3056 Got Her
Drefin saw that everyone stopped and nodded. "That's more like it. I told you to kill Yuan, not to touch my daughter."
He looked at Tana right after. "And you, are you going against my orders? Even if you are my daughter, stopping others from carrying the Palace Master's orders is a great sin, little lady."
Tana didn't care. "So what? Bite me! I'm not letting anyone touch Yuan."
Rean watched all of that and sighed in relief. Fortunately, the plan worked as he intended. Back when Rean sent a Spiritual Sense Message to Drefin, he gave him a simple but effective plan. It was pretty obvious that Tana cared for Yuan, even if it wasn't out of love. If Drefin ordered others to kill Yuan in front of Tana, it was very likely that Tana would step in to stop everyone.
In that case, things would be much easier. Drefin had a real reason to kill Yuan. After all, 'Yuan offended' all the other strong races of the Saramina Sea Demon Palace with 'his words' just now. The only way to appease the other races would be to get rid of Yuan, and even Tana couldn't stop that.
Still, Drefin also knew his daughter way too well. She would disregard everything and protect Yuan. It was that simple. The relations of the Sea Demon Beasts wouldn't mean anything to that ill-tempered young Golal Shark. Still, the fact that now Yuan had to die was still a fact. That's where Rean's plan got into action.
"Tana," Drefin continued. "After he offended all the Races, he has to die. You might protect him now, but can you protect him after you two leave this place? Will you live by his side every second of the day from now on? Just give up and let him go."
"I refuse!" Tana insisted, not caring at all.
Everyone looked at Drefin, waiting to see his decision. It was pretty obvious they all agreed with his words. Yuan had to die. However, Drefin suddenly changed the plans again. "Alright, since you are my daughter, I will give you one chance to save that idiot's life. As long as you take one of the young male Demon Beasts as your mate and procreate with him, I shall forget Yuan's previous words."
Drefin turned to the various young males. "Does anyone have anything against this decision?"
Every single male there felt their blood boil. Something against? They have been waiting for a chance to finally take her for themselves for several years! If all they had to do was to forget Yuan's previous words, that was definitely worth the trade. Then, they could decide between themselves who would take Tana! Who was a puny Yuan compared to the great prize in the form of Golal Shark Descendants? "We have absolutely no objections, Senior Drefin!"
Tana was taken aback. "Don't decide it for yourselves!" Naturally, she exploded in anger.
Drefin was adamant, though. "Then Yuan has to die. Even you, as stubborn as you are, know what it means for a Demon Beast to be offended in such a manner. The various races Yuan just got into a fight with will not give up, and you know that. So, you might as well step aside now."
The various young beasts looked at Tana with mocking smiles. This time, she absolutely wouldn't get everything she wanted. Tana only grew angrier, but she was the daughter of the Palace Master. She knew how the relations between races worked, and especially the fact her father was right. Even he wouldn't be able to appease the races Yuan offended a moment ago, let alone her.
"Ahem..." Suddenly, Rean walked to the center, cutting into the conversation. "It's not my intention to intervene, but Lady Tana is obviously not happy with this decision. That said, Lady Tana, senior Drefin, I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?"
"Who do you thi-" One of the Demon Beasts immediately shouted at Rean.
Yet, Drefin stopped him. "Let's hear it."
Tana narrowed her eyes and nodded in the end. Rean put them in that situation, so perhaps he had a way to bring them out of there.
Rean faintly smiled. "Lady Tana needs to help disseminate the Golal Shark bloodline, and for that, only the best mate is acceptable. I, of course, believe Yuan is the best one. He was the one who showed me the world beyond the Spiritual Canyon."
Rean's words immediately caused the killing intents to shift to him. Was he ignoring the various, much stronger bloodlines there? Of course, Rean didn't stop there. "Still, no one would accept such a thing. So, how about this? Let's have a small competition between the various suitors. The one to come out on top will be Lady Tana's mate."
Tana instantly complained. "How is that any different from what my father just offered, idiot? I'm absolutely not accepting it."
Rean nodded. "That's for sure, and that's the Lady Tana everyone likes. So, in addition to every suitor, Lady Tana should also be able to select someone to fight for her. If her choice wins, she will have the power to decide her fate. If she doesn't want to mate, then so be it. Of course, since she is the ultimate prize, she can't participate herself."
"Then..." *cough, cough...* "I will forfeit my life," Yuan said with difficulty as he got up. The strike Tana landed on his a moment ago still hurt quite a lot. "As long as I'm gone, Tana won't need to give herself to anyone. Thank you for everything, Tana. I truly loved you. Not for bloodline, nor for power, but for the shark that you are. Farewell." Right after, he focused his Spiritual Sense, ready to sever all his meridians.
*Bang!*
However, Tana once again smashed him against the ground. "Who gave you permission to die? Are you trying to waste my efforts to save your ass?" Her expression was slightly different this time, though. Yuan's words just now seemed to have had a little impact.
'Look at you, lady killer,' Rean thought to himself for a moment. He was probably the only one who noticed that difference since it wasn't a common trait of Demon Beasts to show off their feelings.
"But..." *cough, cough...* "If you don't let me go, you will..."
*Bang!*
Tana struck him once again. Rean even wondered if Tana wouldn't end up killing him herself.
Tana then pulled him up. "If that's what you feel like, then go there and win. If you win, I won't need to take anyone. Since you created this mess, fix it yourself. However, do not dare to die in front of me. I poured too much effort on you for you to pass away that easily."
'Got her!' Rean and Drefin thought at the same time. Too bad only one of the two would feel pleased with the end result.
And as always, any Golden Tickets and Stones are welcome. ;)