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 entertaining dignitaries anyway.

their curls at His Majesty. I would be out here with those | trusted

asked, I’d simply tell them the prince had given me an order, and as his servant, I was

up, I picked up the handle of the bucket holding the tiger’s food and headed back to the “zoo,” certain he’d be starving by now. I would need to give him ex

tossing the meat to him. He was keeping his distance today, possibly because he was irritated that I was late. Once he’d nibbled on a few morsels

the bucket i’d been carrying and see what else needed to be done when I heard a familiar

it isn’t my dear friend the python!” I said as he grew closer to me. “Now,

I thought | saw a gleam in

grass, and soon enough, he was slither ing across my lap, letting me run my hand

handsome fellow,” I told him. “I know an other handsome fellow.” I felt a blush creep into my cheeks just thinking about Prince Warren. “To think, here I am sharing my happy news with a snake. Well, of all of the snakes in the castle, you’re

of my hand. I

which I had only caught a glimpse of. He seemed to have changed a bit since I’d given it to him. I re

python. He looked at me with an

certain. Besides that, l’ ve dreamt of my mystery boy for so many years. It’s possible my dreams and my memories have become intertwined

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

“What is it?” | asked him. He glided over the ground but didn’t go far before he turned to look at me. “Do you

I was off with the python taking this opportuni ty to do a bit of exploring

were

*Theo”

from my lips as I watched the remaining women line up before my father. I’d done my best to

admiring

that deep voice of his. “What do you

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

I realized immediately I’d offend ed

venture, who knew what he might pull next?

me. “These are the most beautiful, elegant, well-bred ladies in all of the kingdom, Theodore! But to you, they’re

thing I wanted to do was argue with him in public, but frustration was beginning to well up inside

my voice low, I repeated to him the same warning I had made

assessment. “Theo, I am ordering you to find a mate. There are eighty of them. At

“Seventy-three.” I corrected him.

looked around the room, taking a moment to understand my meaning. Turning back to me with an air of

be sur prised, Father. After all,

if it’s eighty, seventy-three, or a hundred and sixty! If these girls don’t work, I will find

have this conversation

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