The Green Tea is Always Targeting The Wrong Person (GREENTEA)
Yue Chu stood smiling in the center, surrounded like the moon amidst stars. The loneliness that once confined him to the corners was long gone and completely replaced Xino's position, making him the most dazzling presence.
Louis stood with his arms crossed in a close position to Yue Chu's right with his crimson eyes filled with hostility as he glared at Feilin across from him, a mix of disdain and vigilance in his gaze.
A failed individual actually dared to compete for a place beside Prince Yue Chu? It seemed their brain was waterlogged and unable to gauge their own worth. They should have slunk away like a stray dog, but Prince Yue Chu's gentle benevolence granted them a place to stay.
Feilin's red lips curved slightly with her radiant demeanor making her look like a blooming peony, dazzling to the eye.
Her form-fitting black dress adorned with gold accentuated her fiery and exquisite figure, her every glance exuding charm. Even though she had been stripped of her attendant title, countless members of the Blood Clan couldn't help but be drawn to her.
She neither avoided nor retreated, standing her ground and confronting Louis head-on without a hint of dejection.
A rookie who had lost to her in their first competition still had the audacity to act tough in front of her. Clearly, they had a poor memory of always forgetting their past humiliations.
The two locked eyes.
Sparks and thunder seemingly flashing between them while their intense auras driving away several waves of eager suitors.
Beside them was Dila, who was wagging his invisible tail.
He hovered around Yue Chu like a loyal dog with his eyes watery and full of devotion. If Yue Chu told him to go east, he would never go west.
He eagerly took care of all of Yue Chu's personal affairs and even almost kneel to carry his beloved Prince on his back. Anyone daring to vie for his position was scared off by his snarling barks and just left to watch helplessly as Dila shamelessly fawned over Yue Chu.
Dila knew he wasn't as clever as Feilin, but he had no shame, and that allowed him to leverage his strengths to secure his place beside Yue Chu.
It's just... the Prince was so beautiful that it always left him a bit dizzy.
Yue Chu chuckled softly and pretended not to notice the undercurrents between these people.
Well, a bit of competition wasn't so bad.
Just then, Xino finally arrived.
Having just recovered from his injuries, he looked pale and listless while his back slightly hunched, a far cry from his former glory.
As he entered, the lively hall instantly fell silent as all eyes turn to Xino with their gazes filled with various implications that made him visibly uncomfortable.
The very experiences Yue Chu had once endured were now Xino's burden, and it was clear Xino didn't have the temperament to handle it with grace.
Xino clenched his teeth and a surge of anger rose in his chest.
The fall from the lofty pedestal to the mud was a gap he couldn't accept.
He narrowed his eyes as his fierce gaze sweeping over their faces as if to etch their images into his memory.
But no one feared his gaze.
Instead, they looked back at him with mockery and even whispering pointedly among themselves.
Those disdainful faces pricked Xino's proud ego like sharp knives scraping against his thin skin and twisting his expression into something increasingly ugly and grotesque.
Yue Chu took a moment to appreciate the kaleidoscope of emotions on Xino's face before gracefully stepping forward with his gentle voice as he said, "Brother, you've arrived."
Xino's expression turned cold, and he let out a disdainful snort from his nose.
Clearly, he did not have goodwill for this cheap brother who had successfully risen to power. He, himself might not have wanted to be a prince, but having someone else take away what was originally his alone was unacceptable.
His resentment towards his father grew even stronger.
Indeed, from the moment his father brought Yue Chu back, he had harbored such intentions!
Xino: "Don't call me 'Brother,' I don't have a brother like you!"
Yue Chu raised an eyebrow while noting the arrogance in Xino's attitude.
It seemed Xino hadn't yet realized that many things had already changed.
Louis was the first to jump in with his handsome face filled with arrogance and disdain.
He glanced at Xino with a look that was neither respectful nor polite.
Louis: "Indeed, I heard that His Majesty originally intended to strip Prince Xino of his title and demote him to a commoner. You almost didn't get to be Prince Yue Chu's brother."
After saying this, he grinned widely.
His mocking intent was clear as day and almost as if he were slapping Xino in the face.
Xino's eyes sharpened, and he clenched his fists tightly with his gaze piercingly cold as it stabbed towards Louis.
A mere noble, how dare he spout such nonsense in front of him!
Xino: "What do you think you are, daring to shout in front of me!"
In an instant, Xino's arm transformed into a black-red, spiked tentacle, like a dark red lightning bolt and directly attacking Louis.
The distance was too close, and no one expected Xino to actually make a move in the classroom.
For a moment, Louis could only narrow his pupils and prepared to take the hit.
However, Xino's attack didn't land.
Yue Chu, standing beside Louis, grabbed the tentacle and prevented Xino from advancing even an inch.
Yue Chu still wore a gentle smile with his eyes filled with a mesmerizing softness, like a spring breeze that could warm the entire world. Yet, the powerful aura surrounding him made it clear that this Prince was anything but simple.
Yue Chu said with a smile, "Brother, why is your temper getting worse? Always attacking your own kind will only make Father unhappy."
With a push, he flung the tentacle back at Xino.
The sheer force caused the still-injured Xino to stagger back several steps. If he hadn't grabbed onto the wall, he might have fallen to the ground in a humiliating heap.
Xino's chest heaved violently as he glared coldly at the composed Yue Chu.
The humiliation he felt was almost enough to nail him to a pillar for everyone to mock.
When did Yue Chu become so strong!
But no one would sympathize with him.
