Karl truly never expected Princess Alice would take the initiative to speak to him.
Perfect—this was his chance to get closer.
He looked at Alice before him, smiled slightly, and said:
“That’s right, Your Highness Alice. This piece was composed specifically for you.”
*Shameless? Absolutely.* He’d played it just to win her favor. Now that she’d walked right into his trap—well, don’t blame him for laying it on thick.
Hearing this, Alice’s cheeks flushed faintly. “B-but… aren’t you already married?”
“Huh… what???”
Karl froze. Since when did this turn to marriage?!
Alice glanced at him shyly. “C-could this piece… not be you courting me? I hear longing for love in the melody… a pursuit of romance.”
*Wait, no—girl, are we even listening to the same song?!*
*How did you pull “romantic yearning” from that?!*
Just as Karl scrambled for words, Alice nodded knowingly. “I understand. This marriage was forced. You don’t love Freya. You love *me*. You played this to show your heart… so I’d rescue you from misery.”
“???????”
*Girl, what are you even saying?!*
*I’m trying to get close—not *that* close!*
“Your Highness,” Karl hurriedly clarified, “you’ve misunderstood. The piece celebrates your grace and beauty—not courtship, not hints.”
But Alice wouldn’t listen.
No sooner had he finished than she murmured to herself: “I see your struggle. You can’t speak openly. But worry not—I know your heart. I *will* save you from Freya’s clutches!!!”
She lifted her skirts and marched straight toward Freya.
Karl rushed after her, too restrained by status to physically stop her. “Your Highness, please—this isn’t what you think! I love my wife! Don’t overthink it!”
Alice didn’t slow. “Don’t worry, Mr. Karl. I *will* set you free.”
Reaching Freya, Alice tugged off her left white glove and tossed it at Freya’s feet.
Karl went rigid.
*What the hell?! Throwing a glove?! That’s a duel challenge!!!*
*The little princess just challenged Freya!!!*
Freya stared at the glove, bewildered. *Since when does the Empire’s princess duel me?* She glanced at Karl beside Alice—*What scene is this?*
Karl blinked rapidly, shook his head: *She’s lost it. Ignore her.*
But Alice declared: “Freya! Accept my duel! Lose, and divorce Karl—hand him to me!”
Silence. Then uproar.
*What the hell is happening?!*
*Is she stealing Freya’s husband?!*
“Snatching a man publicly?!”
“This is a welcome party, not a battlefield?!”
The crowd’s faces flooded with question marks.
Karl darted to Freya’s side, whispering urgently: “Freya, what are you doing?! Don’t humor her madness!”
Freya accepted the sword Ling offered, lips curving faintly. “Someone tries to take my husband before my eyes—I must respond. Relax. I know what I’m doing. This is… bonding with the princess.”
Karl nearly karate-chopped her head. *Since when does dueling = bonding?!*
Alice turned, eyes blazing. “Mr. Karl, don’t fear! I’m confident in my strength. I *will* rescue you!”
Karl felt numb. *Girl… please… just listen. I don’t need saving!!!* He was seconds from kneeling.
*Crack!*
Alice whipped a leather lash from her Spatial Ring, snapping it hard against the floor. “Duel me! Now! Immediately!!!”
A magic circle flared before her. From it emerged a tiny tiger wreathed in flames.
Alice was a beastmaster. The spirit beast she summoned? A juvenile Flame Tiger—nominally Rank C, but far from full power.
Freya’s smile deepened. She took Ling’s sword. “Good. I won’t hold back.”
Tension crackled. Gazes locked—sparks nearly visible.
They lunged.
Karl braced for an epic clash…
Only to watch Alice and the Flame Tiger clutch their heads and roll wildly on the ground.
“Oww!!! Oww!!! It hurts!!! How dare you hit my head!”
“Awooo! Awooo!!!”
Their synchronized wailing was oddly endearing.
Karl stared, speechless.
*This Alice is ridiculously weak—one move and down.*
*Her Flame Tiger? Same.*
*You claimed confidence? THIS is it?*
*This isn’t a duel. It’s bullying a kindergarten kid.*
Tears streaming, clutching the bump on her head, Alice sniffled up at Karl:
“Mr. Karl… I’m sorry… I’ll train harder. Next time… I’ll definitely save you.”
Karl sighed deeply. *What… even… is this…*
