Dark Moon : Rise of The Dark King

Second Arc (His Art of War) - 72. His Kingdom Victory, His Loss

Second Arc (His Art of War) - 72. His Kingdom Victory, His Loss

Even though Angel heard Rose's muttering, he pretended not to hear it. He understood her hatred because they were enemies right now. He descended from the throne to approach Rose and extended his hand, slowly his dark aura that enveloping her returned to him.
"Flare, take her!" he ordered. His eyes still stuck on her. He couldn't entrust her safety to anyone other than Flare, Rose could fight and judge by her recklessness in Asteria five years ago, he could say her stubbornness was the same as Queen Thea's.

But before Flare answered him, Artheur interrupted.
"Wait! Rose is my fiancé, you can't take her just like that!" shouted Artheur. His anger peaked, Angel had taken his kingdom, forced his father to sign a surrender letter. And now he wanted to take the woman he loves.

Angel turned his gaze to Artheur.
"With the unfinished ring exchange ceremony, you aren't engaged yet." He knew it was only Artheur's excuse to prevent him from taking her, after all, weren't they getting engaged politically out of fear of him? Now their kingdoms had fallen into his hands, this engagement should be useless.

"But, my ring is already on her finger! So she is my fiancé!"

Since Artheur was concerned about the ring on her finger, he simply grabbed Rose's hand, took the ring and threw it.
"The ring is gone, she's not your fiancé anymore," he said simply.

"With a ring or not, she's still my fiancé!" insisted Artheur.

He sighed in annoyance.
"Prince Artheur, what exactly do you want?" he asked straight to the point.

"In Draconis tradition, engagement can't be broken except through a duel. So, Angelus Raizel Moonfall, I, Artheur Rayner Fallensoar, challenge you for a duel!" said Artheur as he glared at Angel. This was his chance to settle his competition that was delayed five years ago and also prevented him from taking Rose away. Because once Rose went to Euphorion, he didn't know when he'd be able to see her again.

"We just fought earlier, was I not hitting you hard enough, so you dare challenge me again?" said Angel in a mocking tone.

Artheur smirked.
"Are you afraid? I didn't know the King of Euphorion was actually just a coward!" He would make Angel accept this challenge.

"Prince Artheur, don't provoke me. You are not in a position to negotiate with me," he said in a cynical tone.

Seeing Artheur desperately preventing Angel from taking her, Rose looked at Artheur gently.
"Artheur, I'm fine. Don't neglect your safety for my sake." Rose knew Artheur was no match for Angel. Artheur could die if he duelled Angel.
"Rose, I can't let him take you. We don't know what he's going to do," said Artheur worriedly.

"Thank you for worrying about me," she said. An honest smile appeared on her lips. She appreciated Artheur's kindness, but she also did not want Artheur to sacrifice himself for her.

Angel realized Rose looked at Artheur gently and smiled at him, somehow his heart burning in jealousy. He knew it was just his irrational and his personal feelings that kept bothering him and he realized this only happened when Rose was around him, so he decided to settle this quickly. He approached Artheur, extended his hand and released his dark aura.
"I accept your challenge. With one condition, if I win you can't meet her again. In return, I won't use my weapon or my power. Do you agree?" From Prince Curtis, he already knew the Fallensoar Family's weakness so he was not afraid even if he had to face Artheur without his power.

"I agree," answered Artheur.

Angel and Artheur walked to the middle of the hall. Both of them took off their blazer and rolled up their sleeves. They stopped and looked at each other as they took an attack stance.