ROYAL CONTEST

1| CHAPTER ONE

CROWN PRINCE OWEN'S POV

Have you ever wondered why the Harrington Empire is celebrated as the kingdom of peace? The tale behind this reputation is so profound that mere minutes could stretch into hours, hours into days, and days into months or even years, as one delves into the intricate reasons.

The Harrington Empire might not dominate the world, but there truly is no empire or kingdom quite like it. The founding Emperor of Harrington began his journey with nothing. Through sheer will and determination, he transformed his humble, impoverished family name into the magnificent empire we know today. He clawed his way to the pinnacle of power and remained there steadfastly until his last breath.

It is common knowledge how the emperors who succeeded him managed to walk in his formidable footsteps, ensuring the empire's continued strength and prosperity. This legacy of strong leadership is a cornerstone of the empire’s enduring stability.

Among the myriad reasons for the empire's lasting peace, a pivotal one is the unwavering adherence to the traditions established by the founding emperor when he first ascended the throne.

Every kingdom boasts a plethora of traditions, and while many are widespread, they are uniquely interpreted in each realm. Just as students of the same teacher will adopt different methods and perspectives, so too do kingdoms infuse their traditions with their own essence. Perfection is a myth; flaws are inherent in every facet of our world. Yet, it is through acknowledging and learning from these imperfections that the Harrington Empire continues to thrive and uphold its legacy of peace.

What other kingdoms fail to understand is that no matter how many choices you have, you can still choose the one you were not supposed to choose, the one that would lead you to destruction one day. It’s a simple yet profound truth: the abundance of options does not guarantee wise decisions. Many kingdoms have faltered because they failed to recognize this.

My kingdom is different; my great-great-great-grandfather made sure of that. He imbued the Harrington Empire with a wisdom that transcends mere tradition, a clarity of purpose that guides every choice we make. I know people will say I am only saying that because it is my kingdom, but those who know the Harrington Empire will tell you that what I’m saying is the truth.

I am Crown Prince Owen Christopher Jason Harrington of Harrington Empire, the next Alpha and Emperor of Harrington Empire. As a tribrid, I embody the convergence of three powerful lineages. Most people think being a tribrid is a blessing, and in many ways, it is—but it is not without its challenges.

I am more powerful than all my age mates, possessing the combined might of a werewolf, a dragon, and a lycan. However, with this power comes great responsibility and significant drawbacks. I bear all the weaknesses of a werewolf, a dragon, and a lycan. Each strength I possess is mirrored by a corresponding vulnerability, a reminder that even the most formidable forces in the world have their Achilles’ heels.

You can also imagine having to listen to voices in my head every single day. My wolf, lycan, and dragon all reside within me, and they have been with me since I turned twelve. However, harmony is a far cry from reality. They are perpetually arguing, and while I manage to block them out most of the time, their conflicts often cause me severe headaches. It is a constant struggle, an unending cacophony that I must navigate daily.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always known that the day will come when I will have to choose the next Empress of Harrington Empire, as it has always been. Unlike other kingdoms, the Harrington Empire holds a unique contest. All eligible young ladies compete against each other for a place in the Crown Prince’s heart. This tradition, steeped in history and expectation, is a testament to our distinctive customs.

Even though werewolves, dragons, and lycans have mates, a Crown Prince of our kingdom is always born without a predetermined mate. In a way, we possess a rare gift: the ability to choose the person we want to spend our whole lives with. We choose our own mates, a privilege granted by my great-great-great-grandfather.

He made a fateful request to the Moon Goddess, asking for one significant wish in his life. She granted his plea: to deny us the normal mate bond that others experience, but to allow us to form that bond with the one person we deem worthy of our love and the position of Empress. This ability to choose, to forge a bond based on mutual respect and admiration, is a profound responsibility. It is a tradition that shapes our empire, influencing every generation and ensuring that our leadership is built on a foundation of love, choice, and destiny.

While other kingdoms choose a woman based on how she can help the prince with ruling the kingdom when the time comes, our kingdom believes in love. I do not fully understand what the word means, but I do know it is the most important thing when it comes to choosing the next Empress of our land.

“You are the Crown Prince of Harrington Empire, but that doesn’t mean you must know everything.” I sometimes forget that my mother likes to say that. I also didn’t realize I had said that out loud. Whenever I’m alone, she always comes to keep me company. I am always grateful for that because she is a very busy woman, and I don’t get to spend as much time with her as I would like.

Being an only child doesn’t help either. I always wish that my parents could give me a little brother or sister so that I could have someone to spend time with. It would be nice. I’m not a loner per se, but being a crown prince restricts me from many things, and making friends is one of them.

Even though I have my beta, it is not the same as having a best friend. I trust him with my life, but I know he is not my friend.

“It’s such a blessing to have you here in my chambers, Mother.” I don’t even remember the last time I saw her here. We always have breakfast and dinner together, but that’s about it.

“I know I rarely come here, and to be honest with you, I also hate it as much as you do. But you have to understand that my life isn’t mine alone; it is also for the people of this empire.”

Of course, I know that. It’s just that I sometimes wish everything would be different and we could live normal lives.

“If this empire was just for our pack, things would be easier, but you know I’m not just a Luna. I’m an empress as well. I’m a wife, and I’m also a mother, so you can imagine. I’m only one person, but I’m many things.”

