The grand hall of Azula palace shimmered with the glow of a hundred golden chandeliers. Laughter and music floated through the air as the first official gathering of the contestants commenced. The night was meant to be an introduction, a chance for the prince to observe, to mingle and to assess the women who had come from across the kingdom for his hand.
What no one had expected however was how quickly the event would devolve into a spectacle.
.....
Seraphine stood at the edge of the ballroom, her wine goblet poised elegantly in her hand, scanning the room with the keen eyes of a strategist. Every move tonight mattered, every glance. She had already made a mental list of which contestants were threats and which were mere decorations in fine dresses.
Her first target: Lady Evelynn, a baron's daughter, who was currently prattling on about her family's lineage. Seraphine approached with a charming smile.
"ah lady Evelynn ," she interjected smoothly. "I was just thinking, doesn't the embroidery on your gown bear the crest of the House Bellamont?"
Evelynn's face lit up, thrilled that someone had noticed. "Oh why? yes! my mother...."
"Did you know," Seraphine continued, "that the House of Bellamont is rumored to be deeply in debt? tragic, really. I do hope those rumors are false?"
Evelynn's face paled instantly and she stammered, "I ..Uh ,...Well, they are"
"Oh wonderful" Seraphine beamed, lightly touching her arm. "it's so hard to distinguish truth from gossip, isn't it?Do enjoy the rest of the evening".
She drifted away, leaving Evelynn flustered and unsure of what had just happened. Seraphine smirked to herself, "one down" she chuckled deceptively.
....
On the other side of the room, Kaelith sat at the banquet table, eyeing the elaborate spread of roasted meats, honey-glazed fruits and decadent pastries.
"This food" she muttered, biting into a stuffed pheasant leg, "is better than anything I've stolen,"
A steward nearby gasped "stolen?"
Kaelith nearly choked "Borrowed, long term loan."
The steward didn't look convinced, but before he could probe further, Elira slid into the seat beside Kaelith, looking equally out of place and mildly terrified.
"you look like you're planning an escape" Kaelith observed, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
"I might, I don't belong here ."
Kaelith snorted "both you and I".
Elira's gaze darted around the room, and she groaned ." Everyone here is gratefully poised. I almost tripped twice just trying to find a seat."
"Then I suggest avoiding the dance floor." Kaelith pointed toward the center of the ballroom, where the first set of couples had begun a slow waltz.
As if on cue, a noblewoman twirled too fast, stepping on the hem of her own dress, and with a shriek, toppled forward, dragging her dance partner down with her. The hall fell silent for a moment before murmurs and stifled laughter spread through the crowd.
Elira winced, "that could've been me."
"could still be," Kaelith teased. "I hear the prince is obligated to dance with at least one contestant tonight. He might choose you."
Kaelith just grinned.
......
Meanwhile, Prince Ardyn was enduring an endless cycle of introductions. Every woman he greeted gave the same practiced curtsy, the same carefully rehearsed words.
"your Highness, it is the greatest honor to be in your presence."
"your Highness, my family has served the crown for generations".
"your Highness, I simply must tell you about my prized collection of porcelain swan figurines..."
Ardyn barely concealed a sigh, he had grown used to court life, but this was a different level of exhaustion.
As he turned away from yet another tedious conversation, a commotion caught his attention near the banquet table. A woman, Kaelith, he believed was gesturing animatedly while speaking to another contestant, and from the way a steward was glaring at her, she had probably just said something inappropriate.
And then there was Elira, who looked as if she wanted to disappear into the floor.
His lips twitched, "finally, something interesting" he muttered.
without thinking, he started towards them.
.....
Elira was in the midst of explaining why she didn't belong here when a familiar voice interrupted.
"I see we have some... unconventional contestants."
Her stomach plummeted.
Kaelith unfazed, looked up at the approaching prince and smirked .
"Unconventional?, that's an awfully polite way of putting it."
Elira on the other hand could only stare in horror. She had barely been here a full day and now she was caught looking miserable in front of the prince himself.
The prince studied them both, his expression unreadable. Then , to Elira's surprise, he chuckled. "This might be the first honest conversation I've heard all evening."
Kaelith grinned, " we aim to please. "
Elira still struggling to form words, finally managed to say" Yu.. your Highness."
Ardyn tilted his head, watching her "You're the one who arrived on horseback."
Great. So he had noticed.
"I-Uh ... Well...."
"I must say" he continued, his tone teasing.
"Not the most traditional entrance, but certainly the most memorable."
Kaelith snickered "she does have a flair for the dramatic."
Elira glared at her "I do not "
"Hmm" Ardyns gaze lingered on her, amusement flickering in his eyes, " Tell me Elira, why are you here?"
Elira hesitated, glancing around at the elegant women in the room. "Honestly? I have no idea."
Ardyn chucked. "Refreshing, most would have prepared an elaborate answer by now".
Before she could respond, the Queen's voice rang through the hall .
"It is time for the first dance!!"
Ardyn exhaled as if preparing himself for battle. His mother's expectant gaze was on him, and the message was clear, choose someone.
Elira's panic must have been visible because Kaelith nudged her playfully."Don't worry, because statistically, he probably won't pick you "
But fate it seemed had other plans.
Because Prince Ardyn's eyes lingered on Elira for just a moment too long before he extended a hand.
Elira's breath caught.
"would you care to dance?"
The hall fell into hushed silence.
Elira's heart pounded "Are you sure?"
"Are you afraid of stepping on my feet?" He smirked.
"More like afraid I'll embarrass us both."
He leaned in slightly,his voice low enough that only she could hear. "the let's make it memorable "
Elira swallowed hard, with every eye in the room watching, she placed her hands in his.
And just like that, the girl who never belonged, never rehearsed, never portrayed a famous,elegant, first class lineage nor exhuded class in anything, became the center of attention.
The tension in the room grew palpable as the women dug into the cake, each one silently praying for the prize to be theirs. But as they continued, it was clear that the true prize wasn't the audience with the prince, it was the game itself. The subtle, hidden challenge that would test their resolve, their cunning and their true desires.
Elira struggling to maintain eye contact with the prince, found herself staring at the cake in front of her. A piece of sugar jewel glinted up at her, almost mocking her indecision. The room fell into an uneasy silence as each woman, in her own way, fought to keep her emotions hidden.
As the minutes ticked by, it became clear that this was more than just a game of sweet desserts, it was a test of everything they had and the stakes were higher than anyone had anticipated.
Although her naivety seemed to have had the better of her, one thing was certain, Elira could sense that everyone in the room hated her now.
But what in the world did she think she was doing the most reverd prince? could she survive the stakes? was she perfect for him? thoughts that battled her mind as the dance went on
She knew she was in for a ride.
To be continued......