Chapter Text
I hoped my screams would be enough, but it only echoed in a deafening sound.
My reflection in the puddle of water is anything but pretty.
It was funny, considering I had no regrets doing what I did.
Feeling what I felt.
I certainly knew I wouldn’t have changed anything in the world.
And although it led me painfully to where I was, no matter how agonizing the marks were, I would still choose him.
Everything was going to be okay.
I just knew it.
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“You can’t be serious, Anna!”
I winced with the level of tone Nat used. I had already anticipated that he wouldn’t be pleased with the news, but it was something that had to be done. It wasn’t as if the idea was mine in the first place.
As an Upper Class, the amount of money a family held meant nothing if there was a chance you could be connected with royalty. If this had been conducted a year earlier, I wouldn’t be regarded as a potential candidate given that I wouldn’t be of age.
But I was eighteen and with that mere statistic alone, I was qualified to submit my application along with the other hopeful ladies in the entire Kingdom of Tifari.
“It’s not as if I’d be selected, Nathaniel,” I sighed. “There would be a handful of ladies that are more suited for this position than I am. I am only required by my mother to submit my entry and that’s that. You have nothing to worry about.”
“You’re clearly missing my point, Anna.”
Nathaniel, or as our close friends would call him Nat, was my boyfriend for over a year. Being an Upper Class had its merits, and meeting Nat just happened to be one of them. At an early age, I had already destined myself to be a medic by profession. With stellar grades, I managed to skip a few levels in my primary and secondary education, and managed to earn an internship at one of the most prestigious medical institutions in District Grace Field. An intern at sixteen gained me enough recognition to be on the headlines of newspapers and articles.
During one of those tedious hours of learning the basics of first aid while over the age of seventeen was when I met Nat.
He was a musician, a prodigy even, and was graceful playing the piano. After his latest performance, he managed to jam a finger and was brought to the hospital for immediate care. Needless to say, I was the one assigned to attend to him, and he asked if he could court me. It bothered me a bit that he was younger by a few months than I was, but he managed to make me like him.
We’ve been together since, and this, right now, was our biggest debate as of date.
“What if your name gets called? You could never take that entry back once it’s been handed! You have a rising career in medicine and you’ve already reached the legal age. We can get married in a few years.”
“You’re not even eighteen yet, Nat,” I countered, and the faint mask of offense made its way to his face. I tried to explain everything as gently as I could. Nat had too much pride in him to be stepped on. “As I’ve said, I won’t be selected. The probability is too far off. This is just a way to appease my family’s long-time tradition of sending our chances to be one with royalty. With my family’s streak of never getting in, my chances of getting in are low.”
“What if?”
I turned to face him, and that was when I realized how much of a big deal it was for him.
And though I was convinced that there wouldn’t be a chance for my entry to be selected, I gave him the answer I knew would be inevitable that moment that I would be.
He just had to ask what already had an answer to.
Sadly, I also knew.
I placed both of my hands to cup his face and said, ”We’ll cross the bridge when we get there, okay?”
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“A lady of your caliber would put the other ladies to shame.”
"I'm sure Nathaniel would understand that we only want the best for you."
"If you don't get selected in the lottery, then at least we tried, right?"
Mother kept on humming those statements ever since she woke me up. She was in high spirits and I knew that it had everything to do with the submission of the Choice application today. I did my usual routine and went on to wear the dress mother placed neatly on my bed.
As soon as I was done, I went on to braid my hair on both sides and connected it to form a high ponytail to finish my look. I was almost done with the finishing touches when my brothers came peeking from the doorway, their silhouettes reflected on the tiled floor.
“Where are you going this early, Anna?” Lannion asked, the oldest between the two of them. “You’re really pretty today! Are you going to meet that stinky boyfriend of yours?”
“Yeah, I don’t like him!” Thoma seconded with a pout. “He looks stuck up! Plus, his nose is pointier than mine!”
Their reasoning made me giggle. They were overly protective of me, and I appreciated it. The only thing that made me restless was that they were two walking headaches in the form of little boys.
“I’m not seeing Nat today. Ma and I are off to the Grace Field Central District Office to hand in my application,” I supplied as I caressed both of their disheveled hairs. “You two should eat your breakfast and don’t forget to put your homework in your bag before leaving.”
“What application? Are you going to do doctor stuff again?” Thoma asked, still a bit dazed.
“This is a bit different. I’m going to submit my application for the Choice.”
My brothers were decent when it came to learning, but there was something about doing inventions that enticed them too much, resulting in a bunch of shenanigans my parents couldn’t even count anymore. And seeing that my parents were avid supporters of the Royal Class, the Choice had been passed around as a discussion at the dining table a few weeks back.
