"... Why the change of mind, Mother Empress?"
The Crown Prince was sitting with Yasenia, looking at his mother with a confused expression. She just told him to take Yasenia as a wife, and the way she spoke was as if she was almost pushing her into his arms.
Yasenia sat, appearing somewhat shy. When the Crown Prince and Empress Long looked at her adorable expression, both of them gulped. Empress Long noticed her son's gaze, and a surge of jealousy appeared in her stomach. However, she held back and spoke.
"I've interacted quite closely with Yasenia during this week."
The Crown Prince snorted. "As if I can't tell. Your scent is all over her, Mother."
Empress Long laughed elegantly. "Can't I hug my future daughter-in-law when she is that adorable?"
The Crown Prince sighed. "Okay. We'll do as you say. What about the fight that you were going to prepare to test her?"
Empress Long was about to speak, but Yasenia interrupted. "I'll do it."
Both royals frowned and looked at Yasenia. Empress Long spoke somewhat commandingly. "Yasenia. There is no need for it. Listen to Mother, okay?"
Yasenia showed a meek body language, her shoulders shrinking slightly. However, her gaze remained determined. "I have confidence. Please, Mother, trust me. Once I win this battle, there will be no one to block the Crown Prince's and my pairing."
Empress Long's face showed a slightly envious expression while the Crown Prince grabbed Yasenia's hand tightly and with a smile. Empress Long asked, her tone dignified, but to those who knew her well, it was full of bitterness. "Do you love my son that much?"
Yasenia blinked twice and smiled. "I do, and, if I become Lord Crown Prince's princess, I will also be able to be near Mother often…"
By the end of her words, her cheeks had a natural blush, making both dragons feel heat in their waiting area. The Crown Prince looked at Empress Long and spoke firmly. "Agree to it. I will make sure to protect her if the fight becomes too dangerous."
Empress Long snorted. "You don't intervene. Do you want to throw the face of our lineage defending a non-married dragon? Your mother will interfere and protect her well, don't worry. A wife or a concubine, both are valid since you both love each other."
The Crown Prince nodded and smiled. "Thank you."
Empress Long sighed and stood up. "Either way, let's go. That girl must be here already."
Yasenia and the Crown Prince followed behind her. Empress Long sent Yasenia a message through the Spiritual Sense. 'Little girl, are you sure? I know you want to impress Mother. However, you know that you don't need to.'
Yasenia answered with a slightly pampered tone. 'Mother, trust Yasenia. I will return to your side and ask for lots of rewards~.'
Empress Long's cold face twitched slightly, her lips uncontrollably arching into a happy smile. 'Okay, Mother will trust you.'
The Crown Prince spoke. "The girl you are facing is Chu Dalar. She is the first daughter of General Chu, one of the top powers both politically and militarily in our Empire. She is the strongest candidate to become the Crown Princess."
Yasenia hugged his muscular arm and smiled. "That was before I appeared. I promise not to make a fool of myself."
The Crown Prince gulped when incomparable softness surrounded his arm. He noticed that his usual calm demeanor was easily broken in front of Yasenia.
They arrived at a large arena, and Yasenia observed the surroundings. 'Hoh? There are a few people around here.'
The ones who stood out the most were the ten people wearing similar attire. They were all part of the Chu family. Around the area, Yasenia could see other elegantly dressed people. Crown Prince lowered his head and whispered into Yasenia's ear with his pleasant, low voice. "The woman with red hair is your opponent. Those around are part of the royal family and have come to observe. The man with grey hair over there is the third prince, and the gentle woman by his side is Noble Concubine Long, his mother."
Yasenia nodded and absorbed all the information. Still, before he finished saying things, another woman rushed from the Chu family group and jumped into the Crown Prince's arms. "Brother Long!"
The Crown Prince caught the woman and smiled faintly. "Oh? Isn't this little sister Chu?"
The woman was a peak-level mortal dragon, and once in his arms, she glared at Yasenia. "Who are you to walk hugging Brother Long's arm? Don't you know that my sister is his fianceé!? Step back and don't stain him with your filthy scent!"
The Crown Prince frowned and was about to scold when Yasenia looked at her and smiled. "Hey."
The woman stepped between the Crown Prince and Yasenia. She was slightly short, but her body was dragon-class. Those curves were superior to even Angel's. "What? Do you want to fight?"
Yasenia chuckled, and then her face turned cold. "Kneel. [Cosmos Dragon Imperial Suppression]."
BOOM!
Her bloodline aura exploded like a hurricane, making everyone's face change for the first time. Even Empress Long and the Crown Prince opened their eyes widely as Yasenia's imposing presence manifested.
The arrogant girl's face turned as pale as a sheet of paper as her legs started trembling. She didn't even realize what was happening before her legs buckled and she fell to her knees. Yasenia placed a hand on her head and smiled. "Good. Remember, girl, no mortal Dragon can talk to me that way, and you must address me with respect. Okay?"
