Chapter 84: The Third Day of the Festival (XIII).
As the match lay over, the winner was announced.
"Give a round of applause for Ms. Penelope Thatcher!"
Penelope Thatcher- a student from the lower section that was supposed to be the heroine's rival in the original game. An energetic bundle of joy that guides the player in introducing the love interests- but due to the circumstances of the current "player".
It never got to that point so the current Analissa Blanchet has never met Penelope Thatcher.
"Yawn..." The crown prince lounged back in his seat, half-lidded eyes fixed on the stage below. His gaze swept over the victor- the next duelist fated to face his fiancé.
Wind against water. The crowd murmured it already. Everyone knew the natural advantage.
The outcome of this match might not be in Lady Evelyn's favor but then again, knowing that woman she's one of the few strategists who's not to be underestimated. She wasn't the type to crumble under odds.
'Though if I had to guess, I wonder why she's in a hurry to finish her match.' It's not always you see a match ending in under five minutes. She even nonchalantly got back to the resting area, not even cheering. 'Hmph, what a show off.'
"So Evelyn will be going up against that girl. I suppose for a commoner she has skill." (Crown Prince Dereck) was bored, Mr. Wazanki was still making a few speeches.
He let his eyes wander from the stage, scanning the crowd instead. Somewhere in that sea of faces, he sought a certain blonde girl- the only one his heart yearned for.
Left. Right. Further back.
The stands were packed, a messy blend of students and commoners alike, their cheers rising in an unpolished roar. The sound grated on him, an irritation he could hardly mask. Every clap, every shout, every face that wasn't hers only deepened his impatience.
And still, no sign of her.
The crown prince's search yielded nothing. No flash of golden hair among the sea of cheering faces. His jaw tightened as he sank back into his chair, the noise of the crowd fading into a dull hum.
With a slow breath, he slipped a hand into his coat and drew out a folded picture- one he kept hidden, one he dared not let others see. Analissa's image smiled faintly up at him. His chest ached.
He pressed the picture to his lips, kissing it softly, reverently, as though it were the girl herself.
"Where are you, Analissa..." He whispered under his breath, the words swallowed by the roar of the arena.
Oh, this beauty that only comes once every century...
His eyes softened at the picture in his hand.
Golden hair that rivals the sun, a face blessed by goddess herself...
She was so beautiful it made his chest ache. Beautiful enough that he could not bear the thought of her anywhere but beside him- at his throne, bound to his side.
"I'll win for you," He murmured, voice dripping with confidence. His gaze swept over the crowd again, though she was nowhere to be seen. "You're out there, I know you are... and after I claim victory, you'll have no choice but to fall for me."
His lips twisted into a smile- warm at first glance, yet unnervingly sharp at the edges. With care, he folded the picture and slid it back into his inventory, fingers lingering as though locking away something precious.
"Your highness, it is now your turn for the magic duel." His butler, Charles Williams- a former love interest appeared at his side, bowing as he discreetly slipped a sealed letter into the prince's hand. "We have... completed all that you have instructed."
Crown Prince Dereck's lips curled into a low chuckle. He rose from his seat with unhurried grace, patting his butler's back as though rewarding a loyal hound.
"Good. Then my match will be nothing more than a breeze." His eyes gleamed as he tucked the letter away in his inventory. "I cannot wait for Lady Blanchet to watch me crush my opponent. She'll see me stand victorious, and when she does..."
He paused, his smile widening into something just a little too sharp.
"...she'll understand she belongs beside me."
Charles looks away, bearing unwanted news. After finding out that her role was merely a tree the crown prince would merely admire her photo to kiss- that and the student council has its busiest peak in duties so he couldn't see it.
"Speaking of Miss Analissa..." He trails on, nervous to continue.
"What is it?" He tilts his head, curious and heart beating in excitement. "Did you perhaps find her along the way?"
"N-Not exactly, your highness." The butler tells everything about what happened on the second day of the festival.