“Do you really have to do it? You’re pretty and smart! You don’t need to kiss the prince!” Lannion whined and it looked like he was near to tears.
“Who says I’m kissing the prince? And may I remind you, there are two of them,” I explained further. “The eldest one, Prince Norman, is the one who is looking for the suitable bride and future princess of the kingdom.”
“Isn’t the other prince going to need a bride?” Lannion quickly added and this time, clearly not exhibiting the same sleepy state his twin was in.
I thought for a second. “Only the heir to the throne gets to conduct his own Choice. The succeeding one could only conduct his own Choice if the heir dies. From what I’ve heard, the two princes get along well. One is the heir, the other is the Commander of the Tifarian Shield. I think it’s a bit morbid for the second prince to find a wife when his life is always hanging by a thread.”
“Why’s that?” Lannion questioned and I was beginning to think he was more invested in the Royal Class than the idea of my application being submitted.
“Because,” I checked myself one last time in the mirror before facing them on the doorway, “as the Commander of the Tifarian Shield, he’d always be in the front line. He’s always going to risk his life for the safety of the Royal Class and the public. It’s his duty as the second son. Maybe that’s why second sons of the Royal Class rarely engage themselves in marriage. Save for King Peter, of course. He inherited the throne after the war.”
I ruffled their hair one last time before I descended down the stairs. Only a few steps down, Lannion called out to me.
“Anna.”
I turned my head to face him. Lannion’s face was serious, something that was a total contrast to the look of sleep deprivation on Thoma’s face from the back.
“What is it, Lani?”
“I hope you don’t get picked. We don’t want you to go anywhere!”
For a moment, I was speechless. Being selected meant that I had to leave home, and I knew that my brothers would never deem the situation pleasant.
I smiled and showed them the envelope containing my application inside.
“I hope so, too.”
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The plaza was packed, and it seemed like the queues for the registration were longer than we anticipated. Mother and I decided to fall in line to secure a spot, considering that it was best to be done with it before more girls from the district could flock.
The process of submitting wasn’t as long as I thought it’d be, and we were halfway through when I felt like I was being observed. I turned my head from left to right, and it landed on a set of bright green eyes. She had an expression that was lying on the border of wonder. Anyone knew of my status. I could guess it had something to do with why a medic such as myself would be falling in line to something that was a bit… arbitrary for an Upper Class.
She didn’t look like she was excited to submit her application, but if ever she’d be selected, she would be one of the favorites. She looked older than me, about a year or two. With her wavy long tangerine hair, eyes that sparkled green pastures, and an average height to match, she was definitely a beauty herself.
I offered a smile and she did as well.
A few more girls in, then it was my turn. I steadily made my way to the person who handled questions and confirmed that all the details and credentials attached to my application were nothing but the truth and flashed a smile towards the cameraman that took my photo.
I even saw the pretty lady from earlier and it looked like she was so done for today.
Although I didn’t present the same expression she exhibited, I was glad that this whole ordeal of submitting my name was done.
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“Anna, you should let the housekeeper do the dishes.” I heard my mother’s reprimanding from the living room. “We can’t have your delicate hands wrinkled!”
I only smiled as I scrubbed off the remains of my teacup. “It’s fine, mother. It’s only a measly teacup and coaster. It’s nothing a little scrubbing can’t handle.”
“Miss Anna, please let me do it,” our housekeeper said from the back, watching as I let the water run loosely against the scrubbing I had done, “What if your hands start pruning?”
“You’re all overreacting.”
“But tonight is the announcement of the Chosen! What if they notice that your hands aren’t perfect as that of an Upper Class lady?”
I pursed my lips upon hearing it. I gladly told myself that tonight was just a night — a simple announcement that would simply pass by in a blur. Being part of the Choice would change my life forever, even if I didn’t win. Every single lady knew that. And even if I had submitted my application without so much as a hesitation, I knew that serving the public through my medical profession had always been the goal.
This would all pass quickly as it had started.
The Tifari Report was only half an hour long for tonight.
I could do this.
“Oh! You are splashing the water too much, Miss Anna,” our housekeeper said, allowing me to get off of the trance I held myself in, “Let me take over. The Tifari Report is about to start. You should sit with your family now and wait for the news!”
“All right,” I laughed as I wiped my hand off the clean cloth she provided, “It seems my presence is only a nuisance here in the kitchen.”
Her eyes glimmered with excitement. “We can already imagine it, Miss Anna! If you become part of the Chosen, we’re sure you’ll take home the crown! You’re a gorgeous young lady with a stellar background!”
“Hold your horses, Scarlet.” It was best to let them know not to get their hopes up. “Even if I wouldn’t be selected, remember that I’d still get to pursue my dreams of becoming a doctor here in District Grace Field. It wouldn’t really matter that much.”
