The arena smelled like incense and bloodlust.
Rei sat in the "VIP Husband Seat," which was basically just a chair with iron chains bolted into the ground. (They said it's for his safety.)
The announcer, who had somehow survived yesterday's Lilia-Drakana catastrophe, sounded like a man on the brink of early retirement. His voice wavered like a dying candle:
"L-ladies and gentlemen, esteemed nobles, fellow victims of this… festival… today we present Round Two! In the left corner, we have Her Radiance, the Crown Princess of Light herself, Seraphina! Defender of the realm, wielder of celestial fire, saintly paragon of—"
A thousand radiant spotlights beamed down, and Seraphina strode onto the platform, wings unfurling like a golden sunrise. She glowed so brightly Rei had to squint. Her battle gown trailed with woven starlight. She smiled serenely at the crowd, like the goddess of weddings had just stepped into mortal flesh.
Half the spectators fainted immediately.
