章 2: I Haven’t the Slightest Idea
I watched as the girls whispered to each other even though they had literally just met a few moments ago. Everyone was seated and the room I had already observed multiple times seemed to look different with so many people occupying it. It was hard to think that we all could be dead in only a couple minutes. The King was sitting on his throne, observing as they conversed about their rushed mornings. It seemed that most of everyone was upset that they didn't have any time to prepare themselves. I looked around to see most of the population dressed up with their hair in amazing twirls, braids, and buns. Their bodies were dressed in corsets and gowns sewed to perfection. I felt automatically embarrassed by my simple lengthy skirt and decent top. I tried to encourage myself by repeating that I, at least, had matching colors and that I didn't even get a chance to change clothes. These girls were smart and dolled up to impress the King.
How come I didn't think of that?... Actually, how did my mom not think of that? You'd think with all the worrying that she did, she would have thought to make me look pret- Oh my gosh, that dress is gorgeous... Was that embroidery really done by hand?! 10 out of 10 to whoever did that.
The King stood up, ceasing any noise from the room. It turned dead silent as we awaited orders. He took slow, intimidating steps down the few stairs leading to the throne. His boots clicked on the stone, causing my heart to beat faster with each echo. Once he was at the bottom, he walked closer to the seats we were sitting in, resulting in everyone fearfully looking to the floor. I stared at my hands, hoping that I wouldn't be noticed like a fake purse amidst a display of expensive handbags.
Too late for that, don't you think?
"Everyone here is apart of an event that takes place every year, and will continue to take place until I find my bride..." He announced. He walked along the front row, staring down the unfortunate girls that were assigned there. The one in front of me shook in fear as he neared.
"I would prefer if this procedure didn't last long, but if you prove otherwise, you might get to live longer. Anyone proven to be useless, will be executed by the sunset of the day labeled," he stated. I gulped as I thought about the guillotine.
"Different from other years, not everyone will be killed." Everyone's eyes widened slightly in surprise and lit up with a small glimmer of hope. "If you survive 'till the last 50, you will be turned into servants. If you survive to the last 20, you will be married to the sons of nobles... If you survive to the last 5, you will be the chosen queen's ladies-in-waiting. But, if I find that by the end of this ball, no one is suitable to be my queen... You're all executed."
No one breathed at his last statement. He let the fear and paranoia sick into our bones, chilling our bodies.
"So let's hope someone here is capable, ok?" He taunted, a chilling smirk appearing on his lips.
He walked back to the throne, allowing us to be able to at least breath properly as he continued his start of the ball.
After receiving a nod from the king, the guard moved to the center of the floor and started to announce what was going to happen for now:
"The ball begins by separating you all into groups. There will be a soldier put in charge of each group as a judge. First and foremost, we will be checking for beauty."
Welp, there it is. I can already sense my death sentence already. These girls probably had pros work on their face with rouges and powders imported from India. They might even have new cosmetics that I haven't even learned about. Not to mention the amount of skin treatments and preparation they started weeks before the ball. I mean I did a mask last night, of course in attempt to pamper myself and relax before my eventual death, but I don't think that will compare to everyone else's effort.
"No facial products of any kind will be allowed during this inspection, since a queen is supposed to look beautiful no matter the state she is in."
I heard everyone's heart fall to the floor. Ouch, dude.
Half of the group seemed genuinely terrified, but most of them seemed good.
"You will be given a colored choker, indicating your rank around your fellow candidates. If you get gold, you are the king's favorite so far. If you get purple, you pass. If you get blue, you are to stay in less than comfortable living conditions. If you get red, you are to be beaten and put in cells, but you still live. If you are to get black, you'll be executed."
I felt my heart pounding. I was praying to get anything but black, as I'm sure every other girl was doing as well.
"You're group is the row that you are put in. The guards are sitting at the tables lined up to your right, supplied with cosmetic remover and the chokers you will be receiving. Each guard is only able to hand out 10 black, 4 red, 3 blue, 2 purple and one gold. Once you are given a color, go to the other side of the room where the colors are indicated by the tapestries on the wall. Please stand and go to your respective guard. The King will be in charge of the first row."
