The Prince's Hand (On Hold)

Chapter 2

I am one of your other narrators. And I suppose, since I am about to tell you the next part of the story, I will have to introduce myself. I am Farris Cercyon.

Now don't all of you start thinking I am going to be stuffy and arrogant like other princes. I am not like those boys. I could tell you what I am, but that would be bragging. I, on the other hand, am humble.

Enough about me, lets get going with this bit of the story.

Elizabeth Topaz. When she got out of her seat, she looked like she was going to faint. After she saw my gaze she got so pale she could have been legally dead.  Out of all the girls, Elizabeth is by far the kindest of all the chosen girls. Although she is kind, I don't think I could ever love her.

I mean, she is dull as can be. The worst part is, I know she is obsessed with me. She is pretty and all, but I have absolutely no feelings for her, which might be for the best. If i have no feelings for her, then I will not be sad when she gets kicked out for not completing or failing a quest. She is a good friend, but she is not the one I want to marry.

When the ceremony was over, I left the auditorium as fast as I could. On the way out, I caught Cadmus's eye. He nodded his head and began working his way through the crowd and out of the room after me. Once I was outside, I sprinted for the castle which was right down the road. I blazed up the crowded road, running sometimes on the sidewalk and other times in the street. It was a cool day, but by the time I reached the castle I was drenched with sweat.

As I was peeling off my blazer and working my way up the huge stair case, Cadmus caught up with me.

"What is this all about?" asked Cadmus.

"The tension was suffocating, and I never wanted to do this. I've told you this before." I said mussing my hair so it wouldn't stick to my forehead.

"Personally, I wouldn't mind. I mean think about it. Twelve beautiful girls, all vying for your attention, performing tasks to marry you. I mean, come on, I would love it."

"Of course you would, Cad. You can take my place for all I care. Also," I turned to Cadmus when  we had reached the top of the steps, "Why didn't you announce who you were going to become betrothed to at the ceremony?"

"Because I am waiting to get your dregs. Picture this: a really gorgeous chick fails one of the tasks, she is crying and trying to leave. Then I come in, devilishly handsome as always, and I sweep her off her feet right in her time of need. Perfect right. Fairytale ending. When you can't get a girl for your self, take the girl most recently dumped by your best friend."

"Your intelligence and cunning astound me more and more every day." I said sarcastically.

"I am happy to please, Your Royal Highness." Cadmus mock bowed to me and we ran the rest of the way to my room.

My room was large. The walls were white and covered with all of my drawings. There were drawings of horses, dogs, Cadmus, my parents, trees, and anything that would sit still. My bed had been made, and all the drawings that had been strewn across the floor earlier had been neatly stacked on my bed. I hated when the servants moved my stuff. I have asked them several times to not mess with my things, but they never listen. They always move them anyways and then I can never find my things.

Cadmus went to my bed and flopped down on it.

"So," He said to me as I changed my shirt for a t-shirt, "What do you really think of these girls? I want your honest opinion."

"I already know your opinion." I said as I flopped on the bed next to him, "You think they are all perfect, and you think I should be greatful for the position I am now in."

"That is true. But seriously, what do you think? Come on. Give me your snap judgement on the girls who stand out most to you."

"All right. Fine. Just remember, you asked for my ranting. Lauretta Clement is a self centered brat who doesn't see herself as such, and she scares everyone including me. Actually I am not scared by her, but she does give me creeps. I would never love her. Next up on snap judgement is Madeline Louis, she is stupid and vile. She is like a snake the slithers through the undergrowth, not seen and can strike without being seen and then slithers back into the undergrowth. She may be pretty, but she is not for me. All the other girls are different variations of these two. The only one that is different is Elizabeth Topa-"

"The brunette who has it bad for you, but would die if she knew that you knew."

"Yeah, she is dull as can be, though, and I don't think she is the one for me."

"She is only dull because you know NOTHING about her."

"I guess I will have to learn about all of them."

"I guess you will."

We sat in silence for a while, and I started to draw while Cad watched. A few hours later my butler came in and ushered Cad out so I could get dressed for dinner with all the chosen.

I ended up putting on a gray blue suit and a sky blue tie. I was lead from the room, down three flights of stairs, and up to the doors of the dining room. My butler went to open the doors and said one thing to me before he did so: "Be careful, those girls are nastier than an angry cats."

I replied: "All except one."