The Exiled Prince Domination Chapter 91: Duel

[Ding! You have encountered a Special Character: Gaston]

[You have received: Rare Blind Box.]

Gaston’s smirk faltered, his brow furrowing as he processed the insult. "What did you just call ?"

"You heard ," Lucian said evenly, keeping my tone casual but firm.

The patrons seated nearby exchanged glances, chuckling softly at his boldness. Gaston’s face darkened, his jaw clenching as his pride took a hit.

"You’ve got a big mouth for soone so scrawny," Gaston growled, puffing out his chest and stepping closer. "Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow, unbothered by his looming figure. "Oh, I know exactly who I’m talking to, a guy who probably spends more ti flexing in mirrors than doing anything useful."

A ripple of laughter spread through the tavern, and Gaston’s nostrils flared. His hands curled into fists at his sides as he towered over . "You’ve got a lot of nerve, young man. Do you think you’re funny?"

Lucian tilted my head, smirking. "Funny? Not particularly. Honest? Absolutely."

The tension in the room thickened as the crowd settled in, watching intently. Belle groaned audibly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Gaston, just drop it. You don’t need to pick a fight with everyone who doesn’t fall at your feet."

Gaston ignored her, his glare burning into . "You think you’re clever, don’t you? Let’s see how clever you are when you’re flat on the floor."

Lucian chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, big guy. You’re taking this way too seriously. Besides, you started it."

By now, the entire tavern was engrossed in the exchange, the air buzzing with murmurs and suppressed laughter. Gaston’s face was an alarming shade of red, his ego visibly fraying at the edges.

Belle stood abruptly, stepping between us. "That’s enough, both of you! Gaston, go find soone else to impress. And you—" she shot a sharp look, though her eyes betrayed a hint of amusent, "try not to provoke him. It’s not worth it."

Gaston ignored her completely, He jabbed a thumb toward himself, his voice booming. "Do you think you’re a match for ? I’m the strongest man in the village, the only one worthy of Belle!"

Belle rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "I’m standing right here, Gaston."

But Gaston had already turned to the crowd, feeding off their attention. With dramatic flair, he leaped onto the nearest table, spreading his arms wide to silence the murmurs.

"Right from the mont when I t her, saw her, I said she’s gorgeous, and I fell!"

He gestured grandly toward Belle, who groaned and covered her face with one hand. Undeterred, Gaston flexed his biceps, the tavern erupting into cheers as he basked in their admiration.

"Here in town, there’s only she, Who is beautiful as , So I’m making plans to woo and marry Belle!" He grabbed a mug of ale from the bar, spinning it theatrically before raising it high.

"Look at this face, chiseled to perfection!" he sang, winking at the triplet Bimbettes, who sighed dreamily in unison.

"No one’s got a jawline so divine! When it cos to pure attraction, There’s no other man who shines!"

The Bimbettes swayed toward him, singing in harmony, "Ohhhh, Gaston!"

With a flourish, Gaston plucked a bouquet of fake flowers from a vase and dropped to one knee before Belle. "Belle, oh Belle, just say the word Together we’ll be splendid! I’ll build us a mansion, golden and grand, and your fairytale will be splendid!"

He finished with an exaggerated bow, arms outstretched as if expecting a standing ovation. The tavern burst into applause and cheers, mugs clinking together in support of his ridiculous theatrics.

Lucian clapped slowly and deliberately. "Wow, Gaston. That was... sothing. Not sure if you’re trying to woo Belle or audition for The Ballad of , Myself, and I. But hey, at least you’re confident."

The crowd laughed again, and Gaston’s smug grin twisted into a scowl. His nostrils flared as he clenched his fists.

"How about we settle this?" Gaston growled, stepping down from the table. "A fight. Right here, right now. Let’s see who’s better for Belle!"

Lucian sighed, exasperated. "Really? Fighting over a woman I barely know? That’s... charming. Very knightly of you."

Belle stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Gaston, stop it! Don’t fight him! He’s not even my suitor. I just t him!"

