Once the guests took their seats, the Emperor returned to his throne while the students returned to their rooms to prepare and discuss their strategies.

Some more people arrived in those ten minutes, each enough to cause a stir in the Empire, but their presence was dampened by earlier guests.

Especially since none of them could sit beside the High Dukes. That alone showed their status.

Meanwhile, Aegon also brought Elara towards their team room while she continued to observe everything. It didn't take her long to realise her situation.

"We're participating in the Supremacy Games?" Elara asked, already forgetting her earlier embarrassment.

"Yup! We needed an archer and I couldn't think of anyone better than you for this role," Aegon nodded in reply.

"I traveled across continents to play games with you? Sounds nostalgic!" Elara chuckled, remembering old memories.

She had done it once before. Apparently, she felt too lonely, so she flew across the continent to play games with him. She got punished for that, but Aegon didn't know the details about that.

But this was who Elara was. Always wanting freedom, but giving up willingly as well.

"Then, let's have some fun, shall we?" Aegon said with a grin, as he offered her his hand.

Elara stared blankly at his hand for a while, before smiling brightly with slightly red cheeks, "Sure. Others are also joining?"

"Aside from Luna, yeah. She couldn't leave her House," Aegon nodded.

"Who else then?" Elara asked, confused.

"A friend of mine," Aegon smiled. "She's a bit weird, but a sincere one."

'She?' Elara thought before saying, "I'm looking forward to meet her."

Soon, they reached their room and entered it, finding the rest of his team waiting for them. But Aegon sensed a peculiar atmosphere, making him confused.

"It's you!?"

"You finally showed up."

Aegon's confusion deepened when Elara exclaimed upon seeing Rosa. 'It seems like they have a history with each other.'

"I should have expected this. You used the knowledge you stole to get close to him?" Elara sneered in disdain, clearly showing her stance against Rosa.

"Oh, please! Miss Highborn, I didn't steal anything. It's mine to begin with. What does it matter to you whatever I do with my things?" Rosa growled, taking a step forward.

"Don't use him in this game, fraud!" Elara said, staring dead into her eyes.

"Are you forgetting something?" Rosa laughed out loud hearing that. All of a sudden, she stopped and proclaimed, "I am Arrogance, Mischief, and many other things but not Deceit."

She pointed at Aegon and said, "I love him. And that's a fact I'm willing to accept and work for it. It's not deception, Miss Highborn. Don't ever accuse me of such things, otherwise even Mother dearest won't save you."

"I should be the one saying that," Elara said, stretching her hand. "Mother dearest won't save you this time."

"Tsk! Tsk! You're still dominated by Envy!" Rosa clicked her tongue in disappointment. "Grow up! Envy! That's the reason for this mess, girl."

"Shut up!" Elara shouted in rage, as sparks flew around her hand. But before her bow could manifest, another hand landed on her hand, stopping the process.

"Stop!" Aegon said, coming in between them. "For fuck's sake, stop for a second."

"She just doesn't want—"

"Rosa!" Aegon's cold voice instantly silenced the room. "I said, stop!"

Rosa threw her hands back in nonchalance and backed away. While Elara took deep breaths to calm herself. It was clear how shaken she was after meeting Rosa, even though the latter didn't seem to care about her.

"I don't know what happened between you two, and I genuinely want to know about it so that I can find a solution, if there is one," Aegon said, glancing at both of them. "But the games are around the corner, so can we delay this for later? Or is this that important?"

He was actually shocked that they knew each other and had a feeling Rosa's deep knowledge about them was also related to their connection, but he suppressed that curiosity and shock.

There were more important things to do.

"I'm fine!" Rosa said, smiling. "As much as I loathe her, I hate losing more, so I'm fine with fighting beside her. Not like there is a solution to this mess, but I'll still follow my future hubby's words."

Elara glared at Rosa for the last words and said, "Yes, there is no solution to this mess. She and I can never coexist."

"Woah! First thing we can agree on!" Rosa clapped her hands.

Ignoring her, Elara turned towards Aegon and said, "But this is your fight. And also mine. If I didn't perform well here, the Elders will also be disappointed."

"Still thinking about them even after all this. Some people can never change." Rosa scoffed and went to stand beside Cali who was watching everything with interest.

Elara looked at her hand entangled with Aegon's and smiled. "More than that, I can't let you be disappointed. You asked me of something, so how can I refuse? I've been on the receiving end, so let me balance it a little."

She turned towards Rosa, hesitating for a second before sighing, "I'll fight alongside her. It won't be the first time, anyways."

"Fun times, babe!" Rosa giggled, remembering something.

"I thought you were exaggerating by calling your new friend weird. But now I'm sure it's actually an understatement," Elara said, having a strange look on her face.

"Oh, babe, you don't want him to call me weird, do you?" Rosa teased with a smile, confusing others.

'Weren't they fighting before? Is this hate-love?' Aegon wondered, really curious about their relationship, but he knew he shouldn't open this bag now. It wouldn't do any good.

Thinking of that, Aegon decided to change the topic, "Anyways, one of the main reasons why we're participating is because our dear friend here got beaten up by a few people!"

"Who did that to Xav?" Elara frowned.

"Hey, El! He didn't mention me, so why are you assuming it's me who got beaten up?" Xavier's lips twitched, as he was suddenly dragged into this conversation.

"You expect me to believe Cali got beaten up and now Gon has to take revenge?" Elara rolled her eyes and said.

Xavier gave his sister a long look before sighing, "Fair enough!"

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