"You can't hide it," she said softly, eyes shining with an almost reverent glow. "We can feel that you're a Prim-hmm."
"Don't finish that," I cut her off sharply, placing one free hand over her mouth before she could spill something dangerous in front of the entire ballroom. My gaze narrowed, voice dropping to a firm but calm tone. "It's a secret for now, okay?"
Her eyes widened for a second, but then she nodded obediently under my palm, letting out a muffled "Swrri" through my fingers.
For a brief moment, I believed that this awkward little incident had come to an end.
But of course... it wasn't.
"Kitsuna Draig, what do you think you're doing laying a hand on my woman?" A familiar voice barked across the ballroom. Loud. Irritating. So very full of himself.
I sighed without turning around. I didn't need to. That pompous tone could belong to only one overgrown golden-furred idiot.
"Aah, if it isn't the big dumb furry," I muttered under my breath, already feeling my eye twitch in annoyance.
Hugo Boei.
Of course.
The lion-brained moron stomped over with exaggerated steps, nostrils flaring like a bull about to charge.
"Did I not ask you to let go of my woman!" He roared again-this time loud enough for the entire hall to go silent and watch.
Before I could even react, he slapped the plate of food out of my right hand, sending my ribs and steak crashing dramatically to the marble floor.
There was a collective gasp.
I just stared at the mess on the floor.
"What a waste of good food," I said softly, genuinely mourning the perfectly grilled steak as it oozed sauce onto the expensive carpet.
"Tch." Hugo clicked his tongue, furious that I wasn't reacting like he wanted. He reached out for the demon fox, clearly trying to yank her away.
Still keeping one hand lightly resting on her shoulder, I smoothly moved behind her, spinning her to my right and hooking my right arm around her shoulders. She let out a surprised squeak but didn't resist.
"Come on," I said smoothly. "She just called me her queen. I find it cute. So, I've decided that she isn't yours anymore."
Chinada blinked up at me with a stunned expression, a soft blush forming on her cheeks. She wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but the moment I winked at her, her expression melted into something closer to amusement.
"You little-" Hugo growled. "There's no way she would want to be your woman." I am much better than you."
"You are?" I asked, tilting my head, playing dumb just to annoy him further.
"Of course! I am a man from the proud Lion King race! No other race is better than us!"
He said it with such unshakable conviction that even I had to pause.
A beat.
Then laughter. From me. From nobles around us. A few of the women were standing behind him.
"Ha-ha... fuck, you are dumb," I muttered, wiping a tear from my eye. "You're getting weird looks from nobles who literally bed dragons and gods, you know that?"
"Okay," I said, recovering. "Let's say your race is the 'best.' That means nothing in this world if you don't have the power to protect what is yours."
"Ha! Of course I have enough power!" he boomed, puffing out his chest.
"Is that so?" I grinned like a fox about to pounce. "Then how about we test it out?"
"You're challenging me?"
"Yup."
"For what, exactly?"
I looked past him at the group of girls standing silently in his shadow. Some of them still had that hopeful glimmer in their eyes. Others looked confused, uncertain.
"I don't know," I said casually, then glanced down at Chinada. "What's your name? I never asked."
"My name is Chinada, my queen," she said proudly, voice louder now, eyes still locked on me.
"What an interesting name," I replied with a playful smile.
Looking back at Hugo, I continued, "That group behind you... They're with you?"
"Yes. That is the rest of my women," he said with that same smug, arrogant grin.
"Is that so?" I murmured, turning my gaze back to them. "They are adorable themselves, and a lot of them are to my taste. Hmm... with this new body of mine, I'm certain I could satisfy them in bed in one go."
The temperature around me dropped by a few degrees.
I know Mom said I'd get a lot of hate for this plan, but even I can feel the daggers being stabbed into my back with their glares. I might have overreached myself.
Some of the hopeful expressions faded immediately. Replaced by disgust or shock.
Yeah, I went off-script. Fuck.'
"What are you trying to say, bitch?" Hugo growled, his golden mane bristling.
"If you narrow your eyes any more at me, your fur is going to cover them completely," I said flatly.
Smirking, I leaned into it. "I'm saying I'm challenging you for your 12-13 girls. I want them to be mine."
"You little-ha! And what do I get if I win?" Hugo snapped, barking a laugh.
"What do you want?" I asked casually, resting my chin on top of Chinada's head like she was a plush toy.
