As Grand Scholar Roland confidently unrolled his enchanted canvas, Elena stuck out her tongue in secret.
The famously erudite chief court scholar, with his silver beard flowing and a look of total composure, seemed absolutely sure of his impending victory.
"Your Highness," Roland said, his voice thick with scholarly pride, "if I lose, I shall ride a broomstick upside down across the royal square. However, rest assured, I highly doubt that wager will ever need to be fulfilled."
Elena blinked and recalled something her father Owen often said: "Always leave yourself a little wiggle room."
Out of kindness, she reminded him, "Teacher, riding a broomstick upside down is bad for your back. How about we change the bet?"
Though she spoke with concern, she had no doubt in her heart—there was no way anyone could surpass the techniques her father had taught her. Even if this man was a scholar famous throughout the empire, he'd still lose.