The Worth (Rebellious Heroes 4)

9

"Welcome to Trimsor Palace." The lady announced, cutting my thoughts as I watched the passing view of Cech. I can't help but look forward after an hour of just staring at the distance, "This is where The Worth will be held."

Afterwards, she sat back down in her chair, causing us to see the full view of the palace as the bus entered. The colossal gate that opened was bronze in color, decorated with... gems? Is the king really this powerful? As the bus went further in, we saw the front yard of the palace, which is way bigger than my home. The front yard basically measured hectares. It is also insanely decorated, perfect in every detail.

Then from afar, the castle stood, the sunlight just making the castle more majestic, glorious and powerful. Above the castle was a huge flag, waving along the breeze: Moth, surrounded by a fiery torches, the symbol of Cech. At least, that's according to Ylode, who whispered it to me.

Moments later, as we thought we would go further until we reach the castle, we stopped, and the bus parked in the right side of the yard, along with four other buses that were already parked. The lady then instructed us to go out of the bus, arranged by number. I eventually went out of the bus and formed a line when number 71 was called, Ylode standing beside me.

When all of us were in a line, we followed the lady as we walked to the left side of the lawn, and Ylode and I were surprised to see a lot of ladies on the area, all formed in a line as well. Some ladies were unaccompanied with maids, while there are others that have maids with them. But one thing is in common: they're all beautiful and stunning ladies. I wondered if I could have a shot of landing a spot.

In front of the ladies were 5 large makeshift tents, white in color. There was also a platform and a podium, guarded by two palace guards, one carrying a rifle and the other carrying the flag of Cech. We remained standing as a middle-aged woman, dressed in navy blue and adorned with pearl jewelry and hair in a bun, climbed on stage and into the podium. As she faced us, I can't help but admire her flawlessness. She's really beautiful, despite being firm and strict from her actions. She then tapped the microphone, gaining our attention.

"Welcome ladies." She greeted, but in an intimidating manner, "Welcome to Cech and welcome to The Worth, where all of you will compete in challenges and creating impressions until one of you will become the Queen of Cech and marry King Anton of Cech. This morning, all of you will undergo an interview in the tents behind me, where all but 16 ladies will be removed. Good luck, and follow your lady leader to your respective tents."

After her speech, she left in a carriage, and the lady leaders called our attention, leading us to our tents. I ended up in tent number 5.

"Take a seat here as you wait for your turn." The lady leader said as we were in the tent, "You will be called by your number. After your interviews, stay in the makeshift tents that the soldiers are now building on." She pointed to us the makeshift tents that the soldiers are busy building and the chairs they are now piling up, "And you should still be in a line, according to your numbers. When you're in the interview, prepare your ID and documents. Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am." We said in chorus.

"To all maids here, please raise your hands." The lady leader asked as Ylode and the other maids raised their hands, being counted by the lady leader until they placed their hands down and the lady leader went out, telling the soldiers the number of extra chairs needed.

A minute later, the interviews started. Minutes have passed, and ladies just come and go, Ylode and I watching as they went in the makeshift tent, waiting for the results. Ylode and I were patiently waiting as well, but we can't help but feel nervous as our number goes closer by the moment.

"You know what to do?" Ylode asked quietly, preparing our documents.

"Yeah, I think so." I replied, "I'm nervous for crying out loud."

"Hey." She said as she held my hand, "Just close your eyes for a while and breathe. Remember what I briefed you. Remember who all of this is for."

"For Quentin." I breathed, closing my eyes.

"For Quentin." She quietly repeated, helping me breathe.

"Number 71." The interviewer called, causing my eyes to slightly go wide.

Shit.

Calmly, Ylode and I smiled and stood from our seats and went in the interview booth. Only to realize that as the door closed, there were four people seating beside each other in a long table, each with papers and pens. Two chairs were from afar, for the one who'll call the next lady and another for the lady's maid. One chair is in the center, for the lady about to be interviewed. For me.

Gulping, I sat on the chair as Ylode gave my ID and documents then settled behind me, sitting on the chair as well. Even from behind, I could sense Ylode being nervous for me, and I could feel my palm sweating. Seconds later, the interviewers looked up at me and smiled.

"Okay." One of them cleared their throat, "Let's begin. Tell us about yourself. Your name, age, where you're from and parents."

I breathed. For Quentin, "My name is Avelon Shirley, 20 years old, I live in Head State, Pangaea and I'm the only child of Monica and Samuel Shirley."

Their attention then darted from me to Ylode, "So, you have a maid with you? Can you tell us about her?"

"Yes. Her name's Monica Benali, 20 years old from Sodom. She's my maid." I answered, earning a breath of relief from Ylode.

"So you must be an elite then?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"My parents owned a fishery in Head State. It eventually became an empire." I answered as they nodded, writing something on their notes.

"I guess, you were named after Avelon Pierre? The hero?"

"Yes. She's an icon during their time." I said as they nodded again.

"Now, let's go to the real deal. Why did you join The Worth?"

This is indeed the real deal. Whatever my answers are, they'll either win me a spot or not. And I should earn a spot, if that's what it takes to set Quentin free.

"I heard news in Pangaea about the new King of Cech being unmarried. And just like any ladies here right now, I joined The Worth to marry him."

"Why do you wish to marry the king?"

Suddenly, a surge of confidence came to me, causing me to silently thank the heavens for the confidence and the answer to the question. I then smirked at them, keeping my head high.

"My parents wanted me to marry an eligible gentleman. And when my family heard about the king being unmarried, they think and I agree, that marrying the king is a good idea. And this morning, when I arrived at Cech, he further proved himself as an eligible gentleman. Everywhere in Cech speaks power, reflecting his good leadership and his ability to move his people for the better. Besides, I think he's desirable."

"In what way? Power? Money?"

"Looks." I answered immediately, "And character."

They were silent for a while, writing on their notes as the nervousness showered in me again, me glancing at Ylode every once a while.

"Okay." One of the interviewer said, getting my attention, "Thank you so much, Miss Shirley. You may go." I nodded as I left with Ylode, taking a deep breath and releasing it in a sigh as we went out. I then saw Ylode as she smiled at me.

"Avelon." She smiled, "That was sick. You were good."

"Thank you." I smiled as I held her hand tight before sitting in my chair, "Thank you, Monica."