Chapter 294 - Ruthless Prince
Chapter 294 - Ruthless Prince
"Different situations call for different approaches?" Fenriri furrowed her brows as she pondered over her master's words.
Just as Albion stated, it was not his original intention to get involved with the Willow's Secret's problem.
However, eliminating the nuisance at Willow's Secret would earn him the goodwill of the locals, which may lead to them spilling some vital information if he chatted with them.
Nevertheless, his intervention produced even better results than he anticipated—the goodwill of a member of Elvaraden's royal family, the first princess, Floria.
'For a race plagued with low reproduction, there sure are quite a few royal members. I've just entered the tribe, but I'm already meeting the third royal member,' Albion thought amusingly.
The king sure works hard in his love chamber. Old mate was obviously a stud.
"Sorry for the wait, Sir.. I will take you to my Lady, Princess Floria now. This way, please," Tilly gestured.
After she finished asking the guards to 'escort' Lord Rathal outside, she began guiding Albion and Fenriri towards Princess Floria's location immediately.
As they walked past the other guests at Willow's Secret, Albion observed the surprises written on their faces.
They had not known of Princess Floria's identity as the establishment's owner. It was an unexpected reveal for them.
"Princess Floria is the Willow's Secret's owner? How surprising."
"Right? Who would have known that a princess would suddenly grow interested in starting a business—a business in a rural place like the outer district no less."
Without surprise, Princess Floria's presence became the main topic of discussion among the patrons at Willow's Secret.
"Sudden interest, you say? That might not be the case," a male elf butted into the conversation between two other elves and said, "Considering the quality service and food provided, Princess Floria might have been planning this for some time now."
"Even so, why start a food business here in the outer district? Surely, Princess Floria's business would have experienced greater success in the inner district," one of the other male elves asked.
"Perhaps it had something to do with catching nobles like Lord Rathal, who exploit helpless commoners like us to fatten their own pockets? After all, Princess Floria isn't an elitist, and she sympathizes with us commoners."
"We're pretty blessed to have someone like the first princess on our side. It's calming to know someone is looking out for us commoners now that the outside world has become unfamiliar and dangerous."
"Don't forget about our lovely Princess Cylia. She's still young and pure, but that makes her all the more precious. She doesn't mind spending most of her time in the outer district, and she doesn't look down on us commoners."
As Albion ascended the floors, he overheard all of the elves' discussions on the first to fourth floors.
'Princess Floria, huh?' Albion grew curious.
Whether the person genuinely cared for the commoners or simply using them as a political strategy to raise her own position in the tribe, he will find out once they meet.
'Looks like no one is talking about me or that incident earlier... I should be safe—' Just as Albion had that thought, a system notification suddenly rang in his mind.
Ding!
<You have earned a new title!>
Albion immediately had a bad feeling once he heard the first system message.
Nothing good ever comes from Goldfinger when it comes to new titles, especially if it happens after he busted someone's nuts.
<You have earned the title, Ruthless Prince!>
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[Ruthless Prince]
Overview: Handsome as you may be, words of your notoriety and vicious deed have quickly spread in the tribe, planting seeds of fear in all who have heard the tale of the Nut-Buster at Willow's Secret.
Effect: When talking to elf commoners, there's a 50% chance that women will try to get on your good side, and men will avoid annoying you to protect their future descendants.
Note: Depending on an elf's social standing and difference in cultivation to the host, the % probability of the effect may vary.
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Albion's lips twitched with evident irritation.
The title effect works in his favor, but he could not help but feel a certain amount of annoyance and distress at knowing what the elves' impression of him would be.
'Haiz, it was obviously an accident. These male elves are simply too paranoid,' Albion shook his head helplessly with a silent sigh.
After following Tilly for some time, the female waiter suddenly stopped before the stairs leading to the top floor, guarded by two elves in the Peak-stage Spirit Refinement Realm, before she turned around.
"My Lady, Princess Floria is waiting for you upstairs, Sir. Please head up on your own from here," Tilly gestured to the stairs.
At the same time, the two guards stepped aside for Albion and Fenriri after receiving prior instruction from Princess Floria.
Albion nodded to the female waiter before heading upstairs with Fenriri.
On the top floor, the number of tables, chairs, and private booths, was the same as on the previous floors.
However, other than Princess Floria and two attending waiters by the inner balcony with a clear view of the center below, the top floor was devoid of people.
It was not hard to determine which among the three female elves was the first princess.
Although the female waiters were beautiful, Princess Floria's beauty, with her unique charm and grace, was on a whole different level compared to them.
"You've come." Princess Floria turned away from her view of the ground floor to face Albion with a smile before gesturing to the opposite end of her table, "Please take a seat with your little friend. I am very interested in you."
"Likewise." Albion returned the greeting with a smile.
He thought his appearance may have been too handsome, but he finally met a female elf who could keep her composure in his presence.
The same could not be said for the other two female waiters standing behind the first princess. They were completely captivated as they stared at him in a daze.
At the same time, Fenriri also stared back at Princess Floria in a daze.
The first princess, the first flower of Elvaraden, was like a fairy that walked out of a painting.