The moment Eleanor apprehended finally came by, the day of the consort pick precisely. Eleanor had been beautifully adorned, she sat alone in the dressing chamber, feeling sad. She dressed just as Matilda was supposed to, ceremonially adorned.
Eleanor had few similarities with Matilda.They both had same hair color, same skin color, and same body size. They were almost of the same height.
Eleanor's face was covered with a veil as it was a tradition practiced by Messea and Abothorn, that a bride's face be veiled until the crown prince chooses the bride and unveils her.
The bride's face can only be seen by the crown prince alone, not even the parents of the bride were allowed to see her face before the ceremony begins. It was also necessary that the veil remain covered until the bride returns to her kingdom if she wasn't picked by the crown prince.
Queen Esther walked in gladly, happy that Matilda finally decided to attend the consort pick. She wore a beam as she approached Eleanor, thinking it was Matilda. She stood at Eleanor's back, and held her by the shoulders.
" Finally." smiling, she said. " I am very proud of you, my daughter. I wish to see your beautiful face." she intended to open the veil. Afraid of getting caught, Eleanor knocked her hand off. " Oh, I may have forgotten the tradition. Forgive me." she apologized. " May I know the reason for your sudden change of mind? At least the tradition does not apply to your voice." she requested. Eleanor made no attempt to give her an answer, she would be caught if she does so. " So you plan to ignore me?" she questioned. " Very well, then, I will just leave. As long as you will attend the consort pick, I am satisfied." With all said, she proudly walked away.
******
Messea was the greatest and wealthiest kingdom above all kingdoms. Messea had everything they desired, and lacked absolutely nothing. Messea was a kingdom flowing in milk and honey. Messea was a blessed kingdom, and they were full of grace. Messea was a paradise. Messea was a kingdom everyone desired to be in because it was a kingdom full of enjoyment. Every individual who work whether dependently or independently in Messea usually flourished. It was a kingdom for those who pursue wealth.
Messea was a kingdom full of competition for wealth. Every citizen desired to rise above others in their standard because many other citizens were rich. Due to much riches and competition, a simple-minded person who is new to Messea might even mistake an ordinary high-class citizen for a noble. Messea was quite a splendid kingdom submerged by tranquility. A kingdom where injustice was not tolerated. A kingdom where the steps of all citizens were watched closely by the law of the land, and no infringement was overlooked.
Every citizen of Messea, whether nobles or peasants, had something to stand out with, citizens had a reasonable amount of coins in their pockets. Never did Messea lack a thing. Many kingdoms even depended on Messea for financial support. Larger trades were made in Messea. Messea had contributed to the growth of many other kingdom, including Abothorn after their first plague.
The Great Hall, in Messea. Every attendant and witnesses for the ceremony had gathered in the Hall. The royals, nobles from Messea and other kingdoms, including the royal courts, noble courts, and retinues were present in the Great Hall.
The crown prince sat on the dais, watching the people. He was highly adorned with royal ceremonial ornaments. He looked so very much attractive. Even if he wasn't happy within him, it was expected of him to look cheerful in the eyes of the guests
He had a pair of green eyes. His skin was white, flawless, and appealing. His lips were thin, a kissable hot pink lips precisely. He had a pure black hair which glittered because of the oil applied on his slicked back hairstyle which ended on his nape. He had a well built and tasty body, so beefy that his built curves became visible through the heavy attires he wore.
Most princesses from different kingdoms tried lifting their veils to take a good scrutiny of him. Many women in the Great Hall admired his extremely handsome appearance, and they desired him.
" If only his heart was as beautiful as his face, then shall I like him." Ellieze said to herself, gazing at Uriah with a flirty smile she wore.
The ceremony already begun. Eleanor stood at a corner in the Great Hall with King Peruda and his few retinues. They were waiting to be called upon by the Master of ceremonies.
Already, few princesses has been called upon, and they all got rejected by the crown prince. Two princesses cried after the crown prince rejected them, and two got baffled because they had put in so much effort to look attractive to capture the prince's heart. One of them even threw away her veil out of rage, and this made people mutter insults against her.
" That woman is innately despicable." a woman muttered to her friend.
Because the crown prince continued to reject brides, people began thinking that he wasn't ready for marriage, and he would not pick any bride at the end of the day. The brides that had not yet been called upon, already gave up their faith in dejection. Eleanor had already gone cold in dread.
Queen Abigail, Uriah's foster mother already lost hope in her son, she started feeling quite uneasy. She wanted her son to choose a consort, but there the crown prince was, rejecting consorts.
" And here. Princess Ariel of Abelak." the Master of ceremonies introduced.
Queen Abigail was glad that a princess from Abelak came, at least Uriah might accept her out of patronage. Everyone also thought that the prince was going to accept Princess Ariel because of the strong relationship Messea shared with Abelak.
