Chapter 95: The Third Day of the Festival (XXIV).
===
"Alarie! Alarie! Alarie!"
"Prince Dereck! Prince Dereck! Prince Dereck!"
The final round was about to start, the crowd in the stands couldn't help but murmur how amazing and concerning that the crown prince will fight with his own fiance.
"..."
Amidst the crowd, Lady Serene Sinclair was watching.
She pressed her hands together and prayed.
She prayed that her friend would be safe.
"I love the air of people who admire me." The crown prince basks into the cheering crowd as he turns his attention to Evelyn Alarie.
Even now he still can't understand the obsession of this woman.
===
Their marriage was arranged by their parents. The kingdom was running out of military power, due to the king's reckless investment on land expansion.
Ten years ago, the King sought to gather more farm lands by taking them from the demon kingdom. The demon race didn't take too kindly of their action and fought back, resulting in a deadly war that lessened their personal military power.
"Damn it!" King Louvecroft slammed his fist against the table, his frustration boiling over. The weight of his mistakes had begun to crack him. He grabbed his goblet, downing the wine in one swift gulp before turning on his wife with a scowl.
He needed release.
His wife winced, but dared not speak.
The king slapped his own wife, one after another until his knuckles turned red from the hitting.
He had no choice now. Desperation clawed at him.He had no choice but to arrange a proposal with none other than Duke Vernon Alarie.
A madman.
He smoked the most expensive cigars, for him he was the most reckless and egotistical man who has ever lived.
"Give me all of your soldiers." The king demanded in front of all the court of Dukes that attended the meeting. "I need power, I need trained elite soldiers to fight for me. I want more land."
Duke Vernon leaned back in his chair, exhaling smoke lazily, his eyes fixed on the king with an air of quiet defiance.
"What do I get in return?' He asked, taking a long drag of his cigar. 'You risk my soldier's life for conquest, your own personal gain, your majesty. I don't feel good having the good life of my soldier's being risked from an inexperienced king."
The duke's eyes flickered with amusement. "We already have enough land. And from where I stand, you're barely holding onto what you have. Those from the capital are flocking to Alarie lands for protection."
"I just need soldiers to deal with those demons. You know how ruthless they are!" King Louvecroft's frustration began to rise again, his fists clenched at his sides.
Duke Vernon Alarie raised an eyebrow, ruthless they maybe but as if he doesn't see his own fellow people expending and destroying demon territory. No wonder those demon races needed to fight back, you poke a bees' next they will attack.
"You speak of demons like they're your only problem. If all you want is to fight them, I must decline. Making war is not something you can do on a whim, you will have to think the consequences of your choices, your majesty."
The king was taken aback.
"Do you dare question me?" He thundered, his anger flaring. "I am your king. My word is law. Have you forgotten who rules you? Did your late father teach you nothing?!"
The duke smirked, his cigar hanging loosely from his lips. "Oh, I remember all right. But my father always taught me not to waste time on barking dogs who can't back up their threats."
King Louvecroft, unable to back down, marched to the Alarie estate and accused him of treason. Duke Vernon smiles, expecting this would happen knowing the temperament of royalty he played along.
The King thought he was now the strongest and ordered the soldiers under Duke Vernon's command to follow him.
"Kill the demons! I order you!" The king shouted, his voice echoing across the field as thousands of soldiers stood at attention. But they did not move. "What are you all doing?! I commanded you all to move!"
The realization hit the king like a hammer. The soldiers were not loyal to him; they were loyal to one man- Duke Vernon Alarie.
Desperation clawed at Louvecroft's throat. "Give me your soldiers, and I will give your daughter the opportunity to become Queen."
Duke Vernon, who had been lounging comfortably in his cell, let out a soft chuckle. "What makes you think she'd want to be Queen?"
King Louvecroft's voice grew softer, more insistent. "All fathers want the best for their children. You may not see it, but if she becomes Queen, she will be untouchable. She'll have everything."
Duke Vernon was silent for a long moment before speaking again, his tone thoughtful. "...I'll think about it."
The moment the Duke came home to greet his family, his daughter came running asking him where he's been.
"Evelyn, if you wanted to Queen would you do it?" He asked seriously, just a week ago his daughter couldn't keep up with her studies and skipped a few classes so she could play with the birds in their garden.
The punishment boxed was used.
