The Crown Prince of Austria watches with a sense of anticipation, expecting the boy to shrink back in fear. He is pleasantly surprised when Marianne stands her ground, confronting the men with a defiant expression on her face.
"Touch a hair on her head, and you'll regret it," she says, her voice not trembling but full of resolve. "I won't let you hurt her."
The thugs looks at each other, eyebrows raises in surprise. "You've got guts, kid," one of them says, his tone mocking. "But you're just a little boy. What can you possibly do to us?"
"Go ahead. Try it. Touch her," Marianne says, her voice low and threatening.
The Crown Prince, who has been ready to step in and protect Marianne, pauses. He is curious to see what would happen next. Perhaps she is more capable than she has given him credit for.
One of the thugs slaps Marianne across the face, and her eyes flashes with anger. She clenches her fists, her body tense with barely-contained rage.
