Chapter 40 I'll Lose The Fight, But I Won't Lose Her! (A Hopeless Romantic's Last Stand)

• The crowd that once mocked had gone breathless. Shock rippled through the audience like a tide. Even the adventurers from the guild, along with Cynthia, and the receptionist Karen—were frozen. “He's actually holding his own against Rainel…” Karen clutched the railing, knuckles white. Cynthia’s daggers fell from her grip. Maria clasped her healer’s pendant to her chest, eyes wide in a silent prayer.
• But it was Aelries who felt the most pain.
• Sitting in the royal box, she trembled. Her hands clutched the hem of her gown, fingers twisting it into knots. Her heart beats violently, every second dragging like an eternity.