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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.

I’d never been one for entertaining dignitaries anyway. Let

show off their gowns, and fluff their curls at His Majesty. I would be out here with those

simply tell them the prince had given me an order, and as his

mind made 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

was keeping his distance today, possibly because he was irritated that I was late. Once he’d nibbled on a few morsels of raw meat, he was up for

time with him to

and see what

as he grew closer to me. “Now, what are you up to

saw a gleam in his eyes as if he

on the grass, and soon enough, he was slither ing across

an other handsome fellow.” I felt a blush creep into my cheeks just thinking

Well,

the one I trust

of my hand. I contin ued to pet him, giggling at his antics as he

I had only caught a glimpse of. He seemed to have changed a bit since I’d given it to him. I re called a withdrawn, melancholy boy, but now, he was outgo ing

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

for 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 and reality is now framed through a different lens, isn’t it? Could it be

agreement that made me smile. Then, he gave me a little nudge,

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

you?”

down just a bit, so I took that as a yes. And then, I was off with the python taking

 were with the

*Theo”

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

father walked slowly in front of them, staring through the crowd to catch a glimpse of each of them. He took his time, as if he were admiring

deep voice of his. “What do you think of

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

repeated, and I realized immediately I’d offend

 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, Theodore! But to

I wanted to do was argue with him in public, but frustration was beginning to well up inside of me at his in trusion; the very fact that

the same warning I had made when he’d first told me of the idea only a week ago.

gleam in his eye that told me he disagreed with my assessment. “Theo, I am

“Seventy-three.” I corrected him.

back to my face. “What’s that now? Seventy-three?” He looked around the room, taking a moment to understand my meaning. Turning back to me with an air of disbelief, he said, “Are you telling me seven of them are dead already? It hasn’t even been a

could do was shake my head. “You shouldn’t be sur prised, Father. After all, I am related to you. Your

it’s eighty,