Was it cruel?
Yes, but did he do it out of love?
Of course, he did. It's how the Alarie show that they care and love you, they punish to straighten the children.
Duke Vernon's father did it to him.
And his father's father.
Everyone thought it was normal, they thought it made them stronger and more resilient.
Little Evelyn stares at his father's eyes not understanding the weight of being a Queen entailed. But she feared that her father would not come back home.
If she became Queen… no one would bully their family. So she nodded and replied to the Duke, "If it would make father happy I will. I can become Queen… so father will be okay."
"I see." He blinked, the answer was unexpected.
His little girl… is an Alarie.
She is strong, if there is anyone fit to be the Queen of the west kingdom then it should be her.
…
Several weeks later, in a quiet chamber, the young Prince Dereck Louvecroft stood before the young woman, Evelyn Alarie. He had already spoken to her father. Now, it was time to begin what was needed.
"Son, from this moment on, this is the woman you will spend your life with. Soon, she will be your Queen. She is from the House of Alarie. Take care of her." The king looked down at the young woman, his eyes dark with the weight of his decisions.
Evelyn Alarie, with grace and poise, met the king's gaze.
"It is an honor, Your Highness," She said, her voice steady but with a hint of coldness. "I am Evelyn Alarie… your fiancée."
Her words were polite, but the king could feel the tension hanging in the air. This was not a union born of love but of necessity. And Louvecroft knew, deep down, that he was no more than a pawn in this dangerous game.
Crown Prince Dereck's first words to her were nothing more than unforgettable, he crossed his hands and raised a brow. "Why do I have to marry someone like her?"
===
Higher Section 1A: Evelyn Alarie
vs
Higher Section 2A: Crown Prince Dereck Louvecroft
===
"How is it that fate led us to fight each other today? I suppose this was inevitable." Crown Prince Dereck's voice was laced with mocking confidence, his eyes never leaving Evelyn.
Lady Evelyn didn't respond, her gaze locked ahead, steely and unwavering.
"Ignore me all you want, Evelyn. But this match is mine. We both know... I don't stop until I get what I want." He allowed a smirk to creep onto his face, his eyes gleaming with arrogance. He knew she was listening. "Analissa Blanchet is watching me from somewhere in the crowd. She must be fawning over me, witnessing how I, the Crown Prince, stand as one of the final contenders in this competition. Soon to be the winner."
Lady Evelyn's lips curled into a cold smile, her voice low but sharp. "I doubt Miss Blanchet fawns over deceitful cheaters like yourself."
Lady Evelyn's eyes narrowed, her voice cold and direct.
"Did you give them offers of your own? Just like what you tried doing to me?" She stared at him down, the words leaving her with a sharp bite. "Is that why they couldn't even put up a proper fight against you?"
Crown Prince Dereck's grin widened as he tried to mask the slight edge of discomfort. "I have earned my place here. Besides, it's not deceitful. I call it strategic. You're low on mana and I know you're only forcing yourself to stand. My fire would withstand everything you throw at me."
"A sword made of water would be enough for someone like you." (Lady Evelyn) felt a cold rush of anger surge within her. She wasn't the kind to back down. "I'll extinguish those flames of yours. May they never harm anyone I care about."
Crown Prince Dereck could only scoff at her words. His flame could never be extinguished by the likes of her.
"And... fight!"
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!" (Crown Prince Dereck) cast the spell with a flick of his wrist, a blazing fireball launching toward Lady Evelyn.
Lady Evelyn conjures her own spell, shaping the water into a weapon and blocking the attack, "[Water Magic: Aqualis Blade]!"
The tension in the air crackled as the two stood, sizing each other up. The crowd, anxious and excited, watched the standoff, unsure of how this duel would unfold. Their magic abilities were equally potent- his fire against her water. But it wasn't just magic that made the difference. It was cunning, stamina, and willpower.
Lady Evelyn's expression remained calm, though she could feel the toll her mana reserves were taking. Her body was exhausted, and her mind was clouded with fatigue.
She had been fighting for so long, using more magic than she'd ever intended, and now, her energy was running out. Not only that… but the symptoms of her overclocking are just recovering from the potion…
"I will boil your water into nothing," Crown Prince Dereck's voice was calm, a quiet promise beneath the arrogance. "I have all the mana reserves I need to fight you."
