The palace was quiet too quiet as the last of the women settled into their rooms, each preparing for the night that would decide their fate. Ardyn on the balcony of his Chambers, staring out into the distant as do the answers he sought might be hidden in the Stars.
His mother has had been insistence that the contest was his only chance. Much so his Duty and responsibility as prince a spectacle and the 1st of his kind in the kingdoms history. Yet the weight of the task was suffocating, how would he choose among beautiful, elegant, daringing women the one perfect peace to complete the puzzle and reign as queen in the Kingdom. Moreso, each was different, with different agenda and purpose and nothing puzzled him more than this.
A Flicker of movement caught his attention. Below ,he saw Kaelith standing alone near the palace garden, her eyes fixed on something unseen, something far beyond the walls. Unlike the orders who seemed eager there was an unusual is can accompanied her and this was quite puzzling to the prince. She wasn't there for him at all but for some other purpose.
And then there was seraphine, her beauty was undeniable, and her presence commanding. What it was clear to Ardyn that she was here for the power status Prestige and every thing that are associated with royalty and being queen. She had been raised to understand the Politics of the court, to charm and manipulate her way into power by any means, this she thoughts was her strength and uniqueness. Ardyn admired her skill, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was anything real behind her carefully crafted facade.
Then there was Elira, who's entrance was nothing compared to the others, humble and unassuming. One could see that she wasn't interested in the riches power and Vigour behind the royal family but for something more elusive . Ardyn just like anyone else could tell that she did not belong to any royal class and neither today elegant class present at the ball there was a certain natural field to her and originality that struck his conscience. As against the others who seemed perfect in everything Royal from their footsteps, to their dress sense, to their speech, it all seemed archaic to him, what to her he felt a certain pull of attraction, the reasons he couldn't exactly decipher, what was he infatuating?
The sound of footsteps behind him broke his reverie, he turned to find Queen Monica entering, her expression unreadable, she had been watching him, observing him, from the moment he stepped into his role as the prince, always testing him and pushing him to make decisions he wasn't ready for.
"Have you made your choice?" she asked, her voice soft but laced with authority.
Ardyn sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I have not even begun to figure it out."
His mother moved closer, still maintaining her gaze. "You have to. This contest is not just about you, Ardyn. It is about the future of Azula. You are not just choosing a wife—
, you are choosing a queen. The woman who will stand by your side, the woman who will help you rule."
"I know that," Ardyn snapped, his patience thinning. "But how do I choose between them? They are all different. Each one wants something. I can feel it, I just hope I don't get this wrong"
Monica's lips curled into a faint smile. "Well, I guess that is what makes this even more interesting. Do not be afraid to trust your instincts. A ruler is never given everything on a silver platter. Sometimes you have to decide who is worthy, who will stand with you in the trials ahead." and just as she was about to leave, she quickly paused and said
" Oh yes!! and before I forget, remember this all that glitters is not gold, and empty vessels makes the most noise"
He thoughts Returned back to the three women, what did they want from him? what were their motives? and how could he the prince choose someone who would not only compliment him but stand by him in his darkest hours? he kept pondering.
.....
Meanwhile across the palace, the women had gathered for the first time each one in the hall waiting to meet the prince, the atmosphere was tense and thick with expectations, as rumors of intrigue swirled around the room.
Sersphone stood near the fire, her back straight,her eyes scanning the room. She knew this was her moment to shine.Her mind was already calculating her next move, weighing the possibilities of each interaction, deciding what to say and how to act,the prince would have to notice her, she was determined to make sure of it.
Kaelith on the other hand stood far away from the crowd, leaning against the far wall, her arms crossed quiet observation,She had not said much to anyone, she was waiting , watching,listening as part of her strategy. The prince was a pawn in a much larger game one that had nothing to do with love or marriage. She was here to uncover the truth, to find out what lay hidden within the surface of this contest.
And then there was Elira, who lingered near the entrance, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes scanning through nervously through the other women there present. She wasn't here for power, neither for riches. She was here because something deep inside her told her she needed to be here, and was meant for it, although she was doubting it now. Something about the prince about the contents had called to her in a way she could not explain.
As the women exchange pleasantries and sized up each other, Prince Ardyn entered the room, his presence silenced the chatter immediately. His presence silenced the chatter immediately, his mere appearance drawing every eye in the room. But instead of the Regal air of authority expected from a prince, there was a hint of unease in his posture. He wasn't ready for this, not ready to choose.
But he had to.
...…
The next few hours where a blow, the women were introduce to him in groups, with each taking their turn to display their special traits in a bid to win at least a glance from him, or at least leave an impression. Their beauty, their wit, and their charm. Each one had her own strategy; Seraphine with her polished manners, Kaelith with her quiet intelligence, and Elira with her humble sincerity. An the prince could not help but notice how different they were. How their values and approaches to life were reflected in everything they did.
Seraphine was quick to speak of her lineage her bloodline and carefully curated accomplishment she presented herself as the perfect choice for a Queen, and Ardyn couldn't help but wonderif she believed it herself.
Kaelith meanwhile asks no questions she didn't try to charm him owing him over but instead watched, studied him while waiting for the right moment, her eyes never left his as though she was searching for something deeper, this was a subtle yet compelling art of seduction that she had learnt.
As for Elira, it was different, she was quiet not saying much and when she did speak how words were thoughtful and intentional she had zero intentions and made no attempt to impress him, this naivety unlike anything else caught the prince's attention.
....
That night, as Ardyn lay in his bed, the silence of the palace pressing in around him, he thought about the women. About their motives, their ambitions, their desires. And about his own.
He could feel the weight of the decision ahead. The pressure to choose the right woman, the right queen, for his kingdom. But something inside him whispered that the choice wasn't just about what would benefit Azula.
It was about what would make him feel whole.
...…..