But then, the crown prince closed her veil. Everyone became shocked. " He feels it would be better not to marry." Queen Abigail's personal servant said to her. Queen Abigail became disheartened because only two princesses were left to be called. " Help me, Lord." Queen Abigail whispered a prayer.
" The second to the last... Princess Matilda of Abothorn. "
Eleanor began to panic intensely, although trying to be calm.
Hearing the Master of ceremonies mention Abothorn, everyone began muttering insolent words against the princess. Their expressions contorted in disgust and scorn. " Disgusting." A Lady scorned. "How did the name of that kingdom taste in the mouth of the introducer?" A young woman asked her friend. " If I were him, I would rather not mention." Her friend replied. " Imagine the cheap fabric." A woman ridiculed, and some group of women laughed. " Hungry people." An older woman derided.
They ridiculed and condemned the bride. Even though there was an acrimony which existed between Abothorn and Messea, Queen Abigail wouldn't mind the prince choosing the bride, all she wanted was for her son to get married.
Because of the fight between Messea and Abothorn, also King Jooper swindling Messea, the people of Abothorn were antagonized by Messea. Messea severed all ties with Abothorn. Messea built a boundary wall which separated them entirely from Abothorn, and no citizen of Abothorn can enter into Messea by any chance.
Messea even assigned powerful soldiers to secure the boundary often. Although in cases where a general ceremony or meeting was to be held, only then can the nobles of Abothorn enter into Messea. Also, political issues between all kings prompts the entrance of Abothorn superiors into Messea. However, Abothorn nobles entering into Messea happened in King Hastings' reign alone. King Hastings being the recent King of Messea.
As Eleanor approached the dais, eyes fell on her. Even though she was nowhere near perfect, she looked cheap, austere, and undesirable, the way she walked with grace made her mockers to later start adoring her. Although Eleanor's face was veiled, people admired her appearance despite wearing a cheap fabric. Eleanor always had an aura of glory.
Peruda led her to the dais, and stepped away.
Eleanor kept her cool, and knelt before the crown prince. Then she took a bow. She promised Matilda, and that promise alone was all she prayed for.
The crown prince stared at her for some seconds as though she wasn't worthy of him. As he was lifting her veil, Eleanor's heart throbbed chaotically. She tried her best to stay calm so to look good in the eyes of the crown prince.
Prince Uriah lifted her veil and revealed her face.
His first glance on Eleanor's face caught his eyes, and arose chaos in his heart. Eleanor looked very beautiful and captivating. Her beauty was one thing he desired in a woman, her charm mesmerized him intensely. As Eleanor locked her eyes on his, his heart lost its balance and worshiped the beauty of Eleanor.
Blonde hair? Abothorn? That was the crown prince's biggest turn off in Eleanor. He was the kind of man who stick to his words. Uriah, and his words were like human and oxygen. Without oxygen, human cannot live. He will only follow his words, Eleanor's beauty was just worthless to him.
Due to the time he took in admiring Eleanor, people started wondering how beautiful Eleanor might be. People felt like Eleanor was the one for him, they thought he must have chosen his bride. People thought that the last bride should just give up already because the crown prince has picked his bride. Queen Abigail started feeling delighted that her son finally decided a consort.
But then, the crown prince covered Eleanor's veil. Everybody fell from grace, they were all stunned by the prince's action.
Eleanor couldn't believe what just happened to her. The crown prince rejected her as well. She could lose sanity and burst into tears as she had lost the opportunity. Eleanor got buried deep in sadness. All hope was lost. She failed to fulfill the promise she made to Matilda, her people would carry on suffering. All she risked her life for was in vain.
As she followed Peruda to the place where they first stood, she wept. Even though Peruda despised her, she hated herself for failing him.
Eleanor might have caught the crown prince's eyes, but she failed to capture his hardened heart, and nothing on Earth would have made her capture his heart. However, the crown prince cherished what he saw in Eleanor, but she was just not what he was looking for.
Everyone already lost hope on the crown prince. They thought he would definitely not choose a bride.
Certainly, Prince Uriah did not want to pick a bride. Never! It is not like he can give them the blessings of marriage.
But when he spotted his mother who looked heartbroken by his action, he made up his mind to choose a bride only for her sake.
" Finally... Princess Zainab of Jevins." The master of ceremonies introduced the last princess.
Zainab zeroed her mind from being picked by the crown prince. She knew that many other brides were more beautiful than her, especially the one who came before her. Yet, the crown prince rejected her. Who then was she? She would only approach the dais because she had to, not because she believed she would be picked..
Once she knelt before the crown prince, she momentarily closed her eyes in dread. Uriah stared at her, unwilling to life her veil. He wanted to avoid breaking the Queen's heart. Therefore, he lifted the veil.
Zainab was the worst! He wished he never lifted the veil! She had everything he disliked in a woman. Red hair, nah! Green eyes, nay! If he knew what was coming, he would have just chosen the Abothorn who has blue eyes. He might never like this woman, Never! But he will just pick her and let fate decide the rest.
