Chapter 0-0: "A Proposal and a Challenge"**

"Be my queen," Prince Adrain declared, his words hanging heavy in the air as Princess Liora withdrew her hand, stunned by his audacity.

"What!? What did you just say?" Princess Liora's voice trembled with disbelief, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"I mean it. I'll make you mine," Prince Adrain persisted, his confidence unwavering despite Liora's incredulity. Her friend stood beside her, equally taken aback by the prince's bold proclamation.

"I can't be the queen of a weak prince. I seek strength, both physical and spiritual," Princess Liora retorted, her defiance evident as she rebuffed Adrain's advances. Her friend couldn't help but laugh at the prince's expense, surprised by his misguided attempt to win over the princess.

"Am I not manly enough for you?" Prince Adrain's tone turned challenging as he moved closer to Liora, his gestures bordering on provocative. The grand celebration marking Liora's eighteenth birthday provided the backdrop for this unexpected encounter.

"Stop!" Liora's firm hand halted his advance, creating a palpable tension between them.

"Have you not heard of the teenage girl who defeated men in the kingdom's ring fights with her magic mask?" Liora questioned sharply, catching Adrain off guard with her reference to a renowned figure. His surprise was evident, his temper flaring at the mention of his kingdom's humiliation.

"Let's meet there and see if you can defeat this special teenage girl," Liora challenged, her words laced with defiance as she turned to leave with her friends in tow.

The rivalry between Veridale and Eldoria kingdoms ran deep, rooted in a history of betrayal and animosity. Veridale was deemed traitorous for their involvement in Eldoria's past coup d'état, leading to a centuries-old feud. Despite the recent thawing of relations between the two kingdoms, mutual respect remained elusive.

Prince Adrain hailed from Eldoria, while Princess Liora was a proud daughter of Veridale. The divide between their kingdoms fueled their skepticism and mistrust, making Adrain's proposal and Liora's challenge emblematic of the lingering tensions between their lands. As they parted ways, their encounter hinted at the complexities of their intertwined destinies and the uncertain future of their kingdoms' relationship.