TW: violence, romance, etc etc etc u know already rated for ages 12+ but if u break that rule idc hehehehe enjoyyyyyyy chapter 3 (kiara's pov) The first thing I do when I get home is grab the Orb. The Orb is a globe made of solid glass. At first glance, it appears quite useless. Only people who know how to utilize it properly will find it helpful, or else it's just a shimmering ball of glass. All you need to do is place the Orb somewhere there is sun. The light will hit the Orb and a projection will pop up. The projection will be able to show me the announcement ceremony, like I’m there in person even though I’m sitting in my kitchen. I place the Orb on the kitchen windowsill. When the projection appears in front of me, I see that the actual announcements haven’t started yet. The Orb is displaying all of the Royal family arriving in each of their carriages. My older sister, Amari, chooses that moment to walk into the kitchen and try to spark up a conversation with me. “What are you watching?” she asks, her tone almost teasing, peering at the projection. When she sees what it is, the color from her face drains. “Oh, I- I forgot that was today.” Amari stammers, suddenly nervous. People say we look alike, with the same olive skin tone and brown hair. The thing is, though, Amari has a face that just by looking at, you can tell her emotions. I can be the most terrified I have ever been in my life, and won’t look it. She sits down beside me. I turn my attention back to the Orb. There’s the beautiful Princess Ilana, who is first in line to the throne, riding in a pristine white carriage that is adorned with the image of a graceful golden swan on the door. Two real snowy white swans tug the carriage. The carriage comes to a slow stop in front of the announcement hall, and Ilana steps out, bodyguards flanking her sides. I suddenly understand why she has bodyguards. As she walks to the double doors, her crazed admirers toss love letters and flowers in her direction. If those bodyguards weren’t there, who knows what they would do to impress her. Next is Prince Aerrick, second in line to being king, riding in a simple white carriage with velvet seats. Prince Aerrick seems nice enough, except for the fact that he’s almost always doing something immature and childish at the royal parties, despite being the second eldest. After Prince Aerrick comes Princess Melisande, third in line to the throne, who seems quite bored. Her polished wooden carriage painted with green swirls on the sides seems the most ideal ride out of all of the rides the royals have come in. Melisande’s dark hair is braided and she’s wearing a simple dress, which makes you think that she threw on her outfit completely at the last minute. Then, it’s Prince Atticus, who is fourth in line. He is sulking in his carriage, which is completely night black. The spokes of the carriage’s wheels are spiked. The animal pulling the carriage is certainly an interesting choice- two baby dragons that have scales the same color of the carriage. I guess that makes sense for Prince Atticus, who is rumored to be downright nasty. Still, though, that doesn’t change the fact that he is so good-looking that gorgeous does not begin to describe how he looks. Then, it’s Prince Thaxter, fifth in line, who I would not like to become King under any circumstances. One day into being king, all of Heathe would be turned into one massive, ongoing party. We would be sleep-deprived from all of the partying. After Prince Thaxter, it’s supposed to be Prince Valor, who has not shown up. I haven’t seen Prince Valor in public for so long that I am starting to wonder if he is okay. Finally, seventh in line is Princess Elette, who is so young that she rides with her mother, Queen Xantara. When the last of the royals trickle in, the projection changes over to King Caedum, who is already standing at his podium, shaking like a leaf with anxiousness. King Caedum unfolds the paper containing the names slowly and carefully, as if it’s a fragile item. His eyes flick across the paper to the first name. King Caedum’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, his mouth hanging open. The whole announcement hall is in suspense, waiting for the name- the first name that has gotten a real reaction out of the king. The words that unfurl from his mouth make my jaw drop. No, the first participant is not me. It’s the Kingdom of Heathe’s very own Prince, fourth in line to the throne. The first contestant is Prince Atticus.
