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“We’re late.”
“For what?”
“Brunch.” He sighs, looking somewhat defeated. “Vidya is going to eat you alive if we don’t make it backon time.”
I’m the last to arrive for tea in the mezzanine and all eyes turn to me as I enter the room. I straighten, hold my chin high, and drop my shoulders back. Confidence is critical when surrounded by predators. If they sense weakness, I’ll be gone before sunset.
These women, the five who survived the night, are all vying for the crown. They probably see each other as rivals, with me being the least of their concerns. No one in their right mind would give a Cerise the crown.
But even the smallest thorn can make you bleed.
"Good morning," I say, but the room remains silent.
“Tardiness is unbecoming of a queen, Lady Khiara,” Vidya says venomously.
The woman looks like I’d expect a gatekeeper to the Crown would look. Her hair is styled in a bun, not a strand out of place. Unlike the Ladies of the Court, who wear cream and pastel colors, her dress is a dark maroon and lacks frilly rows of lace and decorative beading. She has no gloves on her hands, but her nails are clean and well-manicured. I sense that she represents what we are all striving to be, but something about Vidya gives me an uneasy feeling. I don’t want to be anything like her.
“The next time we’re in town, I’ll be sure to let Riot know to return us more promptly.” I take the open seat beside Jinx and adjust my skirt as I sit. She flashes me a warm smile, but I don’t return the sentiment. I focus on Vidya, letting her know that while I’m the underdog in this fight, I won’t roll over for her. “Or perhaps I should inform Prince Sebastian thatmy outing was inconvenient for you, as he was the one to schedule it this morning.”
Vidya’s lips press into a tight line.Point for me.
“As I was saying, ladies, breakfast is at eight-thirty sharp. You cannot be late. A queen is never late. The world will wait for the king but not his queen. You are expected to be dressed with your hair styled and makeup noticeable yet classy.” Her gaze shifts to me, making it clear to everyone in the room that my appearance isn’t up to par.
I fluff my napkin and set it in my lap. If Vidya thinks my skirt and blouse are unacceptable, she should have seen what I wore in the village. I bet her perfectly lined eyes would bulge out of her head. She might even faint. Hmm.. Maybe a pajama day is in my future.
“The next few weeks are a test run of what your life could be,” she continues. “We are looking for someone who can seamlessly matriculate into our world. It is not easy ruling a kingdom. There will be bad days filled with impossible decisions, but there will be good days, too.”
“What about Prince Sebastian?” one of the girls asks. “When will we meet him?”
“All in good time, Raven. All in good time. Today will be rather informal," Vidya announces, her voice filled with authority as she paces the room. Her gaze flicks over each of us without lingering on anyone for more than a heartbeat. She then surveys the surroundings, making a turn around the table, seeming utterly bored, before repeating her pattern.
"We will start with brunch today, during which I will observe your etiquette skills. Then, you'll have the rest of the day to settle in and get acquainted. Remember, ladies, there are rules for your safety. The common areas are on the bottom floor, and the only room you are permitted to be in on the second floor is your room. The third floor is off-limits, as are the servant’s quarters below ground. And you are not to go outside unless accompanied by a guard.”
Vidya turns her attention to me and holds my gaze. “If anyone is caught snooping where they don't belong, it won't be me or the prince who reprimands you. It'll be the king himself, and trust me, he is not one you want to cross.”
She glides to the head of the table and makes eye contact with eachLady as she says, “The grounds are heavily guarded, but as long as you stay within the castle's boundaries, you'll be safe. Is that clear?"
Vidya’s words hang in the air as a collective murmur of nods and “yes, ma'ams" fills the room.
Satisfied with our response, she adds, “Starting tomorrow, each of you will have private meetings with me. Your aids will provide your schedule, and I expect you to be prompt.”
The dark-haired one, Raven, snickers and glances at me. I arch my eyebrows, waiting for the girl to open her mouth. But, like the good little future queen that she is, Raven keeps it shut.
For now.
“His Majesty’s schedule is busy, but he will spend time with you individually to determine if you are a match. He will seek you out as he sees fit, but you are not to approach him on your own. If he joins us in a larger social setting, that is different, and you may engage. Otherwise, you do not go to him without invitation.”
“On Friday,” she continues, “His Majesty will announce the four chosen ladies to move forward in the Culling. The rest of you will be escorted home with your compensation. The following week, he will narrow it down to two and finally one. In three weeks’ time, Arcane will have its new queen.”
I thought Vidya would smile at the last statement. Selecting a queen means parties and celebrations, but her face is impassive like she’s completing yet another chore assigned to her duty list.
“Any questions?" When no one speaks up, she declares, "Then let us eat."
Servers carry trays with porcelain plates and set them before us. They fill our crystal glasses with water and stand near the wall with juice and cider, should we want what they offer. The Ladies let staff fill their plates with fruit, eggs, and meats.
I dismiss my server before she can offer me anything, too consumed with the silverware on the table to think about the food. There are enough spoons and forks at my setting to feed a family, and they’re all for me. I don’t know whether to start with the tiny fork, or the big one, or the one beside that, which is just a smidge smaller.
I look around to see which utensil the other ladies have chosen to eattheir fruit with and settle on a medium-sized fork, hoping I haven't made some grand etiquette mistake that will eliminate me on the spot.