“Mother, you know I understand you, and I don’t blame you for not being with me all the time. I’m glad you decided to visit me today. You know I’m always happy to have you here.”

I’ve always wondered if becoming an empress was something she aspired to when she was younger. Despite the fact that she was born a princess, she grew up in this town as a regular girl, unaware of her true nature. She discovered her true identity when she was picked for the royal contest, and her family took her with them and brought her back for the contest after seven years.

"The ladies will be arriving here from tomorrow until Sunday, and you will have the opportunity to meet them at dinner on Monday. How are you feeling? Do you think you're ready to meet them?"

I always knew this day would come, but I’d be lying if I said I was ready. I have no idea what to expect; I’ve never met them because they were chosen by my father.

"I'll be fine, Mother. What's there to be worried about? It's just twenty girls from this kingdom, not strangers."

I just wish I didn’t have to go through this. It’s a tradition, but still… I’m not disregarding my ancestors' decisions, but I wish I wouldn’t have to go through any of this. I wish I was like everyone else, able to go out and choose the girl I want to date or, better yet, have a mate like a normal werewolf.

"Sweetheart, I know you don't want any of this, but you have to endure it. It is tradition, and even if I wanted to change it, you know I couldn't."

My mother’s voice is soothing, yet it carries the weight of unchangeable truths. She continues, her eyes distant, lost in memories.

"I know how this feels; I was part of this before you were even born. You have to understand that this isn't just hard on you alone; some of those girls had no choice either."

I listen intently, my curiosity piqued. My mother rarely talks about her own experience with the royal contest.

"I remember when your grandfather chose me to be one of the twenty girls for the competition. I wanted to refuse, but I also knew I had no choice but to obey. I wanted to run every single day, to go to a place where they wouldn't find me. But my mother made me understand things I didn't understand."

Her voice softens as she recalls the past. "Even though I didn't have a choice in the matter, I had a choice in marrying your father. I wasn't forced, and no other girl has ever been forced to marry a prince before. You are only allowed to marry if you have feelings for each other, not the other way around. I married your father because I loved him, and he loved me back."

She places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "What I'm trying to say is that no one is going to force you into marrying someone you don't want to. Even though you didn't choose the participants, you will choose your wife. If you feel like you don't want any of them at the end of the competition, your father and I are not going to force you. We will choose another twenty girls for you as per tradition until you are satisfied. We can hold as many competitions as you want, as long as you end up with the woman you love."

I know all that, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm not ready to meet them. What if I don't want any of them? Or what if I end up choosing the wrong person? I will never know. These uncertainties gnaw at me, casting shadows over my thoughts. The looming reality of meeting twenty strangers and potentially choosing one to spend my life with feels overwhelming.

I don't even know how I'm supposed to behave with them. Being a prince of this land has deprived me of many things. I didn't even have a chance of dating before this, and now I'm supposed to figure out how to navigate these interactions, how to present myself, and how to understand and handle these girls.

"You don't have to worry about anything," my mother says gently. "I knew one of the girls' mothers during the competition, and if she is anything like her mother, you will love her."

"Mother," I reply, a hint of frustration in my voice, "you just told me that I have a choice in who I will marry, but now you're telling me about your friend's daughter. You do understand what you're implying, right?"

"What? I'm just telling you that I knew her mother. I never even met her before, and I don't even know what she looks like. All I'm saying is that if she is anything like her mother, you will like her. I'm not saying you should choose her."

It's the same thing, though. She's just not saying it directly.

"I have a meeting in an hour, I have to go. Stop worrying too much about this, okay?"

"I won't. Thank you for coming to see me today; I really appreciate it. I missed having you around."

"I'm your mother, Owen. You should stop thanking me for things like that. I shouldn't be making a schedule for visiting my own son, and you shouldn't be thanking your mother for visiting you." She smiled at me.

"Bye, honey." She left for her meeting, and I was left alone in my chambers. I should be used to being alone, considering the fact that I have always been living here alone, but I'm not.

I always wish that I had someone to keep me company, someone I could talk to anytime I wanted. I wonder why I wasn't born a normal person from a normal family.

There's nothing I can do to change it, though. I just have to accept and pray that I will find that person who will spend every single minute with me. Even though I have no idea what these girls look like or how their presence will affect my life, I have to be ready to meet them.

One of those girls is going to be the woman I'm going to live the rest of my life with. Someone I'm going to love, someone who's going to love me back. The woman I'm going to choose as mine.

My mate.

I stand up and walk to the window, looking out over the sprawling gardens of the palace. I wonder what these girls are thinking, how they’re preparing themselves. Are they as nervous as I am? Do they dream of what it might be like to stand by my side, to become the Empress of Harrington? Or do they share my apprehensions, my uncertainties about this ancient tradition?

There’s an odd comfort in knowing that they, too, have been thrust into this situation, possibly against their own wishes. It makes me feel less alone.

To calm my mind, I walk out to the gardens, finding solace in the serenity of nature. The vibrant blooms and the gentle rustling of leaves remind me of simpler times, moments when I could forget the weight of my crown and just be Owen. Not the Crown Prince, not the next Alpha, just a young man searching for his place in the world.

As the sun sets, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, I resolve to face the upcoming days with an open heart.