Growing up in a world only filled with women was different beyond words could describe. But then again this was my normal , I never knew a life different than this. My mother used to tell me stories of my great grandmother and how in her time there were men AND woman who lived amongst eachother. How they would go on dates , fall inlove and get married. It was a simpler time for Ardendale .
I've always been a curious child when growing up , but soon learned at a young age that curiosity really DID kill the cat. My friend Cat. She just asked too many question that king James wasn't having anymore and he killed her. But that was over 16 years ago . King James had long given the throne over to his son king Derek Lauder , our current king and ruler of Ardendale.
I was taught that men was not needed in our society anymore and that the sole reason for our existance should be because of the king. We were here because of him and FOR him. I was told that a lot of the young ladies here came from other towns as babies years ago and just grew up in this society , however that worked. But it was simple really , our town was a lovely town years ago filled with laughter and joy just like any other, but that was before an experiment gone wrong wiped out the whole male population and left the woman helpless and alone.
At that time Queen Roslyn - being only known as Roselyn Gonzalez - was pregnant with a son before this catastrophe hit our world. And thus the first king and only male was born, king Reese the first. Roslyn was made Queen - in Reese's forming years - as he later took over as king . Being as there were no other males , they had to conduct a way to keep everyone alive and well in existance and thus began our 'beloved' tradition that on the king's 25th birthday he would pick a lady he deemed fit to continue the human race and be his wife.
It left a lot of women with a lot of questions about how it would work but sounded much easier said than done. The king would pick his bride on the night of his 25th birthday and she would get pregnant with an heir. If it were to be a daughter she would join the rest of the society of women and grow up as a commoner amongst them . If it were a boy , he would inherit the kingdom and be the next ruler. Now , I've heard of a few times in history where the king and queen were ACTUALLY in love - though it didn't happen often anymore - and they would have a third or a fourth child and some of them would be another son. In that case the first son would become heir to the throne and the other's would be hidden away in the palace working as 'the help' until they decided otherwise for him to be wed. If and when that happened his wife would join him in the palace as a part of the help , never seeing the outside world again as their offspring would join us in society. But if that was really true I guess none of us would really know. The women around here sure liked to talk. It helped pass the time.
I've never asked a lot of questions so I wouldnt know EXACTLY how the whole scientific thing worked but I knew enough to not want to get involved in that life EVER.
So when king Derek's 25th birthday rolled around and all the young ladies pampered themselves in hopes of him picking them , I was working a late shift at the diner like any other Wednesday night.
"You're not joining in the fun this year ?" Miss Grace - the elderly lady who ran the diner - asked from behind the counter.
"Fun? No Miss Grace I don't want ANY part of king Derek and his stupid search for a wife thank you very much " I said , continuing to wipe down the tables.
"But Elena dear, if you don't put yourself out there for the king to notice, you'll end up like me. Old and alone. And trust me , it's not as fun as it looks." She said with a humours smile.
"I'll take my odds then." I said while the elderly lady shook her hand and clicked her tongue .
It was past midnight and every woman over 18 were lined up at the palace doors presenting themselves to the king. Why they would be that disrespecting to themselves, offering them on a silver platter to someone who's only going to use them was beyond me. But I decided that , that was between them and I wanted no part in it. Pulling my coat on I bravely take on the brisk winter breeze as I walked down the streets of Ardendale home. I lived alone in a little house just up the mountain , not too far away from work. The walk to and from home everyday sure was cold during these winter nights but it was in an odd way relaxing and therapeutic taking in the cold , fresh air with no one around. I liked being alone and isolated . So what Miss Grace said didn't bother me in the least since that was very much my lifestyle right now. I didn't really care for anyone else , just me. It's always been me . So why fix something that isn't broken?
Unlocking my cabin door I could see the palace lights in the distance, hear the soft music playing as I imagined every girl in town dancing around in their finest gowns hoping to catch the king's eye. "What rubbish. How stupid could a girl be ? " I mumbled to myself before I closed the door behind me , shutting the ridiculous women along with their boorish behaviour outside. Though an old wooden door could only do that much . I could still hear the music thump loudly against the walls , making me rethink living THIS close to the palace and on a mountain.
I've tried to make enough noise myself in attempt to drown them out , letting the dishes clang as I washed them , playing the radio on full volume and even turning up the TV. Yet nothing could seem to bury their cheers and annoying laughter. Poor Caramel - my ginger cat - could barely handle the noise until I eventually admitted defeat.
Climbing into bed, I said a silent prayer that this would be over soon and that I could have atleast a good night's sleep right before Caramel cuddled up next to me and my eyes started to droop.
This is my first attempt at this. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! don't judge my book based on this chapter if it wasn't really good. I have such an amazing idea for this book and the first chapter is always the hardest for me. But thank you so much for reading - if you stuck around this far - Remember to leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Until next time, keep howling my wolves ❤🐺
//updates every Tuesday//
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Romance*2nd place in the Imperial Awards 2020* Being the most powerful - and only - man in the world , Derek Lauder owned it all. He ruled over them, keeping the woman in their places and perfectly line as proper young ladies of society. Doing EXACTLY as t...
