The Crowns Choice

❦ Chapter Eleven: Charlotte ❦

The next morning, the sun streamed through the tall windows of the royal dining hall, casting a warm, golden glow across the grand table set for breakfast. The clinking of silverware against fine china filled the room as my parents and I sat in what felt like a suffocating silence. The tension was palpable, a thick, invisible wall between us.

Mother sat at the head of the table, her posture immaculate, every movement precise and controlled. Father was beside her, reading a document with his usual stern expression, not a hair out of place, as if the weight of the kingdom was nothing more than a light breeze.

I pushed a piece of fruit around my plate, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach. Today was the day I'd see all the contestants together, face to face. The thought made my skin prickle with unease, a thousand questions swirling in my mind. How was I supposed to act? What if I said something wrong? And why, of all things, did this feel like stepping into a lion's den?

Mother glanced at me, her eyes sharp. "You should eat, Charlotte. You'll need your strength."

"I'm not particularly hungry," I muttered, not looking up.

Father didn't even glance up from his paper. "You can't afford to be weak, especially not now. The Crowns Choice is not just a test for them; it's a test for you as well."

His words cut through me, leaving a sting. I knew what he meant—this wasn't just about finding a suitor; it was about proving myself capable, worthy of the throne. My every move would be scrutinised, every decision weighed against the crown's expectations.

The silence thickened again, broken only by the occasional sound of a fork against porcelain. I was on the verge of excusing myself when the doors to the dining hall burst open, and Kaius strolled in, his hair tousled and his shirt slightly askew.

"Morning, all!" he declared, completely oblivious to the tension.

Mother's lips tightened into a thin line. "Kaius, you're late."

He shrugged, dropping into the seat next to me. "Better late than never, right?" He winked at me, and I couldn't help but smile. Kaius had a way of lightening the mood, even when it felt like the walls were closing in.

"Honestly, Kaius," Mother sighed, but there was a hint of fondness in her voice. "You need to take this more seriously."

"Oh, I'm serious," he replied, grabbing a roll from the basket in front of him. "Serious about this delicious breakfast. And about supporting my sister, of course."

I rolled my eyes, but the knot in my chest loosened a little. "I'm sure your moral support will be invaluable."

"Absolutely," he said through a mouthful of food. "I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines. Or, you know, from the gardens with a good book."

Father finally looked up, his gaze sharp. "This is not a joke, Kaius. Your sister needs to be prepared."

Kaius's easy smile didn't falter, but there was a flash of something in his eyes, something protective. "She's more prepared than any of us, believe me."

The conversation moved to safer topics after that, with Mother and Father discussing the day's schedule while Kaius and I exchanged a few whispered comments under our breath. The breakfast dragged on, the minutes stretching like hours, until finally, it was time to face the day.

The antechamber where the contestants were gathered was grand, with high ceilings and walls adorned with tapestries depicting the kingdom's history. I walked in with Kaius at my side, and all conversation ceased as the eyes of thirty-five young men turned toward me.

The air was thick with anticipation, the atmosphere tense. I could feel the weight of their stares, the silent evaluations being made. Some stood a little straighter, their expressions carefully composed, while others shifted nervously, unsure of where to look.