Before long, I was alone.

Yet not done.

When things subsided, and the fire was completely gone, guards found me lying on the ground covered in dust, with a small cut on my forehead—blood running done my face.

Before I could properly open my eyes, a sword was being pressed against my chest as I coughed and shook my head slowly, as if I was waking up from a trance.

[The 2nd Prince is demanding to know what you have done with the Bride.]

[He commands you to start talking unless you wish to forfeit your life.]

In a blink, guards were surrounding us—their bodies ready to charge by any given second.

“…what? What is Your Highness’ brother talking about…? My head, it hurts so much…”

[The guards are confused.]

[The 2nd Prince is suspicious of you.]

[The Groom orders the guards to stand back.]

The Groom walked toward me, followed by Kurosawa and others from the Royal Squad. Apart from Kurosawa, they all stared at me with conflicted gazes.

I staggered to the side, trying to bow toward the Groom.

“Yo-your Highness. I…I have no idea what happened. I was watching the ceremony and then, suddenly…everything became so cold. My eyes were covered in darkness, and I felt my consciousness fading away…” This time I didn’t need to fake the raspiness in my, or the tremor on my legs. After being thrown twice by Kurosawa and exhausting my strength, I was ready to sleep for an entire week.

[The 2nd Prince looks at you with bewildered eyes.]

The Groom leaned toward me, extending his hand. I grabbed it, the 2nd prince stepping away with reluctance.

“Your Highness, it appears that some kind of…evil entity…possessed the mind of this guard.” Kurosawa spared no glares as he paused on the sentence, making his disagreement with my creative direction more than clear. “Assuming there are such entities in this world.”

I clenched my jaw, holding back the urge to curse at him.

“In a world with crawling with bizarre creatures and magic power, I can see this happening…!” I spoke in a strained voice, holding my nerves. I glanced toward both princes, my tone meek and humble. “My princes, I swear on my very soul I have no recollection of what happened. What about the wedding? Is the Bride safe?”

[The 2nd Prince explains the Bride, alongside one of the guests, was kidnapped.]

I gave my best dramatic gasp, putting a hand over my chest. “It can’t be! Who dared do such a cruel deed, on such a joyful day?!”

A few meters from us, I heard Aída almost failing to hold her laughter. I suppressed my urge to laugh with her.

[The Groom quickly explains the past events you were involved in.]

[The Groom asks if you record any of it.]

I widened my eyes, taking a deep breath. “Dear me, I can hardly believe it… This vile creature took control over me, and ruined Your Highness wedding, soiled your pride… Not only that, but they dared to insult the Court of Wands and its honor!”

I looked straight at where I believed his eyes would be, watching as the flames danced and concealed his face, and grabbed both his shoulders. The Groom was startled for a second.

“Your Highness, you cannot allow this villainous being to get what they want! It’s not been long since they escaped—they may not be far. You must go after them!”

I felt as the Groom’s muscles froze in my grasp. As he held his breath.

“We can prepare a horse for you right away, alongside provisions for the long journey. Yet you must rescue the Bride! You cannot let this evil creature taint the honor of the Court of Wands!”

[The 2nd Prince is shocked!]

[The guards and the guests are astonished by this bold proposition!]

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[The Groom is speechless.]

[The guards proclaim the Groom is the legitimate heir of the throne.]

[They express how the Groom cannot embark on such a long and dangerous journey when he is soon to be crowned.]

[The majority of the guests agree.]

[They think the 2nd Prince would be best suited for such a mission.]

“Nonsense! How could anyone else be responsible for this quest but His Highness?! When it was he who was defied and openly mocked! As a proud prince of the Court of Wands, he cannot allow this, this fiend to get what they want. The 2nd prince is just as capable as His Highness, he can take care of the royal affairs while his brother goes on this quest. Isn’t that right?”

For a few seconds, there were no notifications. All guards and guests were frozen in their spots. The princes still.

Then—

The Groom pulled me into an embrace, his arms closing around me in a tight and warm grip.

[The Groom is overwhelmed with joy.]

[The 2nd Prince is relieved.]

[The 2nd Prince proclaims that you are right. His brother cannot allow such a transgression and insult.]

[The 2nd Prince informs he will notify the King and Queen of today’s event immediately. Meanwhile, the Groom should get ready to leave.]

