The Rightful Queen

Chapter 3 – The Selection

Laura returned home after purchasing some lace and threads. The palace celebration would begin tomorrow and she was asked to make some adjustments to the gowns they would wear. She’s not a seamstress but she knows how to use her hands. Her uncle and aunt took her in after her parents were ambushed by bandits four years earlier. They were on their way to visit her paternal grandparents but they met their demise instead.

In this household, she has two cousins. Cristina, who is a year older than her and Connor, who is three years younger.

The boy is a sweet child, whereas Cristina usually picks on her. Despite her own noble status, she was treated differently. She doesn’t have servants who wait on her and she would sometimes be asked to do chores around the house. It was as if they do not have enough servants in the mansion.

She doesn’t mind. She likes doing things. They don’t exactly abuse her, but they definitely aren’t fond of her. Everyone around them is of the opinion that Laura is more beautiful than Cristina. Because of this, her cousin and aunt treat her with hostility. They think she’s a threat to an opportunity to become queen.

Laura snorted at the thought. They’re really too ambitious to think they have a chance on that. How many nobles are there? How many outstanding women live in the kingdom? Unlike the others, she’s realistic. She’s not looking forward to the celebration. It was a mere responsibility, attending it. The royal household released a mandate for all nobility to attend. It is a celebration, after all. The prince would be crowned and the king plans to step down because of his failing health.

Her gown was plain yellow, whereas Cristina’s is light green and decorated with lace and glittering gems. She knew their purpose. It’s the house colors of the royals. They’re trying to attract their attention by wearing the colors. She would bet that many other ladies would be wearing the same color, though.

When they entered the palace, Laura was a bit enchanted by the building and its structure. It’s huge and the hall is overly spacious. She’s fond of reading and she likes houses and buildings. She walked behind her relatives. When they started mingling with other people, she asked her uncle if she could walk around. She got approval and went on to explore the columns.

After a while, the trumpets sounded. The royals have arrived. Well, it was only the prince. Today, he’s supposed to meet nobles and choose for himself a queen and a number of consorts.

Laura was standing afar off, but the prince looked in her direction and their eyes briefly met. Prince Samuel, that’s his name. He’s well-built and his facial features are attractive. He has that air of manliness despite his young age. His father ascended to the throne when he’s around forty years old. If he ascends to the throne within the next year, he’ll probably be the youngest king in the history of their kingdom.

Well, no. Wasn’t there someone who became king at age ten? But he was under guardianship until he was sixteen and allowed to lead on his own.

The royals are normally exceptions to the rule they impose on their subjects. To protect their lineage, the kings are allowed to take as many consorts as they desire. If only to ensure His highness would have heirs to inherit the throne. Only sons are allowed to sit on it. Princesses are mere ladies and pawns for the benefit of the royal family. To make alliances with great and noble families, mostly.

Laura is very fond of books and she mostly reads history in her spare time. She’d known about the political struggle between families, the attempts to assassinate or dethrone kings, the audacity of some to claim the throne without any right, the couple of queens who were unable to conceive and bore sons, the princes who ascended to the throne despite the defects in their birth right… there were a lot of unexpected events in the past and they’re not that far from the current situation.

She knew what’s going to happen tonight. The prince will choose his queen and his consorts. Every lady is going to try and catch his attention. Their fathers must have told them that it’s a great position to be one of the reigning monarch’s women. They get privileges. They get treasures. They may be able to influence how the lands are ruled.

Laura isn’t interested. She doesn’t want to deal with wicked women. She would rather have the ordinary life, to be married to one man and be his only woman. The citizens are only allowed to be married to one person. Mistresses or affairs with someone else are frowned upon. Divorce is considered a great shame and a tarnish to the family name.

It’s quite mind-blowing to her how different rules apply to different people.

She quietly sighed as she walked towards the others. The women weren’t asked to line up, but they seem to know it’s something they should do. As the prince walked towards the front of the room, their eyes met again. Laura looked away. She doesn’t want to be chosen. There was that rule, you can’t refuse a royal. If the prince chooses you, you must accept it. You have no say in the matter. Even if you don’t want to, you have to. 

Samuel did a quick glance at everyone in attendance. If he would choose based on appearance, it seems he already spotted the most beautiful woman in the room. She had been lurking in the background, though, and looking disinterested in what’s currently happening. The host made his greeting and welcomed the prince into the celebration. He merely nodded his acknowledgement.

When the purpose of the night was revealed, there were excited squeals from the gathered crowd of women. His eyes remained in the direction of the woman who caught his eyes earlier. She’s beautiful. And there’s nothing frivolous about her.

Lightly, he shook his head. No. He should focus. He’s here to find his queen. And he has a way to do that. Find the ribbon. Make the woman your queen. It’s that simple, Sam.

The formal dance began. He’s not the only eligible bachelor in this party. Of course, he couldn’t be the only one. All the ladies would have their eyes on him. At least a good portion of the women aren’t targeting him and have eyed the other men. He may be the center of attention, but the event should serve the purpose of others as well. 

He could already tell he would be tired before the night ends, unless he could find her early. Just how many women are in attendance? The sight before him is dizzying. Various women are trying to be in front of where he’s standing, or at least a few feet away as is required.

In the last few days, he’d been recalling the encounter he had with her. He tried very hard to remember her voice. She’s soft-spoken, that’s for sure. He analyzed the incident they shared and though the man truly committed a crime, she wanted to show him mercy. She wanted him to give the thief a chance. She’s not one to judge harshly and she seemed to have faith that men are born to do good. Not just for one’s self, but for others as well. She would be a fine queen.

Of course, there are many things he couldn’t tell from such a short encounter. What he’d seen, it would be prone to abuse. Greedy wolves would probably take advantage of her kindness. Can she deal with that? He couldn’t imagine her being tough and feisty. But maybe she would be.

His heart fluttered. He would be meeting her tonight and all will be well.