“But being a princess is a dream!”
“I’m sure that’s some other lady’s priority, but not for me.”
I returned the cloth I used to dry my hands and made my way to the living room where my family was all huddled up. Mother and Father were snuggled next to each other, both of them holding onto a cup of tea and a plate of cookies, respectively. Thoma and Lani were arguing over whether who would be taller in the next few months. Two house helps came with another batch of Darjeeling tea, which I assumed based on the aroma it gave off. It was also what soothed Mother’s nerves when her anxiety was building up.
I wanted to laugh since she wasn’t the one going through the process of the Choice; I was.
I, on the other hand, nestled myself on the far side of the couch as I watched the commercial. The introductory music of the Tifari Report blared through the speakers, and without a second to spare, Lucas Brodeur appeared on the screen.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!"
Mother adjusted in her seat, while Thoma and Lani positioned themselves next to me on the couch, with Lani taking the vacant space on my left. He took a second to stare at me before I gave him a reassuring smile that everything would be all right.
I extended my arm at their back, reaching over Thoma’s shoulder, and everything felt right in the world next to my little brothers.
“As you all know, tonight is something special! How is that so? Since we'll be selecting fifteen fortunate ladies to be part of the Chosen. Our Prince has finally decided to find a suitable wife among the lovely ladies of this Kingdom just like how his father and mother did."
Thoma spoke up. “Is the Prince really that handsome?”
“Both of them are,” I answered back, not even mincing my words.
It seemed he wasn’t content with just that. “Are they old?”
“Way older than your sister,” Mother responded for me.
“Ew!” Lani reacted, disgusted. “What if Anna gets picked?! Will she date that old prince?”
“He’s not that old, Lannion,” Mother finally intervened the entire discourse. “And shush! We won’t hear your sister’s name get called if you keep pointing out everything you hear.”
“We’re not even sure if she’ll be called.” Thoma released a pout.
Lannion begrudgingly crossed his arms over his chest, his eyebrows scrunched with the look of dissatisfaction all over his face.
The camera moved over to where the Royal Class was.
Just as you’d expect from the rulers of the Kingdom of Tifari, everything about them screamed regal. King Peter and Queen Legravalima held the expression of rulers that weren’t allowed to be touched or looked straight in the eye. Somewhere along the fine lines between their faces registered years of power and intimidation that nobody could ever handle. Thinking about any lady having them as in-laws was a piece of terrifying information to bear.
When the camera moved over to the princes, I twiddled with my fingers and sat uncomfortably on my seat.
Prince Ray was shown first. I had seen him in most of the Tifari Reports, giving out updates on the progress with suppressing the attacks from the rebels. He was the Commander of the Tifarian Shield, and being the second son meant that he had to uphold this responsibility until the day he died.
Something about the way he acted on-screen told me he was dangerous beyond that long, black hair that covered most of his face. Mysterious to a fault, but no one could deny that a face and stature such as his would leave any lady begging for a chance.
Too bad he wasn’t the heir.
Prince Norman came into view next, and his silver hair hovering near blonde accentuated his kingly aesthetic from any fantasy novel I’d read as a child. He looked almost… soft. It was a rather odd description for a soon-to-be king, but he didn’t represent the same air of arrogance as that of King Peter.
And just like his twin brother, he had the face that would make any lady fall on their knees.
"Your Majesty! The Princes have all grown up! Twenty four years of age and finally ready to find a suitable wife."
“Ew!” Lannion remarked, “He is old! You can’t marry an old guy, Anna!”
“Yeah! Yeah! He’s not welcome in this house!” Thoma butted in, agreeing with such certainty.
Mother sighed as a retaliation. “Prince Norman is only six years older than your sister. It’s not that large of an age gap.”
Six years?
It felt like something clogged down my throat. I only turned eighteen this year, and if there was that slim chance of getting selected, I’d be part of the Prince’s Choice, with a six-year gap between Prince Norman and me.
Not only was that something to be worried about, but it also made me realize the kind of experiences I lacked as someone who just reached the age of legality. I had only shared a couple of kisses with Nat. Much too harmless for many ladies of my age, and that was certainly not something I could brag about.
Still, I didn’t have to be worried.
Being selected was far off the table.
Lucas had somehow asked Queen Legravalima a question, but being too dazed, I didn’t clearly hear the entirety of it.
Only her answer.
"Your lives are about to change at any moment now. Prepare yourselves,” was what the Queen said.
Lucas then went over to where Prince Ray was. "Prince Ray! What can you say about all of these? A mere seven minutes and you would've inherited all of this commotion!"
