C114 ..-. ..- -.-. -.- / -.-- --- ..-

*Uncover the true meaning of the title and you win...*

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Thanks for the Power Stones. Too lazy today~ Have a good day and enjoy the chapter!)

"I challenge Prince Syrin Fortis to a duel to the death for the hand of Princess Aella Bestia!" Armad announces and the crowd starts gossiping to each other.

Some of the elder and more respectable Nobles looked at Armad with disapproval. Duels are very common in this world. It's even written into law that the stakes of duels must be upheld or the kingdom will uphold it themselves. Although duels are common, staking a marriage on a duel is looked down upon. It's seen as sticking your nose in another family's business. The younger Nobles in the crowd see it as a romantic gesture and reminds them of love stories they've read.

The king and queen look annoyed with this prospect. Armads father who is standing next to the king looks ashamed as well. Armads father is the Bestia Kingdoms Minister of Finance. The look on his face is conflicted as he watches his son ruin his relationship with the royal family.

Aella looks extremely annoyed also. Armad doesn't seem to notice her mood as he gives her a loving smile. The smile she received just worsened her mood even further. Rem is patting her friend on her back as she sends death glares at the fool on stage. As for me, I'm just stood there contemplating if I should accept or not. After a moment of thought, I walk up to the stage and address the crowd.

"I didn't think I would be challenged to a duel today by one of my Aellas many stalkers." I joke and get a few chuckles from the crowd and Armad glares at me even harder than usual. "I'm willing to accept the duel on a few stipulations."

"What stipulations?" He asks with an impatient look on his face.

"Just a few things. First, no killing as this is a day of giving to the many orphans in this kingdom. We wouldn't want to sully that with death, now would we? Second, we aren't dueling for Aellas hand in marriage. We will duel for her choice. What that means is if you win the duel Aella will have the choice to marry you if she wished."

"That's agreeable. It's not like she would want to marry a kid like you over me anyway." He says with a haughty attitude and some of his friends cheer him on.

"I wasn't finished. Lastly, what do I get out of this duel?" I ask.

"What do you mean? You get to keep Aella as your fiancé." He states as if it makes perfect sense.

"I already have her as a fiancé. I could just not accept the duel and that would be it." I say and he starts to panic. "Now, I'll ask again. What do I get out of this duel?"

I can see the wheels turning in this idiot's head as he tries to think of anything. The more experienced in the crowd are now looking at Armad as if he were the dumbest person they've ever met. Who challenges someone to a duel and doesn't offer something if they were to lose?

Aella and the royal family were enjoying the show. They don't have to worry because even if I lose, Aella gets to pick who she wants. Finally, Armad comes up with a few ideas.

"I'll wager one million gold crowns." He says with conviction and the crowd gasps at the amount.

"No thanks. I think you've forgotten that I'm the next king of the Fortis kingdom. I have no interest in such a small amount of money." I say and many of the people in the crowd nod.

"Hmm..." Armad thinks and then looks over at his father with an apologetic expression.

"If you cant think of anything, then this duel won't happen. See you around stalker guy." I say as I start walking off the stage.

"Wait!" Armad exclaims. "I'm willing to stake my family's treasured heirloom." He the. Takes out a golden spear with gems adorning certain parts of it. "This is the binding spear Gawane. Gawane has been passed down in my family for over a thousand years." He explains and the crowd ohhhs and ahhhs at the rare binding weapon before them.

"Hmm, I agree to the duel." I say after inspecting the spear.

After I accepted the duel, Armads father looked furious. His son just bet their family's most valuable heirloom. If he loses this duel they will lose a treasure that's worth millions upon millions of gold crowns. That's not even calculating the sentimental value as an heirloom that's been in their family for so long. Although Armads father is furious, he can't do anything and he knows it. He passed down the spear to his son, so it doesn't belong to him anymore. Also, after the duel has been accepted, no one can interfere without being punished by the law.

"Let's go to a dueling hall and get this over with." Armad says eagerly as he stares at Aella in infatuation.

"Not so fast!" The king announces as he and the queen make their way onto the stage as well. "Today is a day of giving that was put together by my beautiful wife. Therefore, no duels will be held today. Your duel will be held tomorrow in the palaces dueling hall. Everyone present here today is invited to watch the duel." He says as the queen nods in agreement.

"Yes, Your Majesty! I apologize for my son's rashness." Armads father says as he comes on the stage and drags his son in front of the king and queen. "Once again I'm sorry for my son's behavior. We'll be retiring early for the night. Thank you for throwing such a wonderful charity event, my Queen." He bows while forcing his son to as well.

Armad is then pulled out of the hall by his furious father. The king comes up to me and pats me on the shoulder.

"Very smart to allow Aella to choose if you lose the duel." The beast king says as he watches his minister of finance yank his son out of the room with an amused smile.

"Yeah, I'm not going to lose, but I had to be sure that Aella wouldn't be stuck with that idiot if the impossible happened."

"Good thinking, Son." The queen says with a warm smile.