After the long pillow swordy, 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 sma 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 sumbed to the temptation of that little Subus too quickly, and it bothered him, but at the same time, he wasfortable, as if it weremon 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 ck Jackal to ask him a simple favor, on behalf of Dante, of course. Fortunately, Jackal was in agreemt with the ns; 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 Pce." 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 ck 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 hairpletely messy and ck, 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.


    Hours passed and Vex flew in her bat form a Dante as they rode inside a carriage.


    "You don''t need to hide," Dante said, and Vex transformed again in front of Nafiri, who looked at Dante.


    "A loyal servant, I am the Demon King, remember?" Dante said, and Nafiri, who had be silt, continued to watch the little Subus hop to Dante''s side.


    ''This man... is extremely dangerous,'' Nafiri thought. In fact, she had known that for a long time, but she thought the human world would be easy for Dante, but she waspletely wrong. And she didn''t ev know about the two Dragons he carried within him; if she knew, she would surely be ev more frighted.


    "Don''t look at me like that, it was she who wanted to make a contract with me," Dante said with a smile, while Vex, like a mischievous beautiful Subus, rubbed against his arm.


    "I''m surprised you can disguise yourself so well," remarked Nafiri, and heughed. "I know, my beauty is iparable," he said.


    "That''s not what I meant," she said seriously. Nafiri was quite arrogant about m. "Of course," Dante said smiling as he stroked the little Vex.


    "Any news about the Werewolf War?" Dante suddly questioned, ev catching Vex''s interest.


    "How do you think I would?" she retorted. "I did my research... well, my Empress did... ck Gold in... how long are you going to keep hiding behind that strange mercantile guild facade? Your main focus is information, or do you think I fell for that nonsse of moving to the Empire?


    Please, your organization is more powerful than the Royal Knights, you wouldn''t shy away from a war, Nafiri, you''re not a coward," Dante said, leaving Nafiripletely ufortable. The ck Jackal was readpletely.


    "I see the future Empress is indeed intelligt," Nafiri said. "Nah, she''s too cute," Dante said, waving his hands in dial.


    "Sir has dominated the tire desert, while Velkan has the greer part; she already has control over all Arian cities, she has about 45% of Devhar''s territory," Nafiri said and looked at Dante.


    "Alexander is in control of the Royal Army of Velkan," Nafiri said, and Dante nodded. He already figured that would be a problem, but he would worry about Alexanderter.


    "I understand, thank you. The main Valkyries were in the Devhar desert, or near it, with the civil war I was worried," Dante said and she understood.


    Soon, the carriage stopped and they got out, with Vex using invisibility magic flying beside Dante. He left his arm slightly op and Nafiri passed her arm through, as if they were partners.


    "It''s only for today," Nafiri said, cold. Quite differt from the person he had previously known, in fact, she had always be a "character"; now she''s being herself.


    "Yes yes, let''s see if your coldness will continue after what will happ," Dante said as he tered with Nafiri into the hall, receiving various looks, after all.


    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," Dantemted, seeing how the lustful gazes of the guests were affecting her. "Shut up, you''re the one who asked me toe 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-ted table was filled with finely crafted culinary delicacies, from delicate canapés to extravagant patés and pies.


    Crystal sses were clinked with bubbling champagne, everything was extremely luxurious, while the guests chatted animatedly about the rumors circting 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 hade to this evt.


    Oundish 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 ces, where security was really reinforced, with several knights near the windows and doors watching everything kely. He felt slightly ufortable, 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 shecks 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 hermon appearance and vulgar warrior ways, I doubt she can attract any suitable suitors today," the woman with the strange hairstyle said as sheughed softly with her hand over her mouth.


    "Does she really think she can find a groom at this party? With herck 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 tomit to such an... unsuitable princess, unlike Ethan who is a hero, she ispletely 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 carpetid out before her, with confidce.


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