Chapter Forty-Nine: Preparing
Lucilia was sitting in her office, staring at the thirteen profiles of the nobles who would participate in Ren's battle royale.
"No surprises, really..." Lucilia said, looking at the names on the list. firstborn sons from multiple rich and influential families.
She didn't like any of the people on the list, filled with men who only wanted power and lust over her body. Men she doesn't even consider worth licking her shoes, much less being allowed to touch her.
"Ignis...of course." Lucilia said, looking at one of the names. Ignis Cassius Valgus was the most likely to marry her if her father had his way. The firstborn son of one of the biggest family conglomerates on the planet, he was born with not even a silver spoon but a golden one. A spoiled rich kid who thinks money can solve the world's problems, although Lucilia did respect him in one way, she did respect his intelligence and business sense. He was in charge of many of the corporations his family owned under their name. He was also talented with a spear, winning multiple tournaments in the process. She may hate his existence, but she always respects her enemies strengths.
Lucilia was creating strategies against each and every single opponent he would have to fight.
"With this information and a little help,Ren sure as hell won't lose to them."
Lucilia wasn't the only one preparing for Ren's fight, as those from the village on Versaerth started to train.
"Ma'am, why are we preparing to fight? We're still diplomats on this planet." Laelli said trying to catch her breath after running for miles.
"She's right My Queen...we can't get involved in this." Sthora said also trying to catch her breath.
"Tell me, Sthora, if Ren's life was about to end, wouldn't you do everything you could to save him?" Ashastha asked Sthora. "Don't lie, you're his fated one; after all, I know you would act without hesitation.
Sthora gulped and blushed after hearing what Ashastha said to her. "My Queen..."
"Why don't you just act on your feelings? It's destiny, so it will happen sooner or later." Ashastha said.
"I'm still thinking about it." Sthora said honestly. She knew that Ren was her fated one, but she wanted to be sure that it was what she wanted. She refused to let destiny tell her who to love.
"Well, let me give you something to think about; he's very good in bed." Ashastha said with a slight grin on her face.
Sthora was left speechless at Ashastha's teasing, while Laelli started to blush. They weren't the only ones, however, as some of the other villages were also blushing while listening in.
"Any way, back to work, everybody! We got things to train for!" Ashastha ordered everyone.
Quickly, the villages started to train again under their Queen's orders.
"I won't let anything happen to you, Ren, even if I have to burn this planet down to stop it." Ashastha said, looking at the grassland nearby.
On the grassland was Ren, and in front of him were Eleonora, Serenity, and Aurelia.
Aurelia wanted to teach Ren how to fight and adapt to some of the situations he would face in the coliseum.
Ren charged at Eleonora, who was his sparring partner due to her mastery in three martial arts on Earth being Judo, Jiu-Justsu, and Taekwondo.
As Ren charged, Eleonora immediately tossed him to the ground, hurting Ren's back.
Eleonora looked at him and smiled "Sorry Ren." she said as she helped him back up.
"Well, that hurt." Ren said.
"It will hurt a lot more when you're on a battlefield with weaponry." Aurelia said.
She has not been impressed with what she has seen from him, and he needs to learn quickly in order to possibly survive in the royale. He was going against people who have been training in their respective fields for years.
"Ren here." Aurelia said as she threw an object in front of him.
"A wooden sword?" Ren asked, seeing what was in front of him.
"Yes, it appears that in order to train you, I will have to teach you the hard way. Pick it up." Aurelia said.
"The hard way?" Ren asked as he gulped.
"Yes, you will now fight me. Eleonora, Serenity, thank you for your time, but you should go inside." Aurelia said.
"That's not a problem; good luck, Ren!" Eleonora said as she left, while she did want to stay, she knew whatever was about to happen was not good.
"I'll stay." Serenity said, after all, she was also worried about Ren.
"Suit yourself." Aurelia said. "Now, Ren, prepare to face me."
"Wait...where's Tyler?" Ren asked, trying to distract Aurelia.
"He and Sakura went shopping for food." Serenity answered.
"So I get to suffer alone...great." Ren said, sighing.
Aurelia didn't hesitate to attack Ren while he was distracted, as she hit his knee, knocking him to one knee on the ground, and then hit him in the face, knocking him on his ass.
"Get up." Aurelia said without emotion.
Ren stumbled, getting up and holding onto the wooden sword, relying on it for support.
He knew he was in trouble facing this woman as she didn't hesitate to hurt Ren.
"Your enemies won't give you mercy, so why should I?" Aurelia said.
Ren actually understood her reasoning. If the men he will face in a fight to the death won't hold back, why train like they will That's just asking to be unprepared for any scenario.
Ren charged again, which ended in Aurelia smacking him in the side with the sword once again, hurting him.
"This is going to be a long day..."
*In Imperial Palace*
"My Emperor, our thirteen guests have all arrived." the butler said to the Emperor sitting on his throne.
"Good...tell them to come in." the Emperor said.
Thirteen men, all dressed in their nicest suits, all worked together into the grand hall and kneeled once they arrived at the feet on the throne's steps.
"It's good to see all of you again." The Emperor said. "Each of you knows why you are here; it is time for one of you to earn the right to marry my daughter, Lucilia Aria Caelum. However, you will have competition. I don't know if all of you know, but someone from that planet, we are at war with Earth, has conquered my daughter's heart. This is unacceptable. So the one among you who kills him will be able to choose any daughter of mine to marry if you refuse Lucilia. That way, two of my daughters could possibly get married to some of you fine gentlemen. Now introduce yourselves to each other."
The first man to stand up had short blonde hair and crystal blue eyes "My name is Ignis Cassius Valgus, first son of the Valgus family and heir to the Valgus conglomerate. I won't waste my time remembering any of your names as, at the end of the week, none of you will be alive."
The nobles looking at Ignis looked angry at what Ignis had said; he was already taunting them.
The Emperor frowned, looking at Ignis "If he didn't have so much influence, someone like him wouldn't even be considered to marry any of my daughters—maybe a concubine's daughter at best.
Then the next man stood up to introduce himself "My name is Marcus Facilis. Second son of the Facilis family and heir to it's territory."
As Marcus introduced himself, he heard the snickering of some of the other nobles in the room.
"Is that who I think it is?"
"Yeah, what could he possibly think being here will do for him?"
"I heard his father hates him; he wouldn't even be an heir if his brother didn't die in the war."
Marcus clenched his fists. He was used to other nobles looking down on him, so it was nothing new to him; however, it still did hurt to hear.
One by one, the other nobles stood up, introducing themselves and their status in the family.
After they were finished, the Emperor stood up and spoke to them all. "We will meet on the day of combat; until then, enjoy your stay here in the Imperial Palace. My servants will attend to your needs; just remember, if you try to force yourselves on any of them or any of my wives or concubines, I will kill you myself."
The Emperor warned all of them, knowing some of them would consider doing just that. The only thing these nobles feared was him.
The nobles left the throne room as the Emperor once again spoke to his butler.
"When are my children arriving?" he asked.
"Outside of Lucilia and Aurelia, we know that Prince Marcel, Prince Caius, and Princess Siena are scheduled to arrive at some time today. Princess Artoria and Princess Octavia are still some ways away, with their time of arrival still unknown." the butler explained.
The Emperor grabbed a hold of his chin and said "Ok, now all that's left to do is wait."
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