Twisted Wonderland: The Phantom Bride - Love at First Fright

Chapter 10: Toying with a Fair Maid's Heart

Struggling to move, Leona says, "It's like I'm bound from head to toe. Can't even flex my fingers."

'I can't use magic either. What is happening?!" Vil asks himself, unable to move a single figure.

"I've been searching for my perfect prince for 500 years. Yet you dare to march in here and claim to be him when you're so clearly not? You deserve an extensive lesson on the pitfalls of toying with a fair maid's heart. I'd say the same amount of time I've spent waiting should suffice," Eliza says, clearly not pleased.

"500 years?!" Sebek asks, shocked.

"I've never heard of a ghost who could paralyze humans with a slap. Her power is apparently just as exorbitant as her obsession," Jade says.

"You've got a lot of nerve turnin' me down over some nonsense!" Leona says, angrily.

Vil feels the same, "How dare you rebuff my advances! You need to get over yourself."

"I'm not a fan of lying, but... If two of our housewardens couldn't make the cut, we've gotta seriously step up," Jack says.

"Next—" Eliza says and turns to Jack, "You there. The strapping young man with the big white ears."

"...Name's Jack Howl," Jack says.

Eliza asks, "How's your skill with a sword? What's the biggest monster you've slain? Do you have a legendary sword that's been passed down for generations?"

This has Jack confused, "A sword? What good's a glorified metal stick when I can just punch—"

And Eliza quickly says, "YOU'RE OUT."

And slaps Jack in the face as well

Jack cries out, "HEY, THAT HURT!"

"You can't rescue a princess from monsters without a legendary sword. You're no prince!" Eliza says.

And then turns to another candidate, "Next! You, the sharp-eyed, handsome one."

Sebek introduces himself, "I AM SEBEK ZIGVOLT!"

"What instruments do you play? The piano? Flute, perhaps?" Eliza asks.

"You wish to know about musical talents? I'm so glad you asked, Ghost!" Sebek answers.

And soon says, "Let me tell you about my lord. His proficiency with stringed instruments is RENOWNED. His violin melodies are hauntingly beautiful... I once heard him on the cello, and his playing had such depth it shook me to my core! His music is every bit as mystical as himself—"

But Eliza shouts, "YOU'RE OUT," And slaps Sebek in the face too.

"PARDON?!" Sebek questions, shocked, "You're quite ill-mannered. I hadn't even finished speaking!"

"You know what's ill-mannered? Bringing up a totally unrelated person during a romantic interlude! You're hardly prince material," Eliza says, "Next! The one with the fetching spectacles."

And turns to Trey.

Trey introduces himself, "I'm Trey Clover. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness."

"...I can't do this! I'm sorry, but we shouldn't see each other anymore. Farewell!" Eliza says, and decides to leave.

"She just...took off?" Trey asks.

Eliza leaves and turns to see Tre.

"Am I supposed to give chase?" Trey asks.

"Prolly," Floyd says.

Trey understands, "All right, well... "

Trey calls out, "No! Please, wait!"

And Eliza says, "Didn't I just say we couldn't see each other? Please, don't spare me a second thought!"

"Looks like chasing was the right call," Eliza says, and asks, "What should I do next, though?"

"Trey, you're supposed to sing a song,' Jade says.

Trey is shocked, "A song? Right now?!"

"That's right. You need to establish a romantic mood with a touching melody that tickles her fancy," Jade says with a smile.

"I'm not exactly the best singer, but..." Trey says, reluctant, and soon says, "Here goes," and soon tries to sing, "Uhhh... Your... Your..."

"Yes? My what?" Eliza asks.

Trey tries to sing, "Your...veil is...As bright as a freshly-bleached dish towel... And your eyes, they're, um, like grapes..." And tries to sing, "You're...so lively!"

Eliza remains silent, and Trey remains silent.

Soon, Eliza shouts, "YOU'RE OUT."

And ends up receiving a slap in the face.

"Yeah, no surprises there," Trey says, not very surprised.

"My veil is like a DISHCLOTH? My eyes are like GRAPES? A prince would never use such utterly unromantic analogies!" Eliza says, feeling offended.

"Your similes were a tad mundane, to be fair. I'm shocked you couldn't even manage, 'Your eyes are like jewels,'" Jade says.

"Look, I'm just a regular student, and she totally put me on the spot. All I could think of were things I knew!" Trey says.

"All right, next!" Eliza says.

Then turns to Floyd, "You there, with that disinterested look."

And Floyd angrily says, "This lady's been really gettin' on my nerves. Can I squeeze her?"

"YOU'RE OUT!" Eliza quickly says and slaps him in the face.

"YEOWCH!" Floyd cries out.

"What did you think would happen?" Leona points out.

"And last we have...you," Eliza says and turns to Jade, "The handsome fellow with a pleasant smile."

"Jade Leech, at your service. Do be gentle with me," Jade says.