The party continued…

Several people dressed in gorgeous evening dresses quickly went their ways. The men with glasses of wine in their hands were chattering.

Conversations over their drinks were about money and power, war and authority. The women revealed their warm backs and shoulders. Their fragrances silently carried the scent of their hormones.

The reasons people were mingling and lingering around at this ball were because money, power, women and the things men wanted were present.

“Royalties of the old really know how to enjoy life…” Cian squinted his eyes—dazzled by the brilliance of the glittering chandeliers, the magnificence of the ornately stuccoes ceiling and the walls paneled with apricot and pigeon-grey damask and outlined with gilt.

To his left and right were groups of men all over. As for the distinguished ladies, Cian could find them, being surrounded by so many men, young and old.

Relying on his memories, Cian could somehow recognize almost every one of them here. They were all the young nobles of the different government officials of the Demon Empire. If they were to compare the level of silk pants, each and every one of them are all comparable or at least just a step inferior compared to Aanuel.

They were all extremely excited, spittle flying all around, obviously extremely interested in hooking up some beautiful women of high statuses. Some of them even had a lump on their crotch, their sword fully drawn. Even though they had their robes as cover, their heads began to take a peek out! Who knows what they were thinking about?

Some of the people recognized Cian as he quietly sat on the corner, alone in a small table right beside the balcony. They pointed him out to friends in their vicinity and started gossiping, giving Cian the occasional glance. But due to his infamy and smelly reputation, they didn’t bother, no, even dare to approach him.

Cian paid no heed to what people were saying or the way they looked at him. He didn’t care at all.

"Haha, isn’t this Your highness, Second Princess Aanuel? I have not seen you for so long and your highness seems to be even more charming." Just when Cian wanted to leave, a scruffy voice sounded from behind.

As Cian looked over, he saw a guy who was dressed in brightly colored clothes talking to him with a smile. The man was shorter than the people around him. His looks were so-so, the type that wouldn’t stand out in a crowd.

If you had to choose an identifying feature, his neck was a bit short. Good thing he wasn’t fat. If he were fat, you wouldn’t have been able to see his neck.

While the weather was not warm, he was already gently waving his fan, wanting to look like he was very elegant. However, when coupled with his sleazy and vulgar appearance, he looked extremely bizarre.

Rovardo Lasanjo—Eldest son of Duke Ronan Lasanjo. The same kind with Aanuel…

Rovardo tried to gauge Cian’s response. All Cian did was furrowed his brows slightly. He didn’t respond dramatically.

“… …” Cian narrowed his eyes and didn’t respond the greetings. He looks at Rovardo while tilting the golden goblet on his hand leisurely.

“…Rovardo, huh… still living as usual, how haven’t you died yet?”

“… …” Cian’s respond caused Rovardo’s mouth to twitch. His face darkened, like a bottom of a pot. But he still showed a smile on that ugly face of his. “I wouldn’t die yet, after all, you are still living your highness~”

“Hmm, is that so… that’s good news then. If you are waiting for me to drop dead, then you will be living for quite a while…after all, evil people tend to live a thousand years while good people only had a short hundred years…” Cian smirked as he turned around, leaving a dumbstruck Rovardo. "Be happy, you will still live and enjoy quite a long time--just don't mess with people you wouldn't be able to endure."

"...?!!"

"They did say, a curse of evil is always around us. Only evil people can kill evil people... to show how great evil they are compared to others..."

Cian’s voice wasn’t loud, but due to Cian’s smelly reputation coupled with his handsome makings, wherever he goes, he seemed to have gotten a spotlight, grabbing other people’s attention. Whispers, discussions, gossips— everybody had lowered their voices to speak, fearing Cian might turn displeased.

From time to time, they would cast glances his way, now, all the ears that were perked up, heard this words almost caused to knocked everyone’s glasses off. ‘Evil People tends to lives a thousand years while good people only had a short hundred years’ what a good saying!

And 'the curse of Evil is always around us!'...

What’s more, it’s even more believable since the infamous Aanuel was the one saying it!

Cian wasn’t fond of this kind of gathering. However, this celebration had somehow started due to his actions within the Throne Hall. It seems like accepting a sword from the Empress publicly, as well as receiving the Demon Sword; Imagis Realis was actually quite a big deal since the Empress started a large celebration as if it was his birthday.

However, rather than this being called a birthday party, this was more like a costume party. The kind of costume party common in November—Halloween.

Ugly and somewhat good looking demons with their purple and blue colored skin. Horns, bat-like wings, lizards like tails and many more strange features.

One can also find Vampires and Werebeasts, with heads of different kinds of ferocious animals, common werewolves and hounds. There were also flying gargoyles, witches, and brooms… though the eye-catching ones were the Liches and Death Knights—Dullahans and such!

A bizarre party so to speak but it befits the setting of the Demon Empire.

