The Prince's Hand (On Hold)

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, there were two friends. Now in most tales, the friends would go on an epic adventure and be the best of friends for the rest of their days. In other tales, the friends would be tested, the friendship in particular, but they would still be together in the end. This tale isn't like either of those.

There once were two best friends. One was Farris Cercyon. Farris was kind, loving, and eternally joyful with a good sense of humor. Farris was dark haired, with dark eyes, and a warm smile that brightened up the room.

The other was named Cadmus Metis. Cadmus was exactly like Farris except for the smile and his appearance. Cadmus's smile wasn't bright and cheerful like Farris's, but it wasn't dark either. His smile was one that showed that he was slightly over confident. Cadmus was golden haired and had green eyes with an enduring mischievous glint.

Most people thought they were brothers. Though that would be impossible due to their looks. Besides Farris was a prince, while Cadmus was the son of a duke. They both met while they were both going to the same expensive school where 99.99% of the students are brats. (Me, Cadmus, and Farris excluded) I don't know why they didn't turn out like the other kids. The only reason I can think of is that they had something none of the other kids had. A true friend.

I was jealous watching them grow closer over the years. I had no friends because I was no one of any consequence. I am the youngest of seven children. The older ones were ALL brothers. So the only way for me was to get to a better station in life was for me to marry up. The problem was, most of the men who offered to marry me were cruel and spoiled. Also I loved none of them.  The boy I loved was Farris.

I sketched pictures of him all over everything. I had the love bug. The problem was, I didn't know him, and I didn't think I was a gold digger or anything. I wanted what everyone wants, True Love. I knew deep down that Farris Cercyon was my True Love.

Now don't start laughing yet saying, "Oh, I know how this goes, she will eventually talk to him and get him to fall in love with her. He will fall in love with her for her wit, smarts, beauty, etc." Sadly enough, this was not the case. I saw him all the time, and I even worked up the courage to talk to him sometimes. We were in all the same classes, were assigned to the same lunch table, and even were partners for lots of projects. He just didn't love me.

This story really begins on graduation day. We were all 17 years old, and most of us were as stupid as the day we walked in this school.  At graduation, all the boys choose who they will be betrothed to. Most boys had 3 or 4 choices, because if the girl you wished to marry was chosen by another, you couldn't have her. Period. The End. You couldn't duel for her or ask for her hand anyways. you would be killed if you tried either of those.

The Prince on the other hand chooses 12 names out of a jar and those girls compete for the Prince's hand in marriage. This tournament is competed in private within the castle's walls. It tests the girls' intelligence, character, bravery, cleverness, beauty, diplomacy and kindness. I didn't want to be chosen, but I am sure you can see where this is going.

I walked into the auditorium and sat with all the other graduates. None of us were wearing your traditional caps and gowns, we were wearing dresses and tuxes. Cadmus and Farris were in the front row. They were groomed to perfection. Their hair glittered in the morning sunlight flitting in through the windows, the curtains of which were drawn back.

The ceremony began, and silence fell across the room. Farris, the Prince, was called forward. As he walked up onto the stage, the anticipation in the room grew. You could almost taste it.

A jar full of neatly folded pieces of paper was brought forward. It was shaken once more for show, and Farris put his hand into the jar. He drew out a single slip of neatly folded paper. Everyone leaned forward and held their breath to be sure that they heard the girl's name.

Farris confidently unfolded the paper and read the name loudly as if issuing a proclamation, "Lauretta Clement." He looked up from the paper as she stood.

Lauretta Clement flipped her white blond, perfectly styled hair that fell to her waist in soft waves, over her shoulder. She turned and smiled brilliantly at the crowd. Her smile was anything but friendly. Her smile was one meant to scare all the other girls into submission. Her stone colored eyes glinted menacingly at us, daring us to be chosen and compete against her. She walked up to the stage and took her spot in line behind Farris.

Farris turned to the jar and chose the next name. Everyone leaned forward sucking in their breath as he carefully unfolded the slip of paper. "Madeline Louis." He looked up expectantly from the paper as she rose from her seat.

Madeline nervously tucked her nutmeg brown hair behind her ear. She let her honey colored eyes roam over the crowd. Everyone knew not to get in her way. In some ways, she was worse than Lauretta. She may seem sweet, but she was more dangerous than a viper. No one could prove that she was truly evil because she goes back to her sickeningly sweet personality as soon as a grown up, boy, or her friends showed up.  She took her place in line next to Lauretta, where they glared at each other for a moment.

Farris then chose the next 9 girls. "Rowena Pollux." "Aurore Sloan." "Daphne Lawrence." "Katherine Jax." "Janet Epsilon." "Clementine Linus." "Anastasia Samuel." "Elenor Alonzo." and "Constance Thomas."

Then he drew the final name, and the bowl was whisked away as he unfolded the slip of paper. "Elizabeth Topaz." My heart stopped as his eyes searched the crowd for my face. I stood slowly shaking in my satin, one inch heels. I ran a sweaty hand through my kinky brown curls.

His eyes found me, and I stopped breathing for a second. As I made my way down the isle, I could hear the faint hiss of people whispering behind my back.  Stepping up onto the first step onto the stage, my shoe got caught on the hem of my dress, and I tripped. I could hear the snickers and jeers people weren't trying to conceal.

Gathering the pieces of my shattered dignity and confidence, which wasn't very much to begin with, I stood. My face was burning as I walked up the other two steps and took my place in the line who I would be competing with for the Prince's hand.