Chapter 57 The Fiancée’s Change and the Prince’s Warning
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The annual Blood Festival—[Abyss Coliseum].
I’d been quietly building my forces for the tournament held in the illegal colosseum known as the “Pit of the Abyss.”
My team, Royal Phantom, had one goal: victory.
The heat of the colosseum flickered at the edge of my mind.
Our roster was three strong. First, the beautiful sword princess, Princess Elenor—unrivaled in the ring. Second, my mana-powered beast, Kuuko, who could transform from a kitten into a massive monster with my supply. And the third… well, I’d just use the [Ring of Transformation] to disguise myself and fill the slot.
That should seal the win.
But one problem remained. Kuuko’s combat experience was limited. I needed to give her more real battle practice.
So every day, I summoned monsters in the mansion’s sprawling courtyard and had my enlarged Kuuko fight them. Training, day in and day out.
Beneath the sky painted in sunset hues, dust clouds surged, and the beast’s roar echoed through the air.
I was deep in preparation for the tournament when it happened.
One day, as I arrived at school as usual, I ran into Cecilia in the hallway. Her white blouse rose and fell with each nervous breath.
She seemed unsettled, a flicker of anxiety in her eyes. I was wondering what was wrong when she hesitantly spoke up first.
”U-um, Xenos-sama… if it’s not too much trouble, would you walk with me to class?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
There was no reason for me to refuse.
At her anxious expression, I gave a quiet nod.
I fell into step beside Cecilia, and we made our way slowly toward the classroom. The morning light streaming through the corridor windows caught her soft red hair.
”Come to think of it, Cecilia, you’re always welcome to come see Kuuko again anytime,” I offered.
”Oh, really? Then I get to see that adorable little furball again!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.
The moment I mentioned Kuuko’s name, Cecilia’s voice brightened instantly. I felt a small sense of relief at the shift in her expression.
”Of course. Kuuko loves you—and so does Mina, the maid who looks after her. They’d both be thrilled,” I assured her.
In the end, we invited Lizel too after class, and I invited them both over to my place after school.
After classes ended, I took Cecilia and Lizel home in the Grimlock family carriage.
With every sway of the leather seats, their cheerful voices echoed through the carriage. Since they’d come to visit, I called off Kuuko’s training for the day.
A little break now and then couldn’t hurt.
In the spacious living room, the two beauties played happily with Kuuko in her kitten form. Cecilia’s fingers stroked the black cat’s fluffy fur with gentle tenderness, while Lizel laughed and touched her tiny paw pads.
Watching that peaceful scene, an idea struck me.
Tonight, we’d have dinner at my theater-style restaurant—[[Star of the Desert]]. I hadn’t made a reservation, but the VIP lounge downstairs should be free.
That would be perfect.
When I proposed it, both of them readily agreed.
I called the manager to let him know, then took the two of them to the restaurant.
The golden emblem on the theater’s facade glittered in the sunlight.
Since the show was on hiatus, the restaurant was serving dinner only. Even so, it was fairly busy. The pleasant clatter of cutlery and chatter filled the air. At this rate, recouping the investment would be no problem at all.
I took Cecilia and Lizel to the underground VIP lounge for a leisurely dinner. The soft indirect lighting made the polished silverware gleam on the table.
After the meal, I made a proposal.
”If you two are willing—how about wearing those dancer costumes again?” I asked casually.
That was my angle. I wanted another look at them in those alluring outfits. The memory of those seductive costumes was burned into my brain.
”…I don’t mind,” Cecilia murmured, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
”I mean… if you really want me to, I guess it’s fine…” Lizel added, feigning nonchalance.
They didn’t seem entirely opposed. A faint blush crept onto their cheeks, but their eyes held a glimmer of anticipation.
And so, I savored every moment of their goddess-like beauty, clad once more in those passionate garments. The delicate lace clung to their skin, the glittering ornaments shimmering bewitchingly under the lights.
Their flawless curves were enough to steal the breath from any onlooker.
And then—midway through that blissful moment—
A knock shattered the sweet atmosphere.
The theater manager arrived with a report.
”Xenos-sama. A guest has requested to meet with you, the owner…” he announced, his tone deferential.
—Who could it be?
For the manager to come directly to me meant it must be someone of considerable standing.
A faint tension filled the room.
”Who is it?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
”…His Highness Prince Liam of the Asgard Kingdom. How would you like to proceed?” the manager replied.
