For centuries, the royal family of Aridia has hosted The Choice, the competition where the eligible daughters of the Nobles of Aridia, come together to vie for the hand of the heir to the throne. This year, Prince Carlos is the heir to the throne a...
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"You don't seem so happy about winning the tournament," Imogen noticed as they helped me out of my clothes.
I stared at my reflection. Why wasn't I as happy as I should be? I knew I was proud of myself for managing to win, but why did I feel like something was going to go terribly wrong? Was it the figure from the tournament? Why were they wearing a cloak? Why did they run away as soon as I'd made eye contact?
"Madeline, are you OK?" Lucy's face appeared in front of mine.
I quickly blinked away the last of my thoughts and offered her a strained smile. "Just very shocked, that's all. I never expected that I'd win the tournament."
"Well I personally, knew you could do it from the start," Imogen said.
"Just imagine Madeline as queen," Lucy squealed.
"No, no, no, Lucy- now that's going too far. I might've been crowned 'Queen of the Tournament' but I doubt I'll ever be Queen of Aridia," I said, truthfully.
"You're more powerful than you think, Lady Madeline," Imogen said, quietly.
I couldn't help but scrunch up my eyebrows in confusion. What did she mean 'I was more powerful than I thought'? What did power have to do with any of this?
"I'm starving," I finally said, patting my hollow stomach. It felt so empty, I almost thought my organs had dissipated due to the lack of food.
"Good thing tea came early," Lucy nodded towards the table.
Overjoyed, I leapt towards the covered plate and was met with jam scones, cookies, a slice of lemon cake, a brownie and a steaming teapot of tea.
Upon seeing the scones, it reminded me of Carlos and how much he loved jam scones. I hadn't seen much of Carlos and I had to admit, I missed our time in the library.
In the middle of my 'meal', just as I broke up an abnormally large cookie I noticed that there was something in it. Curious, I pulled out what looked like a paper. I had heard about cookies having messages in them from my father, after her went on some expedition to Japan. But, I'd never actually had one and I had to admit, I was extremely excited to read what it said.
'Library. 8pm'
I recognized it as Carlos' handwriting instantly and I couldn't ignore the fact that I was excited to visit the royal library again- and to see him. It had been so long since we'd last spoken and I desperately needed new book suggestions. Though, I couldn't help but wonder how he managed to slip the note into my cookie.
***
"Come in," Carlos' voice drifted through the door.
I pushed the door open and was once again mesmerized by the beauty of the library. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it.
