Preparations 2

**

The housekeepers were busy getting me ready for the match. My dad is aware of my taste. He had a long, flashy dress ready that wasn't annoying. A typical pair of shoes that go with it and a small amount of embellishment complete the outfit. It's ideal. I had very little makeup on, and there was a crown in front of the mirror. I wear my crown to signify that I am Anopia's first princess.

My father told me that my late mother loved wearing her crown from her days as a princess. Fortunately, she shared her father's title as the first princess with his daughter. And to her, the crown represents the same things that I, the princess of Anopia, do: respect, dignity, beauty, and authority.

Janet took the silver crown and put it on my head once the maids finished with my dress. Good news: It fits perfectly.

I grinned broadly as I fixed my gaze on the mirror.

"I look nice," I said out loud to myself.

  JENNIFER

I moved in the direction of my daughter's makeover area. A ruckus could be heard from the room.

I furrow my brows and wonder what went wrong. Do they have a fight?

When I knocked, the door slowly opened, showing Lia and Sophia, my daughter's maids.

"What is the issue?" "Why do my princesses seem to be making so many noises?"

"The..." 

My children were still in their underwear when I barged into the room, so I didn't let them finish talking. As they battled it out for a yellow gown, I scowled at both of them. What on earth are both of them doing?

"Deborah! Beatrice!" I screamed at them both. To glance at me, they both swiftly released their grips on their dresses. They were staring at me, and I was furiously staring back at them.

"What are you two doing together? You two aren't behaving in a way that suggests you are princesses. Both of you are acting like little kids." I was angry with them. Both of them turned to face me after first looking inward.

"Mom, Beatrice is to blame. She is really avaricious. She looks good in green, and I look good in the yellow dress. Instead, she decided to argue with me despite knowing that yellow is my favorite color."

"Deborah, when did you begin to like yellow?" Beatrice glared at her while speaking back to her. "You enjoy all hues. You simply cannot stand it when I appear more attractive than you while wearing a yellow outfit. Your only goal is to seduce the prince of Juce. You are a depraved woman." I gasped when Beatrice responded to her sister's speech. What on earth is going on here? Why are my two girls acting in such a manner?

"What are you, exactly? The princes of Juce and Bethy are also in your sights." "You are," 

You two need to be quiet. They both instantly became silent when I yelled at them.

"Would you two like to continue in this manner? The first princess has returned, and she has weapons this time. Would you like her to rule over the two of you?" They both looked at themselves and didn't respond as I asked. "I asked you two a question!"

"No." Both of them replied.

"Act like princesses if you two don't want that. You two are behaving like clowns, and you know that no prince would want to marry a clown? I yelled at them both fiercely, and they both fluffed a "yes" in response.

****

  ASH

I ate my dinner rapidly while sitting on the chilly floor. Because of the match today, these people decided not to starve me. They want me to compete against a true beast. And I have no idea what kind of beast they intend for me to face. I ate with my hands swiftly. My last meal may actually be this one. And I'm hoping to see my lovely princess before I pass away. Before I'm devoured by the beast, she is the only person I want to meet today.

I sipped the water that had been set out for me to drink after eating. The moment I finished it all, Baron emerged from my cell through a creaking cell door.

"It appears that you are finished eating". He gave me a grin.

He took the plate in front of me, gave it a quick glance, and then threw it at my feet.

"You spared not even a grain. You must be ravenous." He laughed loudly in mockery. Instead, I wiped my lips and ignored him. "You simply need to demonstrate your strength to the Juce Kingdom today. It's not a huge deal. Or this might be your last meal," he chuckled as he fixed his gaze on me.

*

Thousands of audiences were sitting in the cavea, eagerly anticipating the big event. After three months, they were all thrilled to receive an invitation to the kingdom for the great match. The royal family was positioned in the very front. The monarch sat on one enormous throne, and the queen occupied the other enormous seat. Alice, the king's first daughter, and her step sisters stood next to him. Additionally seated and given special treatment were the king of Juce and his second son, prince Luke. 

  ALICE

I didn't feel at ease being around this prince Luke. I've been feeling choked by his eyes as they have been fixed on me. I want to get away from him completely. 

"Do you enjoy the setting, Alice?" Father inquired, and I grinned at him. I adore the location, of course, but I'm curious as to why my father would gather such a large throng in order to appease the king of Juce. 

"Yes, dad," I agreed by nodding my head. After receiving yet another gaze from the prince of Juce, I gave up right away and stood up. 

  "What's wrong, Alice?" Father questioned. 

"Dear Father, I apologize. I have to use the women restroom. I graciously retorted. 

"Yes, my dear." Father responded by nodding his head, and I swiftly from the cavea. 

  ASH

My chain was attached to a horse. I was led from the cell in the direction of the gladiator. One of the soldiers abruptly began to lash the horse. The horse immediately started to run, dragging me like a piece of rag to the gladiator. I cautiously peered all around the theater. There were a ton of them looking at me, cheering loudly, and hooting. Massive metals, primarily steel, were used to surround and protect the masses. I am now forced to struggle with my life in this realm of death. The Royal family was all seated calmly, anticipating the commencement of the event, when I turned to face them.

These are the world's worst people. Two people who were unrecognizable stood next to them. They have to be Juce's king and prince. 

As they approached the Royal family, I noticed a person walking by. The girl who caused my heart to race for the first time immediately sprang to mind. It actually was her. But why was she moving in the direction of the Royal family?