Fighting is Meaningless

16. Square One

When Blade entered in the tavern after a fast patrol, he really wanted to enjoy a night stroll with the Prince before actually preparing for the predicted meeting with the group of elves.

But he really didn't expect to see Dan Heng with his ears completely red, arm-wrestling with a man way bigger than him, completely drunk.

"What is... this" Blade couldn't help but laugh for a moment to then actually feel his own eyes burning out of madness.

Is he letting that stinky man hold his hand?!

Has his Highness lost his mind?!

He sighed heavily and walked fast towards the table where men were cheering the two parts looking at each others with such a stare full of challenge.

"You should surrender, boy, this is not a challenge for babies like you" the big man said, giggling to then grit his teeth feeling Dan Heng holding on his arm on the table

"You should bathe, boy, you stink." Dan Heng replied, using the same tone, making some men laugh like crazy. They were all awfully drunk and Blade was moving the hand on his own forehead.

Dan Heng really was... showing himself totally different, and it was fucking amusing to Blade's eyes.

"What did I get myself into... He's totally... out of his mind" the duke said to then punch the table, making the big man flinch and Dan Heng in that moment pushed his arm on the table effortlessly

"I won" the Prince said under everyone's puzzled stare, even Blade's. Dan Heng tilted his head and crossed his arms, expecting... something, showing a grumpy stare like he wasn't pleased, he wanted a praise.

Fuck, he's adorable. Blade kept the hands slammed on the table and for a moment he kept also the head down, trying not to let the others see his flustered face at the sight of the Crown Prince drunk.

"You." Blade's red eyes locked on the big man who stand up and started to tremble

"Duke! This man.... he! He did it! He asked!"

Dan Heng closed his eyes, his head tilted like he hadn't even the strenght to keep it still "He spoke about the North Duke being a dog... No brains, just monkeys... That's really disrespectful..." he did shrug innocently as Blade's smile looked awfully evil "Apparently in this territory, the arm-wrestling sets things... I have read in a novel... just like the knights duel... you know" he then started to hiccup and his eyes were teary "Ah... did I fail also to...."

Blade's eyes opened up and he rushed to get Dan Heng to stand up. Nobody was worth to see the Crown Prince crying, was he crazy? The duke was about to get e free mental breakdown to protect Dan Heng's dignity.

"Your Highness" he whispered softly "If you let even a tear get out of those beautiful eyes in front of those idiots, I will get furious, wait a moment" he said to then walk fast towards the big man and punch him so strongly that he fell to the ground

"You better keep your mouth shut for a while unless you want to find your balls and your tongue in your own hands." he smiled evilly to then turn and get back to Dan Heng who was wobbling "I swear... I wouldn't expect you to get drunk, you do not look that... carefree to let yourself in the pleasure of getting drunk" Blade spoke as he was leading him to the second floor where the rooms of the tavern were.

"I wanted to... feel more... part of the village life..." Dan Heng muttered, letting Blade even wrapping the arm around his waist without complaining "You... everyone... meddle so easily... I... I felt left out... like always"

"You're a Prince... this place doesn't suit much, but you can't help it with alcohol... A star can't fall and expect to pretend to be a butterfly... You'd still shine, your Highness" he said and Dan Heng did giggle in tears, while Blade was opening the door of their room.