⚔️Serberia

At another time, the results of the June beauty contest were announced in the Amphitheater.

Stepping onto the stage, Vegi was quite nervous. She wanted to be first if possible, but she perfectly understood how difficult it was to compete with the local Illian girls, who had prioritized their appearance since childhood. And when she saw the famous Baldurian beauties Ilva, Alessia, and Kalentia on the same stage...
Making a firm promise to give it her all, Gulveig began to fully utilize her "theatrical" charisma. Here, a neat, slightly sad smile (the Arterian couldn't smile broadly even in the best of times), there, a wave of her hand, and elsewhere, the use of her eyes. Her facial expression seemed to say:
"Yes, I am simple and not of noble birth, but I am good. I also have dreams and goals... Please, for the sake of the Mother and my dream, support me!
I know that there are girls here who are more elegant and slender, more agile and with refined movements... But I am also trying very hard, and I also have good qualities, many good qualities! Please, support me!
I love you all, please, love me too!"
Well, third place... Of course, it's not great, because for most people, only first place exists. But on the other hand, she was internally in agreement with the ranking; of course, the beautiful Ilva and the perfectly poised Kalentia deserved to be higher. Maybe someday she will surpass them, but there is still a lot of work to be done... However, Alessia was also better, but... Where is Alessia?
It seems that she had already sensed the mood of the crowd and, after listening to the results of the voting, she fled, looking quite upset... Vegi was saddened by this. Perhaps her own attempt to please people had diverted potential attention from Alessia? It's a pity that in this world, you have to compete to achieve something. But later, she will definitely say a few warm words to her, telling her that, in her opinion, Alessia is very beautiful, and that Gulveig has long looked at her as an example.
And now, the Arterian smiled gently and warmly again, gratefully accepting her award. To leave a pleasant impression, she needed to continue and never stop... For herself, for her teacher, and for Teia.

***

Leaving the amphitheater, Gulveig sighed tiredly in front of her friends.
-- Yes... It was harder than I thought. Congratulations, Ilva, Kalentia! You did well. And nice hairstyle, Kal.
-- Listen, intelligence reports say that the southern forest is safe, right? I'm afraid that even with the prize, the Selik is still not enough...
"I still need to get myself ready and buy you a gift."
-- Let's... save money? After all, Father Gungnir taught us how to set up camp in nature; let's remember the lesson, and we probably won't get cold. The main thing is... that there are no insects.