The Shattered Glass Between Us

May the best one win

 Chapter 1

- Mariah -

A shadow towered over the crowd of females, his dark, black hair complimenting his pale skin as he stood tall at the top. Christian Volkov. The prince of the Jade Abyss Empire, crown prince. I stood high with my shoulders back as the guards walked up and down. I was currently in line for a competition, the crown princess selection competition. It was a big deal since even a commoner could be next in line for the crown, not saying that they will be.

Ladies screamed as he took a few steps down from the red carpet stairs and onto the ground, which he looked at in pure disgust. The workers even came and put a carpet for him just so he could stand, talk about a spoiled brat. There were three events that were going to finalise the selection, and the chosen princess will be announced in a matter of three hours.

The first event was the shortlisting, where the crown prince chose the five best looking women out of hundreds waiting in line. Luckily, it wasn't something I was worried about, my looks were at goddess level, and only one person could possibly beat me. The prince took long, slow steps as he observed us all, pulling forward the ones he likes. We were pretty much like a wardrobe to him, letting him pick which ones looked best. His cold, large palm grabbed my shoulder harshly, pulling me in front of the crowd. I couldn't count how many side-eyes I received at that moment, but it was surely more than I could count on my fingers. He grabbed a few more average-looking ladies and called us to the front as he took a seat back on his diamond throne.

The second event was when the top three were chosen through an unexpected game. Whoever could make him smile the fastest moves forward. This one caught me by a bit of shock, but there was still nothing to worry about; I had just the right joke up my hat. I took a few steps forward as I walked up the red carpet stairs, taking a stance right in front of him. I raised my head from the ground as our eyes met, taking a good look at the guy I needed to end.

"Your majesty, do I have the honour to ask you a question?" He stares through his hollow, dark navy eyes, giving me a slight nod.

"Have you ever seen an elephant hiding in a tree?" His expression stays the same, not a single muscle moved.

"I guess the elephant was too good then," he scoffed with a little smirk peeking out of his thin lips. I smiled as I moved aside as two other ladies followed behind. I wasn't usually the judgy, but today was something different. Their light blue eyes followed me, looking me up and down while mocking me. Giggles escaped their chapped lips as they stood with their head so high even they couldn't reach. My black, siren eyes gave one stare and that was all they needed to get back from their high horse.

They grinned as they returned their focus to the prince, inspecting each inch of his perfect face, but unlike them, abhor filled me as a feeling of vomit came up my throat. There was nothing I wouldn't do to slice the pale, thin throat of his.

He turned his head, fixing his eyes into mine as he spoke. The third event was about to commend. This time, we had to give a speech in front of the empire about why we should be in the place we wish for. The short, blonde one took a small step forward, gleaming as she opened her narrow mouth, spitting out rainbows and unicorns like the fairy-tale she was living in. She went on about how the empire would become unimaginative and amazing for all of us. How even the homeless would be living in their own palace with luxurious food like a noble. As she ended her dreamy speech, the taller one pushed me aside and stood right in front.

Her speech was a bit better, but it was all politics. There was only a benefit to those in high positions like the prince himself. She went on about how she would affect the palace affairs and 'make the empire a better place'. How she would use her current connections with different empires for the better of ours and that no noble would feel in a bad place, ever. I almost fell asleep but blinked my fatigue out. It was finally my turn.

"You may not know me yet so I'll begin with an introduction. My name is Mariah Emerson, daughter of Aaron Emerson, the Count. Growing up, I didn't have an easy life like others. I was stuck in a dump I couldn't get out of, so my dreams for our empire, our beloved home, are different from people like Nari (the short blonde). I'm not going to promise things like unicorns and dreams for a land that I know will never come upon us, but I will do what is more realistic, and better. I know how commoners feel, as well as the nobles as I am one. I will do everything in my power to provide the necessities we all need, like food and shelter, along with putting effort in the palace affairs and trades, for the better of the empire. There is nothing I won't do, because I care about us, everyone, everything. I appreciate you all for listening to my short speech, and I hope to make progress with the promises I have made. Thank you."

That was all I needed to make the crowd go crazy in favour, except what i said wasn't lies I was using to get to the top, they were promises I will complete on my way there. Not everything that I am doing is a lie.

It was finally time for the announcement. The decision had been made, and what they were going to say in the next minute or so was either going to break me or build me a life that I desperately needed. I could feel the blood pumping in and out of my heart, sending me shockwaves as I felt each second pass by. I stared right into his eyes, locking in with his as his lips split apart.

"I have chosen the next crown princess with ease." Gasps filled the air as he continued talking. I felt my body heat up as I fidgeted with the frill of my top. I shifted side to side as I raised my head from my feet, looking around as the crowd waited eagerly.

"Could I please call Nari Larsen up to the front." Claps were released. I could hear a buzz ringing so loudly in my ears. He just ruined everything. My mission, my family, my life, everything.

HELLO EVERYONE! I HOPE YOU LIKE THE SHATTERED GLASS BETWEEN US AND PLEASE COMMENT ANY FEEDBACK YOU MAY HAVE FOR ME AS THIS IS MY FIRST EVERY PIECE OF WRITING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING, BYE.

- rish0728