The predatory golden eyes of the dragon woman made the Chu family's younger daughter almost burst into tears. However, she quickly nodded, afraid that the woman in front of her would eat her.
Seeing her obedient face, Yasenia retrieved her aura, and her face became gentle. Caressing her cheek, Yasenia spoke softly. "Sorry for that. I just didn't want you to do anything worse that you'd regret later. Can you forgive this big sister?"
The girl, who was much older than Yasenia age-wise, burst into tears and hugged Yasenia. Yasenia's gentle aura was extremely soothing after the terrifying presence. "Woo! Sister, that was so scary! I am so sorry!"
Yasenia patted her head softly. "There, there." She looked at the Chu family people and bowed her head faintly. "I am sorry, elders. I didn't want things to escalate, so I decided to suppress her before anything worse happened."
The Chu family's eldest daughter squinted and spoke. Her figure was valiant, and her face was full of charm and grace. "Not bad. I heard that you want to compete with me for Elder Brother Long's affection?"
Yasenia smiled and walked forward fearlessly. 'This is a society of dragons. Strength is appreciated. Therefore, even if I act somewhat presumptuous, as long as I have the strength to back my actions, I won't be hated.'
Once she was in front of the red-haired Chu woman, Yasenia looked into her blue eyes. "Sister Chu is elegant, beautiful, and strong. Your talent is also great. However, compared to me, you are lacking. I took a fancy to Lord Crown Prince, so I am going to make it clear whose he is. Of course, I won't stop Lord Crown Prince from taking concubines. Nor will I make it difficult for them. I believe that a harmonious harem is the true path to a happy family with strong children."
"Bold." The woman smiled and extended her hand. "I am Chu Dalar. I accept your challenge. Also, since you've been so generous, I'll say the same as well. Whoever loses this will become Elder Brother Long's concubine, and whoever wins will lead the harem harmoniously."
Yasenia grabbed her hand and smiled. "I am Yasenia Dravory."
After grabbing hands, there was no time to speak further. Both women jumped backward, appearing on the edge of the arena. Chu Dalar extended her hand, summoning a gorgeous blue spear.
Meanwhile, Yasenia summoned Draheart in its giant sword form.
Empress Long appeared in the middle of the arena and spoke aloud. "This is a battle to the death. However, people are able to intervene before a decisive strike. Once intervened, that person will be considered a loser! The fight will begin in 10… 9…"
Chu Dalar spoke. "Yasenia Dravory. You are a mortal dragon. However, I won't hold back. Be careful not to be killed in one strike."
Yasenia nodded. "I appreciate that. No need to worry, though."
"3… 2… 1… Go!"
"[Chu Flower Steps]."
"[Pegasus Gallop]."
Both women disappeared and reappeared in the middle of the arena, their weapons crackling with energy.
"[Chu Dragon Spear Sweep]!"
"[Empyrean Sun Collapse]!"
The aura of both attacks engulfed the arena, and everyone's faces once more cracked in awe and surprise. They could feel the endless aura coming from Chu Dalar, which was normal. However, when Yasenia's skill manifested, it didn't lose at all compared with Chu Dalar's strike!
BOOM!
Both attacks met in the middle, and the arena was filled with violent energies. Yasenia and Chu Dalar were pushed back several hundred meters, stabilizing only after sliding their feet for a few moments.
Empress Long, Crown Prince, and the rest of the people looked at Yasenia's elegant form with wide-open eyes.
The Little Sister Chu exclaimed. "They are… equally matched!? How can that big sister match my big sister's strength!? Isn't she a mortal dragon!?"
Chu Dalar blinked a few times, and then her lips arched widely. "Hahaha! Did you actually blow me back from the collision? What kind of monster are you, Yasenia Dravory?"
Our Dragoness grinned. "A very passionate monster. Sister Chu, I'll go all out from now on, so be careful."
Chu Dalar burst into laughter once more, and she pointed a spear at Yasenia. "Come! This Chu wants to see the abilities of a true monstrous genius!"
"All buffs, unlock."
Yasenia's aura swelled for a second, making the space around her expand like a balloon. Then, the space collapsed inward, before exploding violently.
BOOM!
Yasenia's aura became vast as the galaxy, her hair dancing wildly as her Spiritual, Body, and Soul path techniques buffed her body to realms beyond mortal strength. "[Tyrant Soul Shadow]."
A second Yasenia appeared by her side, grabbing a bow instead of a giant sword. Then, Yasenia took a step forward.
CRACK!
A spider-web of cracks spread far from her stepping point before she raised her sword and lunged forward. "[Empyrean Sun Collapse]."
A Sun was born in the middle of the arena and rushed toward Chu Dalar with enough might to collapse a continent.