L ※ Broadcasting My Humiliation for the Masses: A Crown Princess Trial Spectacle

Do you know what the best thing about this entire situation is? The fact that everything that's happening here is being broadcasted to the entire Kingdom. That's right—every word spoken, every test administered, every petty insult, every thinly veiled jab, it's all being shown to the people in real time. It's not just for the royal family's entertainment or for the court's amusement—no, it's a full-on spectacle for the entire Kingdom. Everyone is watching, whether they want to or not.

And the Queen? She knows this. She knows exactly how important it is to maintain a certain image in front of the people. That's probably why she didn't scream at me or Rai the way she might have done if this were happening behind closed doors. No, she's playing it carefully, holding back and acting as though nothing out of the ordinary is going on. She's measured and composed, trying to put on a face for the masses. She even attempted to downplay the fact that her own son, the Crown Prince, physically assaulted me. It's all damage control, plain and simple.

What makes this even more fascinating is the technology behind the broadcasting system. It's advanced—surprisingly so. They have a form of projection that uses what looks like shimmering water. The images are displayed on this reflective screen, almost as if they're floating in the air. It's a mesmerizing effect, and it's all designed to make sure the people see exactly what's going on during the Crowned Princess Trials. It's a perfect way to ensure that everyone knows how things are progressing and who's performing well or poorly.

Hov, always the strategist, explained it all to me in painstaking detail. He wanted me to understand how I could use this situation to my advantage. He knew I was walking a tightrope, but he also knew that if I played my cards right, I could turn the people to my side. That's the trick, after all—manipulating public perception. Because, let's face it, the people in this court? They hate me. It's as clear as day. Every sneer, every whisper, every sideways glance—they all make it painfully obvious. But the people watching from their homes? The ones who aren't entrenched in this web of politics? They might see things differently.

The truth is, the citizens of this Kingdom may not have any direct power to vote on the Trials, but their voices still matter. They can sway the decision-makers. If I can win over the public, make them see me as someone worth rooting for, it could create enough pressure for the royals and nobles to hesitate before treating me like dirt. Even the harshest of my critics might think twice before humiliating me in front of the entire Kingdom if they know the people are watching, scrutinizing every move they make. Public opinion can be a powerful thing, and I intend to harness it.

Hov made it clear that these broadcasts are only aired during the girls' evaluations—like today. And so, I find myself in a unique position. This is my chance, my one shot to make a strong impression on the Kingdom. All the other girls have been in the public eye for about five weeks already, plus today. Five long weeks of being watched, judged, and admired (or criticized, depending on who you ask). Those girls have had their time to shine, to put on a show for the masses.

But now, it's my turn to catch up, to make sure I stand out in a way that'll leave a lasting mark. I need to make sure that when people talk about the Crowned Princess Trials, my name is the one that comes up. I need to be the topic of every conversation, the focus of every single thought. It's a risky move, there's no denying that. But then again, everything here is risky. This whole situation is a game of high stakes, and if I want to win, I can't afford to play it safe. I'm willing to take the gamble. By the end of today, I'll make sure I'm the only name anyone remembers.

The Princess, true to her character, refused to sit down. She was in a hurry to get through the test, as if she couldn't wait to prove her superiority to me and everyone else in the room. It was almost comical, really, how eager she was to rush through the formalities. She wanted to establish control, to make sure everyone knew she was the one in charge. But what she didn't seem to realize is that her impatience and arrogance would probably come back to bite her.

I can already hear the criticisms she's going to receive after this—criticism that will be all the more delightful because I get to watch it unfold. I waited patiently, biding my time. Let her make her move, I thought. And sure enough, the Queen interjected, her voice calm yet firm, "Fifteen questions, darling," she reminded the Princess, with a touch of quiet authority.

The Princess didn't even acknowledge the Queen's words, instead, she just nodded curtly and turned back to me. Her tone was dripping with smugness as she began. "First question," she said, drawing out the words as though she was savoring the moment. "It's related to geography and the world map." I could feel her anticipation—like she thought she was going to trap me somehow, to trip me up with a simple question. Geography? Please. If she thought she could outsmart me on something so basic, she was gravely mistaken.

Her voice, full of condescension, rang out again. "On the western side of the map, there's another continent. What is its name?" The question was so simple that I almost couldn't believe she was asking it. Did she honestly think I wouldn't know this?

"United Kingdoms," I answered smoothly, my voice steady and sure. I made no effort to hide my confidence.

The Princess's lips curled into a smug smile. "Well, that was easy. Even kids know that," she said, as though her arrogance could somehow make her look more intelligent. Without pausing to give me a chance to respond, she launched into the next question. "Name all the Kingdoms in it, in order of political power!" Her voice was filled with expectation, as if she had caught me in a trap. But I wasn't about to let her think she could throw me off balance so easily.

I didn't hesitate for even a second. "Four Kingdoms," I began, ticking them off on my fingers for emphasis, one by one. "In order of power? Alright. The Kingdom of Uzuri, located in the northwestern region. The Kingdom of Raen, in the midwestern region. The Kingdom of Absalom, in the eastern region. The Queendom of Accorsa, in the northern region. And lastly, the Kingdom of Kimaya, situated in the southern region of the United Kingdoms. Collectively, they're often referred to simply as the UK."

The Princess scoffed audibly, her irritation barely hidden. "That was also easy," she muttered, clearly displeased that I hadn't faltered or struggled to answer. She was already preparing her next question, no doubt hoping to catch me off guard. "What is the environment of each of the five Kingdoms?" she asked, her voice sharp.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Uzuri is known for its hot and humid weather, with near-constant rains," I began, already diving into the answer with ease. "The Kingdom faces frequent flooding, which is why their architecture is designed in such a way that the houses are elevated above the water. It's practical—without that design, their homes would be swallowed up by the constant floods. However, it's also important to note that Uzuri doesn't have beaches, as the continental side of the Kingdom is lined with steep, towering cliffs."

I paused for a moment, giving her a chance to absorb the information, before continuing. "Absalom, on the other hand, is famous for its arid climate. The surface is dominated by vast deserts, but beneath those desolate sands, there are underground lakes that serve as a vital water source for its people. It's a harsh environment, but the inhabitants have adapted. The people from Absalom are easily recognizable due to their darker skin tones and their caramel-colored curly hair. And, of course, they're also incredibly wealthy, thanks to the Kingdom's rich gold mines and the thriving spice trade. Both Uzuri and Absalom are known for having the hardest living conditions in the UK, but they've learned to survive in spite of those challenges."

I stopped there, watching her carefully. It was clear from her expression that she hadn't expected me to answer so thoroughly or confidently. But I wasn't done yet. I had studied these Kingdoms extensively—not just out of academic curiosity, but because I had been planning to leave the Maximillian Kingdom behind. I had dreams of starting a new life in the UK. This knowledge was personal for me.

I straightened my posture, projecting confidence. Let her ask the next question. Let her try to trip me up again. I was ready.