Two Princes

Although the confidence in the newcomer's tone—as if he held the power of life and death—made Liam feel quite uncomfortable, he had to admit that this man truly possessed the capital for such arrogance.

As the heir to the Kingdom of Lordaeron, the most powerful of the human kingdoms, with his handsome features, perfect physique, and proud talent, it was no exaggeration to call him a favored son of heaven.

Like Jaina, he had golden hair, trimmed only slightly at the bangs, parted to both sides and draped behind his head, falling long over his shoulders. His face, still retaining a hint of youthful softness, already bore the tenacity of adulthood; his sea-blue eyes held a touch of tenderness only when looking at Jaina, while they remained entirely cold when cast upon Liam.

Arthas, a contemporary of Liam and the perfect prince in the eyes of the people of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, sat upright on a silver-gray steed, looking down at Liam from his superior position.

Liam knew that the horse was Invincible, the object of many people's envy... At this moment, Arthas had not yet lost this horse he had grown up with due to his own recklessness, so his arrogance had not been tempered in the slightest, remaining as flamboyant as his personality.

This point made Liam feel even more uncomfortable, and he had a strong urge to stomp on that handsome face of his.

Arthas did not like Liam, just as Liam did not like Arthas.

Having just heard that Jaina, whom he had met once two years ago, was returning to Kul Tiras and would be stopping in the Kingdom of Lordaeron for two days, he had hurriedly mounted his horse to come and see her. It would be even better if they could travel together, just as they had on the road when he escorted her to Dalaran.

Their last meeting had left a deep impression on Arthas, even though his attitude toward orcs at the time seemed to have displeased the young girl. However, Arthas believed that girls were always forgetful, as long as he properly—

The mysterious disappearance of Lord Prestor had brought his sister's political marriage to an abrupt end, which made Arthas even more eager to see Jaina. He knew that his father was currently striving to secure another political alliance, and the target was very likely himself.

Although there was no such thing as "love" between him and Jaina yet, he hated political marriages even more! If it had to be this way, he wanted to choose a political marriage partner he actually liked, and the princess of Kul Tiras was a very good choice.

He knew that his father had harbored some of these thoughts when he invited Jaina and her mentor to the Kingdom of Lordaeron last time, but he hadn't mentioned it only because she was too young. If he were to propose it himself, his father would certainly not object.

But before that, he needed to test Jaina's attitude.

Unfortunately, Liam had just bumped into a lion patrolling its territory, and the young girl he was "teasing" was the "mate" this lion had already earmarked for himself... Although Jaina was only fifteen and didn't know what "affection" was, this did not prevent Arthas, a somewhat reckless youth, from standing up to guard his "territory."

And as an invader, Liam had the misfortune of becoming the great villain in a romance story.

Damn, this guy is actually really handsome! Liam didn't have the complex thoughts of Arthas at all; he was just silently complaining in his heart, feeling speechless.

To be honest, he wasn't interested in the messy business between Jaina and Arthas. Whoever loved whom was none of his concern; his home wasn't a shelter, and he couldn't just drag every pretty girl he saw back with him. Getting caught up in this now was, without exaggeration, an unprovoked disaster.

Speaking of pretty, that little girl Lorna isn't any worse than Jaina... I still prefer dark hair. As a pure Gilnean, Liam took pride in his aesthetic sense, not feeling at all that his train of thought had wandered far off course.

Liam was lost in his own world, but Arthas saw nothing but "contempt" in his attitude.

As a prince, a prince deeply loved by his subjects, Arthas was met with reverent gazes wherever he went. When had he ever encountered such a bold person who dared to ignore him to his face? Now, facing this rude commoner, he was suddenly overcome with shame and anger.

One of the four attendants lined up behind him noticed Arthas's dissatisfaction and stepped forward. "Audacious! His Highness the Prince is speaking to you; what kind of attitude is that!"

Liam had been considering his future queen candidates, only to have his train of thought interrupted by a shout from a "lackey," which immediately annoyed him. "He's a prince, and I'm just some cabbage? You can just boss me around as you please?"

"Mind your status, attendant! He's just a prince; even the King of Lordaeron cannot simply convict someone on a whim."

Being a prince himself, Liam naturally didn't fear Arthas. Even in the worst-case scenario, Liam dared to risk exposing his identity. Would the Kingdom of Lordaeron really dare to openly persecute the legitimate heir of another human kingdom? You say Gilneas withdrew from the Alliance of Lordaeron? Withdrawing from an alliance isn't "betraying one's race," and besides, Gilneas wasn't some soft persimmon without history like Alterac!

Stunned by Liam's sharp retort, Arthas felt he had lost face, and he drew the longsword at his waist directly.

"I will say it again: put down what is in your hand, or I will take you down myself."

Arthas was gradually losing his patience. Liam's repeated disregard caused him to lose face in front of Jaina, and his suppressed anger flared up.

"Drawing your sword? If you want to fight, then let's fight. You think I'm afraid of you?" Arthas's repeated condescending gaze caused Liam's own reckless nature to flare up as well.

As a rogue, it was only natural to choose to strike first. The shoe he hadn't returned to Jaina vanished from his hand, replaced by a rope with a grappling hook.

With a casual flick, the hook at the end of the rope snagged Arthas's arm. Liam pulled hard, using the momentum to fly toward Arthas, who was five meters away. Caught off guard, Arthas was pulled from his horse, landing on the ground and rolling to the side to dissipate the force.

"Assassins! Protect the Prince!" The four attendants all drew their weapons, ready to charge.

"Nobody move! This person is mine!" Arthas, confident in his own strength, looked down on Liam, who was clearly his peer. Having been made to look so disheveled by a "sneak attack," his arrogant nature naturally demanded he reclaim his dignity himself.

While parrying a strike from Liam with his sword, Arthas blocked the attendants who wanted to come and help.

The "Prince," who rarely had the chance to truly fight anyone, felt his blood boiling with excitement, ready to personally capture this "assassin" who dared to attack a member of the royal family!