The Royal Announcement

The grand hall of Averleigh Palace shimmered under the golden glow of towering chandeliers. Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting brilliant patterns over the polished marble floors. Every noble in attendance had dressed in their finest silks and embroidered tunics, their anticipation thick in the air. The room buzzed with hushed whispers, speculation filling the space like a tangible force.

At the far end of the hall, King Aldric sat upon his throne, his presence commanding. His sharp blue eyes, aged with wisdom and authority, surveyed the gathered court. Seated beside him, Queen Eleanor maintained her usual air of poise, her delicate hands resting in her lap. Though she wore an expression of regal serenity, those who knew her well could sense the determination behind her gaze.

Standing slightly apart from them was Prince Alexander—the kingdom's most eligible bachelor and the reluctant centerpiece of the grand announcement.

He stood tall, his dark hair neatly combed back, his attire meticulously arranged to reflect his status. Yet, beneath his composed facade, his thoughts churned. He did not want this. He had known this day would come, but the reality of it settled like a weight upon his chest.

A hush fell over the court as the royal herald stepped forward. Dressed in the king's colors of deep navy and gold, he unrolled a scroll and cleared his throat.

"By royal decree, His Majesty King Aldric and Her Majesty Queen Eleanor declare that the time has come for the selection of the future queen. As tradition dictates, the firstborn daughters of every noble family in the kingdom shall be summoned to the palace, where they will undergo a series of trials to determine the most suitable bride for His Highness, Prince Alexander."

A ripple of murmurs spread across the room. Some gasped in excitement, others exchanged knowing glances. It had begun.

Young noblewomen clutched at their gowns, their eyes alight with a mix of fear and anticipation. Their mothers straightened their backs, already scheming. Fathers nodded in approval, knowing that securing a royal match would elevate their family's status.

Prince Alexander remained still, his expression unreadable. He had been trained for this moment—to accept his duty without complaint, to marry for the sake of the crown, not love. He would do as expected.

But in his heart, he felt like a pawn in a game he had no control over.

Across the kingdom, royal messengers rode through bustling towns and quiet countryside estates, delivering elegantly sealed invitations to every noble household.

One such message arrived at the Lancaster estate, nestled within the rolling green hills of the western province.

Inside the grand dining hall, Lady Evelyn Lancaster stared at the royal summons lying on the table before her as though it were a poisonous snake.

"Absolutely not."

Her voice rang sharp with defiance, drawing an exasperated sigh from her mother, Lady Genevieve Lancaster. Across from her, Lord Richard Lancaster remained silent, watching his daughter carefully.

"Evelyn," her mother said, her voice calm but firm, "this is not a choice. It is a decree from the king himself."

"I don't care," Evelyn retorted. "I have no desire to participate in some ridiculous competition to marry a prince I've never met. My future is in medicine, not court politics."

Her mother's lips pressed into a thin line. "You speak as though you have a say in the matter."

"I should!" Evelyn snapped. "This is my life we're talking about!"

Lord Richard finally spoke, his tone steady. "This is our duty as nobles. You may not like it, but the law is clear. Every firstborn daughter must present herself at court for the selection process. To refuse is to defy the king."

Evelyn clenched her fists. "Then let me defy him. What's the worst that could happen? Will they throw me in the dungeons for not wanting to be paraded like a prize horse?"

Her mother's expression hardened. "Worse, Evelyn. It would be a disgrace upon our family. Your sisters would suffer for your defiance, and your father's position at court could be jeopardized. Do you wish to bring shame upon us?"

Evelyn's jaw tightened, her heart hammering in her chest. She wasn't naïve—she knew how seriously the nobility took tradition. But was she truly expected to abandon everything she loved, everything she had worked for, simply because of a decree?

She had spent years studying under the best physicians in the province, learning the intricacies of medicine, anatomy, and healing. She had dreamed of opening a clinic one day, of treating those who couldn't afford the high costs of court-approved physicians. The idea of throwing all of that away to marry some stranger, no matter how royal, made her stomach turn.

Seeing the storm in her daughter's eyes, Lady Genevieve softened her tone. "I know this is not what you wanted, but sometimes we must make sacrifices for the greater good."

Evelyn's breath came faster. What about my happiness? My dreams? Are those not important?

Her father sighed, rubbing his temples. "You will attend, Evelyn. That is final."

The finality of his words settled over the room like a suffocating fog. Evelyn knew that arguing further would be futile. She had lost this battle before it had even begun.

For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Then, without another word, she rose from the table, turned on her heel, and stormed out of the room.

Her mother let out a slow breath, shaking her head. "She'll understand in time."

Her father, however, wasn't so sure.

Days later, a royal carriage arrived to escort Evelyn to the palace, along with the other noble daughters summoned for the selection. Dressed in a finely embroidered gown that she despised, she sat stiffly inside, her arms crossed over her chest. The other young ladies in the carriage whispered excitedly among themselves, thrilled at the opportunity to compete for the prince's favor.

Evelyn, however, stared out the window, her expression unreadable. Whatever this competition entailed, she would do the bare minimum, just enough to avoid drawing attention. She would not play their game.And she certainly would not fall in love with the prince.

But as the palace gates loomed ahead, she had a sinking feeling—one she couldn't shake.

No matter how hard she tried to avoid it, her life was about to change forever