The Crowned Heart | SKZ x Reader

7 | The Second Test

The morning dawned with a flurry of excitement and whispers among the contestants. The first challenge, despite its twists and turns, had set a new tone among us. Now we were all curious, each wondering what the second challenge would reveal. Some of the contestants speculated it might test combat skills or perhaps knowledge of Valoria's history, while others leaned toward something that would test our creativity or adaptability.

Each of us swept up in our own thoughts about the next challenge. Nearby, I caught snippets of conversations among the other girls. Some spoke with confidence, their voices tinged with determination, while others whispered anxiously, their fingers fidgeting with the hems of their dresses.

"I bet it's something physical," Elena speculated, her confident tone drawing nods from a few of the others. "They're bound to test our endurance sooner or later."

"Or maybe it's another puzzle," murmured Cecily, her brows furrowed. She glanced around, almost as though searching for clues. "Something to challenge our minds instead of our muscles."

Across the room, Aria seemed less interested in the speculation, her focus entirely on the princes as they entered. She leaned toward her companion, her voice low but audible. "I just hope I get paired with Prince Minho this time. He's so... intriguing."

"Intriguing?" her friend teased, raising a skeptical brow. "More like infuriating. Did you see the way he smirked during the last challenge? He's impossible to read."

As the chatter swirled around me, I noticed Prince Felix was already there, seated near one of the large windows, light pooling around him as he observed each contestant arriving. His expression was softer than usual, thoughtful, and even a little distant. When he caught sight of me, he offered a small wave and gestured for me to join him.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice as gentle as his smile. "Ready for round two?"

"I hope so," I replied, taking a seat beside him. "Though I'm not sure what to expect after yesterday."

Felix chuckled, running a hand through his blond hair. "That's the thing about these challenges. They're meant to keep you on your toes. But if it's any comfort, I think you're handling them well."

"Thanks, that means a lot," I said sincerely. "It's nice to have some encouragement from... well, you."

He shrugged, eyes twinkling with an almost playful glint. "I guess we'll just have to see if I'm right, won't we?"

Before I could respond, the advisor's voice echoed through the hall, silencing our conversations. "Contestants, please make your way to the ballroom for your second challenge."

Felix gave me a final reassuring nod before heading toward his brothers. I fell into step with the other contestants, a mixture of nerves and curiosity bubbling inside me. We were led through winding corridors, finally reaching the grand ballroom—a space I hadn't yet seen, and one that took my breath away.

The room was vast, with high ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers that sparkled under the morning light. A series of tables, covered in fabrics, threads, paints, and other materials, were arranged in the center. My heart skipped a beat, both from the beauty of the room and the realization of what the task might entail.

The advisor gestured toward the tables. "For this challenge, you will be asked to create something that represents your vision for Valoria's future. It can be anything—a symbol, an invention, a piece of art. Whatever you believe embodies hope, unity, and strength for the kingdom. You have two hours."

My mind raced. Creativity wasn't something I had particularly honed back home; my life was more about practicality and hard work. But this was an opportunity to let my heart speak for what I believed could be a brighter future, one where anyone, even someone like me, might belong.