We were a total number of fifteen contestants. To be honest, I had expected more than 15 princesses, I was already counting about fifty (50) opponents in my head, but I guess it is a good thing we are not many, the lesser the number of participants, the better. I guess a lot of them don't love art enough to compete for the position.
As a girl child, while growing up, you are expected to learn a variety of skills like knitting, singing, painting, cooking, cleaning and the rest of other things that I didn't pay enough attention to because the moment I laid my hands on the paintbrush I knew I belonged there.
Out of the fifteen (15) people, I am contestant number seven (7). My lucky number, and I hope it continues to be after today.
The fifteen of us were positioned in the middle of the ballroom with our canvas mounted in front of us and spotlight on every one of us, exposing us to the scrutinising gazes of the crowd that included kings, Queens, princesses (including my family) and other dignitaries.
With the spotlight shining down on me I can't help but feel like a deer caught in a headlight. Even though there might not be up to one hundred and fifty people in this hall it felt like I was being watched by thousands of people which didn't sit well with me. I have never participated in any competition or entertained an audience with my art. The only audience I might have entertained was my dad and maybe my sisters.
After receiving instructions from King Angus, we began. At first, I was nervous knowing that people are looking at me and not just that, they might also be talking about me until I realised that I am not doing this for these people, but for myself. These people don't know who I am or know anything about my existence, so, why care about what they say or think of me now? Blocking the uncomfortable feeling, I allowed myself to get carried away by imagination and paintbrush for the next ten minutes.
The king had instructed us to put our names at the end of our drawing for identification and that is where I am stuck as I couldn't help thinking about my decision again. Once again I couldn't help but ask myself if this was really worth it, but I didn't let myself dwell too much on it as I followed my heart and scribbled something as a name for identification.
As soon as the 15-minute timeline was exhausted, the spotlight went off and the room was once again illuminated by the beautiful chandeliers.
We the contestants were given a special table to sit at and wait for the judges to decide as our drawings were taken away from the hall. The judges were anonymous for reasons best known to them. Maybe they didn't want a case of one princess bribing the judges.
Instead of sneaking out of the hall to meet Fiona as planned, I remained in the room and waited for the result. I am sure she is behind the curtain waiting for me, I wonder how long it will take for her to figure out my plan.
A few days ago, I was telling myself that I would be the one to pick my husband, but here I am today, almost begging to be picked by the stranger. I have never been this anxious before in my whole life. Waiting for the result and sweating bullets behind my mask isn't something I want to ever experience again.
I looked around and got a glimpse of Ava looking my way, did she notice anything? I tried my best not to make eye contact with any of them as that will only blow my cover. I want it to be a surprise, especially to Uncle Zaius and his daughter for thinking so low of me. I hope they don't die of heart attack by the time the result is announced.
Beside me sat one of the princesses the tenth contestant. I recognised her because she was probably the most elegant of all of us. From the way she carried herself, you could tell she knew what she was doing, and seeing her sit and sip her drink so calmly with that superior aura radiating off her, only made me more anxious. It looks like she has already won the competition. I thought it was only Fiona that could pull off such, but, within my short stay in this hall I have seen enough.
Out of curiosity, I moved closer by taking the seat beside her, "Hello." I greeted politely as I took note of her beautiful features. Her black hair was perfectly styled with hundreds of pins holding them in place. How is she not complaining of splitting headaches with all those pins mounted in her head? Well, I guess she is used to them. Under the chandeliers, her cat eyes twinkled beautifully behind her mask.
She flashed me a tender smile, "How may I help you?"
I shook my head, "Why are you so calm? Are you not nervous?"
She looked at me for a few seconds before the corners of her lips curled up in a gracious smile, "Why should I be nervous when I'm already the winner?"
I couldn't help but stare at her in confusion, "You do?"
She beamed at me, "Of course, and you are talking to the winner right now."
"Oh." I couldn't help but blink at her a few times as I tried to process the information.
"Oh indeed. It is a pity that you all wasted your time thinking you could take what has already been taken, especially you…"
"Huh? Me?"
"Oh stop the pretence dear, we all know it is not going to get you anywhere. What do think will happen after throwing yourself at the prince?"
"Sorry?"
She let out a cute laugh as her lips inched up, "Don't think I didn't see how you were throwing yourself at the Prince. Did you think that dancing with the Prince will get you a free ticket to the throne? You must be crazy."
Ah, I see where this is going.
Ahem! That wasn't me dear, but my crazy cousin. She doesn't have to know that
Jeez, I haven't even won the competition yet, I already have an enemy, all thanks to Fiona.
"Well, there is no harm in trying. You seem so confident about winning the competition, what if you don't?"
Her smile turned into a proud smirk, "That is as good as impossible. I am very close to the Prince and my brother is his best friend and also one of the judges."
I was not expecting that.
She is close to the Prince? Why didn't he marry her then? She makes it sound like they are in love or something. And if her brother is the prince's best friend and also one of the judges, then it is obvious I have no chance of winning anything. Having my brother as the Prince's best friend and one of the judges does sound like a free ticket to me. Now I understand why she is overly confident because there is no way the prince will ignore his best friend's sister for total strangers. So much for anonymous judges. If I had known, I would have rejected the offer of participating in this competition from day one Fiona had offered it because right now, I am not so sure anymore. I am not even sure my painting would be looked at, even though I had drawn something I hoped would catch the prince's interest.
I was about to ask her a question when the sound of cutlery hitting against a glass interrupted me. Everyone turned towards the charming young man who had the most beautiful smile on his equally beautiful face. One could tell he has done something like this one too many times with the way he smiled at the crowd with so much ease and confidence, effortlessly drawing all the attention to himself and making young ladies like me swoon.
It seems the girl I had been talking to noticed how I was staring at the man for too long because she leaned in and whispered, "That's my brother."
Why am I not surprised? Beauty really runs in their family. I turned and saw her beaming at the man expectantly, and then something occurred to me, which caused me to sit straight when I saw the little paper in the man's hand.