The Prince's Choice

Chapter 3 The Palace

Arabella's P.O.V

I forgot to mention the other path you can go down when you turn 18.

There's sold to be a wife, used as a human incubator for the rest of your life, or if it's the year the heir of the throne is going to be crowned, there's being chosen for the coming of age competition.

The coming of age competition is where one girl from each of the sectors is pulled from the auctions and forced to compete in order to win the Prince's heart.

It's televised and the public have been waiting 21 years for this event. It's basically a reality tv show and the public even get to vote on their favourite girl.

I don't know anything else about it apart from the little we were taught during our history lessons, but it's just my luck that I turn 18 the year the competition is being held.

I hate this stupid society and their sexist rules. Never mind marry the future leader of it.

I would rather be sold or even forced to live in the labs, anything but compete in a completely degrading competition, where the prize is some stuffy crown and a rude Prince.

"She's quite beautiful actually, I think the Prince will be quite taken with her. No, I don't know anything about her yet. I haven't looked at the files, I would rather hear it from her mouth instead. Well, if she is then it's too late. You know we only get one chance to pick a girl. I thought I was screwed when I pulled out the blue cloth, but surprisingly Alyssum has quite pretty girls. There were a lot of nines this year. Yes but..." The loud posh voice was the only thing I could hear, as I was still trapped in darkness.

I tried to stir awake but whatever they put over my mouth was strong and knocked me out good. My eyelids were heavy but somehow, I managed to force them open, long enough, to see the man from before talking on his cell phone.

"Uhh," I groaned as I had the biggest headache ever. It felt like I'd just been hit by a ton of bricks and the harsh sunlight beaming down on me, didn't help.

"She's waking up, I have to go." The man quickly whispered into the phone, before tucking it back into his pocket.

"Finally awake sleeping beauty." He sang, as he pulled me into a seated position. As I took in my surroundings, I quickly realised I was in a moving car, well limo actually.

There was enough space to fit twenty people in here and there were two bottles of champagne sitting in an ice bucket, right in front of me. What the hell is going on?

I glanced down, noticing that I now wearing a pair of shorts and long over sized t-shirt. My hand quickly made its way to my neck and I let out a sigh of relief when I found that my necklace was still around my neck.

I groaned again as the vehicle went over a bump and a bottle of water was suddenly thrust into my hands.

"Drink. Then take these." The man handed me two white pills and even though I didn't know what they were, I also knew I didn't have much of a choice, so I chucked them down my throat and then swallowed a large mouthful of water.

"I'm Xander, a royal advisor to the king and now your personal mentor. You are very lucky to have been selected by me, as Alyssum's representative and also candidate to be future queen. Now, I know you probably have a million and one questions, but please wait until we get back to castle. We're already late as it is." The man, Xander, had dark brown eyes and neatly styled black hair.

I'm guessing he's Hispanic, as he has very tanned skin and the slight accent in his voice gives it away.

The stubble hiding his jaw made him look more mature and if it wasn't for the slight wrinkles across his forehead, I would have thought that he was in his twenties but now I feel he's more in his late thirties. Forty, perhaps.

The car came to a sudden halt, jerking me forward, but Xander put his arm out in front of me, preventing my head from smashing into the hard seat in front of me.

He got out of the car in a haste, grabbing a file before leaving, and I quickly slid out as well. Xander began sprinting almost towards the large door, I'm assuming is the entrance to the grand castle in front of me.

The castle was completely white and any other other bolts or fixtures holding it together were pure gold. There was large flag with the royal crest printed on, waving in the wind, on the highest tower.

Surprisingly enough, there were hardly any people around. There were a few guards dotted around but many were stationed at the front gate we just ran through. They were all holding large swords, that could take off my head within seconds, and a small hand gun was tucked into each of their waistbands.

A few people walked passed, yet none of them even batted an eyelid at me. I would expect some dirty looks or even a glare or two, since I'm from the auctions but they all looked too busy to even notice me.

Xander knocked twice on the large door, before it swung open, revealing a rather tall woman. She had golden brown skin that was coated in bright makeup. Her lips were painted mauve, whilst her eye shadow was neon green. Her outfit was very flamboyant, and her light pink puffy hair just added to this.

