After the card picking ,their names were already written and placed at their front to indicate them.
when Monique saw a tall gentleman walking towards her table,her heart beats turned fast and erratic.
she fisted her hand when he stood in front of her and asked in calm captivating voice.
"my lady,would you do me the honour of taking your first dance?".
Thinking of her younger brother that was in the hands of the Gallaghers,she stood up, curtsied and hesitantly placed her hand on his outstretched ones and followed him to the dancing area.
faustina kept a calm face on the outside but inside she was quaking in her shoes as she watched Eunice walking away with her partner,she had always being a talkative and an easily frightened girl back at home,but now she had no choice to act brave and welcoming just for her family reputation.
* * *
The opening dance was a waltz, Monique's hands tightened on her partner's shoulder as her brain tried to recall the sessions of dancing lessons she had to go through when the Gallaghers found out she couldn't dance due to the fact she wasn't a normal man's daughter.
"judging from your stoic expression,I reckon you won't question me if I am the crown prince or the seven sons".her partner said as he twirled her round and held her back.
Monique gazed up at his masked eyes and answered."why would I? when I never wanted to be here,in the first place".
His eyes gleamed with excitement behind his mask,hearing the girl's words and her cold expression.
"hmmmmmm,perhaps you're different from others.my names are James, apparently we can't give out our family names to you damsels,lady Gallagher".
he introduced as the waltz came to an end.when they curtsied to each other ,she walked away her eyes searching for her mates.
* * * *
The dance continued with exchanging partners and dinner was served.monique was seriously famished and she couldn't eat the way she wanted due to the fact she had to eat ladylike in public.
it was after midnight the ladies were taken back to their quarter to take their night rest for they will be taken to the Arena the next morning ,despite the excitement and fear in the air,Monique fell into an instant deep sleep.
* * * *
It was the loud ringing of bells and the incessant noises that woke Monique up,Eunice was already up and bustling as Mirabelle assisted her in dragging her light brown colored bodice ropes behind.
"Get up Monique,you're late other girls are already going out".Eunice scolded Monique as she rushed into the washroom.
Monique was equally dressed in the same light brown gown and her red curls were tied in a tight bun identical to Eunice's.
Monique was perplexed on why all of them were dressed in same gowns and their hair tied in buns when they reached downstairs.
without words,madam Eritrea inspected the girls and nodded in satisfaction as she led them out the quarters torwards as open field where the king and his surrounding seven co rulers waited in the cold morning air.
They all curtsied in reverence,their suitors were equally present ,this time without masks and they were surprisingly dressed in light brown breeches and warlike coats.
"we welcome you all to the 59th Royal Arena,a place where you'll be tested and will be found eligible to be among the ruling class of Therondia.for this Arena will not be walked by you alone but this gentlemen here will walk the Arena to proof their strength and worth to Therondia".Master Elvis bellowed in a loud clear voice.
"Look behind you".They all slowly turned back,whispers of bewilderment could be heard when they looked and saw beyond the estate's open gate on the grassy grounds were weapons of all sorts.
"you are expected to run torwards the gate before it closes and pick your weapons.Any maiden or man found within this walls after the gate closes will face punishment by death_"
shock and confused whispers circulated,some ladies were already looking around for escape routes, Monique couldn't believe in her wildest dreams that this was going to be the Arena.
The Royal Arena they all thought was just a competition of dances,making of tea and the test of ones intellect was going to be a deadly twisted game.
"Beyond this walls is the Royal Arena.Therondia has always being the strongest since from the time of the gods,for dainty maidens are not for Therondia's power but brave ,fierce and ruthlessness are needed.".
Monique could hear some whimpers and protests when she looked at the men ,her eyes widened in realisation."They all knew from the beginning that this was what the Arena entails....they were prepared ,not us".faustina's eyes were already brmming with tears hearing Monique words.
Then finally the king took a goblet with red wine ,he held it up and shouted.
"Hail Therondia! Best of luck to the ruthless and only the victorious will be celebrated on their return,let the game begins!!!!" the king poured the wine on the ground,the sounds of the gigantic gated starting to close could be heard.
cries and protests filled with confusion, Monique's eyes squinted with determination.sje couldn't die here,Benjamin was waiting for her .she knew the weapons wouldn't be enough for everyone.
"we need weapons to survive,I'm not dying here.Run!!" Monique shouted at Eunice and faustina she started to run.