The Royal Choice: Love and Deceit

ough the air as the first official gathering of the contestants commenced. The night was meant to be an introduction,

er was how quickly the event w

..

e room with the keen eyes of a strategist. Every move tonight mattered, every glance. She had already

who was currently prattling on about her family's

I was just thinking, doesn't the embroidery on

led that someone had noticed

use of Bellamont is rumored to be deeply in debt?

antly and she stammered,

her arm. "it's so hard to distinguish truth from g

nsure of what had just happened. Seraphine smirke

..

anquet table, eyeing the elaborate spread of roaste

into a stuffed pheasant leg, "is

earby gaspe

hoked "Borrowed,

probe further, Elira slid into the seat beside Kaelit

escape" Kaelith observed, wiping h

I don't be

rted "both

oaned ." Everyone here is gratefully poised. I

h pointed toward the center of the ballroom, wher

d with a shriek, toppled forward, dragging her dance partner down with her. The hall

, "that coul

e prince is obligated to dance with at least

just g

...

of introductions. Every woman he greeted gave the same

the greatest honor t

mily has served the c

ll you about my prized collectio

d grown used to court life, but this

quet table. A woman, Kaelith, he believed was gesturing animatedly while speaking to another contestan

ho looked as if she wanted

inally, something int

ng, he started

..

ing why she didn't belong here wh

me... unconventio

mach pl

d up at the approachin

at's an awfully poli

he had barely been here a full day and now she was ca

. Then , to Elira's surprise, he chuckled. "This might

ned, " we ai

orm words, finally managed

ching her "You're the one

o he had

... We

e continued, h

al entrance, but certai

she does have a fla

ed at her

amusement flickering in his eyes,

d at the elegant women in the r

most would have prepared a

nd, the Queen's voice

for the fi

ttle. His mother's expectant gaze was on him

aelith nudged her playfully."Don't worry, beca

seemed had

red on Elira for just a moment to

breath

ou care

ll into hus

t pounded "A

f stepping on my

aid I'll embar

ow enough that only she could hea

ery eye in the room watching,

sed, never portrayed a famous,elegant, first class lineage no

be theirs. But as they continued, it was clear that the true prize wasn't the audience with the prince, it was th

front of her. A piece of sugar jewel glinted up at her, almost mocking her indecision. The room

an just a game of sweet desserts, it was a test of everything t

tter of her, one thing was certain, Elira coul

everd prince? could she survive the stakes? was she perfect

he was in

ntinued.