Luna smiled quietly and slowly gave her delicate hand to Hector. Just like that, they began to dance, while everyone simply gazed at Hector with hatred.
At some point, Hector gave her a brief look. Just seeing her flawless, pale face and seductive smile, even he felt a little stirred, as any young man at the age of marriage would.
Luna did the same, but her eyes and expression quickly filled with disgust and contempt.
"Just look at me again, I'm gonna carve your eyes out, you fucking bitch!"
Hector clicked his tongue and lightly nodded. He didn't expect her to reveal her true traits so soon.
After all, she was the main villain in the future that the MC would face.
He clearly knew Luna's nature. She always showed kindness to everyone, but behind it was endless disgust for them. Only a few people could make her show her true face.
He didn't think he was the first.
Sure enough, his arrogant face had some features that made anyone want to punch it.
He glanced at her false smile again and sighed.
Luna always loved to toy with the weak and exploit them until there was nothing left. She was vicious and sly, yet at this age, she was still young and naïve.
She needed at least two or three more years of experience to even make Hector feel threatened.
"I'll tease you until you never want to see my face again," he smirked, looking at the young girl, who was clearly displeased.
The next moment, he simply shifted his movement and pulled her into his chest—a different dance, thanks to the [Shadow Stepwork] Blessing.
Surprised by Hector's sudden action, she scowled, but then quickly groaned in pain as Hector kept stomping on her feet nonstop.
"Aah."
''Sorry… I'm doing this for the first time.''
But looking at Hector's sly smile, she knew he was lying. That bastard was doing it on purpose.
Of course, she didn't want to lose. She would have stomped on Hector's feet too, but she just scowled instead.
''His feet… are shadows?''
Sure enough, Hector had been using his blessing [Shadow Stepwork]. Now, there was no way for the little girl to evade his stomps, not even to fight back.
''Just suffer a little, brat.'' Hector giggled. Meanwhile, the 15-year-old girl began to cry.
…
''Damn! I'll challenge him,'' a young noble said angrily.
''Not you, it's me,'' another noble grumbled.
…
''Well, it seems my little sister's plan worked, but…she doesn't look happy at all,'' the blonder young man, Ralph, smiled, slightly shaking his head in amusement.
''It's been a long time since I last saw that expression. Let her suffer a bit more,'' an old man nearby said, smiling as he sipped his glass of wine.
Then he gave Hector a curious look.
''Well, the rumor about him seems fake. He's sharper than I expected…even more than my granddaughter, who's supposed to have the highest IQ and EQ in the world,'' the blonder young man said.
''Luna…she still lacks experience. Being smart isn't enough to handle a veteran,'' he added.
The old man smirked.
''So, you admit he's a veteran?''
The blonder young man shrugged.
''That's right… but in this world, power decides the overlord. And I don't see any of that in him—including all the sons of the Jenkins Clan. None of them possess even one blessing of a God.''
''The current generation of the Jenkins Clan is just useless trash. Just waiting… the Jenkins Clan's territory will belong to the royalty,'' the young man said.
The old man nodded, then directed his attention to the middle-aged man with pure blue hair, sitting on the throne in the banquet hall. Nobody dared look at him; the aura of a sovereign emanated from him.
''Surely…after that man dies,'' the old man muttered.
Sure, they were members of royalty—Grandpa and big brother of Luna. Their mission here was to gauge the current power of the Jenkins Clan.
''Well done, Princess Luna,'' Hector said, lifting the corner of his lips before releasing her from his embrace.
Luna staggered, trying to stand straight. She didn't want to show her weakness… but her feet really hurt, and some bruises were starting to show.
She glared at Hector with tearful eyes, her chest heaving in anger. It was the first humiliating thing she'd ever experienced in her whole life.
But then she quickly forced a reluctant smile, thinking about her plan. She gestured to his brother with a glance.
Ralph clicked his tongue and stepped forward, pouring his mana into his voice to silence everyone.
''You all seem to have problems with my sister's choice,'' he said.
A noble spoke politely.
''Of course we don't… but that man isn't even a member of the great CLAN anymore. Plus, he has a bad reputation and is weak. I don't think the Princess knows that yet.''
Another noble nodded.
''That's right!''
Ralph just gave a ghostly smile at that and adjusted his voice again.
''Actually, that's just a false rumor. I believe Young Lord Hector is a good man—and strong. If no one believes that… well, a duel will prove it.''
''Do you agree with me, Young lord Hector? Everyone's suspicious of your power. This is a perfect chance to prove your innocence,'' he added, his voice deep.
''No, perhaps the duel should be just between the sons of the Jenkins Clan and the royalty.''
''And I suppose everyone in the world would love to witness the power of the Jenkins Clan—one of the three great Clans.''
…
''He's right. Maybe it's just a false rumor.''
''Sure, if you see his true power.''
''Also, I want to see the power of the great Clan.''
…
The noise began to spread. Everyone here was excited to hear Ralph's suggestion.
''FUCK! He'll ruin our Clan's reputation.'' Bell held his head in pain while speaking to his big brother.
''What do we do now, Big brother?''
Alger just frowned and shook his head.
''There's no way to avoid this duel. After all, that's their purpose from the start. They're gauging our Clan's current power.''
''However, everything is up to our father.''
But his face froze when he heard a voice ring out from the throne.
''Agreed! Let's begin the duel tomorrow.''
A/N: I hope you enjoy this novel. Support by adding to your library and giving a power stone or two. Thank you