Meanwhile, in the royal pavilion, Rebecca clenched her fists in frustration. Her heart ached with anger and helplessness as she watched the continued sabotage attempts against Freen. Freen's unrelenting focus and poise had won her admiration and support, but it seemed that some competitors were determined to see her fail at any cost.

Her parents noticed her distress and exchanged worried glances. They were torn between wanting to support Freen and not wanting to disrupt the tournament. They had always stood up for what was right, to champion fairness and equality in their kingdom. Yet, they also understood the delicate balance they had to maintain as rulers.

Queen Isabella leaned in, her voice soft and comforting. "Rebecca, my dear, I know this is difficult to witness. Your heart is in the right place, and your support for Princess Freen is commendable."

Rebecca nodded, her frustration still simmering beneath the surface. "I understand, Mother, but it's painful to see Freen face such blatant discrimination. The other competitors are purposely interfering to sabotage her chances, yet the officials do nothing. I can't stand by and watch this injustice continue. Freen deserves a fair chance, just like every other competitor."

"She's earned her place here through skill alone, but they want to see her fail because she's an omega," she couldn't help but add.

King Cedric's brow furrowed. He wanted to put an end to the discrimination Freen faced, but so far there was no overt physical harm that warranted his intervention. "A concerning situation, indeed. Freen definitely earns her place in the tournament but there's nothing that we can do right now. Insults and shoves thrown here and there are parts of a competition... although this time, it's thrown at princess Freen."

The king sighed, disliking the truth of unsporting conduct being tolerated. "For now, let us wait and see how the tournament plays out before we make a call."

Rebecca's heart sank, but her father gave her a reassuring look. "If matters escalate, I'll not stand idle. For now, let's hope the officials will take care of matters. We must give them a chance to address this matter before I intervene."

Rebecca appreciated her parents' understanding, but her frustration still gnawed at her. She couldn't shake the feeling that more needed to be done to protect Freen.

The next round approached with Freen set to face off against Prince Tristan, who had dominated all opponents with his aggressive aim and towering frame. As the rivals took their marks, the tension swirled as the air grew thicker. Freen's spine remained rigid, shoulders back, the picture of poised player who had competed in many tournaments before.

Rebecca exhaled slowly, heart thrumming as if she herself stood at the shooting line, bowstring taut. As Freen drew back her bow, focused downrange, something caught Rebecca's eye at the arena's edge. She glimpsed a figure partly obscured in shadow winding up. Before Rebecca could shout a warning, a small rock shot out, striking Freen's arrow with a sharp crack in mid-flight.

The arrow skewed sideways, missing the target completely as Freen jerked back, frustration flashing across her face. Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd, as they looked around to find who had thrown the rock.

King Cedric placed a reassuring hand on his daughter's shoulder. "I will speak with the tournament officials and urge them to address the situation discreetly."

Rebecca nodded, her heart somewhat eased by her parents' support. As the competitors readied themselves for the final round, King Cedric motioned for one of the royal attendants to approach.

"Please fetch the head tournament official," King Cedric instructed in a hushed tone.

The attendant nodded and immediately set off to relay the king's message to the tournament official. As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the air seemed to grow heavier, and Rebecca couldn't help but anxiously watch the competitors on the archery field below.

Finally, the head tournament official made his way to the royal pavilion. He approached King Cedric with a respectful bow before speaking in a low tone.

"Your Majesty, how may I be of service?" he inquired, his eyes shifting between the king and Queen.

King Cedric leaned in slightly, ensuring their conversation remained private. "There have been concerns of unfair play and sabotage during the tournament."

The tournament official's expression remained composed, but a furrow creased his brow. "Sabotage? Your Majesty, we take the integrity of the tournament very seriously. If there have been any transgressions, they will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with accordingly."

King Cedric's voice took on a stern tone as he responded, "I appreciate your commitment to the tournament's integrity. However, it has come to our attention that the crowd, including myself, my wife, and my daughter, have witnessed these attempts at sabotage. Interference has been growing over successive rounds, culminating in a projectile striking her arrow just now. It is perplexing that such actions have not been addressed promptly."

