The competition
1805 Words
Lilian's POV
It has been a year since King Elias visit our tavern, I was 19 years old back then, now I'm 20, My dad after that taught me a lot about material arts.
" Here are your drinks my sirs "
I said placing the drinks on the table, someone throw some pennies at me.
" Sing us a song, sweet Lilian "
I took the money, put it in my pocket then grabbed my lute, start singing.
" ~We shall Love, we shall conquer, we can see what has been hiding ~ "
I sang a regular song that I wrote, people start clapping, I walked to my smiling mother and father.
" Our tavern is full of people because of you, Lily "
my father said and my mother jumped all of sudden.
" imagine her future husband work with us as well, and sing with her "
" no one can sing as my daughter "
" Ehem ehem "
they looked at me.
" sorry Lilian, I know you're not into marriage stuff "
Suddenly a large noise came to our small tavern, making the tables shivers.
it was the king's guards.
no please, don't show up again.
" The King has announced that"
one of the guards said before continues reading from a large paper.
"My dear fellow citizens, for every woman who has reached the age of twenty, has to come to my castle tomorrow at noon, there will be the regular yearly competition to choose my Queen, To anyone who refused to attend, she shall be fed to the dogs, after cutting her head's off "
my jaw almost dropped after hearing that, wasn't the competition always for above 25 years old!
I was planning with my family to leave the Kingdom before I reach that age.
" oh My God, that's not good, we have to leave the Kingdom right now"
my mother said with fear, while my dad was hugging my crying mom.
" how you will run! by now there will be many guards in every house to prevent women from running"
I said calmly, I don't know what to do acutely, there's sure be girls will kneel for a glance from him, not to mention marrying him.
but for me I hate his guts, King Ilias is always a cruel person, enjoying the killing and suffering of people.
" I'll join the competition"
I said trying to maintain my body from shivering, my mother came towards me to yell.
" no! I'm not losing you, he will kill any girl that loses, don't do that to me! you're my only child"
she was crying, she didn't even notice that the guards never left our tavern yet.
why are they still there, they told us the message, what is happening right now!
" umm, dear sirs, do you want something to drink"
my dad said to them and suddenly, the king had shown between them, looking at an empty table, that does not exist.
" get out, I hate noisy places"
he pointed at a table, the customers just started eating, they jumped all of sudden, kneeled for him and ran away from our tavern.
" all of you, get out "
he said using his usual calm voice and people kept running from our shop.
" hah, suddenly some quiet time "
he said sitting on a table alone, I wasn't trembling like last year, in the end, I'm not afraid of him.
I just don't want to die yet.
I was going to serve him but my father placed a hand on my shoulder.
I know he hates him, hates what happening to our kingdom, his mother was always a nice kindhearted queen, I don't know how her son is like that.
" How I serve you, my king "
my father said after approaching him, the king's gaze left the table and looked at him with a smirk.
" How an old man like you will serve me"
he said and then looked at me directly, making me freeze.
" Is your daughter afraid after hearing the good news of the yearly competition?"
he asked while laughing.
" The competition has been always for above 25, my daughter is too young for that, and she doesn't even care to become a queen for a few months then die by your hands "
my dad said angrily, which made the guards point their spears on my dad's neck.
I gasped, put a hand on my mouth, The King raised his hand so they downed their spears.
" such harsh words, people die for a reason, I'm not going kill just anyone"
the king said while standing, moving in our tavern.
" as you see, you're still alive, after what you said"
he said again then came near me, I looked down kneeling.
" and your daughter seems to want to join the competition, I heard her from outside"
he was listening to us! he grabbed my arms to make me stand.
" I want the best drink, the most beautiful song, dear Lily "
he touched my jaw again to make me look into his eyes, I was almost shocked that he knows my name.
" Right away your highness "
.........................
" augh, I can't believe he finally left "
my mother said stressful after the king spent the whole night here drinking and laughing and clapping for my songs.
" My throat hurts"
I said uncomfortable, he kept asking for more songs.
