Lady Jane POV
"Tired?", Sir Thomas asked.
"No", I replied, even though I am struggling to breath. I can't stop here. I need to get stronger. I paused for a while gathering air for my lungs as I readied myself for another lap. I'm really tired, my feet are way too ready to give up now, but I can't stop here.
"Two laps Lady Jane, then you will rest for two hours and we will proceed to our other trainings", Sir Thomas said.
I nodded as my response.
"Three days. We only have three days before we go to the capital for the selection", said Sir Thomas
The selection. It is an event that only happened when one of the princes is to be engaged. In other kingdoms, it would simply be of noble birth or coming from an influential family. One of the kingdoms even allowed to engaged their royals to a commoner as long as that family has wealth. However, in our kingdom, everyone has a chance to be a royal, even if not noble, not wealthy and nothing but just simple commoner. All that is needed is you have skills they required, and in the case of royal's engagement, your physical attributes as well. That is why, there is a selection. It is a contest to show off everything you have, to win a royal engagement.
The one who made it to the top is chosen to be the betrothed of a royal. Those who are placed in second highest may be chosen by royal captain and other higher official. The other higher ranks in competition may be courted by other nobles and other officials.
The selection only happened when a royal is to be engaged which made it a very rare event. And to me, it is my ticket to go back to my home, the capital.
Kingdom of Aipha is only one of the kingdoms that exists. Each kingdom, has its own rules, policies and laws. However, all have one purpose; to rule over other kingdoms and because of this, people are trained to be good at their crafts. Aipha is circularly built and is surrounded by a very thick wall. Inside was other eight thick walls separating the residents of Aipha. The eighth are the weakest and on the mouths of the other layers, the most useless in this kingdom. This is also the place I currently lived.