Harem Tournament of Champions

'I own it here.' Hisha had wanted to blurt out but refrained from doing so.

"I needed to get your answer to a particular question," Hisha replied.

Pesa narrowed her eyes and prepared herself mentally for what he had to ask, since her ability was extracted, there was little to any way she could free herself from where she was kept like a comfortable prisoner.

"Who put you up to this?"

Deep down, there was a brooding feeling that he already had an idea of who could have been the culprit, all he needed was an affirmation.

'I can't and wouldn't since I don't trust you.' Pesa glared at him.

Pushing back his hair, he let out a sigh in frustration as HTC brought up a suggestion in front of him.

[Manipulate her, use her to get the information you need]

'Do you think that would work for a thick skin like her?' Hisha raised a brow.

[Affirmative, use your charm to win your way into her heart, then you'd find it easy to get what you seek]

Locking eyes with Pesa, his attitude greatly changed as he dismissed the initial curiosity about her knowledge, instead, he inched closer to where she sat on the bed.

Weary of his actions, she pushed back. "Lord Hisha?"

Her breath hitched when she was trapped yet again with her back against the headboard. This time there was something strange about the interaction that had her confused and uncertain.

Hisha had his eyes glued to her supple pink lips and he instinctively bit on his bottom lip.

The only sound that could be heard was their puff of breath, a few inches away from each other's faces.

"I don't care why you hate me so much, but I want you to know I do care about your well-being..."

Pesa raised her head slightly at his words, her eyes wide with shock seeing his attitude a little bit out of character from what she had been made to believe.

"You would overlook my actions?!" Pesa's lips quivered at the thought of getting off the hook.

Hisha's eyes switched from her eyes and back to her lips. "If you do have a good record with me, I would reduce the duel limit and personally let you off."

Pesa's blue eyes beamed with rekindled joy, this was a hope she didn't ever think she could gain again after the verdict he had given her.

Nodding her head frantically at his offer, she could already feel free and not be trapped by any mark.

Hisha could feel her joy resonating and couldn't help but smile back. Even though this would mean he would let her go, in the end, the information at her disposal was indispensable.

Getting off the bed, Hisha looked over at the broken arrow still hovering above him.

Pesa's eyes followed his line of sight and her thoughts flashed to what could have possibly happened.

"Were you ambushed?" She questioned with a cold tone.

Her willingness to spark up a conversation caught his attention greatly and he was more than willing to give her an answer to gauge her reaction.

"Yes, I was, while trying out hunting after such a long while."

Letting out a laugh at the thought, he turned to her to see her head low and her eyes searching the floor as though looking for something.

"In the end, your bow was broken..." She muttered enough to the hearing of Hisha.

"I broke it so it could serve a much better purpose at the time." He cut in, deactivating the hold he had on the arrow and catching it in his palm.

This came as a surprise to Pesa as she stared at his prized arrows which had lost their rare silver head.

"You aren't concerned about the value of what you have lost?" Pesa asked, perplexed by yet another misconception she had while in her little town.

​ Hisha's lips drew into a thin line as he remembered whatever he would say would harm how he's viewed.

'HTC, how precious is the silver head?' Hisha quickly consulted.

Pacing a bit with the broken arrow in his hand, he used the mannerism to buy a bit of time while he got the needed information from HTC.

[It's worth 50,000 silver coins]

Hiding his shock, he coughed out and proceeded to ask how the original host valued riches.

[Anyone who takes what is his, dies]

'Oh? So I'm not only protective of my harem, but also about my riches, got that.' Hisha nodded his head and finally had an answer to the question directed at him.

"It was used to save a friend, I hold no feelings for things that could perish," Hisha replied, eagerly expecting her reaction.

Pesa stared at him for a while, deep in thought and internally conflicted on how she felt about his decision.

"That was quite noble of you, my lord." Pesa finally responded meekly, flashing a smile.

For the first time in ages, Hisha caught on to her mesmerizing smile and was taken by surprise.

Unintentionally blurting out, "you look quite beautiful when you smile."

This comment didn't go unnoticed by Pesa as her cheeks flushed and avoided eye contact with Hisha.

Taking this as his cue to get closer, he took her hand in his. "How were your parents like?"

Pesa stared at him in shock, after her parents had died, she had so badly wanted to exact her revenge on the person who had caused their death–blaming it all on him selecting her for the position she never wanted.

'Why does he act as though he never knew of this?' She wondered, in denial about his stance on whole selection.

*****

A/N

Discord link > https://discord.gg/U3tRN2ymzs

¶ Mass release for win win privilege unlock

~1k+ unlocks= 2 bonus chapters the next day

~5k+ unlocks= 10 bonus chapters on the weekend.

My heartfelt appreciation to those who vote with powerstones on my book constantly or happened to devote them currently.