The halling

Prologue

In the kingdom of Aldana, peace is kept through tradition.

Every time the royal heir turns twenty, twenty girls are taken from the outer—common— villages: offered up to the palace in a ritual known as The Halling. It's not a ceremony. It's a spectacle, a televised one. For three months, the chosen are groomed, watched, scored, and slowly eliminated, one by one.

The winning girl becomes queen. Her village is elevated. Her family is saved.

The others return home in silence—if they return at all.

Araya was never supposed to be chosen. She only took her sister's place to protect her. She expected to be cut in the trimming, the first round of eliminations, and go back to her small fishing village.

But when the prince starts bending the rules to keep her close, the palace starts watching her too closely.

The winner was always meant to be someone polished. Trained. Chosen years in advance behind palace doors and long before the cameras ever started rolling. So what happens when the girl who never wanted the crown becomes the kingdom's biggest threat?

The 27th halling of Aldana, let the games begin.
——————————-
I wasn't sure why he kept seeking me out. Maybe he was bored. Maybe he'd finally run out of girls who curtsied on command.

"You're avoiding the etiquette drills," Kasius said as he caught up to me in the north corridor. His tone was smooth and princely, the kind they probably taught in crown school.

I didn't stop walking. "Technically, I'm on a self-directed curriculum."

"Which involves... loitering behind the tapestry room?"

"It's advanced strategy. You wouldn't understand."

He fell into step beside me, too serious for someone this symmetrical.

"These lessons are important. A queen has to learn how to carry herself."

"I've been carrying myself since I was five. Usually with buckets."

He looked over at me. Not annoyed. Just... confused. Like someone trying to read a language no one warned him existed.

"You're not taking this seriously."

I stopped. Finally looked at him.

"I'm taking it exactly seriously enough to survive. That's the point, isn't it?"

He blinked.

"You weren't supposed to make it this far, were you?" he asked.

"Oh, thank the stars, he does read the reports." I offered him a mock-curtsy. "Don't worry, Your Highness. I plan to be very disappointing, very soon."

His mouth twitched.

Just barely.

But I saw it.

——————————-
Hi guys!

I'm back again with another fantasy book! Me and fantasy novels can never stay away from each other too long hehe. I'm so excited for this book! I definitely took my inspiration from two of the best books ever written, the hunger games and the selection. You will see similar themes throughout!! Anyway to get to the point, thank you so much for clicking on this book, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did writing it. See ya later alligator.

Stay gold,
-Your Author ✍️