I had a Long day yesterday and couldn't publish this chapter, so sorry about that.
---
She narrowed her eyes. "You're not a prince, are you?"
"No crowns on me, princess. Just charm and good timing."
She groaned. "Don't make me ask to switch partners."
He fell into step beside her, walking casually like he owned the entire kingdom. Not close not far behind either "You think they'd let you? You're a piece on the board now." he said with a daunting smirk dancing on his lips.
If there's one thing that annoys Eira about him the most was the––sacrastic, daunting, mocking, amusing, smirk he always had on his lips. Always like he owns the place.
Eira exhaled, already regretting ever getting out of bed.
This is the start of the trial—and somehow, she was stuck with the kingdom's most irritating mystery man.
Wasn't he enough trial himself "Eira thought".
And for some reason, her cheeks had the audacity to get as flushed as ripened tomatoes.
Derick watched her, amused.
Eira was an open book; her thoughts always reflected clearly on her face—especially when she was cursing, dissatisfied, or angry. This moment was no different. Derick could read her like a scroll with just a glance.
Without another look, he walked past her. Eira furrowed her brows in displeasure.
---
Back in Elyria...
Five days had passed since Eira's departure, and the palace carried the weight of her absence like a mourning veil.
Queen Barbara had fallen ill from worry and longing. Since Eira's birth, they had rarely been apart—only during her recent recovery had they spent more than a few days separated. But never like this. Never so far away, so uncertain.
Barbara had raised her as her own daughter, tending to her from the cradle, showering her with affection. Everyone knew—or at least suspected—that Eira was her favored stepdaughter.
Now, with the unsettling arrangement looming, how could she not be heartbroken?
The king was no different. Eira was his most precious child—the warrior princess he had molded with his own hands.
Lady Calantha, Easton, and Winston shared in the heavy silence that cloaked the palace.
As if their grief weren't enough, a guard burst into the king's chamber with hurried steps.
"Your Majesty," he called, bowing.
"Speak," Baltimore said, his tone already sharp with gloom.
"King Cassius and Second Prince Tao Yuan are only a few feet from the castle gates."
Baltimore's left eye twitched. Already? It hadn't even been a full week since Eira's departure.
There was no room for delay. He had to face this.
He nodded, dismissing the guard with a wave, then sat in silence, replaying in his mind the bitter memory of the day he sealed Eira's fate with Cassius—her unborn engagement.
After a long moment, he stood and made his way to the court.
What must be, must be.
---
In Tenebria…
Derick brushed past Eira without sparing her a glance.
Then, he approached a maid and whispered something low—just for her ears. The maid nodded frantically, clearly unnerved by him.
When he finished, he walked off, and the maid promptly stepped beside Eira, taking her place as Eira's partner.
Eira raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Noticing the look, the maid explained quickly, " Pri––the maid paused as she realized she had almost spill the bean––Your partner said... he can't stand you, so I'm to be your partner instead." she rephrased
Eira blinked, stunned. "He told you… he couldn't stand my presence?"
"Yes, Princess," the maid replied meekly.
Eira clicked her tongue. "I can't even stand him for a second," she fumed. "He's irritating, annoying, boastful, arrogant, nonchalant, cold, and—and—and everything!"
The maid raised a brow in surprise. This princess has a temper...
Her eyes widened further. Did she just call Crown Prince Derick all those names? she thought, suddenly admiring Eira.
Then, a loud clap echoed in the corridor, halting Eira's steps.
Eira glanced sideways. "What was that for?"
"Nothing, Princess," the maid said with a grin. "I just decided—you're my idol now."
Eira rolled her eyes.
---
Meanwhile, Derick was walking alone in the forest, basking in the peace it offered. The whisper of wind through the trees, the rustle of leaves—it brought him clarity, a moment away from madness.
Then, he sneezed. Five times in a row.
His brow twitched. "Someone's cursing me," he muttered. Or more likely—I must've offended someone again.
---
Eira and the maid entered a long hallway where a dice was being used to determine the day's task.
The moderator rolled it. A three.
She unrolled her scroll and muttered to herself, "Patience and Endurance."
A queen must have patience—to listen to protests, to withstand backlash, to rule with grace. And endurance—to bear the burdens of the crown, to persist through opposition.
This wasn't just a crown princess contest. It was preparation for an empress.
The moderator thought without explaining . The test itself would reveal their true nature.
With a nod, the moderator and other supervisors led the contestants down a path where the trial would begin.
---
Meanwhile, in Elyria…
Ten minutes later, a steward announced:
"King Cassius, Second Ruler of Kyrogha, and Second Prince Tao Yuan have arrived!"
The court doors swung open.
Cassius stepped in—an imposing figure, composed, exuding dominance. Beside him stood his son, younger, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Old friend," Cassius said in greeting.
"Long time no see, Cassius," Baltimore replied, skipping formalities.
"I've been wondering what brought you to Elyria. Is this a visit to discuss alliance against a looming war?" he asked, brow raised.
Cassius grinned darkly. "You could say that."
"But I wouldn't bring my second son just to discuss an alliance. Nor would I endure the two-day journey from Kyrogha to Elyria without reason, friend."
His words carried weight beyond their surface.
Baltimore's hands trembled slightly, though his face remained unreadable.
"I wish I knew exactly what you mean, King Cassius," he said calmly. "Would you care to explain?"
Cassius arched a brow and chuckled.
"Have you forgotten so soon?" he said softly. "Shall I remind you of the day you came to me, twenty years ago?"
---