Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

'What is he doing here?' A frown crossed Nyx's features as she saw Prince Ainsworth watching her beside the door. She wanted to ask what he was doing here but figured that would be a very dumb question to ask, considering that Ainsworth was the prince and this castle belonged to him.

In the end, she could only ignore him by turning her attention to the Awakened training below, hoping he would receive the signal and leave. It was only after she had turned her back to the prince that she recalled her promise to her grandpa.

A wry smile appeared on her face, but there was nothing she could do... it was already too late. If she were to bow now, it'd look strange.

'This girl...' Ainsworth clenched his fist, not in anger but in excitement as he watched Nyx's back. He had expected her to say something, even if it wasn't pleasant—at least to acknowledge his presence—but she had ignored him for the second time, acting as if no one was there.

It should have made Ainsworth angry. Instead, the urge to conquer this girl and make her his fiancée only increased. For obvious reasons, they wouldn't get married right away, as the age of maturity in Eos was 16. Ainsworth's plan was to make her his fiancée and get married when they matured.

This was a common practice among nobles. Because of alliances and influence, some even went the extra mile to immediately engage their children as infants without giving them the opportunity to choose their future partners.

'Let's see how long you'll keep up this facade.' A dangerous yet charming smile appeared on Ainsworth's face as he approached Nyx and stood beside her, his gaze fixed below at the knights who were training.

Nyx had long noticed his presence but didn't comment. If she hadn't been learning a few things from the fight below, she would have left already... merely being in his presence irritated her.

There was an awkward silence between the two for a while until Ainsworth broke it.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Ainsworth began, his voice smooth and calculated, carrying just enough charm to sound natural. He shifted closer to Nyx, catching a whiff of her jasmine scent that only made him more excited. He pointed at the fighters down below. "Some of the best warriors in the kingdom. What do you think of them?"

Nyx didn't immediately respond. Her eyes remained fixed on the fighters, her fingers idly tracing the cool rail of the balcony. After a long pause, she offered a brief glance in Ainsworth's direction before returning her focus to the training below.

"They're adequate," she replied, her tone devoid of any real interest.

She hadn't wanted to say anything but merely answered him because of her grandfather, not knowing that she had practically set Ainsworth's soul on fire.

The prince's heart almost leaped out of his chest when he saw Nyx's face at such close proximity. His face burned red before he looked away.

"Adequate?" Having regained his composure, he echoed with a soft chuckle. "You've got high standards. But then again," he glanced at Nyx with a sideways smile, "someone like you would."

Silence.

Nyx still remained silent, the disinterest very clear in her eyes—a hint that the prince had failed to catch. Throughout his life, Ainsworth had never lacked attention from the opposite gender.

At royal banquets, many mistresses from noble families would willingly throw themselves at him, always wanting to catch his attention. This was the first time someone ignored him like this.

At that moment, Nyx shifted slightly as if preparing to leave.

'No, I can't let her leave yet,' he thought as he quickly started another conversation.

"I heard a lot about you, Nyx Aegis Cromwell," he stated, then added in a flattering voice, "I heard you and your twin brother are very powerful Awakened."

His green eyes gleamed as he angled his body toward her. "I heard the two of you practically dominated the mock tournament in your hometown... and in case you don't know, most of us in the capital are aware of the upcoming tournament in the western region."

There was a flicker of interest in Nyx's eyes, and the prince thought he had her where he wanted. He then whispered in a soft voice, "I heard the duke's son, Hendrix, is very powerful. You and your brother might have a tough time facing him. How about I help you? You can take it as a little gift from me."

Hearing the prince's enticing offer, Nyx's expression barely shifted. She didn't turn to face him, instead offering a quiet, indifferent response. "I'm not interested in whatever you're trying to sell, Your Highness."

Her words stung more than Ainsworth expected. His smile tightened. "What I'm about to offer you costs a fortune," he pressed on, his tone slightly arrogant. "Not even your grandpa could afford it. I say, think about it before you make any rash decisions you'll come to regret later."

Nyx finally turned to him, her gaze cold and unyielding. "My decision is final, Your Highness... I'm very confident that my brother will beat Hendrix without your or anyone's help."

"The same brother that got his face smashed into the ground some years back?" Ainsworth chuckled mockingly as he smirked. "If you think your brother trains hard, let me tell you, I heard Hendrix trains several times more than that."

Nyx briefly tightened her grasp on the railings, thoughts she had been trying to forget resurfacing in her mind. But she didn't answer him. Nyx turned her back to him, her gaze once again fixed on the fighters below. She watched them with the same dispassionate focus she'd given Ainsworth, as though his presence was an inconvenience, nothing more.

"So, what do you say? After today, the offer will be null," Ainsworth said.

Silence.

"Hey?"

Another silence.

"You're really going to ignore me?" Ainsworth's tone shifted, the edge of frustration creeping in despite his efforts to keep it cool.

"I have nothing to say to despicable people like you." Nyx didn't look at him, her voice as calm and unmoved as ever. It was only after the words had already left her mouth that she realized she'd broken the promise to her grandpa.

His voice dropped, a hint of anger entering his tone. "You're quite bold, you know. Not many would speak to a prince like that."

"Perhaps they should start." A faint smirk curled up on Nyx's face, and Prince Ainsworth didn't find it so attractive anymore. Instead, it looked very punchable. The urge to dominate her only intensified.

The tension between them thickened in the air. For a moment, the charming prince was gone, replaced by something darker, more dangerous. His lips twitched into a humorless smile. "You're going to regret crossing me."

"I doubt it." Nyx never wavered as she stormed out of the balcony, leaving a word behind. "This place was quiet before, but because of you... it suddenly reeks."

"Y-you!" Ainsworth's face turned purple with anger. Before he could say anything, Nyx walked away, leaving him standing alone on the balcony. The sound of the fighters below now seemed distant in his ears. As he watched her retreating figure, the urge to conquer her burned even stronger within him.

"In the arena, everything will be settled." A dangerous gleam flashed in Ainsworth's eyes. "It won't be long before I make you my fiancée!"