Hearing Kylen's words, who blatantly dared to challenge his threat back, Arvin slowly carved a mysterious smile that was hard to decipher.
Interesting! He is exactly like Allen. Arvin thought, analyzing the character of the prince in front of him. Very stubborn and has a lot of nerve to challenge my words directly. In the past, even though I acted cold and harsh multiple times, Allen never flinched in the slightest to face me. Does this NPC have a nature and personality similar to my first spouse?
"Then, what do you want from me now?" Arvin asked, his voice flat and incredibly cold. "Do you want your hands cut off? Your legs broken? Or... your head separated right from your neck?"
Kylen swallowed hard, yet he still held his chin high. "I am not afraid of you! I also will not be willing to hand over my life or beg you for mercy. Don't think that just because you saved us that afternoon, you feel you can act as you please and trample on my pride like this!"
Seeing the blazing fire of defiance in the prince's eyes, an idea crossed Arvin's mind.
"If you really have such high pride, how about we make a bet?" Arvin suddenly offered. He took one step closer toward Kylen, who was still sitting on the floor. "If you manage to win in the tournament later, I will grant whatever you desire. Even if you want my death as the payment, I will gladly give it."
Arvin looked down slightly, leveling his gaze. "But if you lose... you must throw away your title, part ways with your four companions, and also release those six guards of yours. In other words, you will become my slave forever!"
Gasp!
Kylen's breath felt caught in his throat for a few moments after hearing the word 'slave'. Becoming a slave was the greatest disgrace for a noble, let alone for a royal prince. But, with dozens of pairs of eyes currently staring at him, he could no longer back down.
"I agree!" Kylen answered loudly and full of confidence, trying to cover up his nervousness. "If you lose, you must kneel and do whatever I command!"
Arvin smirked in satisfaction hearing the prince's answer. "The deal accepted! Don't you dare break your word, Kylenciel Carventias Alua Flamort."
"I will never break my word, Arvin Vedegra!"
The two of them glared at each other sharply, locking in a promise that could not be taken back, ignoring the worried gazes of everyone around them.
"My Love!"
That cheerful shout from inside the bathroom hallway broke the tension. Alrain's voice echoed. "Come here quickly! How long are you going to stand there? We need to bathe and leave immediately!"
"What a pity, our conversation has to end here. My spouse has called, and I couldn't possibly let him wait until he frowns." Arvin said casually while turning around, leaving Kylen to head to the bathroom. "I hope you won't regret that rash decision of yours, Prince Kylenciel."
Kylen remained silent, staring sharply at the back of the blue-haired youth who was walking casually into the bathroom.
From a distance, without turning his head in the slightest, Arvin raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. Instantly, the ice restraining the bodies of the six guard soldiers from the Flamort Kingdom melted and disappeared into mana particles.
Thud!
All the soldiers immediately collapsed to the floor.
After Arvin left, the silence in the area slowly thawed. A few students from the Astoria academy gathered their courage to approach Kylen.
"Good heavens... I truly never expected that you had the guts to challenge him to a bet like that!" a third-year male student said in a tone of disbelief. "Just so you know, he is no ordinary person. He once killed a noble very sadistically inside his classroom, beat up all the noble kids who liked to bully others until they were crippled, and he will never hesitate to act cruelly if anyone dares to challenge him."
"My senior is right!" a second-year female student who was standing not far from there chimed in. "Arvin always acts very aggressively if someone provokes his anger! Hopefully, you won't get killed by him in the arena later. Even if you survive, your hands or legs might be broken after that fight."
Hearing those terrifying warnings, Kylen's guts actually shrank a little, but his pride refused to waver.
"I am not afraid of him at all!" Kylen replied firmly, standing up and clenching his fists. "I will make sure he regrets the actions born of his arrogance!"
His six guard soldiers, who had begun to regain control of their bodies, hurriedly came approaching.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" asked one of the soldiers with a still-pale face, feeling extremely worried about his master's safety.
"I am fine!" Kylen answered briefly. However, he turned his body around and stared at his six soldiers with a serious look in his eyes. "The six of you heard clearly about our bet just now, right?"
They nodded in unison.
"Listen to my orders carefully! If I end up losing in the tournament later, return directly to our territory and tell my father that I lost a fair bet, and as the payment, I must become Arvin Vedegra's slave!"
"But, Your Highness—"
"Just tell him exactly that!" Kylen cut in quickly with an absolute tone. "If a man has spoken and made a deal, then it must be fulfilled. I will lose all my pride if I end up running away from him after daring to challenge him!"
Kylen clenched his fists. "This is an order from me!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" the six soldiers answered in unison while bowing their heads. Even though they answered obediently, their hearts were engulfed with immense worry for the prince who had recklessly challenged a descendant of the Vedegra family.
A few hours later, after the temporary house was demolished, the journey of the large procession resumed.
However, there was a slightly different sight in the academy carriage lineup this time. Inside the moving carriage cabin, the atmosphere felt very cramped and awkward.
"Why did you join us in our carriage instead?" Alrain asked in an annoyed tone, glaring sharply at Kylen who was sitting in the corner seat. "Your arrival here only makes this place even more cramped."
"Of course I must be here so that he..." Kylen answered firmly, raising his hand and pointing straight at Arvin's face who was sitting opposite him, "...doesn't run away from me! I have to keep an eye on him directly!"
Hearing that ridiculous excuse, Ordion scoffed softly.
"Are you stupid?" he chimed in suddenly, folding his arms across his chest. "Our husband is not a coward like that! If he has said A, he will definitely do A."
The red-haired youth leaned his body forward, staring intently into Kylen's eyes with an inquiring smile. "Or... could it be that you're making that excuse because you're actually attracted to our husband?"
"W-What do you mean?!" Kylen dodged quickly. His reaction was very exaggerated. His voice trembled slightly, and his face also instantly flushed red with panic. He averted his face.
Ah... busted. Allen, Alrain, and Ordion said simultaneously in their hearts.
"H-How could I possibly be attracted to a man!" Kylen exclaimed again, still trying to defend himself with a loud voice. "Who do you think I am?"
"Okay, okay, okay." Allen said with his sweet smile, trying to break the ice and calm the atmosphere inside the carriage cabin. "No need to speak with a high tone and get defensive like that. Relax, no one will judge you here."
Feeling cornered, Kylen looked straight ahead again. "And you!" he said passionately while pointing at Arvin's face again. "I'll make sure that I will win against you in the arena later!"
"I also can't wait to see your face crying and make a spoiled prince like you my slave." Arvin replied very casually, not bothered at all by the index finger pointing at him.
"I am not a spoiled prince! Mark that well in your head!" Kylen asserted, refusing to accept it.
Arvin merely shrugged his shoulders briefly without replying with any words.
He really is exactly like Allen. Arvin thought while observing Kylen's face. He is indeed very stubborn. But, seeing his reaction earlier... is he the type of tsundere character who actually wants it but his mouth keeps saying no?
Arvin sighed softly, then turned his head and looked at the fast-moving natural scenery outside the carriage window. Ah, whatever! His true nature will reveal itself naturally after the tournament is over anyway.
The journey of the large group continued on and on without encountering any meaningful obstacles.
After two days had passed, the long and exhausting journey began to reach its end. From a distance, a giant fortress gate soaring incredibly high came into view, signaling that they were already very close to the capital of the Victoriaz Kingdom.