"God, you're late. You are so lucky that I'm here to cover for you." She grabbed ahold of both our arms and pulled us in. The doors shut, sealing my fate, and I quickly said goodbye to the outside world knowing I would I either never leave or be sent back to the auctions.

I prayed that neither occurred and some miracle or a fairy godmother saved me from these wretched fates.

"Okay, so room 6, you know what floor. Brief her, introduce her to Flo, then meet me and the other advisors so we can discuss the next steps." Xander nodded, memorising every piece of information the woman said. She pulled a clipboard out from the heavy amount of paperwork she was carrying in her arms and passed it Xander. I have a hunch that she's running the competition, from the way she's dressed and presented herself to me.

"I'm Flicker. I'm head of events and I'll be hosting the competition, so you'll be seeing me around a lot." She chirped happily, proving me right. Her gaze lingered on me and she looked me up and down, before turning back to Xander.

"Good choice." Even though the words seem positive her tone sounded skeptical, but the bright smile on Xander's face made it seem, like she just bought him a puppy.

"She actually complimented me for once." He murmured under his breath, the smile still plastered on his face.

"Didn't you say we were late, or something?" That seemed to snap him out of his daze and he quickly grabbed my wrist, before dragging me to the elevator.

I never thought an elevator could be so pretty but I guess the royals managed to prove me wrong. Every single thing I saw look like it was pure gold or silver. The buttons were so shiny I could practically see my own reflection.

I noticed that every button was silver apart from the seventh, which was pure gold, and sparkling brightly, as if it had just been polished.

Xander pressed the button with the number marked on it and the elevator zoomed up. The doors slid open and Xander began sprinting again, making me groan.

I ran to catch up and nearly crashed into him, when he abruptly stopped in front of a door. He pulled a gold key and unlocked the door, revealing the grandest room I've ever seen.

The floor was covered with a white carpet and a baby blue shaggy rug was draped over the middle portion of the room. A crystal chandeliers hung down from the ceiling and there was a large king-sized bed sitting against the pastel blue walls. The duvet, headboard and throw pillow were all blue too.

The cupboards were white, as were the desk and drawers but the curtains, covering the large glass windows, the lamp, chair and bench stood at the foot of the bed were all light blue. I'm guessing there's a theme here.

"Sit." Xander commanded, gesturing to the bed, as he sat on the large chair facing me. I did as he asked and patiently waited for the next set of instructions. I don't want to risk being sent back to the auctions, even if that means holding my tongue.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Dahlia! So as you probably guessed, you are one of the six lucky girls chosen to compete in the coming of age competition, where you will try and win Prince Hardin's heart. I'm your mentor and advisor, I guess. I basically make sure you stay out of trouble, I'll guide you if you need help and I'll assist in the preparation for the competitions."

"Competitions?" I blurted out, interrupting him. The competition as I know it was that the girls have to compete against each other by trying to woo the Prince and win his heart.

"Yes, this year there have been some.. changes. The king wanted to move with the times and make the competition more exciting. He's introduced actual competitions where you girls will compete against each other intellectually, physically and um.. sexually. He wanted to make the competition more appealing to the public." Pedro explained and my eyes widened, whilst my heart began racing. Sexually. I have to compete sexually.

I could probably deal with the intellectual part and I'm not the fittest girl but the physical didn't sound to bad but sexually, and for it to broadcast to the whole nation.

"I know, I know but it's what the king wants and no-one can speak against it. Plus, since the additions have been announced to the public viewers interest has spiked and so has the King's popularity. He's very excited for the new changes but some aren't. I shouldn't be telling you this but the Prince doesn't like it either. He tried to persuade his father otherwise but the King wouldn't listen." It just hit me that I know nothing of the Prince, apart from the fact that's he's called Hardin and he's 21.  I don't know what he's like, I mean, I haven't even seen a picture of him.

"What's the Prince like? Is he kind?" Xander bit his lip nervously and I could see tiny droplets of sweat beginning to form on his forehead. Not very reassuring.

