The banquet hall glittered with crystal chandeliers.
Nobles and soldiers alike whispered among themselves, glancing nervously at Lira.
She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, slurping the last of her tenth bowl of ramen.
"…Oh. Empty," she said, setting the bowl down with a satisfied sigh.
Across the hall, a tall, impeccably dressed figure straightened.
Prince Eldarin, heir of the Elven Empire.
Pride radiated off him like sunlight from glass.
He cleared his throat loudly, making the hall fall silent.
"People of the Elven Kingdom!" he began, chest puffed out.
"All of you are witnesses to the bravery of Lira! The girl who defeated a Demon General with her own hands!"
Whispers erupted:
"…He's really dramatic.""…And boastful.""…Why is he glowing so much?"
Prince Eldarin ignored them.
He strode forward, eyes locked on Lira.
"…And I, Eldarin, Prince of the Elven Empire, declare that a deed such as yours deserves recognition… personal recognition."
He knelt on one knee in front of her.
"Lira! Will you honor me by becoming my wife?"
The hall gasped.
Lira paused mid-slurp.
"…Huh?"
Kael froze beside her, eyebrow twitching.
"…Wait… what?"
Prince Eldarin stood again, chest out, hands on hips.
"Think of it, Lira! Power, prestige, and a place by my side as the future of the Empire!"
Lira tilted her head, staring at him.
"…Ramen?" she asked.
"…Huh?" the prince blinked.
"…Ramen?"
She pointed at her empty bowl.
"…More?"
The nobles faintly gasped.
"…She… she doesn't even—"
"…She's asking for noodles…"
"…The girl who defeated a Demon General…"
"…Is eating ramen instead of caring about marriage?"
Kael pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…I warned you."
Prince Eldarin looked scandalized.
"…What? I offer the future of the Empire and she… eats noodles?"
Lira smiled innocently.
"…Good. Ramen."
She picked up her chopsticks again.
The prince huffed, puffed, and straightened his posture.
"…Very well!" he declared loudly.
"If you will not accept me as your husband, then I shall prove my worthiness in other ways! I will be the most glorious, the most powerful, and the most impressive in the entire Kingdom!"
The hall winced.
Kael muttered, "…He really is boastful."
Lira finished her noodles and leaned back.
"…Okay. Good."
And thus, the Elven Prince, full of pride and ego, had been humiliated—silently—by a girl who considered noodles the highest reward in the world.
The hall would never forget it.
The world would never forget her.
And Prince Eldarin… well… he would never stop trying.
To Be Continued…