Eric and Carlos left their designated territories on the decided dates, each having received their farewells from the people they had helped before returning to the capital where the masses awaited eagerly to see who won. Although there was no real mystery to it, they knew the Queen wouldn’t just take her son’s defeat without any resistance.

Everyone had rushed to the amphitheatre where they would get to see the Princes, the Marquis and get to know of what happens next.

The day when the winner would be announced was still about two days away so the people only were around to see if their favorite Prince had returned safe and sound and if they could catch a few gossip about what had happened in both the territories.

The amphitheatre was buzzing with sound while both the Princes were once again in the waiting room. Their guards along with the supervising panel were away.

Eric glanced at Carlos’s bandaged arm and head and couldn’t help but wonder what happened to him.

He was reluctant at first but he ended up asking, "What happened to you?"

Carlos who was sitting deep in thought, his mind quiet because of the blue stone pendant sitting over his chest flinched at the sudden question directed towards him.

He glanced at his arm, feeling the ache that was still fresh in his side and spoke, "Nothing."

Eric frowned, "Doesn’t look like nothing."

Carlos turned his face away and Eric rolled his eyes feeling like his step brother’s attitude had reverted back to its usual one. He didn’t need to converse.

But then after a long moment of silence, Carlos unexpectedly answered, "I was ambushed on my way back here."

Eric glanced at him and Carlos continued, "They used smoke screen to separate me from the knights and then I fell off the carriage..."

Eric listened silently as this was the first time Carlos was willingly talking to him normally.

"The assassins weren’t too skilled and I took down two of them but the third one injured me and then..."

He paused for a moment, Eric noticed as his face became ghostly pale and then he licked his lips before saying, "And then, a guard came out of nowhere and killed the rest."

Eric leaned ahead, "The guard didn’t appear before?"

Carlos shook his head, he wanted to tell Eric that unlike the guards assigned for him, Carlos’s side were more than eager to kill him.

"I’m glad you’re safe." Eric said quietly, Carlos’s eyes widened by a fraction.

He glanced over at Eric who had already turned his face away slightly.

Carlos knew that his death wouldn’t cause him any problems, rather it would be profitable, if Carlos were out of the picture then Eric could just became the King without any rivals- not that he was any rival at this moment.

But Carlos ended up speaking again, "I... got engaged."

It took a moment for Eric to realise what Carlos just said and when it did, he sharply turned his head to look at Carlos.

"What?!"

Just then, there were two soft knocks on the door followed by the familiar, smooth voice.

"Your Highnesses, it’s me, Marquis Ocean. May I enter?"

Eric sat with his jaw dropped still processing what Carlos was saying so he failed to respond in time and Carlos answered instead.

"Yes,"

The door opened and Ocean walked in followed by Drac and Sir Hopkins. There was a small smile on his charming face, the upper half of his face was covered by a snowy white mask today which had feathery patterns while the lower half of his face was pristine, ivory skin with shapely jaw and pointy chin. His plum pink hued lips curled up in a smile.

He wore a crisp white suit adorned with sapphire blue accessories today and a velvety blue cape hung from his broad shoulders to his calves.

Eric and Carlos stood in the center of the room now facing him.

"I greet both Your Highnesses for your excellent work and safe returns..." Ocean spoke as his eyes drifted over to Carlos who had not returned quite safely.

Ocean exhaled before he stepped ahead. Carlos flinched, taking two steps back.

Ocean stopped for a moment and spoke, "I shall heal Your Highness, please allow me."

Carlos stood rooted in his place and Ocean stepped closer, Carlos felt his heart hammering in his chest as those long, pale fingers rested on his shoulder with a gentle, fleeting pressure.

Carlos couldn’t deny the fact that those same fingers could snap his neck in a moment. He stood rigidly still before feeling a rush of cool and refreshing mana coursing through his body.

For a moment, his eyes were covered by a faint blue light before he felt the pressure on his shoulder vanish and he blinked twice before his vision adjusted back. He felt rejuvenated and his body felt lighter, the aches from earlier had also gone. It felt just like how the first time he had experienced it. The miraculous healing casted by the monster.

Ocean observed for a moment before he nodded and stepped back, his legs trembled faintly making him away and the guards behind quickly reached out holding his arms.

"Marquis?! Are you all right?" Sir Hopkins asked quickly while Drac’s lips were pursed in a firm line.

Even Eric seemed taken aback by the sudden show of weakness.

