This was not trial; it is war

She looked toward the far edge of the courtyard, where a tall figure had just stepped in.

A heavy silence settled over the courtyard as the tall figure approached. His boots echoed on the stone as he walked—a steady, commanding rhythm that drew the gaze of every girl standing in formation. He wore obsidian armor etched with silver lines, a black cape draped across one shoulder, and a sword sheathed at his hip.

Master Kael.

He was one of the king's finest war generals, now acting as head of the Queen's Combat Trials.

His sharp gaze scanned the setting and posture of every contestants, then his voice echoed like the alarm bell used for emergencies in the kingdom

"Eyes front," he commanded, authority laced in his every move. Voice sharp as steel. "You stand on sacred grounds—the Arena of Worn Skies. Here whenever a contest like this happens, princesses and daughters of nobles showed their true strength and trait. Every contestant who had joined a contest like yours centuries ago that had wished to rule over Tenebria stood where you now stand. Today, you fight not just for a crown—but for your right to defend it."

"You would have to possess traits that show you are real queens and could do everything about it".

"Being queen doesn't revolve around the power you are to uphold, but how you are to use that power and the good things and happiness you could give to people through that power and position". Master Kael said.

The wind stirred, brushing across the banners above. Eira felt her pulse quicken, her heart beat thudding fiercely it could leave it ribcage.

"To rule is not to sit idle and smile from balconies. It is to bleed when your people bleed. It is to command armies. It is to make choices no one else dares make." he paused his eye scanning everywhere trying to make sure all attention was on him. When he got what he wanted he continued.

Being queen isn't also about maintaining a delicate finger or hand, or getting irritated over your people. More importantly to be queen you have to have a heart as pure as water, very much transparent "master kael emphasis.

Kael's eyes swept over them like a blade.

"There will be no second chances. You fall, you're out. You hesitate, you're out. Show cowardice, and you'll be escorted back to your palace in shame."

More so there are consequences for falling out without a definite reason, whoever falls out without showing seriousness or resilience would have no choice but to go head-on with two rogue vampires. And whoever hesitates would go on with three rogue vampires, and whoever shows cowardice doesn't need to go back to his or her given kingdom and would serve as a servant here in the vampire kingdom. These are your consequences for showing any of these three weaknesses. "Master kael summarized."

Immediately gasp and murmur filled the air, this was too cruel for any princess or noble daughters. who hasn't received hardship or experienced hardship would find all of this hard.

Some started crying but they felt it was better to fight among themselves than rogue vampires.

A few girls stiffened. Eira, despite herself, swallowed hard. She was dressed in the training gear provided—light armor fitted for mobility, a staff strapped to her back, and throwing knives at her waist. But she hadn't expected this outcome. Not like this.

There was no way for her, even if she was a warrior princess as everyone called she knew she had a slim chance with a rogue vampire, rather than two or three that was definitely selling herself away as their feast. And if she showed to be a coward she would never go back home. And Eira knew everything was true, that was vampires. They were rude, heartless and had less conscience and were too cruel.

Beside her, one girl whispered a quiet prayer. Another flexed her fingers, already preparing for a fight.

Kael turned toward the center of the arena. "You will fight in pairs, chosen at random. One victor moves forward. The other is eliminated."

A rustle of surprise ran through the line.

"I thought this was a trial of leadership," someone muttered behind Eira.

"It is," Kael said, having clearly heard. "But leadership means survival. Strength. Instinct. You must prove you are not a delicate crown to be admired from afar—but one that cuts, that commands, that endures."

From a platform above, the royal observers looked on. Queen Nadine was present replacing the king since he had fallen Ill. She sat with her usual elegance, chin lifted. Prince Derick stood several paces behind her, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Watching, reading every expression and move.

Eira's eyes caught his for a fleeting moment. Cold, impassive. She looked away first. Wondering what he was doing there, but she felt like he was the queen knight. So it was normal to be there also.

He wore a white on white all through this time with only his hair silver giving away.

"Now," Kael said. "The first round begins."

From the edge of the courtyard, a gate creaked open. A man in a cream colored robe stepped forward, holding a long scroll.

He began reading names aloud.

Each pair walked into the center of the arena and faced off. Staff clashed. Knives spun. The ground trembled with movement and cries. Some duels ended in seconds. Others dragged on, evenly matched and brutal.

They were given real swords. And gasps erupted. Were they supposed to fight with real swords? They had thought it was a trial so why this.

"Good training with real equipment held good results" came Kael's voice.

Eira watched, her heartbeat rising with each match. She didn't want to win but it seemed she really had no choice but to flow with it all, it was just fighting. She would give it her all but make sure the girl took her down.

She heard her.....