Princess Alice was reduced to tears by Freya. Karl couldn’t ignore it—he quickly helped the little princess up and guided her to a seat.

“Waaah… Sir Karl, I’m so useless. I’m sorry.”

Karl looked at the tearful, apologetic girl, momentarily at a loss for words.

She was undeniably cute, yet never listened.

Call her annoying? She’d still give her all for you.

For a heartbeat, Karl had no reply.

Just then, a golden-haired man—matching Princess Alice’s shade—approached Karl and Alice.

Handsome, clad in white-and-gold royal ceremonial robes.

Unmistakably the Thirteenth Prince who’d arrived with her: Elgin.

Karl rose instantly, gave a slight bow.

“Your Highness Elgin, Princess Alice is unharmed. This was merely a misunderstanding. My sincerest apologies.”

But the words barely left his lips when Elgin raised a hand to strike Alice’s face.

Karl reacted in a flash, catching the prince’s wrist.

“Your Highness—what are you doing? Has Princess Alice truly done something wrong?”

Blocked, Elgin let out an annoyed “Tch,” then smoothed his expression with icy elegance.

“I struck her for one reason only: she shamed the royal family.”

Beside them, Alice kept her head bowed in silence, offering no defense.

Elgin continued, voice cold.

“Women exist to serve men. For them to brawl over a man? Utterly disgraceful. And worse—she *lost*. Does that not imply the royal house is beneath your mere Earl’s household?”

Karl’s eye twitched violently.

*Dude, you’re lucky you weren’t born in 21st-century Earth. You’d be canceled in seconds.*

*No—frankly, I wanna punch you right now.*

But royalty demanded restraint. Karl forced a smile.

“Your Highness, you overstate it. Freya and Princess Alice were merely sparring friendly. Victory means nothing.”

Elgin glared. “Easy for the winner to say. *Our* dignity is tarnished—not yours.”

Karl was speechless. *All Alice’s fault… Why pick a duel?!*

“We deeply apologize. How would you wish this resolved, Your Highness?”

Elgin’s eyebrow lifted slightly. “Simple. Freya fights me exactly as she fought Alice. I reclaim the honor *she* lost.”

“Ah… um…”

*Another duel?! Can’t you people try chess or something?!*

Freya strode over with confident grace.

“Karl, don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

Karl shot her a look of pure exasperation.

*Worried about YOU? I’m worried about *Prince Elgin*! If he ends up crying too, we’re doomed!*

Thinking fast, Karl interjected:

“Your Highness, I’ve heard you excel at beast taming. Freya just bonded with a magical beast—how about a duel between familiars instead?”

*Mimi’s still a pup. She can’t possibly thrash the prince’s beast… right?*

Elgin’s brow rose, intrigued. “A beast duel? Don’t say I didn’t warn you—my Flame Hound isn’t like Alice the useless’s Flame Tiger. Mine is *formidable*.”

“Then we’ll gladly see it.”

Karl exhaled inwardly. *Just keep the prince entertained. Anything.*

Freya smiled, unwavering. “Then witness Mimi’s progress these past few days.”

…………….

In the Earl’s garden, Mimi stood firm on the open ground. Behind her, Freya’s silver hair fluttered in the breeze.

Mimi’s eyes burned with soldier-like resolve.

Before Elgin, a silvery magic circle shimmered. From it emerged a half-meter crimson pup, flames licking its back.

“I won’t bully you. Yours looks like a pup—so is mine. This Flame Hound? Trained barely a week. Already obedient.”

The hound crouched low, emitting a warning growl.

Freya’s lips curved. “Underestimating Mimi will cost you dearly.”

Elgin snorted. “I don’t take lessons from women.”

Karl felt utterly drained. *Damn… does this prince hate all women? Why keep saying punch-me lines?!*

But his real fear? *His beast getting wrecked by Mimi.*

*Heaven and Earth—please let Mimi lose~~~ Don’t offend the prince! The Sovani family can’t survive this!!!!*

As Karl prayed inwardly, the Flame Hound lunged.

A fist-sized fireball shot toward Mimi.

She sidestepped nimbly, kicked off the ground, and charged—her only move: a straight tackle.

But before contact, the hound swiped a claw. *Thwack!* Mimi slammed into the dirt.

Karl sighed in relief. *Good girl, Mimi!!! Just stay down!! Tasty treats await!*

Then Freya’s voice cut through:

“Mimi! This is your debut! You won’t shame Karl, will you?”

Mimi sprang up, head high, unleashing a fierce cry:

“Mee!!!!”

Karl’s soul nearly left his body.

*I don’t care about shame!!!*

*Please, Mimi—surrender! Play dead! For the love of—*

( T﹏T )