He gave his brother a mischievous grin, and that taunting look he had whenever he spoke made me realize just how much it heightened his charisma altogether.
"I'd rather regard myself as lucky. I could never put myself in a position such as this one. It'll be interesting to see who'll be my future sister-in-law."
It made me wonder if he ever thought of having a wife for himself.
Being the Commander of the Tifarian Shield meant that his life was always on the line. It wouldn’t have been an easy life if he were to wed.
Maybe it was the reason why second sons in the Royal Class were never encouraged to build families.
Only the heir.
Lucas then moved on to Prince Norman. "How about you, Prince Norman? Have you seen any of the entries yet? Gotten a little peak?"
Prince Norman smiled, but it must’ve been my eyes playing tricks on me because I could’ve sworn his lips trembled slightly.
"No, I have not. I'll see all the Chosen at the same time as all of you."
Lucas pressed on. "Are you excited to see them? That one of these fine young ladies will be your loving wife by the end of all of this?"
"I'm looking forward to it," he simply said, and this time, his voice produced a small crack that only a handful would’ve caught on.
Lucas was all smiles when he retrieved the position of the microphone from Prince Norman and went on to the center of the stage. "Alright! Let us begin with the lottery, shall we?"
I shared the nerve-wracking moment of watching as palace guards carried four, large golden boxes to the platform, with envelopes piling up from the seams. Some even fell from where it was placed. It only showed how many young ladies aged eighteen to twenty-four were looking forward to their names being called.
"Looks like a lot of ladies from all over the Kingdom want to be your wife, Your Highness!"
Prince Norman’s face was nearing the shade of red, probably from the embarrassment, yet what caught my attention was Prince Ray’s endless snickering at his brother’s reaction. Scratch being solely mischievous; he looked quite cunning to me, too.
And it appeared to be that he was enjoying his brother’s strained movements on stage.
It only worsened when he began handpicking fifteen envelopes within those golden boxes.
When he was gone picking out the last one, he handed it over to Lucas.
Lucas mouthed the number of envelopes in his hand, and when he reached the fifteenth one, every nerve on my body jolted.
"Fifteen envelopes in my hand.” He counted one last time, just to make sure that all of the ladies, whose lives were about to change forever, were there. A small box on the lower-left corner of the screen appeared, fixating on Prince Norman’s reaction.
“Here we go!”
Mother had her hands together like she was engrossed in prayer. Father was only sipping through the Darjeeling tea that was handed earlier. Thoma and Lani were eyeing the first enveloped that Lucas had opened up.
"Miss Paula Moulin of District Grand Valley, Upper Class One."
I let out a sigh of relief.
One down. Fourteen more to go.
We waited patiently for the next envelope to be opened up.
If my name would be called, I knew that my relationship with Nat would be over, that my dream of becoming a doctor was going to be put on hold, and that my entire family would be expecting a lot from me.
I blinked once, and there it was.
"Miss Anna Rousseau of District Grace Field, Upper Class Two."
It was the first time in the entire history that a daughter from the family of Rousseau was to be selected in the lottery.
But as of that moment, it was the least of my concerns.
The first thing that I had to do was to wipe the rampaging tears off of my brothers’ eyes and tame the incessant scream of joy from Mother.
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The days came by like a whirlwind.
Just as fast, and just as prickly.
The next day after the announcement, Nat came over. As soon as I opened the door to greet him, our eyes immediately did the talking. He knew that my family would never pass up on this opportunity, and I knew that going against this one-in-a-million chance would bury my mother alive.
We sat in silence for a while, allowing the uncertainty and everything in between to devour us.
“I’m surprised your brothers are taking this well.”
I turned to face him, and when I noticed the trickle of tears forming on the side of his eyes, I looked away.
It just made everything too real.
“They’re not,” I replied, blinking away my own, “I think they’re planning on ransacking the palace once I step foot in there.”
“Yeah, I can imagine our Thoma and Lani with a large prototype of whatever inventions their scheming and bombarding the palace with it,” Nath chuckled, wiping the side of his eyes. “They might not even be as forgiving as the rebels when it comes to you.”
He was trying to lighten up the mood. I couldn’t help but feel how all of this was too real.
“You’re going to be okay, Nat.” I wanted to say this while I still had the courage to. “You’re going to be an amazing pianist, and wherever you go, I’m going to watch you rise because you’re just that amazing at it.”
“Anna —”
I let all of my bottled up emotions spill down my face and reminded myself that this was going to be the last time I could hurt someone as gentle as he was.
All for the sake of being in the Choice. All for my family’s life-long wish.
“You’re going to find someone who’ll never leave, Nat. When you do find her, please —”
Nat pulled me into his arms, cutting me off with whatever I had left to say.
