> Haruto was trapped.
>
>
>
>
> He had tried to sabotage his own engagement tournament.
>
> He had tried to convince everyone it was a terrible idea.
>
> He had even tried to run away (again).
>
>
>
>
> And now?
>
>
>
>
> Now, even more women had joined the competition.
>
>
>
>
> Haruto buried his face in his hands.
>
>
>
>
> "I hate everything."
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
>
> Haruto's Final Escape Plan (Fails Instantly, Again)
>
>
>
>
> Haruto waited until nightfall.
>
>
>
>
> The tournament would start tomorrow.
>
>
>
>
> If he wanted to avoid the nightmare ahead, he had to leave now.
>
>
>
>
> Step 1: Slip past the guards.
>
> Step 2: Steal a horse.
>
> Step 3: Run into the mountains and never return.
>
>
>
>
> Foolproof.
>
>
>
>
> Haruto snuck through the castle hallways, staying in the shadows.
>
>
> Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
>
>
>
>
>
> Alright, just gotta get to the stables…
>
>
>
>
> Then—
>
>
>
>
> "Going somewhere, dear?"
>
>
>
>
> Haruto froze.
>
>
>
>
> Slowly—mechanically—he turned his head.
>
>
>
>
> And there stood Lilia, smiling sweetly.
>
>
>
>
> "I SWEAR TO THE GODS, HOW DO YOU ALWAYS FIND ME?!"
>
>
>
>
> "Oh, darling, you're so predictable~."
>
>
>
>
> Haruto internally screamed.
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
>
> The Next Morning – The Tournament Begins
>
>
>
>
> The sun rose over the city.
>
>
>
>
> A massive crowd gathered in the royal arena.
>
>
>
>
> Flags bearing Haruto's face were being waved.
>
>
>
>
> Trumpets blared.
>
>
>
>
> And at the center of it all—
>
>
>
>
> Haruto stood on a massive balcony, completely dead inside.
>
>
>
>
> "I refuse to be here."
>
>
>
>
> "Yet here you are~." Lilia giggled.
>
>
>
>
> "STOP SAYING THAT!"
>
>
>
>
> The royal announcer stepped forward.
>
>
>
>
> "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO THE GRAND ROYAL ENGAGEMENT TOURNAMENT!"
>
>
>
>
> The crowd erupted into cheers.
>
>
>
>
> "LET THE COMPETITION TO WIN KING HARUTO'S HAND BEGIN!"
>
>
>
>
> Haruto internally screamed.
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
>
> The Contestants (Haruto's Nightmare Grows)
>
>
>
>
> One by one, the competitors entered the arena.
>
>
>
>
> Haruto felt his stomach drop.
>
>
>
>
> First—Princess Emilia, standing tall in her royal armor.
>
>
>
>
> "I shall win this fairly," she declared.
>
>
>
>
> Then—Lilia, grinning mischievously.
>
>
>
>
> "Oh my, how exciting~."
>
>
>
>
> Then—Sylphiel, the Elf Queen, radiating elegance.
>
>
>
>
> "It is only natural for me to stand at my beloved's side."
>
>
>
>
> Then—Emberis, cracking her knuckles.
>
>
>
>
> "I shall take my prize by force."
>
>
>
>
> Then—Fel, looking extremely amused.
>
>
>
>
> "I don't even need to try, boss. I already live with you~."
>
>
>
>
> Haruto whimpered.
>
>
>
>
> And then—
>
>
>
>
> MORE women entered the arena.
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
>
> More Challengers Appear (Haruto's Nightmare Worsens)
>
>
>
>
> Haruto blinked in horror as even more contestants stepped forward.
>
>
>
>
> Duchess Rosaria of the Northern Empire.
>
>
>
>
> "A king should wed a noblewoman. I shall claim him."
>
>
>
>
> Lady Carmilla, a vampire noble.
>
>
>
>
> "A Demon King must have a Queen of the Night."
>
>
>
>
> A masked swordswoman.
>
>
>
>
> "…I have no reason to be here."
>
>
>
>
> "THEN LEAVE!" Haruto screamed.
>
>
>
>
> The crowd cheered louder.
>
>
>
>
> Haruto grabbed his own face, shaking.
>
>
>
>
> "HOW IS THIS EVEN HAPPENING?!"
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
>
> Haruto's Last Attempt to End the Tournament (Fails Instantly, Again)
>
>
>
>
> "ALRIGHT, LISTEN!" Haruto shouted. "THIS TOURNAMENT IS STUPID! I REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE!"
>
>
>
>
> The crowd gasped.
>
>
>
>
> The announcer chuckled.
>
>
>
>
> "Oh, Your Majesty. You are not the one competing."
>
>
>
>
> Haruto froze.
>
>
>
>
> "...What."
>
>
>
>
> "You are the grand prize."
>
>
>
>
> Haruto choked on air.
>
>
>
>
> "EXCUSE ME?!"
>
>
>
>
> "THE WINNER SHALL CLAIM YOUR HAND IN MARRIAGE!"
>
>
>
>
> The crowd erupted into cheers.
>
>
>
>
> Haruto fell to his knees.
>
>
>
>
> "I hate it here."
>
>
>
> ---