The Prince of Ilios

Seventeen

Miss Brooks stood at the front of the crowd and began speaking. The King took his leave, but motioned for the Prince to stay. Nicola was about to argue, but the King gave him a wearied look. He planted himself obediently near the glass doors. Ellora wondered if she were the only one to see the exchange. Everyone else seemed to have their eyes glued to Miss Brooks.

"Lady Ellora!" Her name was sharply called.

Ellora looked up, "Miss Brooks?"

"Please come to the front."

Ellora's cheeks turned several shades of pink as she made her way to the front of the group. She stood on the spot that Miss Brooks had pointed. The other girls shifted nervously. Ellora's heart beat in her ears, unsure of where this was headed. She hated being in front of groups.

"This sort of dress will not be tolerated. You may find your attire in your armoires." Miss Brooks pointed to her hemline.

Ellora's jaw clenched her face heating for a whole new reason, anger.

Miss Brooks continued, "As Queen you will of course have the time and influence to make your own decisions about formal dress. However, while you are here, you will be learning how we in Ilios do things. You will learn our customs, our history, our education, our etiquette, and also the way we negotiate and protect our province. Only an element-bearer able to pass all of the lessons will be qualified to become queen. The final decision will of course be left to his Majesty and his Highness's discretion." Miss Brooks eyed her, "Your positions and titles do not matter here, but only those who have the utmost respect will be considered worthy."

Ellora shifted nervously under the scrutiny of the crowd. She moved to leave, but Miss Brooks grabbed her arm, "You have not been dismissed..."

"I believe you have made your point, Miss Brooks." Nicola's voice echoed flatly from the side, "Please, continue on your own."

If it were possible, Ellora's face became even more red, brought to complete humility by being rescued by the Prince. It ensured that she would do her best to never stand out again. She scurried away from the front and rejoined her friends.They grabbed her hands comfortingly when she returned.

Soon after they were dismissed back to their rooms.

Ava looked at her worried, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." She didn't want to say that she was absolutely mortified in front of the other girls, "I need to find my brother. We came to Ilios together, but I haven't seen him all day."

"All of the other guests are in the East Wing of the Palace. We are in the west." River offered.

"Yes, but with Miss Brooks around, I am not sure that you could get away to see him. We are not to go to the East Wing, unless we are requested by the Prince, himself. You did not listen to the instructions at all, did you?" Ava shook her head in disapproval.

Miss Brooks accompanied each of the girls back to their rooms. Ellora saw no opening to sneak away.

"It seems like you don't even want to be here." Ava continued the conversation after saying goodnight to Miss Brooks.

"Yeah, what is with that?" River interjected.

Ellora went to the armoire and gazed over the beautiful dresses, try to blend in. She would not get a chance to fight for her people if she did not at least try. She stared down at her corset and skirt. She pulled a light blue nightgown out of the armoire, changing, "The Southern Isles aren't a part of the Union. Unlike the Northern Isles, we have everything we need, and don't see the benefit of joining. I am here to negotiate our freedom away from the Mainland, er, the Union." She corrected herself, "We would like for things to remain as they are now."

Ava and River tried to understand, but couldn't seem to wrap their heads around why anyone would not want to be a part of the Union.

"So you don't really want to be queen?" Ava tried to keep the excitement out of her voice.

"Not really. I just want what is best for my tribe, and to serve my people."

River and Ava smiled in unison as though she had given them the perfect answer. She had effectively taken herself out of the competition in their eyes. They began conversing about how handsome Prince Nicola was.

Ellora took a breath and went out to the balcony. The sky still had a smattering of clouds in it, but every once in a while the stars would dot through. In order to be able to negotiate with the Prince and the King she would have to last in the competition and make sure that she did not get eliminated before she had a chance to speak for her tribe. She would have to learn everything she could about the country, its people, and its leadership in order to outwit these people. Heaving a sigh, Ellora sat down on the railing. If she were back home, she would be training with her siblings. Her fingers tingled and she caught the smell of natural water on the wind. She glanced down below was a beautiful pond. Fireflies danced over the surface. What she wouldn't give to jump into it. No, at least try to do what you are supposed to tonight. She resisted the urge and collapsed on her bed. Hopefully, tomorrow she would get the chance to talk to Alyn.