Queen Isabella chimed in, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment. "We have entrusted the tournament's officials to ensure a fair and honorable competition. It is disheartening to see that these attempts at sabotage have been allowed to persist."

The tournament official's expression shifted. He wanted to disagree but he understood the gravity of the situation and the weight of the King and Queen's words.

"I deeply apologize, Your Majesties," the official said with a respectful bow. "We will immediately investigate this matter and appropriate actions will be taken against those found responsible for unfair play. You have my word swift discipline will be enacted."

The tournament official, now fully aware of the gravity of the situation, wasted no time. He gave a quick nod to the royal family and hastened back to the archery field.

As Freen readied herself to face Prince Tristan in the final round, a devious glint flashed in Tristan's eyes. He had been angry of Freen's participation from the start, and now, with victory seemingly within his grasp, he was determined to eliminate her.

Not realizing that anything was amiss, Freen prepared to draw her bow. The spectators watched with bated breath, unsure of what would unfold. Just as Freen was about to take her first shot, the head tournament official, who had hurried back to the field, raised his hand to signal a recess, catching the attention of both competitors and the anxious crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, his voice carrying authority, "there have been concerns raised about the fairness of this tournament. In the interest of upholding the integrity of the competition, we will be conducting a thorough investigation into any potential sabotage or unfair play."

A murmur of surprise swept through the spectators, and the competitors exchanged wary glances. It was clear that the tournament officials were taking the matter seriously now.

"While we cannot undo past misconduct," the official continued, "we can and will be vigilant for the remainder of the competition. Any attempts at sabotage will not be tolerated, and those found responsible will face severe consequences."

As the message settled in, the official instructed the competitors to leave the field temporarily for a brief recess. The tournament officials made it clear that the investigation would occur after the tournament's conclusion. They will identify and hold accountable those responsible for the sabotage attempts that had plagued the competition.

As the recess continued, Freen felt a mix of emotions. She was grateful for the support she had received from the crowd, but the knowledge that some competitors were determined to see her fail weighed heavily on her. She felt frustrated and disappointment. Freen had hoped that the tournament would be an opportunity to showcase her skills and break free from the stereotypes that had held omegas back for so long. Instead, she had faced a series of deliberate attempts to undermine her performance. It was disheartening to think that some of her fellow heirs were so threatened by her presence that they would resort to such tactics.

Meanwhile, Prince Tristan, though frustrated by the delay, couldn't openly object to the official's decision. The increased scrutiny meant that any further attempts would be met with swift consequences. Unbeknownst to the officials and the spectators, Prince Tristan had indeed conspired with others to hinder Freen's performance during the final round. However, as the recess continued and the investigation loomed, he realized that the consequences of getting caught far outweighed any potential victory. Prince Tristan took advantage of the chaos and commotion to discreetly signal to his accomplices that any further sabotage attempts had to be called off. His accomplices, though frustrated, reluctantly obeyed, knowing that the increased scrutiny made any further interference too risky. The odds had shifted, and Freen would have a fair chance in the final round.

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Rebecca couldn't stay still in the royal pavilion any longer. The tension and worry had become almost unbearable. She needed to see for herself how Freen was coping with the situation and if there was anything she could do to provide comfort before the final round.

Quietly excusing herself from her parents' presence, Rebecca slipped away from the royal pavilion and made her way down to the archery field. The crowd's chatter was a distant hum as she approached the area where Freen and Tristan stood, both waiting for the investigation to conclude.

Freen was conducting final equipment checks, her back straight but jaw taut. Her eyes were locked on the ground, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Rebecca knew that Freen had been through so much during the tournament, and she wanted to be a source of comfort, even if they couldn't openly express their feelings yet.

Tristan, on the other hand, was visibly agitated. His initial confidence had waned as the consequences of his actions became apparent. Tristan cast nervous glances, perhaps fearing someone might expose his involvement in the sabotage.