"Hmm." He rubbed his chin, clearly not used to thinking for more than five seconds at a time. "I got it! "I will convince you and your sister to join my harem."
"My sister as well?" I asked, glancing toward Mom, who stood nearby, arms crossed and already reaching into her dimensional storage.
"It's fine. You can agree to that," Mom said with a smirk, pulling out two neatly written documents out of thin air. "But I want some conditions added."
"Huh? What is this?" Hugo said, taking the documents from her suspiciously.
I took a copy myself, scanning the contents over Chinada's head.
Blood Contract-royal duel
Hugo Boei vs. Kitsuna Draig
If Kitsuna Draig Wins:
Hugo's entire harem is transferred to Kitsuna.
Hugo is forbidden from ever creating another harem.
Hugo must pledge himself to the king, who will decide his terms of service.
If Hugo Boei Wins:
Kitsuna Draig and Amari Draig join Hugo's harem.
The Draig family formally submits to the Boei house.
There was more-legalese, disclaimers, magic sealing clauses-but those were the key points.
"How is this fair? We only get two things while you get three!" Hugo shouted indignantly.
Multiple nobles gasped.
"Shut up," his father said through gritted teeth. "You accepted, and she challenged you. You know how royal duels work-the challenged party sets the rules."
"Of course, I have no problem with that. When do we fight?" Hugo asked, still trying to save face.
"Right now," I said, still smirking. "My people are already preparing the arena."
Hugo looked like he wanted to protest, but he nodded.
As I turned away, letting Chinada walk beside me, I glanced at my family-Mom, Kayda, Amari, and even Dean. No one looked particularly concerned.
My smile softened into something real.
'Yeah. My family, huh.'
Chinada leaned close. "My Queen... I need to warn you. He recently returned from a levelling trip."
"I know," I said. "What do you know about his class?"
"It's called Beast King. It's a legendary class for the Lion King race."
"Skills?"
"Nothing specific. But I've watched him fight. He's slow compared to you. Defense-focused."
"Perfect," I muttered.
'Beast King' is a defensive class. His race skill will likely grant him a temporary boost just under ultimate defense. But as long as I force a rule that bans race skills... I can win with speed alone.'
"My Queen," Chinada asked hesitantly, "might I know what class you have?"
"I don't have one yet," I said with a smile.
Her face went pale. "What?"
"Don't worry."
"But he's level 122! Even with armor, he'll still be around 1000 agility. That's not easy to dodge!"
"Only 1000?" I chuckled. "I double that."
"D-double? But that's impossible-"
"Oh, sweety. I'm not very normal."
Smack!
"Ow!" I rubbed the back of my head, turning to Kayda.
"You dumbass!" she growled. "This wasn't even close to what we planned!"
"Are you mad I challenged him for the whole harem instead?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"Of course I am! We agreed you'd only try to take the fox girl!"
"It's sweeter this way."
"Shut up, both of you," Mom interrupted, appearing between us with her usual 'I'm-smiling-but-will-kill-you' expression. "Kayda, she's not keeping the harem. Kitsuna, you're just doing this to gloat, right?"
"Of course. Like hell, I have enough stamina to satisfy thirteen women in one night. That's too much work."
Kayda clicked her tongue and walked away.
"Now, Yandere Dragon, do you understand?" Mom said slyly.
"Mom, I don't think you know what yandere actually means."
avataravatar
Chapter 72: The Duel Rules
"Mom, I don't think you know what 'yandere' actually means," I said with a raised eyebrow, wiping the last bit of dried laughter from the corner of my eye.
"You just shut up," Mom said, jabbing a finger at me with the stern authority only a mother could wield. Despite her tone, her lips twitched at the corners, betraying amusement.
Then she turned to Chinada, who stood beside me like a loyal statue with twitching ears and curious eyes. "Well, you understand what's happening now, don't you?"
Chinada gave a small nod, her tail flicking once behind her as she took a step forward. "Yes, so you guys were planning this from the start."
"Exactly," I said, snapping my fingers with a cocky grin.
Her posture relaxed slightly, her ears lowering respectfully. "Then my worries were for naught. Sorry for doubting you, my queen."
"Don't worry about it." I waved a hand dismissively, though the title still made me twitch. "But about this queen thing... Can you stop? Just call me Kitsuna."
Chinada's eyes widened. "I cannot call my queen by her name," she said, shaking her head vigorously, her silver hair swishing like a fan.
