Amira pulled the warm blankets to cover herself as the sleep kept on screaming her name.
"You need to wake up young lady."Lady Serena said as she tried to pull the covers off Amira. She held onto the warm blankets so tightly as if her life depended on it.
"No grandma, let me sleep some more."She grumbled as she pulled the blankets close to her body as her consciousness slipped away.
"Unless you're planning not to show up in the competition."The old lady shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
Amira's mind jolted back to the present when she heard her grandma's words. How dare she forget about such an important thing? She threw the blankets across the room and jumped out of the bed instantly.
The old lady chuckled as she watched her granddaughter pick a clean towels and dashed to the bathroom.
Just like always, lady Serena had prepared a warm bath for Amira and mixed it with some herbs which would help her relax and feel energetic.
____
Amira walked out of the bathroom after a short while with a towel wrapped around her body. Lady Serena helped her granddaughter to get prepared so that she won't be late like what happened in the previous competition.
"You look so beautiful."Lady Serena admired Amira as she fixed the white rose flower that was attached to the green gown she was wearing.
Amira's lips curved into a smile when she heard the old lady's words because she knew pretty well that she would never lie to her.
Amira turned around to look at herself in the mirror and she was mesmerised by what she saw.
The green gown fitted her perfectly, the white rose attached to the left side of her breast matched perfectly with the diamond necklace on her neck and earrings.
"I believe you'll be the most beautiful contestant."Lady Serena tried to cheer up her granddaughter who looked tensed. A deep frown settled on the young miss's features.
"You will look more beautiful when you smile just a little bit."Lady Serena raised her hand in the air as she gestured to Amira how little she was supposed to smile.
Amira found herself smiling even though she wasn't planning to.
"Oh heavens, there you go!"The old lady said as the corner of her lips curved into a mischievous smile."You look so beautiful."She pretended to be surprised.
"Stop it, grandma."Amira waved her hand in dismissal."I think we should get going."She said and her grandma nodded in agreement.
Lady Serena led the way and her granddaughter followed in her footsteps. They walked out of the wooden house and soon they were at the carriage station as they waited for one.
It didn't take long to find a carriage since it was early in the morning, meaning many people were still sleeping.
"Good luck dear."Lady Serena pulled her granddaughter into a brief hug."You don't need to worry because I'm coming to cheer you up."The old lady assured Amira who heaved a small sigh as she tried to pull herself together.
"We're in a hurry young miss."The coachman informed Amira.
"I'll be waiting for you."Amira said with a smile on her lips,she turned around and walked to the local carrier.
Lady Serena watched the carriage untill it disappeared from her eyesight. She hoped that the stars would align in her granddaughter's favour.
______
Amira sat close to the window quietly. She noticed a young lady who was was dressed beautiful.She was wearing a pink gowns with some jewels.
'She is probably one of the contestants.'Amira thought and turned to the window. She watched the trees as they passed by blankly as she meditated about everything she had learned for the past week.
The carriage stopped before Amira could even know it. She closed her eyes slightly and a long sigh escaped her lips.
"Amira."A sweet feminine voice called her name as soon as she alighted the carriage. She turned her head to where the voice came from and her face brightened.
"Ravenna."Amira walked towards the girl who was dressed in a white gown which looked more like a wedding gown.
"It's nice to see you again."Ravenna said with a twinkle in her eyes. Someone would think that they have known each other for ages because their conversation was flawless.
"It's nice to see you too."Amira smiled back at her, shaking her hand. A small frown settled on Amira's face when she let go off Ravenna's hand.
However, Ravenna didn't notice the frown on Amira's features because she was too excited to realise it. Rave's hand was rough, it seemed like she has been through a lot of struggles.
" I decided to wait for you outside the castle because you were nowhere to be seen inside"Ravenna explained.
"I don't know anyone else besides you anyway."She shrugged her shoulders slightly"It feels overwhelming to be in the castle's compound."
Ravenna continued to explain as they walked through the tall walls of the rocky gate. Amira listened to every single word that Ravenna said.
Amira was not mistaken, neither was she being paranoid or something. She could tell that there was a trace of pain and hate in Ravenna's voice even though she tried hard to mask it with a small smile that played on her lips.
Amira was silent as she didn't say more words, many thoughts crossed her mind.
'Does she want to get married to the crown prince or does she have a hidden agenda, just like me?'Amira swallowed hard when she gave it a thought.
"Amira, are you okay."Her mind jolted back to the present when she heard Ravenna's voice and a small convincing smile crept on her lips.
"Yes."She nodded her head, "I'm perfectly fine." She said with a faint smile on her lips.
Amira and Ravenna arrived where all contestants were assembled. They were talking amongst themselves as they tried to discuss what the next challenge might be all about.
Amira turned her head to look at Ravenna who was lost in her own world.
"Why did you decide to join this competition?"Amira asked with a smile on her lips. She tried to sound normal so that Ravenna wouldn't realise anything.