“Promise me, Anna.”
“I can’t —”
“Just listen.”
“The Prince. He’d be ridiculously dumb to pass up someone as wonderful as you are. Someone as bright. Someone as undeniably beautiful. But him doing so would mean I could have you back in my arms the moment you get home.”
I only stared as I composed myself in front of him.
“Nat, what are you saying? You can’t possibly be —”
“All I’m saying is, be it three months or three years, when the Choice ends and you’re not the one sitting on the throne next to him, come back to me. I’ll be waiting for you, Anna.”
I didn’t want Nat to wait for me. It would’ve been unfair for him to wait for someone that long without any certainty.
“Come on, Nat.” I shook my head as he watched me with tear-stained eyes. “Don’t do this to yourself.”
He didn’t even mask the pride in his face.
“Waiting for someone like you to return is worth the risk.”
I buried myself in his chest for one last embrace.
Nat meant well, and he loved me for everything that I was, but I would never put him on a pedestal.
No matter how reassuring it was.
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Thoma and Lannion had dragged and hidden most of my essentials for the nth time today.
Krone, one of the officials assigned to assure the credibility, comfortability, and confidentiality matters of all the participants of the Choice, came by earlier today to go over the application I sent, not to mention a number of reminders that needed to be stressed over given that I was now considered Prince Norman’s Chosen.
It didn’t even throw me off after she had asked me if I was still “intact” as a lady. It sickened me that things such as this still mattered in this generation, but given that the Prince was “preserving” himself for his future wife, they decided that the ladies of his choosing should be on the same wavelength as him.
This was a primitive way of thinking, but I decided to keep my poise all throughout the conversation. I sure hoped this wasn’t Prince Norman’s idea or his reputation in my mind would do a complete one-eighty.
“Thoma! Lani! Come on!” I nearly screamed in distress. “I need to finish packing. You can’t keep hiding my things forever!”
“Nuh-uh!”
“We can!”
“So that you’ll stay here!”
“Forever!”
I wanted to reprimand them oh so badly, but their reason behind such actions was… understandable. They didn’t want me to leave. I didn’t even want to leave.
“Anna, my dear.”
Mother appeared in the doorway and the look of dismay she carried over her face was one thing I didn’t want to cross with.
“Mother.”
“Why aren’t you all packed and set? Your chauffeur will be here any minute.”
“Cecille, you need to calm down.” Dad emerged from her back, his favorite tea in hand. “Our daughter is departing today and that is all the parting words you have to say?”
I beamed to relieve Father of his worries. “I’m fine, Father. Could you please get Thoma and Lani for me? It seems they have the remaining things I need to be packed.”
Mother sighed. “Your brothers are giving me a headache. Why can’t they be happy for you?”
“They’ll just miss their sister. We can’t blame them if they’re too protective of her.”
“What’s there to protect?” Mother feigned the trouble to breathe. “She’d be in the arms of the prince! There is no greater security than that! Just imagine! The famous Anna Rousseau from Upper Class Two, an up-and-coming medical professional, crowned as the next princess of the Kingdom of Tifari!”
Father and I shared a moment of disbelief and proceeded to laugh. Mother was living in such an unfathomable fairy tale for my life.
“I’ll try my best, Mother. But please don’t get your hopes up too high. I’m sure there will be a lot of girls fighting for the same thing.”
She made a face. “But they’re not you.”
“And I am not them,” I simply retorted back. “I’ll be alright, Mother. You don’t need to worry about me. Now, would you please call my brothers and help me pack the rest of my things?”
It looked like she was satisfied with my reaction, with Father giving me a thumbs up before leaving to find my brothers.
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“Did you pack the ring inside your suitcase? It's an heirloom that’s been passed down for generations, Anna. You cannot lose it.”
“Mother, how many times do I have to tell you that it’s all tucked in safely inside my belongings.” I went in for a hug, seeing that the transportation leading me to the airport was within sight. “You could show a little sadness that I’m leaving, you know.”
She snorted, but as always, in the most elegant kind of way. “Your brothers are doing enough grieving for all of us.”
I crouched down to level myself with my brothers. Thoma didn’t even bother toning down his cries as he let tears trickle down his face, non-stop. Lannion, even with eyes tempting to spill tears, held it in but made up for it by sulking on the corner of our large gate.
“Thoma. Lani.” I reached out to them, but only Thoma regarded my call. Lannion only strengthened how his arms were crossed. “We’ve talked about this. Can’t you send me off with smiles on your faces?”
“But we don’t want you to go, Anna! There’s always rebel attacks in the palace! What if you get hurt?”
Thoma wasn’t mincing his words, and despite this grand opportunity for the entire Rousseau, no matter how proud my parents or my relatives would be, it could never protect anyone from the terrors that came with staying in the palace.
