139 A simple transaction

And the scary thing is that 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 outright, you would probably start to suspect something.

All this added up, creating a mountain of problems for Dante. 

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 slightly 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!"

As Levina said this, her eyes flashed with a golden flicker before she suddenly exploded in a bright wave of lightning! 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a blinding golden spear appeared in Levina's hand as she lunged at Dante with a blinding speed!

"Bang!"

As the smoke cleared, the image of Dante's scaly red claw firmly clutching Levina's spear could be seen.

"Well Princess, is this enough for you?" Said Dante as he flung the Princess back with powerful force.

"of course it is!" replied Levina as a dazzling smile appeared on her face.

"I hope to have a pleasant experience working with you from now on, Dante?"

After hearing this, a brief smile appeared on Dante's face as he slowly spoke

"The feeling is mutual, Princess."

"Well, seeing as the deal has been concluded, I guess I don't need to stay any longer. I'll be taking my leave now."

in response to this, Levina didn't even reply and lightly waved as she walked back to her throne.

"BANG!"

Dante slammed the doors behind him so hard that the entire room seemed to shake.

Princess Levina just watched Dante's childish display of frustration and smirked 

seeing Dante walk out those double doors, Vincent and Jarred just awkwardly looked at each other before hurriedly saying goodbye to Minister Hendrix and swiftly following after Dante. 

Hendrix took a second to watch the group quickly leave the hall before he slowly floated to the side of Levina.

Levina was now seated comfortably back on her throne, watching on with a cold expression as if nothing had happened.

"Sigh.."

"So Levina, care to explain to me the purpose of this stunt you pulled just now?" asked Minister Hendrix 

Levina just yawned lazily as she casually replied.

"It's simple grandpa, I don't like that little boy you brought."

"The simple reason is, for a simple peasant, he's just too arrogant! You saw the display he pulled just now. He simply believes he's above everyone!"

"Now Levina, don't think you can fool me so easily," replied Hendrix

"That boy was willing to be humble in front of you up until you humiliated him like that. Of course, such a young, talented man like himself won't take such an insult kindly."

After hearing Hendrix's words, the playful aura around Levina disappeared and was instead replaced with a chilling look.

"This marriage is supposed to be nothing more than a simple transaction between two parties and nothing less. It would be a great nuisance to my plans if that little boy tried to develop it into anything more."

Seeing Levina's cold look, Hendrix couldn't help but ask out of curiosity,

"Aren't you the least bit interested in the boy?"

"He's quite handsome and extremely talented on top of that. I just find it hard to believe you don't even feel the slightest hint of interest."

In response, Levina just smiled plainly as she calmly replied,

"His looks don't change a thing."

"Even if he was a fat old man, I wouldn't care.

As long as he can bring me closer to my goal of becoming queen, I would marry him in a heartbeat."

Looking at the twisted psychology of his granddaughter, Hendrix couldn't help but sigh.

'She really is too far gone,' thought Hendrix in guilt 

'Well, seeing as I was the one who even let this mess happen, the least I could do was allow her to reach her dream, no matter how twisted it was.'

'I wasn't there for her mother, but I surely won't make the same mistake twice!

No matter what she wants, I'll make sure she gets it!'

As Hendrix thought this, a determined look flashed across his eyes

....

meanwhile, as Hendrix and Levina were having their conversation 

Dante and the others had finally made it into their carriage.

As soon as the carriage doors closed behind them, the smile on Dante's face quickly warped into an icy cold glare as he spoke to Jarred.

"Grandfather. There's no way you actually expect me to stay married to a woman like her for the rest of my life!"

Jarred could see the cold fury slowly growing in Dante's eyes, but in the end, he could just awkwardly shrug as he responded.

"well she does have a bit of personality to her, but that's about it-"

But before Jarred could even finish speaking, Dante swiftly interrupted.

"A bit of a personality?"

"What do you even mean by a bit of a personality?!' I've spent less than an hour with her and I already despise her personality!" complained Dante 

"In my opinion, the only words you can use to describe her are an annoying little shit! God forbid I actually spend the rest of my days with that woman!"

Jarred was a bit displeased by Dante's use of language and bluntly spoke to him.

"Well, tough!"

"In this world, barely anyone is privileged enough to marry whoever they want and besides, you're the one who forced yourself into this situation. 

Who told you to go provoke 2 princes and earn the ire of the royal family in just a few days?"

But even after hearing jarred words, Dante just couldn't accept it!

"Okay, but even if I need to marry a princess, who says it needs to be her? I doubt out of the countless royal princesses she's the only one you could choose."

"she may not have been the only one," said Jarred 

"But she is by far the most powerful one!"

"As the granddaughter of a living legend like Hendrix Invidus, she was already quite an influential figure.

But now if we take into account the chemistry between the Minister of war and The Dragon Son of War, it was only natural we chose her"

"Think about it Dante, the Dragon son of War and the Minister of War from the same family!

Together the two of you could theoretically have the power to play a major role in the lives of almost 70% of the kingdom's generals and soldiers from their growth in the academy all the way up until  their eventual deployment!"

Seeing that even this wasn't enough to convince Dante, he slyly added.

"Besides, even if you don't like her, who says she's the only one you spend time with? I'm sure you'll be able to take on a few concubines in the future, so your opinion of the princess won't even matter much."

Hearing Jarred's words, Dante only sneered.

It was clear from the doubtful look on his face even he himself didn't believe what he was saying 

"Grandfather, please, I'm not a fool." Said Dante.

"There's no way I'd ever believe what you just said right now.

Even if Levina herself didn't care and let me get a concubine, do you really think Minister Hendrix would let me treat his granddaughter like that?" 

"The day I publicly go and take a concubine is the day I wake up to an army outside of my house!"

Jarred just awkwardly smiled as he heard Dante's words.

He also knew that as long as Minister Hendrix still had his head screwed on right, he would do everything in his power to prevent Dante from getting a concubine.

But even if he knew this, he still had to try to convince Dante in some way or the other.

He at least had to try.

But fortunately for Jarred, eventually, after much persuading, Dante decided that he was really left with no othe