Chapter 602 – "Duke, What Are You Waiting For?"

In an unexpected twist, Princess Calia had turned against her own. Many kings surely laughed in their hearts at this moment.

The phrase, "Outsmart oneself only to fall into one's own trap," came to mind.

Laughing at such a juncture was impolite.

Yet expecting a dwarf, with their inherent impatience, to be courteous was a grave misjudgment.

"HAHAHAHA!"

"LOL!"

"Terenas, even your daughter doesn't want to marry. Why force her?"

Magni and Kurdran, two distantly related kings, laughed uproariously, clutching their distinctively rotund dwarven bellies. Then, the Chief Tinker Gelbin let out the sharp laughter characteristic of gnomes.

Veins bulged on Terenas' forehead, his face swelling to a liverish hue, unable to contain his fury. His voice grew sharp, "Calia! This is not the time for your petulance! As a member of the Menethil royal family, your marriage was always meant to serve the kingdom. Mark my words, you WILL marry Lord Prestor! Whether you like it or not, you are bound to him, and no other man for the rest of your life!"

Calia was distraught, bursting into tears.

Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Duke, what are you waiting for? Have you forgotten your promise to me?"

Immediately, the laughter of the three uncouth dwarves ceased.

All eyes, filled with suspicion, turned to Duke, who had been feigning indifference since the Barov family's exit.

Suddenly, Duke found himself in the spotlight.

Wait!

Something seemed off!

Indeed, Duke was prepared to act, having waited for the perfect moment to challenge Terenas at the height of his delusion. But Calia's involvement wasn't part of Duke's script.

In truth, assisting the princess was a mere afterthought. It was only after a system sprite alerted him that Princess Calia was watching him from the palace balcony that he decided to act, if only to irritate Terenas.

But now, due to a single remark from Calia, the kings assumed an illicit affair between her and Duke!

If this was the case, everything made sense.

Why wasn't the princess moved by the handsome Prestor?

Why, when Prestor presented an ice rose, was she ready with a magical rose from Duke?

Why would the usually demure princess defy King Terenas?

Because she had Duke backing her!

Even if the kings weren't gossipmongers, their innate curiosity was now aflame.

Duke was mortified!

Especially when he felt the gaze of Alleria and realized the extent of her jealousy.

Seeing her lover entangled with the princess of the most powerful human kingdom was hard to bear.

Had it been genuine love, Alleria might have been more understanding. But this seemed like a clichéd romance, fit only for bards to sing about.

Legolas cleared her throat softly.

At that moment, Duke, as if possessed by a great actor, stood up. His familiar voice, known to all kings despite his young age, rang out, "I apologize, King Menethil. I vehemently oppose Princess Calia's marriage to Lord Prestor."

The two dwarf kings gasped.

Was this the start of a dramatic love triangle vying for the future ruler of Alterac?

Would this be a victory for the young lovers?

Or would it end with Terenas, representing the dark forces, triumphant?

The kings' curiosity intensified.

"What's your reason!?" Terenas hissed.

"First, allow me and my servants to present a few gifts to Princess Calia."

Reluctantly, Terenas agreed, puzzled by the sudden shift in Duke's behavior.

As Duke stepped forward, followed by Legolas, Thera, Ghos, and a bronze-skinned elf, the kings noted the strange company. Typically, kings were accompanied by trusted aides, but Duke's entourage was unfamiliar.

Duke's odd group caused a stir, especially with Lord Prestor, who clearly felt threatened by Duke's presence.

Duke ignored him, focusing on Calia. "Duke, you've finally decided to step up?" she whispered.

"Yes, as promised," he replied confidently.

She hesitated, "You...won't disappoint me?"

"Never."

Their cryptic exchange left the kings even more anxious.

"Come on, Duke! Show King Terenas what you've got!" Magni taunted, darkening Terenas' expression further.

At that moment, Duke stood between Calia and the towering Prestor. To Calia, Prestor's shadow seemed to engulf Duke entirely.

Duke didn't care. He stepped forward, took Calia's hand, inhaled deeply, and declared, "The reason I oppose their union is because Lord Prestor is... Deathwing!"

As the words echoed, Duke and Calia vanished with a "Blink" spell.

Behind them, a dazzling light illuminated the scene...