Lilia exhaled slowly, forcing her grip on the bow to relax. Her fingers trembled slightly, a lingering remnant of the mana she had poured into her final shot—a shot that should have secured her victory. But instead, it had missed. Not because of a miscalculation. Not because Adrian had outmaneuvered her. But because of something—or rather, someone—far beyond her control.
Selene.
Even now, standing there with that perfectly composed smile, Lilia could see it—the satisfaction hidden behind the mask of gracious amusement. She planned for this. She made sure, no matter what happened, I wouldn't win.
A hand clapped against her shoulder, light but firm. "You fought well," Adrian said, his voice smooth and just a touch too self-satisfied. "But I guess your talent was up to this point, huh?"
