Thronebound

The beginning ( into the king's world

By the time Percy walked out, the morning sun had already started to warm the stone path leading up to the house. She stopped briefly, one hand on the strap of her purse while the other smoothed the side of her skirt. The dark green dress Mara had insisted on purchasing draped in gentle folds around her ankles, and its fitted waist made her look more elegant than she was used to. Fine gold embroidery ran along the neckline and sleeves, glinting in the light each time she moved. Her hair was pulled back neatly, though a few stray strands framed her face.

For years she had worn plain dresses that let her work without fretting over stains or rips. Now she was dressed like someone who belonged at a royal gathering, and the thought left her uneasy rather than proud.

Mara, by contrast, seemed as though she had been awaiting this morning her whole life. Her light blue dress suited her complexion, and small silver accents sparkled across the bodice whenever she moved. Her dark hair had been curled and draped over one shoulder, with a pair of delicate earrings finishing the look.

Elara stood beside them, watching with a faint smile. She was the one who had helped them get dressed that morning, carefully arranging Mara's hair before assisting Percy with hers. Now that both girls were ready, she looked almost as if she were sending her sisters off to something far more important than either of them had anticipated.

Percy looked from one to the other and shook her head.

“You both look like you're actually excited about this.”

“I am,” Mara answered without hesitation.

“I know.”

Elara laughed softly. “You look beautiful too, Percy.”

Percy looked down at herself right away. “I still believe this dress is too much.”

“You've been saying that since yesterday.”

“And I'll likely say it again.”

Mara smiled. “You're heading to a royal palace. You can't show up looking like you're on your way to buy vegetables.”

“I could have.”

“You absolutely could not have.”

Their laughter loosened some of the tension that had been sitting in Percy's chest since she woke up. Sadly, the sight of the royal carriage waiting at the end of the road sent the anxiety flooding back.

It was much more impressive than she had expected. The dark wood had been polished until it caught the morning light, while silver detailing traced the edges of the doors. The Veyne crest was carved into the center, framed by intricate patterns. Two large black horses waited patiently at the front, their coats gleaming as they shifted beneath the reins.

Percy stared at it a moment longer than she meant to.

She wasn't ready.

Mara was already walking toward it.

“Come on.”

Percy stayed where she was for another second before turning to Elara.

"Are you truly going to stay here?"

Elara gave a nod.

"You realize I wasn't the one chosen."

Percy was already aware of that. She just hadn't wanted to dwell on it.

Elara moved nearer and smoothed a tiny crease in Percy's sleeve.

"I'll be right here when you return."

Percy looked at her with doubt.

"If I return."

"You will."

Mara called out from the carriage, "Percy!"

Percy let out a sigh.

"That's my signal."

Elara smiled.

"Go."

Percy gave her a quick hug, then followed Mara toward the carriage.

The instant she climbed in, the weight of the journey became real to her.

The inside was nearly as ornate as the outside. Burgundy velvet lined the seats, gold trim bordered the windows, and a small silver lantern dangled from the ceiling. As Percy settled into her seat, the cushion's softness left her feeling oddly out of place. Everything about the carriage served as a reminder that this was no ordinary journey.

Mara climbed in behind her, and one of the royal attendants shut the door.

Looking through the window, Percy caught a final glimpse of Elara standing outside their home.

Elara lifted a hand.

Percy raised hers in reply.

Then the carriage started to move.

For the first few minutes, they rode in silence. The wheels rolled steadily along the familiar road, carrying them farther from the little town Percy had known her whole life. Through the window, she watched the shops vanish one by one, followed by the familiar houses and narrow streets. Before long, even the people she knew had disappeared, replaced by unfamiliar faces and larger buildings.

Mara was the one who broke the silence first.

“I wonder how many girls they'll choose from.”

Percy turned away from the window. “They're not choosing girls.”

Mara gave her an amused look. “You know what I mean.”

“No, I don't. You're already talking as though this is some kind of competition.”

“Isn't it?”

Percy opened her mouth, then stopped.

She hated that Mara had a point.

Eventually, the king would pick one girl, and everyone heading to that palace was aware of it.

Mara settled back into the seat, running her hands over her dress to smooth it across her knees.

"I've heard he's handsome."

Percy let out a groan. "Is that really what's on your mind?"

"It's not beside the point."

"How does that even matter?"

"If a man is going to be my husband, I'd at least want him to be nice to look at."

Percy shook her head.

"You're discussing marriage like you're picking out a dress."

