CHAPTER FIVE

All rise for king Aelfdene and Queen Cassia the announcer called out with everyone standing up, the door to the throne room was opened and the king and queen walked in looking regal and dignified. They walked to the dais together, with everyone bowing their heads in respect. After the king and queen have taken their seats the announcer called out. Presenting the crown prince Casper, the door opened and a handsome young man dressed in official royal attire walked in.
His looks were charming and when he smiled at the bowing audience it sent the hearts of the women swooning. After taking his seat beside his father the announcer called out. Presenting prince Cosmo and Draco the door was opened and the twin princes wearing official attire walked in looking all dashing with broad smiles on their handsome faces. After taking their seat the announcer called out presenting Princess Astrid and Alisa and the door was once again opened for the princesses who walked in looking blindingly beautiful with their pretty gown and tiara they walked to the dais and sat with the rest of their family. Presenting prince Cleon the announcer called. Immediately the throne room was thrown into silence everyone was still. Peering at the faces around me I could see fear mixed with hatred all around me however for some reason I felt excited and I couldn't wait to see the prince as if reading my thoughts the door was opened and in walked Prince Cleon. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw him unlike the rest of the royal family he was wearing a black hood as well as black pants paired with a black boot his attire was very amusing to me that I smiled. People bowed as he walked not because of his title but because his presence commands it though the hood he wore was covering his face he somehow still managed to look graceful and elegant one can tell by how well built he is that he is very handsome. Walking to the dais he sat at a distance from the rest of his family, looking at him sitting with the rest of the royal family one can tell how different he is from the others. From his aura to his appearance everything about him exudes power and strength. Looking at the dissatisfied faces of the rest of the royal family as well as the whispers around me concerning him I couldn't help but feel that there is more to this mysterious prince. I haven't seen any member of the royal family before now. I never went to any gathering or celebration so this was my first time seeing the royal family and I must admit that they are all very good looking. A stern-looking woman walked to the center of the room after bowing to the king and Queen faced the rest of us and said. Today we welcome you all to the final stage of the selection. They are twenty girls who made it to this stage. The purpose of the selection is to provide the princes and princesses with a loyal companion it happens only when the king and queen think it's time for their children to have special companions and helpers. The role of the selected is to be a shadow to the Master or mistress to always obey serve and honor the master or mistress. Today these twenty girls will choose who they will be willing to serve and the princes and princesses will pick who they favor best. Let the selection begin. After saying that she went back to her seat. One after the other starting from the first person the girls walked to the front of the dais to stand before their intended master or mistress and the princes, as well as princesses, picked who they want I was the last person. I, however, noticed that nobody walked towards prince Cleon. Something in me stirred I couldn't put a finger on it but before I could process what I was doing I was standing before prince Cleon. Everyone could not believe it I could hear the whispers all around me. Is she crazy? Does she want to die? I pity the poor girl she just fell into the devil's trap. I drowned the noise and concentrated on the person sitting before me who from the first moment he sat down kept his head bowed down. Not feeling discouraged I let him be and waited for the rest of the announcement. The stern-looking woman came back and announced. The selection has come to an end congratulations to the chosen ones let the celebration begin. While food and drinks were being served, dancers and musicians made their way to the stage set up for performing to entertain everyone. I saw the other girls moving to stand beside their current masters and mistresses. I did the same, after standing next to the prince I could feel several eyes staring at me although it is fair to say that everyone is staring at me wondering if I'm sane or not. However, I could feel several pair of eyes staring at me intensely. I looked around searching for the pair of eyes only to discover they belong to my parents and their families paying no heed to them I directed my attention to Cedric who was looking so pale. What have you done his eyes seem to be asking me I shrugged and subtly nodded my head telling him it's okay. Feeling something moving beside me I turned my attention to my master only to find him walking majestically towards the door I hastily ran after him. Finally reaching him I quietly walk beside him. We both walk in silence, he took me past several doors and turns. At last, we arrived at a dimly lit hallway as the prince passed, the torches they seem to blaze to life. At the end of the hallway is a dark wooden door pushing the door open, the prince went in and I immediately rushed in as well.