As the bear suddenly rushed away in fear after I used the spineless brain on it, I sat down on the ground, feeling the adrenaline coursing through my body. The encounter had been surreal and threatening. Lalisa approached me, concern etched on her face. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked softly.

  "I'm fine, thanks," I replied, still trying to process what had just happened.

  As we continued our journey, Lalisa and I began to bond. She told me more about her life as a thief, and I shared stories about my life as a prince. Lalisa grew to admire my personality and openness, and she found herself befriending me despite having kidnapped me.

  At one point, Lalisa turned to me and said, "You know, it's possible to stop you from falling into the Hyen family's hands."

  I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How?" I asked.

  Lalisa hesitated before saying, "We could be paid off. If you pay us a huge amount of money, we might let you go."

  I pretended to consider her offer, but I had already set a plan in motion. Using the power of the Spineless Brain, I mind-hacked the Chief of the 500 Red Lions warriors, commanding him to follow me.

  I asked Lalisa, "What will the Hyen family do to me?"

  Lalisa's expression turned grim. "They'll humiliate and kill you in the most cruel way possible."

  She asked me to hand over the treasures, promising to speak to her adoptive father. I pretended to be worried, contemplating her offer.

  Meanwhile, the Red Lions were moving on mighty steeds, following the trail of their prince.

  As the warriors were halfway close to me, we reached a camp filled with women warriors in disguise. Lalisa panicked, realizing this was the Hyen family camp.

  The warriors announced our arrival with a trumpet blast, and a group of women warriors emerged from the tents. They were tall and beautiful, with piercing eyes and sharp swords.

  I was bound in ropes by Grimjack, a burly man with a scar above his eyebrow, and Scarlett, a lean, agile woman with a mischievous grin.

  As we were brought before the Hyen family camp, I suddenly spoke up, my voice ringing out across the camp. "Who dares set up camp in Leo family territory?" I demanded.

  Everyone's gaze turned to me, wondering who could be so arrogant after being kidnapped. A group of tall, beautiful warriors stepped forward, led by General Akira, a stunning woman with long, flowing black hair and piercing green eyes.

  She rushed to the center tent, informing Princess Sixhonia Hyen of my arrival. The princess emerged from the tent, her enchanting beauty captivating everyone in the camp.

  She approached on horseback, wearing a hoodie that covered her striking blue hair. As she removed her hoodie, her blue locks cascaded down her back like a river of night sky, and her white eyes seemed to gleam with an inner light.

  As she looked at me, she asked Lalisa if I was really Prince Leo Sun. Lalisa confirmed, and the princess dismounted her horse, moving towards us with elegance.

  Lalisa closed her eyes, preparing for the worst. Grimjack and Scarlett demanded payment for my ransom, and the princess clapped her hands, summoning a chest.

  As the thieves reached for the payment, the princess raised her sword, and the camp erupted in cheers. "Hail Hyen! Hail the Hyen, slayers of the lions!" they shouted.

  The princess looked at me with ridicule, asking how stupid I must be to get captured as a prince. Her voice was like music, but it sent shivers down my spine.

  I smiled, trying to provoke her. "You're beautiful," I said sincerely.

  The princess's eyes narrowed, puzzled. "And you're bold," she said. "I'll give you that."

  She asked if I was worthy to look at her as a woman, and I replied that I was. The princess smiled, her eyes flashing with amusement.

  But then, her expression turned cold. "You're not worthy of me," she said. "You're just a pawn in our game."

  She commanded her warriors to cut off my hands and gouge out my eyes. I knew I had to act fast. Using the power of the Spineless Brain, I mind-hacked the lions and the bear, commanding them to rescue me.

  The animals ambushed the camp, causing chaos and confusion. I took advantage of the distraction to escape, riding atop one of the lions.

  The princess chased after me, followed by her warriors. I commanded the animals to scatter, and I rode off on the horse I had mind-hacked earlier.

  As I rode, the princess pursued me, her stern face set with determination. She was a mighty warrior, and she would stop at nothing to capture me.

  But the Red Lions were closing in fast. Their numbers far outmatched the Hyen squad, and their reputation as the most elite warriors of Waltonia was well-earned. With swift precision, they descended upon the Hyen camp, cutting through the enemy with brutal efficiency. Blood stained the ground as the Red Lions overwhelmed the Hyen warriors, their superior training and numbers leaving no room for resistance.

