Aria woke up to the warm morning sun streaming through her bedroom window. She yawned like a cat, a behavior she found herself doing each day. The sun was already high up in the sky and she knew that she had overslept. She had stayed up late reading the magic book and practicing her swordsmanship, things that all took a toll on her body.
She quickly got out of bed and was greeted by Greta, her maid, who had a tray of breakfast ready for her. Aria sat down at her small table and started to eat, feeling guilty for sleeping in. Greta looked at her proudly before commenting, "see how you've grown Princess. And today you are going to choose your own personal knight. How I envy you?"
Yes. Aria had almost forgotten. Today she was going to choose a knight. She flashed a smile at Greta, "Which is all thanks to you, Greta."
"Don't mention it, princess. It is an honor to serve you. And I hope that one day I will raise your children as well."Aria looked down at the mention of that statement. She knew that she was not ready yet to become a mother.
"I,m sorry princess. I did not mean to offend you."Greta said with a guilt-filled voice.
"You have no need to be, Greta. It,s alright."
A knock suddenly interrupted their conversation."Who is it?"Aria asked.
"The king has requested your presence in the throne hall, your highness," a knight announced from outside.
"I'll be there shortly, "Aria answered with a panic-stricken voice.
"I will help you take a shower princess."Aria nodded at Greta for she knew there was no time to argue. The bath took a few minutes, probably the fastest she had ever had in her life. She picked a stunning, floor-length gown with a deep shade of emerald green. The dress was made of a luxurious, silken fabric that flowed elegantly as she walked. The bodice of the dress was fitted, with a sweetheart neckline that accentuated her delicate collarbones. The sleeves were long and billowy, with delicate lace trim at the wrists.
She wore a delicate tiara on her head, made of gold and embedded with emeralds that matched her dress. She wore matching earrings and a necklace that complemented the dress.
"Oh my goodness, Princess Aria! You look absolutely stunning in that dress. The color is perfect on you, it brings out the green in your eyes. And that tiara, it's simply breathtaking. You truly look like a queen. I have no doubt that you will make a lasting impression on everyone in the throne hall. You are going to take their breath away. I am so proud of you"
"Don't mention it, Greta. It's all thanks to you."
Aria looked at herself one last time in the mirror before she exited her room for the throne hall. She knew that it could be filled to the brim with council members, dukes, and duchesses, sons of the royal court, and many important guests in the kingdom. She somehow felt nervous being in a place filled with people she have never met before. But she was sure about one thing: she was late. Her father would scold her for this.
She finally found herself in front of the double doors of the throne hall. She could hear the drum beat inside and everyone came to silence. The herald announced, "Let's welcome Princess Aria, first of her name, the king's daughter and heir to the throne of Avon kingdom.
Outside, Aria took a deep breath before nodding to the knights by the door. The knights opened the double doors revealing hundreds of expectant eyes all staring at the princess. She was determined not to be swayed by mere looks.
As she entered the throne hall, all eyes were on her. She gracefully walked down the long aisle, her emerald green dress flowing behind her, every step she took was elegant and confident. The guests couldn't help but stare in awe at her stunning appearance. The deep green of her dress made her skin look like porcelain and the sparkling emeralds in her tiara caught the light, making her radiate with a regal presence.
As she reached the front of the hall, where her father sat on his throne, she stood tall and proud. The guests were left in shock and couldn't help but whisper among themselves, commenting on her beauty and poise. The dress and tiara were fitting for a princess and accentuated her natural beauty. It was clear that she was not just a pretty face but also a leader. The guests were left with a lasting impression of her, and they knew that she was more than ready to lead the kingdom.
King Marcus signaled everybody to sit down after Aria had found her spot at the front. Marcus looked at his daughter proudly for some seconds but turned away quickly as if he had not looked at her in the first place.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the king began," welcome to this special day, where we gather to select a personal knight for our beloved Princess Aria. This tradition has been a part of our kingdom for centuries, where the finest knights from all over the land come to pledge their allegiance and serve the royal family.
As you all know, our kingdom, Avon, has a long and rich history of valor and chivalry. Our knights have always been the protectors of our land and the symbol of our strength. They have served us well in times of peace and in times of war. Today, we continue this tradition by selecting a knight who will serve and protect our princess, just as our ancestors did before us.
This selection is not just an ordinary event, it is an opportunity for our princess to choose a knight who will be her partner in leading the kingdom. It is an opportunity for her to choose someone who will be her confidant and guide. The knight selected will be the princess's right hand and will be by her side every step of the way.
The princess will choose from among the finest knights in the land, and I have no doubt that she will make a wise choice. I invite each of you to bear witness to this special occasion and to support our princess in her decision.
Let us begin. "
As the king finished his speech, the doors to the throne hall opened, and the knights began to enter. Each one walked in with a sense of purpose and determination, their armor shining in the light. They lined up in front of the throne, standing at attention, ready for the princess's inspection.
Aria walked down the line of knights, looking at each one carefully. They were all strong and skilled warriors, but she knew that she had to choose the one who would be the best fit for her. She studied their faces, looking for a sign of loyalty and determination.
Each knight bowed as she passed by, and Aria could see the pride in their eyes. She knew that this was not going to be an easy decision, but she was determined to choose the right knight.
As she reached the end of the line, she paused for a moment, taking in the sight of all the knights standing before her. It was a powerful moment, and she knew that the fate of the kingdom was in her hands. She took a deep breath, and with a sense of determination, she pointed at one of the knights, "I choose him."