Lady Beatrice's face twisted, the elegance she carried moments ago cracking beneath her displeasure. For a fleeting second, I thought she might say something further, something sharp enough to wound.
But instead, she turned her head away in visible anger, her jaw tightening as though my words had left a bitter taste upon her tongue.
The hall remained suspended in silence.
At last, the general stepped forward, his boots echoing faintly against the marble. "Enough," he said, his voice firm, cutting through the tension like a blade. His gaze moved between Lady Beatrice and myself before settling upon the room at large.
"It is not a crime to differ in judgment," he continued.
He gestured again to the man kneeling on the floor. "And the punishment of this man was already decided by the King himself. And the throne thinks he deserves death."
A victorious smile pulled at lady Beatrice face.
I stared at the general, confusion settling deep within me. If the judgment had already been passed, by a King who was not even present, then why summon us? Why ask for our opinions at all?
My eyes drifted to the throne. The prince sat there, looking utterly bored, as though this entire spectacle were nothing more than a tedious performance arranged for his mild amusement. As though we were wasting his time.
"I understand that you all may be confused," the general went on, his tone measured. "But the throne sought your opinions not merely to hear the words of your mouths… but to see who dares to speak within this court."
A subtle shift passed through the hall. "And we hereby announce," he declared, his voice rising with finality, "that six maidens who appear worthy shall be selected to proceed further, to be considered as the next Queen of Valempire."
Six maidens?
The words echoed in my mind. I turned to Mother, stunned, only to find her equally taken aback. Ariel, too, looked as though she could not quite gather her thoughts.
Six.
This was no simple bride selection. It was a trial. And somehow, I have put myself into it.
The general allowed the weight of his announcement to settle before he moved again. His gaze swept slowly across the hall.
"The throne has taken note," he said at last. "Not only of beauty, but of composure. Of courage. Of conviction."
My stomach tightened.
He stepped forward, unfolding a small parchment from within his coat. The faint crackle of it seemed louder than it should have been.
"The first maiden to proceed forward…" he paused briefly, eyes lifting, "…Lady Beatrice Hawthorne."
A small, victorious lift touched Beatrice's lips as she stepped out gracefully from the crowd, chin high, as though she had expected nothing less.
"The second maiden…" he continued, glancing back to the parchment, "…Lady Eleanor Whitmore."
The very maiden who had agreed so quickly with Beatrice drew in a pleased breath before making her way forward, satisfaction evident in every measured step she took.
My fingers curled into the fabric of my gown. Of course they would be chosen. God, let me not be chosen.
"The third maiden…Lady Charlotte Davenport." A slender girl with dark curls startled slightly before gathering herself and stepping forward, her expression caught somewhere between fear and disbelief.
Thank Goodness.
"The fourth maiden… Lady Margaret Ashford." She moved with careful grace, her eyes lowered, though the faint smile on her lips betrayed her relief.
My heart began to pound louder with each passing second. There were only two spaces left. Two.
I lowered my gaze, staring at the polished marble floor.
Please. Let my name pass unnoticed. Let me remain among the shadows. I do not wish to be measured any further tonight.
"The fifth maiden…" A hush fell so complete I could hear my own breathing. "…Lady Isabella Montclair."
Another poised figure stepped forward, smoothing her gown as she joined the growing line. I released a breath I had not realized I was holding. Only one place remained.
One. Surely it would not be me, right? My lips moved silently. Please, God. Let it not be me.
A pause followed. Then… "And the sixth maiden…"
I felt my pulse in my throat. "…Adeline."
The world seemed to tilt. For a moment, I was certain I had misheard. But the eyes turning toward me told me otherwise.
My prayer had gone unanswered.
I shook my head, glancing first at Mother, then at Ariel.
Mother's smile was soft, yet her eyes were brimming with tears. "Go, my dear. I have trust in you."
I could not stop the tears that welled up in my eyes as I leaned into her, holding her tightly. From the corner of my eye, I caught Ariel, laughing and crying at the same time.
I hugged her next, and she whispered, her voice warm and gentle, "I knew you could not go unnoticed. My beautiful Ade."
I smiled through the tears and released her, blinking hard to keep them from falling fully. Grateful, as always, that my eyes did not betray me entirely.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I gathered the folds of my gown and moved forward to where the others stood.
Before I could steady myself, my eyes collided with the prince's. And his lips pulled into a dark smirk.
At that very moment, I knew I was utterly doomed.
A strange certainty settled in my chest. I have a feeling he does not like me one bit. Though, truthfully, he looks as though he does not like anybody at all. His expression held that same distant coldness, as if the entire hall existed merely to entertain him for a passing hour.
I quickly looked away, refusing to let him see the unease stirring within me.
Then I took my place beside the other maidens, standing straight, hands folded before me, as though my heart were not beating wildly in my chest.
The silence lingered for only a moment longer before the general stepped forward once again, reclaiming the attention of the hall.
"With that," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the grand chamber, "the selection for this evening is concluded."
A ripple moved through the crowd. Some were relieved. Some were disappointed.
"We thank you all for your attendance," he continued formally. "Your presence has been noted, and your loyalty to the crown is appreciated."
His gaze swept across the guests one final time.
"The ball is hereby brought to an end. You may now take your leave."