Chapter 25: I Tried to Escape the Tournament, and Now Even More Women Want to Marry Me?!
Haruto was trapped.
He had tried to sabotage his own engagement tournament.
He had tried to convince everyone it was a terrible idea.
He had even tried to run away (again).
And now?
Now, even more women had joined the competition.
Haruto buried his face in his hands.
"I hate everything."
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Haruto's Final Escape Plan (Fails Instantly, Again)
Haruto waited until nightfall.
The tournament would start tomorrow.
If he wanted to avoid the nightmare ahead, he had to leave now.
Step 1: Slip past the guards.
Step 2: Steal a horse.
Step 3: Run into the mountains and never return.
Foolproof.
Haruto snuck through the castle hallways, staying in the shadows.
Alright, just gotta get to the stables…
Then—
"Going somewhere, dear?"
Haruto froze.
Slowly—mechanically—he turned his head.
And there stood Lilia, smiling sweetly.
"I SWEAR TO THE GODS, HOW DO YOU ALWAYS FIND ME?!"
"Oh, darling, you're so predictable~."
Haruto internally screamed.
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The Next Morning – The Tournament Begins
The sun rose over the city.
A massive crowd gathered in the royal arena.
Flags bearing Haruto's face were being waved.
Trumpets blared.
And at the center of it all—
Haruto stood on a massive balcony, completely dead inside.
"I refuse to be here."
"Yet here you are~." Lilia giggled.
"STOP SAYING THAT!"
The royal announcer stepped forward.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO THE GRAND ROYAL ENGAGEMENT TOURNAMENT!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"LET THE COMPETITION TO WIN KING HARUTO'S HAND BEGIN!"
Haruto internally screamed.
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The Contestants (Haruto's Nightmare Grows)
One by one, the competitors entered the arena.
Haruto felt his stomach drop.
First—Princess Emilia, standing tall in her royal armor.
"I shall win this fairly," she declared.
Then—Lilia, grinning mischievously.
"Oh my, how exciting~."
Then—Sylphiel, the Elf Queen, radiating elegance.
"It is only natural for me to stand at my beloved's side."
Then—Emberis, cracking her knuckles.
"I shall take my prize by force."
Then—Fel, looking extremely amused.
"I don't even need to try, boss. I already live with you~."
Haruto whimpered.
And then—
MORE women entered the arena.
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More Challengers Appear (Haruto's Nightmare Worsens)
Haruto blinked in horror as even more contestants stepped forward.
Duchess Rosaria of the Northern Empire.
"A king should wed a noblewoman. I shall claim him."
Lady Carmilla, a vampire noble.
"A Demon King must have a Queen of the Night."
A masked swordswoman.
"…I have no reason to be here."
"THEN LEAVE!" Haruto screamed.
The crowd cheered louder.
Haruto grabbed his own face, shaking.
"HOW IS THIS EVEN HAPPENING?!"
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Haruto's Last Attempt to End the Tournament (Fails Instantly, Again)
"ALRIGHT, LISTEN!" Haruto shouted. "THIS TOURNAMENT IS STUPID! I REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE!"
The crowd gasped.
The announcer chuckled.
"Oh, Your Majesty. You are not the one competing."
Haruto froze.
"...What."
"You are the grand prize."
Haruto choked on air.
"EXCUSE ME?!"
"THE WINNER SHALL CLAIM YOUR HAND IN MARRIAGE!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Haruto fell to his knees.
"I hate it here."
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