The concept of love? What is it? People always refer to their dream mate... but doesn't that mean soulmate? Then what is love?
"Char, have you lost your mind!" Rubianna yelled, her words spitting venom. "Why can't you see? That bitch is just taking advantage of your kindness! She was doing inappropriate things with Samuel right in front of your eyes!"
Everyone at the ball was watching. The guys clung to their dates, looking at Rubianna with contempt, pity, and disgust. Void stood up, breaking the hug, and walked towards the commotion.
"Rubianna, mind your words...! I, Samuel, and Leonard all know this!" Charles said, clinging to Shuri, who played the act of a sweet, innocent girl.
"What do you mean..? Then why are you still..?" Rubianna stammered, shocked and confused by these revelations.
"That's right, we all know and believe in our love and devotion for Miss Shuri!" Leonard declared. Once shy and low in self-esteem, he was now ready to do anything for Shuri.
"Please don't ruin the ball, Miss Rubianna!" Samuel added.
"What the hell has happened to you all..? You were once devoted and in love with your fiancées…" Rubianna clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. She removed her evening glove and threw it right in Shuri's face.
"Shuri Lux, I, daughter of Duchess Betty Walmsley, Rubianna Walmsley, challenge you to a duel!" Rubianna's head held high with pride and determination to win her love back. "If I win, His Highness Charles Allainette, Samuel Tristella, and Leonard Calvados must leave Shuri and stick with their fiancées."
"Now pick up that evening glove if you truly desire to stay with them and fight me!" Everyone was shocked by Rubianna's actions.
"Rubianna! Firstly, there's a huge difference in your rankings! And secondly, as an honored noble and prince of Allainette, I won't fight a one-sided duel!" Charles protested.
"That's right, Miss Rubianna, you need at least one person by your side capable of standing before us and our strength," Samuel added.
"That's right, these battles include all of our choices and freedom. If you want to fight and get a stron..." Shuri stopped mid-sentence as she saw Void walking in.
"How cowardly are these girls, not even trying to stand beside the right ones even after knowing who's right and who's wrong!" Void's presence changed the atmosphere of the ball, making everyone aware of him.
"Rubianna planned to call me, but she was concerned about how to handle all of them, and bringing me here would be a gamble. That's why she won my help and kindness by staying silent to keep me away," Void thought.
"I, Void Middletown, will stand by Ruby as her friend and ally, and fight you three brats!" Void declared with a warm smile, saving Rubianna from her helplessness.
"Void...!" Shuri muttered, biting her lips.
"Void? Are you saying you'll fight the three of us alone?" Leonard asked.
"It's alright; at least I can take my revenge now!" Samuel said.
"Mr. Void, I know you were hosted yesterday and forced into this. Please, I reassure you that nothing will happen to you. Don't put yourself in danger," Charles revealed, causing whispers among the crowd.
"Does she have no pride, hosting Mr. Paragon like that? Yeah, she just wants to destroy the fame he earned from his hard work! Isn't he just a perverted guy with eight fiancées? Yeah, he just wants another one now!" These comments made Void's eyebrows twitch.
"While..." Void started to say in a faint voice with a sissy tone.
"Ahem...! That may be true, but I'm not fighting you for that, nor do I fear Miss Rubianna!" Void said, clearing his throat. "I have my reasons! I'm fighting because I have one opponent, and that's Shuri Lux!" Void unbuttoned his suit, resting his hand on his waist.
"I'm Middletown's son, and we laugh at death! Losing a battle is not a big deal. Besides, are you scared of me? If I recall, weren't you all on edge after one clash?" Void mocked them, prompting them to fight.
His taunts hit the mark. "You really have the nerve to mock me, Void! You perverted 5'7" shortie, you're just like a flat-chested girl!" Samuel yelled, held back by Charles, Leonard, and Shuri.
Meanwhile, Void was held back by his eight fiancées. "What did you say, you protein-shake-fed brat! Have you tired of living or what, huh! Leave me, Alfrin, forget the ball; I'll take him down first!" Void raged, but Arcane silenced him with hot chocolate, while Alfrin gave him cookies & cream flavored ice cream.
"Rubianna, I accept this duel!" Shuri declared, picking up the glove.
"Then it's set. Let me see what the new generation has got... not gonna lie, I don't like the reason for this duel, but let's see some new eggs from Allainette," said a woman in her late thirties.
She had pale, slightly bluish skin, a masculine yet breathtakingly curved figure, wearing an illusion high neckline and mermaid-bottom dress in light nude shade. Her outward-pointed ears, powder-blue silk-smooth hair, and baby blue eyes locked on them.
"Now, if you've had enough of your mess, please leave this ball or shut your damn mouth! Honestly, if it wasn't for my daughter, I'd never have come here..!" she said, her glance overpowering Void's aura twice over.
"Luna! What are you doing here?" A little girl, maybe 12 or 13 years old, approached Void. She had the same features as the woman: baby blue eyes, powder-blue hair, and slightly bluish pale skin, wearing a beautiful short dress.
"Cicely! You are here!" Luna said, hugging the girl. Everyone was looking at Luna. "Cicely, meet Void. He's the Paragon of the West and my fiancé!" Luna said, whispering something to both of their ears. Void fixed his attire, regaining his composure.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Middletown..! I'm Cicely Hazelwood, daughter of Astrid Hazelwood, a Dark Valkyrie… age 11... height 4'9"... weight…" Cicely shyly stammered, her face turning red, perhaps because of Void's charm or him being a lion with his lioness. She stopped when Void smiled and put a chocolate cookie in her mouth.
"That's enough, dear! Who exposes this much? Nice to meet you. I'm Void Middletown, age 17, fiancé of Luna, Aoi, Cassey, Arcane, Alfrin, Meisheng, Zoe, and Anette," Void said, naming his fiancées. Each one stood proudly as he did.
"That many women? Are you a pervert, Mr. Middletown?" Cicely asked, turning Void into stone for a moment.
"Now I understand how people feel when I'm naive..." Void said, tears streaming down his face. "Well, I'm sorry to say, but yes, maybe I am trying to please every single one of them.." Void continued, regaining his composure and turning to leave.
"I'm sorry, I have to leave because I've got some work! We can't talk much today, but I'll meet you soon. See ya!" Void said, departing.
"Ahh...! I'm going to miss the cake and all the sweets, but I have to do a little warm-up and examine myself as I've not fully recovered from the last battle. My nerves still ache a lot," Void thought, leaving with Alfrin and Arcane by his side.