AZALEA

While resting from drawing ballgown designs, I went down to check on the shop and scan the displayed gowns and dresses in the racks and mannequins. There were nobles visiting and buying dresses and clothes for their daily activities. It was always hectic in the shop and I was just glad the dresses could find its owner and home.

My brows furrowed as a royal carriage stopped in front of my shop. A dignified old man entered our shop and asked for me in particular. I approached him and he slightly bowed at me with respect.

"Greetings, Lady Azalea. I'm the queen's butler, Oliver Draken. I'm here because of the Queen's orders," he said.

When I heard his introduction, I secretly became anxious. "Shall we talk in my office, Sir Oliver?" My voice was calm as I stared at him intently. It was rare for the queen to send her most trusted person.

Sir Oliver shook his head. "No need. The queen summoned you to the palace. I'm sorry if we didn't set a schedule ahead of time, my lady," he respectfully answered. His gaze was kind and formal and I could tell that he really just went here to inform me of the queen's order. He didn't expect me to refuse at all.

I bit my bottom lip. I was only wearing a light dress today which was inappropriate in the palace but it was a blessing in disguise that I was running my own dress shop. "Then please let me change for a while."

"Certainly, my lady. Thank you. I will be waiting in the carriage," Sir Oliver answered and nodded.

When he left, I breathed in and out before searching for a decent dress to face the queen. I chose a peach dress embroidered with red full-bloom roses. I secretly wished that the queen would retract the Royal Decree, claiming that it was just a mistake on her son's side. That he was just playing a prank on me. I just wanted to be free from this nightmare.

When we arrived in the palace, the ladies-in-waiting guided us to the Queen's drawing room. The drawing room was exquisite. Huge cream-white velvet curtains decorated the gigantic glass windows. The comfortable couches were cream-white with gold colors on the edges. There was a cream table in the middle and the queen was leisurely drinking tea with her overflowing purple dress.

I was quite nervous but I maintained my well-trained posture as I curtsied beautifully in front of her.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, Queen Adriana," I greeted.

Her gaze turned to my direction–totally void of emotion. "Greetings, Lady Azalea. Please have a seat and drink tea with me." The Queen's presence was really intimidating. I felt like my heartglass would crumble to pieces just by her cold but majestic presence.

I nodded and quietly took my seat across her.

A lady-in-waiting poured tea in my silver teacup with cute flowery designs. After serving me, they retreated silently into a corner. I silently drank the tea the queen offered and acted as calm as possible. It was a miracle that I even managed to swallow my drink despite my anxious state.

When I put down the teacup on the silver saucer, she asked me, "So how's the tea, Lady Azalea? Is it to your liking?"

I met her gaze and didn't back down from her stern stare. I nodded. "It's refreshing. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Her lips suddenly pressed into a thin line. "I will be direct. I know you are busy and I don't want to waste your time. My son recommended you to be a Crown Princess candidate. It was unlikely for a Crown Prince to interfere with the selection. Do you have this special relationship with him?" she asked with narrow intimidating blue eyes. She scanned my face, my posture and my every move.

I suddenly clenched my hands resting on my lap. I directly looked her in the eye without fear. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I'm not quite sure why the Crown Prince is being impulsive but we don't have that kind of relationship. There's nothing special going on between us. I'm sorry for my choice of words but maybe he just wants to play tricks on me. He just wants to play," I answered without hesitation. I didn't want to be caught up in this mess. I didn't want to be included in such narratives.

The queen's meticulous gaze didn't leave me. "I can't intervene with the Royal Decree since it is an order from the King. But I'm against your enlistment. Do you know why?"

I shook my head even though I had the slightest idea. I just wanted to play dumb. It was safer if I don't talk. It was safer to be ignorant. I didn't want to run my mouth that might cause my death.

"Because your family had a record of a shattered heartglass. Your older sister died from heartbreak. She fell in love and couldn't hold herself together. I'm afraid you're the same. You're just like her," she explained without batting an eyelash.

My gaze became stern as I stared at her. I had an idea that it was the reason but I hated it when she compared me with someone who was already dead.

"You might die in the middle of the trials," she reminded and ignored the hard look on my face. "I'm not sure if you can handle that, Lady Azalea."

"You can just ask the Crown Prince to remove me from the list. I will want that more than anyone, Your Majesty," I answered firmly. I couldn't properly hold my tongue.

Queen Adriana breathed. "We can't change it anymore. And because you came through a special recommendation without passing the initial screening, I can't guarantee that the people in the palace won't give you a hard time. And well, that includes me," she meaningfully said. "Usually, I would inspect the candidate's heartglass first but you passed it without getting through it. I want to ensure that only the worthy ones can become the Crown Princess. What you will tread on isn't heaven like how other people see it. It is actually hell. The route of the queen is the toughest path to take."

"I understand. Can I withdraw in the middle of the trials then?" I asked, still hopeful to escape this.

