The tension in the pavilion was thick, but it wasn't the kind you could fight with fire or magic. Elreth felt a familiar itch under her skin, an annoyance at Azalea's calm and knowing smile. Talking in circles was getting them nowhere.

"You know what?" The princess said, suddenly standing up. "Let's play tennis."

Azalea's smile didn't falter. If anything, it widened just a fraction. "A wonderful idea. A little physical activity might clear our heads."

They changed quickly into athletic shorts and tops, both tying their long hair back into practical ponytails—Elreth's a fiery red cascade, Azalea's a sleek blonde tail. The unspoken rule was clear the moment they picked up their rackets: no Laws, no prana needed. This would be a test of pure, raw physical skill and will.

The first serve was a rocket from Eltreth, a statement of her aggressive intent. Azalea met it not with power, but with perfect, graceful precision, returning the ball deep to the corner. And so the match began.

For two hours, they battled across the court. There were no clear winners, only a relentless back-and-forth. Elreth's game was all about power and force. She charged the net, her slams echoing like gunshots. Azalea's style was defense and strategy. She used Elreth's own power against her, returning balls with spins and angles that forced Elreth to run, to stretch, to wear herself out.

But the real game wasn't happening on the scoreboard. It was in the subtle probes they launched between points.

During a break to fetch a ball, the princess wiped sweat from her brow. "You know, Nero seems like the kind of guy who appreciates direct action," she commented, her voice casual. "Someone who isn't afraid to go after what they want."

Although, she didn't really understood him, she felt like she was not far from the truth.

Meanwhile, Azalea took a slow drink of water.

"Perhaps," she replied, her voice equally light. "But I've found that truly powerful men often value subtlety. A clever strategy can be far more effective than a brute-force assault." She then served an ace right down the center line, a silent punctuation to her point.

Elreth grunted, returning to the baseline. A little later, as they changed sides, she tried again. "I heard he and Khione spent the night alone in a pocket world. Must be nice, all that quiet. Though I think someone with his energy would get bored with just peace and quiet after a while."

"Or perhaps he found it refreshing," Azalea countered, effortlessly returning a powerful volley. "A sanctuary from all the noise and demands. Everyone needs a place to simply... be themselves." Her return was so perfectly placed it forced Elreth into a clumsy, scrambling shot that just barely made it over the net.

They never said Nero's name directly in their teasing comments. They never mentioned their intentions outright. It was a dance of hints and implications, each one trying to figure out the other's plan while pushing their own perceived advantages.

Elreth projected an image of passion and excitement. Azalea presented one of understanding and intelligent support. With every grunt of effort, every strategic slice, and every drop shot that barely cleared the net, they were not just playing tennis; they were arguing their case for why they were the right choice for Nero, each hoping the other would make a mistake and reveal a weakness.

After two exhausting hours, they finally stopped, leaning on their rackets, breathing heavily. The match was a draw. Neither had won on the court, and neither had gained a clear upper hand in their silent, strategic war. They walked off the court together, the unspoken competition still hanging between them, both more determined than ever to win the real prize.

•••

The atmosphere in the pavilion was a world away from the tense tennis match. Here, it was all loud laughter and the solid thump of elbows hitting the wooden table. Adam, Nero, and Lux were in the middle of a fierce arm-wrestling tournament.

"Alright, pretty boy, your time is up!" Adam roared, his face turning red as he strained against Lux's arm. The dwarven prince's muscles bulged, but Lux, with a grunt of effort and a sharp grin, managed to slowly force Adam's arm down to the table.

"Speed beats brute force, my friend!" Lux declared, shaking out his hand.

"Speed, huh?" Adam turned his glare to Nero.

"Let's see how your speed handles real power, little Nero. Get over here."

Nero chuckled and took the seat opposite Adam. They locked hands. For a moment, it was a stalemate, the muscles in both their arms standing out. Adam's face was a mask of intense concentration. But then, slowly and inexorably, Nero began to push. There was no burst of speed, just a steady, unstoppable force. Adam's arm trembled, and with a final grunt of defeat, the back of his hand was pinned to the table.

Lux was next, and he didn't last much longer. Nero's physical strength, honed through relentless training and his unique dual-core system, was simply on another level.

As they all sat back, rubbing their sore arms and laughing, the conversation naturally drifted to the obvious tension in the estate.

"So," Adam began, grabbing a mug of ale.

"The princesses are acting... different. I talked with my father. I bet Elreth's and Azalea did it too."

Lux nodded, his silver hair glinting in the sun.

"Oh, without a doubt. The news about you is the biggest political earthquake in centuries. Every family head is telling their daughters the same thing: 'Get close to Nero. Win him over.'"

Adam grinned, a wide, mischievous look.

"And knowing Khione... she will never accept that. She'd rather freeze the whole continent than play some political game to keep a man." He laughed loudly. "This is going to be fun to watch!"

Lux joined in the laughter. "It's true! The Ice Queen, who hates drama and politics, is about to be dragged into the most dramatic love triangle... or square... in recent memory. She's going to be so annoyed."

They both looked at Nero, who had been listening with an amused smile on his face. He shook his head, his ominous red eyes calm and certain.

"You two can laugh all you want," Nero said, his voice steady.

"Let them all scheme. Let them all try. It doesn't matter." He looked from Lux to Adam, his expression completely serious. "I only need Khione."

The simple, direct statement cut through the joking atmosphere. Adam and Lux exchanged a look, their grins softening into ones of genuine respect. They clapped him on the shoulder.

"Spoken like a man who knows his own mind," Adam said.

"Just be ready," Lux added, his tone turning slightly more serious. "Knowing your own mind is one thing. Dealing with two princesses who have been given a direct order from their parents is another. It's not going to be quiet."

Nero just smiled again, a confident, easy smile. He wasn't worried. He had faced down monsters and unlocked impossible power. He could handle a little palace drama, especially when his heart was already decided.