The maids looked at each other and then at me as if making fun of me already, so I immediately regained my composure and said, "S-Sure, do you have a list of them?"

One came up to me with a tablet with every single wine practically known to man on it, and since I was absolutely clueless as to what was good, I just picked the recommended one at the very top.

"We will come to get you as soon as everything is prepared. For now, we have a complementary soda for you to drink," Another maid smiled, bringing over a glass of soda that was bubbling as expected.

They all soon left with yet another polite bow, but as I looked down at the soda, my nose caught a whiff of something sour and bitter.

"Is this your way of testing me?" I smirked before downing the entire thing.

I didn't have the skill, but for some reason, I was pretty much entirely immune to poison attacks, most likely due to my race or evolution.

Could also be my lineage because I am sure my mother has that poison immunity. I mean, she's been nearly poisoned so many times without getting sick that it's pretty obvious she has such a thing in her arsenal.

Not even a few minutes later, I was led to a beautiful balcony dressed with a breezy white curtain shielding me from the sun.

And next to that curtain was the prince with his long black hair and dull black eyes staring at me, a light smirk stretched across his face.

"Would you like to keep the curtain open or closed? I don't mind either, so go ahead and pick, Young Miss,"

"Stop being so polite to me. It's creepy," I responded, sitting down on the left side of the table and drawing the curtain open, a sweet beam of warmth immediately coating the left side of my face.

"Whatever you want," The boy smiled, sitting down in the only seat left and pushing a special glass of wine toward me. "It seems you survived… not that I'm surprised, but I heard you even drank the complimentary poison… how marvelous. I'm almost impressed."

"Uh huh… anyways, I'm sure we have the same perspective on this arrangement. Let's just go our own separate ways and not bother each other until we have to pull some publicity stunt."

"Seems we really are on the same wavelength. Although, I don't really like how nonchalant you are about this… do you even know your purpose for being here right now?"

"Yeah, to be more familiar with you… right?"

The boy laughed out loud, nearly bursting into tears of joy as he leaned back in his chair, the maids surrounding us taking this chance to place some appetizers before us.

"What? Am I wrong? Can you just tell me something instead of making fun of me?"

"Yes, you are very wrong. You're essentially a hostage, so my father isn't completely crushed by the power of your mother. Understand?"

"Ohhhhh… so your father is scared of my mother?"

The boy's eyes sharpened just a bit while the surrounding maids took a few quick glances at me, clearly showing the respect held towards the emperor.

"I'm just kidding," I smiled, holding up the wine glass for a toast while the boy continued to smile, clinking his glass against mine.

I first waited for him to take a sip and then took mine, allowing me to easily and nimbly work my way through these appetizers without the threat of being poisoned.

"Glad to see you're enjoying the food. Do you need anything else?"

"Nah, I'm good…." I replied, causing an awkward silence to fall between us while the boy leaned forward, not even uttering a single sound.

I didn't know what he was trying to do but just decided to ignore it and enjoy the fantastic meal now presented to me.

The entire course of food was made up of all of the foods I adored, like pasta… and more pasta… and more pasta. Yeah, I just really liked pasta and ignored the handsome young man trying to inspect me.

Soon, I had finished everything, and once I wiped the last remaining bits of sauce from my mouth, the boy finally spoke up.

"Every girl I've met has fallen for me as soon as they've seen me. Are you like your mother? Do you only like girls as well?"

My eyes widened upon hearing the boy's question, and I guess his suspicions were valid, but to be honest, I felt as if I had shattered his pride or something. Clearly, he was anticipating me falling in love with him, but…

"I don't fall in love with stuck-up assholes like yourself. You clearly hold yourself at a high value, but in my eyes, you're nothing but a spoiled brat who is somewhat strong."

The surrounding servants, which wasn't just maids now but also butlers, glared at me, not saying anything but obviously trying to intimidate me.

"So am I right? Do you only like girls?"

"I like guys, but only if they have a likable personality. You're just a human with shit for a brain," I continued to taunt him, but he didn't do anything contrary to my belief.

I thought he would slam the table while standing up, attempting to intimidate me like his servants, but I guess he wasn't as petty as I thought.

"I know you're trying to be nice, but I just know under the disgusting mask of yours, you're just an asshole. Want me to prove it to you?"

"Oh, and how will you do that, you spoiled little girl?"

"I'll do it by beating your sorry ass in a one-on-one. No restrictions and the only way the match will end is if one person is knocked out or maybe… just maybe… somebody dies."

A smile slithered onto my face, as I knew this was the perfect chance to prove my strength not only to my mother, but also to these assholes who want to put me down.

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