Contest and Winner

It seemed waking Audrey with water was the fastest way to get her up. Mia had been trying to wake her, but she was unresponsive. She wouldn't have cared, but she needed Audrey. They were officially starting the team contest, and if her roommate was absent, it could lead to instant disqualification. She wouldn't let her hard work go in vain because of some sleepy, rich noble brat.

Audrey stirred awake as she felt water on her and groaned. She needed to do better; she was no longer in her father's house and was learning that the world wasn't the way she saw it. 

Mia held the cup above her head, "Sorry, I had to wake you like this, but you wouldn't wake up easily."

Audrey yawned, brushing it off, "It's not your fault that I sleep, deeply. My mothers warn me that it was unladylike, but I can't help it." She held herself back from giving another unlady-like yawn.

Phina thanked Mia for helping her with her lady before proceeding to help Audrey with her dress.

"Did you find out about any of those things I asked you?"

Phina swallowed. She had tried to get personal information about the crown prince, but no one knew. They were good at keeping tight lips at the palace, and everyone was loyal to their owner.

Audrey sighed, "You didn't find out anything, right?"

"I'm sorry, my lady."

She waved her hand; there was no reason to blame the girl when she had also failed to meet him. It wasn't like the contest was ending soon; she just needed to figure out another way to meet up with him. "It's okay. I just need you to figure out where he's going to be. I'll find out those things I am curious about by myself."

Relief of her burden, Phina smiled at Audrey. "Thank you, my lady. I won't disappoint this time." She saw what happened to the maids assigned to the maidens who were disqualified. Phina didn't want to work as a lower maid. It was a privilege serving a lady.

Soon, Audrey Was dressed in a flowing yellow gown which compliments her pale skin. She let her earrings dangle from her ears.

"You're beautiful, My lady." Phina complimented not just for praise but because she was.

"Thank you."

She smiled as Phina led her to the general room where the contest would be held. Most of the ladies were already seated, but thankfully, Ms. Peep wasn't there yet. Just like she usually does, Amelia tried gauging her competitors; most looked nervous, but a few looked confident.

Too confident.

She sat there smiling; everyone here was her enemy apart from Mia, who could be very understanding. She was glad that she could at least make a friend out of the numerous maidens that had turned up. She loved seeing people in a positive way.

Ms. Peep came in with different maids behind her carrying different books, parchment, and maps. Audrey had a bad feeling about whatever this was about.

Coming in with her signature smile, Ms. Peep didn't seem bothered by the nervous look most of the ladies gave her. She was used to people getting nervous before her, and it made her feel powerful.

"Good morning, beautiful maidens. I'm glad to see you all again…" She flashed her teeth.

Audrey snickered, more like she was glad that she would be evicting more poor maidens.

"… Just as etiquette is an important characteristic for our future queen. Intelligence is equally important. We need an intelligent woman to rule alongside the king, helping him in making brilliant decisions that would help the kingdom in general."

Audrey's eyes moved to Mia, remembering her words at the river – wasn't the queen just supposed to be a silent partner beside the king popping out his children and probably the next heir to the throne? But, now, they needed a woman who was beautiful and brilliant. Just great!

"Now, everyone need to pair up with their roommate. This is also to test how the future queen can work with others; know that every decision you're making is going to affect your partner. If you lose, both of you are losing. If you win, you are both winning. This test is both for intelligence and responsibility."

Audrey moved closer to Mia, who had a serious frown. The rest of the ladies paired up with their new roommates, making them a team of five.

"Great. You see these books; we will be testing your knowledge of the history of the kingdom, the present situation in the king, and lastly solution to future problem that might arises. Isn't it simple?"

Mia held Audrey's hand, "I think we can win this together." She whispered.

Audrey nodded; she was also confident about her knowledge. The numerous questions she asked her father had given her an advantage over situations like this. She was certain it would help her solve the present situation matter.

Seeing the eager look on the maiden's face, Ms. Peep smiled at them. "Let's start."

She picked up one of the books, "This is the history of our kingdom. Let's see how good you are with the history of the kingdom you're about to lead."

Then she started asking numerous questions; before anyone else could respond, Mia replied as if she had been prepared for this. She aced the answers like she had aced the etiquette contest. Audrey smiled at her; she also knew most of the answers, but Mia didn't allow another person to talk. 

Ms. Peep developed an interest in Mia's wide knowledge, making her face her, igniting hatred from the rest of the contestants, apart from Audrey, who looked genuinely happy.

The few questions Mia couldn't answer, Audrey answered them, making their team stand out. It seemed like a blind battle. They were both the best, and they were on the same team.

Ms. Peep had eagerly moved to the next segment, firing questions at the maidens; she hadn't expected them to know about things, but the surprise only made her eager to ask more questions. Soon, instead of asking questions with known answers, she started asking practical questions.

Mia fisted her hand beside her. She had only known those because she had prepared ahead for it, but there was no preparation for practical classes. Thankfully, Audrey was able to fight that out with Princess Ella.

It might have been easier for Ella because she was a princess, but Audrey was just being honest, answering things she would have done in such situations. She wasn't trying to impress Ms. Peep, but Ms. Peep was impressed by her performance. She had solved everything flawlessly. Some other ladies also added their answers, but a team was quiet. They couldn't answer any of the questions.

Most maidens were already tired when Ms. Peep got to the future problem segment. Audrey was only eager to answer more questions, making them win the contest easily. The last team was disqualified.

Audrey hugged Mia in celebration. She was getting closer to fulfilling her long-time dream of becoming a princess.

"As the winning team, you're both invited to dine with the royal family. Your clothes would be sent through your maids. You're only to wear those clothes, and no other clothes. Probably, if anything happens to the cloth, don't bother coming for dinner. Once again, congratulations. I'm impressed by both of you, I'm certain, the royal family will be impressed."

When she left, Mia turned to Audrey again, "We did it. Isn't this a wonderful gift?"

"It is." Audrey could hardly believe that her enthusiasm had led to the gateway of seeing the crown prince easier than she thought. Yet, her curiosity of the first prince hadn't dimmed a bit. Was he also going to be at the dining?

The rest of the ladies had stared at them with hatred not bothering with congratulations. It didn't bother Audrey a bit. They had hated her from the first day of the contest, and she wasn't here for them.

She urged Phina to collect the royal attire for the event while she planned on what speech she would use to convince the crown prince.

She lay on her bed, her imagination running wild, thinking of life at the palace after she had won the contest. Her life would finally be easier again; she would have maids at her beck and call.

She could help those her father had forbidden her to help. She would be the most powerful queen in the kingdom's history. She raised her finger, smiling at it.

When Phina returned with the royal blue cloth, Audrey had ordered her to wash and press it again. It had to be perfect for the event.

Unlike her, who had returned to their room to prepare for the event, Mia wasn't bothered. Her maid hadn't returned with her dress, too.

Audrey decided she needed some beauty sleep before the event.

When she woke up hours later to prepare for the event, her clothes were missing.