138 The broken doll 11

But if your talent is anything to base your future off, then there is no need to be worried in the slightest."

"Well, let me not keep you here any longer." said Hendrix

"Today is about you and princess Levina after all"

As Hendrix said this, he lightly pushed him, urging him forward.

As Dante was walking forward, he turned to look back at Vincent and Jarred. As he looked back, he could only see them nod at him, urging him on.

Taking a deep breath, Dante collected himself and stepped forward, going deeper into the giant hall.

After just a few steps, Dante was already in front of the stairs that lead up to a typical ornate throne.

The princess had just been sitting there quietly, watching over the talks that just happened with a stony face.

Dante looked up and for the first time since he entered, the room got a close up proper look at the princess.

She was wearing a deep purple robe with long sky blue hair flowed down her back.

Despite all this, what grabbed Dante's attention the most was the strange mask on her face.

Dante could only describe it as one similar to the ballroom masks seen in his previous life.

An exquisitely designed silver mask covered the all the right side of her face along with her nose. The mask ended up leaving only space for her left eye and mouth. 

As Dante looked at her mask, his attention was grabbed by her eyes. 

He found the signature violet eyes of the Royal family were devoid of any emotion. 

No interest, no pleasure, simply a lifeless stare.

Dante didn't stare for  long and quickly averted his gaze.

Dante took a light bow as he introduced himself introduced himself.

"It's a pleasure to meet princess Levina. I'm sure you know this already, but my name is Dante Kinsman of the Kinsman Clan."

"I must say, I've heard rumours of your highness's beauty, but it's possible for the words to do you any justice"

hearing Dante's words,Princess Levina covered her mouth as she smiled

"You've got quite the sweet tongue for such a little boy."

Dante just put on a warm smile as he replied, 

"while it may seem like pointless flattery, it is really the best way to describe my opinion right now-"

but suddenly, as Dante was speaking Princess Levina cut him off.

"I've heard many stories about the pride of the Dragon Son of War, with him being so fearless as to even fight a prince of the Kingdom on his first day at the Hidden Dragon Academy."

As Princess Levina was saying this, a taunting smile swept across her face

"I just can't help but wonder if you find it humiliating to be begging and grovelling in front of me right now!"

hearing this, Dante's body lightly shook as he subconsciously asked, 

"Pardon?"

" I asked if it hurts the pride of our mighty Dragon son to be begging a princess for their hand in marriage?"

As soon as Princess Levina said those words, the air in the room quickly froze as the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.

slowly the flattering smile on Dante's face soon morphed into an ice cold frown 

"Hahaha! There it is!" laughed Levina 

"The pride of our little Dragon Son of war!"

As Levina said this, she slowly walked down her steps, standing right before Dante and standing right before him. 

Dante just watched on with a bone chilling expression, But Levina didn't seem to care in the slightest.

Staring up into his face with a wide smile on her face yet somehow her bright Violet eyes still managed to remain as emotionless and dead as ever!

"Has anyone ever told you, you have too much confidence for a mere peasant!"

Dante wasn't even offended by Levina's words and just sneered as he responded, 

"such a twisted personality. You really do live up to your title of, 'the broken doll' of Royal Family!"

Hearing Dante's words, Jarred's old almost stopped got beating!

The boy really had done it! To dare insult the princess in front of her own Grandfather the legendary general, Hendrix Invidus.

Jarred really had to teach this boy  a lesson today!

But just before Jarred could go up and stop Dante, he suddenly felt an arm on his shoulder.

looking back, Jarred was shocked to see the person holding him back was none other than Hendrix!

"leave them alone. Let them sort it out themselves. , isn't it more interesting that way?"

As Hendrix said this a smirk appeared on his face 

Helpless, Jarred could only sit back down and watch the show but unfortunately for Jarred, Dante wasn't even done speaking yet. 

"Besides, My Princess, you seem to be getting a few things confused.

Don't mistake my courtesy for begging. We both know you stand to benefit from this marriage as much as I am.

Your younger brother, Lloyd Vaenam.

As the oldest son of the King, not only does he have the backing of the more traditional ministers, and as the Dragon Son of Governance, he also has the backing of the Hidden Dragon Academy."

as Dante was speaking, a cold sneer crept onto his face.

"Even with the backing of a living legend like Minister Hendrix, you're already fighting an uphill battle.

You can't afford to let Lloyd control the nee  from the Hidden Dragon Academy. You need allies in the academy," Explained Dante 

"More correctly, you need me."

"Clap! Clap!"

listening in on Dante's speech, Levina couldn't help but applaud.

"I'm impressed. You seem to have a clear understanding of my situation, but aren't you forgetting your own problems?"

In such a short time, you've managed to get into a conflict with not one but two Royal princes."

"In such a short time you've managed to get into a conflict with not one but two Royal princes."

"Rumour has even spread that your position of Dragon Son has made you fearless and hold no respect for Royal power, if not then why would you have already fought 2 princes. There are even some outlandish rumours about you surfacing that you said you wouldn't even bow down to the King if he was in front of you!"

As soon as Dante heard this, a twisted expression appeared on his face.

The allegations Levina brought before him were no joke!

disregard of the sovereignty was a crime only punishable by death. Such rumours were truly malicious!

If they could somehow provide evidence for these statements, it would only take days before Dante was sent to the gallows. 

Don't be blinded by the apparent power of the Hidden Dragon Academy. The real ruler is sand will always be the Vaenam Royal family, after all the purpose of the Academy is to train loyal servants for the Royal Family.

It's okay to disrespect a prince but even the title of a Dragon Son won't save Dante from disrespecting a King!

'Lloyd Vaenam' 

Looking at the news Dante didn't even have to think long before the taunting smile of that bastard appeared in his mind.

He was the only person that Dante had offended recently that had the power to do this.

Of course, there was Prince Edwin, but Dante knew that even if that fool was given 6 more months, he would struggle to come up with this plot. 

But this only showed the Devious nature of Lloyd.

it was only hours ago that Dante and Lloyd had gotten into a disagreement and yet such a malicious rumour about him was already circulating.

And the scary thing is, this wasn't even a baseless rumour.

Just looking at Dante's past actions and demeanour, it was actually quite easy to buy into this thinking and if you didn't at least believe it you may start to suspect something.

Seeing The twisted expression on Dante's face, the smile on Levina's face only widened.

"Don't be confused Little boy, The truth is that you need me just as much I need you.

This marriage is nothing other than a simple trade.

"I get the help of the Hidden Dragon Academy"

"And I get some protection from the Royal Family," said Dante as he finished off Levina's statement.

For a second, both Dante and Levina coldly stared at each other before they both burst into a smile and reached out to shake each other's hand

"Then it's a deal, my little Dragon Son," said Princess Levina 

"Of course, my Princess," replied Dante as he made a slight courteous bow.

While on the outside, it seemed like a warm deal between two happy parties, but the utter disgust in each other's eyes just showed the disdain they already held for each other. 

"Your only value to me is in your title of Dragon Son and your future potential.

I've heard many stories of your unbelievable talent, but in end, I can't be certain until I see it myself. I hope you don't mind if I test this out!"