Chapter 636: Priorities
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 636: Priorities
"It feels like there’s no suspense left."
After escaping from the Pink Bear, Muen continued to watch the matches.
There were no familiar faces among the current contestants. The one representing the Kingdom appeared to be a very famous fighter named Cordes Bronwin. Muen could hear many spectators around him discussing the man’s past exploits. On the Academy’s side was a fifth-year student, also quite exceptional.
However, as if seeking to reclaim the dignity Barlow had lost after being "humiliated" by Ariel in under three minutes during the previous round, the Kingdom’s Cordes went all out from the start. His offensive was like a violent storm, showing no mercy.
The fifth-year senior from the Academy was clearly struggling to keep up and gradually fell into a disadvantage. Though he occasionally used clever tricks to try and seize the rhythm—displaying commendable courage—he didn't succeed once.
Both sides displayed strength worthy of their reputations. The battle was fierce and far more entertaining than the previous one-sided massacre. Unfortunately, even when two powerhouses clash, there must eventually be a conclusion—especially since there was an undeniable gap in strength between these two.
"It’s only a matter of time before the Kingdom wins. That fifth-year senior did well to hold out this long."
Muen shook his head. It seemed that in this Exchange Event, aside from a few "special" individuals, the Academy was indeed at a disadvantage.
The Kingdom’s side wasn't stupid; they had come prepared. It was just a pity that some existences simply couldn't be measured by common sense.
For instance, a certain flat-chested girl.
"Oh no!"
Speak of the devil. Muen suddenly saw Ariel, still looking fuming mad, walking toward his direction after stepping off the stage. Unwilling to face her wrath while she was in such a foul mood, he immediately turned and vanished from the spot.
"May I go in?"
Muen’s random detour happened to lead him right to the front of Celicia’s VIP room.
Naturally, Dean Hathaway didn't need to stand guard herself. The person stationed here was a female Royal Knight. Her expression was solemn and rigid, making her look quite difficult to deal with. She had likely already turned away countless sycophants hoping to curry favor with the Empress.
However, she merely gave Muen a brief glance before stepping aside.
"By Her Majesty’s order, relayed through Lady Hathaway, Mr. Muen may enter."
*
"Curse him! This is too much!"
Ariel was so angry she was practically grinding her silver teeth to dust. She used her hands to mimic a curve in front of her own flat chest.
"Saying I'm flat... I'm just 'exquisite and compact,' okay? Am I really that flat? Teacher, you be the judge. Am I really that small?"
"..."
"Teacher, say something!"
"...What am I supposed to say?"
After hesitating for a long time, Ariel’s teacher finally squeezed out a few words:
"I can only say... you have great future potential."
"..."
Ariel’s hands slumped dejectedly, her eyes filled with a touch of pain and sorrow.
Yes, some things couldn't be changed just by lying to herself. Facts were facts; no matter how angry she got, she couldn't alter them one bit.
She really was just a little bit, a tiny bit, a teeny-weeny bit, a smidge... flat.
Compared to a "big cow" like Liya, she might truly be lacking a little.
But...
There was no need to despair!
That’s right, it was no big deal. It was only a minor disadvantage. She was still in her growth period; the final verdict hadn't been reached yet. She could always grow more later!
Definitely!
It was a classic case of the late bloomer. Hadn't her strength improved at lightning speed only after entering the Academy? The same logic applied to breast size! Being small now didn't mean she’d be small in the future!
"I won't think about those sad things anymore. The more I think, the angrier I get!"
Ariel slapped her cheeks to psych herself up.
"Let’s think about the good things. Yes, good things! Even though Barlow was infuriating, my performance this time must have opened everyone's eyes!"
Beating Barlow—a man famous for his "unmatched savagery" and physical toughness—into such a state with her bare hands in three minutes... that gap in strength must have left the spectators utterly shocked.
The Kingdom’s side, which had thought victory was in the bag, would surely have to put away their contempt now.
Most importantly...
"I’m sure... Celicia will be surprised by my performance too, hehe..."
*
"Huh? What?"
Ariel stared at the rigid female knight guarding the door. "I can't go in either?"
"No."
The female knight remained expressionless, once again rejecting Ariel’s request to see the Empress.
"Her Majesty has important matters to attend to. In principle, no unauthorized personnel are allowed to disturb her."
"But I'm not 'unauthorized'—"
"Then may I ask what official position you currently hold, and what business you have with Her Majesty?" The female knight spoke with a businesslike tone, appearing completely impartial.
"I... I see."
Ariel scratched her head helplessly.
Though she prided herself on having already left a "sinful" mark on Celicia’s heart, there was still a gap in their status. She had discarded her identity as a noble of the Bugard family, while Celicia was now the Empress of the Empire.
Naturally, the Emperor couldn't just meet with a student who held no official position whenever she pleased. Other ministers would surely protest, claiming she was neglecting state affairs.
Furthermore...
"Celicia must be very busy right now," Ariel sighed.
For a newly crowned Emperor, the Empire's affairs must be incredibly tedious and complicated. The fact that she could find time to watch this competition at all was likely a result of pushing her exhausted body through long hours of work.
"But it’s okay."
Ariel’s gaze turned determined. "As long as I continue to prove my worth, I believe that one day, these will all become trivial issues! When that time comes, I’ll be able to stand by Celicia’s side as a matter of course!"
