AZALEA

I walked around my empty shop which was once a bustling dress shop with overwhelming customers. After the palace banquet, I decided to close my shop. I only had one week to settle my business. I gave my employees the compensation they deserved but they were all reluctant and sad to leave. Their downcast eyes won't even meet my gaze. Maybe they already had some lingering attachments to this place–their workplace.

A few dresses were still displayed in the racks. My hands touched the silky and soft fabrics of each dresses. Some of these dresses were already concealed by plastics. There were also boxes that must be moved inside the storage room.

To avoid being too emotional, I decided to move the dresses inside the storage room and clean some desks–especially my working desk which teemed with messy papers and designs inside my organizer and portfolio. I let down the velvet curtains to cover the gigantic window and transparent walls.

I sighed heavily as I looked around. I would ask our maids to clean this place from time to time. I never thought I would leave this place just for the selection. I mean the selection is never a part of my plans.

Another sigh escaped my lips. I turned off the lights of the elegant chandelier and locked the door, displaying a 'CLOSED' signboard outside.

I will definitely miss this place.

~~~

Today, I packed my dresses and personal things. I also brought some rolled papers and pencils, in case I wanted to create some new dress designs. It was also my way to breathe. The maids were walking back and forth as I give orders and as they prepare my baggage.

My mother walked and stood next to me as she watched the maids do their tasks. "Are you ready? I mean are you going to be all right in the palace?" she asked. There was a hint of worry in her voice. And there was also reluctance. I could feel that she didn't want me to leave. But there was no way to stop this.

I nodded. "You don't have to worry. I will come back after three months. I just have to survive each trial. And ensure that Prince Dion won't choose me," I answered although a part of me doubted the last statement. The Crown Prince seemed to be betting on me but I still couldn't understand his real intention.

The day was hectic because the coach, maids and knights who would accompany me to the palace would arrive soon. My mother nodded with hesitation. I noticed how her one hand almost crumpled her dress–absolutely more nervous than me.

"Don't fall in love with the Crown Prince," she quietly said, almost a whisper, like a silent plea. "Guard your heart, Azalea. You heard the rumors spreading now? That you are related to the witch? That you will become the Crown Prince's weakness? That you did some underhanded methods to seduce the prince? That you forced him to include your name in the list? They considered you as the dark horse of this selection."

I helplessly smiled. My mother really knew the latest gossips.

"Don't bother with the rumors. Don't overthink. I will survive... even if the god of death is against it. No one can stop me from living this life," I reassured her.

Well, they couldn't crucify me for the things they hadn't proved yet, right? It was just rumors. It shouldn't affect me in the slightest. But if the Crown Prince died with a shattered heartglass, even if I was not really at fault, they would–without a doubt–blame and execute me right away.

Before this selection even started, they were already convinced that Lady Candice would be the next queen but because of my sudden involvement, they became uncertain.

When the maids from the palace arrived, they carried my things inside one of the carriages.

My mother watched me with ambiguous eyes. She was confused whether to show her real feelings or not. My brother didn't leave his room but when I tilted my head, I saw him on the balcony as he stared down on us–on me. His amber eyes were stern and his honey blonde hair was a bit messy. I nodded at him and he slightly nodded back. My father was busy managing our family affairs so he didn't come out of his study. I'm already used to it.

"Take care of yourself, Mom."

My mother nodded. "Be careful on your way to the place, Azalea. Remember, the most important thing is your life. Do everything you can to survive."

~~~

When we arrived in the Ruby Palace, several maids moved my things. This palace was a little far from the king and queen's palace, the princess' palace and the prince's palace.

Unfortunately, I received the shabbiest room. It was unexpected but I was not entirely surprised.

Well, the room was not really too shabby but it was poorly maintained–almost like an abandoned room. They said they didn't expect another candidate so the room was not renovated but they did some cleaning and beautification. Well, even though it was the shabbiest it was still way better and bigger than my room in the Marquess mansion.

But for someone who might become the Crown Princess or the next Queen in the future, this room was still considered as poor hospitality. The room was a little dark. The room was painted in maroon. Well, at least the canopy of the bed and soft mattresses were classy white. There was a mirror on an elegant and small cupboard made of Red Narra. I noticed some scented candles and oils on top of it and a three-legged cushioned chair.