Gaston held up his hands in mock innocence. "Who said anything about fists, my dear Belle? No, no. I’m proposing sothing far more civilized." He turned to , his smirk returning. "How about an arm-wrestling match? Or are you afraid to embarrass yourself in front of everyone?"

Lucian sighed. "And why should I?"

"Oh, poor ! I didn’t realize we had a coward among us!" Gaston said loudly, laughing as he spread his arms. The crowd joined in, egging him on.

Belle groaned. "This is ridiculous, Gaston."

Lucian stopped Mor’du, who was starting to rise, with a hand on his shoulder. He leaned forward. "Fine. If it’ll shut you up, let’s do it."

Gaston grinned, clapping his hands together. "Perfect! Let’s have ourselves a duel!"

The crowd cheered as a sturdy wooden table was cleared for the match. Gaston rolled up his sleeves dramatically, flexing his muscles for the crowd as he settled into his seat. Lucian sat across from him, clasping his hand. His grip was like iron, but Lucian t it with a firm hold of my own.

Ruby grabbed there hands and placed them together on the table. "Okay! When I say go, you start!"

Lucian gave Gaston a smirk as he tightened my grip. "Ready to lose, Mr. Narcissist?"

His eyes narrowed, his knuckles already whitening. "Dream on, twig."

Ruby raised her hands in the air, pausing dramatically. "Ready... set... GO!"

And just like that, the battle began.

Gaston’s muscles rippled as he pushed with everything he had. His face twisted with effort, veins bulging on his forehead. The crowd murmured in anticipation.

"Co on, twig!" Gaston taunted, voice strained. "You can’t beat . I’m the strongest man in this village!"

Lucian yawned and casually picked his ear with his pinky finger. "You can’t even budge my arm."

With a sudden shift, Lucian pushed back. Gaston’s eyes widened in shock. Lucian’s grip tightened as his surged. In one smooth, powerful motion, he slamd Gaston’s hand down onto the table with a loud crack, crunching the hunter’s hand painfully.

The crowd gasped, so of them clearly surprised at the sudden shift in montum. Ruby’s eyes widened, her hands clasped in front of her mouth as she watched intently. Belle, too, was watching, a mixture of disbelief and amusent crossing her face.

Ruby’s small voice broke the stunned silence. "Mr. Lucian wins!"

Gaston stared at his throbbing hand, dumbfounded. Belle shook her head, muttering under her breath.

Lucian looked down at him. "Want another round?"

Gaston opened his mouth to retort, but before he could get a word out, Lefou rushed into the tavern, slightly out of breath. He leaned in close and whispered sothing urgently into Gaston’s ear. Gaston’s brows furrowed, and he stood abruptly, straightening his jacket with a scowl.

He shot a glance at , his expression still stormy. "We’re not done here," he growled, jabbing a finger in my direction before turning on his heel and storming out of the tavern, Lefou trailing behind him.

As the door slamd shut behind them, Belle let out a long-suffering sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "What a headache," she muttered under her breath. Shaking her head, she turned to . "Well then, I should get going. I still have things to do."

Lucian nodded, finishing the last of his drink. "Of course. Don’t let keep you."

Belle smiled faintly, then turned to Ruby. "Would you like to co along with , Ruby?"

Ruby hesitated, looking between Belle and Lucian. "But I still need to guide Mr. Lucian!" she said, her voice soft and adorably determined.

Lucian chuckled lightly. "It’s okay, Ruby. You should go with Belle. I’ll stay here for now."

Ruby tilted her head, clearly reluctant, but after a mont, she nodded. "Okie dokie!" she said cheerfully, skipping over to Belle’s side.

Belle offered him a polite nod, then turned and headed for the door with Ruby in tow.

The two disappeared into the busy streets outside, leaving Lucian and Mor’du in the now-quieter tavern.

Mor’du, who had been quietly munching on a chicken leg, looked at Lucian. "You should have broken his arm instead of just squeezing it hard."

Lucian laughed. "Maybe next ti."