After the heartfelt hugging ceremony ended, Ava and Felix made their way toward the grand stadium. The king has organized a grand success party to honor the soldiers and, most of all, to commend General Felix for his brilliant strategies, unwavering leadership, and resounding victory.
The stadium buzzed with infectious energy as it readied itself for the much-anticipated celebratory games and activities. Bullfighting, cockfighting, tug-of-war, wrestling, and the iconic red-cloth bull chase were all on the schedule, promising an unforgettable day of revelry.
Following the games, there will be a formal honor program to celebrate the bravery of all the soldiers and Felix would be awarded a prestigious honor medal for his exceptional contributions to the kingdom's victory.
Traditionally, Canopian customs only involved a warm welcome for soldiers, embraced by the loving arms of their families after a war. Out of respect for those lost in battle, the kingdom had always refrained from hosting any grand parties. However, this time was different. This time, the unthinkable happened. And all the credit went to one man: the war hero, General Felix Hellstern.
Felix had not only won the war, but had also devised such exceptional tactics that, for the first time in history, no Canopian soldiers were lost in battle. None. Zero. All were brought almost fit and alive.
The games were fun, but for Felix, the true highlight was something else, i.e., sitting beside his wife and watching her enjoy the events with adorable enthusiasm. Why wouldn't she enjoy herself? After all, it had always been Ava's dream to witness these grand games up close, and now, here she was—seated in the coveted first VIP row, right next to Princess Tiara of Carinae.
Felix couldn't help but smile, savoring the joy of seeing his wife living out a dream she had cherished for so long.
Luck can be really fascinating. Just two years ago, this poor soul was treated worse than Cinderella by her stepmother. Yet now, here she is, sitting beside the Princess, receiving the same respect and honor as the one.
The entire kingdom of Carinae could sense the envy bubbling inside Ava's stepsister, Beatrice Pirbright, as she stared at them from a shadowy corner of the stadium. She must have been thinking: If only she hadn't called off her wedding with Felix at the last moment, if only she hadn't believed the rumors that he was a cruel, ugly, and monstrous old man, if only she had taken the chance—she could have been in Ava's place, basking in the respect, the honor, and the companionship of a rich and handsome husband.
Regret and jealousy were clear on Beatrice's face, but all she could do was bite her lip, clench her fists, and burn with anger and envy.
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The iconic red-cloth bull chase game was progressing smoothly, entertaining the crowd, until one of the bullfighters faltered and was struck by the bull.
Chaos erupted as other bullfighters rushed to help, but the bull was unstoppable. One by one, it overpowered anyone who dared to intervene. Its uncontrollable fury spread panic through the crowd, sending spectators screaming and scattering far away to avoid the risk of being attacked.
However, amidst the chaos, Princess Tiara remained eerily calm. Her laughter rang out, sharp and high-pitched, echoing above the panic like a deranged symphony.
While others worried and scrambled, she sat glued to her seat, laughing hysterically at the unfolding spectacle. Her eyes sparkled with a chilling delight as she watched the bull's destruction and the crowd's terror. It was as if she had been trained to find pleasure in the misery of others.
"Come on, we need to leave," Felix said urgently, his grip tightening around Ava's hand as he rose to his feet.
This was the first time Felix had ever held her hand like that. He could feel the nervous flutter in his chest, but there was no time for nerves. It wasn't a time for hesitation or second-guessing; it was a time for swift and decisive action.
For anyone else, the priority might be to stay safe. But Felix wasn't just any man. He was General Felix Hellstern, the war hero, the protector. His instinct was clear: first and foremost, he had to protect his wife and then deal with the raging bull while keeping the public safe.
Following Felix's words, Ava rose to leave, but exactly at the same time, Princess Tiara's wild, uncontrollable laughter suddenly caught the bull's attention. The bright midnight-red dress she wore only heightened its agitation. Without warning, the bull charged with alarming speed, its attention, all towards the princess.
The danger wasn't just for the princess—it was for Ava too as she was closer to princess Tiara. Chances are high that the bull might attack her as well if she doesn't run fast.
