The Royal bride selection trials

chapter Ten

RUE.

Lady Cierra stood towering in front of Queen Eleanor, she pointed her fingers to senna and then to her child, rambling on about insolence and disrespect,

I tried to think, I had to be careful with my next choice of words. the wrong one could take senna's chief maid dreams away or get me eliminated before I even found Callum's room.

Beside me, I noticed senna's trembling hands.

I stepped smoothly in front of her, lady Cierra' finished with her loud complaints my eyes flicked to Thomas, who, despite his mother's fury still wore a mud streaked smile on his face.

"your majesty,I apologize deeply for the disruption"I sank into a slow deliberate bow. Senna followed.

"Lady Cierra is a distinguished guest of the court and she claims she has been disrespected" Queen Eleanor's voice was firm.

Her maids stepped forward to take away her tea set and she slowly rose to her feet.

"what do you have to say for yourself, lady Sinclair?"

"Again, I apologize for the misunderstanding"

Lady Cierra let out a sharp snicker under her breath

"We simply got carried away" I continued smoothly

"he was having so much fun, isn't that right Thomas?"

Thomas's smile widened into a grin.

"yeahhh... I like the swing!" he cheered jumping up and down in his filthy shoes

Lady Cierra gasped trying frantically to hold him steady.

He held onto the skirt of her dress, pulling on the fabric as he bounced.

"l want the swing mum.... please!"

"Thomas!... Quiet!" She hissed.

"of course, my lady-in- waiting and I would be happy to clean him up" I offered loudly, giving Thomas a subtle wink

he burst into giggles and finally let go of his mother's skirt, his muddy hands left visible stains on the light colored silk.

"we shouldn't have let him get dirty in the first place" I said softly.

Queen Eleanor took her seat, she eased into her usual blank stare.

lady Cierra faced me and Senna, the rage on her face slowly fading away

Senna and I bowed once more in unison

"I'm extremely sorry. your grace, it won't repeat itself"

Her eyes widened and she straightened up, she had nothing else to complain about.

if she continued to speak, she would look troublesome and hysterical in front of the court.

My apology and Thomas's little display had completely de-escalated the situation.

"Cierra?" Queen Eleanor tilted her head

lady Cierra, cleared her throat and began to twist the gold rings on her left fingers.

"I suppose it's fine"she muttered, her eyes fell to the ground and then to Thomas.

"Is that all?" Queen Eleanor asked

"yes your Majesty"

without another word, lady Cierra scooped up little Thomas and left the garden, her heels clicking as she walked out.

Senna and I made our way quietly to our designated table. I could feel Camille's sharp, calculating blue eyes burning into the side of my face as I sat down, But I kept my eyes focused on Queen Eleanor.

Queen Eleanor stood almost immediately, Sweeping her gaze over the entire garden to tense contestants.

"This morning, all your ladies in waiting were given tasks they were bound to fail" she announced. her voice echoed off the stone walls behind her.

Senna and I exchanged a look.

"Some of you handled the situation carefully" her eyes drifted to me.

I wanted to look away but I held her gaze and she looked away

"while others were rather.... disappointing."

The garden fell completely still, like everyone was holding their breath.

"I will start by announcing the names of the ladies who will be leaving us today"

Senna reached for my hands and squeezed gently.

"it's okay" I muttered under my breath.

"Lady Amelia and Lady Cindy"

My eyes searched the garden for the girls whose names were just called.

A petite looking girl with black hair and brown eyes stood from behind Camille, she threw daggers at Camille as she walked to stand in front of Queen Eleanor.

The second girl was already standing in front of the queen her head bowed as tears slowly rolled down her cheeks and fell to the grass.

"pack your things, you have been eliminated from the selection trials"

Amelia fell to her knees

"your majesty, this is a misunderstanding. I was only doing as C..."

"silence!" Queen Eleanor Hissed.

Amelia flinched and began to tremble

I noticed Camille shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

I wondered if she had something to do with Amelia getting eliminated. I wouldn't be surprised. She had made it painfully clear that she was here to win, and she would do anything to get that crown.

Amelia and Cindy were led away by the guards and Queen Eleanor's eyes slowly grazed over the number of girls left in the garden.

"The contestants with the highest scores are...

"Senna squeezed my hands once more and I noticed my trembling hands.

"Layla Torres"

A redhead with beautiful grey eyes rose from her table, I wondered why I had never noticed her before.

"Anastasia petrov"

A smile spread across my face and gave Anastasia a small nod she returned the gesture with a wink

"Isabelle Sinclair and Camille Voss"

I tried to ignore her piercing eyes. Camille had just narrowed down the people that were actual threats to her goal.

"congratulations"

The garden erupted in soft applause, most of them relieved that they were spared today.

others annoyed that they weren't in top four.

She finished her announcement by encouraging us to handle difficulties with wit and compassion and slowly left the garden.

I could feel the tension leave my shoulders.

Senna hugged me immediately, A wide grin on her face.

"Isabelle! We won." she squealed.

"well,it's just the first stage." Camille shrill cold voice cut in.

she stood with her hands on her hips.

"congratulations to you too... Camille." I rolled my eyes.

"Why, thank you." she gave a fake smile placing her hands on her chest.

"you're welcome"I hissed.

"Don't forget Isabelle, stay out of my way or I will destroy you and your little oaf" her smile did not waver and her eyes stayed focused on me.

she courtesied and began to stroll back into the bride's wing.

The Royal bride selection trials had officially begun and I could feel myself getting more attached.