The capital

LIORA'S POV 

Heather twists around in her seat, at the front of the gilded carriage to face me, a stupid grin spreading across her pretty face. “Do you know Father’s already banned you from coming back home if you don’t get a valuable mate in the lottery?” she asks scornfully. "That’s how much of a disgrace you are to him.”

I am tempted to remind her she is not yet the Emporer's mate and it is not guaranteed she will be, and from where I sit, the odds of her being the one to end up with a peasant looks better. But logic never works on Heather, correcting her will infuriate her and she will most likely claim that I have disrespected her and kick me out of her precious carriage.

Father refused to give me my own carriage as he didn’t want me to have any way to come back if I failed to find a "valuable" mate as she says. Heather didn’t want me anywhere near her precious carriage either. Father had to beg her to let me ride at the back. I think she only agreed because she wants me gone even more than I want to go. 

But I am not worried. I have absolutely no doubt I’ll find a good mate, someone so dazzling and down-to-earth he’ll make Father eat his words for breakfast. We’ll have fun knowing each other, fall in love, and visit this so-called “state” just so I can watch Father splutter with surprise. His “waste of space” will come home shining.

"Look, the capital!" One of Heather's servants suddenly exclaims in awe as the golden carriage finally picks up speed.

Heather faces forward again, taking her feet off a poor servant’s back , yes, she’d been using the servant as a footstool the entire ride. She stands up to get a better view of the great capital, which I am sure is incredibly grand.

I can't see much because I am sitting at the farthest corner in the back of the carriage with her luggage. 

We must be finally close to arriving at the palace and I'll be able to stretch my cramped legs.

Ahead, Heather squeals with excitement. “Look at those tall twin buildings! They’re so beautiful!” Two of her servants jump up to peer out, except for the poor girl kneeling on the carriage floor. She’s clearly exhausted, and probably hoping

Heather won't sit down again and want to rest her feet on her back again. 

“My shoes are flat, I can't see clearly!" Heather complains, shifting from foot to foot. She huffs, then, without hesitation, climbs onto her servant’s back, with two feet like the servant is some kind of lifeless furniture. 

"The god's must live here!" she declares in delight even as her weight presses down on the servant's tired back. 

As the carriage nears the outskirts of the capital, I finally spot a narrow crack in the luggage and manage to peek through.

Whoa.

The city unfurls before us, a breathtaking panorama of towering buildings and stunning architecture that makes my jaw drop. It’s dazzling, almost divine, so grand anyone could swear it’s a city built for gods.

Heather’s voice pulls me back. “If this is the city, what’s the palace like?” she breathes, eyes wide with wonder.

The streets below are strikingly clean and orderly, no crowded chaos like in our shabby states. People are few and far between, adding to the feeling that this place is almost unreal.

“Look, the statues of the Imperial Emperor stand at every corner,” One servant points out statues of the Emperor standing tall at every corner, their faces carved with impossible beauty.

“He must be so tall and impossibly good-looking to look that amazing on a sculpture,” Heather gushes, pressing her hands to her cheeks, already swooning. “I can’t wait to meet him! Maybe even hug him!” She giggles, blissfully forgetting she’ll only meet him if the goddess Isolde smiles her way in the lottery.

One of the servant sighs. “I hope we at least get to see him in person. Even from afar.”

As the caravan rolls forward, the grand palace at the city’s heart begin to dominate the view. Its towering walls stretches farther than my eyes can see, and it's height is greater than the tallest of trees. What looks like watch towers soar almost at the highs of the clouds.

The massive golden gates stand wide open, flanked by guards standing in perfect formation. Heather and her servants settles back into their seats as the carriage pushes through.

The uniformed guards list down our names and the purpose of our visit before letting us in. 

Up close, the palace is even more breathtaking. Bridges arch gracefully, connecting mountains of stone buildings. Atop the tallest spire, a statue of a flying angel gleam with golden carvings, a powerful symbol of the Emperor’s unmatched wealth and might. I wonder if the Emperor himself really has wings?

