There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 440

Chapter 440: Chapter 433. A Palace Hospitality

The murmurs, which had once quieted down, started again. They were all coming from flabbergasted faces, including the government official.

Strangely enough, Zein saw two faces that made no shift in their faces; that of the Queen, and a young woman standing by the side. From her clothes, Zein presumed she was one of the princesses.

"Quite rude, aren’t you?" the King said in a mix of annoyance and amusement, like someone talking to a naughty kid.

Bassena replied dryly. "It’s rude to force someone on their vacation to come somewhere."

An even louder murmur, perhaps because they weren’t used to the King being talked back. Zein had no idea what the custom in this kingdom was, but he knew enough that people who held absolute authority always wanted others to give them the utmost respect. As the leader of the nation, as well as the head of the only Old House in the country, the King must never receive any opposition.

But the King wasn’t Bassena’s King.

"Hey, look here," the esper let out an annoyed sigh. "I’m not here on a diplomatic mission or whatever, so if you want me to lick your feet like a politician, just forget it."

A collective gasp could be heard, as well as the offended expression on both the King’s and the government official’s faces.

"Just spit out what you want and be done with it; I have a reservation to attend."

The King, whose vein had started to bulge, asked disdainfully. "With whom?"

"With my dinner," Bassena replied nonchalantly.

Another noisy murmur, another angry glare, and Zein was sure the King was about to stand up in indignation to lash out at his nephew, but the Queen gently caressed the King’s arm, whispering something that Zein couldn’t hear with a beautiful smile that slightly warmed the King’s angry gaze.

Huh...

Zein glanced at Bassena, who still looked annoyed. But if the esper was looking at Zein now, he would almost look like the King--with the same bronze skin, platinum blonde hair, and amber eyes.

No matter how much Bassena denied it, they truly shared the same blood.

At that time, the expressionless princess that Zein had seen earlier spoke. "Father, why don’t we bring this to the reception room? He’s a family, after all--no need for all these formalities."

Bassena scoffed. "Pardon me, but...did you just call me family?" he raised his brow. "Am I even in that family registry? Didn’t I already reject that offer?"

The princess didn’t look fazed and just stared at the King with a trained smile. "Father?"

The court went silent once again, as if people were holding their breath to wait for the King’s reply. Zein felt it was silly, but also fascinating.

"Fine," the King finally said before standing up with the Queen holding his arm. "Let us move."

The royal couple turned and walked down the dais toward a door on the side of the hall, being followed by the royal guards. For a second, the Queen glanced at Bassena and Zein; she smiled and nodded slightly, before talking with the King again. Behind them was the Princess, as well as a quiet young boy who Zein reckoned was the Crown Prince.

"Hmm..." Bassena narrowed his eyes. "She’s going to be harder to face."

"I don’t think so," Zein patted the esper’s back to praise him for holding back. "At least...I don’t think she has any plan to let you stay. It’s obvious that she doesn’t like you, though."

"Haa..." Bassena took a deep breath and expelled it harshly. "I’ll only tolerate whatever this is for the next hour."

Zein smiled. "That’s rather generous."

"I’m maturing," Bassena grinned, and he received a head pat as a reward.

"Good boy."

"Hehe..."

* * *

From the airport to the palace’s reception room, Zein had observed the citizens of the Southern Kingdom. Most of them had tanned skin, either from the scorching sun or a genetic trait. But none of them had platinum blonde hair or amber eyes.

Except for the royal family.

The King, the Prince and the Princess, as well as the direct bloodline of House Rakai. In the palace, there were the King’s younger sisters and their children, who were also present in the reception room.

What a strong gene, Zein chuckled inwardly. Bassena’s look was pretty unique in the Eastern Federation, but here, he perfectly blended. No wonder the kingdom recognized him when he started to become famous.

And funnily enough, the way Bassena acted right now was like an estranged cousin who got fed up with the elders of the family.

"Now can you tell me what you want?" he said in a demanding voice after many minutes passed by handing out refreshments without any substantial talk.

Very mature, indeed. Zein chuckled behind his teacup. He was enjoying the warm spice emanating from the tea, completely letting Bassena handle his own battle.