CH324 The Ice Queen's Furious Serf

***

Just as Alex was quietly enjoying the sight of Zora forcing herself to smile and greet the crowd of buzzing nobles, she suddenly stopped mid-motion.

Her head turned—snapping sharply in his direction.

Their eyes met.

Zora caught sight of Alex's amused smile, one that showed clearly he was enjoying her predicament.

For a brief moment, she frowned, her expression darkening with irritation. But then, as if struck by a mischievous idea, her frown melted into a slow, deliberate smile.

A chill ran down Alex's spine. He literally shivered in his seat.

'What the—?!'

Before he could process it, she murmured something to her entourage, left them to handle the chattering guests, and—to Alex's growing horror—began walking straight toward him.

'She... wouldn't...?!'

Oh, but she would.

As he feared, Zora glided confidently through the crowd, her every step drawing attention—and dragging all the limelight right to his corner. Alex resisted the urge to bolt. Running would only make things worse.

It'd look like he was fleeing from her.

By the time she reached him, all he could do was offer a resigned, crooked smile.

Her teasing smirk made it clear she was enjoying every second of his discomfort.

The sudden, uncharacteristic warmth on the Ice Queen's face didn't escape the more observant nobles nearby. Eyes turned and whispers spread. It didn't take long before people began speculating about the nature of their relationship.

The only question now was—how close were they?

Alex shifted slightly, opening a space for her beside him on the sofa.

"Did you really have to do that?" he asked dryly.

"You looked lonely sitting here all by yourself," Zora replied, utterly unabashed. "So, I thought I'd keep you company. Besides…" She tilted her head, smiling sweetly. "I needed a bug repellent. And as my humble servant, I'm sure you wouldn't mind helping your queen, right?"

Alex's lips twitched. "Fine," he sighed in mock surrender. "Your humble servant, I, am happy to be used as milady queen's bug repellent."

Once Zora sat down, the crowd of men who had been hovering near her quickly dispersed—especially after spotting the Fury family crest embroidered on Alex's jacket.

No one wanted to pick a fight with a member of that infamous bloodline.

It wasn't fear—many of these people came from powerful families themselves—it was respectful caution.

The Fury family was after all known for their ability to silently humiliate their opponents.

Even if you won in a physical confrontation against one, you somehow still lost—usually in a way so humiliating it was better never to engage in the first place.

Hence, Alex made the best kind of repellent to keep these overly interested males at bay.

However, just because it worked on most of them didn't mean there wouldn't be one or two persistent bugs still buzzing around.

A noble lady Zora seemed familiar with came over, clearly drawn by her attire and curious about who designed it. Since they were now sisters and Alex preferred to stay out of the spotlight, Zora casually credited Eleanor's clothing shop.

The nearby noble ladies, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, immediately caught the name and carefully noted it down — a detail that didn't go unnoticed by Zora and Alex.

The two unknowingly shared a knowing, scheming look.

That small mirrored gesture sparked curiosity in the noble lady.

"May I ask," she began hesitantly, "who this gentleman is to you?"

Before Alex could even register the question, Zora answered without missing a beat.

"He is Alex Fury. He's my fiancé."

"Ah! You didn't tell me you were engaged. Congratulations!" The lady exclaimed as she clasped Zora's hands excitedly.

The nearby hopeful men felt their hearts shatter. Their expressions turned dark, their eyes filled with jealousy as they glared at Alex.

Shatter!

Suddenly, the sharp sound of glass breaking rang through the air. When the trio turned toward the source, they found shards of a shattered glass at the feet of a gaudily dressed youth — the very image of arrogance wrapped in this world's equivalent of tacky designer wear.

Helmut Wastelander.

"Hey, useless trash," Helmut sneered loudly enough for everyone to hear. "If you know what's good for you, you'll break off that engagement right now. That woman belongs to the Wastelander family. She's destined to be married to my brother — Alric Wastelander."

—

"Alric Wastelander? Isn't that the heir of the Wastelander family?" someone in the crowd murmured.

"Not only that," another whispered. "I heard after returning from conquering one of their family's planes last year, he became strong enough to be named one of the Empire's Dragons."

"An Empire Dragon? Isn't that the group of prodigies expected to reach Legendary within two decades?"

–

The murmurs of the crowd reached Alex's ears, but he paid them no heed. In fact, he looked at Helmut with mild amusement.

This was after all a rare encounter with the cliché arrogant young master trope since arriving in this world — a world where he'd expected them to be everywhere.

"Alex, don't react," Zora murmured under her breath.

She quickly dismissed the noble lady, not wanting her or her family caught in the crossfire. The Fury Family and the Enclave could handle any retaliation from Duke Wastelander, but a minor Count's household certainly couldn't.

"Helmut," Zora said, her smile fading into icy coldness, "who are you to speak about my private affairs? Have you forgotten where you are? Do you think the Wastelander Duchy can shield you from the consequences of this transgression?"

"Lady Zora, you disappoint me," Helmut sneered. "I used to think you were a woman of foresight and vision. Now I see you're just an arrogant wench. You actually rejected my brother's advances just to shack up with this Intermediate-rank trash? I almost pity my brother for falling for a tasteless broad like you."

Before Zora could respond, a cold shiver ran down her spine.

Killing intent.

She turned — and froze.

Alex's smile was gone. In its place was an utterly impassive stare.

There was no anger, no disgust — just a chilling neutrality that scared her more than any outburst could have. Because she knew: Alex was angry... very, very angry.

Looking closer, one could see his eyes flickering between multiple shades of crimson.

Calm Madness was rising — and Alex was struggling to hold it back.

Zora quickly reached for his hand.

"Don't. Don't fall for it," she whispered urgently.

Alex smiled faintly, then gently pushed her hand aside and stood up.

"What? Did I strike a chord?" Helmut taunted. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Alex!" Zora stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

"Don't worry," Alex said quietly. "Just watch."

He stepped past her and stopped before Helmut.

Alex raised his hand — and Helmut braced himself, ready to take a punch.

Slap!

A sharp sound echoed across the hall.

But to everyone's shock, Alex hadn't hit Helmut.

He'd slapped Helmut's guard.

"What are you—?!"

Calm Madness. Killing Intent. [Beast Intimidation]

Alex's aura erupted in an instant.

Helmut, who was about to speak, had the words stuck in his throat as Alex's eyes locked onto him.

For a split second, he felt his soul being torn from his body under the Fury's gaze.

***

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