The Game of Love (Yandere!Males x Reader)

First Signs of Jealousy

You looked at the plate in front of you, utensils stacked upon each other. Knife, fork, a smaller fork, a napkin, a spoon, and a delicate glass goblet all lie in front of you as your quivering hand hovered over each piece of silverware, unsure of what to pick up first.

Pick up the fork

Pick up the knife

Pick up the napkin

You scanned all of these options hesitantly. If you were at home and had to complete this trial, you would have just looked it up and paused the game. However, you had to complete this game of chance or else you would fail.

Pick the napkin

You picked up and folded the napkin into a triangle before placing it on the right side of the plate.

Pick up the fork

Pick up the knife

Pick up the smaller fork

You grabbed the fork and placed it on top of the napkin cautiously, as if the napkin would tear by the slightest provocation. Damien came into the corner of your eye, staring at your progress. You glanced at the girl beside you, who had finished and held a grin of satisfaction across her face.

Just copy her, you thought as you collected the smaller fork and placed it beside its larger counterpart.

"Make sure they're lined up," Damien said, looking over at your progress.

"I'm sorry, I'm doing my best," you responded shyly, taking the knife and putting on the opposite side of the plate.

"Well, to be a proper princess, you will have to be quicker than that," he replied, crossing his arms.

"Damien, she is going as fast as she can. It seems that the trials were completely unexpected to her," Quinn said in defense. You took a small sigh of relief as you put the spoon next to the knife. "Also, she isn't aiming to be yours. She already has me in mind."

"How do you know?" Damien asked.

"Because why else would she choose to have her interview with me?"

Damien silently glared at him before turning around to inspect other girls.

"Thank you," you said as you put the goblet onto the left. He gracefully wrapped his fingers around the stem of the glass and shifted it over to the right.

"Anything for you, (Y/n)," he said. "How about you say my name?"

"Your... highness?"

"Quinn," he corrected. "I insist."

You swallowed nervously. Even though this was supposed to happen, he was still intimidating. "Thank you, Quinn. I appreciate it lots."

He nodded with a small chuckle before walking away. You touched your heated face, smiling at your presentation. As Damien went around taking notes in his small book, your mind started to wander to your friend, Lucia. Should I go and meet up with her today? you wondered, rocking back and forth on your toes. Maybe she's better? Why did she take a sleepover so seriously?

"Your presentation is decent," Damien said, snapping you out of your trance.

"Thank you," you responded with a bow. Wow, I feel like I'm on a cooking show.

Quinn shot you a curt nod with a proud and polite smile. You grinned back, fiddling with your fingers behind your back.

"Next trial: public speaking."

You paced around the hall, panicking during the break period to come up with a topic to talk about.

"Are you alright?" Alex asked, walking up to you. "You seem more nervous than you were back in the dining hall."

I thought it was Quinn, you thought with an internal sigh of disappointment. "I'm a little nervous, that's all."

"What's there to be nervous about? It's just public speaking."

"Well, you were raised to speak to a crowd. I'm just a commoner with no knowledge of not only this world, but with no knowledge on how to address a crowd!"

Alex put a hand on your back with a look of pity. "I'm sorry to hear that... I'm sure you'll do great."

You whipped around and gently put both hands on his shoulders with wide, frightened eyes. "I don't know anything about the kingdoms. You have to help me."

The prince blinked, puzzled by your eccentric situation. "Well, you can talk about the economy. That is a pretty popular topic."

"I don't know how the economy is doing," you whispered. "I don't know how anything is doing in this world."

"Calm down," Alex said in a reassuring tone. "Just let your mind and emotions flow. I swear, you're going to-"

"Alex."

Quinn, with his arms folded in his white and green robe, hovered over you with a steady glare.

"Hello, Quinn."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just giving this girl here-" he pointed at you- "reassurance."

Quinn turned to you. "Why didn't you come seek me out."

"Um, well..." This doesn't seem scripted, you thought. "Alex was the one who approached me first."

"And you responded to him?"

"I could- well, you see..." you said, clearing your throat, "...it would be rude if I didn't respond to his highness."

"Well, next time this man tries to speak with you, come to me immediately." He took you by the shoulder and whisked you away with a sour expression. You glanced behind you to see Alex slightly shocked by the interaction.

"Are you alright?" he asked once the two of you reached a secluded area. "Did he say anything strange to you?"

"No, he just comforted me."

You felt the affection level go down from the atmosphere alone. "Oh, I see."

"I mean, he was around and I just-"

"No, I understand. I'm sorry I wasn't there." He bowed his head. You hesitantly reached out and stroked his hair in a shy and affectionate manner.

"I'm- um... well, I hope I do okay."

He lifted his head with a soft smile. "I'm sure you'll do amazing, (Y/n). I have to go talk to Damien, but I'll be right back." He turned around to go talk to the uptight prince, who was conversing with a couple of ladies.

Goddess lady? Are you there? What should I talk about? Help me!

Don't worry, she responded, you will get prompts. I set up a mini-game for this!

"Well, you seem chipper about it," you grumbled, crossing your arms.

I have to go. You will see what happens right about... now.

Damien clapped his hands twice, silencing the crowd. "I have the first few eliminations after talking with the others."

He read off a few names, not including yours. You breathed a sigh of relief as he continued.

"When your name is called, you will walk up the stairs and start your presentation on the top." He pointed to the grand staircase as he looked at his notebook. "The first to go, (Y/n)."