Chapter 139: Princess Velryna Smith's Engagement Ball.

After the long pillow swordplay, Vex and Velryna started getting along better. In fact, they ev smiled at each other, which was surprising, considering that previously any kind of interaction was marked by tongue clicks and forced stares that seemed like colliding plasma rays.

Unfortunately, Dante couldn't indulge in such jokes anymore. In fact, if he did something like that again, he wouldn't be able to hold himself back.

It was a strange dilemma, actually. In his mind, everything was a mess and confusing, especially how he should treat Vex. He simply succumbed to the temptation of that little Succubus too quickly, and it bothered him, but at the same time, he was comfortable, as if it were common to have touched her in that way, something familiar.

But for a momt, he decided to sweep it under the bed and focus on what really mattered at the momt.

The Engagemt Ball of Princess Velryna Smith.

Actually, he was furious about this evt, just the thought of her being auctioned off to any man other than him raged him.

Velryna was his! And no one, not ev the emperor himself, would change that fact, ev if he had to use everything he had to wipe out the Empire just to be with her.

Velryna thinks Dante would save her empire on his own, but she still doesn't understand that he does what he does only for her.

"Aaralyn," he said, and she appeared from the window. "Master."

"How was your mission? Did Lady Nafiri agree to help us?" Dante asked. Aaralyn was tasked with getting close to the Black Jackal to ask him a simple favor, on behalf of Dante, of course. Fortunately, Jackal was in agreemt with the plans; after all, it wasn't too much for her.

"Yes, she agreed," she replied.

"Good job, Aaralyn. We're going. Enter my shadow wh we ter the Palace." Dante said while stroking the head of the gre-haired youth who seemed to adore these caresses like a spoiled kitt. Thus, from the spatial ring, a new attire appeared.

A Victorian suit, looking noble. Completely black with a purple tie and some gold embellishmts perfectly matching his eyes. He turned to the invisible woman in the room and asked, "How long do I have with the body?" In the past few hours, more and more, his body has increased in ergy and the duration of his transformation. In fact, every second, minutes, and minutes began to emerge.

Dante's ergy was already almost twice that of his Ziriel-shaped body.

"Twelve hours," she said, and Dante was surprised, but at the same time relieved. It was ough time for him to put on a show.

He started getting ready. Using magic, he modified his hair and hid his demonic horns, making his hair completely messy and black, but at the same time, quite charming.

"Let's go," he said, and Aaralyn jumped into his shadow. She was also ready to make the Emperor bow down.

Nafiri was dressed as an Egyptian Empress, with gold Egyptian clothes and adornmts, a dress op at the back, and gold bracelets with several rings.

"You look beautiful," Dante commted, seeing how the lustful gazes of the guests were affecting her. "Shut up, you're the one who asked me to come like this," she said, guinely angry.

Dante looked a, trying to analyze everything as best as possible. He th saw the main hall after descding a few flights of stairs with Nafiri by his side; a gold-plated table was filled with finely crafted culinary delicacies, from delicate canapés to extravagant pâtés and pies.

Crystal glasses were clinked with bubbling champagne, everything was extremely luxurious, while the guests chatted animatedly about the rumors circulating the royal court.

The cream of society of the empire was gathered there, not only the dukes and grand dukes, but ev barons and baronesses had come to this evt.

Outlandish gowns, well-dressed m, and the like, it was truly an interesting party for the imperial high society, but at the same time, Dante only saw malevolt smiles.

Dante first observed the highest places, where security was really reinforced, with several knights near the windows and doors watching everything kely. He felt slightly uncomfortable, but of them saw Vex or ssed her presce, so he was calm until th.

He stood in a corner separating from Nafiri; they had tered with a royal invitation from the princess herself.

Dante focused his hearing to list to what they were saying and thus... well, he heard some undesirable things.

"Have you se Princess Velryna? They say she lacks the grace of a true noble. A true disaster for our reputation," a woman said, while chatting with a group of well-dressed wom, of course, daughters of high-ranking nobles.

"Yes, it's a shame that she represts our royal family. With her common appearance and vulgar warrior ways, I doubt she can attract any suitable suitors today," the woman with the strange hairstyle said as she laughed softly with her hand over her mouth.

"Does she really think she can find a groom at this party? With her lack of charm and elegance, she's better off settling for anyone who shows up."

"Probably that's why she's here, desperate for any chance to secure a dect marriage. But I doubt anyone would be willing to commit to such an... unsuitable princess, unlike Ethan who is a hero, she is completely overshadowed."

As Dante listed to these things, which made him want to summon a meteor to strike these people, the sound of the salon doors oping resonated. A soft melody filled the air, announcing the trance of the Princess.

"From the Royal Family of the Empire, Princess Velryna Smith." The announcer of the party said, and all eyes turned to her.

The initial reaction of the people was more soft murmurs about the rumors suring her; at the same time, she, with dignified steps, advanced along the red carpet laid out before her, with confidce.

Today was the day the Emperor would see the worst side of Velryna.