The arena sprawled vast and majestic under the midday sun, a colossal coliseum carved from ancient white marble veined with gold, its tiered stands rising in steep semicircles that seated thousands of nobles in opulent velvet-draped boxes adorned with fluttering silk banners emblazoned with house crests—golden lions, silver serpents, crimson roses swaying in the breeze.

Towering stone pillars etched with victorious battle scenes flanked the sandy pit below, where fresh ochre earth had been raked smooth, glinting with embedded quartz that sparkled like scattered stars.

Braziers of scented incense burned at each corner, wafting jasmine and myrrh to mask the faint undercurrent of old blood and sweat, while enchanted awnings of shimmering blue gossamer shielded the elite from glare, their murmurs buzzing like a hive as they clutched jewelled goblets, eyes hungry for spectacle.

Nearly every noble present—dukes in fur-trimmed robes, countesses with diamond chokers—whispered bets favouring Count Jennife’s triumph, smirking at the ’delicate’ Crown Princess Alexander, convinced she’d crush him in moments, her alpha prowess turning the omega into a public footnote.

Also, this would prevent other omegas to rebel against their superior species.

A handful of rare omegas dotted the crowd too, clustered in shaded alcoves with fans fluttering demurely, their scents masked by floral perfumes, gazes wide with a mix of awe and trepidation at the unfolding drama.

At the arena’s heart stood the referee, a stern beta in polished black leather armour etched with silver runes, whip coiled at his hip, while high on a gilded dais overlooking the field loomed the adjudicator.

He was an imposing Alpha lord in his prime, broad-shouldered and grizzled with a salt-and-pepper beard framing a scarred jaw, his crimson cloak billowing over chainmail that clinked softly as he gripped a crystal staff of judgment, eyes sharp as a hawk’s beneath heavy brows.

Alexander stood poised at one edge of the pit, clad in form-fitting combat leathers dyed deep midnight blue, supple as shadow yet reinforced with hidden mythril thread that gleamed faintly at seams.

High-collared tunic hugging his lithe, toned frame to mid-thigh, laced tight over a chest harness etched with protective wards, loose hakama-style pants tucked into knee-high boots cuffed with silver, flexible soles etched for grip on sand. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

A massive bloom of ethereal star-lilies crowned his silver hair in an elaborate updo, petals unfurling iridescent white and gold like a halo, trailing delicate vines that framed his face.

"Tch! Is he an idiot? Why is he so well-prepared?"

"It’s not a party."

"What should we expect from an omega?"

Murmurs filled the arena; verdict already made inside their minds.

A sheer black veil had shrouded him until now, but even veiled, his beauty transfixed—slender shoulders squared defiant, skin glowing, the curve of full lips and high cheekbones hinting at divine allure.

Across from him, Count Jennife cut a handsome warrior’s figure—tall and broad, muscles corded under scarred plate armour polished to a mirror sheen, her hair cropped short beneath a plumed helm.

The Greatsword strapped across her back like a reaper’s promise, jaw set in predatory confidence, eyes gleaming with certainty.

Count Jennife was sure that she would win this match without breaking a sweat.

The adjudicator’s voice boomed amplified by his staff, echoing off the pillars to silence the crowd.

"As we all know, nobles of the realm, this duel pits His Royal Highness Crown Princess Alexander against his challenger, the esteemed Count Jennife. Both stand ready to clash without interference from any soul—be it guard, magic, or bystander—until one remains standing tall, victorious and unbowed."

"You will lose today, Your Highness," Count Jennife declared with a wolfish grin, planting her boots wide, voice carrying smug assurance—she was utterly certain her blade would end this farce swiftly.

"Maybe so," Alexander snarled back, olive eyes flashing fierce beneath the veil, fists clenching at his sides as silver hair stirred in the wind, the star-lily crown bobbing regal. "But I won’t go down without clawing every inch of fight from you first."

"It would be far wiser if you simply forfeited now, spared us the charade," Jennife pressed, smirking as she rolled her shoulders, armour creaking.

"Why in the hells should I?" Alexander shot back, chin lifting defiant, the flower’s golden petals catching sunlight like a beacon.

"I’m not some brute who proves her strength by grinding a weak little omega into the dust," Jennife replied coolly, eyes raking him dismissively. "Yield, and keep what scraps of dignity you’ve got."

"I have no objections to fighting a puffed-up alpha like you head-on," Alexander retorted, stance shifting predatory despite his smaller frame.

"Your Highness, just scurry back to the palace and get yourself properly pregnant with your husband’s seed instead," Jennife taunted, a few nobles chuckling. "Elaine will be thrilled to knot you senseless—it’s all fragile omegas like you are good for anyway."

"My role as Crown Princess is far grander than just spreading my legs and swelling with heirs," Alexander growled low, heat flushing his cheeks but voice steel.

The adjudicator cleared his throat gruffly, staff rapping the dais for order, his Alpha presence rippling commanding through the air. "Enough banter. Both contestants will fight until one of you stands victorious over the other. Do you agree to these terms?"

"Agreed," Alexander said firmly, nodding once.

"Me too—wholeheartedly," Jennife echoed, smirking wider.

"There will be no killing allowed, no fatal blows or maiming strikes. Yield or incapacitation ends it. Agreed?"

"Yes, I agree fully," Alexander replied, eyes never leaving his foe.

"Me too—no bloodlust from me," Jennife added with mock courtesy.

"Now that we’ve settled the basics, let’s address the conditions," the adjudicator continued, voice rolling like thunder. "Per tradition, the challenger—as an alpha, Count Jennife—claims the first three conditions, then alternates until all five are set. Choose wisely; they bind the duel irrevocably."

Count Jennife’s smirk turned predatory, eyes glinting. "I want his magic fully bound—no spells, no runes, no Aether tricks from the princess."

Everyone gasped sharply, murmurs rippling through the stands like wind through leaves’

"Ruthless!"

"It’s over already!"

"The omega’s done for!"

They thought the duel sealed in her favour, Alexander’s arcane edge—his true wildcard—snuffed cold.