Chapter 165: Underestimated   Chapter 165: Underestimated                              The king’s expression hardened.


    He didn’t appreciate the prince’s tone, but he knew the rules.


    He kept his voice even as he replied.


    “This is merely an opening round.


    The first prince willpete when his opponents are more worthy.”               Gasps rippled through the audience.


    Ebere’s smirk wavered slightly at the unintentional slight, but the real damage was done to Prince Azmira’s pride.


    Mocking whispers spread among the royals.


    “Did he actually expect to race against the first prince?”               “Not even the second prince, maybe the fourth at best.”               “And they sent him a princess instead?


    He’s not even seen aspetition!”               The prince’s jaw clenched.


    He could feel theughter from the surrounding royals, their amusement barely concealed.


    Even some nobles from his own kingdom shifted ufortably, humiliated by the tant disregard for their prince’s ability.


    His hands curled into fists, but he quickly forced himself to rx.


    Fine.


    If they thought so little of him, then he would prove them wrong.


    He turned to face Ebere atst, fire in his eyes.


    He had one goal now, to defeat this arrogant princess and make them regret ever underestimating him.


    The prince from Azmira narrowed his eyes at Ebere, his expression filled with disdain.


    It was obvious, he didn’t see her as a real opponent.


    Without a word, he mounted his horse, his posture rxed, and gestured to the official to start the race.


    He wasn’t worried.


    This was going to be easy.


    “Riders, take your positions!”               Ebere smirked as she adjusted her grip on the reins.


    The breeze lifted her dark hair slightly, her gaze sharp with focus.


    “Ready…”               The prince barely braced himself, his confidence unwavering.


    “Set…”               Ebere leaned forward slightly, her body perfectly aligned with her horse.


    “Go!”               The moment the g dropped, both riders surged forward.


    The Azmiran prince started slow, his movements almostzy.


    He didn’t need to go all out, why waste energy on apetition that had already been decided?


    “She doesn’t stand a chance.” His eldest brother scoffed from the stands, arms crossed.


    His father, the king of Azmira, nodded in agreement.


    “This match is a joke.”               On the other side, the Lionaran royals watched in silence.


    Queen Chioma sighed.


    “That boy is too arrogant.


    Does he really think my daughter is that easy to beat?”               Prince Somto, however, said nothing, his eyes locked on the race.


    At first, it seemed like the prince’s confidence was justified.


    He was ahead, his horse moving at a steady, controlled pace.


    Ebere, however, was not in a hurry.


    She kept her horse slightly behind him, her face unreadable.


    Then, just as they reached the halfway mark, she moved.


    With a sudden burst of speed, she surged forward, closing the gap instantly.


    The prince blinked in surprise.


    For the first time, he actually looked at her.


    She was focused, her movements seemed effortless, her control over the horse almost wless.


    The realization hit him hard.


    She wasn’t a weak opponent.


    And now, she was overtaking him.


    Gasps exploded from the audience.


    “Wait, what?!”               “Is she—Is she actually passing him?”               His younger sister stood up abruptly, eyes wide.


    “Brother!


    What are you doing?!


    Go faster!”               The Azmiran prince’s smirk vanished.


    He leaned forward, digging his heels into his horse’s sides.


    He had been holding back, but not anymore.


    His horse kicked into full speed, powerful strides tearing through the track.


    Now, he was serious.


    Now, he was actually trying to win.


    For a moment, it looked like he might catch up.


    But Ebere…               She was already too far ahead.


    Her riding was wless, her connection with her horse perfect.


    She did not falter, did not hesitate.


    She had measured her pace from the start, waiting until the right moment to secure victory with ease.


    And then, it was over.


    Ebere crossed the finish line first.


    The first prince of Azmiran “…”               The royals of Azmiran “…”               The others “…”               Silence hung in the air for a brief second before the reality of what had just happened crashed down like a storm.


    Then, the explosion began.


    Laughter.


    Gasps.


    Whispers spreading like wildfire through the audience.


    The Azmiran prince sat frozen, his hands clenched into the reins, his horse shifting ufortably beneath him.


    His face, once filled with arrogance, was now nk with disbelief.


    He had lost.


    To a woman.


    And not just any woman, a teenage princess from another kingdom.


    The shame was unbearable.


    The crowd erupted in mixed reactions.


    Unbelievable!” Someone gasped.


    “He actually lost?!”               “A prince losing to a princess?


    How disgraceful!”               A deep bellyugh came from the Gigangum section, where Prince Asher smirked in amusement.


    “The boy has betrayed the brotherhood!” He mocked, shaking his head.


    “How do you exin losing to a woman in front of every kingdom?”               Others weren’t even trying to hold back their scorn.


    The prince’s own family sat in stunned silence.


    His eldest brother’s face twisted with fury.


    “What kind of humiliation is this?” He hissed, mming his fist against the armrest of his chair.


    His younger sister, still standing, looked at him in horror.


    “Brother… how could you?” Her voice was barely a whisper.


    The King of Azmira’s face was stone cold, but his clenched jaw and darkened eyes spoke volumes.


    He had just been publicly shamed.


    And the one who did it sat atop her horse, lookingpletely unbothered.


    Ebere faked calmness like she was so sure she would win.


    But she wasn’t sure until her opponent gave her a 90% assurance by underestimating her.


    She turned her horse slowly, deliberately, her movements measured.


    Then, as if to pour salt on the wound, she arched a brow at the prince, her lips curling into a slow smirk.


    “Was that all?” She asked, voice dripping with amusement.


    “I thought you were supposed to be a challenge.”               The prince stiffened, his face burning with humiliation.


    The crowd erupted even louder.


    “Did she just—?”               “Oh, she’s humiliating him on purpose!”               Prince Asherughed even harder, throwing an arm over his seat.


    “I like this one, why haven’t i seen this side of her before?” he muttered.


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