I groaned. "Call me Nova then. I don't want you calling me "Queen" like I'm some stuffy old matriarch sitting on a throne of bones."
"If you order it, then I will do so," she said softly, lowering her head.
"Fine," I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I order you to call me by my name."
"As you wish, Nova," she said, nodding politely. The tone in which she said it made me feel as if she had just sworn a lifelong vow. It made my skin itch.
"I swear I'll never get used to this," I muttered under my breath, exhaling sharply. My ears flicked at the sudden silence, then I turned to Mom. "Oh, Mom-did he figure it out?" I asked my mother if the Duke had figured it out, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial tone.
She didn't say anything at first-her cheeks puffed up as she held in laughter. That look made my eyebrow twitch. Annoyed, I lifted my leg and gave her a sharp, but harmless, kick to the side of her thigh.
"If he did, it doesn't matter," she said, sidestepping the kick effortlessly with a laugh. "Hugo already signed the blood contract."
"Great." I clapped my hands. "Give it to me so I can sign."
"Here." She passed me the thick parchment. "And if you're done with that, go find Kayda. She'll be the main witness to the duel."
I pricked my finger with my canine and pressed the drop of blood onto the seal, the parchment glowing faintly as the contract sealed itself.
"Why do I need to look for Kayda?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because you are the one who pissed her off."
"No, that was you!" I pointed at her accusingly.
"Kitsune." Her voice dropped a pitch.
"See you guys at the arena!" I quickly said this and bolted away like the wind before her tone could drop any lower.
"Thought so," she said behind me, amused.
[Stacy POV]
As my daughter disappeared into the corridor, I turned to Chinada, who still looked like she was sorting through everything in her head.
"Now that she's gone... you're Chinada, right?" I asked, stepping closer and folding my arms.
"Yes, Lady Draig," she said respectfully, standing at attention like a soldier in front of a general.
"Why exactly did you call her Queen earlier?" I asked, narrowing my eyes, pulling her a little closer by the elbow so the conversation stayed private.
She hesitated, her brows furrowing. "It is because she is a... Wait. I don't think I can tell you."
I lowered my voice. "If it's because of her bloodline, we already know."
Her shoulders relaxed. "Oh. Yes, it's because she's a Primordial Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that I call her that."
"So you guys can feel it?" I asked, curious.
"Yes," she nodded. "When we are in close proximity, any Demon Fox will know our queen is near."
"That's a bit... problematic," I murmured. "Is it only your race, or can other demi-humans feel it too?"
"No, it's only us. It's not a widely known fact, but our race is quite family-oriented."
"Family-oriented?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.
She smiled, a little wistful. "No matter how far our bloodline spreads, we're always connected spiritually. Especially when it comes to Nova. Her being our primordial makes her deeply connected to every one of us."
I stared at her for a second, trying to sense any deceit. Nothing. Just honesty and instinctive reverence.
"Well, at least only other Demon Foxes can tell. That's something I didn't know. Thanks."
"That explains a lot, doesn't it?" Dean stepped forward and handed me the signed contract once more.
"Yeah," I nodded. "I'll go get the King to sign his part too." I turned, heading toward the drinking area.
[Kitsuna POV]
'Where the hell did she run off to?' I grumbled internally, my boots tapping briskly against the stone floors as I prowled the halls of the castle.
Just then, I heard voices echoing from around a corner.
"Hey, sexy, where are you walking off to?" a slurred male voice said,.
"Hey! Let go!" A sharp female voice snapped back.
"Come on, don't be like that..."
'Ugh, nobles getting drunk? 'Great,' I thought, sniffing the air and catching the stench of cheap wine. The next sentence made me stop cold.
"I've never slept with a Dragonoid before. Why don't we use one of these guest rooms for some fun?"
A loud slap echoed.
Turning the corner, I saw a young Dragonoid girl, no older than sixteen, standing tall with a hand raised and fury burning in her eyes. Her other hand was hidden behind her back. The man in front of her, some overconfident noble brat, was scowling.
"You bitch! I'm the first son of Viscount Jaman! How dare you slap me!" He shouted-and retaliated with his slap across her cheek.
My ears twitched.
"Oh, shit," I muttered, seeing golden scales flicker over the Dragonoid's wing. She was pissed. And then I saw the object in her hand.
'Nope.'
In an instant, I flash-stepped between them, grabbing the noble by the throat with one hand and her wrist with the other.
