"You are so feisty, little girl. I bet you can even do nothing with my pets here..." Nerissa said and all the six snakes around her hissed."To tell you the truth, you just look like your pet. So venomous. I didn't thought being punished by a goddess will give someone a throne. Well, only that this throne of yours is kind of outdated and more like a dungeon for ugly monsters than a kingdom. You fit here perfectly, I must admit," Lucia retorted with a calm voice this time but the thought was lethal.Nerissa's eyes flared. "You... attack her!" The snakes crawled down her chair at once, and went approaching towards Lucia's direction. Though before the evil snakes could go near, they already turned into ashes after I had thrown small fire balls to them.Nerissa's look turned to cold silver cutting through me. "How dare you kill my pets! My knight, get over here and help me with my enemies!" she announced and a stone suddenly moved at the corner, it opened like a door. But what shocked m

"Hello, ladies. I'm Celestina, the mistress of the court," said by an elegant woman probably two decades older than I am. I was thankful that she arrived. Her presence eased the tension earlier."I will assist the Crown Prince in molding each one of you, so that when time comes, the chosen lady has all the knowledge of what are the duties of a crown princess.""That would not be hard, Mistress. All of us are from noble families who studied right etiquettes since childhood-oh! Pardon, Ophelia. I forgot you are not a noble lady like the rest of us," Lady Lilian, the daughter of the first minister, said softly but lethally.I heard soft chuckles, only cut off by Mistress Celestina's voice."You are just a commoner. Am I right, Lady Ophelia?""You are." I'm not ashamed of my status. Why would I be? At least I am far from being criminal."All right. We are all clear. Ladies," she looked at the others, eyes strict. "She is here because like you, she was also chosen by the Crown Prince himse

"What about Mistress Celestina? She would scold me-""Don't worry about that. I'll talk to her later," Demitri promised and led me to another secret passageway again."Where are we going?""On my private place. Just wait and see."After entering another door for the nth time, I can already see the blue sky outside. And there was a very nice smell everywhere. Freesias?"We are at what part of the palace?" I asked, my eyes fixed at the flowers beside the stone pathway."East. This is the Crown Prince's garden. No one is allowed here aside from the royal family.""Then why did you bring me here? Do you want me to be beheaded for trespassing in a private place?""There's an exception. Of course if the prince himself brought someone here, that won't be a problem.""Sure. Unless someone would see us going in such a private place.""Why would you be scared? If ever people would know that we are spending alone time together, that won't be a big deal since you are here in the palace for a cert

We were back in the palace just when the sun was about to set. I went straight to my chamber while Demitri said he will go find His and Her Majesty to tell him about his decision-which is actually fabricated by yours truly. I was kind of uneasy thinking what would be the reaction of his parents but based on their personalities, I don't think it would be bad. Still, I couldn't help but worry a bit. They are his parents after all, so whatever they say would certainly matter.The next morning, I was awakened by a few knocks on my door and it was honestly disturbing. I slept late last night thinking of the complication my plan has made, and here's Emily, disturbing my very, very short sleep."Just get inside, Emily!" I yawned and rolled to my bed, hugging my pillow again.If there is one thing I like being in the palace is that the bed is impossibly soft and comfortable that once you are lying on it, you will never want to get up.Moments later, I haven't heard the door opening up, which

"May you be blessed a happy life together, son and daughter!" The King said to us after the rites which made me more anxious than ever. Can you imagine? His Majesty himself just called me daughter! I can't believe all of this is really happening."For the kingdom's longevity!" the King shared a toast which was answered by everyone."What happened to the other ladies? I don't see them anywhere," I whispered to Demitri."They were sent home early this morning. I gave them invitations for today's event but I guess they don't want to come."My jaw dropped. "You insensitive son of a witch. You sent them home that early and even gave them invitations? Tell me. Do you even have a heart, Demitri? They must be hurt because they were not chosen. What you did was like adding salt to the wound!""First of all, I'm not son of a witch. My mother is a pure blooded earth summoner. Second, I thought they would see my invitation as a form of apology.""Form of apology?" I hissed. "You really don't know