Chapter 4

"Good morning, Crown Princess, may we enter?" 

"Yes."

I got up from sitting on the floor just in time to see the doors slide open, revealing my Court Ladies entering my bedroom carrying beautiful boxes of items inside. These contain items ranging from my daily clothes, accessories, face products and other items needed for me to look as the Crown Princess for the day.

I was already dressed in the basic black shirt and pants that I was comfortable in. I had to wear the skirt, inner garment, and overcoat - the richness, and detailing were fitting for a Crown Princess. Today, they picked a flowy purple outfit for me to adorn. The skillful hands of my Court Ladies ensured that they did their work swiftly. All four of them had their role to play, one was in charge of putting on makeup, and another was to put on accessories for me. 

"Althea, what is the occasion?" I asked. 

Althea was my Head Court Lady. Iole and herself had been with me ever since I was born. They had seen me in my nakedness and they had watched me grow until I am who I am today. Both exchanged looks so I knew that I had something important up ahead as this attire was out of the ordinary.

I don't usually wear this purple outfit for daily attire.

"We were informed that His Royal Highness has requested for your presence today, Crown Princess," she answered. "We do not know other than that."

"Speak."

"Potential suitors," Iole added. "They are to grace us with their presence today. We were ordered to adorn you with the most beautiful pieces and we intend to turn you into the angel that you are, Crown Princess."

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I was destined to be wed to a Prince of my Father's choosing. I was in the process of meeting all the potential suitors, as far as I know, nine were already selected so that means a total of ten were selected. It was too many men, and I do not understand why Father had selected so many.

Is this how he feels when he wants to choose the next Queen Consort?

Five of them were too much and now he's selected ten for me. It was overkill, to say the least. Yet I was powerless to go against my Father's wishes. It was the fate that I had, as well as my brother, Damon. We were meant to continue the royal line and grow the family tree even though we were all immortal.

The Court Ladies slid gold and diamond rings on my fingers, pleated loose braids placed pearls in my hair, and secured the tiara on my head while ensuring wisps of hair fell to frame my face. They painted my lips red and put rouge on my cheeks until I looked like the Crown Princess that I was. They brought a full-length mirror for me to inspect myself. Once I deemed presentable, we headed off. 

If I was being honest here, I would prefer to avoid such selections for the Crown Prince. However, I cannot run away from my destiny. I was created as the Crown Princess, and I shall perform my duties as required. I knew that I would never marry for love, not when I hold such a position in this realm. 

I would hope that Father chooses a partner that would complement my character and build on the ones that I was lacking, instead of merely thinking of the future of the three realms. But deep inside I knew that Father would only think about what was good for the realms instead of the mere feelings of his daughter. 

He would have to choose a being with leadership qualities, and the ability to negotiate, speak and rally the majority with him. He would have to have good interpersonal skills, a likable character that can empathize with the people and manage their expectations of us when it comes to the stability and protection of the three realms.

This man, this being would have to step up and take over a tremendous role.

I doubt there is one who could shoulder the burden.

I dare not wonder too much about what Father had planned.

We headed straight towards the palace grounds; the one place where we meet with guests and assume an air of royalty. Usually, the King, Queen, and Queen Dowager would sit in attendance as they go through the selection for the Crown Prince. However, since we lacked a Queen and there was no Queen Dowager, it was only the Chief and myself. 

Upon reaching the entrance, the Court Ladies announced my arrival and slid open the doors to reveal the main hall. My Court Ladies dispersed as soon as I passed into the main hall and took my place. Father was already seated by his throne - facing the entrance of the hall and I could feel him watching me.

I stopped in front of him and offered my greetings and well-wishes to him before performing a bow to honor the Chief. It was elaborate and flashy and unlike me because I knew that my performance today would depend on the future. I would wish for him to choose a suitable Crown Prince.

"Your selection of the attire today is exquisite. You look beautiful, Athena."

"Thank you, Father," I replied. 

"Take a seat," he said. "They will arrive soon."

I bowed once more and went to my seat. It was placed on his left, a few paces behind him. The throne looks empty without Mother and Damon gracing us today. It was rare for Damon to be here anyway. My two headcourt ladies emerged behind me and helped to arrange my flowy dress so I could sit pretty.

There were three floor cushions in front of us and I assumed the interview would go three at a time. It was large enough to fit a grown man seated cross-legged and they were made of the finest of material. It was thick and comfortable, and it was made by the finest tailors in the palace. 

The arrival of the suitors was announced by the Court ladies and then the double wooden doors slid open to reveal three men in their best outfits. The first round begins, I thought as I watched them walk purposefully towards Father - bow, and give their greetings to him before taking their seats. 

They introduced themselves individually, quoting their father's name so we knew their social standing. I was not interested in any of that but I made sure to pay attention to the questions Father asked, in case it was redirected to me in the later days. The questions were aimed to test their intelligence, their basic life skills, and whether they know what we require them to be.

Father's questions were precise and straight to the point. He asked a total of six questions - all were required to be answered by each candidate. Father's tone does not reveal his disdain nor his acceptance. He kept a passive face which in turn made each candidate worry about their answers and their fate.

They were after all dealing with the Chief of Heaven.

