The Shadows of Royalty

The Start

-Unedited-

"Your highness," I mumbled as I stood awkwardly and curtsied. I glanced up seeing that his green amused eyes were staring at me, intently.

"I haven't intended to offend you in anyway but ..." I pointed at the book in my hand. "It's really good." I used this dumb excuse again. He quietly shook his head and gestured for me to join the others. If Xander had said something I would have kneed him in his shin. Yes, we had that type of a relationship. I grinned to myself as I felt eyes penetrating straight at me or rather my chest. Curse this wretched dress and that son of a biscuit. A smile crept onto his face when he sensed my discomfort as he shook his head.

At least he was in a good mood. Usually he was on his moody days were he rampaged through the palace, firing the staff or challenging Generals in absurd duals.

"Any ways, you all look lovely today just as stunning when you were all at the ball." He managed, thumbs twiddling, as he awkwardly stood there in his prestige.  I could tell that he didn't know what to say or compliment any of these 12 attractive girls beside me. I rolled my eyes as I mentally noted to remind him how to speak. After all he was royalty; or rather the crowned prince and usually princes had their way with women. I signed as I put on my fake dazzling smile just like the others. That was my job for today.

Later that day....

"Your highness?" He quickly turned around and plastered his infamous boyish grin on his face.

"My love." He replied, grasping my hand in his.

I swiftly smack his arm and cursed with no shame under my breath. "How many times did I tell you to never attempt and call me my love? You sound like a man that was struck in between the knees Alexander."

"And you forget to act, or at least to play along like you were one of the chosen ones." He grabs my hand again.

Even though I've known Alex / Xander for quite a while now, he could read me like a book. "I'm trying really. But it's just you know Stanford is waiting for me, but my dad is always opposing the idea." I whisper looking ahead of me. The French beige walls seemed be staring right back at me. I gulp as he lifts my chin to look right at him. Xander was much more than a Prince or my friend, but brotherly in a way to me.

"I know, I've seen what you can do. You were meant to heal and be a savior. I know your pain but you need to at least try and be part of this competition. When you for fill your job and satisfy the Gods, you'll be free." He says as I kept walking ahead of him. A completion of sacrifice? I scoffed, clutching my dress.

Or a useless life wasting game.... Is what he meant.

He glances at me as his dazzling emerald eyes seemed to swallow my large blue green ones. "But you know, the university isn't going to wait for me until I'm out this hell hole. "I murmur knowing that I had hurt his feeling in a way. He just nods and accompanies me to the garden.

I knew what was coming ... Our first competition ... Not a physical or intellectual competition, but a competition between life and death. There wasn't any way out this hell hole and hell, I wasn't even sure if there was this loophole around this game.

After all we serve and the Gods reward. Except this years award was for Xander. He was next in line for the throne and in need for a wife.

"It's just our way of doing , Rachel . There's nothing we can change about it or step back. It's final."

Yes, indeed. Damn right he was but it was like he'd just read my mind.

Hello readers,

School had started and I'm over piled with upcoming exams and home work. Its like IKR why assessment on the second week of school... But anywaysss I know I take soo long to update but before I didn't really know if I should continue... Its not even edited properly. And I know its not that interesting so far but bear with me were almost at the thrilling parts!!!!

Yours,
Grace