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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

and fluff their curls at His Majesty. I would be out here with those | trusted most-the

the prince had given me an order, and as his servant, I was

food and headed back to the “zoo,” certain he’d

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 for

extra time with him to make

I had headed to a shed to return the bucket i’d been carrying and see what else needed to be done when I heard a

it isn’t my dear friend the python!” I said as

the ground, and I thought | saw a gleam in his eyes as if he

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

are such a handsome fellow,” I told him. “I know an other handsome fellow.” I felt a blush creep into my cheeks just thinking about Prince

news with a snake. Well, of all of

you’re the one I trust

forked tongue darted from his lips and kissed the skin of my hand. I contin ued to pet him,

to wander back to Prince Warren and that bracelet, which 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,

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

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

me a little nudge, and I got the impression he wanted to show

the grass, smoothed my skirt. “What is it?” | asked him. He glided over the ground

you?”

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 the

*Theo”

watched the remaining women line up before my father. I’d done my best to keep it at bay, but

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

he said in that deep voice of

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

repeated, and I realized immediately I’d offend

I gave him the impression / was overjoyed with this venture, who knew what

beautiful, elegant, well-bred ladies in all of the kingdom, Theodore!

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 he’d

same warning I had made when

you?” He had a gleam in his eye that told me he disagreed with my assessment. “Theo, I am

“Seventy-three.” I corrected him.

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

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

my comment amusing at all, and fury ignit ed within him. “I don’t care if it’s eighty, seventy-three, or a hundred and sixty! If these girls don’t