TYPHONE

  The moment I arrived in Hollingrew Kingdom, I knew nothing good would happen. I arrived a day earlier so I would not intimidate anyone with Calagon, my adopted red scaled dragon. I am not a dragon slayer like Ferhann, but I do kill monsters that invade my kingdom. In this world, dragons are not the only mystical creatures that roam. Some are vicious and annoying.

  I was provided a room that's not different from other guests as per my request. I did not want any unwanted attention. It pisses me off.

  Currently, I am having breakfast with my future wife and some other people. I was glaring at Ferhann and couldn't help the victorious smirk on my face as I noticed how swollen his cheek was.

  Bastard deserved it after telling me how much he wanted to fuck the princess of Ynkerthia.

  The small princess was too fragile in my eyes and I for one hated how he saw the innocent princess. That night, Ferhann also told me how he wanted to take over Ynkerthia and treat the people as slaves while he spend the kingdom's riches. It wasn't a well-known kingdom, but it is rich in gems and diamonds. Their mines are hidden where only the royal family and the workers know where the mines are.

  It was on a whim and pity when I declared to claim Ynkerthia and marry their precious princess. It was surprising, however, when the king and queen agreed on it almost immediately. Their daughter was a different story though. She was fierce and straightforward despite her typical wallflower appearance. The look on her face proved that she hated the thought of marrying me.

  I snapped out of my thoughts when a lady asked me, "Tell us, King Typhone. Why have you chosen this gullible princess instead of the other worthy ladies in the banquet?"

  Cheeky woman wants to humiliate my princess.

  I sliced the meat and watched a little bit of blood drip onto the cheap porcelain. I said, "What's it to you, my lady? I am free to choose any woman I want. You need not to know my reason."

  I stabbed the meat and popped it in my mouth. I smiled politely at her and it was obvious how tense she got. It was a pathetic attempt to rile me up, but an attempt nonetheless.

  "Can't you be nice to other people? They'll think you're some brute that just became king." Ferhann reprimanded me. I laughed, loud.

  "Forgive me for laughing, but your kind and innocent facade is not working on me." I cracked my neck and looked at my rival, "Everyone knows your dirty secrets, Ferhann. You don't need to hide."

  That was the last straw. Ferhann stood up from his seat and said, "I challenge you to a duel, Typhone! The winner shall have Princess Avery's hand in marriage!"

  I slowly stood from my seat, looming over the other guests. I glared at my rival and said, "I accept."

  The princess intervened and said loudly, "I'm not some object that you can just claim!"

  Her hands were clenched and her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Her whole body was trembling and she looked so scared yet so strong. A part of me wanted to devour her then and there.

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  I leaned in close to her face, our lips barely touching as I whispered in a soft and hushed tone, "Trust me, princess. You're not just some prize to me. I'll win and prove to you how much stronger I am."

  Her cheeks flushed and her brows furrowed slightly. I smirked in triumph.

  Even her nose gets red when she blushes. How cute.

  **********

  We gathered in the knights' training ground. Everyone was watching even the servants.

  I hate it when there's too much people, but... I'm here for my princess so I'll just have to deal with it.

  It wasn't a bloody duel. It's a battle where we use wooden swords, kind of like training, if you will. I took off my cape and handed it to my right hand man, Grimore.

  "Your Majesty, is this even alright? I mean... this fight is almost meaningless or rather... childish." Grimore folded my cape and held it in his arm.

  I chuckled and grabbed a wooden sword from the rack, "Ferhann is an easy target. He gets angry with the words that come out of my mouth. I enjoy teasing the bastard."

  My right hand man sighed in defeat, "Just don't kill him, Your Majesty. There'll be political issues if it so happen that you ACCIDENTALLY killed the king of Hollingrew Kingdom in a petty duel."

  I noted how he elaborated the word "accidentally". I smirked and swung my sword once, "Calm down, Grimore. I won't kill him... yet."

  Ferhann arrived moments later wearing a more comfortable attire. His long hair was pulled back in a ponytail and his shirt was opened up to reveal his chest.

  Even in this kind of duel he still looks so prim and proper.

  I held my head high, "Are you ready to lose again, Ferhann?"

  "I'll make sure you eat your words, Typhone." He snarled.

  A knight stood between us and set our positions. Once the go signal was made, I let him launch the first attack. It was futile as I swung hard and hit his back. He groaned and swung at me at a fast speed, hitting my stomach. I winced slightly.

  "You've gotten weak, Typhone!" He taunted.

  I scoffed, "Ha! I just didn't want to embarrass the great king of Hollingrew."

  I kept a distance between us and got into a fighting stance. He got back up on his feet almost immediately and charged towards me. Our swords clashed and neither of us was willing to give up. I changed my position and swung my sword from below. The tip of my sword hit his chin and he coughed up a bit of blood.

  He took a couple of steps back and coughed. He glared at me and charged again, hitting me a dozen times. When he realized it wasn't doing anything, he decided to do an underhand trick. I saw through his plan and decided to dodge his attacks.

  I hit him a few more times, drawing a few blood on his fine porcelain skin. Ferhann panted heavily as he tried to attack me again.

  I'm getting bored. Let's get this over and done with.

  **********

  The duel ended with Ferhann down on his knees, sweat dripped down onto the concrete, and few droplets of blood trickled down his arm while I stood tall, proud, and victorious. I huffed.

  "That was fun. I haven't worked out a sweat that hard for quite some time." I uttered before turning my back on him, "She's mine, Ferhann. There's nothing you can do about it."

  I walked towards my future wife and smirked. I watched her eyes slowly widen and her cheeks flushed a light shade of crimson.

  I leaned in, careful not to intimidate her, but risky enough for our lips to brush ever so slightly, "I told you, princess. You're mine and I won't let anyone take you away from me."

  "You're getting too boastful, Your Majesty." She snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

  I laughed, "Am I now? I just wanted to impress my future wife is all."

  Grimore walked up behind me and bowed. He handed me my cape and I slung it on my shoulder. I stood up straight, "I'll be heading to your castle in two days, princess. We have to discuss our... wedding preparations."

  I looked behind her to meet her parents' eyes. I bowed my head and turned on my heel.

  "Isn't it too sudden, Your Majesty? The wedding, I mean." Grimore asked.

  "No. In fact, I want it to be as soon as it can." I said firmly.

  I walked back into my room and frowned at the smell of it.

  "Change my sheets, will you? That woman's scent is all over the place. It stinks." I said coldly as I strutted to the bathroom.

  I looked in the mirror and pushed my hair back.

  I'm going to make sure no one steals you from me, princess.