Rebecca quietly approached Freen first, wanting to to convey her sympathy and provide comfort without drawing the eyes of the crowd. hough Freen greeted Rebecca with a smile, the princess spotted the simmering fire in her eyes.

She reached out and gently squeezed Freen's hand. "Freen, I'm so sorry this happened. I wish I could have acted sooner, that I could have shielded you from all this and spared you from all this pain."

"It is not your fault, Rebecca. I knew some would hate my participation. I expected whispers, shoves even." Freen said sighing deeply, a flicker of pain crossing her features. "But I never dreamed that they would stoop so low as to ruin my shots deliberately."

Before Rebecca could react, Freen pulled her into a sudden hug. Rebecca stiffened, shocked at the unexpected public show of affection. Her eyes darted around nervously as she felt the eyes of others taking notice.

Yet Rebecca sensed Freen simply needed to feel connected and grounded. And she could not bring herself to pull away after all Freen had endured alone.

Rebecca remained tense, keenly aware of unwanted attention. Freen's breath came measured and steady, face buried in Rebecca's shoulder. Finally Rebecca exhaled and slowly brought her arms up, hesitantly embracing Freen back while avoiding the eyes she could feel on them. She owed her this small comfort.

As the embrace lingered, Rebecca felt Freen's racing heart begin to calm against her. Freen's fists twisted into the back of Rebecca's dress as she centered herself.

Finally Freen loosened her grip and leaned back, their eyes locking for a brief, intimate moment before they pulled away. Freen knew that Rebecca didn't want their emotions to be on display for everyone to see, and she respected that choice. It was enough to know that Rebecca had come down from her position with her parents to offer her comfort when she needed it most.

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Rebecca knew she couldn't stay by Freen's side for too long without arousing suspicion from the crowd. Her support needed to be discreet to avoid any perception of bias. With a lingering glance filled with reassurance, she excused herself from Freen side and went to talk to price Tristan.

As Rebecca approached Tristan, she couldn't help but notice the change in his usual demeanor. Although there was no concrete evidence of his involvement in any foul play, her instincts as an omega allowed her to sense that something was amiss. There was a subtle shift in the atmosphere around him, a tension that was hard to ignore.

Tristan's unease was evident, and he couldn't meet her eyes directly. He fidgeted and cast wary glances toward the surrounding crowd, as if worried that their conversation might reveal more than he intended. He had planned to engage in foul play during the final round, but the recess and the official's stern words had thrown a wrench into his schemes.

Rebecca, though perceptive, understood the delicate balance she needed to maintain. She couldn't openly confront Tristan without concrete evidence, especially in front of the watching crowd. So, she chose her words carefully, speaking in a tone that was polite and neutral.

"Prince Tristan," she began in a measured tone, "I understand that this tournament has been challenging for everyone, but we must remember the importance of fairness and sportsmanship."

Tristan glanced at her, his eyes filled with apprehension. "I'm not sure what you mean," he replied, attempting to maintain his composure.

Rebecca maintained her calm, authoritative demeanor. "It's clear that the investigation will uncover any foul play. I urge you to cooperate fully with the officials and respect the rules of fair competition. Our kingdom values integrity above all else."

Tristan, still visibly uneasy, nodded in response. He understood the unspoken message in her words – that any further attempts at sabotage or unfair play would not be tolerated.

Rebecca continued, "Let's make sure the final round proceeds smoothly. It's a crucial moment for all the competitors, and I hope you will rise to the occasion."

She watched as Tristan nodded, his earlier agitation giving way to a sense of reluctant acceptance. He understood that any further attempts at sabotage would only lead to dire consequences, both personally and for the reputation of his family.

Rebecca maintained her facade of impartiality, aware that she couldn't openly reveal her suspicions without proof. As they parted ways, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease herself. She couldn't ignore the lingering doubt about Tristan's intentions. Rebecca sent a final, reassuring look toward Freen, who had resumed her focus on the upcoming final round, before returning to the royal pavilion where her parents were.