Dragon King's Harem Chapter 159. The Duel III (Patreon)

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 159. The Duel III

After one painful breath, he opened his voice.
"I know this sounds ridiculous since I already know what your answer is. But..." His gaze turned melancholy.
"I hope you can take good care of Jyne." His request sounded like a plea. His seriousness was clear from his tone of voice and his gaze.

His gaze shifted to Jyne.
"I realized I've annoyed her off for the past few days. I made fun of her, laughed at her crazy idea, and defamed her. I've said a lot of bad things about her. But I had no other choice... She's a bit childish, reckless, and has no experience in love. I know she ran away following her instincts and ego."

He returned his gaze to me.
"So... I have to test you and your honesty. I have to make sure she will spend the rest of her life with the right person," he admitted.

"Was that also your father's order?" I guessed. Testing a king wasn't a small thing so I was pretty sure of my guess.

"Yes. It was a special order from my father and my mother..." Another bitter smile bloomed on his lips.
"Make the Dragon King sees her as herself. The princess of the fox tribe. A woman who deserves to be loved. Not just a breeding tool. Make sure he will replace us to take care of Jyne," he repeated what his father had said.

"I know this sounds unfair to you. But we don't have any bad intentions. My parents have always loved Jyne. The reason why they wanted to marry her off to the Serpent Prince is because he is a wise and strong nobleman. Besides, the Serpent Tribe's territory is near us. So in case, he mistreated Jyne... She can come back to our place whenever she wants," he added.

"I will not mistreat her, Prince Arter," I stated. Although this sounded discordant to my ears, I could understand his concern.

Jyne had been missing for months and her first request after they found her was her father's approval so she could enter my harem. Instant love was a bad idea in this cruel world, even though the person was me. That was why I had to prove it.

"I know. You are a nobleman. Despite her seduction, you didn't do it before you won the duel. I'm pretty sure you will take good care of my sister," he said.

"You have my words..." I decided to end this conversation. We could continue this later after Evelina healed him.

We were just about to head back, but Arter remembered something and stopped in his tracks.

"Oh right... Please keep this a secret to my sister," he requested.

"Why?" I asked. Obviously, I couldn't grant this because Jyne was listening to us now.

He gave me a wry smile.
"She always thinks of me as a cool and strict brother. I don't want to mess up my image and prefer to keep it that way."

"I think breaking your character once in a while isn't a bad thing. Besides the duel is over and you will return tomorrow, you should be honest with each other," I suggested. He had already said that he would be back in the morning. So I could go to Firestone Fortress during the day.

My advice silenced him.

"Prince Arter?" I asked, requesting him to answer me.

"I wish I could say it. But my dignity forbids me," he said regretfully.

"Does it matter? You are siblings. Your honesty will not destroy your dignity," I stated, trying to bargain.

He sighed, not knowing how he should put it. After a while, he finally turned his face elsewhere and opened his voice.
"I just don't want to do it. It's too embarrassing." I could catch his embarrassment from his slightly blushing cheeks and his voice.

I desperately held my cringe.
"Ehm, pardon me. What?" I thought I heard it wrong. A few minutes ago I saw him as a fierce warrior and now... He looked like a tsundere fox boy.

"I know it sounds weird. But for me, admitting it is too embarrassing. I mean... She is my sister," he confessed.

My jaw dropped.
'Wait for a second... Does he have a siscon complex?' I thought.

Noticing my expression, he spoke again.
"Uh... Just don't say a word to her," he said in a slight stuttering voice.

"I won't say a word..." I stated. "But I think she already knows." I raised my hand, revealing the crystal that was attached to a bracelet in my left hand. I bet he didn't notice since I hid it in my sleeve.

Arter's eyes widened in shock.
"Wait... Is that?!" His words stopped, followed by Jyne's voice coming from his side.

"Is being honest with me that bad?" said Jyne with a pout.

While Evelina who was by her side immediately used her Healing skill to heal Arter's wound.

Arter's face suddenly turned pale.
"You---You little cunning fox. This was your idea, right?" he said in a stammering voice, pointing at his sister in a panic.

"This was my idea. I know it's impolite, but I think she should know," I admitted.

That made Arter turn to me.
"How did you find out?" he said in confusion.

"It's just my guess. But I'm sure you and the Fox King won't request a random thing. So I came up with this idea. At least I want you to clean up your misunderstandings before your departure," I explained.

Before Arter could say anything, Jyne interrupted him.
"Why don't you tell me anything?" Her eyes were on Arter.

Arter turned his face the other way, not daring to look at his sister's face.
"Why should I?" he retorted.

Realizing this was not the right place to settle these sibling issues, I decided to move elsewhere.
"Ehm... I think we should settle this inside the Palace. With some tea and snacks. How does that sound?" I gave an idea.

The Fox siblings looked at each other for a while before they finally agreed.
"Sounds good," said Jyne.

After making sure Arter was fine, we went to the parlor room. Unfortunately, even with the snacks and tea, the fox siblings did not open their voices.

So Evelina and I decided to leave them in the hope they could speak their hearts and minds more honestly.