It was common knowledge that Miss Analissa Blanchet never took on any significant roles. She was always cast aside, only agreeing to play in the tree. For that particular play, it had been Lord Einsel and Lady Evelyn who held the spotlight as the prince and princess.
And yet... rumors had begun to spread. Whispers carried through the academy halls, claiming that on the second day, the one who truly played the prince was not Lord Einsel at all, but none other than the famous commoner and light magic user- Analissa Blanchet.
"Lady Alarie... something must've happened in the play and Lady Blanchet became the prince- they... well it appears that rumors have it that they've kissed on stage."
"..." The crown prince froze. At first, his expression didn't shift at all, as though the words hadn't sunk in. Then, slowly, a faint twitch pulled at his brow. His lips parted just slightly. Crown Prince Derick had a twist of expression after hearing it, "She.... what?"
A pause- long enough to hear the faint hum of the crowd outside.
And then it snapped.
His eyes widened, the calm mask shattering as his voice cracked like a whip.
"WHAT?!" The outburst thundered in the room, his chair scraping violently against the floor as he shot to his feet.
There, behind silken curtains and gilded rails, his outburst was muffled from the common crowd. No eyes but his closest attendants witnessed the crack in his composure, no ears but theirs caught the venom laced in his voice.
"C-Calm down, your highness. I was merely informing you besides they're both women... it must've been a matter of acting. B-Besides... women kissing other women is seen as something close friends do." (Charles) swallowed hard, hoping the explanation would cool the prince's temper, convincing him it was nothing more than innocent play and close skinship between two friends.
But unfortunately it didn't work.
Crown Prince Dereck suddenly changed his demeanor. He knows he shouldn't get angry- there was no reason to! A prince like him- heir to the throne is more worthy to earn the heart of the heroine.
[Error: Code Input 18-10, Love Interest Altered. Preparing rival: Modifying Model FL#1.]
[New Rival Unlocked].
But it seems an error has arrived.
"Hah... hah..." Crown Prince Dereck's breath slowed, his jaw tight as he forced the anger down. No- he shouldn't be shaken! There was no reason to be.
He was the crown prince, heir to the throne, the man destined to stand beside the heroine.
A prince did not lose to pawns.
That damn Evelyn is a pawn! His pawn!
ITS HIS OWN PAWN THAT DARE KISS THE LIPS OF HIS BELOVED?!
A chill seemed to coil in his chest. His fingers curled tight around the armrest until the wood groaned. His eyes sharpened, glinting not with princely grace but something darker- raw, poisonous.
"That bitch." The words left his lips like venom.
The mask of the refined heir slipped away, replaced by a smile that was far too sharp.
"Evelyn..." He whispered, his voice low, deliberate. "...will die today."
The thought anchored him, steady and intoxicating. It was no longer enough to win. No longer enough to shine before Analissa's eyes.
Lady Evelyn's existence itself was a threat- a stain on his destined path.
And so he would erase her.
Not later. Not tomorrow. Today.
...
===
Academy Stadium: Duelist Resting Area
===
As Mr. Wazinki's booming voice carried over the arena, the two duelists stepped off the stage, their magic still fading in sparks and droplets. They made their way toward the resting area, but the spotlight clung stubbornly to one of them.
Penelope basked in it, a playful smile tugging at her lips as the cheers rained down.
"We love you, Penelope!"
"You were amazing! Show them what commoners are made of!"
"Amazing form! I love you- please, be my girlfriend!"
The stands shook with their voices, hands waving wildly, students and townsfolk alike pressing forward for a glimpse of the wind dancer. For a moment, it felt less like a duel had ended and more like a performance that had stolen the whole show.
"Hahah! Love you all! Yes, even you~" (Penelope) tilted her head, flicking her hair back as though the adoration was no more than a breeze against her cheek- yet her eyes glittered with satisfaction.
