Omni POV
"Pick it up, harlot," Angelica challenged. "You filthy witch, seducing the prince and all of his friends!"
If Marie picked up the glove, she would in effect have agreed to a match.Social shame compelled men to represent themselves in duels, but women got away with using proxies all the time.
"Angelica, you disappoint me." The prince regarded his fiancée with disdain. His patience had run out, and anger colored his face. "Marie, pick it up.
Don't worry, you have me with you. I will act as your proxy in this fight."
"I can't let you get away with taking all of the glory, Your Highness," Jilk cut in. "Per academy rules, a girl isn't limited to one man as her stand-in. I volunteer as well."
Greg punched a fist into his open palm. "Sounds interesting. Count me in.
I don't care who my opponent is, bring it on!"
"This is why I avoid meatheads like you," Brad said, sounding annoyed.
"That said, I can't let that 'harlot' insult fly. I'll make you take that back, Angelica. After the match is over, you can apologize to Marie. I'll be participating, too, of course."
Chris folded his arms over his chest. "I'm confident in my sword skills.
I'll be Marie's blade in battle."
Marie wiped tears from her eyes. "Thank you, everyone… I'm scared, but having you with me brings me comfort. I'll accept this duel, Miss Angelica.
We'll fight against you together."
"The, and Prince and his friends are real idiots you know," Daniel grumbled.
"Anyway, what's going to happen to the duke's daughter now? Is there anyone at this school who'd take on five guys—let alone those five?"
Raymond shook his head. "The prince and the others, I don't know about their strength but, it will be social suicide for who ever helps her, worse if they actually win, No guy in their right mind would take them all on."
No normal person would willingly fight the prince himself. Even worse, this wasn't a mock battle—it was a real duel. Even the men who had faithfully followed Angelica wanted no part in it.
Angelica's eyes swept across the room, but not a single boy would meet her gaze.
Greg egged them on. "Oh, come on, is there no one out there benevolent enough to help out a lady in need? Some of you used to trail her everywhere.
You're going to make me feel sorry for her at this rate." He turned to Angelica.
"You asked for this duel. You better not back out just because no one wants to stand in for you."
People jeered as Angelica's situation became clear. Students were forbidden from seeking a stand-in from outside the academy.
The unwritten reason behind the rule was basically, It's a duel between children; we can't let adults intervene.
In the game, Angelica further shamed herself by breaking that rule.
The Low-Ranking-Noble ladies reacted coldly.
"Hey, who wants to take bets on how much she embarrasses herself?"
"It'll be over when she runs home crying. This isn't even going to be a duel. She has no one to represent her."
"Who knows, maybe she'll represent herself. I hope they beat her senseless."
When school began, these same girls had been so meek in Angelica's shadow. I couldn't believe a simple role reversal went to their heads so fast.
They likely thought this the end of Angelica's engagement to the prince, which meant they could disregard her social status. As far as they were concerned, her life was ruined.
Angelica put on a brave face, but as she surveyed the other students, I could see her panic.
Then our eyes met.
This hot-tempered girl who'd never realized the consequences of her actions looked at me with desperation. Her eyes pleaded for help, like she knew she was grasping at straws but couldn't stop herself. After a beat, she turned her gaze away and gritted her teeth.
"Even…even if no one will represent me…"
Greg snorted with laughter. "What's wrong? What happened to all that bravado a minute ago?"
Greg and the other high lords-to-be regarded her coolly. The most aloof was the prince.
It clearly didn't matter to him anymore that he was speaking to his fiancée.
"Angelica, I hope you've prepared yourself for this. You can't take it back now. You threw the glove."
I don't know why, but I stepped forward.