Royal Temptation

Chapter 7: Meritocracy

"Amara" Sarah greeted as she walked in the room. I had just finished getting dressed and I was quite proud of the choice that I made. I was wearing a cute knee length flowery dress. Yellow was a colour that has always uplifted my mood. That was exactly I needed. 

"Sarah" I mimicked her. She was wearing a white pants and a black shirt. Her hair was tied in a bun. I rose my eyebrows in surprise. She didn't appear to be herself. 

"My Queen" she bowed in front of me. I frowned in confusion. 

"What are you doing, Sarah?" I asked while shaking my head in disbelief. 

"This is the outfit that we're supposed to be wearing here" she explained. I rolled my eyes then shook my head again. 

"Unless I order not to" I said. She shrugged then stared at her outfit. 

"I like it to be honest" she told me. I smiled. As long as she was happy, It was not an issue for me. "So how did your training go last night?" Sarah casually asked me while sitting on the bed. I sat on the couch then pressed my lips together, not really knowing where to start. A grin started to form on her face. "There is something that you're not telling me" She pointed out. 

"Well, I might have met The King Orion last night in the training room" I told her. Her eyes widened and she started clapping her hands excitedly. "He has a horrible personality" I continued and watched as the excitement started leaving her body. "He is very arrogant. Good looking but very very arrogant" I explained. 

"Good looking though. Let's see the positive side?" Sarah said, quite unsure of her words. 

"For the moment, there is not many good things to say about him" I muttered. 

"You sound disappointed" Sarah breathed. 

"I am" I responded honestly. "The thing is that, after everything that happened with Tyrus, I can't back out from this. I have to marry Orion just for the safety of my kingdom" I sighed in exasperation. 

"Was it that bad?" Sarah asked me. I simply nodded then frowned when I gave it a good thought. 

"Maybe it will change over time. I just feel like i am disappointed because I had a very high expectation" I explained. She shrugged then stood up with a big smile. 

"Things might be different after you guys get married" she told me cheerfully. 

"I hope so because my decision to marry him was taken before I even decided to marry him" I told her truthfully. "To be honest, my happiness is not as important as my people" I breathed out. Sarah shook her head in disapproval. 

"Your people's happiness depends on your happiness too. If their Queen is not happy, do you think that they will be happy?" She asked me. I didn't have any choice than nodding my head to her wishful words. She was right. It was up to me whether I was going to make this future marriage a success or whether I was going to live just a married life with the King Orion. 

A married life without any love. 

"For the moment, we have a delicious breakfast awaiting for us" she told me while rubbing her belly. 

A table was set in the back yard of the castle. It was just next to the huge fountain. It was a round table with a white table cloth on it. There was a huge vase with beautiful flowers on it. There were huge fruit platters, pancakes, muffins and different varieties of cakes. Jugs of Juices and a few teapots here and there on the table. I could see that there was also just seven seats set. I had no idea who was going to be here for breakfast but my rumbling stomach clearly screamed that it doesn't care. There were petals of roses scattered over the table. It looked so cute. The sun was shining in the sky and I couldn't help enjoying the feeling that it was procuring to my skin. 

"Queen Amara" King Leo greeted as he walked to us. "Sarah" he nodded. Sarah smiled and lightly bowed i respect. There were two men along with King Leo. I recognised Callum, The advisor and knight of King Leo. "I hope you still remember Callum" I nodded in response and smiled at Callum who bowed to him. "And this is Anthony" King Leo introduced the other man. He had blond hair and deep blue eyes. There was several wrinkles on his face that showed that he was a little bit older than Callum. "Anthony is the Duke of Phoenix" King Leo said. 

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir" I responded in respect. 

"Oh please, call me Anthony, Queen Amara" he said with a very charming voice. 

"Then call me Amara, Anthony" I teased with a smile. King Leo had a big smile on his face. "It is so beautiful out here, King Leo. I love it" I admitted while having a look again at the huge yard. My eyes scanned the fountain that was just right to the table. 

"I am glad it pleases you, Queen Amara" King Leo said proudly while himself having a look at the greeneries. I could see that he was himself very proud and happy with his castle. "I guess we can all take a seat and we'll hope that King Orion graces us with his presence" he then muttered. The servants on the side, walked to the chairs and slightly moved them so that it was easier to access it. 

Unnecessary. 

I still smiled at them. I didn't even know why they had to do that. I simply nodded at the servant that helped me to let him know that I was fine. I sat down and lightly pulled the chair under me.  

"Good Morning" I heard a familiar voice greeted from behind me. Footsteps were approaching closer to us and I didn't even have to turn around to look at him as he was now in front of me. His seat was the one opposite mine. His eyes were fixed on me as he pulled the chair and sat down. The other man who accompanied him did the same. 

