The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 34: The Second Day (Part One)

Chapter 34: The Second Day (Part One)

The Crown

"We were looking for you all over the place, Your Highness." There is a mix of relief and frustration laced in Edward’s voice as he confronts me first thing in the morning. Guess they have been looking for me in the woods all night.

I must admit it was quite selfish and reckless of me that I left them on their own last night. I shouldn’t have done that.

"I am sorry... Edward." But as much guilt as I am feeling right now, I have so many furnishing questions circling around my mind that I feel like throwing up. They are overwhelming me and keeping me from focusing. And I am sure that it is evident in my face. I look like I have aged an entire year in just a single night.

"It is fine." Erick yawns. He says that but I know that it is not fine at all. It can affect both of them in today’s trial. "Where did you run off to anyway?"

"I didn’t run off." I try to explain to them what I did last night but my heart is reluctant to do that. "I got lost?"

"This is a lame excuse for what you did last night, Your Highness," Phillip says, displeasure and exhaustion dripping in his voice.

"I am sorry..." This is the only thing I can do to defend myself. Sorry.

"In any case," Phillip fixes his already perfect appearance for the fourth time now, "I need to return to the lord’s side now. And I do hope that Your Highness won’t do anything like this in the future. You made us very worried last night."

"I am sorry," I mutter the same line again.

The three of them give me a look of disapproval and disdain. Well, I can’t blame them for doing so because, of course, I, myself, am disappointed at my repetitive apology.

Phillip leaves the tent. The sun hasn’t risen yet and it is still dark out there. Well, whether everywhere is dark or not it doesn’t matter because of the dense cloud that always seems to be looming over the sky of this realm. I can’t remember the last time when I last saw the sun. I kind of miss that thing now.

The field is lively as all the demon students get ready to head out for the second day of the festival. Many of the students will die today as well.

But I am not thinking about all that. What I am thinking about is the events of the last night. Who was that mysterious, tailed figure behind the bush? Why did Vermilion drag me out of there like this? He looked... wary.

I don’t know what to make of the events that transpired last night. It is all so confusing and intriguing at the same time.

"Your Highness, get ready to set out." Edward at least breaks the dazed silence. No one actually slept last night aside from me, although I can’t say that I slept that well. "We are required to assemble before the stage in thirty minutes after the breakfast."

"Okay." I nod and get on my feet. My head is still spinning around the world and my heart is still beating uncomfortably as if trying to say something to me. "Erick, did you talk to Peter about what happened last night?" I suddenly ask him the question.

Erick shrugs, "I was with you guys the entire time. When did you see me step out and ask him about it?"

"Oh, right, sorry." I apologize once more as I nod my head and head outside the tent to wash my face.

Ercik and Edward excahnges a look.

"What happened to his Highness?" Edward asks worriedly, "He is been acting weird since he got back."

"Beats me." This is the only answer Erick can give to Edward.

***

The breakfast is in silence, nobody really speaks during that time and I am preoccupied with my own thoughts. After that, we assemble on the grounds before the large stage that has been set up to give away information.

I am still in a daze as Professor Felix climbs onto the stage and starts to speak with his never faltering confidence, "Good morning students. I hope you guys are in your best shape right now because you guys won’t be in very good shape soon enough. You can count on that statement."

"Your Highness," Edward hisses into my ears from the side, "Pay attention. This is important."

I snap out of it and acknowledge him with a jerky nod, "H-Huh? Oh yes."

"Today is the second day of the mock battle festival, and you guys will be given a new trial which will be entirely different from the last one." Professor Felix continues, "In this trial, all of you will be divided into a group of four individuals and go for a treasure hunt!"

"Sorry? A what?" I blurt out, looking as confused as one can be.

Almost everyone in the field has the same reaction.

"Yes, you guys heard it right." Felix’s lips curl into an amused smile, "An all-out treasure hunt. You guys will be given a map to a marked spot. You guys will need to seek out the treasure that is marked in that place. There will be a total of 200 treasures scattered around all over the venue. Submitting a treasure means you have passed the trial for the second day." Felix pauses a little and a cruel glint crosses his eyes, "But students it is not going to be that easy. You guys will be given twelve hours this time as well. During that time you guys will have to dig out at least one treasure box.

"The one team who will have the treasure box at the moment when the trial concludes will pass and be saved for the day. It doesn’t matter whether you steal the box or you protect the box or whatever you do. The only thing that matters is whether you have the box when the trial concludes. And for failure, the punishment remains the same, you will be slaughtered, without any mercy. There is another thing about today’s trial. You guys are allowed to use magic for today’s trial. I think today’s trial is a lot easier than the last one. But this is the lord’s will and we muct obey them. I hope you guys all understood the rule well."

It takes a few moments to get the information to sink into my brain. So today we are going for a deathly treasure hunt. Woah, killing us individually wasn’t satisfying them this is why they are going to kill us in groups now. What a fascinating strategy they have invented. The way they have set up the rules and everything it is clear that only 800 of us will survive the trial. Everyone else will be eliminated. The stakes are clear for today which is deathly and do or die.

"This is so cruel and stupid at the same time..." I bite out.

"Now you guys." Felix addresses the students once more, breaking the commotion that has risen within them, "You all will be given fifteen minutes before you guys will be given the teleportation circle and map of the venue. Within these fifteen minutes choose your teammates."

Just as he finishes the three of us turn to each other and say in unison, "We need another member." We exchange looks in sync.

"I will be joining you guys." A familiar female voice speaks in a serious tone and my eyebrows shoot up to my forehead in surprise.

I spin around and face the familiar female with red eyes and black flowing hair, "Seraphina?!"