The Last Pearl (Stray Kids Bang Chan)

Chapter 3

Finally the day of the Summer ending ball came. We prepared for that evening all day, so there were no classes, we only had to practise walking on the stairs with that big skirt on.

Before going to the palace, the principal lady gathered us in the Main Hall to 'talk about the rules' as she said.

Everybody were already sat down and waited for the aged lady to start her speech.
"I am waiting for the silence."
She suddenly stated, stepping up on the podium.

All the girls turned there.

I didn't really know why she was waiting for us to quiet down, when we didn't even speak a word, but after her statement I tried to breath silently.

"The ball starts at six."
She finally started speaking.
"I do not want anybody to embarrass herself and ashame the Dorm with her behaviour. Please be kind and open minded because the first impression is the most important and we all know that the lords like the open minded ladies with good manners."

"Act if it is needed, they will have time to know the real you later. Your main purpose is to find a husband, so the first impression is very important."

Suddenly, the door behind us opened and a maid came in.
Everybody watched puzzled as she ran to the principal and whispered something to her.
The lady's face become more strict. She nodded and told the maid to go.

She looked at the girls again and surprised everyone with her mournful statement.

"The queen died."

All the gils gasped at the same time.
Then they started to discuss the heard information with the girls sitting next to them.

Melany turned to me, too.
"She was the second queen."
She said sadly.
"I liked her the most. She did so much good for the kingdom. She was the second prince's mother."

I patted Melany's back symathetically, but one thing catched my attention.

"The second queen?" I asked.
"Yeah, the two princes were born by different mothers. Lior's mother was the first queen, she died all of a sudden, too."

"The second queen's family came to the kingdom when there were civil wars in the East Kingdom. They have been living here since then and according to the traditions here, they brought her to the Selling, the king liked her, so he raised a hand on her and she became the queen."

"Later, the second prince born. Christopher inherited the unique features from his mother." Caroline continued.

"Christopher?" I asked.
"Yeah, he was here when the paintings were made. He's learning how to paint, isn't he perfect?"
Melany seemed to be head over heals for him.
"I could finally see him, he's so handsome!"
"Just don't melt down on your chair."
Caroline laughed.

I was too bothered by the thought that I'm that uneducated, that I didn't even recognise the prince.

The principal ended my thoughts by fake coughing to gain attenton.
"After this sad information please remember our queen's resting in peace. However the king announced, he is not willing to postpone the Selling. So today's Summer ending ball won't be postponed either."

"Going back to the main thing, the most important information is that you will spend the night in the Palace, you will come back here, to the Dorm only in the morning." The aged lady said.
This made me a little worried but I didn't let it bring down my mood.

If I success on the Selling I won't have to come back here to take annoying music and dance classes. But I will miss my friends.

"Now, I would like to ask you to start our way to the front gate, to start our way to the Palace."