If they passed the first round of interviews, they were a step closer to entering the palace and acquiring royal status for their generations after. Everyone will benefit in the family and their parents and relatives will be able to relish in the royal status. That is why it is imperative to weed out the weak ones.

In total, they had three rounds to pass before a Crown Prince was selected. The second round would include a written exam about various subjects to test their intelligence and knowledge of this realm. These tests would be created and marked by the Deputy Minister, approved by Father of course.

The last round would be a show of prowess. Each candidate is to show their powers, their strength, and their dexterity. It would be a duel of some sort, competing against our own Royal Guards. They were allowed to choose their weapon and they were free to fight with the weapon or their powers. The bout will last two minutes.

Eventually, one out of the many would be chosen to be the Crown Prince.

Now, I have to sit through the first round of interviews. The first three left after ten minutes of questioning and the next three came. I kept my face neutral, raising an eyebrow now and then at their answers but never showing more than necessary. Father kept each round short, after nine candidates, we were done.

That was the longest thirty minutes of my life.

Nine suitors.

"How were they, Athena?" Father asked. "Did any catch your fancy?"

"It's still too early to tell, Your Highness."

"Harsh, are we?" he asked with ire. "Yes, I do agree. It is indeed too early to know who would be best to be the Crown Prince."

"Indeed."

Father got up from his seat with a sigh, and I scrambled to get up as well - bowing as he excused himself from the hall. He walked away with his arms to his back, and I watched him leave. I was left alone eventually and I stepped off my seat, my two headcourt ladies helping to rearrange my flowy dress before I made my way out. 

"Did anyone catch your eye, Althea?" I asked as I stepped out of the entrance hall, and the rest of my Court ladies joined the group quickly. 

"Indeed Ares looked like he has potential, Your Highness," she answered swiftly.

Ares. Son of Arien. The family was known to be in wars. His father was involved in the First War and had assisted in bringing down many foes. He was responsible for reducing the enemy's numbers by eighty percent. Though they had experience in war, I felt like Ares lacked a little subtlety.

He was the last three candidates to grace our presence and I still have a fresh look on him. Towering over six feet, the man was built well and looked confident. Though he looked a little out of place, he could answer all the questions posed by Father but I was not convinced that he could handle me.

"Hmm."

"What about you, Your Highness?" Iole asked quickly. "I had my eye on Eros. He looks lovely."

Eros. Son of Lyth. His family was influential. They dabbled in both our realm and the mortal realm. They had dealt with the mortals and understood their difficulties. He had a fresh hand in their plight and had an idea of how to improve their livelihoods. However, he was too pretty and I had an intense dislike against pretty men.

"Too pretty."

We returned to my chambers without any more talk. I was too deep in thought to speak more of the matter and I wanted to be out of this dress immediately. It was weighing me down and walking was difficult. Even though I received many compliments thanks to the dress, it did not sway me one bit.

Inside, the ladies were busy taking everything off me when I heard a loud commotion outside. It must be the monkey, I thought as the doors were flung open without warning. I watched as he ran into the room, took one look at the crowd of ladies around me, and looked flabbergasted suddenly.

"You did not cause trouble all morning, did you?" I asked.

Like typical men, his eyes raked down my body - seeing the ladies take off the layers of garment and revealing the black base attire I had on. "I could have you blinded for staring without permission," I warned as I glared at him. "Remember your place and where you are right now, monkey."

Iole and the rest of the Court Ladies left the room, pulling Aidan outside - leaving me and Althea alone in the room. Once the doors were shut, I pulled off the top and revealed my back to her. I put my long hair up so she could have free access to apply the salve on my skin. It was a secret to all, as I did not wish anyone else except Althea to know about this.

"It is looking better, Crown Princess," she whispered as she applied a smooth layer over the skin on my back and massaged it into the skin swiftly and efficiently. "The redness on the skin has reduced significantly. There are fewer bumps than the last time too."

"Be careful when you touch, Althea," I warned quietly. "It may backfire and you may get hurt. There is still a lot of residual power left behind."

"Yes I have adorned gloves, Crown Princess," she said. "The Royal Physician has given me advice on how to apply the salve without harming either of us. Please do not worry, Your Highness."

I nodded in gratitude.

Once she was done, she used a paper fan to dry the layer of salve and once she ensured that everything was dry, Althea helped me pull on a clean top and the Court Ladies were once again called in to resume their work. After they were done, I looked at myself in the full-length mirror.

I had to make my rounds by the greenhouses today, and I need to look my part. I needed to see what was lacking there, as the monkey managed to infiltrate the grounds. I was not looking forward to it, but I had little choice. I've been putting it off for too long and I didn't want to wait until Father started asking me about it.

Althea ensured that my outer coat was fastened, tying the knots skilfully while Iole entered the room with my tiara. The other court ladies were busy making me pretty - applying makeup and accessories. My tiara was placed on a fluffy velvet pillow - a beautiful gold wreath that branches out from the center stone that seemed to encircle my head and teardrops of diamonds hung at my temples.

It was one of the dainty headpieces that I own, meant to be used daily. It is light, simple, and beautiful. The important thing is it matches the color of my hair and the attire that the Court Ladies have adorned me with. As long as they all match, I don't care much about anything else.

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