He regretted ever looking at the queen's face. Had he not seem the uneasiness on the queen's face, he wouldn't have considered her by picking this woman. Or, if he spotted the uneasiness when he had unveiled the Abothorn, better!
Not for once, did the people in the Great Hall expect the crown prince to pick the last bride. They believed that the ceremony was over because the crown prince may not pick the last bride.
Queen Abigail tried to pull herself together. She felt dejected, and all she had to do was accept defeat.
When everybody thought all hope was lost, the crown prince took off Princess Zainab's veil.
Everyone immediately exploded in jubilee. The Great Hall got engulfed by joy and ecstasy. Queen Abigail shed tears of joy, glad that her son finally picked a consort.
Everyone became eager to see the bride's face. They believed that for the crown prince to choose Princess Zainab, then she must be stunning.
The crown prince stood up from his seat. He took Zainab's hand, and turned her to the crowd letting everyone see her face. Seeing her face, silence covered some part of the Hall. Could it be that they didn't like what they saw in Zainab? Were they stunned how the crown prince picked a redhead woman?
" She is not even beautiful if you ask me." A woman said with a disgusted expression.
"Ugly." Ellieze said.
" She is beautiful." A young woman adored.
" Wake up. That woman has hidden her unattractiveness under the veneers." Another woman disapproved the young woman.
" I, Prince Uriah take Princess Zainab to be my wife." The crown prince proclaimed. Everyone in the Great Hall expressed joyously with ululations and applause.
**********
After the ceremony came to an end, every attendant from different kingdoms retuned home. Abothorn in the shame of losing, hit the road back to their kingdom. They felt miserable and unfortunate. Since the princess failed to capture the Prince's heart, then the salvation of Abothorn might never be restored. The king believed there would be nobody who can bring salvation to his realm.
King Peruda felt very ashamed that once again, his daughter had lost and his people would mock him because they deserve to. His daughter got rejected by the crown prince, and that was a terrible loss.
Abothorn sent Matilda to every consort pick, and Matilda got rejected always. Eleanor shared the same fate as Matilda, but Eleanor wouldn't want to believe so. She made Matilda a promise, only that promise she must keep. Eleanor took the first risk, and taking the second might be nothing for her.
Eleanor decided within herself to return to Messea with her identity, maybe she would succeed in drawing the crown prince's attention to help Abothorn.
At first, Eleanor was weeping in defeat, but she stopped as soon as she made up her mind to return to Messea. She knew her action would hurt the people who have faith in her, but she also knew her action weren't for selfish reasons, rather, it would be for Abothorn.
Eleanor knew the obstacles, especially the boundary wall, which the guards are excessively vigilant about. However, escaping from King Peruda was the first thing to think about, any other thing can come next.
Eleanor gazed at King Peruda who sat in the carriage with her. She respected him as a king and not as a father. Just like many years ago, he took his actions like a king and not like a father. Eleanor certainly had no idea about what really happened on that day of Sharma's cremation, all she knew was that King Peruda hated her.
Eleanor mustered the courage and took a deep breath. Without giving King Peruda any time to wonder what she was doing, she jumped out of the carriage and immediately started running away.
" Stop the carriage!" King Peruda commanded. The horse riders who drove the carriage stopped their horses. Peruda came off the carriage, fearfully watching Eleanor escape. " After her!" he ordered in the fit of rage and confusion.
Few soldiers who followed them went after Eleanor with their horses. Eleanor ran into the thick forest, and lifted her veil, so she could see clearly. The distance from the place they had ridden to was very far from Messea. The distance if trekking back to Messea was far enough that one would reach by night. Eleanor ran hopelessly, praying that she be able to escape the soldiers.
The guards almost got closer to her, and with ease they could catch her. She already started getting exhausted, but just couldn't stop running. She believed that only her decides what happens in her life, and because she has decided to return back to Messea to fulfill her promise, so it must be for her. As she was running, behold a waterfall stood in front of her. She stopped in front of the waterfall. She covered her veil, and turned around to see the soldiers.
The soldiers thought the waterfall would be the dead end, and Eleanor will have no other choice than to follow them. They blocked her in every side with their horses, leaving her with only one direction of escape, the waterfall. The one way for Eleanor to escape was either she surrenders, or she jumps into the water.
Eleanor herself was afraid to jump into the water, but one thing was clear, she must keep to her words. Furthermore, she feared that jumping into the water might change her fate entirely, especially if the water eventually carries her to another kingdom instead of Messea. Moreover, she feared that she might drown or arrive in the middle of nowhere.
Just when the soldiers thought Eleanor would definitely surrender, she jumped into the water. Eleanor's action gave the soldiers a shock of their lives. They approached closer to see if there might be any trace of Eleanor, but she had disappeared in the water.