บท 68: A Game of Cloth and Daggers

The next round was only a day away, and I already felt like I was being pulled in a thousand directions.

But one thing was clear: I couldn't afford to let my guard down. Not for a second.

As I looked back at Adrian and Estelle, standing together like royalty, I couldn't help but wonder: how far would I have to go to beat them?

The day of the second round arrived with an air of tension that was almost suffocating. The dining hall buzzed with whispered conversations, sharp glances exchanged over half-eaten plates of food. Breakfast felt like a mere formality; everyone's focus was elsewhere.

Avery and I sat at our usual spot by the windows, but the light streaming in did little to ease the weight pressing on my chest.

"You ready for this?" Avery asked, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

"Do I have a choice?" I replied, forcing a weak smile.