Leon looked at the person in front of him in surprise.
He had clearly been beaten into such a miserable state by Niu at the banquet—how could he still be standing in front of him now?
Niu… it seems your actions weren't strong enough.
At this moment, the mummy wrapped in bandages—no, the president of the Ministry of Magic—was appearing before him with a flattering look on his face. Of course, he wasn't standing, but rather being carried on a stretcher by his subordinates.
"Ahem, long time no see, Your Highness. Did you enjoy the banquet?"
"...Although it's disrespectful to lie down in front of royalty, given your current condition, it's not easy for you to greet me properly, so I'll forgive you for now."
"Yes, yes, thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness."
Leon raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that this guy was definitely up to something. With such a drastic shift in attitude, who wouldn't see that he must have bad intentions?
Leon bet this guy was plotting something shady—and if he was wrong, Algard would be the one to suffer for it.
"So what's wrong with you?"
"Ahem, actually, I came to reconcile with you, Your Highness. After being beaten by that girl in black, I finally woke up from my ignorance. Your Highness is right—magical science is the future. So I came here to make peace with Your Highness."
Leon raised his eyebrows. Was this guy a masochist?
He had plenty of experience dealing with people like this and understood how twisted this kind of person could be.
A certain cold beauty popped into Leon's mind. No matter how much he fought or toyed with her, she always ended up feeling happy.
It was just ridiculous...
Even recently, Leon had used the [Blade of Arrogance] with the [Pain] debuff. Ye Lan was beaten every time, yet she still seemed satisfied... Just thinking about her left Leon speechless.
"Reconciliation? I never needed reconciliation in the first place. It's always others who come to me begging for mercy."
"Ahem! That's why I'm here—begging for mercy. I beg Your Highness to at least give me a chance to survive. I even brought a gift for Your Highness."
"Um?"
The mummy looked to the side, and in the next second, a black-haired girl was brought before Leon. She wore a sorrowful expression, dressed in fine clothes as she tried to cover herself modestly.
She was a very cute girl, with shoulder-length black hair, black eyes, and a melancholic temperament. She looked pitiful and kind.
Moreover, her figure was exceptional—her innocent and cute face sharply contrasted with her voluptuous curves. A baby face with a mature body.
It was hard not to fall for her at first sight. Leon even had the urge to take off his coat and put it over her shoulders.
"I remember her... with Algard..."
"Yes! This is Leini Cyan—the one who seduced His Highness Algard and caused the engagement with Euphilia Magenta to be broken off. Please accept this gift."
"...I'm not interested in receiving people as gifts. Our kingdom forbids human trafficking. Have you forgotten that?"
"Hehehe, of course not."
"As a noble of the kingdom, how could I ever break the law? This isn't human trafficking, Your Highness."
"Leini wants to follow you willingly—no, she sought you out willingly."
The mummy said this with a smile.
It was clear the black-haired girl wasn't willing, but so what? For the sake of her father's life, she had no choice but to agree.
Leon frowned. This was exactly why he hated nobles.
On the surface, they'd never break the rules—but behind the scenes, they'd bend them in every possible way.
He didn't know what her troubles were, but he wasn't obligated to help her. He certainly wasn't short on pretty girls. Besides, if he took her home... Euphilia would definitely get jealous.
Jealous girls were cute, but if that triggered a Yandere side—then that was another story entirely. Just as Leon was about to refuse—
"Okay, then I'll accept it... huh?"
Leon's eyes widened in surprise.
What did I just say?
Why did I agree?
It was as if his mouth had decided on its own.
"Since Your Highness has accepted, I'll take my leave." Seeing that Leon had agreed, the mummy cheerfully exited the scene.
Leon looked helplessly at Leini, thinking it would be best to get out of there as soon as possible. The banquet wasn't over yet, and no one had left.
Being seen with her by any random noble wouldn't be ideal. More importantly, the Third Prince, Algard, hadn't left yet. If they bumped into him—
"Leon, what are you doing!"
"Why is Leini with you?!"
(Speak of the devil...)
The corner of Leon's eye twitched. The goddess of fate was really something.
Just as Algard was about to leave this depressing banquet, he saw Leini standing next to Leon. His heart instantly shattered.
He hadn't seen her since their engagement was broken off, and now—now she was with Leon... dressed elegantly, like a dancer.
"What are you going to do with Leini?!"
"What I plan to do with her has nothing to do with you. The banquet's over and it's already dark. Go back and rest, Algard."
Leon waved casually in farewell.
He really didn't want to deal with this idiot. It was obvious that as long as Algard didn't resist or oppose him, he could live a peaceful life.
But Leon couldn't understand Algard's current feelings. As a man, to have his fiancée taken by Leon—well, even if it was Leon who accepted her, and not the other way around—it was still messed up.
Later, even his beloved mother was taken...
Tonight's banquet was pure torture for him. His mother had publicly declared her full support for Leon's ascension to the throne.
The two had acted so close tonight—serving wine, sharing food, even dancing together. Was this really still his mother?
And now Leon wanted to take the girl he loved.
Even if they were brothers, the hatred between them was now beyond reconciliation.
"Leon, do you like taking everything that belongs to me? I'll never forgive you!"
"If you won't forgive me, then don't. Forgiveness without the power to take revenge means nothing. It's just a loser's meaningless whining."
"And... that doesn't even count as stealing. They all came to me willingly."
Leon spread his arms with an innocent look.
It was like saying, Which of your eyes saw me steal anything from you? Be it Euphilia, Sylphine, and now Leini—
He hadn't done a single thing.
And yet, just like everything drawn to the sun, they all came to him on their own.
(End of chapter)
Give me some power stones there you go~😉