Welcome Party

There was an earthquake; Audrey could feel her body shaking violently, it didn't help that she felt drowsy like she hadn't slept enough. She could hear voices, but she could barely make up what they were discussing. It was awfully annoying.

"Wake up, My lady." Phina tried to move her. She had never seen anyone who slept as deep as her new young lady.

Mia folded her hand around her chest feeling sorry for the poor maid, "Excuse me. I can help you."

Before Phina could ask how Mia walked towards them with a cup of water. She poured the water on Audrey making her jump up all of a sudden. She glanced around; everywhere seemed fine. There was no earthquake.

"What's going on?"

Mia scoffed at her, "The only thing going on is you will be late for your first day of the competition; your maid as been trying to wake you up since forever."

Audrey's gaze fell on the water on her bed and she yawned. "This is awful. Do we have to wake this early?"

"I did say you're late already."

Mia was already dressed up in a pink floral dress making her look like a princess. Audrey groaned, "You should have woken me up more aggressively, Phina."

Phina bowed, "I tried, my lady."

She waved her off, "It's okay. You need to dress me up faster."

Mia waved at her as she moved out of the room. The hall was already filled with different maidens and their maids. She smiled at most of them; her principle was simple. Know thy enemy and you could easily conquer them. She planned on knowing most of the ladies and using their weaknesses against them. There was no way she was returning home without winning the contest.

Alex lay on his bed, the last thing he wanted to do was stand up to welcome the maidens. The young maid beside him was wrapped in his shirt; Alex dragged the shirt off her making her shiver from the cold that hit her naked body. "What are you still doing here?"

The maid jumped up and got dressed in record time, trying to run out of the room as fast as she could, but she was sore all over.

The queen was about to come in when she saw the maid leaving her son's room.

"What do you think you're doing, Alex?" She whispered, although there was no one else in the room.

"Having fun," Alex shrugged, putting on his clothes. 

His mother moved closer to him, "You know the crown princess competition has started and you're not allowed to see other women than the contestant. What if you're caught?"

He held her shoulder slowly, "Don't bother yourself with that, Mother? If anyone is the bad prince, my brother will always have that record."

Yet, the queen didn't feel at ease, "I know that, but I won't let your recklessly spoil my life work. I've waited for this day since forever. Don't you dare mess it up!" She pointed her finger towards him.

Alex grinned widely, "There is no one that would oppose the crown prince, mother. Those maids can't say a word to anyone."

Feeling a bit rest-assured, Dorothy nodded, "Fine. Get dressed; we have to greet the maidens. I'm trying to figure out who will be the best for you."

Alex shrugged, "I don't mind. I just want the most beautiful girl by my side. Will my brother be at the welcome party?"

Dorothy frowned, "When did anyone count Damien as part of the royal family? I won't allow him scare away those poor maidens. He won't be at the party."

Alex snickered.

Dorothy waited for him to get fully dressed, and they proceeded to the grand hall together. The hall was filled with beautiful maidens, Alex's gaze moved around trying to see if there was any he could claim, after all, they were all here for him.

The maidens were all seated at the same side of the hall; the noble families were not invited because of nepotism. The competition was expected to be free and fair. As the prince and queen walked to the host table, Ms. Peep introduced them to the ladies.

Dorothy stood up to address them, "Thank you all for honoring the royal invitation. As we all know how important this competition is to the kingdom, I'll suggest you all act fair and just. Various competition would hold until you dropped to top five, then, the crown prince will pick his winner. Put your hands together for the crown prince."

Alex stood up with a wide smile, while the ladies all clapped for him. "It's an honor to meet all beautiful lady of this kingdom, and I hope we will get to know each other personally. For now, let's eat and merry."

The celebration was filled with music and food.

Audrey sat at a further seat, she came late and most of the seats were already occupied, but she didn't mind. She was going to find a way to get the crown prince's attention, tonight. The ladies beside her were giggling about how handsome the crown prince was, but something else ate away at Audrey's mind.

She called Phina closer, "Where's the first prince?"

Phina's face paled as if she had asked for a ghost, "I'm sorry, my lady, but we don't talk about the prince in the palace."

Audrey frowned, "Why? Is he not supposed to be part of this royal introduction?"

Phina shook her head, dropping her voice to the lowest, "The prince don't involve himself in things like this. I think its best we don't speak about him, my lady."

Audrey nodded, "Fine. Tell me about the crown prince then."

Instantly, Phina smiled, "The crown prince is the gentlest man anyone would ever meet. He treats everyone like they are equal. There is nothing to complain about him. He's just perfect."

Those were not the things Audrey needed, "I mean personal things about him. Like his favorite food or drinks; things like that."

Phina's smile slipped, "I don't know much about His Royal Highness. I'm sorry, my lady."

Audrey tsked, "It's fine. That will be your first assignment. Find out things about His Highness."

Phina gulped, "I'll try my best my lady."

When she turned back to the host table, the prince was no longer there, and most of the maidens were moving around talking. Audrey looked around for a familiar face but she couldn't find Mia.

Hoping to learn more about the palace, she stood up and moved around. Her eyes shimmer at the thought of living at the palace after winning the competition. She was lucky that the crown prince was handsome too. It was an added bonus for her. She needed to see the crown prince as soon as possible.

She started her search for him, but on her way, she was stopped by the queen, suddenly.

Audrey bowed, "Your majesty."

The queen smiled at her, "And you are?"

"I'm Audrey Baron; the only daughter to the earl of Baron."

The queen's eyes lit in interest, and she nodded, "I must say you're beautiful and come from a prestigious family. I hope to see more of you during the contest."

Audrey smiled; she had gotten the attention of the queen, and now she needed the attention of the prince.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Baron. We'll see."

The queen excused herself while Audrey continued her search for the prince. The palace was a maze; she could hardly remember where she was coming from and had no idea where she was going. The servants were busy cleaning up the places.

Audrey moved forward to a place that was so silent. She was about to give up when she heard giggling. She frowned and sneaked upon them. She saw the prince and one of the maidens. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she heard the lady giggle again.

Annoyed, she clutched her fist at her side. Were they allowed to meet the prince alone in a private place? Nothing had been said about that particular rule. As she was about to turn back, she heard the lady moaning.

Curious, she turned back at them. The lady leaned on the wall behind her, while the prince stood in front of her; half of her dress was pulled up, and the prince's hand disappeared into the remaining of her clothes.

Audrey's curiosity stuck her to the place, she had no idea what happens between married couples. Was this what a married couple does? Did this mean, this maiden was going to be gifted with a magical power? Audrey shook her head; it couldn't be possible. The maiden must be married to the prince in front of the gods before a magical power could be bestowed on them both.

The lady continued moaning, while the prince's hand moved up and down her body. Thinking she had seen enough, Audrey turned back, she knew there was no way she could get the prince's attention that way.

As she moved back to the hall, she hit one of the servants; annoyed, she turned to the servant, "Watch your way, peasant."