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Watch Me

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"The first candidate for the Royal Selection, Emilia the Half-Elf, sponsored by Court Mage Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers, is here!"

The words echoed through the grand hall like a thunderclap, setting the stage for a nightmare Subaru hadn't signed up for. She—no, he—stood stiff as a board at the entrance. Her hands were clammy, her breath shallow, and her stomach churned like she'd downed a gallon of expired milk. Why, you ask? Because life had a twisted sense of humour, and now Subaru Natsuki, a teenage boy from another world, was stuck in the delicate, too-perfect body of Emilia the Half-Elf.

And everyone was staring.

The nobles and Sages were seated in a grand semicircle at the far end of the room, their gazes sharp enough to slice through steel. Every pair of eyes burned with judgement, suspicion, or outright hostility. Subaru could almost feel their thoughts piercing through her like needles.

"The Witch's descendant…" someone muttered just loud enough to be heard.

"She even dares to show her face here?" hissed another, venom dripping from every word.

Subaru clenched her fists, her slender fingers curling tightly into Emilia's dainty palms. Oh, how she wanted to snap back, to hurl some sarcastic comment that would make these pompous snobs choke on their own self-importance. But no, she couldn't do that. Not here. Not as Emilia.

Her gaze darted to Roswaal, standing just behind her, draped in his usual gaudy outfit and smiling like he was in on some cosmic joke. He leaned forward, whispering in that sing-song voice of his, "Now, my dear, it's time to dazzle them. Give them something to remember!"

"Dazzle them, huh?" Subaru muttered under her breath. Yeah, right. She'd be lucky if she didn't trip and faceplant into the floor.

Swallowing hard, she forced Emilia's lips into the most dazzling smile she could manage. Her hand shot up, finger pointing skyward as she struck what she hoped was a charismatic pose. "Yo! I'm Na—uh, Emilia! Nice to meet ya!"

Dead silence. The kind so intense it could crush your soul.

Subaru's cheeks burned as she dropped the pose. "Tough crowd, huh?" she mumbled, though apparently not quietly enough, because the whispering started again.

"Such arrogance…"

"She must think she's already won…"

"She's no match for Reinhard."

"Oh, come on!" Subaru threw her hands up, her voice dripping with mock exasperation. "I'm just trying to lighten the mood here! What, you guys allergic to a little fun? And for the record, I could totally beat Goku… in chess!" She froze, realising her slip. "Not that you know who that is. Forget I said anything."

Roswaal's unsettling grin widened as he stepped forward. "Perhaps a bit less banter, my dear, and a bit more… substance?"

Subaru glared at him, muttering under her breath, "Ungrateful crowd…" Crossing her arms, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, silently cursing the absurdly high heels Emilia always wore.

Before the tension could hit its peak, the grand doors swung open with dramatic flair, and the announcer boomed, "The second candidate for the Royal Selection, Priscilla Barielle, accompanied by her knight, Al!"

Priscilla entered as if the universe owed her an apology for not revolving around her. Her golden hair shimmered under the chandeliers, her crimson dress glittering like fire, and her smirk radiated pure disdain for everything and everyone.

Next came Crusch Karsten, with Ferris trailing beside her. Crusch walked with the kind of confidence that could silence a room, her every step echoing authority. Ferris, on the other hand, threw Subaru a playful wink that made her look away so fast she almost gave herself whiplash.

Then came Anastasia Hoshin, accompanied by her knight, Julius Juukulius. Anastasia's sharp, calculating smile made Subaru's skin crawl. She looked like the type who could sell you a bag of sand at the beach and leave you thanking her for the privilege. Julius followed her like some kind of knightly poster boy, radiating so much composure that Subaru had to fight the urge to gag.

Finally, the last announcement shook the room. "The fifth candidate, Felt, accompanied by Reinhard van Astrea!"

Felt burst through the doors like a whirlwind, her energy palpable. "If I become ruler, I'll destroy everything wrong with this kingdom!" she declared, her voice fierce and unapologetic.

Subaru smirked despite herself. If nothing else, Felt had guts.

The Councilmen wasted no time, their condescending voices filling the room. They began to explain the purpose of this gathering—why the candidates had been chosen, what was at stake.

When it came time for the candidates to speak, Anastasia went first. She smiled, her tone sweet and business-like. "If I become ruler, I'll simply buy everything. Kingdoms are, after all, just businesses. Everything can be owned, for the right price."

Priscilla's voice rang out next, arrogant and dismissive. "It's useless to compete with me. Everything already belongs to me."