”He’s alone?” I pressed.
”Yes. He came unaccompanied,” the manager confirmed.
No entourage, then.
An unexpected visitor. I could have pretended not to be home, but since he’d come all this way…
Might as well see him.
Besides—when I heard Liam’s name, Cecilia’s shoulder gave a tiny, almost imperceptible flinch beside me. That bothered me more than I’d admit.
I saw the color drain from her face.
”You two—put these on and stay quiet behind me,” I ordered quietly.
I handed Cecilia and Lizel my [Ring of Transformation] and had them equip it.
The moment the rings touched their skin, their forms dissolved into a faint shimmer of light. That way, Prince Liam wouldn’t know they were here.
”Now then. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked as the door opened.
A dozen possibilities raced through my mind.
His sister, Princess Elenor—whom I’d been spending time with lately. His aide, Aldrick—whom I’d fought in a spectacular duel the other day. Or perhaps his fiancée, Princess Elisabeth—and the “peace talks” I’d been having with her…
If Elenor or Elisabeth were found out, it would be a disaster.
Then, the heavy door of the VIP lounge opened, and Prince Liam stepped in, accompanied by that refreshing smile of his.
He wore fine tailored clothes, his golden hair gleaming in the light.
I rose to greet him, paying the utmost respect to the nation’s prince. I offered him a seat, and after he settled into the leather chair, I sat back down as well.
”Hello. I’ve heard the rumors, and I must say—the meal was excellent,” Prince Liam remarked, his tone pleasant but measured.
”I’m glad it pleased you. The songstress and dancer shows are also magnificent—please do visit again during the performance season,” I replied smoothly.
”The sisters I’ve heard you bought for that ridiculous sum of eighty thousand gold coins, yes… Hm. I’ll consider it,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Pleasantries. Polite small talk.
But beneath the surface, a quiet battle of probing was already underway. I could sense a sharp glint in the depths of his cool eyes.
”So—what brings you here today?” I asked, cutting to the chase.
His answer was the last thing I expected.
”Oh, nothing much. Just a bit of advice I wanted to give you,” he said, his perfect smile never wavering.
Prince Liam’s perfect smile never wavered, but his voice carried a cold edge.
”—It’s about Cecilia-jou. You shouldn’t bind one woman too tightly, Grimlock,” he stated, the words dropping like stones into still water.
His business wasn’t about Elenor. Or Elisabeth. Or the duel.
Just one thing.
My beloved fiancée.
His words froze the VIP lounge’s atmosphere in an instant.
—
Summary:
Xenos prepares for the Blood Festival tournament with his team Royal Phantom, training Kuuko daily in the mansion courtyard. During a casual school encounter, Cecilia asks to walk with him, leading to an invitation for her and Lizel to visit his estate and dine at his theater restaurant. The peaceful evening is shattered when Prince Liam arrives unaccompanied and delivers a cold warning about Cecilia, leaving Xenos blindsided and the atmosphere frozen.
—
Trivia:
Xenos’s team Royal Phantom consists of Princess Elenor, the mana-beast Kuuko, and himself disguised using the [Ring of Transformation].
The Blood Festival tournament is held at the illegal colosseum [Abyss Coliseum], also known as the “Pit of the Abyss.”
Cecilia becomes visibly anxious and asks Xenos to walk with her to class, foreshadowing her later reaction to Prince Liam’s name.
Xenos’s theater-style restaurant [[Star of the Desert]] has a VIP lounge that he uses for private dinners.
Cecilia and Lizel have previously worn dancer costumes at Xenos’s request, and he invites them to do so again during the dinner.
Prince Liam arrives alone, without his usual entourage, to deliver a warning directly to Xenos about Cecilia.
Xenos considers three potential reasons for Prince Liam’s visit: his sister Elenor, his aide Aldrick, or his fiancée Elisabeth—but none of them are the actual reason.
Cecilia flinches almost imperceptibly when she hears Prince Liam’s name, and the color drains from her face.
Xenos uses the [Ring of Transformation] to disguise Cecilia and Lizel before Prince Liam enters the room.
Prince Liam’s warning about “binding one woman too tightly” directly targets Xenos’s relationship with Cecilia, not any of the other political complications.
