For several generations, the princely competition has been the method of Sky Empire to scrutinize who is the best among the candidates to be the next successor! The procedure is simple... A master of a specific field of learning will give a specific test. It could be a test of intelligence quotient, emotional quotient, physical strength, and personality test. Whatever type of test that will be given is purely up to the master of that specific field to give a challenging test for the princes to come up with their way of solving it.

On the third day of gathering, Prince Andrew won all the challenges and earned the praises of the masters and other intellectuals in different fields saying that 'Prince Andrew is a true genius!' while the officials are like prophets saying 'The first prince will lead the empire into another golden era!'

The Emperor and Empress are utterly proud of their two sons! They both did well but Prince Andrew's performance was extremely exceptional! Everyone gathered around Prince Andrew to praise and congratulate him for winning the whole event while Prince Anders was left alone and silently went outside the hall...

Beatrix saw him silently leave. She is very worried about him so she followed him and saw him silently sitting under a tree staring into a man-made lake. She gracefully sit beside him and looked at him...

"You know that you also did well, right? I want to congratulate you for doing your best!" Beatrix honestly told him. She knew how much the two princes prepared for the event so it greatly pains her to see him alone, lonely, disappointed, and demotivated!

She carefully observed and silently cheered for both of them during the whole performance from day one to day three...

They are both intelligent and talented! Sky Empire is so lucky! Whether it is Andrew or Anders who succeeds in the throne someday, the whole empire is truly in the hands of a capable ruler! It is just that someone needs to win in that event... Someone who performed better than the other one and that is Andrew... It does not mean that Anders' performance was bad!

Prince Anders has been a great friend to her all these years! That is why she chose to be with Prince Anders this time because he needs her now more than ever! He needs her more than Prince Andrew who is now being showered with great praises and appreciation by everyone except her...

Anders' ideas were truly great but Andrew's methods were more direct, practical, and out of the box! That is why he won and earned the approval of all the masters unanimously!

Beatrix silently recalled the whole event while she is trying to cheer up the person beside her.

"Do not look down on yourself because you also did very well." She gave him a warm and comforting smile.

"But not enough. I did not win..." He coldly replied.

"There is still next time. Do not lose hope..." She encouraged him to accept defeat, move on, and work harder in the future.

"It will probably be the same..." His disheartened response.

"What happened to your fighting spirit before?" She reminded him as she cupped his face towards her and she looked into his eyes and then into his soul.

"I become a joke in your eyes..." He uncomfortably told her what he felt while trying to avoid her eyes but she did not let him.

"Anders, look at me!" She confidently told him. When he did what she told him to do, she honestly expressed what she thought of him. "Anders Sky, Second Prince of Sky Empire, you are not a joke and you will never be! You did your best! You are very brilliant! Do not lose hope! There is still next time, you know..." She comforted him.

"You really believe that I can do it?" Prince Anders asked her with renewed hope and motivation.

"Yes, nothing is impossible! Work harder for next year's same event!" Beatrix responded with strong encouragement.

"Your opinion and support are what I need the most!" He smiled happily now, staring at the only person who could make him feel happy and complete.

"Congratulations, Anders! It was not easy competing against Andrew. If it is me, I will probably die from too much stress and pressure!" She happily told him and gave him a warm friendly hug. She could see now the enthusiasm burning in his eyes. He embraced her tightly as he feels her genuine concern towards him.

"I do not believe you! You could easily trick, scam, and scheme against my imperial brother! The exciting part is... you always got away unscathed! You should probably be the one facing him in the next year's event! Not me!" He playfully told her.

"That is not fair! I did not trick, scam, or scheme against him!" She angrily defended herself.

Prince Anders laughed out loud as he could see her cute reaction, making him completely forget the result of the event.

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