Cian thought showing himself to other people was already enough and thus, he was now preparing to make his exit. Then, suddenly,

“Oh? Never had expected, even his highness himself knew that he was an evil person? Though, I don’t think it is something to be proud off?” A voice rang out and Cian who was about to leave halted. A cold gleam flashed across his eyes.

As for the people in the vicinity, hearing those words, their expression immediately distorted. Some even turned pale…

What kind of guts does a person have to say those words…?

What does the person rely on to mutter those words…?

Cian was unruffled. He turned around and saw the owner of the voice. He frowned.

If it was a man, no matter who they are, he would not hesitate to bash them mercilessly but… it was actually a female…

Although he can beat or kill females he wasn’t that addicted to doing it—in fact, he wasn’t fond of doing so, outside his job.

She is…?

A beautiful woman with piercing hawk-like emerald eyes. Her incredibly fair green colored hair bound by a garland of pink rose-buds hung to her shoulders in metallic fuzz and her tall hourglass-like figure was enchanting to any men. Between her fingers were an assortment of flowers and vines, coiling around till her wrists and arms.

Her blue-green dress was draped over by seemingly real-life like vines and leaves… a strange dress for Cian’s impression.

“And you are?” Cian frowned but he didn’t lash out, contrary to the surroundings expectations.

She must have someone to rely on to act like this… if not, probably just a mere stupid fool…

“Are you angry from my words?” the woman smiled, but a mocking derision was obvious on her gaze.

Cian’s lips arched. “Angry? Of course not… why would I? I don’t consider it wrong or an insult.”

“… …” The woman frowned. Cian’s calmness somewhat shocks her.

“People have pride for who they are… why can villains not feel so? We villains also have our own pride… and that pride glows on our wicked actions.” Cian smiled coldly.

“Young miss seems to be quite a fighter with a good sense of justice, this prince admired.” He stepped forward, his smile disappeared as he continued with a ‘However,’

The woman shivered but she stiffened her expression as she stepped backward. The surrounding also turned pale… here it is, the wrath of the prince…

Stupid woman… who does she think she was?

No one pitied the stupid woman and instead sneered in contempt.

“… I advise the young lady to think twice before letting out some words. Remember, a fool says what he knows, and a wise man knows what he says… things that can’t be said, it’s better not being said… or else tragedy might find its way in your door house…knocking,” Cian smiled. "...knock! Knock!" He added teasingly.

“… Was that so? Good words… but your highness, is threatening your fiancé an honorable man’s job?” The woman grits her teeth as she glared at Cian. Although her body was trembling but she endured her fear and showed her firm stance.

Fiancée…? Cian’s mouth twitched. When did I have a fiancée…?

Some impression… but is it really?

“You’re my fiancée…?”

“Is his highness not aware…?” the woman smiled mockingly.

“Sibylla! That’s enough!!” As Cian was about to respond, an angry voice rang out from behind her.

“I apologized for your highness for my daughter’s stupidity. I shall enact her punishment in the later time. I just hope his highness overlook it seeing your relationship…!” A woman comes running over. She called the woman her daughter, so it could be said that she was the woman’s mother—though, seeing her current appearance, one might not think so. After all, them standing together make them look like sisters rather than mother-daughter pair.

The mother looks young—probably only in mid-twenties. She has the identical hawk-like emerald eyes and beautiful long green hair. The same as the girl before, she was the kind of woman that men looked twice or trice. And women too, for that matter…

A woman about five to six feet tall, and slender, she had a willowy figure and legs that were long and shapely—when she was running, she was lifting the helm of her dress, as if rush and seem to avoid tripping, Cian caught a glimpse of her chubby tight thighs that had attracted him. they should be quite soft if touched…

Beautiful with ample bosom that seems to be trying to break out from her dress, with cleavage like deep valleys. Enticing and tempting. Since her appearance, everyone who was standing in the surrounding couldn’t help but stole a glance at her, for she had the style and there was a touch of regality in her bearing.

Elves? Cian thought for a moment as he noticed the ears of the mother and daughter before him. Quite long and sharp, though for some reason, Cian felt as if he was mistaken… they are not elves. Besides, it’s a fact that the proudful Elves despised the Demon Empire, why would they come here?

He was a half-elf but from what he knows, his father was an exiled prince of the Elf Kingdom and those who had come here with him was persecuted by mother due to some reason he doesn’t know…

“Greetings your highness, it’s been a long since we last seen each other…” The woman bowed towards Cian while the girl beside her just narrowed her eyes. It seems like this girl is really hiding quite a volcano inside her, probably hated him for his smell reputation.

“Hm? Correct me if I’m wrong, are you from the Vandlehouse…?”

“Yes your highness, this one is indeed Silvia Vandlehouse, from the Vandlehouse noble family,” Silvia smiled warmly as she responded.

Indeed, the Vandlehouse family… it was a bit vague but Cian can remember some bits of information.

They are not elves indeed… but dryads… descendants of the Nature spirits….