BATTLE FOR STARS

“Princess Belina, it’s been several years. You’ve become even more beautiful,” Balk said.

“Thank you for the compliment. And you’ve become even more… imposing,” Belina replied smoothly.

“So,” Balk continued, “can you finally agree to my proposal now, Princess?”

“That matter?” Belina smiled faintly. “I still refuse. I think I’m still too young. Something like that can wait a few more years.”

A trace of displeasure immediately appeared on Balk’s face.

Clearly, he wasn’t someone good at hiding his emotions.

And in his daily life, very few people probably dared oppose him directly.

“Princess, the moment we meet again, you ruin my fun. Shouldn’t you compensate me somehow?” Balk said after a brief pause, deliberately changing the topic.

Ding Yufei noticed that while Balk was speaking with Belina, the women from his suite had all gathered nearby and were quietly whispering among themselves.

From their expressions, though, it was obvious none of them recognized Belina.

“You really haven’t changed at all,” Belina sighed. “Your hobbies are still exactly the same. Watching slaves drown—is that really entertaining to you? Personally, I think floating corpses ruin the scenery and spoil my appetite.”

“Then tonight’s the perfect time for it,” Balk replied casually. “It’s already dark. No scenery to ruin. No corpses visible either.”

During all the commotion earlier, night had fully fallen.

“So…” Balk slowly swept his gaze across everyone present. “Who should we start with?”

His eyes moved from face to face, beginning with Ding Yufei.

Even knowing Balk probably wouldn’t dare openly do anything to him in front of Belina, the look still made everyone deeply uncomfortable.

And Lina and Mor were slaves.

Expecting them to openly resist a General’s orders was nearly unimaginable.

“They’re all my guests and my friends,” Belina said calmly. “You intend to throw them in?”

“Really? You haven’t introduced them yet,” Balk said lazily. “Since we’re all here, let’s get acquainted properly.”

“This is my Male intimate partner, Ding Yufei. These are my friends, Lina and Mor. They’re all my guests.”

Belina gave only a brief introduction.

She was just about to introduce Balk in return when he interrupted her himself.

“I’ll do it personally,” he declared.

“I am the fifth son of Emperor Hogan of the Resk Empire. I currently serve as Fleet Commander of the Empire’s Third Fleet. You may address me as Major General Balk.”

Ding Yufei was genuinely shocked.

This man was actually Hogan’s son.

No wonder he had pig-faced guards around him.

No wonder he acted so outrageously.

What Ding Yufei hadn’t expected was that this arrogant man was also a Fleet Commander.

Could he really be some kind of war fanatic?

“Princess,” Balk continued, “I know you dislike my little hobbies. But since we’re in my Empire today, surely you can indulge one small request of mine?”

Belina already knew perfectly well that Balk—one of Emperor Hogan’s most notorious troublemakers—wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

“Since these people are your guests and friends,” Balk continued slowly, “then the attendants over there are citizens and slaves of our Empire. Fine. I’ll let them go today.”

“Hm?”

Belina’s eyes flickered slightly.

For a moment, she almost thought she’d misheard him.

Balk showing mercy?

Had his personality somehow changed after all these years?

But everything he’d done moments ago clearly suggested otherwise.

“You can let your Male intimate partner entertain me instead,” Balk suddenly sneered, his expression turning cold instantly.

“Guards. Throw this Ding Yufei into the lake and let the fish feed on him.”

The two pig-faced guards moved immediately.

Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

No one had expected Balk’s actual target to be Ding Yufei.

“Wait!”

Belina immediately stepped in front of Ding Yufei.

Lina also moved closer instinctively.

Balk casually waved his hand, signaling the guards to stop temporarily.

“What? You can’t bear to let your little Male intimate partner take a swim?”

Ding Yufei knew very well this wasn’t about “taking a swim.”

He could swim.

There were probably still manual rescue devices hidden in the suite as well.

But this whole act was obviously meant to humiliate Belina publicly.

From the earlier conversation, it was already clear that Belina had rejected Balk’s proposal twice.

Then she had ruined his disgusting entertainment.

He’d been holding back his anger ever since.

Among everyone present, Balk had long since noticed that Ding Yufei’s relationship with Belina was special.

Using Ding Yufei against her would cause the greatest humiliation possible.

“If you agree to my proposal,” Balk said slowly, “then today’s matter ends here.”

So this had been his true objective all along.

Using Ding Yufei to force Princess Belina into submission.

“General Balk,” Belina said calmly, “I must formally inform you that Ding Yufei is not only my Male intimate partner. He is also part of my security personnel.”

As she spoke, she quietly pulled Ding Yufei and Lina slightly backward.

Only then did Ding Yufei suddenly remember that Sad hadn’t accompanied them today.

If Sad had been here, he probably could’ve fought those pig-faced guards head-on.

“And?” Balk asked blankly.

“According to interstellar agreements, if your guards attack my security personnel, my side has the right to use force in self-defense,” Belina said while looking directly at him.

“Self-defense?” Balk laughed. “Sure. If he’s capable of defending himself.”

He clearly didn’t believe Ding Yufei could last even one second against his guards.

Even barehanded, the difference between elite soldiers and ordinary people was enormous.

These pig-faced guards weren’t merely specially trained—they had undergone genetic enhancement.

“I’m not referring to Ding Yufei defending himself,” Belina replied unhurriedly.

“Then what? You defending yourself?” Balk looked confused.

Entering this planet with weapons was forbidden.

Even royal figures like Belina weren’t exempt.

And from what he could see, she had brought no armed escorts or protective equipment.

The only reason he himself had armed guards was because he was Hogan’s son.

So what exactly were Ding Yufei and Belina planning to defend themselves with?

Their fists?

Dinner knives?

“Look up,” Belina said softly, raising her eyes toward the sky.

“There’s nothing up there except darkness,” Balk replied while lifting his head.

“Use your military scanner,” Belina suggested calmly. “If that still isn’t enough, connect to your reconnaissance systems. You are a General after all. That should be easy for you.”

Half suspicious, Balk began operating his device.

Less than a few seconds later, his face changed completely.

“You moved a frigate above the Dome?!” Balk stared at Belina, his expression suddenly pale. “What… exactly are you trying to do?”

“That frigate,” Belina replied with a faint smile, “currently has a Hypervelocity Electromagnetic Cannon aimed directly at this location.”