Crown Of Chaos

Chapter 24

I walk down the wooden ramp with Skye's arm locked in mine.
My heart is pounding with every step I take as I breathe in my homeland.
I smiled as I looked around; the beach still looked the same. It seemed to stretch out like a golden ribbon underneath the warm sun, the fine grains of sand sparkled and I knew how boiling hot the sand probably was underneath the soles of your feet.
I remember when I would come here with my parents, and we would literally sprint to the water so our feet wouldn't burn.
Skye and I walked on, and as soon as we walked out of the harbor, we were greeted with royal carriages from the Valorian palace.
I sucked in a deep breath as I immediately recognized the carriagemen's unifrom.
Black suit/trench coat with a golden and green tie. The colors of Valoria's flag.
After setting my eyes on them, I immediately felt like I was awakened. This mission was no joke, and there was certainly no turning back now.
Skye squeezed my arm as he led me to the carriage and helped me into it.
I sat inside and motioned for Skye to follow in after me, but he was stopped by the carriagemen.
"The Princess travels in the carriage alone." The man said firmly.
I was about to protest, but Skye held up his hand, shutting me off.
"Don't worry, El, I'll sit at the back." He smiled.
I gave him a small nod and watched him disappear behind the carriage.
We waited ten whole minutes as the servants gathered all my luggage and piled them onto the carriage.
And soon we were off.
As we rode by the beach, I leaned out of the window and drew in a deep breath. The air was filled with the salty scent of the ocean, mingling with the sweet aroma of baked goods from the town we were now entering.
As we rode by, I basically glued my eyes to my surroundings.
Not once blinking away.
The town still looked the same. It's streets bustling with bakers and shopkeepers.
Stalls were placed here and there beside men who were screaming discounts on what they were selling.
Children ran playfully along the dusty street, singing songs and jumping ropes.
A few Valorian guards were scattered here and there, keeping an eye out for any robberies or unwanted fights.
Something red suddenly flashed across my eyes, and I gasped when a familiar stall came into view.
The strawberry stall.
My Ma and I would always buy strawberries from there; one time, we bought two full baskets.
I smiled. Imwill most definitely come and buy from the stall in my free time.
It wasn't long before we finally arrived at the palace.
My heart was pounding hard against my chest as the carriage pulled to a stop in front of the many steps that led to the entrance of the palace.
My carriage door swung open, and I smiled faintly as I took Skye's hand and gently planted my feet on the ground below me.
Around us were other carriages, and I knew that they all belonged to the other candidates who came to compete for Declan's heart.
"Are you ready, El?" Skye whispered softly as he linked his arm in mine.
I soothed out my dress with my free hand and nodded.
"Let's go."
We walk up the stairs one by one, each step adding more fear and making me feel even more nervous than I already was.
When we finally reached the gate, we came face to face with...
Gill?!
I almost laughed when I saw him.
The old butler was still alive and well. Hebstill remained very well dressed and neat.
His hooves clicked as we walked towards me, bowing slightly.
"Greeting Princess..."nHe trails off, waiting for my answer.
Gosh, even the butler couldn't recognize me.
"Eloise," I say.
"Princess Eloise from Solvadon."
Gill smiles as he steps aside to let me enter.
"Greeting princess Eloise, please come inside."
I sucked in a breath before slowly stepping in the place I thought I would never step foot in again.
As soon as I stepped inside, I expected to see some damages from the past riot. But there wasn't even one sign of a fight in here. In fact, everything looked beautiful. The palace seemed even more impressive than before.
As I step foot into the palace's grand foyer, I am immediately awestruck by the sheer scale and elegance of the large room. The wooden floor that was here years ago had been removed and was replaced with a beige marble floor.
High ceilings are adorned with exquisite frescoes and thin layers of gold leaf accents, which were patterned on both the ceiling and the floor.
The marble floor seemed to shine beneath our feet, it was obvious this was cleaned daily.
Ahead of us was a luxurious deep purple carpet, which was draped over the marble stairs, which led into the second floor.
Skye, let's put a low whistle; he seems just as impressed as I am.
"If you'll just follow me," Gill says as he leads me up the stairs and onto the second floor.
As we walked through the hallways, my chest tightened at the thought that we were on the floor where I had heard my mother being assaulted by one of Edward's men. So instead of thinking about that, I occupy my thoughts and look at the paintings hung on the wall as we pass by.
I could remember some of them, but many of the paintings seemed new and recent.
Gill then suddenly turned to face us.
"Ah. I forgot, most of the rooms on this floor are occupied by the other candidates; would you mind sleeping on the third floor?"
I swallowed at the thought of that floor.
The third floor was where I had watched my Pa get brutally murdered by Edward.
Finding my courage, I lift my gaze to face him.
"No, not at all." I smile weakly.
We walk in silence as Gill leads us to the third floor.
"His majesty the king stays on this floor. Please be mindful of the restricted rooms and be sure to greet his majesty if you ever run into each other."
