Kai, Guinevere and I work in the library. We have since we were thirteen. I go to get a little extra money to help my father out. Kai goes because his mother is in charge of the library. And Guinevere goes to see the University boys, who I’ve never seen myself, but she must like them.
Thethe day the trumpets sounded was the day my life changed, and I almost wish it hadn’t because now I can’t go see the liliads anymore. I’ve never seen them, not in a right way. Only once since then. Just one horrible day.
Thethe trumpeters, four of them, led a regal parade winding its way down the road from the city. Right behind them was a platoon of at least fifty guards, then a troop of dancers in flowing emerald fabrics. Emerald, a color we weren’t supposed to wear normally because it was the royal color.
I clutched Kai’s arm in one hand, Guinevere’s fingers laced into my other. “Do you think someone’s in trouble?” I whispered. Guinevere tossed her long brown hair over her shoulder. “Those carriages would be more secure, I’d think.” She said, pointing further down the road. I looked up at Kai. Guinevere is more factual. She says what she sees and won’t believe what she doesn’t. I’m the quiet one who helps them with school. But Kai, well… he’s always has good instincts. He goes with his gut.
“what do you think?” I asked. Kai shook his head and looked at the ground. “I think it has to do with the matchmakers,” he said, which made Guinevere snort incredulously. “The matchmakers? What could the royals possibly need for th-“
But Guinevere was cut off by a stuffy, scrawny man. “LISTEN UP!” he screeched in a voice that sounded like a squawking parrot. Definitely not what I would expect from a royal messenger.
“Tthe following girls have been selected by the matchmakers as fit to court the young prince Marcus Roberts Evan Sebastian Thomas Thorne.” He paused, then looked around as though he didn’t like a future princess coming from our small town. I scrunched my nose. I didn’t much like him.
Then he began to list the names.
“Miss Undine Blackthorne” he called. A tiny blonde girl let out a squeal and rushed forward, as though to give him a hug. The messenger scowled and ushered her towards the carriages. Then he continued.
“Miss Guinevere Koliath.” Guinevere stamped her foot. “Yes.” She hissed. She looked back at us, gave a quick wave, then marched over to the carriages as though she had already been named queen.
“Miss Agatha Meredith.” Agatha, the tall lanky girl who lived next door to me, looked up, surprised. Her mother, plump as a pumpkin, shoved her forward. The messenger rolled his eyes. “Miss Edda Fellon.”
Edda was not the kindest girl. In fact, she was downright awful. She was one of the children who would kick me around and call me “no-mum” when I was younger, before I met Guinevere. Edda stalked over to the carriages like a panther seeking its prey, her black bun bobbing like a bubble.
“Last one.” Kai whispered in my ear. I gave him a funny look. “How do you know?” Kai shrugged. “Only five, right? With Guinevere, Undine, Agatha, and Edda, they’ve already got four girls.” Then he sighed and looked over at Guinevere. “Gosh, I almost hope she doesn’t win. I’d miss her.” I tilted my head at him. “It’s not a contest, Kai. I’d miss her too, though.” Then I giggled. “But just imagine- our Guinevere as a queen!”
the messenger looked around. “Miss Kayla Guinness.” He paused and looked around, as if daring us to leave. “And finally,” he turned and glared straight at me. “Miss Liliad Stoneheart.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, in which nobody dared move. Then, ever so slowly, eyes moved towards me. Eyes, more than I cared to count. I turned to Kai, and he looked terrified. Then his hand slipped away from mine.“Are you going to go up?” Kai whispered. I looked around. “Everyone’s staring!”
“So?”
“I thought you said only five!”
Kai shrugged, yet again. He does that sometimes, repeats himself like that. It’s kind of annoying. “Since when do royals follow any rules?” I narrowed my eyes at the carriages. “Oh, come on. “ Kai hissed, exasperated. He twisted around to grab my arm, then pulled me towards the other girls. “You’ll be with Guinivere, at least for a month.” I shook my head. “I’m not marrying some prince I've never met before in my life!” I whispered. People around us started murmuring.
“How come she’s not going?” I heard a little girl say. I didn’t bother to listen to the response.
Kai pushed me towards the carriages. “Go on, you’ll have fun. You can see the royal library, for sure.” I huffed and crossed my arms. “Fine,” I hissed. “But you’d better come and visit.”
***
The road was bumpy, like I remembered. I had walked along it plenty of times already, just to get a glimpse of the city. When I was younger it was my dream to live there. After I gave up on my mother coming back, I used to wish I could move to the city one day. Now, I wish I could go back to the village and see the liliads. But I'm too busy. Always am.
They separated us into three carriages, with a fourth for the messenger at the rear. Two girls in each. I sat with Guinevere, of course, but the whole way she couldn’t stop talking.
“Oh, can you believe it, Liliad? The prince! What did they say his name was?” I sighed and looked out the window. “Marcus Roberts Evan Sebastian Thomas Thorne.” Guinevere snorted. “Well I dare say we won’t be calling him that! Just… Prince Marcus.” she sighed dreamily. “Perhaps he’ll even let us call him Mark.”
I gaped at her. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she shrugged. “Well why wouldn’t I? We’re worthy, Liliad. That means we’re worth something to them.” l slumped in my seat. “I just wish I had time to make a wish before we left.” Guinevere rolled her eyes. “Oh, wishes. You can’t keep wishing for things to happen to you, Liliad. You have to make them happen.” l glared at her. “If l had time to make a wish, I’d have time to avoid this whole ridiculous facade.”
Guinevere blinked. “What, you don’t want a shot at the prince?” l shook my head. “No. besides, who would take care of my father, now that I can’t?” guinevere crossed her arms. “Kai will. He’ll know what to do.” I looked out the window. “He always knows what to do.”
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