"Your Highness!" she called urgently, her voice cutting through the chaos as she tried to warn the princess about the bull.
Soon after realizing that she had successfully warned the princess, Ava's fingers clamped onto Felix's hand with a vice-like grip. Together, they bolted, their feet pounding against the ground as they raced to escape.
The moment the princess stopped laughing and noticed the bull charging toward her, she sprang into action too. But soon, as she ran through the mayhem, her heel misstepped and she tumbled to the ground. Yet the bull, relentless and gaining with terrifying speed, showed no sign of slowing. Why would it? It wasn't a human—it was an untamed beast, driven by instinct and fury.
Ava had a choice—to go on running and save herself, leaving the careless princess to whatever fate awaited her. But that wasn't Ava. No matter the danger, she would never have left a soul in need behind. It was not about saving a life; it was about what she had always been: selfless, determined, and willing to risk all for another. She didn't hesitate one second before releasing Felix's hand and darting back toward the fallen princess.
"Ava, no—!" Felix's voice was sharp with panic, but it was too late. She was already on her way, determined to save the princess.
Ava grasped the princess's trembling hand and helped her to her feet. But it was too late to make their next move—the bull was dangerously close, its hooves pounding the ground like thunder. Unable to think of anything else, they both closed their eyes and held each other, waiting for their bad fortune to hit.
But the terrifying force of the bull's charge they had braced themselves for never came. The air seemed to vibrate with tension in the silence that followed. Slowly, hesitantly, they opened their eyes—and gasped in disbelief.
There, standing between them and the bull, was Felix. He had thrown himself in front of the bull, his hand gripping firmly around the it's horn, using every ounce of strength to stop the animal from charging forward.
Every muscle in his body was taut as he strained further. "Rrrrraaaagghhhhhhhhhh!" Felix growled, summoning every ounce of strength within him. With a final surge of energy, he began pushing the bull backward, forcing it to yield.
Ava stood frozen, her heart pounding with awe at the sight before her. While Princess Tiara, still clutching Ava's arm, stared wide-eyed, mesmerized by Felix's display of sheer bravery and unmatched physical strength.
Slow yet firmly, step by step, Felix forced the bull back across the stadium. The ground trembled beneath the clash of man and beast until soldiers, wrestlers, and bullfighters rushed in to secure the animal. Their combined efforts finally subdued the bull, and the arena erupted into cheers of relief and admiration.
Felix stood still for a moment, catching his breath as his chest heaved from the exertion while his eyes, sharp and searching, scanned the crowd until they landed on Ava. Even amidst the chaos, the sharpness in his gaze softened when it found her, and his concern was plain for all to see.
Without wasting a second, he began moving toward her, his stride purposeful despite the fatigue weighing him down. His uniform, slightly rumpled and dust-streaked from the confrontation with the bull, only added to the raw intensity of his presence.
As soon as he was close enough to her earshot, his voice broke through the noise, low and steady but tinged with worry. "Are you—"
But before he could finish, Princess Tiara stepped between them and placed a hand on his chest, halting him mid-sentence. "Thank God, you're fine," she said, her voice laced with relief, though her gaze lingered longer than necessary on his strong frame. With a delicate, feminine gesture, she retrieved a pristine handkerchief from her purse and gently reached up toward his face. "Look at you—your face is all dusty. Let me—"
Felix caught her hand mid-air, halting the handkerchief mere inches from his face. His grip was firm, yet controlled, a silent declaration that drew an unmistakable line she dared not cross. The tension in his jaw was palpable, and his expression, though outwardly calm, betrayed a restrained irritation. Even as his hand remained wrapped around Princess Tiara's wrist, his gaze was fixed elsewhere—soft, almost tender, completely opposite to the firmness of his grip.
She sensed the tension in his duality and followed his gaze, which led her to Ava standing a few steps away.
Ava's eyes were cast downward, her posture stiff and her fingers curled slightly at her sides, making it clear that she was not okay with the scene unfolding before her.