Page 79 of Royal Lies

"I do. I support the princess' choice."

"So, Do I."

"I as well"

"Let the boy have a chance."

"Down with the king!"

"Down with the king!"

"Down with the king!"

They chanted, causing the red tint to my father's complexion to rise.

I hadn't known that so many nobles also supported me, or well my sister. I wasn't ignorant to the rumors that my sister had her own little faction, and I had no doubt this was the faction that supported her instead of that false prince but how? How did she get them to support me, a Bastard Prince? Thousands upon thousands spoke giving their support for a princess whom I just came to realize actually has power, not magical of course, no one could ever outmatch me in that.

The princess held their hearts, that much was clear. For all around me I could see the admiration whether from greed or actually admiration, Snow had the support of the citizens.

"Holy hell, remind me not to cross you." I heard Lucarious mutter under his voice towards the light blue-haired girl beside him.

I longed to ask what blood test she performed but first things first I needed to get that crown and if she was willing to help me who was I to stare a gift horse in the mouth?

Glaring up at the king I cocked a brow at his flaming red face.

As the king gracefully came down from the balcony onto the open yards, I could practically taste his ire toward his daughter for the first time. His burning glare could drill a hole in the back of anyone from the way he was seething at his daughter.Still dressed in her elegantly worn light blue dress embroidered with different-sized sapphires, it seemed like she couldn't care less. Beside her was Lucarious, dressed in his go-to black-on-red attire. His arms looped in hers. Odd, they seemed almost- no. Let's not think of that yet. I'll rip his guts out in due time, after all, I did it in the past.

Some servants had left to go prepare a small makeshift battleground in the training grounds an hour ago. After all, this was a competition. We must put on a good show, we are Wolves. At least my father hasn't forgotten that part yet. The half-frozen concrete-stoned spectator seats were now crowded with the ball guests. Lining the arena in all shades of blue, the color of the Wolves. Now, finally, I will bring back honor to my court, I will save them from the poverty my father has dragged us into.

Flags lined the whole training ground transforming it into an arena. The walls of ice shielded the guests who were now seven feet higher than they previously were. No doubt those gifted with ice magic were lifting the seats to be higher up as well as placing a magic barrier to block any stray attacks from leaving the battleground.

"The duel between King Oberon Kinard Avalar Vallian Wolf and his son, Eli Avalar Vallian Lion Wolf, shall now commence." The announcer bellowed as I scowled at the man and his sleight of hand.

"It's Eli Scalivander Luscious Gillian Avalar Vallian Lion Wolf, get it right or I'll chop off your head." I bit back letting my magic out of its confines.

I'd always kept my magic concealed from others, making them underestimate me. Everetta had taught me that. She said it would be much easier to defeat them when they underestimate you. I sighed. I do hope she’s ok. I'll have to check up on her once this is all over because Iwillwin this, I must, I need to. If I don't, how would I ever prove myself? A quick flash of mymother crossed my mind, her unruly golden locks. Her bright golden eyes were so much like Everetta's.

"You will never be a Lion." My mother's words still slashed at me as I shook off those memories. Iwillbe good enough. To be both a Lion and a Wolf. I will, I'll show them all, I'll become a king, I'll take the throne, and I'll rule over everything that should bemine. I'll prove my motherwrong. I have to. I need to.

The announcer coughed clearing his throat against my razor-sharp glowing sapphire blue eyes,

"Ahem, my apologies. Our king against Eli Scalivander Luscious Gillian Avalar Vallian Lion Wolf, one of the ambassadors of the Dracool Court, for his claims to the throne."

Smirking at the thought of bloodshed I stretched myself out, hoping to make this as quick and as painless for my old man as possible. After all, he was cocky enough to think that he could just take me out.

A normal duel normally took days to prepare and have ready. The fact that my father wanted to battle now, in mere hours since I challenged him, meant he didn't think of me as anything other than a pup, too small to be a true threat to his claims on the throne. I gritted my teeth at the thought as I looked up at the man I call my Father, the soon-to-beold kingof the Winter Court. I will have to change the name back once I wear the crown again.

"You sure do have some balls challenging me, then again you are mysupposedson." My father said as if to mock me before charging right at me with no hesitation. His clothes had been changed as well as mine with magic so we weren't battling in our formal wear. No, we were outfitted or at least I was in a simple black bodysuit with thin linings of blue along the sides of my body. Whereas my father seemed to have opted for the old garments, the ones that left nothing but the bottoms of his lower body covered in some fur. How distasteful. I sneered at theshowing of chest and nipples, the overly untamed white tufts of fur on his chest, like those lining his bottoms.What even were they?They were like socks but made in pants form?

I cocked a brow ready to get this over with. Oh so now he was acknowledging me? He could have at least searched for me in this life. I seethed as I let my magic run through me already having been replenished in the hour it took those retainers of his to prepare this little battlefield. Rushing towards him I blocked his flying fist, which seemed a bit off, it was as if he wasn't trying. I should know I've sparred with him countless times in the past. He's never been this sloppy before. I mean his hits had only grazed me. In the past, he would have already managed to cut me with his claws. Yet, why was he only hitting me with his knuckles? Did he think less of me in this life?

Was he mocking me?

Enraged, I threw another fist, then another, and another. Crossing his arms together he shielded himself from my brutal assault one after another.

I flung my fists like a wild beast if only to make him think I was letting my anger get the best of me.

I would never use my magic to help give me more strength, that's unbecoming of a Wolf. Instead, I used it to refuel my stamina, so no matter how much I hit, my energy levels will remain the same. What's more that only required the bare minimum of my magic as he chucked icebergs towards me, after flinging me off him, which took out a lot more magic.

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