The female knight: "..."
*
Muen stepped into Celicia’s private VIP room and looked around.
It was truly a place fit for an Emperor. Not only was the room spacious and luxuriously decorated with soft sofas, but it also offered an unobstructed view of the entire arena. It was the best vantage point in the house.
The Academy had specifically prepared this separate VIP room to keep Celicia away from the Kingdom’s delegation. This was likely intended as a warning to those who wanted to treat Celicia like a "soft persimmon" to her face.
Of course, this arrangement must have had Celicia’s tacit approval, subtly signaling her attitude toward the people of the Kingdom.
As for what the Kingdom thought, whether they understood this layer of meaning, or if they understood but remained overconfident... that wasn't for Muen to know.
He only knew that this arrangement gave him a perfect opportunity to experience the Empress’s charms at a time like this.
One could call it his special privilege.
He just didn't know if Celicia was aware of it.
"Not bad."
Casually picking up an apple from the coffee table in front of the sofa, Muen was about to take a bite when his gaze shifted, and his eyebrows shot up.
Celicia wasn't watching the match at all. Instead, she was lying comfortably on the large, soft sofa, fast asleep. Her exquisite face lacked its usual majesty and coldness; instead, a trace of playful crimson lingered on her skin. Even as the Empress of the Empire, Celicia looked incredibly cute and gentle when she was deep in sleep.
She seemed to be sleeping soundly. Muen’s entrance hadn't disturbed her in the slightest.
"And here I thought you were ignoring me on purpose. Turns out you were just catching up on sleep... Tsk tsk. As an Emperor, you’re surprisingly lacking in vigilance. Aren't you afraid a big bad wolf will sneak in and eat you up?"
Muen put the apple back.
There was something much sweeter than an apple to taste right now, so why bother with the fruit?
Muen tiptoed to the side of the sofa and leaned down to look at her.
Her silver-white eyelashes were thick and fine, like a forest after a heavy snowfall. Her fair cheeks were smoother than mutton-fat jade, yet amidst that cold perfection, there was a lingering flush—perhaps a remnant of the previous night’s "afterglow"—that felt delightfully out of place.
Though it was only a slight redness, it was more tempting than a ripe apple.
Muen leaned in slowly. As if handling a work of art, he gently brushed his fingertips against her cheek.
Even though he had felt it many times before, that smooth, tender skin was still something he could never tire of.
His fingertips continued their journey, tracing the high bridge of her nose, then the space between her willow-leaf brows, before following the line of her forehead and the side of her face all the way down to... those pink, tender lips.
Muen’s fingertip brushed over them gently, savoring the feel of her beautiful face. Then, he pressed down on her lower lip, revealing her pearly white teeth, and gave it a light flick.
Boop.
The tiny, playful sound echoed in the silent room.
Muen couldn't help but smile. "No matter how stubborn your mouth is, it’s still soft when I’m playing with it."
"..."
Her eyes snapped open.
Her cold pupils were like an icy lake rippling, reflecting a gaze that looked ready to turn him into a corpse.
In an instant, the temperature in the room seemed to drop by ten degrees.
Muen’s lip twitched. He cursed his luck—did she wake up at just the right moment, or had she been awake the whole time and was doing this on purpose?
The truth was impossible to know. Muen could only squeeze out a handsome smile—the kind that could fool countless innocent girls—and laughed awkwardly.
"You're awake? I was afraid you'd catch a cold while sleeping, so I was just about to cover you with a blanket."
Celicia’s gaze shifted slightly, glancing at Muen’s empty hand which was still resting near her lips.
Caught in a lie without a word being spoken, Muen felt a wave of embarrassment. He racked his brain but couldn't think of a single excuse to brush it off.
So, he stopped thinking.
Before Celicia could even look back at him, this man—who had been getting bolder and bolder lately—decided to go all the way.
He suddenly leaned in and kissed her forcefully.
Caught off guard and having just woken up, Celicia quickly lost the initiative to Muen’s calculated move. He pried open her teeth and tangled with that proud little tongue.
It was an intense exchange.
After a long while—long enough that Muen’s lips were starting to feel numb—the two finally broke apart, their eyes meeting.
"Is it soft?" Celicia asked coldly, her breath coming in soft, fragrant puffs.
"Soft," Muen answered honestly. "It doesn't just feel soft to the touch; it’s even softer when I kiss it."
"Lately... you’ve really been getting bolder and bolder."
Celicia reached out her slender hand and gently stroked Muen’s neck.
She was like a gentle snake that could tighten its grip fatally at any moment.
Muen leaned even closer and asked with a smile, "Don't you like it?"
"...Hmph."
Celicia gave a cold snort and suddenly hooked her arm around Muen’s neck for real.
However, it wasn't to punish him for his disrespect. Instead, she pulled him down onto her.
"Sleep with me."
Even though she was the one underneath him this time, Celicia still maintained that haughty, condescending gaze.
"Eh? Right now?"
Muen hesitated. "I still have to watch the matches. After all, in a bit, I have to—"
"Are you refusing me?"
"...Of course not."
Muen wrapped his arms around the young woman’s slender waist.
He knew that if he pleaded just a little more, this icy, stubborn tsundere—who was only acting tough with her words—would surely stop making things difficult for him.
But...
She was so beautiful, so captivating. How could he bear to give up the bliss of being with her?
To hell with the competition.