The Translator

Chapter 9: The Game Show

*Erik's P.O.V.*

"Gentlemen, I have a surprise for you," Princess Eadlyn says, standing up as our meal draws to a close. "In fifteen minutes, please come meet me in the studio for a little game."

Henri turns to me for a translation, watching the other suitors' reactions closely. A few of them laugh while others clap, causing Henri to do the same before he even realizes what is going on! Once I fill him in, his iconic grin spreads across his face as he begins questioning me about what the surprise might be. Fifteen minutes later, all of the suitors (and I) file into the studio with the same stunned look on each of our faces. She is sitting at the front of the room, kind of like a school teacher, with a bunch of stools set out before her. On each stool is a paper, marker, and a large, cartoonish name tag like what you would see on a game show.

"Welcome Gentlemen!" Princess Eadlyn sings happily. "Please come find your seat!"

As each of the suitors try to find their seats, I notice that the cameras are already rolling, capturing the many different reactions. Henri calls me over to him, motioning to the stool beside him that surprisingly has a tag with my name on it. I pick up the tag and put it on my chest before sitting down beside Henri who is bubbling with excitement. Once we are all seated, the cameras zoom back in on the Princess as she begins speaking.

"Today we're having a pop quiz on all things Illea. We'll be discussing history, foreign affairs, and domestic policies. When you get an answer right, one of the maids standing by will come and put a gold check mark sticker on you. Get one wrong, and they'll bring a black X."

I do my best to translate as quickly as possible, not wanting Henri to be at a disadvantage because of me. Princess Eadlyn seems to notice this and slows down a bit for me.

"Don't worry, this is all for fun," she continues, "but I will be using this information to help decide my next elimination. If you get the most wrong, it doesn't mean you're automatically out...but I'm watching! First question. This is an important one! When is my birthday?"

'Easy, April 16th' I think to myself. I look over at Henri and he already has it jotted down, but he is off by just a day! I almost lean over his shoulder to let him know, but then I realize that it wouldn't be fair to the others so I let it go.

"Okay, hold up your signs," she orders playfully, gawking at the crazy range of dates. "You know what, I'm going to go ahead and give this to anyone who got April at all."

"All right!!" Fox exclaims, pumping a fist in the air. Henri lets out a little cheer when he receives a gold check mark, turning to give me a quick thumbs up.

"Here's one with lots of potential answers." the Princess grins mischievously. 'Who would you consider Illea's greatest allies?"

'France, Italy, maybe New Asia,' I think after a few moments. I look at Henri's answer and fight a laugh when I see that he has put down Swendway. When Princess Eadlyn asks to see their papers, she lets out a laugh when she see's Henri's answer before looking over all the others.

"Wait, wait, wait!" she shouts, pointing at Sir Julian who had written ME on his paper. "What does that even mean?!"

"I just think I'd be a really great friend," Julian grins, making us all laugh.

"Ridiculous," she laughs, shaking her head.

"So does he still get an X or...?" a maid asks, raising her hand.

"Oh, that's an X!" the Princess assures her, making us all chuckle.

The game goes on for a little while with Henri rarely getting a question right. By the end of the game, he is covered in black X's.