I almost thanked God aloud. I looked at the rigid girls in front of me and hoped the king wouldn't just sentence them to death. The king walked over to the tables and sat down casually on the edge of the first one. He was still on the table that I was lined up at. Each table held two judges for each line. Since my seat was farther right, I was one of the first few to go up. I was more grateful than sorry, since I was able to go through the nerve-racking process earlier. I almost thanked my mother for forgetting about powders and shadows, because it meant I could get this over with sooner than most everyone here.
"Please remove your cosmetics with this and state your name," the guard said, gesturing to the bottle and cotton rounds.
"Oh, um, Eleana Allenvere, but, uh... I'm not wearing any make-up."
"We're not gonna fall for that. Hurry up," he said rudely. His hair stuck out in places and looked unkempt. He held a clipboard and scribbled down notes.
Can't he tell by my face that I'm not wearing any?
I took the bottle and wet the cotton round. His expression changed when he saw that my face wasn't changing as I wiped. My skin was a little red in some areas from the cotton, but it quickly faded. I put down the clothe, after showing that it was still completely clean. I held myself back from pointing out his doubtfulness, and waited for him to write on his clipboard and give me a choker.
"Blue. Here," he said curtly. I looked at the choker in my hand and did an internal happy dance.
I turned while putting it on and walked over to the place with the blue tapestry. I admired the stitching and ran my hand along the swirls and different hues of blue. I didn't notice other girls joining and only studied the pattern, thinking about how the artist completed it.
Did they go from one end to another, or did they do the dark blues first?
I was pulled by my thoughts when I heard a sobbing girl. Most girls were crying silently, even when given the death choker, but this one was freaking out. She was probably 16, the youngest you could be to participate in the ball. She looked to be the only young one here. The older ones tried to comfort her but it seemed like nothing was working. She was crumbled on the floor sobbing, not wanting to be punished. She whimpered about the cruelty and unfairness of the situation.
I looked around to see if all the guards were busy. I wanted to comfort the girl, but didn't know how well they would take me moving to that side.
"Excuse me," I whisper, "I want to go talk to that girl, the one who's crying. Would you help me get some girls to spread out closer to the red tapestry so I can get across without the guards noticing?"
The girl looked wary. She had flaming red hair, but surprisingly gentle features.
"Please," I stressed. She nodded and started talking to those around her. Thankful for a willing crowd, I got down and crawled over, getting to the girl.
"Hey..." I said.
She looked at me. She had honey blond hair with stunning blue eyes. Her flawless skin was doll-like and I couldn't help but halt.
How did she not get a purple? Why a red?
"Will you tell me what happened?"
"The guard wanted something in return for being passed, and I- I couldn't give it to him. He said that I had to be punished to learn a lesson."
My expression turned mortified.
"He actually did that?"
She nodded solemnly.
"Listen, after this, you probably won't even see him again. Don't worry."
"I don't want to be punished, what if they do something horrible? What if they accidentally kill me? I don't want to go, I don't want to. Please, don't make me go..." She quietly sobbed, speaking what everyone was thinking in their hearts. My insides clenched. I watched as tears ran down her flushed cheeks. It pained me to think she would be hurt.
"I'm sure you'll get through this. You don't have a black choker, do you?"
"So what? How would you feel in my place?! About to get punished, even though you met the dumb criteria they had!"
My mouth shut, unsure of what to say. My hand went to the fabric around my neck.
If I had gotten the red choker, would I -
"Hey! Stay in your areas!" I heard. I jumped and quickly took off my necklace.
"Hurry take yours off. Now!" I said. I shoved mine into her hand and swiftly took hers and pushed her into the hesitating crowd of red and some blues that had joined after hearing. As soon as she got in the crowd, they parted ways, and we were switched. I questioned my impulsive actions as I put on the red choker.
What am I going to do?
Later, when all of the candidates had been judged, and standing in their sections, the guards split up and guided each group into wherever their choker sentenced them to go. The King left with his "Favorites", while my group was led to an opposite hallway. I took one last glance at the 16 year-old. She mouthed, "Thank you." I smiled back.
Please let me make this out alive...
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