I offered him a warm smile. “I’m going to be okay. The palace had always managed to subdue rebel attacks in the palace. And with Prince Norman’s Choice, I’m sure security will be much tighter.”
Lannion raised himself from his hunched position earlier. “How sure are you? I’m still not happy about this!”
I glanced at Father, asking him with my eyes to help me out, but it looked like he shared the same worry my brothers had, although a lot more composed. I would never ask Mother for help on this one. I knew I’d never hear the end of it if I backed out just because my brothers told me to do so.
I pulled them both in an eager embrace. “How about I make you boys a deal? Something that you can look forward to while I’m away.”
Lannion eyes me skeptically. Thoma, on the other hand, anticipated what I had to offer.
“Tell you what! Once I get to meet Prince Norman, if there’s any sign of him being ill-mannered or if my life is ever to be put on the line, then I’ll voluntarily ask to be sent home.”
“Anna!” Mother almost howled, but Father was there to calm her down by whispering something inaudible in her ear.
Thoma looked somehow convinced.
Lani was still doubtful. “Do you think they’ll allow a lady like you to just drop out of the competition? You’re an Upper Class Two!”
“And you also saw on television that there’ll be four more Upper Classes among fifteen of us. One backing out of the competition wouldn’t hurt Prince Norman’s choices, don’t you think? Plus —” I messed up his hair, earning a scowl on his face, “Maybe His Highness wouldn’t prefer an Upper Class for a wife. You’ve seen the Middle Class and Lower Class ladies. There were Poachers, too. You have to admit that everyone in the roaster has their fair share of unique beauty.”
I was wondering if it was enough to convince them to let me go.
Lannion took in a large chunk of air dramatically. “Do you promise? You’ll go home if the prince is bad and if you feel you aren’t safe anymore.”
Thoma mildly shoved Lani to the side, just to butt in. “It’s okay if you won’t be the princess! You’re going to be a great doctor even without a crown!”
That was all I needed to hear.
Our parents and even our extended family might have high expectations of me, but I knew that I could always count on my brothers to wish nothing but myself and my happiness.
“I’m going to miss you two so much!” I squeezed them into another hug, and this time, there wasn’t any disgruntlement coming from their end. “Make sure to be good boys until I get back, okay?”
“Or if you become the princess, we might be the ones doing the visit,” Mother hummed and I just shook my head, partly because I was tired of telling her there was no assurance I would make Prince Norman see my way.
Still, I gave Father and Mother my share of parting words until we heard the engines of my ride to the airport pull over at the curb. As soon as the guard escorted me inside, I peered out the window and raised my hand up for one last graceful wave. I was advised that upon leaving the threshold of our residence there’d be a handful of supporters from our Upper Class community and that I should wear my best smile to greet them.
And until I reached the airport, that was all I did.
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Stepping out of my ride didn’t feel as nerve-wracking as when I stepped into it.
The guard assigned for my ride meekly took out my belongings from the trunk while I stared at the humongous airplane that solely belonged to the Royal Class. The Ratri name was embossed on the side of the aircraft, and it only accentuated how extensive their old money lineage was.
No wonder every lady in the Kingdom of Tifari wanted to be royalty.
“Uhm, hi!”
My line of vision shifted to the right, revealing a lady I remembered as Jemima Roux from Middle Class One.
I extended my hand. “Hi! I’m Anna.”
She took my hand and I sensed the slight tremor in the tips of her fingers. “Oh! Of course! Anyone in District Grace Field knows you! You’re the pretty medic! Gosh darn, you’re more beautiful in person!”
I couldn’t help but blush at her outright compliment. “Uhm… thank you! I guess we’re riding together?”
“Yes, I believe so. But there’s another one from this district, from what I remember. I think it was that pretty lady from Middle Class Two?”
I pondered for a second before it all clicked. “Oh, you mean the daughter of one of the Chosen back in the day? Former Lady Isabella was it?”
“Yes! She must be ecstatic to be following her mother’s footsteps! I heard that her mother was part of the final two, and lost the title to the now Queen Legravalima.”
She didn’t look the least bit ecstatic when I saw her in the Central District more than a week ago.
We made our way up the steps, careful not to accidentally slip down since the goings and risers were a bit steep. Jemima held my hand and her reaction to anything remotely new to her was adorable. It was hard to believe that we were both eighteen and had somehow managed to get ourselves caught up with this opportunity.
When we got to the aisle, I easily spotted a chunk of hair that rose up from the height of the headrest. It looked like a pretty antenna, and from what I remembered, this particular feature only belonged to a certain lady.
