black crop top adorned with gold, a matching gold necklace, thick gold armbands and bracelets, and a low-slung gold hip belt adorned with dangling gold coins and chains. With her skirt resting low, her V-line and abs were on full display, making her irresistible.

Nobles of the Marsofian Union were far more traditional than other territories, and that applied to their attire as well.

Prussia looked like a breathtaking tribal princess.

Adonis rubbed his chin inwardly.

’I have to find a way to get him mad already... Oh!’

An idea hit him.

Adonis cleared his throat loudly.

"To be honest, I don’t see the point in this stupid duel. No one here wants to admit it, but it’s clear the King is just a sissy who doesn’t want to accept he was wrong about persecuting a talent like me."

Suddenly, the hall was silent and not a laugh dropped.

Several people gasped in horror.

But all those reactions were trivial. The only response Adonis cared about was the way Leander looked at him.

Of course. It was the ultimate way to bait him.

The new "favorite" son wouldn’t hesitate to defend his father and humble the disgraced prince.

Leander narrowed his eyes dangerously at Adonis.

Adonis grinned wickedly in his mind.

’Come on... fall for the bait, hero.’

First Queen Esmarie hurried forward, fuming.

"Shut your mouth! Shut it this instant! How dare you speak against the crown?! Have you gone mad?!"

The conservative nobles saw their chance.

"He’s completely lost his mind!"

"So arrogant!"

"To insult His Majesty right to his face?!"

King Aldrius glared at Adonis as his voice boomed.

"Boy, what is your prob—"

"Oh, shut up." Adonis cut him off with a lazy yawn.

He pulled a chair right to the center of the room and sat down with his legs crossed comfortably.

"When are you all going to admit it?"

He spread his arms out, looking around the grand hall.

"We’re the weakest of the four territories. I’ve just tossed you a bone by forming an alliance with the Marsofian Union and the Soron Dukedom. No one else but me can manage such a feat. You might as well cancel the duel now and make me King!"

He laughed boldly in the dead silence while every noble gave him disturbed, horrified stares.

He must be insane, they thought.

Adonis lowered his laugh into a gentle chuckle.

"Ahaa~ no one’s laughi—"

SWIPE!

A hand grabbed Adonis tightly by the collar and yanked him right out of the chair like he was a bag of light feathers. The next thing Adonis saw was a sharp metallic shine, a blade going straight for his neck!

... Zuuuu! Without flinching, Adonis instantly pulled Tiamat out from his [Item Box] and aimed the barrel right at his assailant’s throat. One shot from this close range would reduce their entire upper body to a pool of blood.

Old Hershant, who’d been silent all this time, narrowed his eyes at the brewing conflict.

’Bingo.’ Adonis grinned.

His aggressor was none other than the Third Prince.

Both brothers had their magic weapons drawn and pointed at each other’s necks.

The crowd of nobles started backing away in fear.

Godfrey didn’t think twice, he immediately moved to break up his brothers. But before he could step in, Queen Esmarie held a hand out to stop him.

’If they kill each other, it only makes things easier for my son to get the crown he deserves.’

Godfrey was eager to intervene despite her signal, but he couldn’t disobey his mother. He clenched his fist tightly and forced himself to look away.

Adonis and Leander glared at each other.

"Fifth Brother, what a nice weapon you have there, but it won’t do much against me. I’ve been training hard. The levels I’ve attained is something you’ll never grasp."

"Bummer. I’ve just been having sex with Mariella."

That smug face of the Fifth Prince...

Leander gnashed his teeth as his blade pressed harder against his brother’s neck.

"ENOUGH!"

King Aldrius’s sounded like thunder.

Leander didn’t lower his blade. "But father—"

"I SAID ENOUGH!"

A King’s word is final.

Aldrius glared at both of his sons frustratedly.

"You four will settle this in two days’ time... at the Realm of the Seven Knights."