The woman who had insulted her earlier looked like she was about to faint, her face had turned pale and she was staring at Aika with a mixture of shock and horror. The other guests at the table were also staring, their eyes wide with surprise and admiration.
Aika's adaptive father cleared his throat, trying to break the silence.
"Ah, yes, well, let's get started with the dinner, shall we?" But no one seemed to be paying attention to him, they were all too busy staring at Aika.
One of the guests, a young man, couldn't help but speak up.
"Wow, you're even more beautiful than I remembered," he said, his voice full of admiration. Aika's fake smile grew wider, and she thanked him with a nod, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
The dinner conversation was awkward, with everyone trying to make small talk, but it was clear that no one was really interested in talking about anything except Aika. She was the center of attention, and she seemed to be enjoying every minute of it.
Aika's every move was elegant, her hands, her mouth, her eyes, everything was captivating. She was like a work of art, and every man in the room couldn't help but be drawn to her. Even the Prince, who was sitting at the head table, couldn't help but glance at her, his eyes filled with interest.
The men at the table were all vying for her attention, trying to impress her with their conversation, but Aika was unfazed. She smiled and laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement, but she didn't give anyone any special attention. She was like a queen, holding court, and everyone was at her feet.
One of the men, a wealthy merchant, couldn't help but speak up.
"Miss Aika, you are truly a gem, I would be honored if you would consider marrying me," he said, his voice full of sincerity. Aika's smile never wavered, but she raised an eyebrow.
"And what makes you think I would be interested in marrying you?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement.
"I am from House of Olives, not only that my mage rank is a 21 making high skilled mage cultivator," the man said. Aika was cold and indifferent she tapped her finger on the table and she gently smiled.
"I refuse."
The man's face fell, his eyes widening in shock at Aika's rejection. He hadn't expected her to refuse him so bluntly, especially considering his impressive background and skills. He tried to save face.
"I see, well, I suppose I'll just have to try harder to win your heart then," he said, trying to laugh it off.
But Aika just smiled again, her eyes glinting with amusement. She didn't seem to care about the man's feelings or his attempts to impress her. She was like a statue, unyielding and uninterested.
The other men at the table looked on, their faces filled with a mixture of surprise and admiration. They couldn't believe Aika's boldness, and they couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards the man who had been rejected.
Just then, a voice spoke up from the head table,
"I think it's time for the main event of the evening," the Prince said, his voice booming across the room.
"Aika, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"
Aika frowned who would want to dance with him? Aika knew Prince Ryker far too well she shot daggers at him and she crossed her arms she refused to dance with him and Zara Ryker fiancee stepped forward and smiled at Aika.
"Welcome back cousin."
"Oh hello cousin."
Zara's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered.
"It's been a long time, Aika. I see you're as beautiful as ever," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. Aika raised an eyebrow, her expression unchanging.
Prince Ryker's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in annoyance. He didn't like being rejected by Aika, and he especially didn't like the way she was treating his fiancée.
"Aika, I think you're being rude," he said, his voice low and menacing.
Aika's gaze never wavered, her eyes still fixed on Prince Ryker.
"I'm not being rude, I'm just being honest," she said, her voice cold and detached.
"I don't want to dance with you, and I don't want to make small talk with you. Is that clear?"
Prince Ryker's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. He was not used to being spoken to like that, especially by a woman. He took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides.
"How dare you," he growled.
Aika didn't back down, her eyes never leaving Prince Ryker's face. She stood tall, her shoulders back, her expression unyielding.
"I dare because I'm not afraid of you," she said, her voice steady and calm.
Zara's eyes widened in alarm, she knew that Prince Ryker's temper was legendary and she didn't want things to escalate.
"Ryker, please," she said, placing a hand on his arm.
"Let's just calm down and..."
But Prince Ryker shook her off, his eyes still fixed on Aika.
"No, I won't calm down," he said, his voice low and menacing.
"Aika, you're going to regret speaking to me like that."
Aika just smiled, a cold, mirthless smile.
"I'm shaking in my boots," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Ryker this is engagement," a cold yet deadly voice ring out everyone looked at the Crown Prince Zuberi someone who feared all over different galaxies and has trillions upon trillions of dollars plus countless different types of companies.
Crown Prince Zuberi's eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity as he gazed at Prince Ryker. His voice was low and even, but it sent a shiver down the spines of everyone in the room.
"I suggest you calm down, Ryker. This is no place for your tantrums."
"Uncle," Prince Ryker stammered. He was frighten of his uncle.
Crown Prince Zuberi's gaze never wavered, his eyes still fixed on Prince Ryker.
"Good, you should be," he said, his voice cold and detached.
"Now, I suggest you take your fiancée and leave. This is not a place for scenes."
Prince Ryker nodded hastily, his face pale, and quickly grabbed Zara's arm, pulling her towards the exit. Zara shot Aika a sympathetic glance before being dragged away by Prince Ryker.
Crown Prince Zuberi's gaze then turned to Aika, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her.
"Aika, I see you're still as... spirited as ever," he said, his voice a little softer, but still commanding.
"I trust you're not getting into too much trouble?"
"Who are you to me?" Aika asked she didn't even know the crown prince nor meant him but the way he spoke made Aika annoyed to death.
Crown Prince Zuberi's gaze never wavered, his eyes still fixed on Prince Ryker.
"Good, you should be," he said, his voice cold and detached.
"Now, I suggest you take your fiancée and leave. This is not a place for scenes."
Prince Ryker nodded hastily, his face pale, and quickly grabbed Zara's arm, pulling her towards the exit. Zara shot Aika a sympathetic glance before being dragged away by Prince Ryker.
Crown Prince Zuberi's gaze then turned to Aika, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her.
"Aika, I see you're still as... spirited as ever," he said, his voice a little softer, but still commanding.
"I trust you're not getting into too much trouble?"
"Who are you to me?" Aika asked she didn't even know the crown prince nor meant him but the way he spoke made Aika annoyed to death. "You shouldn't talk to your future king like that, I only came to tell you do not try to use my son to get to me, or try to seduce me," Crown Prince Zuberi said Aika eyes became ice cold and slammed her delicate palm on the table.
"Excuse me what part of me trying to use your son to seduce you? I don't even know your son," Aika said with a low ice growl.