Chapter 15: Gathering

[Host have been poisoned]

[Host stats have been halved till effects wear off]

[Host abilities has also been affected, reducing its potency to 30%]

"She thinks that would work on me, huh?" Kael muttered, leaning on the wall. A smile slowly appeared on his face as he settled on the chair. "You can leave now," he said. "Get me some clothes, that's all I just need," he said to the lady who stared at him weirdly.

"But why would she do this? What's she up to?" He couldn't help but wonder after the maid had left the room. His body was already healing with the abyssal energy destroying the toxins within his system.

[That's what you get for thinking with your little guy]

The system voice echoed in his head, causing a frown to appear on his face. "Why do I have the feeling you knew this was going to happen?"

Sigh~

Quickly dressing up in the clothes the maid had dropped on his bed, he slumped on the bed, stifling a yawn. "I guess I should eat the food," he muttered after some time. He was certain the same substance must have been placed in the food, but he didn't mind since his body would gladly do its job in ridding off the toxins.

Just like he thought, the food had also been poisoned, but that didn't bother him as he enjoyed the meal and finished up the food before deciding to sleep.

___

The sun rose, spreading its golden rays across the large building situated close to a magnificent palace in the Amazonian Kingdom.

Inside one of the rooms in the building, Kael was already up and dressed for the day. His blue hair had been neatly combed and packed with a band highlighting his chiselled jaw and charming face. Dressed in a long white robe with linings of blue at the edges, he made his way out of the building.

Just as he opened the door of his room, he was confronted by a golden haired figure who stumbled before him due to the sudden force from the door. Kael caught the figure in his arms, staring at her with a smile.

"Oh, it's you," he said with a mocking grin. "What do I owe this pleasant visit to? I thought you left me in the hands of your beautiful maid?"

"Get your dirty hands off me," Aretha fumed with flushed cheeks as she quickly freed herself from his grasp. After regaining herself, she finally stared at the smiling Kael with a frown. Trying to exert her usual dominance, her chest heaved upwards as she muttered a few words. "Good, you're dressed already. Follow me," she ordered, making her way with fluid grace towards the door at the end of the room.

Kael followed quite mesmerised by her beauty. "Princess Aretha is truly one of a kind," he muttered to himself, making sure to stay behind her. She pushed the door, revealing a large hall with a long table filled with various foods and drinks.

Kael couldn't help but stare in shock. Not at the food but at the individuals seated across the table. A total of twelve male figures with distinguishing figures sat in patience as if waiting for some important figure.

Kael could sense the tense atmosphere within and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he sensed killing intents directed towards him.

"Princess Aretha, you're looking beautiful as ever." A guy with red slit eyes and scales adorning some parts of his face finally took a bold step, rising from his chair and complimenting the stunning princess.

He walked towards their direction and couldn't help but stare at Kael with an expressionless face before looking back at Princess Aretha with a bright smile.

"Thanks," Princess Aretha replied with a forced smile as she continued in her steps.

Sigh~

"I still can't believe Mother told me to dine with them," she thought blazing with anger within, but she didn't dare to display it outwards. Her face was laced with the same serene smile that could even melt the heart of the coldest ice dragon in the realm.

They both settled on the remaining chair left, causing Kael to sit close to her while the rest stared in envy. Princess Aretha was at the centre between Kael and the guy from before. His name was Duncan, the fourth Prince of the Dragon Kingdom, one of the formidable races present in this realm.

With everyone finally seated, they began eating with a few throwing out casual remarks to Princess Aretha all trying to impress her. Kael sat quietly, not the least bothered about their attempt, focused mainly on his food. "This food is really delicious," he muttered loudly, smacking his lips.

The days at the abyss, he hadn't eaten anything there. The food he ate the previous night wasn't to be compared to this tantalising dish, which ignited his appetite. "The maid is truly a great cook." He let out a soft puff after emptying his plate.

Princess Aretha could suddenly feel her cheeks heating up hearing him compliment the cook. She soon noticed a pair of eyes staring at her face.

"This is nothing special," one of the guys said. A long green haired guy with a golden set of eyes named Lucius. He was from one of the high families who served directly under one of the gods. They were known for amazing strength and position in the rankings of this realm.

"Don't tell me you were the one who prepared this glamorous feast." Kael muttered with a slight smile, hoping to tease her.

"I was the one who cooked it, actually," Princess Aretha said, gazing at him with a proud smile.

"..."

Kael never knew she was the one who prepared the meal and just wanted to tease her. His eyes widened on hearing this while a smile slowly crept across his lips.

There were a few coughing around the table coming mostly from Lucius, while the rest were thankful they weren't given the chance to comment on the matter earlier.

"You're truly an amazing cook, Princess Aretha," Duncan complimented her with a smile. The others tried complimenting her while Lucius was slightly fluttered.

The meal continued in silence, and finally, it was over. Kael couldn't help but smile as he stood up, preparing to leave the room. Throughout the meal, he could sense killing intent directed at him from a particular figure, but he appeared to be calm, not the least bothered.

"Uhmm, hold on, you can't leave now…" Just as she was speaking, the door was pushed open.

"Oh," Kael muttered, staring at the figure that entered the hall. Queen Otrera! Everyone stood while paying respect to her. Although each figure, with the exception of Kael, all came from high families, they still paid respect to the Amazonian Queen. After all, they were in her kingdom, and her strength wasn't to be messed with.

"Alright, I guess you're done with your meal. Let's head to the castle then," she said before staring at kael and then nodding her head in satisfaction.

The walk was brief and quiet with both ladies at the front while Kael followed lost in his thoughts. From the stories he had read about the amazons, they never really entertained males except for mating or those who work as slaves under them.

Kael was sure the rest of the figures behind him came from powerful families judging by their aura and pride. "Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking," Kael muttered, pausing in his tracks for a moment. Arriving at the queen's palace, she settled on her throne while Aretha stood behind her. Strangely, her other daughters were not present, causing the throne room to be quiet.

"I believe you're all aware of the reason here." In total, there were thirteen contenders, including Kael, who stood before the Queen. Kael couldn't help but raise his brow hearing that. 'I don't know why I'm here!' He thought, staring at the queen with a frown.

The Queen gazed at him with a slight smile, before continuing. My daughter here has finally decided to choose her man among you all but on some conditions.

"What?!! Kael muttered with eyes wide open. C-choose a husband? You've got to be kidding me!"