The palace is huge and elegant. It really replicate the description of all the books in all library.

Well, I barely remember the exact size that the book said, but...argh! Nevermind. The palace is enormous, period.

I'm in front of the palace, still inside the car, waiting for signal from for me or for us to come out. I'm already wearing viel and only half of my face revealed. This is one of the palace protocol. I don't know their reason, and I don't want to know why. Actually this is good for me. No one will ever know my face. I mean, those ladies who also participate the selection.

I'm nervous as hell. Me being inside the palace, make my heart beat fast and loud. I already made a wish for the ground to open and swallow me. By that, I will not go further.

I'm hugging the stuffed that was gave to me a while ago. I keep on playing it's ear to calm myself. It help me a little, but everytime a court lady or a palace maid pass in front of the car, my heart will beat faster.

I jump when the door beside me suddenly open.

"Apology young lady if I scare you." The driver said without looking at me. He bow his head a little deep as he utter his apology.

"It's okay. Do you need something?" I nervously asked.

"I just want to inform you that Court Lady Daisy is approaching. Please prepare yourself."

"Okay. Thank you."

The man bow his head and close the door again.

I check the veil I am wearing if I tied it tight. Then, I let out a deep breat, inhale and exhale to calm myself.

I look in front of the car and a young court lady standing in front of us. She is saying something that I can't hear, then, for the second time, the door beside me open.

"Young lady, you can step out now." The driver said in a very respective tone.

Once again I inhale and exhale and slowly step out the car. A palace maid approach me and shed me under the umbrella she is carrying.

"Welcome young ladies to the palace. This will be your home for a month or forever. Please come with me and meet the ladies of the palace. They are all waiting to you at the main hall." The court lady said loudly.

For the third time, I let out a deep sigh then start walking. We are all in silence. Only the sound of our heels can be heared, aside from the chirp of the birds flying above us.

As we are approaching the main hall, my heart beat louder. My hand is sweating, and my throat become dry. My mind went crazy, thinking a lot of scenario that might happen. Honestly speaking, I want to back out. I want to turn around, went back inside the car and asked the driver to sent me home. My legs is getting weaker.

We stop in front of the big door. Court lady Daisy turned around and face us.

"I hope that you all know the basic  manner when facing royalty. We are not restraining you on what you want to do, but please be mindful of your act. We are all observing you as we are selecting a queen."

"Yes madam." They answer in unison. I didn't answer. I can't open my mouth honestly. I just answer in my mind.

The door open and we all enter the main hall. We are ushered directly to the vacant seat by the palace maid.

We all remain standing with our head slightly bow down. One of the palace or royalty rule is never look at the royal family straight to their eyes or face unless they told you so.

"Good day ladies." An old voice echoed in the room. Even without looking, we can tell that it's the great queen dowager voice, as she is the only one who can talk first among all the lady of the palace present. She is the eldest and the head of the harem.

"Good day your highness." We all greet in unison. We also bend our kness geacefully as we utter our greetings.

"Have a seat." The great dowager said. "Serve them drink so that they will get refresh." She added, talking to all the palace maid.

We all obey what she asked. The palace maid serve us a drink and we all drink it.

I drink the way I want it. I did not use my arm to cover my face when I drink. I even asked for refill because my throat is reall dry. I bet if I speak now, my voice will be terrible.

"Are you okay young lady." The palace maid asked me as I put the glass on the tray she is holding.

"Yeah. I'm just very thirsty." I answer.

"Okay." She then give me a napkin to wipe my mouth.

I mentally rolled my eyes as I wiped my mouth. Our lower face is already covered. What is the use of wiping the smudge water if it can't be seen by anyone?

"I am all allowing you to look at us." The queen dowager said and we all obligue. We all looked at them and awe with their beauty and elegance.

The queen dowager maybe in her 50's but still look like she is just in his 30's. Still look young. Same goes with the great queen dowager. Even if some line are visible beside her eyes, she's still look young for her age. Same goes with the royal consorts. They are look young. Their elegance is over flowing same as their beauty.

The great queen dowager stand up and gracefully walk in front of us.

"First, I want to say thank you for participating the selection. We do appreciate your presence here today."

"Second, marriage is temporarily ban as of this moment. So if you have a boyfriend left behind, forgot him for a while. We know some of you are in a relationship as of this moment. Don't worry, we are not going to be a hindrance for you. This is a part of a tradition, you all know that."

"Third, there will be no family status here. It means, whether you came from an elite family or poor family, you will be all threated as a special guest of us. Status will be disregarded starting today."

"Fourth, since we are going to select a queen, please be inform that all the things you will do, and your behavior will be all observed. We want to choose a queen that can be a role model to our people."

"Lastly, please threat the palace as your home and threat the royal family as your own family. If you have a problem, don't hesitate to come to us."

"Easy to tell hard to do." I murmured to myself then let out a deep sigh.

I don't know if all those thing that mention will happen. I mean, obviously, all the lady from the elite family are here and they can be easily notice. Not all, but most of them are spoiled brat and have a very very nice attitude. For sure they will act as superior if the queens and royal consorts is not around. They will boss everyone.

The queen dowager also stand up and walk beside the great queen manager. She smile to us before he speak.

"My dear ladies, we also want to inform you that your status will not be your ticket to be a queen. As the great queen dowager said, we will choose the lady who can be a great role model to our people. Bear in mind that we are choose a lady by her attitude not by her status. Is that clear?"

"Yes your highness." We answer in unison.

The queen dowager smile and look to us one by one. But her eyes stop on me and her smile became wider.

What was that?

Then, both of them turned their back to us and walk back to their sit.

"The king is here!" A loud shout from outside starled us all.

We all stand up as the door open. We all bow our heads and say our greeting to the king.

"Greeting your majesty!" We said in unison.

My heart beat faster and louder than before.

The king is here! He is f*cking here! And why he is here?

I tries to calm myself. I close my eyes, try to ignore the sound of the sole of his shoes. It's echoing in the room.

"Lift up your head."

My eyes immediately open as I hear the manly voice in front of me. I saw a pair of shoes in front if me and the whole hall became quite.

"I order you to lift you head. I want to see your face."

Is he talking to me? What the hell! Why? Why me?