The Queen shook her head. "You must finish it by completing the trials until a Crown Princess is crowned or death is your only ticket to the exit."

I froze. I have to finish all the trials until the end? I wanted to grab the prince's hair because of the problem he pushed me in. I couldn't even speak so the queen shook her head once again. Her cold gaze rested on the silver teacup she was about to bring to her red lips.

"For your gown. You already have the design. I will leave it to you and we will send the additional payment for that gown. So do you want red as the color of your gown?" she asked.

I hated red. It was eye-catching and it was also the color of love. Love which no one wanted.

"May I choose my preferred color, Your Majesty?" I asked with hesitation.

"Of course. What color do you prefer?"

"How about black?" I asked. I just wanted to rebel and ruin the Crown Prince's inauguration. And somehow, I felt like I was walking to my death so I was already mourning in advance.

The Queen was quite taken aback but still nodded in the end. "Sure. Suit yourself. Please drink more tea. And eat some desserts." I just noticed the cookies, cupcakes and cakes delicately arranged on each silverwares and gold platters. I felt like I didn't have the appetite to enjoy such cozy and delicious desserts. But they were all pleasing in the eyes.

I slowly shook my head. "I'm already good, Your Majesty."

"Then I will see you on the final fitting of the gowns, Lady Azalea," she said. She blankly stared at me when her teacup rested on her silver saucer. She was really an ice queen up close.

I bobbed my head. "I'm looking forward to that, Your Majesty. Thank you for the afternoon tea. I will be taking my leave now." I curtsied before leaving the tea room. She just nodded icily.

Sir Oliver asked the coachman to safely escort me back to my shop.

~~~

Days passed and I completed the remaining orders. I also asked some seamstresses to finish my black gown for the upcoming banquet. We all worked together to quickly finish it. We declined the personal orders and requests of the nobles and sold the remaining dresses displayed in the shop. I also told them to inform their friends and families that the shop would be closed for a while.

I was disappointed that I had to close my shop. But I couldn't manage it because the candidates were not free to leave the palace while the Crown Princess Selection was still on going. I didn't have any close friends or employees to rely on to manage the shop.

My employees were sad and disappointed but I was gloomier because I would probably lose most of my customers and the profits. There was no guarantee that the customers would return unless I introduced them to a new fashion trend. I guessed I should prepare for my comeback. I could still sketch designs on my free time while I was residing in the palace.

After adjusting the measurements of the royal dresses and suits, I visited the royal palace for the final fitting. After confirming that they were already satisfied with the orders, they paid the remaining balance for their purchase.

Prince Dion went out for a horse ride with Duke Ross so I had to wait for his return which was secretly annoying on my part. He completely ignored our fitting schedule. And because I didn't want another unnecessary trip to the palace just for the fitting of his suit, I decided to stay and wait.

I decided not to wait in his drawing room. From the corridors, I could see the garden of roses and hellebores and lily-of-the-valleys. I felt more patient as I stared at these flower's calming beauty.

When Prince Dion returned, I involuntarily turned to him when he nearly passed me. He wiped his sweat on his forehead with his white handkerchief and his ash blue hair was also dripping wet. And one thing I noticed was that even though he was sweating, he still had a nice manly scent. Damn! He didn't deserve this good quality.

His gaze focused on me and a meaningful grin automatically grazed his lips.

"Hey, how did you like my present, Lady Azalea?" he asked when he almost closed the gap between us.

I glared at him. I was certain he only included my name in the list to punish me. I wanted to yell at him but we were not alone. The ladies-in-waiting and the knights were with him.

I didn't want to lose my head because of my loose tongue. I didn't want to be in such a big mess even though I wanted to punch him in the face. Should I talk back? Should I sacrifice myself and kill him now for the greater good?

No. I should just lie low for now. I realized I still want to live longer.

"Yes, of course, Your Royal Highness. I really appreciate that you give me such a big opportunity. It's an honor for me to take part on the selection. I'm glad you favor me that much." There was sarcasm on my grateful tone.

If only I could kill him right at this moment but the Knights would probably kill me first.

Prince Dion's smile widened. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm looking forward to see you more often. Wait here. I'll just change my clothes. I didn't want you to wait for too long," he said. There was a glint of thrill and amusement in his blue eyes which I hated so much.

I nodded quietly. He entered his chamber and the ladies-in-waiting guided me to another room. We organized all the suits, tunics and pants and displayed these on the mannequins.

When Prince Dion entered the waiting room, he asked everyone to leave which surprised me. "Leave us for a while. Lady Azalea will assist me on her own. I have something important to discuss with her."

There was absolute authority in his voice which no one could question. They all lowered their heads and followed his orders. Even my assistants had to go out while I didn't hide my deep scowl when he turned to me. I didn't want them to leave but it was an order from the Crown Prince.

What does he want now?

***