Based on my conversation with Nora, it was not surprising to see my face in the newspaper.

Dame Grimaldi, an authentic life Countess Brivaldi?

Ridiculous! In Miurella's novel, Countess Bianca Brivaldi fought for her love even though the world was against them.

I shook my head as my teeth chewed the sausage. Starting today, I had to fuel my body by eating more carbs and protein.

I asked for another serving while my brother smiled as I pig-out in front of him.

My decision was right when the archery training began. This body burned all those sausages, beans, eggs, and bread after an hour of exercise and practice.

My cruel brother made me ran 20 kilometers. These delicate hands never touched the bow, and the arrow was like a squished tomato after the session.

These circumstances didn't stop me. I formed my fist, sat on the bench they placed in the empty meadows, and closed my eyes. The pain I experienced was an ant compared to the twins.

I prayed for their successful operation.

"You don't have to act tough, 'Lil sis."

I opened my eyes when Adrian took my hand to pour water on it and slathered it with the soap he got from his pocket.

Adrian, I would miss having a brother figure when I came back to my world.

"My Lady, I prepared a cloth banner for you!"

Four days swiftly lied. Nora swayed the cloth banner she pasted on a thin board.

"Thank You, Nora. My fighting spirit leveled up."

She hummed after that. Her work efficiency would increase if you appreciate every effort she put into her work.

"Did he wake up?"

Nora frowned. "James told me the same answer three days ago."

I bit my lower lip. What happened? His injury healed. But why was the Duke still unconscious?

Nora went to the kitchen and came back with a cup of chamomile tea.

"My Lady, don't worry about him. The Duke was one of the strongest people I met. He could overcome this challenge."

I just nodded and took a sip of the tea. My servant was correct. I had to focus on the match.

Three in the afternoon. I was sitting in one chamber in the area, waiting for the signal.

I prayed to God and saints for guidance and victory.

The moment my prayer ended, one guard guided me to the open-air stadium.

I was the next in line to perform. People cheered my name when I appeared.

The first round is archery, composed of two levels.

For the first round, we had to shoot the three hay targets. The first two tries were not perfect but not as terrible when I first practiced to use this weapon.

I took a deep breath to calm down. Dear emotion, please hide somewhere. I did not need your participation.

Before I release my last arrow for the third round, my brain reviewed the lessons with Adrian.

I fixed my stance by lining up perpendicular to the target.

Next, I checked if my grip on my bow was tight, how I placed the arrow on the bow, the position of my fingers, and other factors why I got low points.

I heard claps from the audience when I hit the bull's eye for the third time. No matter how great it was, Prince Liam was still in the lead.

I grunted at how the first round turned out. Maybe if I practiced more, I had won. This event was a wake-up call I shouldn't mess up within the second round.

We took a fifteen-minute break after the first round.

"Miss, you did an outstanding job! I'm proud of you!" Nora wiped the sweat off my face and handed me a glass of cold water.

For the second round, the King played poker, but they added one rule since we were in the fantasy world. Prince Liam refrained from using his elements.

We only have five rounds. They would deem the one who won the most games as a winner.

My back luck continued as he won the first four rounds. I tried to bluff on the second, but he won. Even if I won the last round, he won the first four rounds already.

"Do we have to play the last round?" the prince dropped his cards on the table.

"It's already clear, My Dame. You are mine from now on."

His silly smile boiled my blood. Did I miss something here? I know for sure he cheated. But how?

If he used his element, they must have detected it. What should I do?

"No, we would stick to the rule."

He chuckled, which made my cheeks flushed.

"The rule also states that whoever wins the most is the winner. Please accept your destiny and marry me. I promise to take care of you."

He snatched my right hand and kissed it. So I had to call Nora to sanitize it by pouring holy water in front of this jerk.

"I would only accept my defeat if you played fair and square."

"Are you accusing the Prince of Tozia?! How dare you, Young Lady!"

The King's quality of voice was comparable to a microphone. Such a great tone in it.

The tweet of the audience didn't help either. I should demand a part of earnings from this event.

"Alright, since I am a gentleman and I am the guy who respects her future wife's opinion, we would play the last round with a twist. If you defeated me and revealed how I cheated, you'll win the complete match."

Of course, I ignited this challenge; there was no turning back. I had to unveil the trick if I did not want to bid farewell to the days of being single.

The great thing was he requested a 5-minute break, so I inspected this table where we played the first four rounds. I had to check if there are any crevices or mechanisms on the legs that would activate the holdout system, yet it looked normal.

I got back to my position and sobbed my head on the table because the burden got heavier.

Images flashed in my mind quickly. Those were poker cards with flickering letters... I stared at those cards on the table. It made sense why he wore glasses on this round.

I slammed the table.

"Since this round will decide our fates, why not make the stakes higher? If I lost and didn't prove your trick, we'll get married right here right now."
He shoved his face in mine, which I quickly dodged.

"I have fallen in love with you for the third time, my lovely Dame."

I didn't care how many times he fell in love with me. What matters most was winning.

Before the last round started, he asked for the body search. My leg of mutton sleeves became sleeveless when I tore it so he wouldn't think I could slide a card even after the body search. My loyal servant dashed to my side to bring a thin shawl that could cover my arms.

The fifth round started, and I changed the way I hold my cards. Usually, people hold it in the way they make a shape of a fan, but I stacked it neatly together so he could only see one card. Memorizing six cards was a piece of cake for me.

What would you do now, Prince Liam?