He pauses, "Well. It is highly unlikely that you will since he stays in his office most of the time, but just keep that noted." He says.
"Understood." I reply.
Great. Now I have to share a floor with Declan.
We walk on in silence; the only sound that could be heard was the sound of our feet as they softly hit the purple carpet beneath us.
Finally we reached the third floor, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise when Gill started leading me up into one of the towers.
"I hope you don't mind the stairs, your grace." Gill says over his shoulder.
I smile and do my best not to sound puffed out.
"I don't mind at all." I say as I unlink my arm from Skye and climb onwards.
If there was one thing I hated, it would most definitely be stairs.
But he didn't need to know that.
The old saytr seemed unbothered about the stairs because when he finally reached the top, he just simply pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. Not a single sign of struggle was plastered on his face.
"Your room, your grace." Gill says as he leads me inside.
I peer around the room. It was well kept and grand. It seemed much bigger and more spacious than what I imagined.
In the middle of the room was a double bed with drapes of white matching curtains that hung around the frame.
They were pretty pots of flowers on the window sill, which showed a beautiful view of the palace gardens.
There was a desk with a mirror beside my bed and a large wardrobe that was positioned near the door.
A small chandelier hung in the center of the room, its candles already lit and illuminating the entire room.
On the other side of the bedroom was a door that led to a marble-white bathroom that contained a sink, a toilet, and a bath.
I placed my bag on the bed and clapped my hands in delight.
"It's perfect; thank you, Gill." I exclaimed.
Gill nods, pleased with my response.
"I will head back down now; dinner will be served at 6 p.m. sharp in the dining room on the first floor,"
I nod. "Thanks again."
I watch as Gill clip clops out and shuts the wooden door behind him.
I turn to face Skye.
"So where are you going to stay?"
Skye shrugs. "I'll ask around; the king will definitely have a small cabin nearby where visitors can stay."
I nod my head, grateful that Skye will be staying near me.
I sigh before taking off my heavy tiara and throwing it on the bed.
"I'm tired; I'm going to take a bath and prepare for dinner." I say.
"Ok, I'll alert the maids to bring your luggage in." He calls over his shoulder before walking out.
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After my bath, I walk into my room and see that the maids had already been here; my clothes were all unpacked, folded and hung neatly into the wooden wardrobe.
Some lugged were tucked under my bed, containing most of my other belongings.
I hum softly as I change into a simple red and gold evening gown and braid my wet hair into a plait before pinning it at the top of my head.
Pulling on some simple flats, I quickly tuck my blade underneath my pillow before walking out of the room and heading towards the first floor.
On my way there, I see other princesses leave their rooms and go in the same direction I was going.
And gosh, those princesses were beautiful.
How on earth was I supposed to compete with them?
Once I enter the dining room, I am greeted with 6 pairs of eyes staring back at me.
I swallow as I make my way to an empty seat. Pulling it out and readying myself to sit.
"That spot is taken." A voice says.
I lift my gaze to face the women's piercing eyes.
She looked as beautiful as she sounded. Her blonde straight hair fell freely around her waist. Her dark blue eyes were decorated with thick black lashes, which batted innocently when she blinked "sweetly" at me.
I smile back at her. "My bad."
I then make my way to another spot and take a seat, exhaling deeply as I try to calm myself down.
After sitting in silence and hearing the other ten candidates talk, I learn that blonde-haired girl was Princess Clarissa from Atlantis.
Another girl was the daughter of one of Declan's dukes. Some were daughters of generals, and others were ladies from high noble families from other countries.
Clarissa then turned to me, almost yelling across the table.
"And where are you from, girl?" She says smiling.
Her tone is anything but soft; she sounded spoiled, like a brat who was given everything she wanted as a child.
I play along, not wanting to cause trouble on my first day.
"My name is Eloise; I am from Solvadon." I reply as I pick up my spoon and take a sip out of the soup.
Clarrisa snorts. "You mean adopted princess? Everyone knows that Princess Eloise died at a young age. Your not a real princess." She sneers.
I sigh and place my spoon down.
Can't I just eat my dinner in peace?"
Just as I was about to give her a witty response, Gill the butler strolls in and clears his throat.
We all rise to stand in union. Expecting Declan to walk in.
"Good evening, your graces. I am here to apologize on behalf of his majesty-"
Clarissa sighs loudly as we all sit down again.
It looks like he won't be joining us tonight.
Gill talks on. "His grace has been busy all day and is unable to dine with you today, but he has promised to meet each and every one of you tomorrow morning."
I stifle a laugh as I see Clarissa fume in her seat, her spoon shaking slightly in her hand.
"Please make sure you all get a good night's rest so you will be refreshed to meet his Grace in the morning."
And with that, Gill spins on his heel.
No. Hooves.
Before clip clopping out of there.
I purse my lips as all the girls immediately start whining with annoyance.
"I wanted to meet him so badly."
"I want to see what he looks like!"
"This is awful."
I sigh before whipping my lips with my napkin and rising from my seat.
Today was a long day, and I wanted nothing more but sleep.