First To Submit Loses.

"Man this is amazing! What is in this thing?" Ren stuffed himself with all the food that was offered to him by the servants, the sun had dipped, and the sky had turned purple, slowly being dotted with stars and a crescent moon hanging at a distance. After the intense moment with Reina, he spent some time with her before they went back to the palace and of course, she got busy with running her kingdom again.

That was the life of a queen.

"Only the finest herbs and fat were used to roast the flesh, fitting for a lord like yourself." Rami chirped as she watched Ren devour the food one by one, while he had been offered a buffet, he took a piece out of everything but what he couldn't stop eating was the meat. His fingers and lips were stained with spiced oil but as she watched him, the only thing she thought of was how good his lips would be on her nipples. So much that she was spacing out again.

"Rami? You have been spacing out a lot, are you fine?" he could only show concern for her, his head gently tilting to the side like a dog does. 

"Oh… I…well yes… I am…well…" her sentence broken, she hadn't realized when she had spaced out again. Her hormones had made her mind a naughty playground, and she went there whenever she couldn't have the real thing, "what have you requested of me my lord?" she bowed a little, but Ren had a feeling she was hiding something that was a big deal. She had changed ever since he came back with the antidote that saved everyone.

"A short sword, a mask, and some armour, I will be going on a mission soon." reiterating, he washed his hand in the bowl and wiped his hand dry on a cloth. Rami stared at him with disbelief in her eyes.

"My queen…didn't tell me of any mission…" she slurred her words trying to comprehend how, when and why.

"We discussed it only a few hours back, you have been with me since I got back." he flashed her a small smile. Currently, he was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed and many plates of food in front of him, while Rami stood opposite him. She closed the distance between them and went to her knees, a bit too close to him but he didnt move.

"If the mission is dangerous, you will need assistance, I want to come with you my lord." her eyes glistened with warmth, and it resulted in Ren's smile broadening. It was so nice to have someone who cared about him, but he knew this was something he might have to do alone. He had a bad feeling that sooner or later, the empire would flood their home and cause havoc.

"No Rami, I require you to take care of my Reina while I am gone." he hadn't realized when he said that, but she did. Her eyes widened for a split second, and her mouth rounded agape.

"What about me?!" she nearly made him deaf. He was confused until she spoke again, "am I not, your rami?" her hand on her chest, she didn't want to be left out in the relationship he had with Reina. Ren was taken aback for a moment before he smiled at her, ever so lovingly.

"Of course you are, you are also my Rami." he scratched her head a bit which she found oddly comforting before he stood up, "but Reina would need you more okay?" She looked up from her kneeling position and didn't see a human but a master, someone worthy of respect. It only increased her affinity for him. Rami was awestruck before one of her sisters came in with a small bow.

"The queen wishes to see you my lord, she is in her private courtyard, I will escort you to her." That was the cue and Ren had to leave Rami. She watched him walk away from her and with each step she took, she became desperate.

"I want you to see me the same way you see my lady." she murmured to herself before heat flushed all over her body, forcing her to bury her face in her palms out of sheer embarrassment.

Ren was led to the courtyard, Reina's private, and it was different. It was bigger and had some palm trees all around, he was left in awe and left alone, Reina was not there. Walking absent-mindedly to the middle, admiring the environment before her voice echoed.

"It is culture that the first one to enter the middle, challenges the other to a battle." she made her appearance, a smug grin on her face with her hands behind her back. It was only then Ren saw that he had stepped into a large circle but was too mesmerized by her beauty to even move.

Her attire was captivating—a flowing crimson outfit that shimmered like embers under the soft light. The top was an ornate bandeau, hugging her chest snugly, its edges trimmed with delicate golden embroidery that sparkled with every slight movement. The fabric left her toned midriff exposed, her tiger-striped skin a striking contrast against the rich red.