[The guards and guests are surprised!]

Slowly, the Groom pulled me away. And for a second, literally just one second, I saw his eyes.

[The Groom feels a deep gratitude toward you.]

[The Groom admires your spirit.]

And I recognized them. Recognized that gaze.

[The 2nd Prince orders the servants to fetch the Groom’s horse from the stables and prepare the provisions. There cannot be any delays.]

Soon enough, the servants were moving and rushing out of the Wedding Hall. And while the people from the Squads whispered among each other and checked the Trial’s rules, guests were sent home. There was a small uproar as one of the carriages appeared to be missing, yet the matter was soon sorted out when the princes offered one of their carriages.

“Both princesses are safe, Park Eun-Woo. You can feel proud, for you did well.” Kaduna’s words, spoken through the earpiece, filled me with both relief and an odd sense of accomplishment.

“You did more than me. Thank you.”

For a second, I thought I heard a chuckle. Yet soon enough the connection was cut, with nothing else to be heard.

Minutes later, both princes were facing each other, the Groom’s horse all prepared alongside two more. Somehow it felt like there was a silent conversation going on between them. Something far too complex or deep for me to comprehend.

[The 2nd Prince wishes his brother a great journey ahead.]

[The 1st Prince wishes his brother a good life.]

They did not shake hands or hugged. The 1st prince simply mounted on his horse, two guards following suit.

The former Groom turned to me, the confidence and power emanating from him stronger than ever.

[The 1st Prince wishes to know if you have an idea of which direction the princesses and their kidnapper went.]

“I believe Your Highness shall find your luck if you keep going west.”

The prince nodded, his flames burning brighter for a moment. Then, before long, the three riders were gone.

I suddenly felt a touch on my shoulder, forcing me to turn around. The 2nd Prince standing right in front of me.

[The 2nd Prince informs that he is aware of what you did.]

[And that he shall be indebted to you from now on.]

“I have no idea of whatever you speak, my prince. Still, your gratitude honors me.” I gave him a short bow, not wasting my chance to walk away.

I made my way toward the garden, where I first began the Trial. The more time passed, the more restless I felt.

[Third Trial – Till Death do Them Part]

[Contracted Self Park Eun-Woo: Patrol Squad]

[Mission: Protect the Bride and Groom’s joyful day]

[Time till the Wedding Reception: 00:00:00]

Shouldn’t this be over by now?

Before I could take ten steps alone—

“That was madness! Everything was so chaotic—so thrilling! How did you think this through?” Aída appeared at my side, awe lighting up her eyes.

“It takes a crazy man to come up with crazy plans. I’m more surprised this old man managed to pull it through,” Hal chimed in, both hands in his pockets. Hil gave him a light punch on the shoulder not even two seconds later, frowning.

“I mean it.” Aída matched my pace, her tone forcing me to look at her. “What you did for them…I don’t think I would be able to think of something like this.”

It was certainly difficult to coordinate.

I needed a solution that would not only stop the Bride and Groom from getting married but also make sure the Groom would not inherit the throne. And, perhaps even more important, a solution that would not cause possible tension or conflict between the Courts, or us.

After all, I had no idea how connected the Trials were with each other. There was a chance that they worked independently, with their results not affecting each other at all. Or, it could be something continuous. Like the stages of a game. I couldn’t risk us being punished by interfering too much.

Somehow, I managed to find something that checked all the boxes.

“Without you, I could make all the planning I wanted and it would be useless. So thank you. For trusting me.”

Hal scoffed at my words, looking away. Yet the smile Hil gave me was enough to warm my heart.

“Anytime.”

There was so much trust and kindness in Aída’s voice, I didn’t even know how to react. How to process the emotions that grew within me.

From across the garden, I met Kurosawa’s gaze. We stared at each other for a few seconds, neither saying nor doing anything. He averted my gaze, looking at the side, thinking.

The man took two steps toward me—

[Congratulations! You protected the Bride and the Groom’s happiness!]

[You concluded the Trial for Four of Wands - Till Death do Them Part!]

None of us had time to do anything else before the white light enveloped us, glowing brighter and brighter until there was nothing more to be seen.

Finally taking us back to what was, for now, our home.