As the match began, Lady Evelyn's thoughts raced. 'As expected, he's only spamming fireballs and a few other basic spells. What a one trick pony.'
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!" Another fireball shot forward, but Evelyn quickly countered with a stream of water that deflected the flame.
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!" He cast another fireball, his face a mask of determination. The fireball shot toward her again, but she formed a water shield, absorbing the impact.
The villainess was beginning to notice a pattern. 'He's using the same spell over and over- fireball after fireball. This is all he has. He's wasting his mana on basic attacks.'
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!" (Crown Prince Dereck) threw yet another fireball, this time with more force. But it was the same spell, predictable and easy to counter.
"You're not strong enough to beat me." Lady Evelyn's voice rang with confidence as she parried the fireball with her water sword.
The two clashed again, the battle a flurry of fire and water.
"[Fire Magic: Flame Shot]!" (Crown Prince Dereck) cast yet another fireball, his frustration starting to show as it met the steady flow of Evelyn's water magic.
"The match is toe-to-toe," (Mr. Wazinki), the announcer called out, his voice strained with excitement. "Both Lady Alarie and the Crown Prince are tied!"
Lady Evelyn's frustration grew as she felt the weight of exhaustion settling over her. 'If only I had more mana... and more rest. Did they really have to rush the match like this? I want to see Analissa Blanchet soon. I want all of this to be over.'
Her eyes narrowed as they fell on Mr. Wazinki, who was watching the match with an unnerving smile. The sight of his pouch, slightly bulging, caught her attention.
'So you even bribed him… at this point who else you haven't bribed?' (Lady Evelyn) grips at her sword and swings hard at him, forcing the crown prince to defend himself with a wall made out of fire.
"[Fire Magic: Fire Wall]!"
"If you fight too clean, you'll never learn," Crown Prince Dereck's voice echoed. He was enjoying this, savoring the moment. "Such a waste of money and power if you don't use it to get ahead in life. My ancestors didn't become the royal family by being poor."
Lady Evelyn's eyes flashed with anger.
Her voice became a low, seething hiss. "Those money you claim to be yours... are not your property. Hmph, they are taxes of the people. If you become king, I fear our kingdom will fall to ruin with a ruler who wastes resources just to win a magic duel."
Crown Dereck's face contorted with rage, but he quickly masked it with a smirk.
"You..." Crown Prince Dereck's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Really do talk too much."
He raised his hand, his face twisted with malicious intent. "This is the day... I finally got rid of you."
"You seem to underestimate my spell, I have to agree it gets tiring when you have to keep using the same spell over and over again but my master told me- when you practice one spell all your life you'll master it. [Fire Magic: Multi Flame Shot]!" Multiple fireballs erupted from his wand, aiming directly for the villainess.
It all surrounded her.
"Water- ugh…" She raised her water shield, but it was too late. Her strength had nearly run out. 'I can't cast anymore spells… the fight with Penelope Thatcher really drained all of my mana reserves. I should just… block it with my sword.'
She blocked the incoming spells using her sword resulting in a steam covering her sight.
"I can't see." (Lady Evelyn) muttered realizing that she accidentally made cover for Crown Prince Dereck. She couldn't see anything, she looked left and then right…
"Nothing." She raises up her sword, feeling an attack coming from behind. "Still nothing."
The steam cleared a moment later and Crown Prince Dereck held up his wand facing the sky, he didn't ambush the villainess because he was charging up his spells.
"[Fire Magic: Flaming Rain]!
Rain made out of embers came falling down from the sky. Lady Evelyn grits her teeth feeling her mana reserve won't be enough but she has to go on and finish the match with all she's got.
"[Water Magic: Water Barrier]!" A circle barrier formed around her, small enough just to protect her body. "Ngh…"
She grits her teeth, feeling pain crawling in her arms. 'The effects of overclocking are still there. If it weren't for the potion I would've been kneeling in even more pain.'
"It won't be long until you run out of mana! How long till you surrender I wonder?" He laughs and raises up his wand once more. "Have another! [Fire Magic: Flaming Rain]! Let's see how your water barrier can last against my rain!"
Lady Evelyn holds up her hands to keep the barrier going but she's growing weak.
Crash!
"Ugh-!" The barrier breaks and she is sent flying barely at the edge of the arena.
