"Queen?" I said, puzzled, blinking at the demon fox who had just whispered that title like a prayer.
"You can't hide it," she said softly, eyes shining with an almost reverent glow. "We can feel that you're a Prim—hmm."
"Don't finish that," I cut her off sharply, placing one free hand over her mouth before she could spill something dangerous in front of the entire ballroom. My gaze narrowed, voice dropping to a firm but calm tone. "It's a secret for now, okay?"
Her eyes widened for a second, but then she nodded obediently under my palm, letting out a muffled "Swrri" through my fingers.
For a brief moment, I believed that this awkward little incident had come to an end.
But of course… it wasn't.
"Kitsuna Draig, what do you think you're doing laying a hand on my woman?" A familiar voice barked across the ballroom. Loud. Irritating. So very full of himself.
I sighed without turning around. I didn't need to. That pompous tone could belong to only one overgrown golden-furred idiot.
"Aah, if it isn't the big dumb furry," I muttered under my breath, already feeling my eye twitch in annoyance.
Hugo Boei.
Of course.
The lion-brained moron stomped over with exaggerated steps, nostrils flaring like a bull about to charge.
"Did I not ask you to let go of my woman!" He roared again—this time loud enough for the entire hall to go silent and watch.
Before I could even react, he slapped the plate of food out of my right hand, sending my ribs and steak crashing dramatically to the marble floor.
There was a collective gasp.
I just stared at the mess on the floor.
"What a waste of good food," I said softly, genuinely mourning the perfectly grilled steak as it oozed sauce onto the expensive carpet.
"Tch." Hugo clicked his tongue, furious that I wasn't reacting like he wanted. He reached out for the demon fox, clearly trying to yank her away.
Still keeping one hand lightly resting on her shoulder, I smoothly moved behind her, spinning her to my right and hooking my right arm around her shoulders. She let out a surprised squeak but didn't resist.
"Come on," I said smoothly. "She just called me her queen. I find it cute. So, I've decided that she isn't yours anymore."
Chinada blinked up at me with a stunned expression, a soft blush forming on her cheeks. She wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but the moment I winked at her, her expression melted into something closer to amusement.
"You little—" Hugo growled. "There's no way she would want to be your woman." I am much better than you."
"You are?" I asked, tilting my head, playing dumb just to annoy him further.
"Of course! I am a man from the proud Lion King race! No other race is better than us!"
He said it with such unshakable conviction that even I had to pause.
A beat.
Then laughter. From me. From nobles around us. A few of the women were standing behind him.
"Ha-ha… fuck, you are dumb," I muttered, wiping a tear from my eye. "You're getting weird looks from nobles who literally bed dragons and gods, you know that?"
"Okay," I said, recovering. "Let's say your race is the 'best.' That means nothing in this world if you don't have the power to protect what is yours."
"Ha! Of course I have enough power!" he boomed, puffing out his chest.
"Is that so?" I grinned like a fox about to pounce. "Then how about we test it out?"
"You're challenging me?"
"Yup."
"For what, exactly?"
I looked past him at the group of girls standing silently in his shadow. Some of them still had that hopeful glimmer in their eyes. Others looked confused, uncertain.
"I don't know," I said casually, then glanced down at Chinada. "What's your name? I never asked."
"My name is Chinada, my queen," she said proudly, voice louder now, eyes still locked on me.
"What an interesting name," I replied with a playful smile.
Looking back at Hugo, I continued, "That group behind you… They're with you?"
"Yes. That is the rest of my women," he said with that same smug, arrogant grin.
"Is that so?" I murmured, turning my gaze back to them. "They are adorable themselves, and a lot of them are to my taste. Hmm… with this new body of mine, I'm certain I could satisfy them in bed in one go."
The temperature around me dropped by a few degrees.
I know Mom said I'd get a lot of hate for this plan, but even I can feel the daggers being stabbed into my back with their glares. I might have overreached myself.
