Swish—clang!
Anna: "Don't drop your guard!"
Duke's son: "Y-Yes… haaah!"
Anna: "Your right side… wide open!"
Swish!
The duke's son hits the ground, and Anna's blade stops at his throat.
Anna: "Lesson's over for today."
She turns away, leaving the training grounds in silence, her thoughts heavy and distant…
Earlier—
Duke: "I ordered you to protect her and train her! Now you tell me she's been kidnapped?"
Anna: "It was on the duchess's orders… I couldn't—"
Duke: "Enough. Leave. I'll arrange the search. Continue training my son."
Voices of the maids whispering nearby:
"Did you hear? At the Lawrence estate… the illegitimate child was taken."
"Kidnapped, they say… Her servant hasn't left his room since."
"How tragic…"
Anna overhears, but continues walking, jaw clenched.
In the Crown Prince's Palace —
Louis wakes up, staring at unfamiliar palace walls surrounding him—except for one side, covered only by a large tent flap.
Rin rin rin! The sound of bells.
The fabric door swings open.
"Welcome, everyone, to the tent of the Choooosen Bride of our noble, powerful, righteous Crown Prince—"
Louis: "Wow. Dramatic. And unbelievably narcissistic."
He steps into the tent, finding rows of teenage girls filling nearly every seat—except one.
On stage sits a masked figure with bright orange hair, spotlight blazing around him.
Masked announcer:
"Now that everyone has arrived—welcome, ladies, to the fierce and glorious competition for the title of Crown Princess! Of course, someone as magnificent as I cannot allow a random selection. Only the strong may be chosen—"
Louis (internally):
"If only I hadn't ended up in this body… Please, someone end this nightmare."
Swoosh!
Romi and Domi enter, tossing another orange-haired child—tied with rope—onto a bed in the corner.
Announcer:
"As I said, the rules are simple… Survival earns you the title. The rest will become a delightful meal for my lovely Romi and Domi! Applause, girls!"
Silence. Uneasy shifting.
Announcer:
"Ahem… I see you understand the situation. But these laws have existed for generations. Not my problem. Right, brother?"
Everyone turns to the tied orange-haired boy, who stares blankly.
Swoosh!
Domi strikes him.
Domi: "He asked you a question, idiot!"
Orange-haired boy: "…Uh… good luck."
Announcer:
"Hahaha! Yes—good luck! See you after the first challenge!"
Romi & Domi step forward.
Romi: "Ahem… my lunch and dinner…"
Domi: "…your first challenge is…"
**Drums pound — SPEEJ SPEEJ SPEEJ! **
"TRUTH… OR LIES!"