Unexpected Turn of Events

Candace turned to Byron. "You're color blind to pink. This could be the reason why it's important that the gene trait to see pink be introduced back into the royal family's gene pool."

"Wait. Why female? Why not male Avgos?" Lucas asked.

"The book says it's because the Avgo is trying to develop high quality genetic material". Candace grinned. "Females are natural repositories of gene material because we have two X chromosomes."

"Why is that important? Don't we all carry genes inside our bodies?"

"Yes, but you guys only have one copy of the gene. We women keep double copies of every gene. Just in case one of the genes is faulty or damaged, there is a spare to fall back on. Men don't have that back-up."

"Ohhh." Lucas scratched his head. This woman was smart! She was smarter than he was, that's for sure.

"So just because women have double chromosomes, they get to be Avgo and we guys can't?" Jared chewed on his lip.

Candace shrugged. "There is also a matter of choice."

"Come again?" Byron asked.

"You guys don't have to be choosy. You spread your genes out far and wide, and then you can walk away if you wish. We females HAVE TO BE THE CHOOSY ONES because we're the ones expending all the effort of giving birth and caring for the children."

She took a sip of water and continued.

"Since the Avgo Females are the choosers, their mate choices can direct the course of evolution. Over an long evolutionary timeline, it has generally yielded fitter and better offspring."

She placed her glass down with finality.

"The reason why the marriage to the Crown Prince is the prize for the Avgo females is because you," she pointed at Byron's chest, "are NOT the one choosing us."

She grinned. "We are the ones choosing you."

The Princes were speechless for a moment. Candace had laid it down in such a bare manner that they could barely believe their ears.

Candace laughed. "Didn't you notice that you're not actually given a choice between us Avgo women? That's because it has never been your choice."

She stood up and took a step towards Byron. He was so tall that she had to crane her neck to look up at him.

"We Avgo Females are fighting amongst ourselves to be the dominant alpha female. This gives us the opportunity to choose the top male of the empire."

She turned away from him with a smile at the rest of the Princes.

"Traditionally, top male has always been the Crown Prince. It was so consistent that the Crown Prince began to be turned into the prize for the winning Avgo Female."

"But what's the reason for all this?" Lucas shook his head.

"The ultimate goal of the Avgo gemstones is to guide the ongoing development of increasingly higher quality people over a very long evolutionary time frame."

Slate laughed. He had guessed this all along. It was wonderful to be given corroboration from the woman he most admired.

"And that's why the Avgo Female should be the one who chooses her mate, not the other way around." Slate gave a slow clap.

"So if you had to choose, Candace." Lucas asked the one burning question all the men held in their heads. "Which of us would you choose?"

Candi shook her head.

"I don't know. I haven't really thought about it." She looked down at the ground. "It's taken all my energy just to stay alive these past few weeks, which brings me to a very important conclusion."

She looked up. "There are people out there who are trying to kill me. I can't choose any one of you and put you in danger like that."

"What???"

"No!!!"

"As if!!!"

"That's ridiculous!!!"

"I dare them try!!!"

"I'll protect you!!!"

The men all howled their protests. Did she think they were scared? Did she think they could not handle the dangers?

Byron placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Candace. The whole reason you're in so much danger is BECAUSE of the Avgo Events and what it means to win. The Crown Princess position is what all those women are fighting so hard to obtain."

Dante gave a slanted look at Byron. Isn't that what he'd been trying to tell Byron all this time?

Byron didn't even see Dante's pointed look. In fact, at that moment, he could see no one but Candace.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead with solemn intent.

"You say that the purpose of this Avgo Event is so that you can gain the opportunity to choose the Crown Prince." He took a deep breath. "I am right here in front of you, Candace."

He reached out and took hold of her hands.

"If you choose to marry me at this very moment, then in an instant, all the reasons to harm you will no longer exist. We can shortcut the entire process and bring the Avgo Events to their conclusion without having to do a single other event."

He kneeled to the ground, suddenly bringing his great height down to the point where he was looking up at her.

"Please marry me, Candace. Be my bride, my wife, the mother of my children. Be my Empress."

Candace stared down at Byron, unable to say anything.

The other six Princes were momentarily stunned by Byron's actions. They stared at Candace. Her next words would determine the fate of the entire empire.

Candace opened her mouth and suddenly coughed as her throat constricted. She was so shocked she didn't know what to say.

She tried again.

"Your Royal Highnesses!!!" A scream came out from behind the pink and white oleander bushes.

"Your Royal Highnesses!!!" The attendant ran to the Tiki Bar and stopped as he saw Byron kneeling in front of Candace.

Oh shit!

The attendant's face took on the look of a man who knew he was already a dead man.

Dante gave the man a withering look.

"Speak!"

"Your—Your Royal Highnesses. The Princess Anaïse Paroles. She—she—"

"Spit it out you moron!!!" Slate roared.

"SHE'S DEAD!!!"