In Valtor kingdom, king Alem sat upon his throne, his eyes scanning the assembly of nobles and advisors gathered before him. The grand hall was filled with the rustle of fine silks and the soft murmur of voices as the delegates prepared to deliver their reports.
Davi, his chief eunuch, stepped forward, bowing low. "Your Majesty, the delegates have returned from their missions. They bring news of the tributes received from different kingdoms, including the Eridorian's offering."
The king nodded, his expression serious. "Very well. Let them speak."
One by one, the delegates approached the throne, bowing and delivering their reports. "Your Majesty, live forever, we have received a tribute of gold and precious gems from the kingdom of Everia."
"A tribute of fine silks, grains and spices has been sent by the kingdom of Eridoria."
"The kingdom of Calonia has pledged its loyalty, offering a tribute of rare horses and weaponry, surpassing the expectations of our ambassadors."
As the reports continued, King Alem's mind raced with calculations, weighing the value of each tribute against the cost of maintaining his kingdom's power and influence. He knew that the delicate balance of power in the region was ever-shifting, and he was determined to keep the Valtor Kingdom at the forefront of the political landscape.
When the last delegate had spoken, the king nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. It seems our diplomacy has borne fruit. Davi, see that these tributes are properly recorded and stored. And instruct our ambassadors to continue their good work, that our kingdom may continue to prosper and grow in strength."
At Eridoria, king Arin of Eridoria sat upon his throne, surrounded by his cabinet and advisors. The minister, Lord Ravenswood, unrolled a scroll, its parchment crackling with age. "Your Majesty, I bring news of our tributes to the Valtor Kingdom and others. Our offerings of silk, spices and grains have been well received."
The king nodded, his eyes scanning the scroll. "Very well. It seems our diplomacy has borne fruit."
Lord Ravenswood cleared his throat. "If I may, Your Majesty, there is another matter of importance. It is time for you to consider taking a wife."
The king raised an eyebrow. "A wife?"
Lord Ravenswood nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. It is a tradition for the royal selection of a king's wife to be made in this manner. It strengthens alliances and secures the future of the kingdom."
The cabinet members murmured in agreement, their faces solemn. King Erian leaned back in his throne, his mind weighing the pros and cons. He had always known this day would come, but he had hoped to delay it.
"I accept," he said finally. "Let the search for a suitable queen begin."
Lord Ravenswood bowed. "I shall oversee the selection process, Your Majesty. Rest assured, we will find a worthy queen for Eridoria."
And with that, the fate of King Erian's love life was set in motion, as the wheels of tradition and diplomacy turned steadily on.
King Erian's decree was announced throughout the kingdom, echoing through the streets and countryside. The contest for the royal bride was open to all, and the response was overwhelming. Nobles and middle-class families alike hastened to register their daughters, hoping to secure the coveted position of queen.
Posters were plastered on town squares and marketplaces, proclaiming the search for the perfect bride. Messengers rode horseback, carrying the news to distant villages and towns. The kingdom buzzed with excitement as families gathered around dinner tables, discussing the prospects of their eligible daughters.
In the capital city, a registration office was set up, where young women from all walks of life flocked to enroll their names. The atmosphere was electric, with giggles and whispers filling the air as the contestants-to-be awaited their chance to meet the king.
Lord Ravenswood, the minister, oversaw the registration process, ensuring that each candidate met the necessary criteria. The king's advisors pored over the applications, searching for the perfect combination of grace, intelligence, and beauty.
As the days passed, the list of contenders grew, and the kingdom held its breath in anticipation of the royal courtship. Who would be the lucky lady to capture King Erian's heart and become the future queen of the Eridoria Kingdom? Only time would tell.
After two weeks of the registration process, the day of the Royal Selection finally arrived. The palace was abuzz with excitement as young women from all corners of the kingdom gathered to vie for the hand of King Erian. The age range was set between 20 to 25, and Lili, a bright and adventurous soul from a middle-class family, had turned 23 just a fortnight prior.
As the sun rose over the palace, the courtyard filled with a diverse array of girls. Some arrived in grand style, carried in ornate carriers by their servants and escorted by their personal maids, while others rode horseback, escorted by family bodyguards. Lili, however, walked alongside her two friends, Elara and Calantha, who, though not eligible for the selection due to their younger age, had insisted on accompanying her for moral support.
The chief maid, a stately woman named Xanthe, greeted the assembled girls with a warm smile. "Welcome, young ones, to the Royal Selection. Please, follow me to the grand hall, where you shall mark your attendance and await the king's pleasure."
As they entered the grand hall, the girls couldn't help but gasp in awe. The room was resplendent with intricate tapestries, glittering chandeliers, and polished marble floors.
King Erian, looking every inch the youthful and vibrant monarch, sat upon his throne, flanked by his trusted ministers: Lord Stormwind, Lord Ravenswood, Lady Nightshade, and Lord Arin the sage. The eldest of the Sanian clan, Kaelin Darkhaven, and the leader of the Kaleekis, Ryker Maya, were also in attendance, their eyes scanning the room with interest.
Xanthe led the girls to a beautifully crafted wooden desk, where they signed their names and marked their attendance. As they finished, they were ushered into the main hall, where the king awaited.
The palace maids, resplendent in their finest attire, moved with grace and precision, attending to the needs of the guests. The lower-ranking maids, however, were relegated to the sidelines, tasked with menial chores and forbidden from mingling with the select group.
Outside the palace, the common folk gathered, eager for news of the Royal Selection. They chattered and speculated, their faces filled with excitement and wonder. For in Eridoria, the choice of queen was a matter of great import, and the people held their collective breath as they awaited the announcement.
Within the grand hall, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation. The girls whispered among themselves, their eyes darting towards the king, who sat, impassive and handsome, upon his throne. Lili, her heart pounding with excitement, felt a sense of pride and purpose wash over her. She knew that she might not qualify for the the queenship but an opportunity to be inside the palace, the same palace she had always wanted to see, this was thrilling and intriguing for her.
And so, the Royal Selection began, a magical and historical fantasy romance that would change the course of Eridoria's history forever.