Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world Chapter 491: I was just joking...

Freya Bleaufort stood a short distance back, carrying a silver tray that held two glasses of freshly squeezed fruit juice.

Amelia whirled around in shock. "A-Aunty! It’s not... He was just— I slipped and—"

Freya lifted her hand to cover her mouth, concealing her grin. "I see. Yet another ’accident,’ right?"

She approached and placed the tray on a stone bench nearby.

"Young man, I have to admit... your ways of helping a lady are quite unique. First on the balcony, now here in the garden. Shall I begin tallying them up?"

Brandon released a quiet sigh. "It truly was an accident. She slipped, and I merely tried to catch her."

Amelia folded her arms firmly across her chest, still shooting him a fierce glare. "You say that every time, but your hands act like they’ve got their own ideas!"

"How does this keep happening over and over!"

Freya chuckled lightly. "Come on, Amelia. Cut the poor guy some slack. He did prevent your fall, even if his approach was... inventive."

She grabbed one glass of juice and handed it to Brandon. "Here you go. Think of it as a peace gesture. And maybe a sorry for my niece putting a dagger to your throat last night."

Brandon took the juice with a crooked smile. "Thank you."

Freya sipped from her glass. "Since you’re journeying with Goddess Rheanne, I figure you’ll stick around the castle for a while. If you need anything, or if my niece causes you too much hassle... come find me anytime."

Amelia gave her aunt a look of pure betrayal.

"Aunty!"

Freya just laughed once more.

Watching them, Brandon inquired, "Anyway... why were you two creeping through the castle at night like that?"

Amelia looked aside. "That’s..."

She paused, obviously unwilling to spill the details.

With a gentle breath, Freya explained, "My brother spoils Amelia rotten, so he hardly ever lets her venture beyond the castle walls."

"That’s why she sneaks out at night to savor the capital’s nightlife."

"And sometimes... she pulls me into it too."

Eyeing Amelia, she whispered, "Your father would suffer a heart attack if he learned how often you’ve dodged the guards to roam the streets after dark."

Amelia settled onto the stone bench next to Freya. "I just... I yearn to witness the real world."

"I can’t stand being confined inside these castle walls forever..."

Brandon gazed at her briefly. ’She reminds me of Valiene...’

"How about this? Tonight, I’ll show you the city—no sneaking required."

Huh? Amelia lifted her eyes to him, astonished. "You mean it?"

Swallowing another mouthful of fruit juice, Brandon nodded. "Sure. I’ll speak with your father. Being with Rheanne might make him pay attention."

Freya cocked her head a bit. "Hmm... planning to grope her when you’re alone?"

Amelia seized Freya’s arm and shook it hard. "What kind of nonsense is that, you dumb Aunty!"

Brandon cleared his throat and fixed Freya with a weary, exasperated stare. "I’m beginning to suspect you get more joy from teasing your niece than anything else in this castle."

Freya giggled softly. "It’s among my rare joys in this dull castle. Plus, you do seem to keep landing your hands in peculiar spots, young man."

Brandon couldn’t stop a chuckle from escaping.

---

Morning sunlight warmed the castle grounds while Brandon and Freya strolled together down a serene stone path.

Servants and guards dipped their heads in respect as they went by, stepping aside widely upon spotting Freya.

Freya held her hands loosely folded ahead of her. "Amelia can be impolite at times," she murmured gently, "but she’s a good girl deep down... so don’t hold it against her."

Brandon shook his head softly. "Nah, it’s fine. I don’t dislike her one bit."

Freya gave a light giggle. "She trains relentlessly to show her father she can defend herself. That he can let her explore the world without endless worry."

A quiet sigh slipped from her. "I don’t fault him, though. Since his wife passed... he’s grown extremely careful. He lost his true love, and now Amelia’s all that remains."

"With monsters suddenly surging across the world, danger lurks everywhere in his eyes. He guards her like a treasured gem, terrified the outside will steal her away too."

Brandon listened in silence. "It has to be tough on them both. Her feeling caged... and him carrying that fear daily."

Freya nodded, a faint, sorrowful smile on her face. "It really is. I step in to help whenever possible. I sneak her out now and then, or join her on those midnight escapades. It’s her only chance to breathe freely."

"Even so, I still worry. The world beyond these walls shows no mercy to young noble ladies, particularly one as stunning and willful as Amelia."

She glanced over at Brandon. "You know, if you actually convince my brother to allow her to head out with you tonight, you'll be in for a handful. She tends to stray off the instant something catches her interest."

"Last time, she pulled me to watch a street performer juggling knives. It almost stopped my heart."

Brandon let out a chuckle. "I'll remember that."

Freya gave a soft laugh. "Good. And don't grope her again. Once was plenty for a single visit."

Brandon let out a light groan. "That was truly an accident."

She giggled while eyeing him up and down. "Also... um, you must protect Amelia. Are you strong? You're Lady Rhaenne's companion... but even so..."

He shrugged before answering. "I'm pretty strong. Heck, I could even take on a hundred of your men."

Freya lifted an eyebrow in astonishment. "Oh..."

---

Brandon: -_- I was just joking...

Right before him now were precisely one hundred men, clad in full armor with practice weapons, all wearing baffled expressions.

The burly captain up front advanced, rubbing his head beneath his helmet.

"Uh, Your Highness... why the urgent call for 100 men?"

Freya indicated Brandon directly, her voice carrying pure innocence.

"He claimed he could defeat 100 of our guards with ease, so I figured we'd test it."

The burly captain eyed Brandon, then scowled. "Your Highness... this fellow? He's got a handsome face and a fine build, but I doubt..."

The other guards whispered to each other, a few chuckling, while some appraised Brandon doubtfully.

Freya hid her grin behind her hand. "Well? You boasted it yourself, right? A companion of the Goddess ought to prove his words."

Amelia, observing from the garden's edge, approached with eyes wide open.

"Aunty! You can't simply-"

Freya dismissed her with a quick wrist flick. "Quiet, dear. This will teach us all something."

The captain folded his arms, evidently unconvinced. "Listen, kid. No insult meant, but we're the Emperor's elite guard. We drill daily. You seem like you've never gripped a true blade. This ain't a back-alley scrap."

Brandon heaved a deep sigh and loosened his shoulders.

He truly wished to avoid this.

Yet he understood that refusing now would complicate matters down the line... particularly as Rhaenne's "right hand."

"Alright," he declared, moving into the open training area. "Let's wrap this up fast. I don't want to injure too many of your guys."

The guards erupted in laughter.

The captain shook his head, obviously entertained by the bravado.

"Fine, pretty boy. Show us your skills."