Ocean gave a faint smile and pushed himself away from the supporting arms as he said, "Casting a healing spell takes a toll on my body. I’d request you all to please not tell anyone about this."

Eric and Drac instantly relaxed after hearing that blatant lie while Sir Hopkins was even more concerned.

"Why don’t you take a seat and drink some water?" He offered and Ocean waved his hand.

"I can’t. We need to go to the arena now for the further announcements." Ocean smiled.

Carlos watched with a subtle detached gaze, he didn’t know if he should believe that bout of dizziness that Ocean had had just a moment ago. But he didn’t bring it up lest he was ready to face what would come next.

Ocean ushered the two Princes and their guards towards the arena.

Carlos and Eric hung back and Eric took this opportunity to ask Carlos.

"Hey, what you said about the engagement? Is it true? Who is she?"

Carlos looked at Eric who had a small, eager smile on his face now.

Never had he seen this guy give him such a smile before, hell, there was never any sorts of positive exchange between these two ever.

"Yes...She’s the Baroness of Valmest..." Carlos answered, recalling Nyx’s beautiful face. His cheeks went pink in an instant and Eric noticed it clearly which made him even more insistent.

Eric’s smile deepened a little as he walked a little closer to him and asked, "You like her?"

Carlos’s answer was instant, "Yes."

Eric controlled his laughter as he simply smiled and patted Carlos’s back, shocking the latter.

"So, spring has finally come for you too, huh? Good going. Tell me more about it later. I’ll support your engagement."

Carlos was taken aback at Eric’s casual demeanor.

Was he so carefree with him because he knew Carlos held no practical power against him? Or was he just mocking him?

Carlos looked at Eric’s smiling face and his twinkling scarlet eyes for a long moment, and decided, no. It probably wasn’t mockery.

The roar of the crowd grew louder as they approached the arena, swallowing whatever remained unsaid between them.

The two entered the bright arena and were instantly inundated by the cheers of the people who were eagerly waiting for their appearance.

Eric and Carlos stood side by side, Eric smiled openly while Carlos glanced once at the people and then at the balcony where his family was.

Roger seemed to be in high spirits, his mother’s face seemed like it was carved from marble without any expressions and his sister just seemed bored. The Queen of Mordino who was also there appeared to be amused as she watched them.

Carlos then looked at the back of Ocean Ryujin who was waving at the people addressing them with a charming smile before he started acknowledging the royal family, the nobles and everyone present.

"... I, Marquis Ocean Ryujin, welcome you all once again in this colosseum." He swept a bow making everyone cheer louder.

"It has been ten days since we all met here," he began, "ten days of both His Highnesses performing their best in the Third Trial and ruling the territories that required their assistance."

Carlos glanced at Eric, with the bright smile on his face he could tell that Eric must have passed with flying colors. Not that they would announce it today. The results will be announced the day after tomorrow since the panels would meet and then discuss the reports. Then will come the "day of judgement" as so graciously named by Ruel.

Once Ocean was done with pleasantries he got down to explaining the important parts.

"I thank all the supervising panel members who assisted and supervised both His Highnesses and made thorough reports. These reports shall be submitted to the Heads of all the three panels who will examine the points and then pass their verdicts."

The said three Heads of the panels were shown on the Aether screens mounted above.

The Head of Nobles Faction: Grand Duke Alarice Montaire.

The Head of Knighthoof Panel: Sir Godfrey Ashbourne.

The Head of Civilian Panel: Elder Mira Thornbrook.

"The three heads have one and a half day to go over the reports and make their judgement. Day after tomorrow, we all shall gather here again to witness the history as Sestia will choose her next ruler."

The crowd erupted over his words and Colette noticed her mother’s fingers tightening over the armrests of her chair.

She resisted rolling her eyes and then turned her gaze to the Grand Duke’s balcony instead. It had been days that she had been trying to court Davian but all of her attempts were thwarted.

If it weren’t for these Trials she could have just gone straight to the Montaire mansion and made herself clear but she couldn’t be rash especially in the moment where she knew that things were finally going to go her way.

Just two days it would take for everything to be razed to the ground and then nobody would remain to sit on the throne other than herself.

Colette could vividly recall the strange audience she had had with a woman who had claimed to be her mother’s well-wisher. It was a strange meeting but it had come with a lot of enlightenment and an opportunity to gain a strong ally.

Colette had even given her own assistance to this woman as per the primary requirements and had gained something in return that would help her bring Davian to her. It was just the matter of time before everything would fall into its rightful place.