Bai Youwei narrowed her eyes slightly.

As they drew nearer, the man’s build and features came into sharper clarity.

He looked like the male lead of a girls’ manga that had stepped into reality — a slender, tall figure, brilliant golden hair, fair skin, long curling eyelashes, and eyes of a deep, heartfelt blue that always seemed on the verge of conveying something tender.

It was the Arbiter from the gathering of friends.

“Welcome to the women-only game,” said the Arbiter with a gracious bow, the smile of a perfect gentleman on his face. “I am the Arbiter for this game, and I hope we will share a pleasant time together.”

No one spoke.

Only Bai Youwei made a faint, cool sound — a quiet scoff.

The Arbiter’s gaze settled on her face, his smile unchanged. “We meet again, miss. I look forward to seeing how you perform.”

Bai Youwei replied without expression, “Sure. Women’s champion.”

The Arbiter: “…”

The smile on his lips flickered for just a moment, then restored itself in an instant — as though that brief slip had been nothing but an illusion.

“Now then… ladies, please follow me inside.” The Arbiter turned, maintaining his immaculate composure as he led the women into the grand castle-like manor.

“This game is women-only — as the name implies, this is a game only women may enter.” The Arbiter introduced the rules as he walked.

“I expect you’ve all already noticed: the game theme is ‘The Last Bride,’ and you are all dressed in wedding gowns. From this moment forward, you are seven brides betrothed to the Duke.”

“The Duke?” Yu Yaqing’s brow furrowed.

“Yes — the most noble, the most wealthy, and also the most fickle Duke. When the sun sets, he will return. Until then, I will remain here in the capacity of a butler, to offer whatever assistance within the game you may require.” The Arbiter stepped to one side and bowed. “Then — please, come with me.”

Yu Yaqing regarded it with suspicion for a beat, then continued forward.

The others followed.

They passed through the dining hall, through the front court, through the verandas walled in roses…

The deeper they went into the manor, the more acutely they felt the extremity of its opulence. Every surface within sight was gilded and dazzling — even the armrests of the chairs were crafted from gold, and the wall sconces were set with gems that blazed with breathtaking radiance.

“The Duke commands wealth beyond exhaustion, but he has a violent temper — any who arouse his anger will pay with their lives.” The Arbiter paused at the head of a long corridor and turned to face them, his voice mild. “Though you are a group of charming brides, I must still urge you: do not anger the Duke.”

“Is that a hint at the clear conditions?” Bai Youwei looked the Arbiter straight in the eye. “Do not anger the Duke?”

Zhu Shu was struck by the same thought: “…If angering him means dying, and those who survive to the end are those who haven’t angered him — does that mean whoever lives the longest is ‘The Last Bride’? Is that what the game title refers to?”

The Arbiter looked down at them with a slight tilt of the head, and the corner of his mouth curved into something noncommittal:

“You may think of it that way. Or you may not.”

Su Man’s patience snapped. “What is *that* supposed to mean?! Are you not going to tell us the clear conditions?! You’re speaking in riddles — who can make sense of this?!”

“Beautiful bride, please do not be angry.” The Arbiter smiled serenely. “Every game has clear conditions, and for this one, they were made known to you from the very start — you must become the last bride.”

Everyone’s expressions shifted through several changes.

*Become the last bride* — what did that even mean?

Did it mean *the final one remaining*?

Cheng Qian asked anxiously, “Does that mean… only one of us can survive?”

—