Crusch stood firmly, her voice clear and strict. "I will restore honor and order to the Kingdom. Through discipline, strength, and fairness, I will lead Lugnica to prosperity." The speech was full of conviction, of duty. But it felt rehearsed. Empty.

Then Felt spoke, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. "I'm from the slums," she declared, her words blunt, shocking the audience. "I've seen what this Kingdom does to its people. If I become ruler, I'll destroy everything."

Finally, it was Emilia's turn..

She stepped forward, her legs wobbling like jelly beneath the flowing gown. Every eye in the room bore down on her, cold and unrelenting. She opened her mouth to speak… and nothing came out.

The whispers returned, sharper now.

"Um… hello, can everyone hear me? Uh…" Subaru was shaking.

"She's hesitating."

"Is she even prepared for this?"

"Good for only witchcrafts, tch."

Subaru's chest tightened, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. She'd avoided crowds for years back in her old life, ever since the accident that took her parents. Now here she was, trapped in front of a sea of strangers who hated her—or rather, hated Emilia.

But then she remembered why she was here.

Taking a deep breath, she forced her voice to steady. "I'm… not perfect," she admitted, her words trembling but gaining strength with every syllable. "I'm young… well, in the elf'ish standard… I have made mistakes. I am socially awkward. I am an Otaku…eh, not that you know what it means, I am also a major shut-in. So, overall, I am a loser and I'm inexperienced. And I know a lot of you think I don't deserve to be here."

The murmurs rose, but she pushed through.

"But I'm here because I believe this kingdom can be better. All these hatred and pain… it can be eradicated… no we can adapt, if you can adapt, you will grow. I'm not strong enough to do it alone, but that's why I need all of you. Together, we can make Lugnica a place where no one has to suffer." Her voice softened. "I look like the witch, I know, but I am not her. You don't have to trust me now. But I'll earn your trust. I promise."

Silence.

"And when I become the king, watch me as I grow with the Kingdom!"

For a moment, the hall was silent. Even Subaru was stunned by her own words.

Puck floated out, clapping his tiny paws. "Bravo, Lia! Bravo!"

Roswaal joined in with theatrical applause, and the room hesitantly followed. Subaru felt a flicker of hope—until a Sage councilman raised his hand.

"Emilia-sama," he said gravely, "that was a fine speech. However…" He paused, his tone sharp and final. "You are not eligible to become king."

The words hit like a thunderbolt.

"What?!" Subaru blurted, her voice cracking.

Puck froze mid-clap. Roswaal's smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened.

"What do you mean?" Subaru demanded, her heart pounding like a war drum.

The Sage leaned forward, his gaze cold and unyielding. "We've uncovered something… irregular about your candidacy."

Subaru's blood ran cold.

Something was very, very wrong.

"We know about your… deeds,"

"My deeds?" Subaru gulped, her voice trembling as she repeated the words. Her pale hands trembled slightly, clasped tightly in front of her. Her violet eyes darted across the room, desperate for answers, for something, anything, to ground her amidst the storm brewing in her mind.

"Yes, your deeds," the councilman replied, his tone cold and unyielding. The sharp edge in his voice cut through the heavy silence like a blade. He rose slightly from his seat, his shadow stretching long under the glow of the chandeliers. "We have authentic intel—evidence—regarding your… instability."

"Instability?" Roswaal interjected, his voice laced with a peculiar mix of amusement and concern. "Whaaat maaay I ask, brings you to such an uuunsettling conclusion?" His painted smile faltered just a fraction, enough to make anyone who knew him uneasy.

Subaru's heart pounded. The accusation hung in the air like a guillotine, ready to drop.

The councilman straightened his back, his cold eyes boring into her—or rather, into Emilia. "For starters, we have reports that the half-elf lost the royal insignia entrusted to her. On the very day it was given to her."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the audience like a rising tide. Felt shifted uncomfortably on her feet, her fingers twitching at her sides as if itching to grab something—or perhaps run. Subaru's gaze snapped to her and then to Reinhard. The Sword Saint avoided her eyes, his expression unreadable, which only made the pit in Subaru's stomach grow deeper.

"Furthermore," another councilman added, his voice dripping with disdain, "she claimed someone was trying to kill her. Delusional paranoia with no evidence to back it. A sign of severe mental instability."

Subaru's breath hitched. Oh no. Oh no no no. It clicked in her mind like a puzzle piece slamming into place. Reinhard. He reported her.

