[EXT. TOWN GATES – DAY]
Haruki and Leonhardt approach the bustling gates. Bacon the boar lumbers behind them, looking about as menacing as a fuzzy boulder with asthma.
Haruki (whispering):"Okay, plan time. We can't just stroll in like a therapist and his emotional support swine."
Leonhardt:"So, what? We dress Bacon in armor? Maybe give him a fake scar?"
Haruki:"Better. We say he's the 'dangerous beast' you just defeated. You're the hero who saved the town from the terror pig."
Leonhardt raises an eyebrow but nods.
[The guards at the gate spot Bacon.]
Guard #1 (wide-eyed):"That thing? A beast?"
Haruki (dramatically):"Not just any beast. The Bacon Fiend. Terror of the Eastern Forest. Devoured three shepherds and their goats. Ate a barn, probably."
The guard pales.
Guard #2 (shouting):"Raise the alarm! The Bacon Fiend is dead!"
[INT. TOWN – DAY]
Cue chaos. Trumpets blare. Townsfolk pour into the streets, whispering excitedly. Word spreads like wildfire.
Town Crier (booming):"The Bacon Fiend is slain! Our hero returns!"
Kids cheer. Someone faints. Someone else sells boar-themed pastries.
[INT. CAPITAL CITY – DAY]
Leonhardt walks tall through marble corridors. Nobles bow. Servants whisper.
Crowd:"Leonhardt! Leonhardt!"
Haruki (to himself):"Who knew lying about a giant pig would get us VIP treatment? I should've brought a chicken too."
[INT. IMPERIAL PALACE – BANQUET HALL – NIGHT]
The grand hall sparkles. Chandeliers drip crystal. Nobles sip wine. Haruki, awkward in borrowed formalwear, tries to blend in by hugging the wall.
Emperor (rising):"To Leonhardt, our loyal knight and savior of the realm!"
Applause erupts.
Emperor (smiling):"And now, I declare my daughter, Princess Elira… betrothed to Leonhardt!"
Gasps. Applause. Someone drops a goblet.
Haruki watches Leonhardt dance gracefully with Princess Elira. The crowd swoons. It's a fairy tale. Sort of.
Haruki (muttering):"From boar-fighter to prince charming. Not bad for a guy who thought armor was just a medieval rash."
[Suddenly, the doors creak open.]
Everyone turns.
Clarisse enters.Silver gown. Perfect posture. Arm hooked through the baron's. She doesn't walk—she glides. And her eyes? Laser-guided, straight to Leonhardt.
A hush falls over the room. The music falters.
Leonhardt stiffens. His hand still rests in Elira's.
Clarisse (smiling—slow, secretive, surgical):"Well. Isn't this charming."
Haruki (quietly, under his breath):"Oh. That can't be good."
[End of Chapter 5.]