The Aether screens displayed both the Princes along with the choice that they had made for the Trial. Carlos had brought back an injured comrade while Eric had rescued an innocent civilian.

Given the performance of both the Princes Ocean didn’t even want to hear Carlos’s answer as it would turn out to be a big irony and it would make not only him but even his mother the Queen to become a laughing stock. The pro-Eric faction was eager to see that though. It had become their favorite pastime during the public events- to watch Katherine get humiliated.

"Which of Your Highnesses would like to answer first?" Ocean asked.

Eric glanced at Carlos who looked at the royal family box.

"Shall we go with Prince Eric first?" Ocean asked.

Eric nodded glancing at the old woman who stood beside him with a smile. Ocean handed him the Sound Resonance Crystal and Eric held it close to his mouth before he looked at everyone. The audience was watching at him eagerly including the royal family.

Eric cleared his throat standing straight as he opened his mouth, "This Trial was quite efficiently made, it tested us for all the qualities a King would need when they are out of the palace in a war. Fighting and protecting the kingdom and their people."

The audience listened and Ocean observed as Eric continued.

"I wasn’t scared because it was a new terrain or some monsters I never encountered before because I had faith in my skills and the teachings of my mentors." Eric’s eyes briefly landed on Ocean before going over to Fairisles’s viewing balcony.

"But there was a moment when I was scared," he admitted, his eyes meeting with Drac.

"It was when I saw my friend... in that painful state." He spoke.

Drac lowered his head in guilt and Ocean glanced at him before looking back at Eric.

"I hadn’t thought that I would get to see something like that and I am a little offended by that even though it was all fake." Eric said looking at Ocean who said nothing.

"I really thought that I might lose my friend back there," he said.

Carlos frowned watching as Eric was evoking the emotions from the people.

"Then why not choose him instead?" Vonstein asked.

Eric gave a wry smile, "Because we as knights are in the service of the kingdom and the people. We protect those who need our protection. Though we never leave a comrade behind but, in case where an innocent life is at stake, we are ready to sacrifice our lives for that." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The audience was silent for a moment before the roar of cheers and claps erupted making some nobles to nearly fall off their seats.

"I chose this lady because she needed my help, my decision was made from the perspective of a knight and a King. In future, I would have the lives of my people in my hands and I cannot be selfish and choose my friends over those who need my help. After all, in a kingdom the most important and valuable ones are the people who make the kingdom." Eric answered.

The pro-Eric faction nobles who were acquainted with Eric smiled watching him and Ocean nodded trying not to show how pleased he was.

Kai grinned widely watching Eric while Rune chuckled and nodded in acknowledgement as he emphasized with Eric’s answer.

"That was really a noble answer that we could get, Your Highness." Ocean clapped and Eric nodded.

"Now, that we have Prince Eric’s answer, it is your turn Your Highness Carlos." Ocean said.

Eric handed the Sound Resonance Crystal to Carlos and Ocean gestured for the guards to escort the old woman to the seats.

"Long live our Prince." She beamed at Eric before she left and he gave her a smile.

Carlos cleared his throat, fingers tightening around the Sound Resonance Crystal. He glanced at the royal family’s box again, visibly shaken now that Eric’s answer had filled the amphitheatre with roaring approval.

When he finally spoke, his voice was steady—but only because he forced it to be.

"This Trial..." Carlos began, "was... it was difficult. Extremely difficult. The monsters were unpredictable, and the terrain was... designed unfairly."

A few nobles frowned.

Ocean’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes narrowed a fraction.

Carlos continued quickly, tone growing hurried.

"I had to make many decisions under pressure. Some strategic. Some life-threatening. I-I led my men with everything I had."

Vonstein raised a brow.

Zach snorted with Oberon rolling his eyes.

"Everything he had, my ass." Zach spoke before he took a small sip of his wine.

"Don’t get drunk before watching their downfall, Lord Snake." Oberon said and Zach chuckled.