"We feel very honoured that you decided to grace us with your presence, Orion" King Leo said in sarcasm. There was a hidden anger in his voice. "The Queen Amara was eager to finally meet you" he continued. My eyes widened. Was i? 

Come on, Leo! What's up with the exaggeration? 

I watched as King Orion's eyes flickered from me to Sarah then they finally settled on me. He looked surprised when he finally recognized me. I mustered one of my best smile before raising my eyebrows. King Orion was very good looking. He was wearing a black suit and his piercing eyes was burning my soul. There was something so freaking intimidating about him. But I wasn't one to let anyone intimidate me. 

"I feel like The King Orion likes to make a very late entrance" I said with the same smile. The smile was not reaching my eyes at any moment. I was not going to let The King Orion have the feeling that he was going to be able to walk all over me. 

"And you are?" The other man asked with interest from beside King Orion. 

"Who's asking?" I questioned back. Orion squinted his eyes. There was a disbelief that was swimming in there but he quickly snapped it away and put the cold façade up again. 

"Oh my apologies. I am Jackson. The cousin of King Orion" he introduced himself cheerfully. I smiled genuinely then stood up to shake his hand. 

"I am Queen Amara of the Kingdom Of Lyra" I introduced myself with pride. My eyes moved to King Orion. I placed my hand in front of him, across the table and waited for him to stand up. I was internally glad that the table was not that big. The surprise that was present in Orion's eyes, was all I was expecting. He didn't disappoint me at all. He clenched his jaws then stood up. He shook my hand before we both sat down. Our eyes stayed contacted. It felt like were defying each other. 

"Queen Amara" Callum started. I turned to look at him. The smile that was plastered on my face seemed to be glued there. 

"Yes, Callum" I responded. 

"There was something that we address" he started. This quickly attracted my attention. I was going to lift the jug of apple juice when a servqnt quickly moved forward to do it. I held my hand up to stop him. 

"I'll do it. Thank you" I told him with a smile. She smiled back then took a step backwards. "You can continue" I then stated to Callum with a very formal voice. 

"As you may know, The Kingdom of Phoenix is based on a meritocracy system, that is, everything here is based on merits" Callum explained. I nodded, already knowing this part. 

"This initially means that if you agree to marry King Orion here, this will not necessarily means that you will become Queen of Phoenix straight away" he continued. My eyes momentarily drifted to King Orion who was already staring at me with his beautiful eyes. I watched as he licked his lower lip while sitting straight on his chair. I blinked a few times before focusing myself on Callum again. 

"I will have to prove myself" I concluded. They all nodded except King Orion. 

"Only if there are challengers" Callum stated. I scoffed at this word. 

Challengers. 

"You mean if there are other women who think they're capable of becoming Queen" I corrected. Women are meant to be respected. 

"Exactly" Callum nodded. 

"And is there a lot of them?" i asked, after clearing my throats. Jackson faked cough, attracting my attention. 

"A whole load" he whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. I couldn't help but chuckle. 

"I don't mind" I said. I knew my worth. I knew the skills that I have always been able to acquire. If there is another woman who is as good as I am, why would I object to the idea of her being given what she deserves? "It's fair. I like the idea of meritocracy" I admitted. Everyone smiled and some even seemed surprised by my reaction. 

Did they think that I was going to start crying and run away? I was always up for a fair fight. I was always up for a challenge. I was never one to back down. 

"What are the stages that I will have to pass?" I asked them curiously. I turned my head to look at Sarah who was eating a grape. She seemed to be more nervous than I was. 

"You'll have three stages that you'll have to pass" Callum started. "The first one is Decision Making" he told me. 

"You will be given a series of problems and as a Queen, you are expected to take the best decision for your people" King Leo was the one who spoke. I nodded. 

"The second step will be your talents and skills. You will simple have to demonstrate what knowledge you possess" Callum said. I rose my eyebrows then rolled my eyes. I didn't really care that it was going to be seen as disrespectful. I was just hoping that King Orion was worth the hassle. For the moment, I was just motivating myself for my Kingdom. "And the third one is fighting skills" he finishes. "The Kingdom of Phoenix requires a Queen who knows how to fight. Who knows how to defend herself" he said. I nodded. 

"Doesn't the King Orion have to prove his worth as well?" I questioned with an attitude. I was getting slightly pissed off by the fact that the capacity of women was judged whike men just sat back and watched. 

"Everyone knows my worth" King Orion stated. I rose one of my eyebrows then shrugged. 

"Everyone except me" I responded.