  Princess Sixhonia Hyen found herself surrounded, her squad decimated. She stood defiantly, her sword raised, but the odds were against her. The Red Lions closed in, their weapons gleaming with deadly intent.

  "Hold!" I commanded, stepping forward. The Red Lions hesitated, their loyalty to me unwavering. "No one is to humiliate Princess Sixhonia Hyen," I said firmly.

  The princess glared at me, her pride wounded but her spirit unbroken. "I will not surrender to just anyone," she declared. "If I am to surrender, it will be to Prince Leo Sun himself."

  The Red Lions warned me to be cautious. "Your Highness, she may try to capture you," one of them said. But I waved them off, approaching the princess with confidence.

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  "Speak," I said, standing before her.

  She stepped closer, her eyes locked on mine. "A private negotiation," she said, her voice low. "Just you and me."

  I nodded, and the Red Lions reluctantly stepped back, forming a perimeter around us. As soon as we were alone, the princess's demeanor shifted. With lightning speed, she lunged at me, her combat skills on full display. But I was ready. I evaded her strikes with surprising agility, my movements fluid and precise.

  The Red Lions tensed, ready to intervene, but I raised a hand. "Stay out of this," I commanded. They obeyed, though their eyes remained fixed on the princess.

  We fought, our movements a blend of martial arts and strategy. As we clashed, the princess spoke, her voice steady despite the intensity of our duel. "I must admit, Prince Sun, you are more impressive than I expected. But I will not allow you to capture me. The humiliation would be unbearable."

  I remained silent, focusing on the fight. With a mental command, I summoned three lions to appear behind the princess. They roared, their presence intimidating. The princess glanced back, her resolve wavering for the first time.

  She retreated, her pride refusing to let her surrender. Determined to avoid humiliation, she raised her sword, aiming to end her own life. But I acted quickly, using the Spineless Brain to mind-hack her with a command: *Lag.*

  Her body froze mid-motion, her strength leaving her. She was still conscious, but her limbs refused to obey her commands. Despair filled her eyes as she realized what had happened.

  "Have you poisoned me?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.

  "No," I replied calmly. "I simply ensured you wouldn't do something reckless. You are too valuable to lose, Princess Sixhonia Hyen."

  She glared at me, but there was a flicker of respect in her eyes. The battle was far from over, but for now, the tide had turned in my favor.

  ---

  Prince Leo gestured to the female Red Lions, who swiftly mounted Princess Sixhonia Hyen onto his horse. He climbed up behind her, allowing her a bit of movement so they could speak as they rode. The princess sat stiffly, her pride wounded but her spirit unbroken. Her blue hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her white eyes glimmered with a mix of defiance and despair.

  "What will you do to me?" she asked, her voice low but steady. "If you have any honor, Prince Sun, grant me a dignified death. Do not humiliate me further."

  Leo studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "The three lions and the bear have gone after the three warriors who slipped away," he said calmly. "I am confident they will be captured. I’ve also sent a group of fifteen Red Lions to assist. They won’t escape."

  The princess’s eyes widened in shock. "You… you knew they fled?" she whispered. Then, to Leo’s surprise, she pleaded, "Have mercy on them. Please."

  Leo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why would you, who has shown no mercy to others, ask for it now?"

  The princess remained silent, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Leo watched her, momentarily mesmerized by her beauty. She noticed his stare and turned away, her cheeks faintly flushed. Leo cleared his throat, embarrassed by his own reaction.

  As they rode back to the capital city of Leona, the Red Lions reported the capture of Princess Sixhonia’s general and captains. The fight had been fierce. General Akira, with her flowing black hair and piercing green eyes, had fought valiantly, her sword a blur of motion. *Clang! Clang!* The sound of steel meeting steel echoed through the forest as she clashed with the Red Lions. But their superior numbers and training overwhelmed her. With a final *thud*, she was disarmed and forced to her knees.

  Captain Selene, agile and cunning, had tried to escape into the woods, her footsteps light and swift. *Crunch, crunch*—the leaves beneath her feet betrayed her as the lions closed in. She spun, her daggers flashing, but the lions’ coordinated assault was too much. *Snap!* A trap sprung, and she was caught, her weapons falling to the ground.

