anything and everything

Relationship Swap!

Alright MissAvarice four relationships with all new pairings! You're gonna love the last one 😉

Cherry

Cherry sat in her throne with one knee crossed over the other as she watched the men be escorted in. Why did most of them look the same?

Men of noble families or wealthy traders. Well... She had required them to prove at least adequate intelligence. The most common class wouldn't have the money for more than basic schooling.

She cut out all men who could complete her peasant girl dream. Ah, but that was shattered the moment Luize decided Cherry would be the next queen. Was it the moment Nolan lost his voice, the moment Lilly died, or when Luize was told she couldn't carry anymore children? It was a question she'd never really be able to answer.

There was a different face. Number 8 there. Wasn't that the vampire bartender that had come and visit Elyse a few times? Dante, she was pretty sure. In the few times she'd seen him he was all smiles and flirting. If he was smart enough to pass the exam he might make a good king. She needed someone who could connect with the people. His charisma would be very useful.

But there was something wrong. Today he wasn't smiling. In fact cherry almost thought he glared at her once he entered. Onto the rest of the men.

The next interesting face, number 19. Was he Allelic? He had the skin tone of a southerner but perhaps that was just ancestry. What she was more interested in was the obvious fidgeting of the man who couldn't sit still. Sure the pressure in the room was uncomfortable yet none of the other men had shifty eyes quite the way he did.

The twenty men were told to kneel and Cherry rose. "My name is Princess Cherry. One of you will be chosen today as my fiance. The rest will be sent home after a feast. Your journey will be arranged for you if you are from any distance away." She told the group.

She then walked towards the first man on her right. Save the Allelic boy for last, she decided.

She did finally reach him. "what is your name?" She asked the male.

"K-kassim ma'am!" His voice was a bit more energetic than the others. Or maybe that was the fear. His Delyrian was heavily accented further playing towards her belief that he was not born in Delyra.

"Kassim. It's a foreign name. Were you.born in Allelyn?" Cherry asked.

Kassim swallowed harshly then nodded. Would he be killed for joining the men here despite not being a citizen? He was sure that's what she would ask next!

But Cherry didn't. She too knew what such a question would lead to so she kept it to herself.

"Stand up, Kassim." She told the man.

Kassim got to his feet. They were about the same height. Their eyes only met a moment before Kassim looked away, bowing his head slightly.

"What would you do if I made you the king, Kassim? What are your dreams for Delyra?"

"I couldn't possibly be a king, your majesty. I- I am just a common mercenary! I didn't think I would get so far and I couldn't waste your time with-"

"Stop." Cherry placed a hand over his mouth to silence his rambling. "I didn't ask you if you thought you deserved it. I asked you what you think a perfect Delyra would look like. Just give me a list."

Kassim nodded so Cherry removed her hands. Hmm, his lips were softer than she thought they'd be. A mercenary was he? He didn't look all that tough or battle scarred to her.