Deviating from the original plot

Chapter seventy-three

Victoria, by contrast, moved almost effortlessly. Her strides were steady, her breath calm, and her crate trailed smoothly behind her as though the weight were hardly there. She didn't even need to break into a run.

The crowd of guards began to murmur, disbelief rippling through them.

"She's... actually winning."

"She hasn't even broken a sweat."

"Is the prince struggling that much?"

Celeste cupped her hands around her mouth. "You're losing, Your Highness! Maybe you should beg her for mercy before the finish line!"

Cassius's face went red with rage, his pride burning hotter than his muscles. He threw every ounce of strength into the harness, roaring as the crate lurched faster—yet Victoria was already halfway to the checkpoint.

Evelyn leaned closer to Celeste, a grin tugging at her lips. "Do you think he'll cry if he loses again?"

Celeste smirked. "Cry? I hope so. The last time I saw him cry, his mother called him a spoilt brat."

At the finish line, Victoria slowed, her eyes flicking toward the prince. For the briefest moment, she considered letting him catch up, just to soften the blow. But then she remembered his smug threats—the guillotine, Evelyn's forced marriage, and the arrogance dripping from every word he spoke.

Her jaw tightened. 'Not a chance.'

With a final, decisive pull, she crossed the finish line.

"Victoria Valenford takes the second round!" the guard announced, his voice carrying over the stunned silence.

The soldiers erupted into chatter, some clapping their hands over their mouths to stifle laughter.

Cassius stumbled, dragging his crate a few feet more before it clattered to a halt. His chest heaved, sweat dripping down his brow. He looked at Victoria as though she had spat in his face.

"This... is a trick," he hissed. "You're hiding something."

Victoria let the harness fall from her shoulders and folded her arms coolly. "Or maybe you just aren't as strong as you think you are."

His eyes burnt, humiliation sharper than steel. "Then it comes down to the final round—the duel. And I swear, whatever trick you've been hiding, I'll crush you with my bare hands."

"I already won two challenges. You should honour your word and let us go," Victoria countered firmly.

"No!" he barked, snapping his fingers at a guard. A towel and water were immediately brought to him. "We duel."

Without another word, he strode off to catch his breath.

"Hurray!" Evelyn and Celeste rushed to Victoria's side.

"You were amazing!" Evelyn beamed.

Victoria rubbed the back of her neck, uneasy. "He is so stubborn, and it's for his good; I will hurt him."

Celeste crossed her arms, glaring toward where Cassius stood. "Honestly, it would be an honour if you broke his nose."

Victoria gave them both a flat look. "You aren't helping."

Before Victoria could reply, a horn sounded across the field. The guard stepped forward and announced, "Final challenge! The duel will now commence—both contenders to the circle!"

Cassius rolled his neck, fists flexing at his sides, the grin on his face sharper than steel that made the soldiers murmur uneasily.

"Ready to humiliate yourself, Lady Valenford?" he taunted.