Notes:
• Elenor – Revered as the “Saint of Light,” Student Council President Princess Elenor is a proud, haughty gladiator for Xenos’s Royal Phantom team. Unrivaled in the ring, she has translucent white skin, sharp blue eyes, and vibrant hair. Rigid yet hosting a secret, twisted pleasure under the protagonist’s punishments, she is bound by his Magic Seal, complicating Xenos’s political ties despite their past.
• Kuuko – A cat beastkin infiltration agent masquerading as a tiny black kitten via the [Ring of Transformation]. She has a delicate build, wide innocent eyes, and childlike features. Powered by Xenos’s mana, this team member can shift into a massive monster and trains in the courtyard. She vocalizes with cute mews, purrs on Xenos’s shoulder, and is affectionately adored by Cecilia and Lizel.
• de – A particle used in the aristocratic name of the Margrave Albion de Blanchefort.
• Cecilia – Eldest daughter of the Vermillion Duchy and former saint figure, this graceful noble has flame-like red hair, deep blue eyes, and translucent skin. Outwardly cold yet timid, she completely rejected her obsessed suitor, Prince Liam, to become Xenos’s fiancée and “Dedicated Slave.” She adores Kuuko, visits the Grimlock estate, and uses a ring to disguise herself in a revealing dancer’s costume.
• Xenos – Xenos Grimlock, Grimlock estate heir and Academy student, masks his genius as a “loser.” Actually a reincarnated otome game villain with script knowledge, this sardonic noble uses a [Magic Seal] and Mind Control to build an empire. The Royal Phantom leader manipulates events to undermine Prince Liam, while acting as a dominant protector to allies like the Beastfolk and his slave, Cecilia.
• Mina – Kai’s sister is a dedicated slave and Grimlock estate maid with soft brown hair, a rabbit kigurumi, and dancer’s attire. Anxious yet possessing a clear voice and childlike enthusiasm, she respectfully serves her “Master” and is loyal to Xenos alongside Lilia. She privately reunites with Kai, cares for his kitten, looks after Kuuko, and is fond of Cecilia.
• Lizel – A petite, graceful Blanchet count’s daughter, academy student, and wind mage with pink twin-tails, purple eyes, and a smirk. Luca Dalton’s fiancée and Grimlock’s classmate, she accompanies Cecilia and Xenos, disguised in a dancer’s costume via a magic ring. Though a protective, anxious tsundere, she is a direct, playful, and quietly supportive companion deeply devoted to serving Xenos.
• Grimlock – As the mana-less heir to House Grimlock, Xenos manages a military legacy and shadow network with his father, Gaius. Masked by deceptive noble etiquette, this ‘Royal Phantom’ uses spatial magic and a Collar of Submission to manipulate others. He invokes family authority to dismiss the interference of Prince Liam, who formally addresses him by his family name, Xenos.
• Prince Liam – The first prince and protagonist of Asgard, Liam is a handsome, golden-haired “born winner” with a refined, measured demeanor that cracks under pressure. Officially engaged to Princess Elisabeth while supported by Elliot and Aldrick, his secret pursuit of Cecilia—with whom he shares a frustrated, past intimacy—and obsession with her now threaten his political standing.
• Asgard – Elenor Asgard, the esteemed Saint of Light, and Prince Liam share a prestigious royal lineage. While both belong to the noble Asgard family and maintain a high social standing, they navigate distinct public roles and responsibilities within the realm. Their shared identity defines their status, balancing the expectations placed upon them as they fulfill their unique duties to the kingdom.
• Liam – The first prince and protagonist of Asgard, Liam is a handsome, golden-haired “born winner” with a refined, measured demeanor that cracks under pressure. Officially engaged to Princess Elisabeth while supported by Elliot and Aldrick, his secret pursuit of Cecilia—with whom he shares a frustrated, past intimacy—and obsession with her now threaten his political standing.
• Elisabeth – Princess Elisabeth, the Adrastea Empire’s princess and Prince Liam’s fiancée, is a vision of refined elegance with lustrous blue hair, striking amber eyes, and an icy, formidable royal authority. Controlled by an ancient crest’s influence, she submits to Xenos during their secret, highly intimate “peace talks.” This high-stakes rendezvous serves as leverage against Liam, risking political disaster.
• Aldrick – A hulking, green-haired Royal Guard student and Prince Liam’s aide, this towering enforcer wears a silver lion crest and thrives on combat. Cowed only by Elenor, his history of failed duel negotiations with Xenos culminated in a recent spectacular duel, which is rumored to be the reason behind the prince’s visit.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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