The Dandelion System

Chapter 20

When I saw him safely to the tower after sundown, I returned guiltily. Aideen didn't even sleep last night because she was so worried for me; she didn't deserve the worry caused by my selfishness, and so didn't Oriana and Annabelle. Not wanting to waste another minute, I opened the door to my room.

The second they turned their heads to see me, all three pairs of eyes widened and the three girls stood up, Oriana rushing to my side.

"What happened?" Her eyes flickered to my face and my cloak. I looked down and saw mud caked on it, the fabric ripped, and the petticoat showing through. It must've been from tripping and chasing Oscar. I stayed silent.

"Come now," Annabelle held my arm and gently guided me to the washstand. Aideen, who stayed silent, diligently dabs at my face with a water-soaked cloth. It burned my sore skin, and I winced.

"I might have dinner in my room tonight," I said. "The other girls will laugh if I go out in such a state."

"Have a good rest, then," Oriana said.

"Eat the tart if you feel like you can stomach it. Oriana and I will tell them you aren't feeling well." Annabelle added. I nodded wearily. They walk out the door while glancing back at me.

When the door closed, Aideen proceeded to let down my hair and unbutton the back of my dress. I was glad for the silence, and the fact that Aideen, unlike Oda, never interrogated me.

"Were they waiting for me this whole time?" I asked. She nodded and opened her mouth to ask a question, but stopped. Instead, she took out my nightgown, and I stepped into it.

"I will get you dinner soon. Should I tell Oda to leave you alone today?" I thought for a moment, then nodded. I didn't want to see Oda. She reminded me too much of the royal family that killed Oscar.

"Thank you." I mustered a weak smile at her before she left.

I blew out the last lamp before laying on my bed, thinking carefully about everything.

If I do win The Dandelion System, Oda would send me and my family away to another kingdom. If that happens, I won't be able to see Prince Otto anymore.

Or Oscar.

Meanwhile, Otto, or Oscar, would not be married off, because it was promised that the victor of the Dandelion System would become his wife. But then again, it was the tradition for princes to marry at eighteen. What if they allowed the second victor of the Dandelion System to become his wife? Then everything we do would be for naught.

More importantly, what will happen then to the kingdom? What will happen to the Royal family? Otto is not made to be a ruler; he is weak and fragile. Even worse would be Oscar. Other than the two princes, they have no other male heirs. Maybe in the end, Queen Sonota would rule. Taraxac has never had a female ruler, but it would certainly be better than Otto or Oscar.

There was also something that bothered me about the Royal family. If they can erase and pretend Oscar never existed, who was to say they won't find a way to lock Oscar if he takes over Otto's body permanently, then tell the public he died?

Also, The Dandelion System is an enigma. Oda said the Queen thought of this system. Is there more to The Dandelion System than what meets the eye?

I didn't want to win anymore. I didn't want to be sent away, and never be able to come back and see Oscar. But then again, I had no guarantee I would win. The Queen and her contestant have a lot more seeds. If the lady she chooses is intelligent, she might be able to rule.

The thought hit me suddenly, and I sat up in bed.

A lot of kings in history were guided through hard times by their wives. Why couldn't Otto, or Oscar's future wife do most of the planning behind the scenes? I'm sure that's what the Queen wants. Her contestant is plain, not outstanding, but most certainly smart. I clutched my chest, which had started to ache.