"Don’t worry, I’ll get drunk once the world knows how pathetic is the horse that they thought to be the most noble." He chuckled and Oberon glanced at him slightly impressed.

"You’re making poems."

Zach shrugged, "It rubs off if you’re acquainted with a playwright."

Both the men chuckled before they looked at the screens.

"And your choice, Your Highness?" Ocean asked Carlos.

Carlos swallowed, he could feel the pressure of every single eye on him. Usually he loved attention but this time it felt judgemental, he wasn’t used to this. He wasn’t used to being looked down upon.

"I chose to save my knight," he announced. "Because loyalty is important. As a future King, loyalty must be valued above all else. A loyal knight will follow you into war. A civilian... may run."

The amphitheatre quieted.

Not in admiration—

but in disbelief.

Carlos continued before the silence could settle.

"And besides, the knight I chose was severely injured. I couldn’t leave him! What type of Prince abandons someone who’s served him faithfully?"

A murmur went through the seats.

Someone in the commoner’s section hollered loudly.

"Says the one who ran with his tail tucked between his legs!"

The Viewing Orbs didn’t catch who shouted but the response was immediate as the amphitheatre rumbled with the roaring laughter and cheers of agreement.

One by one several voices of mockery broke through the crowd and because of all the people shouting at once it was impossible to know who was shouting.

"We all just saw your knights resigning because of you!"

"If you become our King we’re all dead!"

"Prince Eric saved all those Esmertia knights and still didn’t brag about it!"

"He even saved you!"

Carlos fumbled as the people unbashedly mocked him and Katherine looked like she was ready to massacre them all but she wasn’t as angry with the people as she was with her own son. She hadn’t ever been so humiliated in her life.

Ocean glanced around before he raised his hand and clapped once.

"Silence please." He spoke calmly.

In the next moment, the amphitheatre was dead silent. Carlos looked around, face red with embarassment and some people holding their laughter.

"Please go on, Your Highness." Ocean spoke in a dry tone.

Carlos opened his mouth before closing it back, he didn’t want to continue but he could also see that Ocean wasn’t done here, he wanted Carlos to go on and get even more humiliated.

Carlos gritted his teeth and pressed on.

"This knight has risked his life for me many times. It would be cruel to leave him behind, even in a trial meant to test us. A King must reward loyalty. A King must show compassion to those closest to him. Otherwise—who would follow such a King?"

The nobles exchanged glances.

The pro-Eric faction bit back laughter.

The anti-Eric faction avoided looking at Katherine.

Queen Katherine sat rigid, hands clenched in her lap. Her eyes didn’t blink. Her face stayed composed—but her throat tightened visibly. Colette beside her also had an impassive look on her face as she knew she couldn’t expect any better from her brother.

"So yes," he said boldly, "I chose my knight. Because a King stands with those who serve him, and prioritizes strength over sentiment."

Nothing happened for a second.

Then a noble in the back snorted followed b the sound of someone being unable to hold their laughter anymore and soon the entire amphitheatre was bursting into laughter again.

Katherine’s face became red and then pale while Carlos kept his head low.

Roger covered his face with his hand and then glanced at Katherine.

"Is this how you raised your son?" He asked and she turned her gaze on him, holding back the urge to murder him right then and there.

Miri, who was in the same box wasn’t laughing but she had an amusing smile on her face as she watched the show. She was proud of Eric.

Ocean let the people be for a few seconds before he raised his hand and the laughter slowly died down.

His mask tilted slightly toward Carlos.

"That is certainly... an answer, Your Highness," Ocean said, voice polite but icy beneath the surface. "One that reveals your priorities very clearly."

Carlos avoided looking at him and Ocean turned toward the crowd.

"Well then," he announced, "the first Trial evaluation is complete. The Princes have made their choices. And now," he raised a hand, the screens shimmering to transition, "we shall begin the official scoring."

The amphitheatre erupted into whispers.

Carlos looked ashamed.

Katherine looked ill.

Eric looked calm.

Ocean looked like he was holding back a sigh.