CHAPTER FOUR

<p>The castle of Aegalia in all its glory truly is a sight to behold. Seven towers piercing the sky are the first you'll see after passing the giant metal gates. The towers are connected by walls made of basalt with narrow windows scattered generously around the walls in symmetrical patterns. If one were to stand at the window of one of the towers. One would see the whole kingdom of Aegalia spread out. Lush fields of crops surround the castle as far as the eyes can see and provides the inhabitants of Aegalia food all year round. Trees grow close to the castle gates and provide it with valuable wood for all sorts of purposes. To the west side of the castle are scattered small buildings, houses and other structures, homes and businesses for the poor. While to the east lies various large houses home to to the rich. A handful of waterfalls flow into various small rivers surrounding the kingdom and provide the precious farm fields outside the castle with needed water. Only members of the royal family, as well as the king's trusted counsel, stay in the castle together with the servants, teachers, and warriors. As I stood there admiring the castle I saw someone walking towards me on closer inspection I noticed it was Cedric. Hey, you he greeted hey me I greeted back. I met Cedric yesterday he is the son of one of the teachers at the castle. The castle has its magical school where the royals, elites, and commoners with promising magical abilities are thought how to control and master their powers. Cedric is an instructor despite being of the same age as me. I find him easy to talk to as well as friendly and I think it is cool of him to be an instructor despite being young. I don't know what to say around him because I never had any friends. Growing up Aegalia though prosperous still has its poor people in which category I fell into. I and my mom struggled to get by working on the farms and receiving what little wage we can. I was quiet as a child keeping to myself mostly because of my mom's attitude towards me coupled with other children always taunting me for having white strands of hair they found me unusual and I found them crazy. So I respectfully kept my distance this is the first time someone is initiating a form of friendship towards me and it left me confused. Not wanting to come off as rude I said, hope I'm on time. Yeah, you are you still have some time to kill before the selection starts. Will you be there I asked him. Yes, I will be there, feeling nervous? He asked me grinning. Looking at his smiling face I couldn't help but smile as well. I'm not nervous but still, it will be nice to see a familiar face. What about your parents he asked won't they be there? I don't have parents I replied looking away I'm sorry he said that was rude of me I didn't know. It's okay don't think too much of it I told him. An awkward silence ensued thankfully he changed the topic by asking if I was hungry I realized at that moment that I haven't eaten since the previous day looking at my expression he smiled and said follow me. Wait I told him before he took a step don't you have work to do or something. I would feel terrible if I were to get you in trouble I told him. It's so like me to cause trouble for the only friend I've managed to make throughout my existence I thought to myself. Don't worry I'm free for the rest of the day he told me<br/> Cedric took me to the castle's kitchen and introduced me to the head cook Martha. I brought a guest for you Mrs. Martha I would like her to have a taste of your pancakes and honey syrup looking at me Cedric said, Mrs. Martha's culinary skills are the best in all the five kingdoms. Don't mind him dear and what will your name be she asked. My name is Eve I replied. Eve what a beautiful name for a beautiful girl she said. Smiling I thanked her. You are welcome dear as for this brat over here she turned towards Cedric he has a sweet tongue don't fall for his sugary words Martha a sweet middle-aged woman said while handing two plates of pancakes to us. Saying our thanks Cedric took me to the servant quarters where we sat on the ground outside the quarters with our backs leaning on a tree eating the pancakes. I moaned immediately I placed the pancake in my mouth, delicious right Cedric asked me I could only nod as I enjoyed my food. So since we still have time to kill is there something I should know before the selection I asked. Keep your head low and whatever you hear keep it to yourself and most importantly stay away from prince Cleon he is bad news no matter what you do in this castle don't ever go close to him. Looking at how serious and stern he sounded I only nodded my consent and continued eating. We kept talking till we heard the sound of the bell signaling everyone to gather at the throne room for the next stage of selection. Well, that's me I said while standing up. Picking our plates Cedric led me back to the kitchen where we dropped our plates and together we headed to the throne room. On our way, we passed servants running up and down putting final touches to their decoration. When we got to the throne room Cedric wished me luck and went to look for his mother. Looking around the throne room I saw a group of girls sitting together close to the dais. The throne room is a very spacious room that can easily accommodate a thousand people with a dais at the end of the room where the royal family will be sitting. Today the room was decorated to accommodate the members of the council and their families as well as the selected girls and their families as well as the royal family. I went to the place where the other selected girls were sitting and sat down. Directly opposite where I was sitting sat my dad and his family as well as the other prominent families of Aegalia who also happens to be members of the council. I also saw my mom and Mr. Andrew together with his kids. I saw the surprise on both my parent's faces as I looked at what's supposed to be my family members. Not wanting to invite ill-luck I quickly searched for Cedric and found him already smiling at him returning his smile I sat patiently waiting for the royal family like everyone else.</p>