"You brat, do you think you can win against me?" Kael sneered, his eyes blazing with contempt.
Eren exuded an air of calm arrogance as he responded, "Let's just fight and get it over with. I have more important things to do, like spending quality time with my wife."
This provocation infuriated Kael. In a moment, he covered such a huge distance that he stood behind Eren. The audience drew a collective breath of incredulity at the phenomenal speed of Kael. Their concern for Eren was palpable. Even the elders, who knew very well how powerful Kael was, were shocked. They had never expected him to be so overwhelmingly powerful. Some even thought that he might be far more powerful than the Empress.
A baleful aura of black enveloped Kael' hand as, with all his might, he struck from behind Eren. Smoke burst thick from the area where the attack had been connected. The spectators were sure Eren was dead, holding their breath. Yet, when that dust began to clear, they saw a sight unbelievable: Kael on the ground before Eren, his lips dripping blood, about to fall.
Struggling to keep his eyes open, Kael gazed up at Eren. Eren, full of superiority in his air, smiled and announced, "The Empress is mine."
And with that, Kael blacked out.
Sir Kael lay in bed, his body swathed with bandages. He finally opened his eyes and took a little while to remember what had happened. As the memories rushed back into his mind, he jumped from his bed and charged out of the room, powered by fury. As he came out, he met the Queen and Eren, flanked by the guard, walking toward his quarters. He stopped and pointed at Eren, yelling, "You cheater! What did you do to me?"
The Queen intervened with the call, "Sir Kael!" His attention turned to the Queen, and he promptly dropped to a knee before her. She spoke sharply, "Sir Kael, don't be a poor sport. You both agreed to duel, and you lost. You will now have to deal with the consequences."
However, Eren interjected, "You don't have to pay the price. You will still be the Defense Executive of Asura. You are one of the biggest warriors in this kingdom, having killed even the Golden Arm and its king."
She turned her eyes toward Eren, then to Kael, who was staring at the ground—humiliation and defeat written across his face.
As the prize has been waived by Eren, you don't have to pay it," she continued, "but you will show respect, since he is now the king, and I, the queen."
"Yes, my queen," replied Kael with a resigned tone.
Eren smiled at him. "You will be healed soon, right?"
"Yes, my lord," he replied coldly.
Eren burst into laughter and then ordered, "Bring the Demon Blood Flower from the Demon Cave."
This request shocked the queen; she turned to him and asked, "What? Why do you want the Demon Blood Flower?"
Eren smiled at her and pulled her near to him, saying, "It's a gift for you, my queen." It's my gift to you, and it will also serve a purpose of punishing Sir Kael for his discourtesy.
Kael did not waste any time declaring, "I will have the Demon Blood Flower within a week, my lord." He turned a deep bow on them and left.