Some of the hopeful expressions faded immediately. Replaced by disgust or shock.
Yeah, I went off-script. Fuck.'
"What are you trying to say, bitch?" Hugo growled, his golden mane bristling.
"If you narrow your eyes any more at me, your fur is going to cover them completely," I said flatly.
Smirking, I leaned into it. "I'm saying I'm challenging you for your 12–13 girls. I want them to be mine."
"You little—ha! And what do I get if I win?" Hugo snapped, barking a laugh.
"What do you want?" I asked casually, resting my chin on top of Chinada's head like she was a plush toy.
"Hmm." He rubbed his chin, clearly not used to thinking for more than five seconds at a time. "I got it! "I will convince you and your sister to join my harem."
"My sister as well?" I asked, glancing toward Mom, who stood nearby, arms crossed and already reaching into her dimensional storage.
"It's fine. You can agree to that," Mom said with a smirk, pulling out two neatly written documents out of thin air. "But I want some conditions added."
"Huh? What is this?" Hugo said, taking the documents from her suspiciously.
I took a copy myself, scanning the contents over Chinada's head.
Blood Contract—royal duel
Hugo Boei vs. Kitsuna Draig
If Kitsuna Draig Wins:
Hugo's entire harem is transferred to Kitsuna.
Hugo is forbidden from ever creating another harem.
Hugo must pledge himself to the king, who will decide his terms of service.
If Hugo Boei Wins:
Kitsuna Draig and Amari Draig join Hugo's harem.
The Draig family formally submits to the Boei house.
There was more—legalese, disclaimers, magic sealing clauses—but those were the key points.
"How is this fair? We only get two things while you get three!" Hugo shouted indignantly.
Multiple nobles gasped.
"Shut up," his father said through gritted teeth. "You accepted, and she challenged you. You know how royal duels work—the challenged party sets the rules."
"Of course, I have no problem with that. When do we fight?" Hugo asked, still trying to save face.
"Right now," I said, still smirking. "My people are already preparing the arena."
Hugo looked like he wanted to protest, but he nodded.
As I turned away, letting Chinada walk beside me, I glanced at my family—Mom, Kayda, Amari, and even Dean. No one looked particularly concerned.
My smile softened into something real.
'Yeah. My family, huh.'
Chinada leaned close. "My Queen… I need to warn you. He recently returned from a levelling trip."
"I know," I said. "What do you know about his class?"
"It's called Beast King. It's a legendary class for the Lion King race."
"Skills?"
"Nothing specific. But I've watched him fight. He's slow compared to you. Defense-focused."
"Perfect," I muttered.
'Beast King' is a defensive class. His race skill will likely grant him a temporary boost just under ultimate defense. But as long as I force a rule that bans race skills… I can win with speed alone.'
"My Queen," Chinada asked hesitantly, "might I know what class you have?"
"I don't have one yet," I said with a smile.
Her face went pale. "What?"
"Don't worry."
"But he's level 122! Even with armor, he'll still be around 1000 agility. That's not easy to dodge!"
"Only 1000?" I chuckled. "I double that."
"D-double? But that's impossible—"
"Oh, sweety. I'm not very normal."
Smack!
"Ow!" I rubbed the back of my head, turning to Kayda.
"You dumbass!" she growled. "This wasn't even close to what we planned!"
"Are you mad I challenged him for the whole harem instead?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"Of course I am! We agreed you'd only try to take the fox girl!"
"It's sweeter this way."
"Shut up, both of you," Mom interrupted, appearing between us with her usual 'I'm-smiling-but-will-kill-you' expression. "Kayda, she's not keeping the harem. Kitsuna, you're just doing this to gloat, right?"
"Of course. Like hell, I have enough stamina to satisfy thirteen women in one night. That's too much work."
Kayda clicked her tongue and walked away.
"Now, Yandere Dragon, do you understand?" Mom said slyly.
"Mom, I don't think you know what yandere actually means."