" he said, he will wait for you tomorrow, please Lily, you don't have to go "
my father said his features were sad.
" I'm not planning on dying, please don't worry "
I know that I'm going to lose, maybe I'm looking good in the mirror but not in his eyes.
he killed many beautiful ladies, I can't even count.
I have dark brown hair, my eyes are dark gray, nothing so special about me, at least I'm neat and I take care of my skin.
it's my job, after all, looking good, singing good, nothing more.
" I have to prepare myself"
I said going out the tavern to our small home at the hill.
it's so quiet at night, there are not many thieves, the king kills the normal people, will leave the thieves alive?
at least he's making his job by protecting Ehnasia's kingdom.
Our kingdom.
........................
I don't know what's happening in the competition.
but I heard that he making a physical contest, a fight, drawing, singing, etc.
He wants to find the perfect wife for him.
Like he is perfect.
" What a moron "
I said after training a little on etiquette.
I decided to sleep, hoping, I'll do a good job tomorrow.
............................
" Lilian, it's almost noon, you have to wake up "
I wake up fast as I could, I can't believe I overslept, I kept thinking hard yesterday.
I should relax a little.
I went to the mirror, brushing my silk brown hair, putting a cream on my skin.
I don't need much makeup, I hate it.
I wore something easy to move with, I don't know what's the first competition anyway.
or how many girls are joining?
But I'll treat it as a game.
even if I lose.
even if I die.
" God guards you, Lilian"
my mother said when I was walking towards the door.
I gave her a long hug.
I don't know if it's our last hug or not.
............................
Now I'm in front of king Elias castle.
I saw many girls are entering, there are girls happy, and there are girls crying.
Me? I don't care much.
it's not a big deal really.
I mean if I die, then I die.
If not, I'll continue to be optimistic.
.............
" I'm here for the competition"
I told the guards and they opened the gates for me, and for the other girls.
I was secretly looking at their outfits.
all looks beautiful, like a princess dress.
not easy to move with tho, looks expensive.
I looked at my outfit for a second, maybe I made the wrong choice wearing pants and a simple blouse after all?
...............
" Oh, I think we have the first loser "
I heard the girls beside me laughing at me, I smiled a little looking at them.
" I hope you win then "
I said and I didn't hear another word from anyone.
I don't like to compare myself to others, but to be honest.
I'm terrified.
....................
" The king is entering the hall "
some guards screamed and, the musicians begin to play their music.
we all kneeled, looking down.
I took a small glance tho at the king was taking the stairs slowly.
" s**t "
I said looking down again after making eye contact with him.
" Oh my god, he is so tall"
" He is handsome"
" Shut up girls, he is mine"
I was laughing inside hearing the girls beside me.
" Thanks for coming for the yearly competition for choosing the Queen"
He suddenly said with polite talk.
" Please stand up "
We stood up and I looked left and right.
There are about 70 girls or so.
" As you know, I'm a humble king, every person, woman or man, has the right to become queen or king"
He begins his speech putting his hands behind his back.
" Not just because you're from a noble family, to be honest, I'm not 100% Noble, My dad was farmer, My mother The Queen Vinaya loved him so much, fought all, to make him the king"
" The Queen has to be strong, attractive, beautiful, wise and kindhearted "
he continued and the girls beside me started whispering already.
" He has such a nice personality "
" Please marry me! "
I tried not to roll my eyes nor to laugh, and I saw him smirking.
" that's why I making this competition, to assure you, The perfect Queen for our people"
the girls started clapping, I don't know if there are idiots or not!
didn't they ask themselves, where are the previous wives?
why he is marrying one every year?
I was clapping with them anyway.
then he looked at me again.
I froze for a moment stopped clapping.
he was looking deeply at my eyes then at my clothes.
" Now to inform you "
he suddenly said and everyone stopped clapping.
" for the first mission "
I was biting my lips from fear, please not a fashion show or something.
" It's a fighting with hungry lions competition "
He said then give us his back.
eh?
...................................
To be continued
- Writer
