The king's eyes widened in astonishment as Prince Liam stood victorious, the rope dangling loosely from his wrists. The crowd's cheers thundered through the arena, and the king couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the cunning prince. Liam had won the first round with ease, and now, he had pulled off an even more shocking victory in the second round.
Sophia, however, remained composed, her expression a mask of serenity. But beneath her calm exterior, she was starting to feel a growing sense of discomfort. With the game's end, all eyes would soon be upon her, eagerly awaiting her decision on which prince to choose.
As the crowd's cheers for Prince Liam began to subside, the other princes started to feel a growing sense of annoyance. Their faces twisted with frustration, they were now more determined than ever to win the tournament.
The tournament marshal stepped forward once more, a broad smile spreading across his face. "We have a winner for the second round, ladies and gentlemen! Prince Liam, please come forward!" The crowd erupted into cheers once more, and Prince Liam bowed graciously, basking in the admiration.
The marshal continued, "And now, onto the next challenge! The charming phase is designed to test our princes' ability to bring joy and happiness to our beloved Princess Sophia. The prince who can make Sophia smile the most will win this round!"
A sly glint sparkled in the marshal's eye as he announced, "So, princes, it's time to unleash your charm! Woo Sophia with your words, your wit, and your charisma. Make her laugh, make her blush, and make her heart skip a beat. The prince who succeeds will be one step closer to winning Sophia's hand!"
Sophia's eyes widened in shock as the tournament marshal announced the charming phase. Her body stiffened, and she felt a surge of anxiety. This type of challenge was not what she had expected, and she couldn't help but feel like she was being put on the spot. "Ahh..." she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.
At the field, Prince Finnley was beaming with confidence. He was known for his charming smile and quick wit, and he saw this challenge as the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills. He flexed his muscles, adjusted his cloak, and gave Sophia a dazzling smile.
Meanwhile, Prince Henry was less than thrilled when the tournament marshal called out his name. "Prince Henry, please come forward!" he boomed. Prince Henry's heart sank, and he let out a silent scream. Why did he always get called first? He wondered if it was some kind of cruel joke.
As he marched forward, Prince Henry locked eyes with Sophia, his gaze burning with intensity. "My princess..." he called out, his voice dripping with chivalry. Sophia's cheeks flushed slightly, but she maintained her composure, her expression a mask of polite interest.
Prince Henry took a deep bow, his movements grandiose. "I promise to make you smile, my princess," he declared, his voice echoing across the field. "I shall be the court jester, the poet, and the musician, all rolled into one. Your happiness is my only desire." Sophia's lips twitched slightly, but she remained noncommittal, her eyes never leaving Prince Henry's face.