Because of all of the chaos the empire had gone through, they had almost forgotten what the reunion of the clan heirs was about. Dhein was suddenly reminded of the sickening dread he had felt when he was in that carriage with Zarria, and the nausea he had the night before Shina escaped.
Actually, If the princess hadn’t escaped that night, she would have been abducted by the demons. It was pure coincidence that they hadn’t predicted her escape, and therefore, failed to capture her. Who knew Shina’s bold decision would actually prevent the worse case scenario and protect Dhein’s secret?
Now, however, it was all coming back. He thought he had escaped the perilous jaws of his fate only to be dragged into its maw once again.
Dhein swallowed, looking around him. It suddenly made sense why the emperor and the other scions went all the way to their manor.
’They’re gonna kick my ass in my own home?!’
The crowd was filled with suspense and then Emperor Vedis continued.
"This has become a matter of great urgency. Our empire faces great dangers all the time, and we are not sure if any of us will survive each challenge. But the imperial lineage must live on. And that’s why, I need to be able to witness the birth of, and raise the next emperor."
Dhein listened with an unbearable weight in his chest.
’In the end, I will be exposed anyway...’
The emperor gestured Shina to stand beside him. And the princess, though baffled, dutifully obeyed.
He then declared:
"We shall waste no more time. I will hold the grand tournament right here in the Divinity Clan’s domain!"
Wild murmurings spread through the crowd, even the other scions looked shocked.
"Organizers! Please move and prepare the arena. We will start right now," the emperor commanded like it was the simplest thing to do.
But before the servants could begin with their work, Thevon Luxier stepped forward and took their attention.
"Please wait, Your Majesty."
Everyone paused including Vedis, and turned to him.
"What is it, Lord Luxier?"
The scion of light was silent, contemplating his next words for a few moments before speaking. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs N()velFire.net
"I have thought about it for a long time, and I have come to decide: I will not fight Dheinyrus."
Dhein stared at him in shock.
And so did Vedis and the others.
"Lord Luxier, what are you saying?!" the emperor exclaimed.
Thevon responded.
"After everything that has happened, it is made clear as day that Dheinyrus is far superior to me in every aspect of being. I see no point in competing with a man who can easily predict his enemy’s moves. He doesn’t even have to. If he wanted, he could defeat me using just a hundredth of his full power."
Dhein blinked several times.
’What the hell is he saying...’
Shortly after, he heard Cyreth’s voice cackling loudly in his head.
’Look what you’ve done, human!’
He could only sigh.
"Does that mean you’re withdrawing from the tournament?" the emperor asked.
There was silence for a few moments.
Letting out a sigh, Thevon answered.
"At first, I really wanted to prove my power. When I was born, the mana capacity I possessed was so strong that it created a negative pressure in the magical elements. It killed my mother and everyone around her."
"This abnormal power is seen as a curse, my father also thinks so. If I can’t even utilize it to surpass Dheinyrus, then it is, indeed, just a curse. That’s the reality that I have to accept."
"Yes, I concede defeat."
There was a hint of sadness and disappointment in his tone. When they first spoke on the outskirts, Dhein could tell that he really wanted to win the competition. He just didn’t know that all Thevon wanted was to surpass him.
He had something to prove. He wanted to show the world that the strength he possessed was a good thing, and that his mother didn’t die in vain.
’It is not a curse, Thevon...’ Dhein thought with sorrow. He felt guilty for tricking them like this.
The emperor let out a deep breath and then nodded.
"Very well, I respect your decision, Thevon Luxier."
The white-haired mage smiled.
Moments later, Jaizen also stepped forward and spoke.
"Me too. In the first place, I wasn’t planning on fighting anyway. The moment the tournament starts, I would have conceded defeat. You think I stand a chance against this mo— this man?"
Augros stepped forward as well.
"Then I, too, shall withdraw from the tournament."
They all turned to him, shocked.
"Even you?!" the emperor yelled with widening eyes.
"I thought the Uthalonicas never hesitated nor backed down from a fight no matter the disadvantage? Why are you withdrawing now?"
Augros just smiled and then explained himself.
"Your Majesty, it isn’t just about fighting. It’s about the reason why we fight."
The emperor fell silent. The warrior continued.
"I think Princess Shina is a wonderful, beautiful human being. But, as humbly as I could possibly say, I do not wish to marry her."
The crowd gasped.
"Not because I reject the idea of it, but because I think you should only marry the person you truly love. Such a choice shouldn’t be determined by a tournament, but by the person’s feelings."
Then, he smiled.
"And with that said, I have been watching Lord Theocheirós and Princess Shina all this time. I can tell that they have something going on between them."
Dhein’s eyes widened.
Zarria and Fiorelle whipped their faces towards him, their faces full of questions.
Shina, on the other hand, bashfully averted her gaze. Her eyes were widening, and there was a visible blush on her cheeks.
"See? Looks like I’m right, after all!" Augros joked, laughing.
Utterly confused, Dhein looked around him but still failed to comprehend what this was leading up to.
While the crowd mumbled amongst themselves, the emperor mused in silence, his gaze fixed into nothingness. It seemed like he was coming to a realization in that moment.
Then, he turned to his daughter.
"Shina... I," he muttered, his tone regretful.
"I should have thought about how you felt... What Lord Uthalonica said was true. I can’t just force you to marry someone you didn’t like! Oh, what was I thinking... To do that to my own daughter..." he massaged his temples.
"I’m so sorry, Shina."
Then, he turned to Dheinyrus.
"Lord Theocheirós is the only remaining contestant, so, by default, he is the victor."
He looked at his daughter once again.
"But I will no longer make the decision for you. If you do not want to be married, then I will honor your wish. You can decide your own fate."
Dhein sighed in relief.
’I thought the drama wouldn’t end here. Good thing the emperor came to his senses!’ he thought to himself.
"So, Shina," Vedis said.
"Do you wish to marry Dheinyrus?"
Slowly, the girl’s sapphire eyes opened wider, the subtle tint of red on her cheeks becoming deeper.
Dhein was truly glad that the emperor finally respected Shina’s autonomy. Now, all that was left for her to do was say "no" and this whole ordeal would be over.
However, her face suggested something complicated.
Something he couldn’t read.
Dhein and Shina’s eyes met, her doll-like face was turning redder by the second.
For some reason, Dhein’s heart started pounding rapidly against his chest. He then wondered: what was he really hoping to hear?
Did he want her to say "no"?
Or, perhaps....
Truthfully, Dhein didn’t even consider this possibility. He arrived to the capital accepting his shameful uncovering.
But due to the turn of events, it somehow came to this.
The thought of Shina becoming his wife...
His heart raced even wilder, thoughts jumbling chaotically in his head.
Everyone held their breath in anticipation, silence hanging thick in the air as they waited for Shina’s response.
With a bashful expression, Shina took a deep breath.
Then...
She answered.
"Yes."