Chapter 11: Completely Out of Our League

Seeing that Jade is the last one, Jack says, "Jade, you're the last one in the game! It's all riding on you!"

Jade then walks over and presents flowers towards Eliza, "Would you accept a gift to commemorate our meeting?"

"My, what a lovely flower," Eliza says, amazed, "Is it for me?"

"But of course, Your Highness. Handpicked by yours truly. I saw it and thought of you," Jade says.

'He brought her a present?!" Sebek asks, surprised.

Eliza smiles, "Why, how thoughtful! I'm positively thrilled. Goodness, I believe my heart's all aflutter."

'Is this actually working?" Trey asks.

Floyd scoffs, "Pfft, whatever, Jade. Isn't that the same flower you dug up in the mountains? The uber poisonous one? You're just dumpin' it on her 'cuz you can't plant it anywhere else."

"Correct,' Jade answers with a smile, "It's a highly toxic flower that would ruin any other plants it was planted near. Normally a person's hand would break out if they so much as touched it, but it doesn't seem to have an effect on ghosts. I've learned something new today."

That makes Eliza cry out, "ARE YOU MAD?!"

And really slap and or smack, Jade hard.

"That hurt, Your Highness!" Jade says, a bit surprised.

"He might've succeeded but for Floyd's big mouth," Vil says.

"Look, I just didn't like the idea of him sittin' pretty while I'm stuck in slapsville," Floyd says.

Jack groans, "Ugh, then it's a total defeat."

"What rude louts you are. Not a one anywhere near prince material!" Eliza says.

Then Trey says, "Something's just occurred to me. Not to state the obvious or anything… But we're a bunch of students at an all-boys school. Yet we were supposed to propose to royalty?

Isn't this whole challenge completely out of our league?"

Everyone remains silent before saying, "...Yeah, actually."

Meanwhile, outside Mister S's Mystery Shop, everyone has watched the event and seeing how it ended thanks to Ortho's wiring into the school's security camera.

"I didn't expect Team Tall to get wiped out so quickly," Crowley says.

"That really hurts," Sereia says.

"That princess is pretty brutal, and yet, she seems so sweet," Tanzanite says.

Jasper says, "That princess has odd expectations for her groom to be."

"Did you see how Floyd goaded the ghost into slapping him? Zero hesitation," Riddle says with a smile on his face, "Let that be a lesson: It is folly to pick bridal candidates solely based on height!"

Ace laughs, "Bwahahaha! Dude, Trey's singing was hysterical! I know some people got simple tastes, but PHEW, those lyrics. Talk about priceless! Ahaha!""

"Cut it out, Ace! No need to insult Trey.." Deuce says, trying his hardest not to laugh, "Augh, I just can't! It gets me whenever I think about it! Bwahaha!" And begins laughing.

"Alas, poor Vil! His immaculate cheeks, marred by a maple leaf-shaped slapmark! And the color matches too," Rook says, "It breaks my heart! His fair features being blemished is a tragedy of epic proportions."

"Uh, yeah... Totally…" Epel says, "But golly, the look on his face when he got shot down.." And tries his hardest not to laugh.

"Guys, it's not funny," Briar says with a frown.

"Briar is right!" Crowley says, "This isn't a game. Shroud's very life hangs on the balance! Dear, oh dear. Where do we go from here?"

Suddenly, someone says, "You need not worry on that score!"

"Hm?" Kalim replies, and turns to see who is stepping forward.

One of them is Azul, "I would like to make up for the shortcomings of my dormmates, Jade and Floyd. My word, they have no idea how to treat a lady. I, on the other hand, can offer you an Azul Ashengrotto guarantee: I'll get the Circle of Severance on her hand."

Then Cater, "Oh please. I'M your guy if you want advice on how to woo a cutie."

"Wow, Cater. You seem pretty into this," Deuce says, amazed.

"What can I say? I'm in my element!" Cater says. He then grabs Deuce by the wrist, "Ooh, you should come with, Deucey. The more wingmen the merrier!"

'Wait, me?!" Deuce asks, shocked, "This kind of stuff isn't really my strong suit... I don't know the first thing about girls' feelings!"

"Oh, so you're just gonna abandon Trey? I see how it is," Ace says.

This makes Deuce offended, "What?! No! I would never do that!"

"Then get to scootin'. I'm sure Trey's just waiting for you to swoop in and save the day," Ace says.

"You know what? You're right. Trey deserves to have his revenge. I'll be the guy to deliver it," Deuce says.

"There you go! Shoot your shot and sweep her off her ghostly feet!" Ace says.

Then Deuce turns to Cater, "Okay, count me in, Cater! Let's band together and crash that wedding hall!"

"Oh, Deucey. You can't even see how he's playing you," Cater replies.

And Lilia says, "I suppose I might as well throw my hat into the ring as well. I could barely call myself a teacher if I failed to make up for my student's deficiencies."

"That sounded so cool!" Epel replies.

"Heh. The matter is in good hands, rest assured," Lilia says.

"Too bad you won't even get a turn, Lilia. Cay-Cay's gonna slay-slay!" Cater says.

Then Azul says, "Heh, I believe you'll both find me a very hard act to follow."