Amy felt a headache coming in. After removing the pearl, her power and magic are coming in strong and is building up. This dinner plate test might also have something to do with that.
"Are you alright?" Viola worriedly asked.
"Just a headache. No need to worry." Amy said while pinching her eyes away from the others.
"Let's go sit down and have some water." She helped her to a table and got a cup of water for her to drink.
"Thanks," she said weakly and drank the water. "I need to rest for a bit."
"Alright," her sister said then thought of something. "Wait! We can ask Miss Orlando to help. She can heal you."
"Don't bother her. It's just a headache."
"I'll ask anyway." Viola said and was about to leave but stopped.
Amy opened her eyes with a sharp look. She felt it too.
"We're being watched. And it's not mother." Viola pensively said.
"I know." Amy replied.
Viola felt it with her sixth sense and Amy felt it by their magical presence no matter how hard they tried to hide it. Both looked up at a far off window where they could spot their perpetrator with a glare.
*
"What the-!" Leon stepped back from the window in shock.
"They spotted us? All the way up here?" Rufus respond in a less dramatic manner.
Those two have finished their afternoon lessons and decided to check out the candidates on the way to lunch. They didn't expect to see that someone could even notice them from up here. In addition, the windows are one-way viewed. No one from the outside should be able to see anything on the inside.
"These girls are scary," Leon said. "especially the one with the green hair. Her magic is weak so I think it is her power that spotted us. The dark haired one seems to have better control of her magic so she must have sharp senses to spot us."
"It looks like we might see some interesting people." Rufus pondered. "They look like they're around our age. Do you think any of them might be chosen?"
Leon sneered in response. "I hope not. Besides, I don't think they'll be chosen anyway." he said then walked away.
Rufus followed him without taking another glance at the window.
*
The girls notice that they're gone.
"I wonder who they could be?" Viola murmured.
"No clue but their aura is quite strong. I doubt they're trying to hide it."
"No one here noticed?" Viola said while looking around.
"Most of the people here aren't mages or trained to spot aura so they wouldn't be able to solve it." Amy answered.
It's probably Rufus and Leon. Their auras match the description.
There were two presences. One had a bright, shining aura and the other is smoky but clean and filtered.
Then they notice their mother come back with a weak smile. Whatever conversation she had with the queen was long and it seemed that she was filled with even more worry.
"Mother, what's wrong? You seem pale."
"Let us go home. It seems that Amy looks tired."
"Yeah, she's not feeling so well but are you sure?"
"Yes, we've been here too long anyway."
The Anthos trio head to their carriage which led them home. Amy fell asleep on her mother's lap while Viola chat incessantly to their mother on everything.
*
It was dark and nothing to see but she could hear it clearly.
"Your Majesty, you called for me?" Her mother said.
"Yes, I did, Lady Anthos. Please come have a seat." The queen said politely. "You are my lady-in-waiting. You should know what this test is really all about."
"Yes, Your Majesty. It is to choose the princess consort of your choice." she said.
"It is the official tradition but I also thought it is an opportunity to test to see anyone with potential. My son is strong but young and there is much to worry about in the future. I heard from the oracle the other day that Royal Duke Sylvester has a grandson who was just born a month ago. Prince Leon needs as many people as his allies."
"My queen,"
"That child is destined to be as strong as my son. That is why I decided on hosting the selection early. I take priority on choosing Melissa Orlando for her father's support to the crown than true ability. However," the queen was then silent.
"I am quite aware, Your Majesty."
"You never told me that your daughters are talented."
"My eldest Amaryllis is a true mage and is quite diligent in her studies. My youngest has the more stronger ability and is also training to perfect it." her voice has a flustered tone.
"I see." the queen replied. "Those dinner plates are actually magical items that gauges a person's talent rather than just their power alone. The plates themselves can only break if the person is way too strong to measure up completely."
"I don't understand."
"I have a powerful ability that I've nurtured for years yet I still haven't gotten strong enough to break those plates. She is around nine years old, correct? The only other ones at that age that I know of that were able to do the same thing are Prince Leon and Rufus Valerian." Then the queen sighed. "If I had trained like a man, maybe I would've been more stronger."
The queen for silent for a brief moment. "I cannot marry your daughter to my son but if I really had to choose, I would've chosen her."
"Your Majesty!" her mother said in alarm.
"Yes, I am aware of the implication of my words but I will not change my mind. During the past selection, I was the runner-up meaning I was their second choice. After the previous queen died, I immediately was chosen to take her place. But do not worry, I will not make her wait like I did. Instead, I want our children to be friends. Your daughter has a bright future ahead of her. Whether she becomes the minister of magic or the Head of the Magic corp, I will support her endeavor. If she wishes to marry, I will choose her husband myself."
"I am flattered, Your majesty but your interest in her is quite sudden."
"I like her." the queen said. "I want her to be Melissa's companion during her trips to the palace. Since Melissa will be the Princess Consort, she will stay in the palace to study for her role. Bring your other daughter too. I saw her results and she certainly has a strong ability."
Then there was the sound of chirping.
"Oh, is that so?" the queen said.
"What is it, Your Majesty?"
"The birds told me something interesting." she said. "It seems that both your daughters were staring at the one way windows and spotted something."
"Spotted what, my queen?"
"People, more specifically, Prince Leon and the young lord Valerian inside the building."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Your girls are quite sharp indeed. Those two have much to learn when it comes to hiding their presence especially Leon. He is powerful but he needs to be able to hide himself from any possible assassination. How did they do it?"
"Both are self taught. Violet, my youngest, however was born quite sensitive with the presence of people and is able to tell when someone is coming from several meters to a mile."
"Interesting. Does Violet have any ambitions to be a mage department?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Hm, in that case, she would make an excellent lady-in-waiting for our future queen." she said. "As long as she doesn't become your House's heir or take a government position."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
*
Amy rose up from her bed with a sudden jolt. She planted a listening device on her mother's dress so that she will be able to hear any conversation she would have with the queen. She heard the entire conversation in her sleep which means it worked.
Unsurprisingly, the entire selection was a formality. Politics aside, she is glad that it was the case. She was worried for nothing but now a new problem arises, the queen is interested in her and it seems that animal communication might not be the only thing she is capable of. She might be capable of forcibly controlling them if she wants to which is a demonic affinity.
She then realized she is in bed. It seems someone took her to her bed and changed her into her pajamas. She looked to see that there is a small box on her nightstand. She opened it to see that it is a simple necklace with a small violet sapphire pendant. There is a note stating that it was from the queen as a thank you gift to the candidates. It is not extravagant but it is precious. She closed the box and noticed a wooden bird coming in.