Some maids arranged my things, jewelries, shoes and dresses inside my huge wardrobe. When they finished their tasks, they left the room with a respectful and careful bow.

Gladly, the room still had a balcony, so I walked outside to breathe some fresh air, only to be greeted by a dead garden. I realized that my room was stationed at the back side of the courtyard. There was nothing noteworthy on the view but a poorly maintained and dead rose garden with no flowers blooming at all. I could only see some unruly and thorny dry shrubs. Too gloomy. This garden unintentionally reflected my future in the palace.

I sighed. Should I do something about this garden? Can someone still fix it?

Someone knocked on the door and entered when they received my permission. Three maids bowed their heads and greeted me.

The girl with freckles on her face and brown bun hair tied introduced herself to me. "Good morning, Lady Azalea. I am Yumi, the head of your maid-in-waiting. The daughter of Baron Heinz. If you need anything or if you want some changes in this room, please let me know. These two are Sabrina and Cherry. They will assist you on your personal needs and change of clothes," Yumi respectfully explained.

I nodded. The two maids behind her seemed timid and fearful, even too shy to meet my eyes. They kept their head low, afraid to speak but they still offered their greetings as quiet as a whisper. Maybe they were new here.

"We also came here to inform you that Queen Adriana is seeking your presence in her tea room. All of the candidates will attend. If you're ready to set out, I'll lead the way," Yumi formally added. I glanced at my appearance on the mirror. I hadn't changed yet but my blue layered dress was already quite formal to face the queen. No need to change.

"Yes. Please lead the way, Yumi."

We left the room located at the end of the hallway in the second floor. The door in the middle of the hallway flew open and Lady Shirdine came out with her maids in tow. Lady Candice's room was situated in the best part of the palace. While Lady Jaera also got a room with a better view than mine. These three ladies had access to the beautiful garden of the Ruby palace which was the opposite of mine.

I also noticed that the maids assigned to them were nobles and of quite high status, mostly from an Earl's house. On the other hand, my maids were probably all daughters of a Baron.

The queen really hated me to the point that she won't even grant me a fair fight. I didn't want to compete or anything. But I just realized how unfair life could be.

We curtsied elegantly and respectfully when we faced the queen who was leisurely enjoying her newly brewed tea. She let her brunette hair down this time which was adorned with pins and small jewels. Four empty chairs waited on the table. Queen Adriana asked us to sit so we took our respective seats and I was on the farthest edge of the table.

Her blue eyes coldly scanned our faces. She then gestured to us to drink our teas. We quietly obeyed her. I hated these formal meetings with the queen. It was suffocating.

"I'm glad you safely arrived in the palace. I know you're already familiar with each other. No need for a formal introduction. Tomorrow, you will meet your mentors for each class. Etiquette. Horse Riding. Embroidery. Dancing. History. Public speech. And the most important lesson of how to not let love ruin you."

She paused for a while to drink her tea. After resting her teacup on the saucer, she turned to us. "I also want to remind you that you can only interact or talk to Prince Dion at a strict and specific schedule. Lady Shirdine at breakfast. Lady Jaera at lunch. Lady Candice at dinner. Which will last for thirty minutes to an hour. As for Lady Azalea, since you're an unexpected candidate, you can only meet the prince in the afternoon at tea time which will last for at least fifteen to thirty minutes. Prince Dion is quite busy with his responsibilities as the Crown Prince and as the future King. I hope you all understand that he can't spare you more time. When you are not with the Prince, you are either in class or trials or your courtyard, the Ruby Palace. Don't freely wander to other palaces without permission or meeting schedule."

Well, that was actually favorable for me even though the queen was intentionally doing that out of spite for me. I wanted that less interaction with the Crown Prince. I could finally relax that I only had to talk to him for thirty minutes. And that I won't see him too often.

I can absolutely succeed at guarding my heart.

"Since this is your first day, you can rest in your rooms and the maids will tend to your needs and concerns. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince won't be able to welcome you today due to some unexpected business so I meet you in his stead. The maids assigned to you will manage your schedule and will deliver further instructions. Have a great day, ladies."

We all nodded and thanked the queen.

"Please enjoy your stay in the palace," she said as if we were just here for a luxurious vacation.

"We will, Your Majesty. Thank you for your grace and good will," we answered.

But I doubted that. Our response was totally scripted and insincere.

***