  Captain Isolde, the burly warrior, had put up a brutal fight. Her war hammer swung with devastating force, *whooshing* through the air as she roared in defiance. But even her strength was no match for the Red Lions’ precision. *Crack!* A well-placed strike from a Red Lion’s spear disarmed her, and she was subdued, her chest heaving with exhaustion.

  The captives were brought before Prince Leo, their faces etched with defeat. The three warriors who had slipped away were among them, their bodies bruised and bloodied from the lions’ pursuit. The women apologized to Princess Sixhonia, their voices trembling with shame. "We failed you, Princess," Selene said, tears streaming down her face.

  The princess remained silent, her expression unreadable, but the grief in her eyes was unmistakable. Leo watched her closely, noting the weight of her humiliation.

  ---

  As they set up camp for the night, the female Red Lions guarded Princess Sixhonia closely, their expressions a mix of resentment and begrudging respect. Leo made it clear that she was to be treated with dignity. "She is my personal property," he declared, his voice firm. "Any disrespect toward her will be met with severe consequences."

  The Red Lions murmured among themselves, some questioning Leo’s decision. "Why show her such kindness?" one whispered. "She’s our enemy."

  Leo’s gaze hardened as he turned to them. "Do you question my authority?" he asked, his voice like ice. The murmurs ceased instantly. They had seen how he had purged the palace of dissenters, and none dared to challenge him now.

  The next day, the captives were brought to the camp. The three warriors who had been captured by the lions and bear were among them, their faces pale with exhaustion. They knelt before Princess Sixhonia, their heads bowed. "Forgive us, Princess," Isolde said, her voice heavy with regret. "We failed you."

  The princess remained silent, her grief evident. Leo watched her, his expression thoughtful. He continued to engage her in conversation during their ride, though her replies were often short and guarded.

  "Why do you fight so fiercely for your family’s cause?" Leo asked as they rode.

  Sixhonia glanced at him, her white eyes narrowing. "Why do you fight for yours?" she countered.

  Leo chuckled softly. "Fair enough. But not all battles need to end in bloodshed."

  The princess looked away, her jaw tightening. "You speak as if you understand. But you don’t."

  ---

  As they approached the capital city of Leona, the Red Lions sounded their trumpets, announcing the capture of Princess Sixhonia Hyen. *Boom! Boom!* The deep, resonant notes echoed through the city, signaling their triumphant return. The streets erupted in celebration, the air filled with the scent of flowers and the sound of drums. *Thump-thump-thump!* The rhythmic beat of the drums matched the pounding of Leo’s heart as he rode through the cheering crowds.

  At the palace gates, Queen Lana and other royal family members waited to greet them. The queen’s eyes widened in disbelief as she caught sight of the infamous princess. "My son," she said, her voice filled with pride, "you have done the impossible. Throw her at my feet so I may see her humbled."

  Leo shook his head. "No, Mother. She will not be humiliated."

  The queen’s expression turned sharp. "She is our enemy, Leo. Do not let your soft heart cloud your judgment."

  Leo’s voice was firm. "She is my captive, and I will treat her as I see fit."

  The queen glared at him, but Leo held his ground. Princess Sixhonia watched the exchange, her expression unreadable but her curiosity evident. *Why is he protecting me?* she wondered.

  Xeona, one of the royal maids, glared at Leo before turning and running away. *Thud-thud-thud*—her footsteps echoed as she fled. Maid Julie, ever loyal, chased after her. "Do not pay her heed, Your Highness," Julie called back to Leo. "She is emotional, that is all."

  Leo nodded, then turned his attention back to Princess Sixhonia. He led her up to his room, instructing the maids to tend to her as they would to him. "Treat her with the same care and respect you would show me," he said.

  Exhausted, Leo collapsed onto his bed, falling asleep almost instantly. The Red Lions stood guard, their eyes occasionally flicking to the princess. Though they obeyed Leo’s orders, their resentment was palpable. Still, they assisted her however they could, ensuring she was comfortable.

  ---

  The next morning, the kingdom continued to celebrate Prince Leo’s victory. But as the princess sat in his room, her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and despair. She had expected humiliation, torture, even death. Instead, she found herself treated with a dignity she had not anticipated.

  Leo’s actions left her questioning everything she thought she knew about him—and about herself.