I was escorted into the ballroom by the same guard who had helped me throughout my journey. He has earlier explained to me that he was my personal guard and that he would be around me throughout the course of events.Stepping into the grand ballroom once again was as breathtaking as it felt the first time, the shiny chandeliers hanging down in all their glory. I suddenly felt once again like I wasn't meant to be here."Come right this way please" the guard said as he escorted me towards a group of girls I hadn't noticed were there. They were the same girls I had seen at the ball two week ago, atleast some of them. Seeing as not every girl got accepted."Now that you've arrived, would you all please introduce yourself to you fellow competitors" someone else said, he was wearing a black and white butler's outfit that made him look like a flamingo with his lanky build. It took all my will power for me not to burst out into laughter."Hello everyone" one of the girls said in what I would
"Come out, we needn't leave immediately. The other contestants have already left" My guard said, gently pushing the door open and walking me down the hallway.As I walked down the halls of the palace, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread in my stomach. I knew that I had been late for my scheduled meeting with the Prince, and I feared the consequences of my tardiness.Suddenly, another guard appeared in front of me, blocking my path. He looked stern and unyielding, his expression making it clear that he was not pleased."Arayah, is that her?" He asked, glaring hard at me.I nodded."We've been looking for you for the last two hours," he said in a voice that was both stern and firm. "The Prince is already waiting for you. I bet the meeting goes was already begun"Sh*t!I felt a pang of guilt in my chest as I looked at the guard's stern expression. "I'm so sorry," I said, bowing my head in apology. "Please forgive me."The guard's expression softened slightly, but he still looked s
The Prince turned to me and said, "May I ask you to introduce yourself to everyone at the table?"I felt my heart skip a beat. I was nervous and unsure of what to say. I smiled uneasily, clearing my throat before I began. But then, I saw the guard in the doorway, glaring hard at me. He was there to protect me, and his presence gave me the confidence I needed.I stood up, took a deep breath, and began my introduction. "Good evening, everyone. My name is Araya, and it is a pleasure to meet all of you. I come from a small village, where I have lived my entire life. I am passionate about learning and growing, and I believe that education is the key to a better future. I am here today to compete for the heart of the Prince, and I hope to show him what I have to offer."As I spoke, I could see the Prince's eyes light up with interest. He was entranced by my words, and I could tell that I had made an impact. The other girls at the table were listening intently, and I felt a sense of pride in
As I hear the knock on my door, I groggily open my eyes and try to shake off the last remnants of sleep. I get up from my bed, feeling the softness of the sheets against my skin, and make my way to the door.I open it to find a group of maids, all with smiles on their faces. They greet me, and then they tell me that it's time for my ice bath before I go to exercise with my personal guard.My heart skips a beat. I knew that the competition was going to be tough, but I didn't expect it to start so early in the morning. I nod my head, trying to put on a brave face, as the maids lead me to the bathroom.The bathroom is beautiful, with white marble tiles and golden fixtures. The room is lit by candlelight, giving the room an ethereal glow. The maids enter the room with a bucket of ice packs and they tell me to get in.I hesitantly step into the bath, feeling the cold water against my skin. At first, the cold feels harsh and it takes my breath away. But as I settle into the bath, I begin to
As Mark led me towards the amphitheatre, my heart started racing with both excitement and fear. I had never been to such an event before and the thought of what was about to happen made me uneasy. I could hear the roar of the crowd as we got closer and I could feel the energy of the place. It was electrifying.When we finally arrived, I was in awe of the massive size of the amphitheatre. It was an enormous structure made of stone and marble, with towering columns and intricate carvings. The seats were arranged in a circular manner, allowing every spectator to have a clear view of the center. The center was an arena, where the games would take place.Mark led me to the part beside the Prince, where we would be watching the games. As I sat down, I noticed that the other contestants were already seated, with their personal guards standing behind them. Some of them looked serious, while others were chatting amongst themselves, trying to ease their nerves.The amphitheatre was filled with
"OK." I said, standing before taking his hand. The young Alpha, however, waved in our direction, causing the girls to wave back frantically. I flashed him a very dry smile and trudged on with Mark, utterly spent.As I walked hand in hand with the guards, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the immense crowd around us. The roar of the crowd was deafening and it felt like my head was ringing with the sound of it. People were cheering and shouting, their voices filled with excitement. I was sweating profusely and I could feel my hair sticking to the back of my neck.Just as I was about to complain because of the heat, someone seemed to notice my distress from the crowd and handed me a hand fan. I gratefully took it, grateful for the cool breeze it provided. The guards continued to lead me through the crowd, their pace steady and determined. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for the guards, who stood tall and unwavering despite the chaos around us.As we neared
As Mark led me to the dining, I felt my nerves starting to get the best of me. The thought of facing all those people who were so different from me was almost too much to bear. I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself, but Mark must have noticed my anxiety. He leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "Just be yourself, Arayah. You are stronger than you know."I walked into the dining room, feeling like I had stepped into a world far different from my own. The room was vast, with high ceilings and large windows that let in the soft light of the sun. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, depicting scenes of battle and triumph. In the center of the room was a long table, covered in a white tablecloth and surrounded by high-backed chairs.As I looked around, I noticed that the room was filled with a sense of formality. The atmosphere was stiff, with an air of expectation and anticipation. The guests were all dressed in their finest attire, adorned with glitt
As Mark led me back to my room, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I was exhausted from the small talk and fake laughter that surrounded me at the party. All I wanted was to go back to the comfort of my room and relax.As soon as I entered my room, I collapsed onto the bed. The soft mattress felt like heaven to my tired body. I closed my eyes and let myself drift off into a deep sleep.But as I slept, I couldn't shake the thought of doing something that would get me disqualified. I didn't want to be in the palace any longer, I just wanted to go back home. The idea of doing something drastic started to form in my mind and I couldn't help but feel a little intrigued by it.I eventually drifted off to sleep, not knowing what the next day would bring. But I was determined to find a way to leave the palace and return home, no matter what it took.But things took a treacherous path soon after.I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling groggy and disoriented. My head was pounding and