AN HOUR LATER, INSIDE ROYAL PALACE, GRAND ETIQUETTE HALL
ZAVIER
Peace lasted exactly sixty minutes. Which, for us, was record breaking, then the doors opened.
"Line up." Queen Rosana said calmly.
"I DO NOT LIKE THAT TONE." Riko whispered.
"You shouldn't." Ben replied.
"IT MEANS STRUCTURE."Riko said.
"It means discipline." Leo added.
"I REJECT BOTH."He said.
"You won't." Everyone said.
We stood there, three pairs and Leo. Single and alone.
"Why am I here?" Leo asked.
"You exist." Ben said.
"That's unfortunate." Leo replied.
"I ACCEPT." Riko started.
"STOP."
Queen Rosana walked slowly in front of us, observing like we were a battlefield instead of students, her eyes sharp, calculating, and slightly amused in a way that made this infinitely worse.
"You are all going on dates." She said.
"I HAVE A DATE." Riko whispered loudly.
"Yes." She said.
"I ACCEPT."Riko said.
Her gaze shifted.
"Which means you will not embarrass yourselves." She continued.