Yue Chu's words had turned the faces of all the Blood Clan members present cold.
They had already heard about Prince Xino's actions against Feilin and Dila, who had grown up with him, and seeing this with their own eyes only deepened their dissatisfaction.
Misled by Yue Chu, they had already forgotten that it was Louis who had provoked Xino first.
Fortunately, Rotz arrived late and finally put an end to this little drama and began to arrange the upcoming trial.
Rotz: "Now, everyone will split into two groups. One group will be led by Prince Yue Chu, and the other by Prince Xino. You will attack from the north and south respectively. To seize the initiative, you must eliminate the Hunters entering the town by dawn seven days from now. I look forward to your performance."
Rotz clapped his hands to signal that everyone could form their own teams.
However, an awkward situation quickly arose.
Everyone lined up behind Yue Chu, leaving Xino standing alone with no one by his side.
Rotz furrowed his brow tightly: "Send some people to Prince Xino's side, otherwise how can we form a group!"
Rotz's stern words made the minor nobles stir, but they were still unwilling and reluctant. Even some are completely unwilling to board that shabby ship.
This situation was no different from slapping Xino hard across the face, making him flush with embarrassment, and the fury in his eyes almost bursting through the heavens.
Those minor nobles who used to fawn over him, whom he wouldn't even glance at, now dared to look down on him!
Xino clenched his fists. His teeth grinding audibly and the corners of his eyes fierce to the point of almost dripping blood.
He raised his head arrogantly before sweeping a disdainful gaze over those people: "No need, I can do it alone!"
The minor nobles were practically ready to applaud him and immediately standing at ease in the ranks but still not moving an inch.
Xino was filled with hatred!
Just wait! When he achieves a great victory in this trial, they'll come crawling to curry his favor.
Rotz surprisingly didn't object either and began explaining the information about the Hunter team to everyone.
This trial was clearly much riskier than the last one.
A cleanup operation led by the Hunter Association with the main forces of various major teams participating, making it very difficult to deal with.
Yue Chu didn't pay any more attention to Xino, but instead carefully committed Rotz's explanation to memory. He lightly hooked the corner of his mouth as a look of determination flashing in his eyes, which then quickly dissolved into starlight, vanishing into gentleness.
When Xino returned to his room and didn't see Anna, he immediately began searching anxiously.
This place was full of dangerous Blood Clan members, and Anna was just a fragile human. If she encountered danger, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Just as he was about to send someone to look for her, Anna, dressed in a white dress, slowly arrived.
Xino grabbed her hand at once before nervously examining her and was afraid she might be hurt: "Anna, where did you go? Didn't I tell you it's dangerous here and not to wander around?"
Anna gave a timid smile before gently resting her small face on Xino's shoulder. Her delicate little hand holding Xino's cold, broad palm and her voice tinged with a cautious pitifulness.
Anna: "I'm sorry. I was just a bit hungry, so I had to go out to find some food."
Xino was startled.
He had forgotten that Anna, being human, needed to eat.
He lowered his head in remorse and kissed Anna on the cheek before softly saying, "I'm sorry."
Xino: "It was my oversight, I'll have someone prepare daily meals for you."
Anna shook her head with her smooth golden hair brushing against Xino's sleeve and making a soft rustling sound.
She said softly, "It's not your fault, and I found some food. Everyone was very polite to me, so don't worry."
At this, Anna lifted her small face with a radiant smile. Her large, clear blue eyes sparkled with admiration for Xino.
Anna: "Xino is actually a Prince, how amazing! When everyone heard I was your friend, they were all very kind to me, I'm so happy!"
Xino dotingly pinched her little nose: "What friend, clearly you're my lover."
Anna shyly covered her blushing little face and the dimples at the corners of her mouth exuding a bashful sweetness. She tightly gripped Xino's sleeve with her expression revealing deep attachment.
Anna: "In the future, will Your Highness always stay with me? I don't want anything else, just you alone."
Xino wanted to say "of course," but then he remembered the trial mission.
He frowned slightly and spoke apologetically, "Anna, I might have to go away in a few days. Don’t worry, and don’t wander off. Just stay here obediently, okay?"
Anna hadn’t expected such an answer.
The sudden separation caught her off guard, and a thin layer of tears welled up in her large eyes, making her look pitiful enough to break Xino’s heart.
She clung nervously to Xino’s arm, "Where is Your Highness going? Can’t you take me with you?"
Xino sighed and reassured her, "It’s... a task arranged by my father. I’ll have to leave at dawn seven days from now, and I’m afraid it will take at least a month before I can return."
Anna’s face turned pale, as fragile as a flower scattered by the wind, "Why so long? Are you going somewhere dangerous?"
Xino stroked her soft, long hair, "Not really. I’m just going to the western outskirts of South Mountain. It’s the territory of the Blood Clan, so it’s very safe."
Only then did Anna nestle into his embrace but her lowered face flashing with a hint of thoughtfulness. She said softly, "Then I’ll feel at ease. I’ll wait here for your return."
........
At Noon
Everywhere was quiet.
Anna slipped out of the room like a ghost, using the excuse of fetching food to reach a secluded spot. There, she quietly released a little bug.
The green bug flapped its wings and disappeared in an instant. Anna glanced around before picking up the food and leaving quietly.
After she was gone, the bug that had flown halfway seemed to catch a scent. Its long antennae twitched, and it drifted off its original path before landing in a pair of snow-white hands.
The person was none other than Salu, Yue Chu’s maid.