The sun shone hotter than ever as I stepped out of the palace the next day. I hardly got any sleep and only managed to get a few bites of breakfast, as I was running late.
"I don't think I can do this," Fiona whispered nervously as we walked towards the palace fields. The field was covered in tents I assumed were for the nobles and the Royal family, while citizens cheered on in a separate section. I wasn't expecting an audience this large and it set an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Esme sounded very confident and I knew better than to underestimate her. Esme was very competitive and I didn't doubt that she would play dirty.
"Just...try your best," I let out a nervous breath as we walked closer to the audience.
***
"Lady Esme!" The crowd screamed. Some of the Ladies even held up posters with 'Queen Esme' written on them. I didn't feel bad or jealous in the least but I did feel pity for the young girls who thought Esme was a good example.
"I love you Lady Ashley!"
"Lady Katherine!"
"Lady Fiona!"
"Lady Madeline!"
Upon hearing my name, I whipped around so fast I suspected I'd hurt my neck. My eyes fell on a young girl, about 8 or 9. She had fiery red hair done up in an elaborate bun and wore a pristine white dress, carefully sewn. At a first glance, I assumed she was just one of the younger Nobles' Daughters due to the fact that a woman that was probably her Governess held onto her hands like they were her lifeline. The woman darted her eyes around warily, probably scared that the Aridian 'commoners' might rob her. I couldn't help but wonder, why weren't they in the tents with the other Nobles? Why were they standing among the rest of Aridia?
As I looked closer at the young girl, I was met with familiar brown eyes. Eyes that burned with excitement that couldn't be contained and curiosity that couldn't be quenched. I realized where I knew those eyes from. I stared at them almost every day in the mirror. The girl smiled a wide smile and before I could return the gesture, I was yanked away.
"What are you moping at?" Esme demanded and I realized she was the one who dared to touch me.
"Keep your paws off me, Esme," I seethed as we walked on, the crowd's cheers getting louder and louder.
***
"Good morning Aridia! And welcome to the Tournament of the Six. Ever since The Choice was started hundreds of years ago, to choose a wife for King Ogden, the Tournament of the Six has become a well known Aridian tradition. The remaining Six Ladies will compete in a series of trying physical activities- including the well known Aridian game, Battle for the Flag. The Lady with the most points will be crowned the champion and the Queen of the Tournament!" The herald announced, the crowd roaring in response.
Luckily, Battle for the Flag was a game frequently played at my Finishing School. I doubt there was any Aridian that didn't know how to play.
"Oh no," Fiona sighed.
"With all that said, please enjoy the tournament and don't forget to take your Citizen's Vote. All snacks purchased at the Royal Snack Stand are 10% off but only for the first half so don't miss out!" The herald announced, shooting the crowd a wink.
My stomach grumbled at the sound of food. I was extremely hungry and the mixture of hunger and nervousness in my stomach didn't feel good.
"The Tournament will start of with archery. The 6 Ladies will be given bows and arrows and will have to aim at a target board. The Lady with the most points will win this round. Ladies, get into position."
I've done archery before. I can do archery. I can do this, I desperately tried to calm myself.
"I hope all of you are ready to lose," Esme sing-songed as she stepped forward towards the target board.
The crowd went silent as she picked up her box and arrow, her brows furrowed in a pretty concentration.
Everyone watched in a stunned silence as Esme pulled back the string and released, the arrow missing the bullseye by just a few millimetres. The crowd erupted in cheers as Esme was handed another arrow. This time, the arrow landed a few micrometers near the bullseye. Esme's eyes hardened and the determination in them was evident.
On the third round, Esme hit the bullseye and the crowd went wild. Esme turned to the royal family's tent and bowed before giving each Lady a smug, confident look.
"An amazing performance from Lady Esme. Next up, we have Lady Ashley Fulton. Do you think Lady Ashley can beat Lady Esme's top score?" The herald asked and the crowd replied in a mixture of 'yes' and 'no's.
Ashley didn't refrain from rolling her eyes as she took Esme's place a few metres away from the target board. Ashley's performance was not even nearly as good as Esme's though it wasn't all that bad. It was what I could describe as average. The crowd cheered nonetheless but Ashley didn't look impressed, as she shot Esme a murderous glare.
To be honest, the dynamic of their friendship confused me more than Algebra. Ashley seemed to 'worship' Esme but never ceased to bite back or shoot her murderous glares when they were needed. It seemed like they both didn't care for one another in the least bit and only stuck together to keep an eye for the other as they were both the biggest competition.
"Nice try, Ashley," Esme pursed her lips, not hiding the amused expression on her face.
"Wish I'd just pictured you instead of the target board," Ashley muttered in response.
I stifled a giggle as I turned my attention to the next Lady.
The next 2 Ladies, Lady Katherine and Lady Isadora where...not too far from horrible. Lady Katherine fumbled with the bow, dropping it on the grass far too many times. It was obvious the crowd saw her as amusement as they started laughing once she'd started. When she was done, she didn't hide the angry expression that resided on her face, Ashley and Esme giggling as she fumed.
Luckily, Lady Isadora was at least able to hold the bow but whenever she aimed and shot, she missed the target board. She walked back dejectedly, her extremely slender frame looked like it could be blown away in the breeze.
"Lady Fiona Kensley."
"Wish me luck," Fiona sighed.
"I bet you'll ace this," I whispered as she walked further on.
The first time, Fiona missed the bullseye and the second time, her arrow missed the target board altogether. I watched as her slender fingers shook as she took the third arrow. Her brow was furrowed in determination, her eyes narrowed in concentration before she released.
The arrow went right through the bullseye and the crowd blew up in cheers. I couldn't refrain from cheering, gaining disgusted looks from Ashley and Esme.
"She only got the bullseye because she was lucky," Ashley examined her fingernails.
"She got it nonetheless," I retorted.
"Lady Madeline Prowess."
"You're up," Fiona gave me a small smile before I stepped forward, my insides clenching in anticipation and fear.
I'm in a Zoom meeting right now but I couldn't wait to post this. What do you think of the first Ladies' performance? What do you expect in the chapters to come? What do you think of the characters? Who's your favourite and who's your least?
Don't forget to vote, comment and share. Ly!
And stay safe as well guys. Wear your masks and don't go out unless necessary.