Page 15

To them, a celebration. A chance for hope. Something to fuel their dreams and steal their attention from their troubles.

To me, an obligation. A duty to be fulfilled. A shackle.

Ricks shouted over the joyous clamor, advising that more details would soon follow. As rehearsed, that was my cue to leave. Guardsmen escorted me from the stage to the royal carriage. We waited for the crowd to be cleared from our path and made for the next town.

I’d known going in that the first two villages would be the most receptive, but it was the third that would let me know if this stunt would truly work. As I stood on Sunvale's stage, I felt hollow, but kept that princely smile plastered. The minutes passed by, dragging on as if the gods used forgotten magic. Like they wanted me to squirm in anguish, knowing I’d chosen a fate I didn’t want, all for the purpose of leadership.

The crowd erupted, even more boisterous than the last. Soon, I was whisked away to the last stop of the tour. Commander Druller led the convoy, circumventing any issues that might arise from my mere presence. Through the carriage walls, I could hear him commanding people to clear the way. A quick glance out the sheer curtain covering my window created a dry lump in my throat. More people here than in the other markets.

This could go horribly wrong. Or maybe even more horribly, right.

The rocking carriage came to a halt, and Commander Druller opened my door. “They’re ready for you, Your Highness,” he said, giving a curt bow.

“Maybe they are, but am I?” I asked, more so a question to myself. I pressed my thumb into my palm.

He chuckled, the laugh reverberating from his broad chest. “You’ll do just fine.” He glanced at my fidgeting hands. “Sire, do you need a bandage?” Concern glazed his eyes, probably recalling the nasty little mark he’d left me.

I held my hand between us. “Courtesy of the best healers in the kingdom. Perfectly healed, not even a scar.”

“Well, good. Couldn’t have you looking weak in front of all these pretty candidates.” He wore a shit-eating grin and stepped back.

Crouching through the door frame, I cleared it before standing tall. With the back of the stage in my immediate view, my fists tightened. A clearly disgruntled crowd awaited judging by the low tone resonating from the masses. If anyone else but Commander Druller had been in charge, I’d seriously question my safety.

My seaside village suffered the most from poverty. The massive port along the shoreline harbored all the ships for trade throughout the entire kingdom. Frequent traffic of sailors and travelers passing through, using and abusing the town’s resources and leaving it in shambles by the time they finished their stay made the area undesirable for most.

A fishy odor stained the market upwind from the port, stronger than when I’d been here just the night prior. Oh how I wished I had the cover of nightfall. I’d even trade this for a skilled little woman throwing weapons at my skull.

A rehearsed expression set on my face as I trudged up the stairs to the stage platform. I didn’t flinch or falter when the boos held steady at my appearance.

“Fine people of South Harbor, we bring exciting news!” Ricks announced, fighting to be heard over the onslaught of displeased mutterings. “As you know, the kingdom has been steady and stable under Prince Nicholas’s rule for nearly half a decade now. Our trade agreements are flourishing, our taxes the lowest they’ve been in years, and every day the people of Highcrest have the opportunity to create businesses with aid from the royal reserves!”

Ridiculing shouts amplified at the mention of money.

“When will we see the benefits of these so-called trade agreements?!”

“Taxes are still unjustly high for most of us!”

“We go hungry while you squander money on overnight business ideas for the already wealthy! Feed your people!”

My mask of certainty fell. Hearing their plight stung as sharply as a knife piercing my heart. A lesson learned long ago from watching my father was that not everyone would be happy with how a leader rules their kingdom, despite every painstaking effort and sleepless night.

“Is that why you don’t care that we’re going missing?! Fewer mouths to feed means more money for you?!” Another agitated bystander stoked the building upset. Tension in the air climbed higher, making me want to choke on my own failures. Bile rose in my throat, watching my worst fears start to come to fruition.

Ricks continued, unfazed by the hurling accusations coming our way, “It is with great pleasure that we enter a new dawn for Highcrest! The light of opportunity shining down on us is a gift from the gods. A way to heal the disconnect between the ruling, and the ruled.”

While not stopping entirely, an anticipation of silence worked its way over the crowd.

“What better way to know the needs of the people than by having a representative’s influence inside the walls of the castle?!” Ricks proved his qualification for his position time and time again. The endearing smile he shone over the audience, while expanding his open arms to them, helped capture their attention.

“Selected from within the towns of Highcrest, villages and cities alike, one young lady between the ages of twenty and twenty-and-five will be chosen. An engagement to the prince, so we may have a king again, and a new queen for the people!” He threw his arms up in the air at the official declaration.

The expected cheers and excitement didn’t greet us this time around. More of a stunned silence and whisper-loud exchanges snaked through the group before us. Before giving someone the opportunity to revolt against the idea, Ricks continued, “Announcements and details will be given later this week. A series of events will take place where the eligible ladies will have a chance to interact with the prince in the competition of a lifetime. Let’s get excited about what is to come for our fair kingdom. Peace be with the prince!”

A small resounding echo chanted from the crowd. “Peace be with the prince.” Honestly, South Harbor hadn’t given that much respect in closing announcements for a while. Maybe it should have made me feel better about this decision. Confirmation it was necessary and right. Instead, my stomach turned leaden, knowing I was in it now with no way out.

7

Nora