Lost in the splendor of the gardens and statues dotting the palace grounds, I almost miss the carriage slowing to a stop at the front doors of the first building. Then, Princess Heather’s anxious voice snapped me back.

“I need you to swear by the gods I’m the most beautiful princess here!” she demands of her maids, her eyes flicking nervously to the crowd gathered outside.

We are not the only arrivals. A fleet of regal carriages gleam across the whole expansive courtyard. Dozens of noble men and women stepping out in their finest, all equally bedazzled by the beauty of this place.

One of Heather’s servants flash her a sweet smile. “Worry not, Your Highness. You outshine all other royal women. The Emperor will surely be awed by your bewitching beauty.”

"Any noble man would gladly pay to lick your feet, your highness. The Emporer will feel honoured to be graced with a mate with beauty like yours.” Heather’s second servant cooes, her smile dripping with all the flattery a princess could hope for. At last, Heather’s confidence is restored enough for her to gracefully step out of the carriage.

I wait until she and her servants are out before I step down myself. The other royals, especially the male ones, turn to stare at Heather, exactly as she wanted.

"Get lost, human. I don’t want to be seen with you,” Heather snaps, not even bothering to hide her disdain as her servants fuss to straighten her extravagant gown.

I snort and take a few steps from her. I hope we get to stay very far from each other as from today.

Off to my right, I spot one of the most famed princes, Elon, casually leaning against his gilded carriage. Already, a group of ladies flutter around him like moths to a flame. Although he is about the same age as most of us, the prince is a giant among men, draped in more gold than fabric, like a walking treasure chest. Physically? He's far from attractive. I figure his fame mostly comes from being the son of the Alpha who rules the kingdom’s second-largest state to the capital. Still, I’ve learned never to judge by appearances. Beauty on the outside rarely means anything on the inside. Just look at Heather.

Suddenly, the massive palace doors swing open. A tall woman appears at the top of the grand steps, her pure white hair pulled into a sleek bun, she wears the most beautiful flowy gold-embroidered robes. Palace servants in uniforms follow her closely. She pauses halfway down the steps, her calm, piercing eyes scanning all of us assembled below.

"Welcome to the Imperial Palace of Pierl,” she announces warmly. “I am Lady Eleanor, Mistress of the Lottery. It is my honor to receive you all. I will oversee your preparations for tomorrow’s lottery. But first, congratulations, not just for reaching the age to participate, but for trusting our goddess of love to grant you the best match. I also have a rare honor to share: His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Lordrin, will take part in this year’s lottery.”

Excited murmurs ripple through the crowd of royals, most from girls. Lady Eleanor waits patiently for the noise to die down before continuing.

“Since this year’s lottery has more participants than any other lottery before, the palace cannot provide individual rooms for everyone. You must choose a roommate to share your quarters,” she says firmly.

Her gaze sweep across the gathered nobles, then she adds, “Your roommate must be of the same gender as you, please.”

Immediately, whispers explode as everyone scrambles to find a suitable partner. Meanwhile, I stand like a lone sheep among a flock of colorful, strutting peacocks. No one looks my way. The other women form tight little cliques, eagerly arranging their groups.

I see a very elegant girl approach Heather. She is every bit as extravagant as Heather herself, dressed in the most opulent pink dress with a matching pink fur coat draped over her shoulders. Her neatly braided hair is adorned with delicate pink and purple butterfly flowers, as if a blossoming garden had taken up residence in her hair. Her posture is however very graceful and filled with confidence, and she smiles warmly as she reaches for Heather's hand. Even her nails are painted the palest, most perfect shade of pink.

“I’m Princess Violette, from the state of Eldoria,” she says smoothly flicking her luxious gold locks. “Your dress is absolutely stunning, your Highness. Would you consider sharing a room with me?”

Heathers eyes lite up with pleasure, and she nods eagerly. "It would be my pleasure,” Two proud peacocks recognizing their own kind.

