Earth looked at the four participants and adjusted her imaginary glasses.
Mother Earth: "Alright! All four participants have completed their first test. They need three qualities to become Queen Elda's substitute: Strength, Courage, and Believability!"
She checked the scores carefully.
Contest Scores:
- Natalie: 2 points
- Laura: 1 point
- Rachel: 0 points
- Kristen: 2 points
Mother Earth: "Only two participants can advance to the next round! Let's see who qualifies!"
She examined their results.
"Natalie has Strength, and Kristen has Believability. Perfect! These two will move forward!"
Mother Earth clapped excitedly.
Mother Earth: "Now comes the real challenge: the Pendant of Queen Elda! Whoever can hold the pendant for at least one minute will become the substitute queen!"
She grinned mischievously.
Author's Note: "Why a pendant? Because Queen Elda was a witch queen! Even her belongings have feelings. Touch her pendant the wrong way, and BAM! You'll be punished!"
Mother Earth, thinking:
"Wait a minute! I possess all three qualities, too. Why can't I become the substitute? I should be able to do it, right?"
She paused and thought about it.
"Nope! Queen Elda was human, but I'm a spiritual being. Her curse only reacts to humans. Unfortunately, being Mother Earth doesn't give me special permission!"
She folded her arms confidently.
"Never underestimate Queen Elda! This curse has survived for 500 years because she won't let ordinary people break it. Only someone who meets her conditions can replace her."
She smiled proudly.
"Besides, I'm only helping because the present king is a nice person. Don't misunderstand my intentions!"
Natalie's Turn — Village School
Natalie was teaching children at a nearby village school. Although she was physically weak, she had a strong and caring heart.
Her sisters had come to help her with the children.
Mother Earth quietly placed the pendant near Natalie's hand.
Natalie was busy talking to her students when she accidentally touched it.
Natalie: "Ahh!"
Students: "Teacher, what happened?"
Natalie: "Nothing! I'm perfectly fine! Haha!"
She nervously glanced at the pendant.
After a moment, she cautiously touched it again.
Nothing happened.
Natalie stared at it suspiciously.
"Something is definitely wrong with this thing!"
Without thinking twice, she picked it up and threw it away.
Mother Earth: "MY GODS! Natalie has become Queen Elda's substitute!"
She wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead.
"Thank goodness! But wait... shouldn't I double-check?"
She nodded seriously.
"Of course! Double-checking is compulsory. Safety first!"
Kristen's Turn — Village Field
Meanwhile, Kristen was working in the village fields, trying to restore the infertile soil.
Villager: "Princess, we've tried everything, but nothing will grow!"
Kristen: "Alright. Let me try something."
She used her magic to examine the damaged land.
Suddenly, a mysterious pendant burst out of the ground.
Villager: "OH MY GOD! WHAT IS THAT?"
Kristen approached the strange object curiously.
Before anyone could stop her, she touched it.
POOF!
Kristen disappeared!
Villager: "AAAAH! THE PRINCESS HAS DISAPPEARED!"
Mother Earth: "AAAAH! WHERE DID SHE GO?!"
Mother Earth stared at the empty field in complete disbelief.
"Wait! Natalie became the substitute, but why did Kristen disappear? Did I miss something in the instructions?"
She sighed.
"Five hundred years of managing this curse, and I'm still dealing with unexpected problems!"
Somewhere Else — Another Timeline
An unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke.
Unknown Voice: "Your Highness... what happened?"
Mother Earth slowly turned towards the voice.
Then she covered her face with her palm.
Mother Earth: "Oh no... NOT AGAIN!"
To be continued...