Chapter 7: Prince Theo’s Challenge

“The king?” I repeated.

“Yes, the king! C’mon, let’s hurry.”

| stashed the flower Prince Warren had given me in a pocket in my dress and thought about what Brook was telling me.

The king was summoning all of the girls, and we were meant to make an appearance, and a good impression on him.

However, I was in no position to do that in my current state-not that it really mattered to me. If I had my way, I wouldn’t be interacting with any of them at all, except for maybe Prince Warren. I’d rather they didn’t notice I was there. Or not there, as the case may be.

“I don’t know whether I should go…” I murmured.

“You don’t know?” Brook repeated. “Ciana! It’s the king!”

I thought up some excuses. “But… I have to feed the ani mals. You see, I still needed to feed the tiger, and there were other chores that needed to be done for the animals. If I were to leave now, my work wouldn’t be completed, and this was a task the prince had assigned to me….”

“You do know that it’s important to make a good impres sion on the king whether or not you win Prince Theo’s hand, don’t you? I mean… he’s the king! He can just as easily decide the fate of our packs as the prince.”

“I know, I know. You go ahead,” | told her. “I’ll see what || can do.”

“But Ciana,” she pleaded.

“Brook, you shouldn’t be late on my account. Go! Take care of yourself and your pack, and make sure the king sees how wonderful you are. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

She hesitated, but her eyes flashed between me and the palace, and I understood that she was struggling with the burden of trying to be a good friend while not disobeying the king and missing her opportunity. “Please hurry,” she urged me.

I gave her an encouraging smile. “Of course. Now, go! Don’t be late!”

“All right,” Brook said, and with a sigh, she turned and ran back toward the castle doors.

I couldn’t help but smile after her. She was such a kind hearted person to even come out here to tell me, and I felt very lucky to call her my friend.

But I didn’t intend to go. Knowing Brook, she should be able to navigate the scenario on her own.

Enough girls would doll themselves up and do their best to look beautiful and elegant in front of the king. I had inten tionally put myself in a position where anyone who looked at me would think I was a mess. It was the best way to stay out of the royals’ way and survive these three years so I could go home.

been one for

their gowns, and fluff their curls

given me an order, and as his servant, I was fulfilling

holding the tiger’s food and headed back to the “zoo,” certain he’d be

go, Samson!” I called the tiger, tossing the meat to him. He was keeping his distance today, possibly because he was irritated that I was late. Once

a shed to return the bucket i’d been carrying and

my dear friend the python!” I said as

ground, and I thought | saw a gleam in his eyes

and soon enough, he was slither ing across my lap, letting me run my hand along his bright

felt a blush creep into my cheeks just thinking about Prince Warren. “To think, here I am sharing my happy news

seemed to appreciate that as his long, forked tongue darted from his lips and kissed the skin of my hand. I contin ued to pet him, giggling at his antics as he

to have changed a bit since I’d given it to him. I re

have to confirm that it’s him, you know?” | asked the python. He looked at me with an expression

years. It’s possible my dreams and my memories have become intertwined and reality is now framed through a different lens,

made me smile. Then, he gave me a little nudge, and I got the impression he wanted to show me

asked him. He glided over the ground but didn’t go far before he turned to look at me. “Do you want me to

head rocked up and down just a bit, so I took that as a yes. And then, I was off with the python taking this opportuni ty to do a bit of exploring in the rest of

were

*Theo”

the remaining women line up before my father. I’d

he were admiring a

said in that deep voice of his. “What do you think

managed to sound believable when I said, “They’re just fine,

I realized immediately I’d offend ed

him. If I gave him the impression / was overjoyed with this venture, who knew what he might pull next? “That’s

father scoffed at me. “These are the most beautiful, elegant, well-bred ladies in all of the kingdom,

do was argue with him in public, but frustration was beginning to well up

him the same warning I had made

a gleam in his eye that told me he disagreed with my assessment. “Theo, I am ordering you to find a mate. There are eighty of them. At least one has to

“Seventy-three.” I corrected him.

around the room, taking a moment to understand my meaning. Turning back

shake my head. “You shouldn’t be sur prised, Father. After all,

find my comment amusing at all, and fury ignit ed within him. “I don’t care if it’s eighty, seventy-three, or a hundred and sixty! If these girls don’t work, I will find more!

shocked gasps. I really didn’t want to have this conversation here, but since he was pressing the issue, I

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255