Zain heaved a sigh of relief as he watched Princess Rivera reluctantly being led away by a royal servant to meet other guests at the banquet. Rivera waved at him, her hand adorned with glittering rings that caught the light, and he gave a small, tired wave back, his shoulders relaxing visibly. The grand hall, with its high, vaulted ceilings and gilded decorations, seemed to breathe a little easier without the intense scrutiny of the princess.

  "Whoa! I'm glad she's gone. I've never felt this sleepy before. If not for Morris telling me it was rude to doze off while someone's talking, I would've already fallen asleep." Zain confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. His voice was filled with a mixture of relief and exhaustion, as though a heavy weight had been lifted from him. The strain of maintaining perfect composure during Rivera's barrage of questions had left him feeling drained.

  "Yes, she is very talkative. But I like her. She seemed really interested in our training sessions." Draig responded, his tone thoughtful. He had always been more tolerant of people than Zain, finding interest where others found annoyance. His brown eyes sparkled with the curiosity Rivera had managed to ignite.

  Lilith nodded in agreement, her delicate features softening into a smile. They both had a different impression of Rivera than Zain did. Her vibrant personality and endless questions seemed to have charmed them in a way that eluded Zain. The flickering candlelight from the chandeliers above cast a soft glow on Lilith's silver hair, giving her an almost ethereal appearance.

  'Haa... She is too much. She even wanted to know how I sleep and bathe. What does that have to do with cultivation? Well, I guess you need to keep your mind stable in all activities. Anyway... I'm really tired.' Zain thought, shaking his head slightly. The intense scrutiny Rivera had placed him under had been unnerving, to say the least. His mind wandered back to the countless questions she had posed, each one probing deeper into his daily routines and habits.

  "Well, the ceremony is almost over now." he said, trying to muster some enthusiasm. His eyes scanned the grand hall, taking in the opulence.

  Zain was truly done with the ceremony. He felt as if his fight earlier had been less tiring than keeping a smile plastered on his face and greeting so many guests. The mental exhaustion was overwhelming, and his muscles ached from the strain of maintaining perfect decorum. He longed for the solitude of his chambers, where he could finally let his guard down.

  "Hey! Zain." a familiar voice called out, cutting through his thoughts. The sharp tone jolted him back to reality.

  Just as Zain was about to relax, someone called out to him. It was Princess Clair Bloodlock again, her imperious presence immediately putting him on edge.

  "Yes, Princess Clair." he responded, trying to hide his annoyance. Her reputation for cruelty and sharp words preceded her, and he braced himself for the inevitable confrontation. He could feel the eyes of other nobles turning towards them, their curiosity piqued.

  "I am here to warn you against associating with my sister." Claire stated bluntly, her eyes narrowing as she approached him with a haughty stride. Her voice carried an edge of authority that demanded attention.

  Zain was confused by her abrupt statement. "And why may that be the case, Princess?" he asked, his voice steady but curious. He maintained a calm exterior, though inside, he felt a flicker of irritation.

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  "I now know of your filthy origin, a bastard son of a Duke." Claire hissed, her voice dripping with venom. This statement raised the eyebrows of many standing around them. It was clear Princess Claire was trying to humiliate him. No one was shocked, though, as Claire was known for her harsh words and could get away with saying such things. Her words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the rigid societal hierarchies that defined their world.

  Zain had heard these rumors many times about his lineage. They didn't affect him much anymore. Only weak people judged based on things like lineage and family background. Izark had told him that as long as he was strong, he wouldn't be restricted by society's norms. Zain agreed. When he first met the Dukes, they treated him like a normal child. But after he showed his potential, their attitudes changed to one of acknowledgment. He recalled the many hours spent training, pushing himself to the limits to prove his worth.

  "Yes, Princess. I will maintain my distance from now on." Zain replied evenly, his expression carefully controlled. He had learned long ago not to let such words penetrate his defenses. He felt a surge of anger but suppressed it, knowing that any outburst would only play into Claire's hands.

  Seeing Zain respond like this, Claire felt a sense of victory. Draig and Lilith, however, were fuming at the insult directed at Zain. They glared at Claire, their eyes blazing with anger. Their loyalty to Zain was unwavering, and seeing him treated this way ignited a protective fury within them.

  Claire noticed this and said, "You should teach your servants how to behave." Her tone was condescending, and she looked at Draig and Lilith as if they were beneath her notice. Her words were a deliberate provocation, aimed at eliciting a reaction.

  "I don't think we should be the ones learning to behave." Draig retorted, his voice low and dangerous. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. The tension in the air was palpable, a simmering threat of violence.

  "Yes, for someone spouting such garbage, their mouth must stink." Lilith added, looking straight into Claire's eyes, her gaze unwavering and fierce. Her usually gentle demeanor was replaced by a fierce protectiveness.

  Until now, Claire had ignored both Lilith and Draig, thinking of them as mere servants. But now she noticed something about them. Draig, with his distinctive facial features, almond skin tone, red eyes, and long black hair, appeared princely. Even with her appearance toned down by Izark's spell, Lilith was a worldly beauty with silver hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, even near her sister Rivera's unparalleled beauty. Their combined presence was formidable, and Claire realized she had underestimated them.

  "Nice subordinates you have, Zain. Is she also a whore like your mother? I wouldn't be surprised, as fruits don't fall far from trees." Claire laughed, her voice filled with cruel delight. Her laughter rang out, cruel and mocking, as she reveled in the pain she was causing.

  Draig and Lilith were about to retort when Zain signaled them to stand down. Even if he could handle the fallout from this confrontation, Draig and Lilith, as his servants, couldn't bear the consequences of such actions. Zain’s signal was firm, a subtle nod that conveyed authority and control. His calm exterior belied the storm of emotions churning inside him.

  But there was a visible change in Zain's expression when Claire insulted Lilith, though he quickly hid it behind a mask of calm. His jaw tightened, and a cold fury glinted in his eyes.

  "So, Princess Claire, you despise all those of illegitimate birth?" Zain asked calmly, his voice carrying an edge that hadn't been there before. His question was a challenge, a call to reconsider her prejudices.

  "Bastards, that's what they are." Claire sneered, her eyes glinting with malice. Her words were a declaration of her unyielding belief in the superiority of noble bloodlines.

  "Even if they have done great service to our Empire, even the entire plane?" Zain pressed, his tone remaining calm but his eyes hardening. He was pushing her to acknowledge the value of merit over birthright.

  "Hmph... A bastard will always be a filthy bastard, no matter how many good deeds he has done. One can't erase his bad blood." Claire declared, her voice ringing with conviction. Her words were a stark reminder of the rigid societal norms that governed their lives.

  "Then I might have to disagree with you, Princess Claire." Zain said, his voice growing colder. His words were a prelude to action, a warning she failed to heed.

  After finishing his words, Zain walked up to Claire and, unexpectedly, slapped her right across the face, causing her to fall with a bleeding lip. The sound of the slap echoed through the hall, drawing gasps and murmurs from the onlookers. The shock was palpable, freezing the scene in a tableau of stunned disbelief. His hand stung from the impact, but the satisfaction of standing up for himself and his friends outweighed the pain.

  This was shocking for both Draig and Lilith, as well as the nearby guests who had been eavesdropping on the conversation between Zain and Claire. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating, as everyone waited to see what would happen next. The nobles around them watched with bated breath, their eyes wide with disbelief.

  "You two, go to our room and stay there until I return. Okay?" Zain instructed Draig and Lilith, his voice firm and unyielding.