Her pants were airy and billowing, crafted from a semi-sheer material that gave glimpses of her long, graceful legs as she moved. They were cinched at her waist with a golden band and flowed down into soft, layered folds that swayed with her every step. A subtle pattern of glittering flecks adorned the pants, making them look as if they had been dusted with stardust.

She wore a golden choker around her neck, its sleek design drawing attention to her sharp jawline. Her arms were adorned with gleaming golden gauntlets, their surfaces etched with intricate patterns of vines and runes, glinting with an otherworldly sheen. These weren't just decorative—they were weapons, capable of deflecting even the sharpest of attacks.

Her voluminous black hair was swept into a high ponytail, cascading down her back in soft waves, perfectly framing her tiger-like ears that twitched slightly. Her emerald eyes gleamed with intensity, and her tail, striped like her skin, swayed gracefully behind her.

"Uhhh…" he was still processing when she threw a dagger at him, and he caught it by reflex, "battle?" He was going to fight her?

"Yes, Ren, first to submit loses." her smile was vicious and just then, her claws glistened under the light, and she jumped at him. Her emerald eyes burned with excitement, a predator closing in on her prey.

Ren barely had time to react, stunned by her sheer speed and grace. He ducked just in time, her claws slicing the air above his head with a sharp whistle. She landed lightly on her feet, already pivoting to swipe at him again.

"Is this all you plan to do? Evade me?" she teased, her voice carrying a playful edge as she continued her relentless assault. Ren stumbled backward, deflecting her strikes with the dagger she had handed him earlier. Her claws gleamed in the light, each attack faster and sharper than the last. He was entirely on the defensive, barely managing to avoid her blows.

To her, it was a game. To him, he didn't want to get his face scratched off.

Suddenly, Reina leaped back, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Since you do not want to fight me," she mused as she raised one hand, her gauntlet glowing faintly as her power surged, "I have to make you!" she roared.

A massive tiger claw, shimmering with golden energy, materialized in front of her and swiped at Ren with incredible force. The impact sent him flying backward, crashing into the soft earth with a grunt. The air left his lungs, and he struggled to push himself upright.

Reina tilted her head, walking toward him with an air of triumph. "Submit, Ren," her voice low and teasing.

Ren's jaw tightened in discomfort, it was a hard fall after all but Enough of this, there was no way he was going down without a fight.

"You wanna fight? Then let's fight!"

He surged to his feet, his dagger glinting in the light. He charged at her, forcing her to go on the defensive. She blocked his strikes effortlessly with her golden gauntlets, each clash ringing out like a blade against steel. Her movements were fluid, a perfect blend of strength and agility. She ducked, twisted, and countered, her speed leaving him breathless.

"You're slowing down," she taunted, spinning away from another strike. Ever so gracefully.

Ren's breaths came heavy and laboured, but he refused to give up. He lunged at her again, only for her to sweep his legs out from under him in one swift motion. He hit the ground hard, the dagger falling from his hand. Before he could recover, Reina planted her foot firmly on his chest, pinning him down.

"Looks like I win," she announced, smirking down at him.

"Dammit!" he cursed as he tried to catch his breath, but his present state only made her cackle at him.

"There is a reason why I am the queen Ren!" her laughter ran out, and it irked him.

But Ren wasn't finished yet. With a burst of determination, he grabbed her ankle and twisted just enough to throw her off balance. Reina stumbled, her arms flailing, and fell to the ground with a startled gasp.

Ren scrambled to his feet, adrenaline surging through him. He didn't waste a second, pressing his advantage. He attacked relentlessly, forcing Reina to dodge and block. Her movements were sharp but less precise now, as she tried to regain her footing.

Then, in one decisive move, Ren channelled his power. Golden tendrils shot out from his hands and pinned Reina's wrists to the trunk of a palm tree, holding her hands high above her head.

She struggled against the restraints, her claws scraping at the bark, but the bonds held firm.

Ren stepped closer, his breathing ragged, his eyes locked on hers. For the first time in the battle, Reina's expression faltered—just a little. And in irritation, she barked at him.

"Cheat!"