Winning Royalty (Watty Awards 2012 Finalist)

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Hey, guys. So I personally think I did an awful job on this chapter. If you agree, tell me and I will take it down, rewrite it, and repost it later.

Remember to COMMENT, read, VOTE, and fan!

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Chapter Fifteen: Mira, Belief, and Tunics

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After dinner that night, I stand and begin to follow the ladies out of the dining hall. There is less chatter than usual, and most girls hold a weary, if not sickened, look. I immediately know that I am not the only one to anxious about the sword training. "At least," I quietly mutter. "They don't yet have to worry that we're going to fight to the death." I bitterly sigh.

Most of the competitors head toward the castle grounds where the Queen has hired actors to perform a play, but I have a different plan in mind. I stand on my tiptoes and search for a certain person, but I soon realize that my search is useless. And then, just as I decide to go to the grounds to look, Eli appears in my peripheral.

He's trying to wave me over without being obvious and I almost laugh at his noticeable efforts. I don't, though, I only frown and shake my head. I can't go with him. I have to find someone.

Eli's goofy smile slowly slides off his face and is replaced with confusion and another emotion I can't quite pin-point. I bite my lip, knowing that I probably hurt his feelings, and quickly turn away. I know I should explain, but instead, I sigh and continue in my search.

I walk out in the hallway, and follow the ladies until I see her. Mira stands off to the side of the crowd biting her lips and wringing her hands together. I quickly stride toward her and a lovely smile appears on her face when she sees me.

I smile back. "Mira, care to take a walk?" She hesitantly looks at the migrating group of ladies. My smile fades and I bite my lip. "I know you probably want to see the play, but this is important. Truly, it is."

I don't know if it was my words, or the evident desperation in my voice, but Mira quickly nods. "Of course, I would love to walk with you." My smile returns and I lace my arm through hers.

We walk through the castle until we reach the indoor garden. I feel guilty for bringing her to my and Eli's special place, but I push those feelings beside. This is important, and Eli will understand.

Mira gasps when we stride through the entrance and her eyes widen with awe. "Oh, Anna. It's beautiful." She steps forward into the space and twirls around to take in the entire view. "How did you find it?"

I purse my lips, trying to think if I can tell her the truth. I trust Mira, though, so I shrug and answer, "Eli showed me."

Mira turns back toward me and develops a coy expression. "Oh, I see." She raises a single eyebrow and I roll my eyes at her behavior.

"I brought you here for other reasons than to talk about the Prince." Mira gives me a mock-pout before a good-natured smile eventually breaks through. I hate to shatter her happiness. "It's about the sword training."

The smile drains from her face along with all color. She presses her lips together and knits her eyebrows before answering. "What about the sword training?"

Her eyes are narrowed with worry and I realize how young she truly is. I keep having to remind myself that she is still a young girl who is probably scared out of her mind.

My face saddens and my heart breaks over what I'm going to say. "It is to the death," I blurt out. Mira's eyes widen with confusion and fear. "The sword training is so that we can learn to fight. And to get past the second round, we have to fight other ladies. To the death."

My throat is dry and I try to swallow. The thought still brings me chills and I can't imagine how Mira will take it. She surprises me, though.

Mira takes in a deep breath before calmly speaking in an even, sensible, bitter tone. "I thought something like this would happen."

"Really?" My voice is quiet, serious, and a little incredulous.

Mira gravely nods. "Sometimes rumors have bits and pieces of the truth." She takes another deep breath before quietly continuing. "When they told us that we would begin practicing swords, I had a dreadful thought that this would be the Advisors and Reapers' intentions."