Maybe I should try being more confident, like them. I swallow my stupid fear of approaching people and step forward, towards a young princess standing alone.

“Would you… like to be roommates?” I offer, my voice as friendly as I can make it. 

"With you?" Her face twists in surprise, then a frown darkens her beautiful features. She takes a quick step back, like I stink and says, “No, thank you. I’d rather sleep in the stables with the pigs.” She turns making a point to bump me with her shoulder as she strides away.

Yes. That's really hurts.

I am still lost when short, painted nails tap my shoulder. 

"Hello," A plump girl in a green dress greats me. I return it as brightly as I can. 

"Hello."

Has she got a roommate yet? She seems like a sweet person, someone I can handle. Should I ask her to be my roommate? How desperate will it sound?

"My name is Hilda. Let’s be roommates,” she says simply.

“Of course,” I say happily, letting out a relieved sigh.

Just then, Lady Eleanor speaks. “I’m sure everyone has found a roommate by now. Follow the servants inside, they will show you to your quarters.”

Of course, I was the last to find someone willing to share a room with me, for a few days. Hilda must have picked me because all the others were taken.

We follow the crowd through the massive entrance. The palace interior is no less dazzling than its exterior, high vaulted ceilings, carved archways brimming with gold, and opulent furniture. It is exactly as I expected, a little paradise. 

Up ahead, Heather stride confidently at the front and asks Lady Eleanor, “If I may, when will we get to meet the Emperor?”

Lady Eleanor’s answer is dismissive, like brushing aside an annoying fly. “The Emperor is just a participant in the lottery, just like you, princess. Only his chosen mate will get to meet him.” Heather’s confident smile fades, getting replaced by a worried one. I thought she was confident in the oracle's words that she will be his choosen mate, apparently not. 

The princess of pink, Violette, gasps, “You mean unless goddess Isolde chooses me as the Emperor’s mate, I won’t even get to meet him?”

Heather frowns at her. What did she think? That she’s the only one hoping to win the Emporer? More than a third of the girls here are secretly praying to the goddess to be matched with him.

I can already tell their friendship won't last. Not when they are chasing the same goal.

"That’s correct,” Lady Eleanor says, stopping in a long hallway lined with rooms on both sides. “Now, pick a room, unpack, and don’t wander off. You will all be summoned for another assembly once everyone is settled." Her voice rises so no one could miss it.

While everyone scrambles to choose, Hilda grabs my hand and leads me toward a room at the far left corner.

The rooms is quite massive and elegant, there are two queen size beds on opposite walls, one single massive closet, a gilded table and two seats.

I am about to say we should take it, it's perfect when Heather's sharp voice cuts through the noisy hallway. She and Princess Violette appears at the doorway followed by their numerous maids.

“This is our room,” Heather declares, stepping forward with a possessive glare. “We chose this one.”

I feel Hilda’s hand stiffen in mine. “No, we found it first,” she shoots back.

Violette's smile twists into a sneer. “We don’t care who 'found it' first. It’s the one we want.” I hadn't seen the girl facially up close, she has a doll-like beautiful appearance. She got sharp cheekbones, skin so pale like she hasn’t seen sunlight since the last century. But it’s her eyes that are weirdly beautiful the most, wide, unblinking, and rimmed with so much golden liner, it glitters in the light. Everything about her screams polished perfection. I swear I’d die of stress if I had to keep up that polished perfection.

"We have just as much right to this room as you do,” Hilda claims her voice rising in anger.

Heather steps closer, her tone dripping with menace. “You’re lucky I’m feeling generous today. But if you want to keep it, you’ll have to fight us for it.” She snaps her fingers, and her maids move like a pack of loyal hounds. “Girls, get these pathetic creatures out of my sight.”

I decide it isn't worth battling for a damn room with these two. “Hilda, the next room is free. Let’s take it,” I say softly, pulling her away.

“Thought so,” Princess Violette smirk in her cheeky voice, exchanging a triumphant high-five with Heather.