14: Invitation

THE grueling days of magic training that Nesca endured had finally come to an end. She did not mind the humiliation because she knew her capability as of the moment.

Nesca thought she'd enjoy a break, but Lete appear at her doorstep again early in the morning.

"Seventh Princess, there's an event outside the palace. You must attend it as a training, because…" Lete hesitated.

'Come on, give me a break!' Nesca thought. She had just finished a high intensity exercise given by the system, and she just wanted to sleep all day so her body could have time to rest.

"What is it again?" Nesca asked Lete lazily.

"The third prince requests your presence."

Nesca's face beamed. "Now? Training with the third prince?"

"Yes, Princess. Prince Lorcane learned about your participation on the Centum. All nobles attending the Centum must participate in hunting practice."

Nesca's expression suddenly had a hint of excitement. "Finally, I get to meet one of my brothers. I need to assess which of them should I latch into to get their protection. "

Growing up as Sera, she fairly knew how politics works. In order to survive the imperial palace, she must get a strong backing. If not her father, then it should be one of her brothers.

Lete pretended she didn't hear her. She gave her a short lesson instead.

"The path to the Black Palace of Zolheim is dangerous. The palace sits at the summit of the Dragon's Peak. Many magical beasts inhabit the mountain. Every participant must prove they have enough strength to survive the journey."

Nesca grinned. "Perhaps the third prince wants to train me personally? Is he good in combat?"

Lete averted her gaze. "I think so."

"Good. Even though I can't enjoy my rest peacefully today, I got this rare opportunity to meet my third brother. Wait for us, Agni and I will prepare now."

Lete lightly bowed down. "Take your time, Seventh Princess."

Nesca accompanied by Agni hurriedly went along with Lete and the other lower-ranking attendants.

A royal carriage picked them and it was not long when they reach the hunting grounds. It was a dense forest located outside the Imperial City.

Hundreds of onlookers gathered there, most were members of noble families and their elite guards, each wearing expensive battle attire and carrying powerful weapons.

"Wow! What a sight to behold! These nobles are simply flexing their wealth. Look at their guards armor." Nesca murmured to Agni.

"You're right, Princess."

Both of them giggled despite Lete was glaring at them.

As soon as they went out the carriage, Lete immediately guided them to where the third prince was.

Nesca excitedly entered the tent, Agni was about to go with her inside but Lete held her arm to stop her. The maids were left outside to wait.

"It's okay Agni, I'm meeting my brother inside. I'll be fine," Nesca reassured her maid.

Agni titled her head in agreement. "I will wait for you here."

Nesca's welcoming smile suddenly vanished as soon as she enter the tent because she witnessed a young male demon having fun with two demon ladies, and they seemed oblivious to her presence being too intimate with each other.

She instinctively turned around as her face burned. "Apologies, brother."

The system notification suddenly appeared.

[Potential Ally Detected.]

"Seventh sister, is that you?"

Nesca hesitated to look. "Yes."

"Come here, let me look at you." Lorcane urged.

Nesca slowly turned to meet them. The ladies besides Lorcane were giggling.

Lorcane gestured his hands to dismiss the ladies.

'Geez, third brother seems to be so carefree and a lady magnet. Well, he's charming, I'll give him that,' Nesca thought.

"Well, hello there, brother." She shyly greeted him.

Lorcane got up. "I heard you almost died in the Cloud Forest. Hmm, you looked perfectly fine. Just a little heavier."

Nesca rolled her eyes. "Really, brother? You haven't seen me for a long time and you first notice is my weight? Unbelievable!"

Lorcane seemed shocked with her sudden outburst. "I can't believe Sitri is right. You've grown to have a sharp tongue. What happened to the meek seventh princess?"

"She's dead," Nesca said coldly.

Lorcane laughed. "Anyway, are you going to represent the royal family in the Centum? You might die there, little sister."

"Thanks for the reminder, but I know what I'm doing."

"I'm serious. You sisters are ganging up to send you there. Aren't you curious why?"

Her forehead creased. "Because they don't want to serve a wrinkly old man?" then she added in whisper as if afraid someone might hear her, "the Supreme Emperor!"

"Silly! See how naive you are. Most tributes don't come back alive. It's an open secret among the royal family that it's basically a suicide. His Supremacy is ruthless. He can kill in just a snap of his finger if he is displeased with you."

"I have a hunch that Sitri and Fria wants me to send to my death, if not for me, one of the princesses will be a tribute."

"I admire your courage. What are your plans?"

She shook her shoulders. "Nothing in particular. I will just stay out of trouble during the Centum."

Lorcane seemed convince. "Best of luck then. Anyway, I call you here so I could assess your hunting skills."

"Hunting?" Nesca's heart jumped. "What do you mean?"

"This is a hunting event, were you not informed?"

"I was told you're going to train me."

Lorcane laughed. "No. But I can find you the best teacher once you survived the Centum."

'I knew it, he's not reliable…' Nesca was silently disappointed. Perhaps, she expected a lot from the third prince.

"Shall we go out and join the fun?" Nesca said.

Lorcane agreed. "All right, let's go."

When they went out the tent, Lorcane was distracted again by the same girls from earlier that he completely forgot about her.

Nesca didn't complain. She strolled towards the main tent where the participants gathered. She witnessed a lot of familiar faces from her etiquette and magic class.

"Well, well. Look who's here! After failing the magic test, she's fearless to join this event!"

Nesca chuckled to recognize the one talking. It was Elvina, along with her gang.

"Are you sure you came here to hunt?" One of Elvina's underlings asked while glancing at her body. "Or perhaps you thought this was a feast instead?"

The surrounding ladies laughed.

Agni stepped forward with flared nostrils. "Watch your words."

Elvina raised an eyebrow. "A low-ranking maid should know her place."

Nesca gently tapped Agni's shoulder. "Agni. Please, don't."

"But Princess—"

"Just let them speak. I love eating anyway." Nesca looked at the girls calmly.

"See? How can she control magic if she can't even control her body," Elvina mocked her.

Nesca leaned closer to Elvina. "If you don't shut up, I will eat you too."

Elvina tried to attack her but her friends stopped her because the young marshal stood near them and announced that the hunting game will soon begin.

Nesca and Agni struggled to hide their laughter.