I tugged on Jemima and walked gracefully as we could to where she was. She was slightly addled when we welcomed ourselves to the seat next to hers, and immediately rested the magazine she was reading on her lap. Her bright green eyes were so welcoming that I instantly knew we’d get along.
She flashed a big grin and it only proved my mother wrong that I would be one unique lady in this competition.
“Hi. I’m Emma.”
“I’m Anna. I believe we’ve met.”
She gave a nod. "Indeed. At the District Office. Who knew, huh?"
I barely knew Emma at all, only managed to acknowledge each other during the line we were in at the Central District, yet somehow, I knew this lady was remarkable in her own way.
And just as the three of us exchanged stories of our own, I knew Emma was going to make it far in this competition.
Even further than where I saw myself.
︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵
I acquired judgmental looks from the other Upper Class ladies when I opted to stay next to Emma the whole ride to the palace.
It wasn’t a deliberate act to outcast myself from them. It was simply because I felt like she was, by far, the friendliest lady in here. Although she was two years older than me, she didn’t exhibit an air of intimidation. In fact, I sensed that she wasn’t the biggest fan of this competition.
In some sense, I found a sister figure in her.
When we got to the palace, we were immediately escorted to the Great Hall to be acquainted with our personal maids. It wasn’t that much of a pressure, but they were adamant about not giving me much of a makeover and I wholeheartedly agreed.
Instead, they polished my nails since for hygienic purposes, medics like me weren’t allowed to have rhinestones embellished on our nails during rounds. I also asked if my hair wouldn’t be cut unless it was extremely necessary to do so and they obliged. Aside from an hour-long bath and a fancy red evening gown that had a floaty fabric to match, I was all set for the dinner we would be having with Prince Norman tonight.
The royal planner from earlier, Mujika, advised us to be on our best behavior while slipping in two or three pointers for us to keep tabs on. I gave Emma a small wave when our sights crossed, and she gave me cheeky thumbs up.
Whoever her maids were, they did an absolutely swell job with her look for tonight. And although every look was commendable, there was just something about Emma’s simplicity that just… shines.
"The entire royal family will be arriving momentarily. After entering, proceed to the seat with your name card on it. It will be your permanent seat from now on. Once the royal family comes, raise yourselves, bow your heads, and lay down a curtsy." Mujika gave us one last reminder before we heard the heavy footsteps of the guards entering the Dining Hall.
I found myself lowering down in a curtsy along with the other ladies when King Peter and Queen Legravalima made way to the table. Prince Norman and Prince Ray came elegantly from behind, and I found myself splintering from the inside when the latter took the vacant seat next to mine.
It made perfect sense; the King and Queen occupied the seats at the middle of the table, with a huge gap from their sons, while Prince Norman took the spot next to the King, and Prince Ray held the seat next to the Queen.
Even though I was an Upper Class Two, being seated next to one of the Royal Class made me wary.
Much more since I could feel Prince Ray giving me a sidelong glance that made me feel small.
Did I somehow offend the Commander of the Tifarian Shield by being the one placed next to him?
"Ladies, please raise your heads," the King said, "You may all take your seats."
I gratefully sat myself down, making sure I wouldn’t accidentally fold up the frills of my evening gown. A second later, a line of servants began placing a mountain of exquisite cuisine on the table, and after everything that had happened today, it worsened the knots in my stomach all together.
It wasn’t doing me good that I was sitting next to royalty.
One of the Poachers, Naila Alberone, must’ve been so hungry that she might’ve forgotten the royal etiquette that we must observe when in front of the Royal Class. Prince Norman was enough of a gentleman to address her in a nice way, and it made me wonder if his brother, who was sighing quite audibly next to me, would also have the same gentleness as he did.
Frankly, even with the scrumptious set of meals served, I couldn’t take more than ten bites out of the steak on my plate. I tried ravishing myself with the dessert, but it made me more nauseous after the second bite.
If Thoma and Lani were here, they would’ve devoured all of these in less than a minute.
"Do you not enjoy the five-course meal?” The person from my side spoke, and I was dreadfully wishing it was one of the ladies, yet the low baritone voice said otherwise. “Ah, as far as I remember, you are an Upper Class Two. Meals from these varieties must be usual in your estate."
"O-of course, Your Highness. I am enjoying this meal that I’m sharing with everyone right now," I stuttered through the words as soon as they were out.
Why was I suddenly conscious of him? I didn’t even know him, aside from what I’d seen on television.
He wasn't even Prince Norman!
Prince Ray only nodded once and proceeded to eat in silence. I observed everyone at the table. There were a handful of ladies with the same subcategory as I did, and it was easy to spot them, given that they were more reserved with their movements and manner of speaking.
