The Tournament.

**princess Azrael's Pov.**

I barely closed my eyes last night. I had this crazy thought about Lord Azriel throughout the night. He would make a good partner…so I thought.

He was a nice young man. Every lady in the kingdom wanted him but he chose me. My stepmom always said that it would be a privilege for any man to marry me.

I was the successor to the throne of Akkad. This city was known as the land of gold. We didn't make many changes ever since my father took over the throne.

The late emperor Sargon built the palace in such a way no palace on Earth would be able to compete with its Beauty.

The artwork was his designs so did father said. His harem which is now locked was something else. The first day I went there, I couldn't close my mouth.

I was speechless for hours. The guards also showed me the empress's chamber. A photo of queen Ariadne was still hanging there. Poor woman, she brought this curse upon her family.

I shoved the blanket and straightened. My pillow was wet with sweat even though the window was open the whole night.

Today was the tournament. My stomach made funny noises at the thought of it. Butterflies flew aimlessly down there.

I was going to see Lord Azriel. It has been a few hours since we last saw but I felt likeq decades. I missed him as each minute passed by.

A knock came on the door interrupting my thoughts. I knew at once who they were. My maids… They came to dress me up.

I told the Royal tailor to make me a beautiful yellow gown. It has been a long I wore that color of dress.

Maybe Azriel would like yellow…but what if he doesn't? I sat back on the bed and urged the person to come in.

The door opened and Willow walked into the room with a smile. In her hands, was my beautiful yellow dress. Behind were Hope and Lyla. They dropped my new pieces of jewelry and shoes on the table.

"Good morning, Princess" They all bowed as they greeted.

"Morning," I said with my eyes on the door. Nobody came even though I was expecting more people to walk into the room.

"Is there any problem?" Willow asked. She noticed the anxiety on my face.

"Where are my cousins?" I asked with a worried face. For as long as I could remember, they always come to my room every morning. I got used to seeing them daily.

But why did they not come today? I knew Ember was still mad at me for something I did not do. What about Hazel? What did I do to her?

"I did not see them, this morning" Lyla replied. The tournament was going to start in the next four hours. My cousins as usual...would fight over everything in my presence.

So why was today different?

Why the sudden change?

**

"What did you put in Azrael's dress?" Hazel asked her sister for the tenth time. She wondered if she has suddenly gone deaf. There was no response from her. Ember's silence was killing her slowly. "If you don't say it, I will report you to queen Ivy."

"I will also tell her all the terrible things you said about her" She slammed back.

"Really?" Hazel chuckled. Finally, her sister has gotten her tongue back. "Go ahead and answer this simple question I'm asking."

"Why do you want me to answer? You want to save her right?"

"Nooo…I just want to help you" Hazel placed a hand on her shoulder but she shoved it off.

*You want me to trust you? You almost fail me the last time, why should I now?" Ember asked in disbelief. Her elder sister easily got scared and intimidated even though she was older.

Ember wondered what she was going to do when she found out that there are thorns under the princess' dress. When Azrael wears it, she would feel pain but would have no idea where it is coming from.

A mischievous smile appeared on her face as she felt satisfied with the little game she put on.

All she wanted was to ruin the relationship Azrael has with the handsome Lord.

If her cousin is in pain, her true color will show. Everyone would see how wicked Azrael was.

"Will you just tell me what happened?" Hazel yelled at her. She was getting fed up with her act. If Ember's plan fails, their mother would be blamed for everything.

"Promise me you won't stop it?"

"I won't" Hazel sighed. She has never stopped playing her games as long as no one gets injured. "Go on, I'm listening."

"Okay" Ember clapped and leaned towards her sister. "I went to the garden and picked some thorns…"

"What did you do with them?" Hazel did not wait for her sister to finish.

"I placed them under her dress" Ember looked behind her to be sure no one entered the room.

"Bravo…do you think it will work? Her inner wears will help her out."

"Not this thorn" Ember lifted a thorn with a sharp edge, enough to penetrate any inner-wear. "And you know what Azrael's innerwear looks like."

"I just hope you don't get caught. We are going to be dead" Hazel shook her head in fear. It was at this moment she remembered that the maid might catch them. The dress will be checked by them before the princess wears it. "We should go and check on Azrael now!.

**