For several long seconds, nobody said anything.
The staff member gently guided the blond woman away into the arena corridors while the elderly church woman leaned down in front of Lucienne.
Theo glanced at Elise, only to find her just as surprised as he was.
"I have some guesses as to what she was talking about," she muttered quietly. "But this reaction…"
Nodding slowly, Theo couldn't help but stare at the scene for a moment longer.
The elderly church woman finally straightened and placed a hand on Lucienne's shoulder.
As they began turning to the exit, Lucienne paused.
She glanced back, locking eyes with Theo. After a moment, she nodded once, then turned back around.
Theo didn't even get time to nod back.
And before he could think much of it, a booming voice echoed throughout the arena.
"The match has concluded!"
"For the first time since the tournament began," the announcer continued, his voice echoing through the stadium, "the reigning champion has been defeated!"