Mara's smile grew gentler.

"Maybe I'm only trying to find something good in all of this."

Her reply left Percy with nothing to say.

Mara stared down at her hands, the excitement from before giving way to something more exposed.

"You know how things are back home. If I were queen, everything would be different. My family wouldn't have to struggle anymore. My younger brothers could get the chances they never had."

Percy had never seen it that way.

She'd been so caught up in all she might lose that she hadn't stopped to think about what Mara was hoping to gain.

After a pause, she stretched across the narrow gap separating them and gave Mara's hand a gentle squeeze.

“So I hope you end up with what you're after.”

Mara glanced up, taken aback.

“Truly?”

“Truly.”

A thankful smile spread across Mara's face.

“I appreciate it.”

From then on, the talk drifted to lighter subjects, and bit by bit the tension within the carriage faded. Beyond the windows, though, the landscape kept shifting. Modest houses were replaced by graceful buildings with tall windows, bustling shops, and broad streets bordered by black lamps. Royal banners were draped from almost every corner, their silver-and-black crest waving above the crowds.

Whenever another royal carriage rolled past, people lined the road.

Some waved with excitement.

Others whispered behind their hands.

Percy spotted a number of young girls pointing at their carriage, their faces full of curiosity.

“They know,” Mara whispered.

Percy's brow furrowed. “Know what?”

“That we're the chosen girls.”

That realization made Percy squirm uneasily in her seat. She had been aware that other candidates would be there, but it hadn't crossed her mind that the whole capital might be watching them arrive.

Before she could get a word out, another carriage came toward them from the opposite direction.

It was bigger than theirs, with gold decorations running along the doors. Inside sat two girls, both wearing gowns far more elaborate than anything Percy had ever possessed. One was in a deep crimson dress studded with tiny crystals, while the other wore silver, a jeweled necklace resting against her throat. Their hairstyles were just as elaborate, and neither of them seemed the least bit nervous.

The girl in crimson spotted their carriage.

Her gaze swept over Mara before coming to rest on Percy.

For a moment, she did nothing but stare.

Then she leaned over to the girl beside her and whispered something.

Both of them laughed.

Mara's face tensed.

“Did they just laugh at us?”

Percy hardly looked their way.

“Forget it.”

“They definitely did.”

“Let them.”

Percy had no wish to start a rivalry with someone she had never even met.

Even so, as the other carriage vanished behind them, an uneasy thought took hold in her mind.

There would be girls like that inside the palace.

Girls who had readied themselves for this very moment.

Girls who were after the crown.

Girls who would likely view everyone else as rivals.

Percy had no wish to compete with anyone.

She did not even want to be here.

And yet, somehow, she had been placed among them.

Gradually, the road started to rise, and the buildings grew fewer. Tall trees lined both sides, their branches casting shadows over the road. Past them, something immense towered over the landscape.

At first, Percy could make out only the tallest towers.

Then the walls emerged into view.

The Veyne palace.

She had seen paintings of it all through her childhood, yet none had readied her for the real thing. Dark stone towers stretched high above the surrounding trees, joined by enormous walls adorned with elaborate carvings. Silver banners hung from the highest points, drifting slowly in the wind, while rows of guards in polished black uniforms stood along the entrance.

Mara fell silent.

Percy could not look away.

The palace was not beautiful in the way she had pictured.

It was commanding.

It made everything around it seem small.

The carriage eased to a halt as they neared the massive iron gates, and Percy was suddenly aware of her own heartbeat. Outside, she could hear the horses breathing and the soft clink of the harness while the driver spoke with the guards.

One of the guards came up to the carriage and checked the royal seal before stepping aside.

The gates started to swing open.

Percy's fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.

Throughout the whole journey, she had wished the carriage would arrive soon so the waiting would at last be finished. Now that the moment was here, she caught herself wishing for one more hour on the road.

Mara leaned over and took her hand.

“You're going to be fine.”

Percy looked at her.

“You don't know that.”

Mara offered her a small smile.

“No. But I'm going to be right here with you.”

Percy gave her hand a squeeze.

“Thank you.”

The carriage passed through the gates.

Percy turned to the window and watched the road vanish behind them as the huge iron doors slowly started to close.

The heavy sound echoed through the carriage.

For a moment, neither girl said a word.

Percy gazed at the palace before him.

The sound lingered with her in some way.

She could not say why, yet deep down she understood that this was not merely the start of a royal ceremony.