Sheep's play

"So, are we to stand here? Like sheep that are led to be sheared?" Elira asked her sister Serein. Serein was the oldest of the four while Elira was the second oldest. The younger sisters- Amara and Ayla were in the other corner of the room, sure that they wouldn't be chosen over their sisters who were much older and more suitable for marriage.

Serein chuckled at Elira's upset face, "This is tradition Elira. At least the king himself is choosing from us for the younger prince… that way he wouldn't select for looks alone."

"Why is Prince Cassian not given a choice anyway?" she asked.

"He is said to be a troublemaker and so the king has uh… punished him in this way."

"What a comforting fact…" Elira rolled her eyes and then watched her sister walk away to talk to the younger princesses. Her dark hair was tied into an ornate braid and Elira could feel a pang of jealousy course through her.

Why did they all have to have long dark hair when she looked like an old witch with her silver hair? Just another acute reminder that she was so much different compared to her sisters.

Elira inhaled deeply, sipping from the glass of water she had in her hand as she looked around the room. It was gold and so tall that the ceiling couldn't be seen.

"Princess Elira?" A voice called, and the girl turned to the door where the soldier stood.

"Yes?" she asked, placing her glass on a close by table.

"Prince Cassian asks for your presence." He said simply, "Will you follow me?"

She bowed softly and followed him, looking at her sisters with a wary look while they grinned at her.

The princes would call those princesses who had caught their eye and talk to them. This would be the most important factor in them deciding who they wanted to marry. The tradition was hated by Elira but her saying so would change nothing, so she refrained from voicing her opinion.

She was taken to a room similar to the one they were in.

"The prince awaits." The guard bowed and stood by the door while she walked in hesitatingly.

"Princess Elira… it is nice to see you." Prince Cassian smiled at her. He sat on a large comfortable chair across which another stood where she was to presumably sit.

"Thank you. It is nice to see you as well." Elira did her best to not stare at his eyes which were way too captivating to belong to a living being.

Prince Cassian was extremely attractive and as he smiled at her, she was acutely aware of it, hating the fact that she was internally blushing.

"I wanted to see you and ask you... what your thoughts are…" Prince Cassian leaned forward, placing his elbow on his thigh and his chin on his fist, "Your thoughts on this tradition."

She blinked, taken aback by this, "Um… I think all traditions have their good and bad. But if it has worked thus far…" She shrugged.

"This is the stupidest tradition I have ever seen." Elira thought internally but to her surprise, Cassian laughed.

"You are right, it is a stupid tradition…" He agreed while she stared with wide eyes.

"I… I never said- "She shook her head but then realized what had happened, "You can read minds… can't you?" she asked with a sinking heart. She had forgotten that the royals from Arius had powers. In her kingdom, only the king or queen could have powers while in Arius the whole Royal family had powers.

Cassian nodded, the slant smile still on his face, "Do not be afraid, I share your emotions towards this tradition, but there isn't anything that I can do to stop it… apparently not even choose." Cassian leaned back, watching the girls face carefully as she struggled to have no thoughts, "You truly are a beautiful woman princess Elira… words fail me."

Cassian seemed sincere… sincere enough to maintain eye contact that completely made her forget any language that she had ever learned.

"Uh. th… thank you prince Cassian. You are too kind." She nodded, internally wondering why he had such a beautiful face.

To her utter dismay Cassian blushed, "Thank you." He smiled tightly, "I shall see you later…"

She nodded and blabbered out some words before leaving the room in a rush.

"Ugh! I'll be damned" She cursed internally and heard laughter from the inside of the room.