Chapter 94: The Third Day of the Festival (XXIII).
===
Higher Section 2A: Crown Prince Dereck Louvecroft
Vs
Higher Section 3A: Mirelle Avalon
===
Loyalty to the crown was her reasoning.
The Avalon family watched, gasping at the sudden decision that their daughter will not continue forth with the match.
"Darling, but this doesn't… she…" The matriarch covers her mouth seeing her daughter looking so stiff and scared.
Her husband Duke Hunson Avalon held his wife's hands for comfort, knowing something was wrong. He didn't want his wife to worry, "Something must've happened but our girl is strong don't worry."
"I don't understand? Why would our daughter yield and forfiet the match? She was looking forward to the festival, to win… I… my baby is not… oh… she worked so hard for this day." Duchess Klara Avalon didn't know what to say. She knew that politics would end up affecting the children but to bribe them for an academy event is truly atrocious. "This was everything for our baby. Her third year competing, she did her best every time."
Duke Hunson sighs, knowing how he raised his daughter they could only do nothing and trust her judgement.
"I know, darling… I know." The eldest daughter Mirelle Avalon has been raised to be smart, cunning and as brave as a warrior. He told his daughter that if she would sense danger or a fight that she knows she can't win there is no shame in retreat.
The royal family has always been known to take whatever they wanted, the victory for this year's magic duel competition seems to be on the list.
"I'm afraid, it's not just a magic duel, my love. It's to send a message. We will trust our daughter and her judgement, if she wishes to yield then we could only do nothing but support her choice." He tries to reason with his beloved but even he too is having a hard time to take the news. "You know how it is… with them."
What Duke Hunson meant by, 'with them' was addressing the royal family.
A bunch of hard headed people who run a kingdom barely functioning as the years go by, it is only thanks to their newly arranged marriage with their son could they grasp the power needed to strike fear in anyone who crosses them.
The Louvecroft and the Alaries.
A match made in hell.
It is clear that the young prince doesn't care for the only heir and daughter of the Alarie family but for the sake of his parent's choices he will follow for now…
Duchess Klara opens her fan before leaning in to her husband and whispers, "Oh darling, I hope someone takes him down his pedestal. He could use a beating or two for being unfair and disgraceful."
Duke Hunson's body stiffened and immediately shushed his wife before anyone could hear, "E-Ever the sharp tongue my love but remember that anyone could be listening, I agree however be more careful with your surroundings."
"Hmph."
With more military power… the royal family had hoped for more territory by next year.
"Oh… but… this is just not fair." (Duchess Klara) watches over her daughter on the stage. She could tell that her daughter doesn't want to back down with the way her body language is positioned. "This is not fair for our daughter."
===
Lady Mirelle Avalon still gripping her wand glances at her parents, she catches them talking with a worried look on her face.
'Father… Mother… I'm sorry. I promised you I will win this year, but I must protect our family from this horrible man.' She smiles coldly at the man in front of her before holding out her hand to congratulate Crown Prince Dereck for 'winning'. "Congratulations on winning, your highness."
Crown Prince Dereck smiles back in response, "The pleasure is all mine."
Lady Mirelle Avalon hardends her hold on the crown prince's hand out of anger, "You'd better keep our bargain. You will not harm my family, I don't know how you got the information that my family is in need of money… if you tell anyone I'll end you."
"Hm… We've known each other since we were children. You'd know best that I always keep my word. Oh… Mirelle it stings doesn't it?" He pulled her hand, forcing her to lean in and whispered. "It stings how you'll always be known as Evelyn Alarie's lesser cousin. How you fought tooth and nail and yet you still can't keep up."
"She's always going to be richer, braver, more talented and well… better than you in all ways. Don't you think she's a pain in the eyes to look at?" It was clear that he was trying to sow discord amongst family, even if she was Lady Mirelle's distant cousin and one whom she would consider a rival she respected Evelyn Alarie.
Because she's the one who took Olivia Charlotte Alarie's mantle when she passed.
Lady Mirelle has caught off his plan and scoffed, "...you win, is that not enough to fill your ego? You dare drag her name into this?"
She proceeds to pull the prince down to her height, "Do not ever compare me to Evelyn, granted she may be better but soon that won't be the case. I intend to surpass her and I will be better than Evelyn Alarie."
