The Royal bride selection trials

chapter five

The pictures in the file did not do the Thornwood estate justice.

If Callum's mansion made my jaw drop, the royal palace brought tears to my eyes. It was magnificent.

The gates were twice as large as Callum's, the Thornwood crest , of a crown surrounded by vines with thorns hammered on it.

The driver stopped at the entrance and I quickly pulled out the invitation.

the security guards bowed and let us through.

Our car was just one of many parked right in front of the hall of presentation.

A large building where all the royal events were held.

It had several rooms for different events: dinner parties, galas and even council meetings were held here.

the phone in my purse beeped and I remembered I hadn't put it on silent mode.

It was a short message from Callum.

"I'll be watching."

I scoffed, deleted the message and placed the phone back in my purse before taking a deep breath before stepping out of the car.

"Lady Sinclair?" a man dressed in a black suit with a red bowtie asked walking towards

I nodded boldly

" Right this way."

I followed him, taking slow measured steps, the way a noble woman would walk.

The way Isabelle would walk.

He led me to large hall, beautiful decorated in the royal colors

It was filled with dignitaries from around the country.

I looked around trying to spot famous people I knew.

There were so many beautiful women throwing daggers at each other.

The competition hadn't even started and the tension thickened the air.

Callum said only 20 women would be invited, so I couldn't tell who I would be competing with.

"champagne?" a waiter asked, holding a tray of glasses, I picked one and he scurried off

a small bell chimed and the entire hall fell sighed

"INTRODUCING THE MOTHER OF AURELIA, OUR QUEEN DOWAGER, MOTHER OF KING ALEXANDER.... ELEANOR THORNWOOD"

The small crowd erupted in applause.

The queen, even at her age glowed underneath the chandelier.

He raised her hand and the hall fell silent again.

"I'm happy to announce the commencement of the royal bride selection trials"

applause again.

Suddenly the mission felt real. I quickly threw the rest of the champagne down my throat.

"It is my job to ensure that the future of Aurelia remains in safe hands" her voice echoed in the magnificent hall

"The next king cannot be crowned unless he has a bride and the coronation of our crowned prince sabastian draws near" she paused. Her eyes slowly watch the crowd below her.

"It is paramount that we find the best possible match to carry on our country's great legacy"

The crowd began applauding again.

She raised her hand.

she stepped and a man I recognized as her right hand stepped forward

" The following ladies, please step forward"

he cleared his throat

"Lady Camille Voss"

she wore a stunning red dress, her blonde hair fell to her back, she walked steadily to the space they had prepared, facing the crowd with an unwavering smile

"Lady Layla Torres"

"Lady Anastasia petrov"

"Lady Isabelle Sinclair"

that was me

I straightened my back, kept the glass I'd been holding on a waiter's tray as he walked by and made my way to the space.

I turned to face the crowd and tried to steady my breathing.

Everything felt blurry, Everyone's eyes were poking my skin. I felt hot and cold at the same time.

The crowd's applause jolted me out of my head and I looked around to find the rest of the contestants standing in the space.

The queen was back and we all turned to face her.

"In the next two months you will stay in the palace grounds and prove yourselves to be a suitable match for my grandson and this country."

she walked towards us and began to take out hands one by one

she continued to speak

"All the rules and stages of the trial have been provided in a file and is in your assigned rooms"

she took my hands next but they were still shaking

"you're nervous" she said

"Who wouldn't be? I am in the presence of royalty"

She let out a small laugh and continued to the next person.

"The grounds for elimination have also been listed. Go through it with utmost care."

"Good luck to all you beautiful ladies"

her eyes landed on me and I gave a small nod.

*************

We were led to the bride's wing, another separate building right in front of the royal gardens.

It had several rooms, a huge dining hall and several entertainment rooms.

all our names were boldly plastered on each door, mine was at the far right end of the hallway.

I stepped in and locked the door behind me

my suitcases were already delivered to my room.

I poured myself a glass of water from the pitcher they had kept on the bedside table and sat on the soft bed.

I reached for my purse, hoping for a message from Callum.

Nothing.

I guess it was safer this way, he wouldn't want me to get in trouble.

there was a knock on my door, I jolted up hiding the phone beneath the bedside.

I straightened my dress and tried to look composed as I went to the door.

"lady Sinclair, I am your assigned lady in waiting" a girl much younger than me stood by the door in a simple peach dress.

I opened the door and she stepped in.

"what's your name?"I asked

"senna"

"well senna you can call me Rr.... Isabelle"

I cleared my throat.

"Thank you, how about I start by organizing your wardrobe" she gestured to the suitcases by the side of the room.

I nodded, noticing the file with my name on the cover placed gently on the reading table.

I picked it up. Written on the first page was RULES AND GUIDELINES and below it was the Royal Crest.

I took a seat and began flipping through the pages.