Chapter-7

When Cyril went back to his room, he found that the door was slightly open so he carefully tiptoed inside. When he got there, he found Duke Namen sitting on his study chair.

He seemed like he was waiting for him. His expression is stern. After Cyril closed the door behind him, he looked straight into the Namen's eyes and asked:

"Why are you here in my room at this hour,  lord Namen," Cyril asked calmly.

Duke Namen stared at him for several seconds before finally speaking to him.

" Do you think you can compete with me?" Duke Namen said as he got up off of his seat and walked toward Cyril.

This made Cyril raise an eyebrow. What does the Duke mean by competing with him?

"What would I possibly compete with you for? Why do you assume that I would?" answered Cyril with a calm tone.

"If I had all the money and power and influence that you have, I'd compete with you!" Cyril added.

Duke Namen scoffed in amusement as he continued to walk toward Cyril. Cyril raised his eyebrow in curiosity when Namen stood right in front of him and grabbed hold of his collar.

"So do you think you could win against me?" Duke Namen asked with a serious tone.

"How would I win against you when I don't even need to compete with you?" replied Cyril calmly, as if Duke Namen's question didn't faze him at all.

Duke Namen glared at him angrily for being so calm and composed when he knew full well that Cyril wouldn't be giving up. However, Duke Namen quickly regained his composure.

"Then what if I offer you something that will give you all that you want?" Duke Namen proposed casually. as he slowly released Cyril's collar.

Cyril laughed softly after hearing Duke Namen's suggestion.

"So you do realize that you can never get what I have now."

Duke Namen clenched his fists tightly but didn't say a word and gave him one last deadly glare.

"Whatever it is that you could possibly offer me, I don't want it because I've already gotten everything I want,"  Cyril said as he folded his arms in front of his chest.

Cyril didn't like to show weakness and he especially didn't appreciate anyone challenging him. It was a habit that had been instilled in him ever since he was a child.

Although he was extremely powerful, he wasn't arrogant nor did he take anyone's words seriously. He also never showed his weaknesses.

He could tolerate people who were very strong but never liked or feared someone strong enough to intimidate him.

He never liked anyone seeing him as weak or being able to manipulate him easily. He is a strong man and nothing could make him bend.

Duke Namen wasn't very aware of that. He stared at Cyril as if he was staring at a monster. He was furious and disappointed by the fact that Cyril refused to listen to him

"Well, you're very brave to say something like that but then again, you're also very stupid. I guess you must be blind and deaf to think that I won't force the issue. The fact is that the princess will be mine whether she likes it or not and you can't do anything about it!" he stated arrogantly.

Cyril didn't reply immediately to this statement. Instead, he kept on looking at the Duke, who seemed very satisfied with his actions.

Eventually, he sighed and muttered:

"I understand."

Then he slowly took his dagger out of his belt and pointed it directly toward the Duke's throat.

"But if you dare touch her, you're dead! If that's not possible, I promise you that we'll have a duel! If you dare to touch a single strand of her hair, I'll slice your throat" he said with a soft tone that doesn't match his action.

"Who do you think you are to threaten me like this!?" Duke Namen yelled. it's obvious that he was trying so hard not to shiver.

Cyril didn't answer and just stared at him coldly. That wasn't enough for him to let go of the dagger. He continued to stand in front of Duke Namen with his dagger pressed against his throat. The blade was so close to cutting through his skin.

His whole body started to shake. The only sound that came out of his mouth was heavy breathing. Slowly lowering the knife, Cyril turned around and left Duke Namen standing in the same position.

A little while later, Duke Namen finally managed to calm down. He was breathing heavily and sweating profusely. He was trembling in fear.

He hadn't expected Cyril to have the guts to do such a thing. He wanted to turn around and run away but his dignity would be gone if he did so.

He would rather die than be humiliated in front of everyone. But at the same time, he would rather die alone than be killed by this little brat.

Namen is the kind of person who always gets what he wants without much effort. And he has been a duke for over 10 years now.

He doesn't want to marry Princess Amandine even though he wants to be a prince consort. Cyril became duke just a couple of days ago and now he's going to grab his opportunity of becoming a royal family member.

That is what made him angry. He thought Cyril would be easy to manipulate because of his young age. But he was wrong and the rumors were right about Cyril's strength and his boldness. Also about the love affair between Cyril and the princess.

First, Namen thought that Cyril was no match for him just because Cyril's status was a bit lower than his. However, when he saw him kissing the princess in the garden, he couldn't help but decide to threaten him but ended up being threatened by him.

And finally, Namen decided to use his last catch. And Namen knows very well that will shatter Cyril's heart and weaken him.

To be continued ...