Crown Prince Dereck chuckles holding out his wand once more, his mix of flames becoming of darker color. "Now this… is where I win. [Fire Magic: Flame Shot]."
"Gasp!" A voice cried out from the crowd. "She's not moving! That spell is going to hit her-!"
And it did.
The explosion of fire consumed Lady Evelyn. The heat was unbearable, and the searing pain overwhelmed her senses. Screams of anguish rang out as the crowd reacted in horror.
"She's hurt!" Someone shouted from the crowd, their voice full of disbelief. "Somebody help her!"
Lady Evelyn's body collapsed to the ground, her body burning from the intense flames. The prince stood, eyes filled with smug satisfaction. But somewhere in the back of his mind, a cold, unspoken truth echoed.
He had cheated. His wand had been laced with POISON- it coated his flames… a final, deadly trick to ensure his victory. The crown prince smiles knowing what happy ending awaits him now that the villainess is no longer an obstacle for him.
"No way! He just beat her like that?! No... this is unfair! Lady Alarie barely rested before you called her up there!" (Mary) grabs the attention of Owen and the other classmates that's been watching. "Right everyone?!"
"Ngh... I think we all know where this is going." (Owen) scratched his back. "Mary let's go check up on her if possible. Everyone else can stay here-"
All of section 1-A stood up on their feet but what surprised them is that someone already took off. A certain red-haired girl, running in her heeled shoes bearing the pain only muttering her friend's name.
It seems Lady Serene's prayer didn't work.
"Evelyn-!"
Even Duke Vernon who was enjoying the show at first couldn't help but become stiff and concerned. He stopped smoking his expensive tobacco and even crushed it in his hands. His face boiling with anger.
"I will kill that boy."
===
Meanwhile…
Analissa stood frozen, her eyes wide with horror as the flames consumed Lady Evelyn. Her breath hitched in her throat, a cold knot tightening in her chest.
For a moment, everything around her seemed to blur- the shouts, the chaos, the heat of the battle. All she could hear was the sharp, terrifying silence in her mind, broken only by the faint echoes of the cries from the crowd.
Her hand instinctively flew to her mouth as if to stop the scream that tore at her insides. The sight of Evelyn, her body crumpling to the ground, the fire still licking at her skin, was too much. Her heart pounded in her ears, the fear swelling within her like an unstoppable tide.
"Lady Evelyn!" (Analissa) screamed, her voice cracking, raw with panic.
Her body lurched forward, but her legs felt like they were made of stone, rooted to the spot by the weight of her terror. She could barely breathe, the air thick with the fear of losing the one person she admired more than anything.
Her hands trembled as she reached out, desperate, wanting to run to her, to somehow stop the pain, to make sure she was still alive. But the crowd around her blurred- each face a blur of emotion, none of them mattering in that moment.
All she could focus on was the image of Evelyn, her body limp, lying in the aftermath of the flames.
Fear clutched her heart in an iron grip, choking the breath from her lungs.
"No, no, no…" She whispered to herself, shaking her head, but the truth was staring her in the face. "Please don't be… Please don't be gone."
Her world had tilted, spun on its axis, and in that moment, nothing mattered but the fear that Evelyn might be lost forever. But as the smoke began to clear, the sound of footsteps echoed in the silence.
"Ngh…" (Lady Evelyn) gasped, still breathing through the searing pain.
Her skin was burned, the heat from the fire still coursing through her veins. Her hand, trembling with exhaustion, reached out toward the crowd, her fingers brushing against something familiar.
She imagined grasping a lock of blonde hair- soft and golden, like sunlight captured in strands.
"Ana... lissa..."
Her mind raced, the image of Analissa's hair flooding her thoughts. It was the color of a thousand dawns, warm and radiant, a golden cascade that always seemed to shimmer, no matter the time of day.
And her smile- oh, her smile- it was the warmth of summer's embrace, the kind that brightened the darkest corners of the world. It shone like the sun itself, so pure and radiant, it made the world feel like a safer place.
Her smile had the power to melt the coldest hearts, to turn despair into hope, and to bring warmth to even the coldest of nights. Lady Evelyn's heart, though beaten and broken, found comfort in the memory of that smile. It was the light she sought in the dark, the guiding warmth through all the chaos.
It was the one thing she could hold onto as the world around her began to fade.
She was weak, burned, but alive and yearning for the person she admires.
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