Patrick stood tall and straight at the head of the dining hall, his voice cutting through the clatter of cutlery. "There will be a Grand banquet this evening. Merchants and scientists from the Cinder Province will be our honored guest." He knew that this was a pivotal moment in the marriage market. It was a chance for overlooked princesses to show their value and worth, and for those who had already charmed princes to solidify their positions.
Serafina leaned forward, her brow furrowed in concentration. "These scientists and merchants are all from the Cinder Kingdom." She remembered what her father had told her about the dead kingdom.
"Which kingdom is this?" Penelope asked, tugging at the sleeve of her silk gown.
Ashley snapped back, "The one that does not have a ruler! Idiot." She was still irritable, and the snide remark left her lips easily. If only Penelope wasn't so dumb.
Bella spoke up, her voice unexpectedly clear. "It was once ruled by the Drackles. Their scales were as big as a house. Wings as wide as the sky itself. They breathed fire."
Heather scoffed, tilting her chin up. "There's no way they could have been that impressive. Or else they wouldn't be dead." Her snooty tone screamed superiority.
Patrick ignored the interruption and swept a hand toward the hall's entrance. "Each honored guest has a commodity that could be extraordinarily useful to one of the kingdoms. Your objective is simple, princesses. Make a deal. A deal that is profitable and reasonable."
One of the princesses gripped the edge of her seat, a feeling of fierce confidence rising within her. She knew the best thing when negotiating with someone else was power. If you were strong, the more advantageous your deal would be.
"The princess who makes the best deal for her prince will be rewarded with a dinner with her and her prince," Patrick announced, letting his words hang in the air. "Then a private audience with the Supreme Queen."
The murmurs around the whole room were deafening, yet all Daniela could think about was Jasper's hand in hers. She really wanted to ask him what he was doing. It was pleasant, just different. It wasn't that it was him holding her hand, it was just that no one ever held her hand. In all of her lifetimes, there just hadn't been a reason or time.
Jasper leaned closer to Daniela, his front completely touching her back, and whispered in her ear. "You need to be exceptionally impressive in the next two events."
Daniela felt a jolt of curiosity. "Why?"
"Because, if you are exceptional, I can choose you. And we will no longer be on the marriage market," Jasper said, his breath warm against her ear. "All that is left is for us to wait for the marriage market to conclude. Then we will be married."
"Then I will aim to impress you," she said, her eyes still facing forward. She gripped his hand a little tighter.
Daniela and Jasper's easy way of communicating was not lost on Fox. She watched the two of them from across the table, their actions seeming exceptionally intimate, like two people who knew each other inside and out. The way that he leaned down and whispered in her ear was all so sensual. She thought Daniela was too provocative. Fox had a plan in mind; she too could have the power of manipulation.
With his speech concluded, Patrick turned on his heel and left the hall, leaving the princesses to continue their meal.
"May I ask a question, Supreme Queen?" Fox asked, her voice rising above the others in the hall.
Queen Aurelia gave a slight gesture to speak but didn't say a word herself.
"Quite a few of us have noticed how some princesses have just gone missing. You see, I am friends with Melissa. We all are." The other young ladies, knowing exactly where this was going, were quick to nod their heads in agreement.
Fox's eerily light blue eyes flicked over to Daniela, who stood exactly where she had been. Jasper was close behind her, his hand still entwined with hers, while her three maids stood in front of her, seemingly having an active conversation.
"What happened to her?" Fox pressed.
Queen Aurelia cleared her throat. It wasn't exactly polite to speak about why a princess would be eliminated instead of killed like most were, but she felt it was fine to answer this question.
"It was discovered that she had dishonored herself and her family through acts that should only be performed between husband and wife."
The collective gasp from the other princesses was a bit forced, but it was necessary. They all looked at each other as if they couldn't believe a princess could ever do something so horrible.
"That is unthinkable," Heather said, shaking her head dramatically.
"Some women have no morals," Chelsea murmured, clutching the cross adorned around her delicate throat.
"Will you be bringing a doctor to make sure that all the princesses are untouched?" Guinevere asked, her eyes flicking to Daniela. "After such an incident, it only makes sense to be careful."
Queen Aurelia noticed every look shared amongst the princesses, or shot toward Daniela. She understood what this batch was doing. It seemed as if they all had made the conscious decision to be collectively against Daniela, something that she did not have an issue with.
"That would be a reasonable idea. Only a guilty princess would fear such a simple test," Heather mused.
Queen Aurelia looked to her husband, wondering what his thoughts were. "No Prince would link themselves to a soiled woman," King Elderon said, his words passive. He knew that if a prince decided to marry and make one of the princesses their queen and she had been touched, it was surely the prince who had touched her. There wasn't a ruler at the table who hadn't acted in haste.
But he couldn't only take the other princes into account. His son was becoming more and more concerning. He could see the desperation his son felt towards Princess Daniela. And she was completely enamored by Jasper. It was embarrassing to watch his son trail after this cripple, licking at her heels.
He had his own opinion on which princess would be the best for his son. And as much as he enjoyed Daniela's spectacles, she wasn't right for their Kingdom. Maybe if she was gone, his son would focus on the princesses that he had told him to go after. It didn't matter if a princess was chasing a specific prince. The temptation of power was all-consuming. When you weighed your love against power, power always wins. That's why his son's feeble attempts to sway Daniela were silly. The girl was in love with the same man who intended to make her Queen. Of all the women here, she might be the luckiest.
"Did you hear that, the princesses are finally playing the game." Daniela said, releasing her hand from Jasper's and turning to face him.
His eyes closed as he frowned for a moment, feeling the hunger grow inside of him again, gnawing at his insides and clouding his rational thoughts.
"They all think I defiled you, with sex." He mock whispered. His lips pulling into a wide grin.
"Don't say such things. My innocent little ears!" She mused, her cheeks turning red at the effort to hold back her laughter.
"You are not well versed in such dirty words. I will have to teach you," he said in a completely serious tone, as if he was planning on being her tutor.
"I have the distinct impression your tutelage would be thorough." She bantered back, her hand subtly touching his again.
"Good morning, Princess Daniela," Dahlia said as she walked over to the smiling pair.
Daniela turned to face the queen, her back facing Jasper. He once again stole her hand, holding it like it was the only thing keeping his sanity intact.
Turning to face Jasper's mother, Daniela gave her a polite bow. "Good morning, Queen Dahlia."
Dahlia noticed how her presence had seemed to quell their earlier enjoyment. "We should have tea when we both are free." For a girl without power, Dahlia was impressed. In a single night, she had massacred so many, and blood never touched her hands. She was a true gem who had such foresight.
"Thank you for your invitation, Queen Dahlia. I look forward to our tea."
With a final smile, the pair watched as Dahlia walked away. The other princesses in the room all looked on with envy as they saw Queen Dahlia invite Princess Daniela to have a private tea. It was an indication that this was her top choice. Anyone else who was after Jasper was wasting their time. The Queen had already accepted Daniela as a daughter-in-law.