Crown Prince Dereck chuckles, letting go of their firm handshake and proposing a new offer. "I'm telling you in advance, everything that she has could all be yours today. You swore loyalty to the crown today, whatever happens today… you'll be an accomplice."
Lady Mirelle's eyes widened in shock.
"What do you mean by that-"
"I'll see you later." He didn't reply, turned his back and left the arena.
"What in the light was that…" The young girl looks up at the stands, biting her lip in worry. She sees her family and suddenly her heart grows soft. "No time to worry about him, I have to think about my family first. You better win, Evelyn."
The crowd had a mixed reaction for the outcome of the match, on the other hand it was nice of her to show loyalty to the crowd but for those who knew something was fishy they all started booing.
"Boo! Did you get bribed girly?! Go back to your mansion! Your fight ain't right!"
"I never expected the great daughter of the Avalon house would yield so easily!"
"What the hell is this match?! I want my money back!" The commoners threw their drinks and even slandered the young woman for being such a coward for fighting the crown prince. Why show loyalty like a plea for a mere school event?
It even got to Lord Ein who clicks his tongue at the sudden shift of the match, they just got back to the surface from one hell of an adventure and now they're met with the festival being over so soon.
"It seems that he bribed her, a strategy where he doesn't even have to lift a finger to win. He's conserving his energy." He knew that the crown prince fought dirty on everything but even a magic duel is just sad.
"Lady Analissa, this is bad… now that the crown prince yields, the match would have to move to the other contender." He turned to the leaderboard and realized if things continue the way that it's going… he's just getting what he wants.
Lady Evelyn will fight the crown prince with not enough rest to fully restore her mana.
Analissa who has calmed down now from breaking down became worried, "Who's the other contender?"
"Lady Evelyn Alarie."
===
Higher Section 1A: Evelyn Alarie
vs
Higher Section 2A: Crown Prince Dereck Louvecroft
===
Mr. Wanzinki was very excited for the news, it was time for the final round to happen. "We'll take a ten minute break before our next match!"
Ten minutes before the next match.
The final round.
The match that's supposed to be inexistent.
The Japanese streamer stood up and intended to run.
Her mission, her whole mission was to save the villainess. This was her purpose for being here right?
"Lady Evelyn is going to face the crown prince now right?"
"Analissa…" (Lord Ein) hesitates, then nods.
"Oh god." She starts to walk bit by bit, first with haste then her legs get weak and soon she doesn't get too far before she falls down into the ground, a loud thud could be heard and everyone scrambled into a panic. "I… This is not right. This shouldn't happen."
"Miss-!" The servants nearby walked over.
"We should help her up." They all offered a hand, hoping the young lady would snap out of it but it was for naught.
"Leave me alone!" She rejected their help.
"Analissa please calm down- here take my hand and stand up." (Lord Ein) especially got up to drag her back to the chair but she slapped his hands in a panic.
"We have to get her out of there. If you're not going to help me get her out of that place then I'm crawling!" She was serious. The Japanese Streamer, being unable to contain her fear and panic, did indeed try crawling. She used her elbows, pulling in her weight and crawled- she was indeed stubborn.
The servants who were under the heroine's halo effect were eyeing her well, "H-How unelegant."
"Lord Ein has friends like that young lady?"
"We must look away!"
Lord Ein glances at his servants and glares at them before giving another try, to convince the girl that what she's doing is just useless. Sure even if they get down in the arena there's no chance that another stubborn girl would yield like Lady Mirelle Avalon.
The Alaries are a bunch of noble and prideful breeds.
"Analissa, what are you- ugh. Can't you see you look utterly foolish right now?" He can't take it anymore, just seeing her crawling all weak and pitiful made her feel bad for the heroine so he carries her by the arms. "I thought you were smarter than that, you know your body hasn't recovered. You haven't eaten much and we just got here."
Analissa ignored all of Lord Ein's rambling and pleaded with him to help her save the villainess.
Save Evelyn Alarie from getting murdered at all cost!
"We have to get her out of there, Lord Ein!" She moves away and tries to go for the stairs a second time. "Please… you don't know what he's capable of! I-I know what he can do!"
"Calm down, please. Breathe in and breathe out. I understand your worry, but as I have said before… She will be fine. She is strong, do you not trust her?"
