"Why?" Tristan stared at her in confusion. "Is there any problem?"

"No!" She covered her mouth and looked around to make sure no one was around before coming back to Tristan and whispering. "Okay, just come and follow me."

The princess, sneaking away at night and suddenly wanting to take him away from Vanyar? That may be a tempting offer, but one question remains, and its answer will change his decision.

"Does the queen know?"

Serene's face turned sour, and from it, Tristan can tell the answer.

"I came to help take you out of Vanyar. So, we can't waste any time here! Let's go!"

Tristan looked at her intently, as if trying to find her reason, before asking. "Before that, tell me why first."

Princess Serene frowned, not expecting the barrage of questions. "Isn't it obvious? Whether you win or lose, we both will lose. No good will come of it" She stops for a second before continuing "There is no way for you to defy the queen while you are still in Vanyar territory. Escape is the only way."

Tristan stood up from his seated position, wincing as he did so as he had sat cross-legged for too long. Though he kept an eye on her, he walked to the chair and sat comfortably.

The princess glared at him in irritation.

"Are you coming or what? I have prepared everything you need, you only need to come with me!"

"Come with you to where?"

The princess was more visibly irritated now, and she seemed to be on the verge of throwing the nearest object. "Outside of Vanyar, dammit!" She shouted, not caring about her voice. "Have you been listening to me the whole time, or are you just naturally that stupid?"

"After that, what? Say that I agree and come with you, what should I do? Where should I even go next?"

"Anywhere, you want, I'm not your caretaker, I don't care where you're going."

"Then…" Tristan looked at her seriously. "I refuse."

Her escape offer, tempting as it is, would only make him a fugitive, something he would rather avoid dealing with for the moment. Right now, everything hinges on his decision. He has his sister being held by the Arcadian king and there was also the sword that needs fixing, he will be staying in this place for a while.

"Are you stupid?! You will not win tomorrow's gauntlet, and then the queen will kill you. There is nothing for you to gain by staying here!"

Tristan smiled, like he just saw an enemy's obvious weakness.

"Princess Serene, if that were true, there would be no need for you to come here, the fact that you are here is only proof that she won't. Cause if she is really going to kill me, wouldn't it be a good thing for you? Then don't tell me you came to help me now because you worry about my life? That's so nice of you…"

"You shameless bastard!" The princess's face was red with anger. "Even if she wont kill you, dont you ever think that she would marry you!"

"… Calm down, princess, this is very late…" Tristan glanced at the direction of his room's door with a mocking smile.

That comment shook the princess even more, and she was about to pull out her whip to attack him before she finally came to her senses.

"Anyway, who even said I will lose? I'm confident I will win tomorrow!"

"Huh?" The princess stared at him like he was crazy. "Sure, I heard you already reached stage two. But, a few stage three Katra users will join tomorrow, including Sindur!"

"Hahaha.. Is that supposed to make me worry? I defeated that guy last time, and I will make sure his defeat sticks this time."

"You arrogant fool! Are you making fun of the gauntlet? The gauntlet is not that easy!"

Tristan may have thought otherwise, but there was no reason to waste energy debating against her in the middle of the night like this.

"Alright, princess, I will prove to you that I will win tomorrow. Just make sure to prepare yourself, because tomorrow, everyone will know that you are going to marry me."

"You, you shameless-" The princess lost her cool right then and there, and she took out her whip, but rage made her strikes dull, and Tristan was ready.

Tristan took his chance and dashed forward as fast as he could, pinning her on his bed and imprisoned her beneath him by using both his arms to pin her hands.

"How dare you?! Get off me!"

"Why? isn't this what you came here for, princess? Let's have a taste of what is to come after our marriage…" He gave a teasing smile.

"You… I hate you! You're an animal!!"

Tristan didn't reply. He stared at her beautiful blue eyes, her cherry lips, her slender and smooth neck, and both her ample breasts

He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited about the idea of having some fun with her, his lower body more honest than he thought. Her skin was really soft, setting his loins aflame with excitement…

"You are such a despicable person… You may have my body, but you will never be my venti."

Seeing her calm down and not resisting him, made a smile came to his face

"This, now, is so much better princess. When we are married, I expect you to always submit to me."

He traced patterns onto her cheeks with the tip of his index finger, while Serena looked away from him.

"Now, now, princess, listen to me. I think this marriage will be for the best for both of us. I have no desire to run nor I care about the prophecy. I just thought I would survive better with your family helping me. Do you hear me?"

The princess nodded, still looking away from him.

"Mark my words princess, as long as you obey me and don't attempt to betray me, I will make sure to take care of you as I would care for a family member"

She glanced back at him, startled at his words.

Once more, Tristan touched her cheek, but his touches were sincere, and his smile carried no trace of his earlier teasing.

"Remember This! I will never force myself to you unless you beg me to! … Now, go away, let me get some rest for tomorrow."

He let go of her hands and stepped off the bed. She quickly stood up, stared at Tristan for a few seconds, before deciding to take her leave.