Preparations

"The winner of the Betrothal Championships is Sorrel of the Crocasant!"

I did. I did it. I DID IT. I had won the Betrothal Championships. After all the trials I had gone through to get to this point and I had done it. I had won. I had seized victory for my people. I was finally going to become a fully fledged woman with a man of her own. I fell to my knees, stunned and overwhelmed. To my right Opal stood with a blank look on her face.

The door opened and Silk and another lady came in. She led Opal out of the room, but as she went Opal smiled at me. It was a small smile, like she knew something I didn't. But then she was gone and I was burying my face into Silk's shoulder as she pulled me into a hug.

"My beautiful girl. You did it. You will be Queen!" She kissed the top of my head and pulled me in for another hug.