"Minos, Ruth, Abby, this is my mother, Audrey Cummings." Isabella stood next to that level 77 woman, showing such a person with one of her hands.
Hearing that, those three people greeted Harold's second wife before she turned her attention to Gloria.
"Gloria, your belly is already showing..." She walked over to the young pregnant woman's side. "Come, give me a hug..."
After a moment, Audrey was still massaging Gloria's head, but then she looked at her daughter and King Stuart. "Young Minos, you have eyes like your grandfather's... Did you know that? In the past, he and I competed in a tournament together, and he even eliminated me."
Minos closed his eyes and said. "Is that so?"
"It's true. At the time, I was not part of the imperial family, just another member of one of the many noble houses of the Flaming Empire... In any case, I never had the opportunity to fight him after that." She looked again at Isabella, and Minos understood the situation.
"I know that some organizations in the Empire have customs of rivalry that transcend generations, but I have no relationship with that person..." Minos said, trying to dodge any issues concerning his grandfather.
But before he could finish, she said. "I know that. Rest assured. I was just going to suggest that you and Bella get to know each other better by fighting a friendly match. Maybe you both can gain something from it."
"What?" Isabella asked as she looked at her mother, realizing that this woman was distancing herself from the arrangement. 'Wasn't I supposed to tease him?' She thought, making an expression at her mother.
'You don't look like you're going to be able to push him... Just look at his position. Comfortable as if he were in his own house.' She thought, making a few movements with her eyes and eyebrows.
Minos ignored the stares from the two and said. "I don't think it will work out. If I fight seriously, I'm afraid I'll hurt the princess. And if I don't fight seriously, the princess will think I'm underestimating her and get angry."
"What?" Isabella stepped forward, taking her mother aside. "Are you saying you can hurt me if you try?" She did not like hearing the suggestion that he could do such a thing, even though there was a difference of 8 levels between them!
Audrey liked Minos' answer and did not interfere. It was good to let her daughter deal with this on her own.
"I'm not sure, to tell you the truth. But I don't want to risk hurting the princess and being chased by the Emperor later." Minos replied, looking into Isabella's beautiful eyes.
"I challenge you!" She shouted at him, ignoring everyone in the surroundings and advancing against the collar of his shirt. "Show me that impressive power, and I will marry you if you can scratch me!"
"What?" Minos' wives shouted simultaneously with Audrey, who thought her daughter was exaggerating too much about this.
"Is that so?" Minos smiled. "Princess Isabella, I must say that my wives are very possessive. I'm afraid that even if we get married, I won't be able to sleep with you every night..."
"Fine, by me!" She said in determination. "If I'm incapable of protecting myself from a mere level 62 Spiritual Emperor, I don't mind becoming your fourth wife and not even having the priority."
Minos saw Isabella's mother's expression and to not attract trouble for him, he said. "Marriage is a bit too much just for a challenge. So how about this? If I manage to hurt you, not only will you not ask the Emperor for justice, but you will also kiss me. So? Easier than marrying me, right?"
'Scoundrel!' Abby, Ruth, and Gloria thought it simultaneously but were relieved that he would not accept such nonsense.
Audrey felt relieved about this since it would be a disaster for the heiress of the Flaming Empire to accept such humiliation over a silly challenge.
'What's wrong with this girl? Why is she so emotional now?' She looked at Isabella with concern.
"Okay!" She remained with her angry expression, confident in her abilities. "If you can at least cause me a scratch, I'll give you what you want. But if you can't, what will I get?"
"Nothing." Minos laughed. "It is you who are challenging me. Why would I promise you anything?"
"Very well, you rascal, you will at least learn the difference between our powers!" Her eyes sharpened as she tried to wipe the irritating smile off Minos' face.
"Wherever and whenever you want, dear." He said as he noticed her loosening the collars of his clothes.
Hearing this, Isabella looked at her mother and then listened. "You two can go to the courtyard of your residence. Your father is finishing up some business, so there is plenty of time for you two to have your match."
She then looked at Gloria, Ruth, and Abby, "As for you three, let's sit down and talk here. I'm curious to hear a little about Oswald's grandson..."
"That..." The three looked at each other, not liking that at all.
"Isn't it better if we go with them? What if Minos hurts the princess? Maybe someone will misunderstand the situation and create a mess over it." Ruth was the first to try to convince this woman otherwise.
"Don't worry, training is common among young people, and Isabella doesn't have a bad character to try to cause trouble for your husband..." Audrey said, smiling at the confidence these women had in Minos. "Not to mention that it won't be easy for him to succeed in hurting her."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Abby looked down at the floor, worried that Minos and Isabelle would soon kiss somewhere in this palace.
"Sigh..."
'I wouldn't want to see it anyway, so I can only regret that these people are too strong for me to stop this nonsense.' Abby considered, finding it a shame the difference in level between her, Audrey, and Isabella.
Meanwhile, Isabelle led the way to Minos, quickly making her way to her residence.
"This is truly a good day..." Minos commented to her, watching the swaying of the princess' body.
"What are you talking about? Is it a good day for you to learn a lesson?" She teased him without looking back.
"I thought I would just be doing business with an old man, but it turns out that I will soon be kissing a beautiful princess... Ah, how many wouldn't envy me if they knew that?" He spoke in a funny tone, causing Isabelle to turn to him.
"I thought you were a great leader, but it turns out you're an idiot!" She opened the door to her residence and locked it so he would not run away. "So, King Stuart, will you show me what you're capable of? Or are you already thinking of running away now that the situation is nearing its end?"
Minos looked at this beautiful 1.6 meters tall redhead and said. "I ask you the same. Can you kiss me now and not go through the trauma of losing to me, or go down this boring game... But anyway, your choice."
"I don't know what Gloria saw in you!"
"Don't worry. I'll show you." He smiled as he showed one of his hands to her as if calling her to fight.
...
