Just like her father promised, a golden invitation arrived the next day. Audrey received it from the royal guard who had come to deliver it. Unlike the first letter the household received, this letter was received with happiness.
Every maiden aged zero and Two was expected to be in the palace for the crown princess selection; while the crown prince was getting married, no other person was expected to get married until the crown prince had made his selection. The crown prince was expected to have the best of the ladies in the kingdom.
The ladies, too, anticipated it, so the kingdom was buzzing with excitement. Every seamstress suddenly added to the prices of their dresses. One of the famous seamstresses, Ms. Agatha, was totally booked that she refused more orders.
Apart from the seamstresses, the skin care consultant was fully booked, but Audrey knew she didn't need the services of the skin care consultant. To her, she had flawless skin that rivaled anyone. Although she hadn't been out for her first season, her mother had always assured her that she would be the bell of any season.
Audrey had gone to the marketplace numerous times and seen different maidens, but she had never seen a beauty that matched hers. So, unlike the ladies she assumed must be panicking at the moment, Audrey was assured she owned that position.
With that confidence, she proceeded to pack her luggage. No one knew how long the crown princess competition would last; it all depended on the crown prince. It was only when he decided he wanted a maiden that was the automatic ending of the crown princess selection. He was also in charge of disqualifying any maiden, so all they had to do was impress the crown prince.
Audrey packed her luggage with care, "Mother, what do you think about this?" she pointed to the undergarment she planned to wear once she was crowned. "This will look good for my wedding night."
The maid put it up for her mother to see while avoiding the lady Baron's gaze.
Her mother, Kate Baron, wasn't happy with the whole situation. Audrey was her only daughter, and although she wanted her daughter to get married, she didn't want her to go to the palace. It was hard to see those who lived in the palace or get to visit them regularly, but if she got married to one of the nobles in town, she would see her daughter regularly. But Audrey and her husband wanted nothing more than that.
"Mother, you didn't say a word."
Her mother stared at the undergarment blankly; "It's nice."
Audrey smiled and asked the maid to add it to her luggage. "Pick that, too. And that." And that. That too." She continued pointing to random things while the maid ran around to pick it up and arrange it with her luggage. With an enthusiasm her mother had never seen, she continued talking about the crown princess competition that hadn't started yet.
"Mother, do you think I would develop magical power, too." She sat in one of the chairs, swinging her legs and daydreaming. "If I am to have any power, I will care for that of a healer. I hear it's the rarest of all power."
Her mother sighed, "They're more powers rare than healing, but it all depends on how powerful your husband is."
Audrey smiled; she had heard the rumor that the next king would be the greatest ever in the kingdom. It only means she would be the greatest queen, also. Just then, the maid dropped one of her Jewries boxes. She turned her gaze to it, but the maid was already panicking. She picked it up as fast as she could while apologizing.
The young miss was known to punish slacking maids brutally, but surprisingly, she waved to the maid. "Pick that up faster." And turned back to her mother, "There are many things to change once I become the queen."
Her mother listened to her daughter as she was her greatest companion. She didn't for once think she wouldn't become the crown princess.
Back in the palace, the middle wing was springing with activities; it was where the contest would be held. The queen took it upon herself to make arrangements; she wanted the contest perfect. If anyone deserved anything perfect, it was her son.
Each room was arranged to perfection and assigned a maid. Each maid would help the maidens during the contest.
After a while, she left the wing and moved to her son's chambers. The crown prince lay on his bed while a maid rubbed his leg softly. His eyes were closed as he enjoyed the services of the maid. The moment the maid laid her eyes on the queen, she stopped, prompting the crown prince to open his eyes. He glared at that maid, "Who asked you to stop?"
Her gaze moved to the queen.
The crown prince hissed, "Continue," his tone was harsh. With shaking hands, the maid continued rubbing his leg. The queen sat in a vacant chair, "Do you have any idea your bride selection is starting in three days?"
The crown prince groaned, "I know. Is there anything I am supposed to do about that? You're already doing all that needs to be done."
His mother frowned, "You know you're not supposed to be seen with any other women apart from the contestants during the contest."
His eyes opened; "How am I supposed to relieve myself then?" He pulled the maid closer to him. "You know I can't stay abstinent for a long time."
The queen's eyes moved to the shivering maids, "Then you've to pick a bride as fast as you can. You need to pick a maiden from one of the powerful nobles; it will help you in the future."
He shook his head, "No, mother. I want the most beautiful in the kingdom. I already have powers, and prophecy state that I will be the most powerful king in the kingdom. I don't think I need more powers. Once I get married, and my magical powers revealed itself, we can dethrone father and kick Damien out."
His mother sat back, proud of his son.
"I think you're right. You deserve the best." Her gaze moved to the shivering maid, "What are we going to do about this?"
She was referring to the maid that had listened to their conversation.
His gaze followed his mother, "Don't worry about it, mother. I will deal with it."
The queen smiled. The sooner her son got his power, the easier it would be to achieve her goal. She could finally kick out that cursed prince.
Satisfied, she left the crown prince's chamber with a smile. Finally, her dreams were about to come true. She was going to get her ultimate revenge.
Days rolled into days, and it was finally the day to receive the contestants. The palace was buzzing with noises. Maids had escorted the maidens from their household but were turned back at the palace gate. The contestants were the only ones allowed to proceed from the gate, and each was given numbers. All maidens aged zero and two came except those who weren't from a noble family. The royals from the smaller kingdoms were also present. There was no segregation between the royals and nobles during the selection. They were all equal until the crown princess was chosen.
Audrey stood beside her heavy luggage. She could barely lift it as her maid had been sent back from the gate. The other maidens held a smaller luggage they had picked up as they were led to the middle wing. Audrey frowned at the luggage before raising her hand.
One of the guards attended to her, "What's wrong, miss?"
She pointed at her luggage, "Are we expected to carry these ourselves?"
The guard nodded.
She frowned; she never did any hard work in her father's house, and she was expected to do this in the palace. "Is there no maid to help with our luggage?"
The guard was annoyed with her attitude but couldn't insult a palace guest. "The rest of the maidens already carried theirs. Even Princess Ella carried hers. You will be assigned a maid when you get to the middle wing. It will be best to carry your luggage and join the other maiden, miss. I wish you the best." Without another word, the guard left her presence.
Audrey almost cried when she glanced back at her luggage. How was she supposed to carry something that heavy? No one had told her about this barbaric tradition. And she would make this guard pay for what he did to her.
She started dragging her luggage after her. One of the maidens saw her and ran to her rescue. "Hello, there."
Audrey paused to stare at her; she looked average with her red hair, pointed nose, and small lips. Well, some people could consider her beautiful, only if they haven't seen Audrey before. "Hello."
"Hi, I'm Mia and you are?"
"Audrey." She said with an eye roll.
"It's nice to meet you, Audrey. I don't mind helping you."
Audrey didn't pretend not to need her help; she thanked her and left most of the bag to her. She carried the smaller part of the bag while they followed the other maidens.
"Are you excited to meet the crown prince?"Mia asked.
Audrey rolled her eyes; of course, she was excited to meet her future husband, but she was also curious how he would look. Undoubtedly, the crown prince would be the finest in the palace.
She didn't wait for Audrey's response before asking another question, "Do you think we will see the first prince? I am curious."
"I am curious too," Audrey responded. She wanted to know what was so scary about the first prince.
Unknown to the ladies, there was a figure looking at them both.