"Prince Hardin is ....protective. Protective of his kingdom, his people, his family. He doesn't take disrespect lightly and rules with an iron fist. Although the King is still in charge officially, the Prince practically runs the kingdom already. He's fully prepared to lead us into the next generation. Some may see him as ruthless and perhaps even cruel at times but you have to understand that the Prince has been through a lot." I scoffed at his last words. Been through a lot.

Yeah I'm sure he has, being raised with a silver spoon fed in his mouth, living in this huge palace with all the food and space he wants. I bet he isn't forced to live in a cramped room with five other girls. I bet he isn't stripped of his dignity, or taken from his parents.

Xander's words just proved what I thought all along. The Prince is a cruel bastard, just like the rest of the men in this new world. This supposedly 'better world'.

"Now listen, there are rules you have to abide by. Failure to comply will result in either arrest, sent back to the auctions or death. Your time here, however short it may be, will be spectacular and exciting, if you follow the rules. One, you must be respectful to all members of the royal family. Two, know your place. You may be a guest here but don't forget that everyone here knows you come from the academy. They will treat you as a guest and as our potential future queen, but don't abuse the treatment and respect given. It can be taken away. Three, do not try to escape. The only way out is being eliminated. Four, listen and obey all instructions given. Comply to these rules and your journey here should be smooth." Something tells me that my journey is going be bumpy, very bumpy.

"You should know what each floor is used for and where you are allowed to go. There are two floors underneath the ground and the dungeons are located on the bottom floor. That is a completely restricted area, unless you have a death wish. The most dangerous and violent criminals are held there. Next floor up is storage. You should not need to go there at any point, even if you do make it as queen. 1st floor are where the ballroom, kitchen, conference rooms etc located, 2nd are for the main living quarters servants, 3rd are for advisors and staff and 4th are for guests. You are free to roam those floors, there are several rooms on those floors you are free to use such as the gym etc, but Flicker will fill you in on that tomorrow." He scanned the clipboard Flicker had given him and began to mentally check things off.

"What about the gold button?" Xander's looked up at me, his eyes filled with amusement.

"You're an observant little thing aren't you. The 5th floor is for the royal family. By no means are you allowed up there, understood?" His voice turned deadly serious and I nodded in agreement, wanting to be nowhere near the Prince.

"Let's see who you are." He flipped open my file and began reading out my information, as if I didn't already know my name, age and personal history.

"So, Arabella, pretty name. We're on to a good start." He flashed me a grin, forcing me to return a fake one.

"You're in good shape, fit, healthy, 99% fertile which is excellent. The Prince definitely wants a wife who can easily bear a heir for him. You are obviously gorgeous and the according to the Prince's specifications, you fit perfectly. He likes dark haired women and your blue eyes should give us a boost in the competition." The way he said us made me wonder what he got out of all this. He seems desperate to win, definitely more than me.

"Your score was very high but you should know that the other girls will have had the highest scores in their sectors too. Especially, Silene. You should watch out for the girl from Silene. All the members of Silene are cunning people." He spat as he mentioned Silene, hinting at a dark past with them. He was probably tricked by one of them or betrayed.

Silene prides itself on trickery and deceit. April fools day is one of the biggest celebrated holidays over there.

"Now, as you are to be treated as our potential future queen, you are to be given a hand maiden. She'll be there to help you dress, bathe, she'll do you hair and makeup, bring you your food, anything you want. Consider her your own personal servant. She'll be arriving any minute now." He glanced at his wrist watch, just as two soft knocks hit the door.

"Enter." He announced, and in walked a small timid girl who was trying to hid herself behind her blonde hair.

"Mistress, Advsior Xander." She bowed, instantly making me feel uncomfortable. I didn't like the fact that I had people to wait on me. I want friends, not slaves.

"You don't have to do that, and please call me Arabella or even Ari." She smiled softly, looking up at me, and I noticed how beautiful she looked with her warm brown eyes and long blonde hair.

"Thank you mistress, I mean Ari." Xander seemed... impressed by my words and gave me a nod in appreciation.

"Flo, will be your hand maiden and help you get ready for tonight."

"Tonight?" I questioned, not liking where this was going.

"Yes, for the first event of the competition. A masked ball."