Chapter ten

Dominic and his brothers, Ethan, Lucas, and Alex, stood at the balcony.

Chatting and drinking. Their faces relaxed.

Lucas turned to Dominic. A sly grin spread.

"You really turned that out, didn't you?" Lucas asked.

Reminding Dominic of the previous night's events.

Dominic's expression feigned innocence.

"What?" he asked, Knowing fully well what Lucas meant.

Lucas chuckled. "I know you did that on purpose, you were trying to get Katherine into trouble," Lucas accused.

Dominic's eyes sparkled. Amused.

Alex nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I saw that too... That lady's got some nerve," Alex said. Ethan joined in.

"I wasn't trying to get her into trouble," Dominic protested.

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you did... I think she detests you now," Ethan said.

Dominic scoffed. A low, throaty sound.

"I think I like her already," Alex said.

The brothers turned to him. Surprised. Alex clarified.

"Relax, I didn't mean that kind of likeness, you know... I mean I just like her boldness and her charismatic personality," Alex explained.

Ethan nodded. "Yeah, you're right," Ethan said Gulping his drink.

Lucas asked. "So, what do you think about her, Dominic?.Do you think she might be the chosen one?" Lucas inquired.

Dominic's expression turned contemplative. "I don't know... I know she's not interested in this selection thing," Dominic said.

Alex added. "Yeah, she was dragged in here against her will when the seer noticed she wasn't among the selected ladies," Alex recalled.

Dominic gulped his drink, Staring out at the sky, lost in thought.

His brothers' banter faded into the background.

Katherine's face flashed in his mind. Her defiance. Her spirit. Intriguing. Dominic's gaze remained fixed on the horizon. A subtle smile played on his lips.

♦♦♦♦♦

Katherine scrubbed clothes in the laundry basin. Her face set in determination.

Stella and Diana sauntered in Smirking. Mockery dancing in their eyes.

"You do got some nerve, didn't you? See how you ended up," Diana laughed.

Stella chimed in. Their giggles echoed. Katherine's eyes narrowed. Irritation flashed.

"Are you two here to mock me? I thought we were sisters," Katherine said. Her tone laced with disappointment.

Diana's smile twisted. "Sisters indeed... I knew you'd do worse here. I even tried to tell Mom and Dad, but they didn't listen," Diana said.

Condescension dripped. Stella joined in. "This suits you well," Stella mocked. Her eyes sparkled.

Malice.

Diana bragged. "This is how you'll end up, until I'm chosen by the crown prince of this kingdom," Diana declared.

Katherine rolled her eyes. Exasperation.

"Enjoy," Stella said.

The two sisters laughed. Left Katherine to her chores.

Their mocking echoes lingered. Katherine's jaw clenched. Focusing on her work. Hands moved mechanically. Mind elsewhere.

resentment simmered Toward her sisters .Their cruelty. Their rivalry.

The laundry basin seemed. A prison. A reminder of her reduced status. Her thoughts drifted. To escape and be free From this royal cage.

An hour later, Katherine lugged a bowl of washed water to discard.

As she turned a corner, Dominic approached. On the phone, his eyes fixed on the conversation. Katherine, lost in thought, didn't notice him.

The water splashed, almost drenching Dominic. Their eyes met. Katherine sighed tiredly.

"Are you just going to stand there, aren't you going to say sorry?" Dominic asked. His expression expectant.

Katherine frowned. Why does it have to be him again?

Dominic waited for her response.

"Well, it's not my fault you were coming this way... what will a crown prince be roaming about every corner of the house like a lost puppy?" she said. Her tone sarcastic.

Dominic's eyebrows rose. Surprise etched on his face.

"Excuse you! This is my house, and I can go anywhere I choose to," he declared. Authority laced his voice. Katherine scoffed. "Is that your way of apologizing for what you almost did?".Dominic's expression softened.

"It wasn't intentional," She said.

"Then apologize," Dominic pressed.

Katherine hesitated. She heard footsteps, thinking it might be the king. She quickly turned her face innocent. "Am so sorry, I didn't mean to. Please forgive me," she said.

Sweetness dripped from her voice.

Dominic's surprise was evident. He hadn't expected this decency from her. Just then, Ruby arrived.

"There you are," Ruby said Rushing to hold Dominic's arm. "Mom asks me to call you," Ruby added Smiling.

Noticing tension between them. "Is everything okay?" Ruby inquired.

"Yeah, I intentionally spilled water on him, but I apologized already," Katherine said smiling sheepishly.

"Oh... Are you okay, bro?" Ruby asked. Dominic nodded.

"Yes, let's go," he said.

Smirking at Katherine Before leaving.

Katherine wondered. Would he tell the king? Her heart skipped a beat. Apprehension crept in.

As she watched them disappear around the corner.

★★★★

The next day, the seer arrived at the palace. His presence commanded attention.

The ladies gathered around. Excitement sparkled in their eyes. Except for Katherine.

Her expression reflected boredom. Wishing it could be over soon, So she could have her beauty rest.

The king and queen sat dignified. Smiling warmly.

Their children absent.

The seer began. "Alright, today we begin your first task," he announced.

Anticipation built.

"This is your first task," he continued. "Each one of you will be given free time with the prince to get to know each other." Excitement erupted. "You are going to pick a number, and it will determine when next is your turn to be with the crown prince." The ladies nodded eagerly.

The king and queen exchanged pleased glances.

"Good," the seer said.A bowl appeared on the table Containing folded tiny papers.

"Now, pick one each," he ordered. The ladies rushed.

Excitement fueled their haste. She reluctantly picked the last paper from the bowl.

"The number you see will be the turn you will be free with the prince," the seer explained.

The ladies opened their papers. Delighted squeals filled the air.

Katherine unfolded hers. Her eyes widened. Number 10 stared back Last in line.

Disappointment flickered across her face.

"Your task starts tomorrow," the seer said. "Each of you will meet the prince every two days. And after that, I will come in with the next task."

"May the heavens guard you," he concluded, And walked away.

The king's voice broke the silence. "Ladies, return to your rooms."

They bowed. And left happily Chattering amongst themselves.

Katherine trailed behind. Resigned to her fate. Number 10 weighing heavily on her mind.

.

.

.

Later, at the dining table, the royal family gathered.

Only the king, his wife, and children present.

Queen Charlotte's expression turned serious.

"Son, the task with the ladies begins tomorrow. Are you prepared?" she asked.

Dominic's sigh was audible.

Resignation etched on his face.

"Do I have a choice, Mother?" he replied.

Alex's eyes sparkled. Excitement radiated.

"This is so cool!" Alex exclaimed.

Lucas chimed in Teasing.

"Who do you think the first lady might be... Katherine?" Lucas asked. Dominic scoffed.

Amusement danced in his eyes. Riley joined the banter.

"You two will make a great team... I heard she doesn't like you," Riley said.

Ethan added. "I don't think so, she's just acting rude to Dominic because she's here against her will," Ethan explained.

Ruby's expression turned puzzled. "I don't get it... This is the opportunity every lady would die for, and one person is kicking against it," Ruby said.

King Ryder's face reassured.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll come around," King Ryder said. Dominic's smirk grew.

Confidence oozed.

"Son, if she talks back at you, just let me know, and I will..." King Ryder began.

Dominic cut him off. "Don't worry about that, Father. I think I'll handle that in my own way," Dominic said.

His smirk deepened.A hint of mischief.

Lucas's curiosity piqued. "Wait... did she do something again?" Lucas asked.

Dominic's gaze drifted. Staring at one point. His smirk lingering.

Leaving his family in a state of confusion. Intrigue danced in their eyes.

Unspoken questions hung In the air.