"Wait," Subaru started, her voice cracking. "That's not true! There was an attack. Reinhard, tell them!" Her gaze snapped to him, desperate and searching.

Reinhard didn't move. He didn't say a word. He just stood there, his hands clasped neatly in front of him, his piercing blue eyes fixed somewhere—anywhere—but on her.

Before Subaru could protest further, the councilman's voice thundered again. "And let's not forget," he sneered, "the incident just last week. The L. Mathers domain was blanketed in ice. Entire fields destroyed. Villages rendered inhospitable. You froze the land, Emilia."

"Thaaat was aaaan unavoidable mishap," Roswaal interjected smoothly, though his voice had lost some of its usual theatrical flair. He waved a dismissive hand, his gaze flickering toward Subaru, warning her to stay silent. "Nooo harm was done to the villagers. In faaaact, they have all been compensated handsomely—"

"That's not the point!" The councilman slammed a hand against the table, his voice rising in fury. "What if she loses control again? What if next time, she freezes the entire kingdom?"

The room erupted. Whispers turned into loud murmurs, escalating into a chaotic roar.

"She's dangerous."

"A witch! She's no different from her ancestor!"

"She'll destroy us all, just like she tried centuries ago!"

"No!" Subaru shouted, stepping forward. Her voice cracked with raw emotion. "That's not true! She's not crazy! She's not—"

Her protests were drowned out by laughter, mocking jeers that clawed at her like thorns. Her throat tightened, and for the first time in years—since her parents' deaths—Subaru felt the sting of tears. She fought them back, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood. But a single tear escaped, sliding down her cheek as if defying her will.

And then the room grew cold.

Not metaphorically cold. Literally. The temperature plummeted so sharply that frost began to creep across the marble floor, climbing the walls and chandeliers. The murmurs died instantly as everyone's breath became visible in the frigid air.

Puck floated into view, his small, feline-like body radiating an aura that was anything but cute. His golden eyes burned with a ferocity Subaru had never seen before. When he spoke, it wasn't his usual playful tone. It was deep, commanding, and bone-chilling. "If my daughter has nothing to do with this kingdom," he began, his words echoing ominously, "then you wouldn't mind if I destroyed it."

The council froze—figuratively and literally. The frost continued to spread, creeping across their ornate robes and even the grand table at which they sat.

"Puck, stop!" Subaru tried to interject, her voice trembling. She forced a shaky laugh, waving a hand dismissively. "It's fine! I mean, come on, I'm a loser anyway, right? No big deal…"

Wrong move.

Puck's aura darkened, and the frost surged forward, covering half the room in a sheet of ice. "Loser?" His voice was a low growl now, almost unrecognisable. "Do not degrade yourself, even as a joke. I will not tolerate it." He looked at the councilmen. "It's your fault."

Reinhard's hand hovered over the hilt of his sword, his expression a mix of hesitation and alarm. But he didn't move. No one did.

Desperate, one of the councilmen raised his hands, his voice high-pitched and panicked. "Wait! If… if she can prove she's not mentally unstable and is qualified to lead, then she can rejoin the election!"

Puck's gaze narrowed, but the frost stopped advancing. "Prove it?" he echoed, his voice laced with disdain.

"Yes!" the councilman stammered. "That's fair, isn't it? If she can prove herself, we'll reconsider."

Subaru nodded quickly, her voice firm despite the fear bubbling inside her. "Deal. We'll prove it."

Puck's aura receded slightly, though the air remained freezing. "Very well," he said, his tone icy. "But consider this your final warning. Any further disrespect, and I will not show mercy."

With that, Roswaal stepped forward, clapping his hands together with theatrical enthusiasm. "Weeel, that settles it! Let's not prolong this chaaaarming discussion any further." He turned to Subaru, his grin returning full force. "Shall we take our leave, my dear?"

Subaru nodded, grateful for the escape. As they exited, Roswaal threw one last glance over his shoulder at the councilmen. His grin stretched impossibly wide. "You shouldn't maaaake fuuun of the one whose naaame you uuuuse…"

The doors closed behind them, leaving the room in stunned silence.

Priscilla snapped her fan shut with a loud snap, a smirk curling her lips. 'So, she's the—'

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Author Note: Make a guess what their next move is gonna be.

It's annoying to write the same things multiple times, thus, I used lines from my other story: Stone-Faced But Friendly.

Thanks for reading this chapter. The next chapter will be released depending on your responses.

Drop your thoughts in the review section. Your words motivate me to write better, larger and with more depth.

Till next time!