As Penelope stepped into the resting area, the roar of the crowd still echoing faintly behind her, her eyes widened. A familiar figure stood waiting- elegant, poised, impossible to mistake.
"Oh–! H-Hi, Lady Alarie!" (Penelope) stammered, her cheeks heating despite herself. "I-It's... nice to see you!"
Her words tumbled out quickly, clumsy in contrast to the grace she had just displayed in the arena. Penelope's hands twisted at the hem of her sleeve, her gaze flicking between Lady Evelyn's sharp eyes and the floor, unable to hold her composure.
The villainess who was in a trance, calculating faster ways to end the duel didn't realize that her opponent was saying her greeting. She composed herself and gave her usual polite smile. "I suppose congratulations are in order Ms. Penelope Thatcher. You've done well, I was watching the whole time."
The girl in front of her had her eyes starstruck.
"Y-You have? I-It's an honour!" (Penelope) blurted, her words tumbling out too quickly. Her cheeks burned as she wrung her hands together.
Lady Evelyn continues the small talk, hoping to use this opportunity to find out if she has more weak spots she can use to her advantage. "You even spared your enemy's wand not many would've done what you did."
She laughed nervously, glancing down at her boots before forcing herself to meet Lady Evelyn's gaze again. "O-Oh I heard his family was struggling so um you know... I thought it was the right thing to do. Oh my goodness, my apologies but I'm a little flustered that you're talking to me, milady."
Her voice dropped into an awed whisper, eyes shining with admiration. "Y-You were amazing in your fight against Lord Makedon."
"Thank you for the praise." (Lady Evelyn) replied, her voice cool yet composed. She let her eyes linger on Penelope for a moment longer before asking, "Miss Penelope, might I be so bold to ask... are you perhaps a dancer?"
Penelope's breath caught.
"Y-You noticed?" Her face lit up with excitement. "Yes- I am a dancer! I perform on a few small stages around town as part-time work. It... it fits well with my affinity for wind. I feel so free, being able to cast spells while dancing. Y-You don't remember but you actually came to one of my shows and-!"
The villainess raised her hand lightly, her voice calm but firm. "That will do, Miss Penelope."
The words stopped Penelope mid-sentence, her cheeks turning pink as she bit back the rest. She lowered her gaze, fidgeting with her sleeve, but the admiration in her eyes only grew brighter.
"You take your art form well. You cast spells in both elegant yet aggressive ways, I respect that."
Lady Evelyn's calm mask held firm, but beneath it her mind thrashed against its limits.
'It makes it hard to look for a weakness that doesn't have to result in killing you.'
"Ehehe... thank you." (Penelope), oblivious, smiled brightly- never noticing the villainess's bloodlust seeping through the cracks.
Evelyn Alarie had been given her role for a reason. When something she cherished was threatened, she became a blade on the verge of breaking free of its sheath.
Lady Evelyn's mind was on its limit.
Penelope couldn't notice the hidden blood lust of the villainess. Evelyn Alarie was given the role for a reason, her mind may be in a calm state of mind but when someone is threatening something she cares about her whole state is in the state of snapping.
'If I want to end this quickly... I'll have to break your legs the moment the match begins. Without them, you can't dance... and I'll have a chance to slip the guards' leash and find Miss Blanchet. That's the fastest way.' Her chest tightened, continuing the horrible thought. 'I'm going crazy, it's as if... I don't care who else dies as long as she lives.'
She... really wouldn't.
'However, Miss Blanchet... Analissa... wouldn't like it if she saw me hurting someone.' The thought lingered, heavy, like a chain holding Lady Evelyn back from snapping outright. Her bloodlust smoldered beneath her calm exterior, but she forced it down, schooling her expression into icy composure.
"I'm looking forward to our match."
Penelope's face lit up, her words tumbling over themselves. "...Ah! Me too! S-See you soon!"
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining as the villainess turned away and went to find an isolated space to think.
"Sigh... She's so cool."
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