The Gladiator Fight, Part III

"Rhaegar," Alim stood before his king, his bright golden eyes narrowing with concern. "I do not think this is a good idea. It does not make sense for that man to release all his slaves if you manage to defeat only one warrior. Additionally... This is nothing but humiliating."

Rhaegar did not really need someone else to point that out for him. He knew it was humiliating, and he understood perfectly well why the duke was doing it. 

But he also understood something else; something even more important––Duke Kalder had made a promise to release the slaves in front of both the Erelith's royal family and all the other noble guests, including the foreign delegations. 

Now, if Rhaegar indeed managed to defeat the gladiator slave, the duke would have no way out of the deal. Regardless of his status, the verbal contract between the two nobles could not be broken, especially with so many witnesses around. 

That, the king figured, was worth more than his pride.