Legend of the Immortal

Provocation

Gracie turned her head to see a girl, approximately a few years older than she was, standing there.

Behind her were several guards at a base level of two hundred and fifty.

Arceus, upon seeing this girl's face, turned away, making a disgusted face as he visibly cringed.

He whispered softly,"G, don't mind her. She's just someone who wants to marry me for my father's wealth. Though because we were evenly matched for quite a while, I couldn't get rid of her. No matter what, I have to commend her for her resilience and willpower. It truly is terrifying."

The girl, Emma, upon seeing Arceus, had turned from a sourpuss into a somewhat desperate girl that lusted for Arceus' attention.

"Oh Arceus, I didn't see you there! How 'bout we go somewhere...more private? Away from the hot sun to...chat?" Emma whispered as she curled her hands around Arceus' left hand, like a snake restraining its prey.

She talked in a seductive tone, switching from her somewhat detestable, arrogant voice when talking to Gracie to one which could very much bewitch the average man to the point where he would disregard themselves for her.

Unfortunately for Emma and fortunately for Arceus, Arceus was not your average man.

No, he was Arceus Markus Crowe Andrews Elliot, crown prince to the one of the current five kings under Faunicus Credo of the Credo Empire.

He had seen beautiful women who would willingly throw themselves at him, out of true love, lust for power or money.

A princess from a neighbouring kingdom similarly under direct rule of a king under Faunicus Credo did hold a position to vie for Arceus' hand in marriage.

However, Arceus ultimately held a say in said marriage and he definitely did not fancy Emma one bit.

A stuck-up, arrogant brat one moment when talking to those under her, a pretty, innocent girl the next.

"Uh, no thank you, I am currently training with my partner...As you can see." Arceus turned his face to Gracie, giving her an apologetic smile for dragging her into this.

Emma turned her head to face Gracie, her smile turning into a frown,"Has anyone taught you manners you uncultured whore? When a princess is before you, you have to show respect no? Why aren't you bowing?"

Gracie maintained a peaceful smile.

She had gone through several competitions, all containing arrogant dark horses that were confident in their power despite being considered quite weak.

She had learned that provocation of said arrogant people was quite funny and often did so, giving her small pleasures in a very boring competition.

Gracie raised her eyebrow questioningly,"A princess? My apologies, when I first saw you, I couldn't tell the difference."

Yet, Gracie showed no signs of even remotely bowing.

"So?" Emma said, raising her eyebrows.

"Huh?" Gracie replied in a confused manner, laughing inside.

"Aren't you going to bow?" Emma said, frowning.

"Bow? Why would I do that to someone weaker than me? And before you mention your status, it just makes your position worse no? A weak defenceless girl that can barely make do with her reputation and nothing else. My condolences." Gracie said as she put her hands together, mocking Emma.

Emma fumed,"I will have you know this. I am over level three hundred. Three hundred and seventy five in actuality. Hmph! Do you think you can compare?"

Arceus snickered quietly, a small smile forming on his face.

Though it was true Gracie couldn't compare in reputation, when it came to personal fighting power...Emma was merely a candle compared to the gigantic flame that was Gracie.

However, it was a known fact that Gracie did not need to bow in the face of royalty due to her accomplishments at such a tender age.

Gracie yawned lazily,"Compare to what? Another stuck-up princess that relies on her father's resources to make herself seem like a juicy target for men when all she really is is just a useless, pathetic, arrogant, two-faced stuck-up brat? I doubt there's a need to compare me to such vile human trash is there?" She remarked, looking away nonchalantly as if such remarks were the norm for her.

Emma's face had gone slightly red from both anger and humiliation,"Hmph! Y-you are nothing but a loud-mouthed, animalistic ape that has no manners for royalty! Scum like you should go die!"

Gracie turned her head to look at Emma,"Look. Magic that lets us find out about our origins have shown time and time again, we all were all ape-like in the past. Fact is, we all sprang from apes, it's just that you didn't spring far enough is all."

Emma stomped her foot, her face darkened as her mood declined,"I'm warning you, you bastard. Apologise now and leave before you get it."

Gracie laughed,"Bastard? Hey, i've been called that many times in my life. At least i'm not an actual one, I mean have you compared yourself to your parents? Once you take a look, i'm pretty sure you look nothing alike. Your father's a handsome man, I wonder what happened to him that he had to stoop to a woman that low to make you. Sheesh. My condolences."

"Y-you! I have thousands of suitors while you have none! I have several men willing to attend to me at a moment's notice! I have thousands who have fallen for my beauty i'll have you know! Hmph! I'll have you know i'm a princess of noble birth born from both parents of royal descent from the kingdom of Roost and Belladonna!"

"The only time they fall for you is after they were blinded by a face such as yours. And a pure bred princess eh? Are you sure your father married another woman and not your sister?" Gracie snorted.

Arceus smiled wryly, knowing Gracie was trying to relieve the frustrations he had with Emma as he couldn't do it himself, seeing as he was a prince.

"One more word from you and i'll have you publicly executed." Emma said through gritted teeth.

Her bottom line had long been surpassed and the humiliation she had endured from this nameless girl that had no right to be beside Arceus, her one and only.

Gracie brushed it off, continuing her relentless assault,"There she goes again, making use of her title and nothing else. As expected of a princess. If you demand respect when you give none, don't expect any from me. Defeat me in combat then we'll talk."

Emma smirked,"Five days from now, we'll have a match. Winner gets to order the loser around for a week."

Gracie yawned,"How do I know you won't back out?"

"Hmph. I am a princess with pride! My pride won't allow it!" Emma snorted.

Gracie turned to Arceus,"You heard the princess. Five days from now. Winner gets to order the loser."

Arceus nodded,"Noted."

Gracie turned and started walking away, waving her hand,"Ciao for now. Remember: Five days princess. Five days. I hope you won't regret your choice."

Emma stomped her foot angrily,"Hmph! We'll see who regrets what in five days!"

Then, she turned to Arceus, her displeased face turning into a shy smile,"So...would you like to go with me for a...chat?"

Arceus made a disgusted face,"I'm sorry but I really have to go..."

Emma felt a sharp stab of pain in her chest.

Arceus turned away and ran after Gracie,"Hey! G! Wait up!"

Emma bit her lip tightly, tears welling in her eyes.

"I've tried...I've tried so hard...What do I need to do to get you to notice my love for you? Just you wait...I'll defeat that whore for you...And you'll see just how great I am...You'll finally see what you're missing out on..." Emma whispered.