Prince Norman began making small talk to get to know each of us. He asked me once what it was like being a rising medical professional in District Grace Field and I simply answered that it was the most fulfilling occupation in the world for me.
I tried to catch Emma's attention so that she'd see that talking to the Prince wasn't all that bad, but her eyes were everywhere: on the ceiling, on her plate, on Jemima.
It was anywhere but Prince Norman.
When she said she'd push for anyone but herself in this competition, she meant it. Emma didn’t display the same interest as Barbara was putting on the table.
Prince Ray squared his shoulders just after placing his utensils on the right side of his plate. His voice was lower, not much of a whisper, but enough to tell me that this wasn’t a conversation worth being heard by others. "I must ask. It baffles me how a woman of your stature would even bother sending an application for something such as this."
"Your Highness?" Something about the way he said it struck a nerve inside my head. "I don't seem to understand."
I heard the click of his tongue, and I was trying to grasp whether it was because of my sheer cluelessness or his ambiguous disdain.
"I’ve seen your application,” he said in nonchalance, dabbing the side of his lips with a napkin, “An Upper Class Two. An up-and-coming medical professional at the shy age of eighteen. A beauty incomparable to most of the ladies in this generation." He veered his head, ever-so-subtle, towards me. "Frankly, I do not understand what more could you ask for when you are already living such a grand life. A waste for a woman such as yourself, wouldn't it be?"
I was awestruck for a moment. I swayed my head from left to right, looking for anyone who might have heard what our discussion was all about. Everyone was invested in whatever Prince Norman was sharing with Barbara.
I was soft-spoken, even if Mother had raised me with the thickness of a pan, but this was not something I wanted to hear from him.
"I apologize, Your Highness. But I don't think my reason for being here should be of utmost concern to anyone. It is Prince Norman who gets to decide whether my presence in the palace would simply be a waste, after all. Don't you agree?"
Prince Ray didn't look livid, but one thing for sure was that he wasn't expecting a feisty answer out of me. When it looked like he had recovered, his eyes darted rather maliciously towards his brother, then shifted to his left, where I sat uncomfortably in my seat.
There was something to the way he licked his bottom lip that sent shivers down my spine. His gaze was impenetrable, one that could be mistaken as vicious even, but I held my ground.
"It is a pity, really," he casually whispered to the glass of champagne in his hand before taking another swig. "Twenty-four years of living with my twin brother and this might be the only time I will despise him."
I didn't understand where this was going. "Pardon, Your Highness. I don't seem to understand."
He tilted his glass, slightly over to the left, then to the right, with an expression masked in annoyance. It reminded me so much of Thoma's face whenever Lani got better scores than he did in an exam.
Prince Ray took one last sip of his drink and said, "It just seems to me that a mere seven minutes in the womb had easily deprived me of the opportunity of getting to know you."
What?
I felt the heat crawl up to my face. "I-I, uhm..."
He covered his chuckle with a hand. "Forgive me, Lady Anna. I just wanted to see a reaction out of you. My brother would never let me see the light of day if I’d attempt such a stunt with one of his Chosen.”
I was still distraught.
How could a prince casually spout such hilarities?
He might have noticed my discomfort and began to offer an explanation. “You seem too uptight for someone who is only eighteen. It'd be a pleasure to get to know more about you."
I wanted to get back at him so badly, for leaving me all flustered, but I had to keep my temper in check.
I was Anna Rousseau and I was an extremely nice lady. "Thank you, Your Highness. But if I'd get to be the princess, getting to know me wouldn't be a problem anymore at your end. I’m going to try my best, after all."
The smugness in his face had faltered. Instead, the side of his lips rose, leaning towards a sneer. "I may already be holding an intelligent guess as to who would win this whole thing," he stood just as Prince Norman did in his seat, prompting all of us to do the same, "but I'd like to see how that declaration of yours would turn out."
Before I could even inquire about what he meant, Prince Norman spoke. “I hope you all have an amazing evening, ladies. It’s been a pleasure getting to know every single one of you during this dinner. We’ll see you all at breakfast tomorrow.”
The King and Queen only gave us a handful of stares, enough to bore a hole into our heads. They went on ahead, followed by Prince Norman.
“Good night, Lady Anna,” Prince Ray uttered, still with the mischievous look on his face, “I hope you make it far in this competition.”
I watched as he coolly walked away, hands both on the pockets of his trousers, never once looking back.
Even after Mujika had sent us to our rooms, I couldn’t sweep his smug expression off of my head. Prince Ray held an air of someone befitting that of a commander, yet when we conversed earlier, he seemed much more… tamed to what I had imagined. He was even sputtering out jokes in the form of flirtation.
What was that?
As my eyes closed for the night, something told me that he was the kind of trouble I needed to avoid.