"Now you look more like a Prince," Vivi said with a faint smile as she tied Maximilian’s upper hair behind his head in a high ponytail, letting them meet the lower hair on her shoulder, flowing all the way to his lower back. A few strands were deliberately left, parallel to his temples, framing his face.
A silken robe of golden and red clad his body with wide sleeves, tied with a golden belt at the waist.
He was sitting before a mirror in his grand room, decorated with ethereal furniture and walls of golden embroidery. Behind him stood Vivi, her hand resting on his shoulder as she looked at him through the mirror with eyes narrowed in pride. For once in a long time, Maximilian was not dressed as a rogue cultivator.
"You would look better if you tried smiling a bit," Vivi said, her tone teasing.
"I would have been smiling if not for a thug beating and threatening me," Maximilian retorted, rolling his eyes.
"I am a thug now?" Vivi asked, her brows furrowing slightly.
"You beat me until my face was swollen," Maximilian muttered. "Try to behave like a lady sometimes or no man is going to marry you."
"Since you are always out causing trouble, you must be unaware of the fact that I receive multiple marriage proposals every month," Vivi revealed in a casual tone. "Just a few days ago, I received one from the Floraisan Clan. They are even offering to make me the matriarch if I accept it."
"Then what did you say?" Maximilian instantly asked, raising his head to meet her face behind him.
Vivi gave him a brief silent look before replying, "I have not responded yet. Their offer seems promising... and my future would be secure there."
"Tch, what’s so promising about that?" Maximilian retorted, annoyance clear on his face. "You would just be demoting yourself if you accept their proposal. Currently there is no one in the two realms beneath father who can command you."
"And I wonder how long that will remain true," Vivi sighed. "Once you get married, my authority and position as your guardian will be removed. I will have no place in the Éclair clan then."
Maximilian rose to his feet and turned on his heel, his forehead carrying a deep crease as if Vivi had said something truly foolish and offensive.
"I am not going to marry anyone, so your position is permanently secure," he mumbled, his eyes turned sideways. "So there is no need for you to accept that marriage proposal. Reject it."
"My lord," Vivi hissed, her eyes narrowing at him. "You are being too selfish, asking me to serve you for the rest of your life as a mere maid."
"W-well...u-umm..h-how ab-about we ma—"
"Pfft—hehehe~ look at you getting all flustered," Vivi giggled, elegantly covering her mouth behind her hand. "I have already rejected their offer. I am not planning to marry until you ascend the throne. Oh right...what were you about to say?"
A faint blush covered Maximilian’s cheeks as he flinched at her question. "I was saying we should hurry. We will be late otherwise."
He took quick steps out of the room. ’Dear heavens, was I really going to ask her? That brute?’ he exclaimed inwardly, squirming as he moved through the gigantic hallway. ’I must have been influenced by the Flame Milk of that big-butted bird.’
He shook his head, dismissing the useless thoughts.
After moving out of the castle that was built in the heart of the Valcyrion city, he took one of the six paths, leading to six different directions.
Valcyrion was a city in name only. In truth it was more massive than any country, a whole world in itself where the mightiest race of Vyoman, the Dragons, resided. The city was divided into seven parts for the seven elemental dragon clans, with the Éclair Clan at the centre.
It took them a few hours of flight to reach the Flamme Clan. Unlike the Éclair clan, where most of the buildings were layered in gold and silver, the structures here were formed from glowing redstones, painting the whole area like molten lava.
"My Lord, you will be presenting the Éclair clan today," Vivi told him as they landed before a gigantic tower, its top reaching the clouds, its size wide enough that Maximilian could even maintain his draconic form inside. "If you find something that displeases you, think twice before acting on it."
"Hmm," Maximilian gave a vague nod, his expression already hardened as he stepped inside.
The inside of the tower revealed a massive hall, the floor made of polished marble while the walls were decorated with crimson silken curtains. A massive chandelier of Soul Stones was embedded in the high ceiling. The hall was filled with the energetic murmurs of nobles from different clans. Vivi could see many young but famous faces there, standing in groups of three or four, scattered throughout the hall. Some held glasses of exquisite wine, some tasted the exotic desserts, while others stood empty-handed, talking to each other, all for a single reason: to form political connections with one another.
As soon as Maximilian and Vivi arrived, the hall turned completely silent, every eye shifting to the duo.
"Greetings, Lightning God!"
"Greetings, Lady Evangeline!"
The voices echoed in unison, their heads bowed, hands joined together and resting on their stomachs.
"Greetings, everyone," Maximilian said in a calm but commanding tone. "Raise your heads. Be at ease. We are here to enjoy the banquet."
They lifted their heads, but naturally an awkward silence fell over the hall. Even though Maximilian told them to be at ease, how could they be, in the presence of the psycho prince. Yes, that was what Maximilian was called behind his back, for the incident he had caused a few years back.
"Welcome, Your Highness," a delighted male voice came from the front. It belonged to a handsome young man with amber hair and maroon draconic wings. His crimson eyes were fixed on Maximilian with mild surprise and curiosity as he reached the entrance. "Thank you for blessing us with your presence, Your Highness. I am truly delighted that you accepted our invitation," he said in a respectful tone, although Maximilian could clearly sense the sarcasm hidden beneath it.
"Oh? But why does it feel like you are more shocked by my presence than grateful... Lord Ignis," Maximilian said, keeping his expression neutral.
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