Tug of War

The rest of the day went by relatively calmly and after the day's battles, Michael held hands with Rhea as they left the Pavilion.

No one came to disturb them but he knew it was just a calm before the storm, about to take the stairs down the mountain, Michael's watch communicator beeped, Rhea's did too.

Since they were together, they could both see the person reaching out on each others communicator, it was a message, a summon.

From the Queen, the Fire giant Queen.

Main consort of the Fire Giant King, mother of four of the six titled Princes, Rhea's grandmother.

Towards the Fire giant Queen, Michael didn't have much of a close relationship, the royal family was huge, not even all her direct descendants could claim to have a close relationship with the Queen, talk less of Michael who was a step grandson.

AZ fire, the second prince was born of another consort.

Formerly about to head down, they both headed upwards to the mountain top palace.

The storm was here.

.....

Aside from the main hall where the king and officials meet, there was a back flower hall for consorts.

The flower hall headed by the empress, the other Royal consorts, the numerous wives of the officials dinned in this hall.

At the entrance of the mountain top, a maid was already waiting for them.

Michael and Rhea walked behind the maid as they were ushered into the flower hall.

The flower hall was quite different from the main hall.

Unlike the main hall where the king and officials decided on state matters, and had a solemn atmosphere, the atmosphere of the flower hall was more relaxed, with little dining and casual small talk.

Michael looked through the flower hall, and as brave as he was, a cold sweat flowed down his back.

The Queen at the main seat, the Prince's consorts among which his mother was, Rhea's mother too and the various wives of the officials of the entire Fire Giant race.

Numerous eyes, numerous female elder figures seeking to pass a comment and influence their lives, swept through them.

Beside him Michael felt Rhea shake a bit.

immediately his fear dispelled, taking her hand he held it as he drew her closer.

On entering the hall, Rhea had felt quite panicky, although she had made up her mind and expected the resulting reactions or even consequences, also preparing her mind for it, it didn't make it any easier.

the scrutiny of everyone on them was unsettling, subconsciously she shook in fear.

But just when her panic was rising, Michael held her and it dispelled.

Raising her head, she smiled brightly at him, at that moment even forgetting where they were.

At this smile Michael also smiled, his gaze warm and passionate, saying in a low voice, yet every one in the hall as a cultivator could hear, " We'll be fine ".

The gazes of numerous women in the hall furrowed, these kids had been summoned to be chastised and any relationship between them forbidden, but based on the affection between them it wasn't going to be easy.

By decorum, the first person to have made a move or spoken should have been the Queen but the third Prince's wife, Chan mother couldn't help but hiss, her gaze at Michael quite hateful.

Rhea was betrothed to her son!

Not able to help herself at this sight any longer, she spoke in a cold tone speaking to Michael's mother, Tania, " You should warn your son, his actions are indecent and unacceptable "

Tania just smiled at this, not saying anything.

She didn't see anything for Michael to be warned of.

She was quite more carefree than the usual giant folks in this bloodline regard of theirs.

And what do you mean that two young people can't be together because the talent of one of them was bad.

Was it a competition, wasn't it love.

In fact she had no plan to warn her son of any a, no plan at all.

Sensing an argument was brewing, the Queen waved her hand and the hall quieted, looking at Michael and Rhea she asked calmly in an unquestionable tone, " Between you two, how did it begin".

.....

Ten years ago, Michael was 8, Rhea was 9, and as fate would have it, or coincidence, the entire royal and nobility of the fire giant clan were gathered at the main world for the fire giant King's previous birthday celebration and battle rankings and feast.

After sitting in the pavilion and spectating on battles, at the day's end the young Michael strolled around the Imperial palace and ended up in the royal libraries.

The attending clerks and guards on seeing it was a young royal were surprised but still allowed Michael to enter.

The royal library was actually seldom visited by young royals.

It wasn't that giants didn't fancy knowledge, it was just that apart from core important foundational knowledge the rest of a young giant's time was spent in battles, stimulating their giant blood for later awakening.

But today there was already two young royals visiting the library.

Quite a surprise, one had entered earlier and this kid now.

Usually apart from the elder officials and older Royal scions, the library was always unoccupied.

long flowing hair, rosy cheeks, young budding dashing Michael strolled into the library.

In all regards he loved battles as much as every other giant, but there were also other things that excited him too, he found no joy in just battling blindly like his other close or extended siblings.

During today's battle rankings session amongst them, whilst others were battling fervently, intent on showing off their battle prowess, he had battled to interest himself, learn during combat, not using more strength than required.

He was stronger than his peers, far stronger, even Michael didn't know how much more.

it would have been a bore if he let loose to fight with them, so to interest himself he controlled his strength to their level or sometime times at a lower level than some of his opponents, fighting "difficult" fights to stimulate himself.

As for why he did this, it was to make the battles more interesting to him, and as for why he didn't use his full strength to stand above his peers, it wasn't necessary for him.

the royal library was huge but relatively empty, giants apparently didn't fancy books Michael thought.

He had a purpose for reaching the library today.

During today's battle, a girl had fascinated him.

A royal relative, a year older than he was, very talented according to others and to he also.

He had seen her fight today, with her fists, she had plummeted numerous others of his royal siblings, sending them from the arena tear eyed.

Michael chuckled at this, what was her name again, yeah, Rhea.

Anyways, her weapon of combat was gauntlet, very dominating and beautiful lady.

Quite intrigued by her display, he had come to look up gauntlet and fist techniques.

Really he was not all brute like the others, he also liked studying, the young Michael feeling quite pleased with himself walked towards the section containing the intended books he wanted.

About to pick up a thick book named compoundanium of basic fist and gauntlet techniques when another hand rushed from nowhere and also gripped the book, bringing with it an floral fragrance.

A tiny stubborn petite female voice following it, " I was reading this first ".

First?, he had clearly touched it first!

Michael's gaze flowed from the tiny hand to the face of the intruder, and the intruder's face certainly did shock him.

Wasn't he just casually thinking of her just now.

the reason of his inspiration and mother of his desire to check out gauntlet and fist techniques after watching her battle style, Rhea Fire.

" I clearly touched it first ", Michael replied, shaking his hand.

Young Rhea frowned, her pretty brows furrowed, the library was usually empty that was why she left this book she was reading earlier to check something out in another direction, but this was her main intended reading focus.

This was why on her way back, after seeing Michael about to reach out for the book, she rushed towards it fast, but alas she was a moment later.

Rhea didn't want to give up this book.

Although Michael had taken it first now, she was the one that had taken it earlier.

Thinking of Rhea was just a casual stray thought for Michael, he had no special thoughts, and as a mini anti social boy Michael had no intention of relating with Rhea.

he had admired her fighting style and wanted to learn of fist and gauntlet techniques, nothing more nothing less.

So thinking the whole issue was over, and about to turn towards a seat to check out the book, Michael discovered that Rhea was still holding the book stubbornly.

Turning to the girl again, he asked with a expressionless face, " can you release the book ".

Rhea almost stomped her feet in anger, who was this guy, from his looks, he looked quite young than her a bit, but he was stubborn.

Clearly used to getting all she wanted, young Rhea did not quite realize she was the one being stubborn.

Answering back, " No, I want this book ", pulling it from Michael

Usually, usually, based on his indifferent demeanor, Michael would have given up the book, but he strangely found himself not wanting to do so.

What a pampered girl, his siblings snobs, his other extended siblings mostly snubs, and this lady that had fascinated him, also a snub.

Unlike his usual composed temperament, playfulness erupted from Michael, pulling the book more tightly as they descended into a tug of war.

A smirk drew on his face as he replied.

" You're not getting it "