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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

prince had given me an order,

the “zoo,” certain he’d be starving by now. I would need to give him ex tra belly rubs to

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 he’d nibbled on a few morsels of raw meat, he was up

to make up for

the bucket i’d been carrying and see what else

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

saw a gleam in his eyes

he was slither ing across my lap, letting me run

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

snake. Well, of

you’re the one I

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 wound his way around my

wander back to Prince Warren and that bracelet, which I had only caught a glimpse of. He seemed to have

python. He looked at me with

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 him?

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

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

you?”

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

others were with

*Theo”

up before my father. I’d done my best to keep it at

through the crowd to catch a glimpse of each of them. He took his time, as if he were admiring a work of art, and then, when he’d gotten a solid enough first

voice of his. “What do you

managed to sound believable when I

and I realized immediately I’d offend ed him. “Only

impression / was overjoyed with this venture, who knew what he might pull next? “That’s correct, Sire,” I said with

beautiful, elegant, well-bred ladies in all of the kingdom, Theodore! But to you, they’re

argue with him in public, but frustration was beginning to well up inside of me

I had made when he’d first told me of the

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

“Seventy-three.” I corrected him.

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?

head. “You shouldn’t be sur prised, Father. After all, I am related to you. Your blood runs through my

eighty, seventy-three, or a hundred and sixty! If these girls don’t work, I will find more! You will choose one,