For once Analissa stopped squirming and looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"I do." She confesses, from the first day she played that game and her character appeared before her screen- the Japanese Streamer became attached and fell in love with her in an idolizing way. "I trust her with all my heart."
She swore to save her.
But now that she's come to know her personally, everyday seemed a lot brighter and bonding with the same Evelyn Alarie from the game… was everything. Becoming friends- and… with her suspicions being right. If Lady Evelyn really likes her in that way then-!
'She's… not the same villainess anymore.'
A thought came across Analissa's mind for a moment.
'The villainess and a love interest has changed its course from the plot- proving that things do change but why is the crown prince still acting like the same one from the original game?' She frowned, the third day of the festival was even more hectic than the first two days. 'I decided to skip the events to test out a few theories for the wand… I don't know if that butler and elven prince could still be pursued- this is bad.'
Her whole body feels like it's about to give up but she knows can't right now.
Not when Lady Evelyn could need her help.
"But I don't trust him. He will kill her, Lord Ein. We mustn't let her die… I would've come here for nothing if that happened."
"Sit down with me for now." (Lord Ein) feels drained with everything that was happening, she drags the girl back to the seat by force. "The crown prince will not do anything to his own fiancé in front of so many people, he may be crazy but he's a crazy man who values his own reputation."
'I hope.' He had hoped his own advice would be true.
Analissa says nothing, and listens for now.
Lord Ein settles her back into her seat, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You need to rest, you tripped on yourself by just walking a little. Trust Lady Evelyn Alarie, I know she would tell you not to worry and that everything is okay. She will be fine- she knows how to beat her own fiancé with his own twisted games."
The Japanese Streamer bit her lip, the whole changed plotline makes her uneasy.
Being unable to predict what will happen next is her worst nightmare. She can't search it up on online group forms, have backup save files for the game or ask her chat for help this time.
"Please, Lady Analissa rest so that when the match is over she'll be so happy to see you she'll faint from happiness." (Lord Ein) jests.
Analissa chuckles recalling a promise the two made yesterday, "She did promise me… that she'll tutor me for our exams."
Lord Ein was surprised hearing that but nonetheless impressed that the oh so awkward Lady Evelyn Alarie is making her moves. "And a true noble never breaks a promise. She'll do that with you, think of it like a date."
'I don't know who I should be more worried about,' He thought to himself. 'On one hand, that idiot Alarie is apparently going to fight her own fiancé- which should be entertaining to watch. But I never trust Crown Prince Dereck to fight fair. Analissa is right to worry but I can't tell her that right now, adding stress would put strain on her body.'
Analissa had every reason to be anxious, he knew. Still, he couldn't bring himself to say that out loud.
Not now. She needed rest, not more burdens.
Light magic used as teleportation… He frowned.
He had never heard of such a thing. Legends spoke only of its healing properties- nothing more. Could it be lost spells from centuries ago?
A wand of light thought lost forever, a tome that understood their language, that even seemed sentient- capable of independent thought.
Lord Ein knows that Analissa lies.
'These were things not even the student council had knowledge of. No professor, no scholar, no student had ever imagined that an entire other world existed beneath the academy. Not to mention… how had she known about his troubles with his family heirloom the very first time they met? In a classroom, of all places.' He was onto her now but it would be more fun to wait until it plays out. 'Analissa Blanchet… I'm starting to think you're someone I should be careful around. I've underestimated you for far too long.'
"Hmph. She's got guts, asking you out to study together," He said, arms crossed. "I won't interfere this time."
'I'll tell Lady Harriot we'll support you two- from afar. She's going to be excited with the progress of these two lovebirds.' (Lord Ein) ever pragmatic, also promised to invest more money once he sold the magical stones they'd collected. He even suggested she buy a house before inflation worsened.
"It's not going to be a date," she insisted. "We're just going to study. Just the two of us."
"Alright," He replied with a knowing smile. "If you say so."
A moment later, Mr. Wazinki came back with the final contenders who walked slowly at the edge of the stages. His loud voice came booming.
"I'm sorry for the wait, ladies and gentlemen," The announcer declared, voice brimming with excitement. "This is everything you've been waiting for! Let us welcome Lady Evelyn Alarie and our very own Crown Prince Dereck Louvecroft!"
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