The lord turns his attention to me, smiling warmly. “It’s lovely to see you again, Lady Clarissa. My daughter has been causing quite a fuss about having to attend ‘yet another ball,’” he teases. Chortling, he places his hand on his stomach as he laughs. It’s the kind of laugh that incites you to laugh also. Once he’s calmed himself, he gestures for Aileen to come forward and join him at his side.
“It’s lovely to see you again as well,” I reply. I have no idea how to formally greet people, it’s not something I’ve had to do much of, but with his big, friendly smile, I realise I like him. “Please, just call me Clarissa.”
Aileen has been watching our whole conversation with a quirk of her lips. “I told you she’s not like the others, Pa.”
Lord Bastian looks like he’s about to say something else, but a loud banging on the floor causes a hush to fall across the hall. Everyone instinctively clears a space, turning towards the sound which is coming from the doorway.
“Please stand for the entrance of the King, and Princes Rhydian and Michael of Arhaven,” the steward announces loudly, and everyone watches in silence as our rulers make their way to their thrones at the other end of the hall. The atmosphere is tense, and from the shuffling of their feet and anxious expressions, I get the impression half of the attendants don’t want to be here.
The king doesn’t look at anyone as he passes, keeping his head high as he strides across the hall. Rhydian, however, is gazing around the room with a cruel smirk, his expression showing that he knows he owns us all. Michael simply saunters behind them, winking at some of the closest ladies as he walks by.
Frowning, I glance up at Wilson. “Where’s Jacob?” I’m surprised he’s not here, and a pang of concern runs through me. Wilson shakes his head, but I get the sense that even if he did know, he wouldn’t tell me while we are surrounded by all these listening ears.
Once the king and the princes have taken their places, they turn their gazes to us, watching us in silence. Eventually, the king leans forward in his throne to address us.
“I suppose you’re all wondering why you have been summoned here tonight.” There is a quiet mumbling of agreement and the king gestures towards his son. “As I mentioned before, Prince Rhydian needs a wife. Those who have been invited here have been chosen as eligible, and the courting games will commence. One of the women here will become the next queen.” The atmosphere suddenly changes, and I see many of the young ladies stand taller, their smiles dazzling. The fathers and chaperones get a gleam in their eyes as they look around at the competition. “Don’t think this will be easy,” he warns, his keen gaze locking onto certain people. “Each evening, you shall be invited to attend your evening meal in this hall. Here, you shall meet various members of my court and conduct yourself with the proper manners of a queen.” Excited titters fill the hall and the king clears his throat with a frown. “The lady who performs the weakest will be... eliminated from this competition. There are dire consequences for poor performance, so don’t disappoint me.”
I get the feeling those consequences end with death, and from Rhydian’s cruel grin, I know I’m right.
“You really didn’t know anything about this?” I press him quietly out the corner of my mouth, seeing a couple of other ladies doing the same with their escorts. How has all of this been organised without anyone knowing? I’m still worried about Jacob not being here, his absence an ominous warning.
“No,” Wilson answers with a frown. “But the Mother will guide you through this, you’re her beloved, she won’t let you fall.”
Taking a deep breath, I nod as I turn to look at the other ladies gathered around us. “I hope you’re right.” Even as I say it, a knot forms in my stomach. I might be guided by the Mother this evening, but one poor woman will likely die tonight. I certainly don’t want to be Rhydian’s wife, but I also don’t want to die, so I will ‘perform’ to the best of my abilities.
Everyone is chatting away, their excited voices filling the hall as ladies socialise. Other people enter the hall and music starts up in the corner of the room. Some of