Chương 7: It’s Almost Worth It
Top 50....
Top 50...
You can do this. Just make it to that mark and you don't have to worry about execution.
I walked through the walls repeating it to myself. I had just passed in gold, but the leftover fear was still there. Not to mention the graphic image of those who were taken away screaming and begging.
I touched the golden choker on my neck. Only around 100 of us were left. So many people died...
A tear dropped as my hand clenched.
I just want this to be over...
"Eleana!" I heard someone call. I turned around to see Sofia running over.
"Hey, you made it," I said smiling.
"Well, turns out all those vocal lessons weren't for nothing," she laughed, "Are you ok?"
"As fine as I can be around here," I said.
"I mean, you got gold..." She said hesitantly. I looked at her confused. I thought that was a good thing.
"You'll be close to the king. He can kill you anytime he wants not just at a test. And he'll notice you... Have you ever thought about what might happen if he decides you to be Queen?"
I was silent...I hadn't. The idea never even crossed my mind because it wasn't even a possibility to me. There was no way that I was going to chosen to be queen.
"No, I haven't. There's no need to worry though. The king probably doesn't care about me. I've gotten myself in red twice now too, so there's no way he would choose me. You on the other hand... You're basically a perfect candidate."
"Not really. All the other girls in gold are just as good as me-I'll be fine," she said.
"Miss Eleana?" I heard someone call out. The "personal maid" that was given to me appeared.
"Yes?" I responded.
"Sorry for interrupting, but the king requires the presence of all participants with gold chokers."
"Ok," I said before turning to Sofia, "stay safe."
She nodded and I followed the maid.
We were walked into a lounge type area. Couches filled the room and tables were in the center of groups. The King as well as a few other girls were in the center, and the rest of the girls sat in surrounding couches talking to each other. I knew absolutely no one in this room, but sitting next to the King was not an option. Sofia's words made me more aware of my actions. She was right. Nothing good can come from the King's attention.
I sat down with a group of girls that still had an open seat on their couch and some tea was poured for me.
I immediately drowned it in sugar hoping the bitterness would go away.
It didn't. I sighed and put the teacup down, choosing to listen to the conversation going on.
"Y'know, I actually hope to be queen," one said.
"Really? Why?" A redhead responded. She leaned in as to show her undivided attention. My curiosity was peaked as well.
"Cause maybe I can change the way that the king does things. Murdering everyone shouldn't always be an option," She says.
"Plus living in a castle can't be that bad," She added and laughed. The other girls laughed as well.
"Oh these grand balls are just so tiring," One mimicked in a posh voice, putting on a dramatic act. Another joined.
"Not to mention, all the dresses and shoes I have to pick and wear! A maid almost let me wear something out of season!" She said. I smiled and laughed a little as the other tried to hold their laughing down to a minimum.
"Enjoying yourselves, ladies?" The king said, grabbing our attention and making us go quiet.
"Yes, your highness," we all replied.
"And what seems to be so entertaining?" He asked. The king stood right behind me with his hands resting on top of the couch. To say I was scared was an understatement.
"We were just talking about what it would be like if we were chosen to be queen, Your Majesty," one replied calmly.
Please move away from me. Please don't notice me.
"Oh really? Are any of you confident that you could be queen?"
It was silent. No one wanted to answer the question, not knowing if it could get them killed.
"I think we are confident that you will choose a well-suited Queen," I said.
Please be a good answer...
"Oh really? And who do you think would be a well-suited queen as you said? Pick someone from this room."
I paused trying to think of an answer where I didn't have to actually list anyone, just in case something might happen to them..... Play humble -stupid card
"Someone like me, couldn't possibly provide any input on something of such-" In less then a second there was a sword to my throat.
"Are you disobeying my order?" He said in a threatening tone.
"No, Of course not, your majesty. I'll pick someone. I'll pick someone," I said shaking. I looked around frantically, I pointed to the girl who had said she wanted to be queen.
"Her, I would pick her," I said. The king still didn't lower his sword.
"Why would you pick her?" He asked.
"S-She said she wanted to be queen, and she seems like a nice person who would want a better future for the kingdom. Plus she's passed all the tests thus far, Your Majesty."
He put his sword away allowing me to breathe again.
"I see... Don't try to disobey me again," He said.
"Yes, Your Majesty." I said.
"Tea time is over. You may leave and do what you want."
We all stood up and curtsied before leaving the room.
My stomach was still clenched as I left the room, and my legs shook.
I immediately went to the library, hoping that it would be the last place the King would be or show up to. I went over to the section with the textbooks on politics. I found the ones that the king had chosen for tutoring and set them out on a table. I thought that if I didn't continue to review the information I was taught then I would never really learn the information. Not that I would ever need it, but if the King does a pop quiz then I need to know the material. After relooking over chapters one and two, I grabbed one of the smaller books and went over to the chair I had found in the back. Just as I sat down, I heard the door to the library open. I looked up from my book but couldn't see who came in due the shelves of books in my way.
Whoever it is probably won't come to the back. Wait- I forgot to put the rest of the books back from the main table! They'll know I'm here... Not that I could really get in trouble since the king said we could 'do what we want'.
I went back to reading my book that was going over diplomatic conversations and strategies. I was reading one of the example problems asking me to identify which strategy was used during the dialogue when a voice broke my thought process.
"Still reviewing, I see."
My eyes shot up and came in contact with the king. I put the book down immediately and stood up and bowed my head.
"Hello, Your Majesty."
"I saw the textbooks I used on the table and assumed it was you. I'm surprised you even went back to these textbooks after you passed your test. Are you reviewing them because you think you'll become queen?" He asked.
"Oh no, Your Majesty. I would never-"
"You don't want to be queen?"
"Ah, no, that's not what I meant, I just... I'm sorry, Your Majesty," I said. I didn't really know what I was apologizing for, but I couldn't think of anything to say. Fear was making it hard to speak. A couple hours ago this man was about to kill me, and he still could any moment. I held my hands tautly to keep them from shaking.
"I apologize if I was interrupting your time in the library, Your Highness. I'll leave immediately, please excuse me," I said. I curtsied and took two steps forward before he held up his hand and stopped me. I froze, scared, even though he probably wasn't going to do anything.
"Take the book. You have my permission to take them out of the library while you're here. Take advantage of it while you can, there are books in this library that aren't available anywhere else in the kingdom," he said.
"Thank you very much, your highness. I'm honored."
"That being said, take the book back to your room and come to the dining room. It's almost time for lunch," he said.
"Yes, Your Highness," I answered. I curtsied once again and left the library, book in hand, making my way toward my room.
I walked in and set my book down on my desk. It was awfully silent in the room, and it felt awkward to stand there. I turned around to leave but was faced with a stranger. More fear filled me, as I looked at the man dressed in black, armed with two swords on his back.
"Hello, Miss Eleana."
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực