They told us that we should be arriving at the castle today. I had managed to get Harriet out of the carriage the second time we set up camp. She hit it off with Norman, it turns out they were both from the village of Zoad. The third time we set up camp Harriet was the first one out of the carriage and three other girls had joined us from the other carriages. I felt closer to the men with each day, they have been kinder to me than most of the girls here, I think I've made some good friends.

I nudged Harriet as the carriage came to a halt for a water break for the horses. She looked at me curiously.

"Want to walk the rest of the way? I want to see the castle," I said. Harriet nodded excitedly liking the idea. I knocked on the carriage door to warn anyone standing behind it before I opened it. Norman suddenly popped into sight.

"Lady Liana, how may I assist you?" he asked before looking behind me and spotting Harriet. He shot her a charming smile making her blush. What a tease he was.

"I was wondering if Harriet and I would be able to walk the rest of the way?" I asked hopefully.

Norman looked unsure as he thought it through. "I don't know if--"

"Please," Harriet stretched the word all while batting her long lashes at him. "It would be much appreciated."

That is great! Use your feminine charm!

"I-- uh--" Norman rubbed the back of his neck looking flustered. "Alright, but as far as the captain knows, you two snuck out."

I looked at Harriet to see if she was okay with the thought and she shrugged in response. Splendid! "I can work with that. Thanks Norm!"

Norman rolled his eyes at the nickname I've given him the last time we set up camp. He held out his hand to help down which I took with no second thought. God knows where my clumsiness will take me. I hopped down and waited for Harriet. With a blush, she timidly took Norman's hand. She looked at the height of the carriage nervously like I did the first time.

"It's okay Harriet, I got you. As a knight, it is my duty to help a damsel in distress," Norman gave her a comforting smile that only made her blush some more. That's Norman for you, flirt by nature.

"Fine, I trust you. Only because you are from Zoad," she said earning a wider smile from him. Norman put his hands around her waist and helped her down where they stood toe to toe a bit longer than necessary. Harriet was peering up at him through her lashes with her hands on his chest while Norman was staring down at her with twinkling eyes and his hands still on her waist. Well, well, well. I think there's been a spark between the two. Maybe I should just slip away.

I might as well be useful and help feed the horses. I went to the river we had stopped beside looking for the man in charge. Dorian was standing beside Niya petting her as she drank some water. His head snapped up as my steps neared him.

His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at me worriedly. "Is something wrong?"

Whoa, an expression! He seemed worried. Oh my! Dorian was worried for me? Stop it Liana! You're making it into a bigger deal than it is. He's in charge of everyone's well being, it's his job to be worried.

"No, no! Nothing is wrong. I just snuck away, I wanted to see the castle properly," I admitted. He's probably going to send me back. Abort! Abort!

Dorian stood there for a few moments before nodding his head. "Okay."

Yes!

A wide smile took over my face.

Stop smiling so wide! It is scary!

I could just hear my mother in my head. Oh lord.

Quick! Say something else! "Oh right! Can I help with feeding the horses?"

Dorian looked at me with his same serious expression, but I could see the wheels turning inside his head. What on earth is this guy thinking? "If you please."

I nodded my head before turning on my heels. I saw one of the men feeding two horses. "Benny!"

Benjamin looked at me and smiled. At least he liked my nicknames, unlike Norman. "What can I do for you milady?"

"Can I help with the horses?" I asked and I could see his euphoria. Someone actually wanted to help him.

"Yes! Definitely! Here you stay with these two while I go fill up these buckets and take them to the other horses," he said and I nodded. I stood beside the two brown beauties petting them as they replenished themselves. I few moments later Benjamin had come back thanking me for my help even though I hadn't done anything. I went back to find Harriet who was still with Norman who was telling her an animated story with a lot of hand gestures. They were both laughing. Should I intrude? It's Norman, he's a flirt! They couldn't possibly be having a moment! Could they?

I sighed in defeat letting the two be before scouting something else to do.

"Alright troop! Finish up! We are leaving in two!" Dorian barked his orders as he brought Niya to the front of the group.

"Lady Liana!" Someone called for me. I turned to my side to find a guard named Jefferson. He was a quiet one, but was very kind and very tall.

"You are out of your carriage?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

I started shifting from foot to foot. Was it really extreme that I wanted to see the castle? "I just wanted to see the castle."

Jefferson looked shocked. "Oh! Well then, you should be right up front with the captain!"

Oh no! I didn't want trouble with Dorian. "It is fine, I don't mind staying back here-"

"Nonsense! Come along, I shall convince the captain to put you on his horse," he said with a wink. Without waiting for my response, he started walking towards Dorian. Oh lord! I followed him trying to call his name, but he wouldn't heed.

The two had already started speaking when I arrived breathlessly. Wow, that Jefferson had long legs!

"Liana, why don't you ride with the captain?" Jefferson offered in front of him. I looked at Dorian frantically who was looking at me unassured.

"I don't want to bother you-"

"Nonsense milady! You would provide some lovely company, isn't that right Captain?" Jefferson asked Dorian. Dorian looked back in forth between Jefferson and I. I noticed the two share a look before Dorian shot Jefferson a dark one which he only returned with a knowing smirk. What's going on with these two?

"Oh! I think I hear someone calling my name," Jefferson said as he left without another glance. I looked at Dorian timidly. "I can go back to the carriage if I'm a bother."

"No, no. You are-- I am--" Dorian struggled to find the words. "'Tis alright. You may stay."

The tips of his ears were turning red causing a smile to sneak its way onto my lips. Seeing Dorian struggling to speak was a sight, almost cute, which was weird for a man of his status.

Dorian noticed my amused smile causing him to clear his throat and look away.

"Pardon me," I apologized afraid that I had offended him in any way. I knew I did not like to be laughed at either.

Dorian only shook his head. "No, don't be. It is my men, they seem to want--"

Want what?

"They are trying to--"

Trying what?

"'Tis nothing, no need to worry," he cleared his throat looking like he has said too much. Oh how I hated when someone got you curious and left you with no answers.

"Will you need help mounting Niya?" Dorian brought my attention back to him. "We shall be leaving now."

Oh right, I looked at Dorian with a shy smile embarrassed to ask him for help to climb Niya. However, we both knew perfectly how well I lacked in balance. "A little?"

A lighter mood filled the air relieving the tension in the air. Dorian approached me once again to help me climb Niya. I remembered the last time he helped me, making my cheeks blush. He was going to touch me again isn't he? I tensed as Dorian stood behind me. He was the first man to touch me so, even though it wasn't romantic, I did not want to make it common. What would that say about how I was raised? I closed my eyes hoping it would make things less fraught. His hands landed on my hips sending a wave of tingles through my body as he quickly placed me on Niya. How could something that lasted for seconds feel like minutes?

Dorian didn't seem fazed at all. Why was I making it a big deal? The man was just helping me!

I mumbled a thank you which Dorian returned with a nod. He called for his men to make a move as we continued on our way to the castle. I watched our surroundings in awe. Who knew the world outside the village was so beautiful?

Dorian and I didn't make conversation, it wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be, in fact it was a comfortable silence. I used the silence to take in the new environment, which was absolutely breathtaking. The castle had finally came into view. It was huge from this distance, I wonder how big it was up close.

We started getting closer and I started getting more excited. We finally made it to the outer walls and the men nodded at Dorian before opening the doors. He seemed so important with the way people feared yet respected him.

I had to force my jaw closed when I saw behind the outer walls. The castle was absolutely beautiful. The flowers, the fountains, the grounds, everything was magical. We headed behind the castle where a bunch of beautiful young women stood in groups chatting among themselves. I think they were the rest of the competition. The men helped the women out of our carriages, while Dorian helped me down off his horse where we all huddled together. Dorian now stood in front of us as a young boy came up to him giving him a piece of parchment, I think it had words on it.

"Listen up ladies, when I call your names you step into the other groups," said Dorian pointing to the other girls. He started naming us and pointing to the group of girls we were to join. Harriet was called before me and I was disappointed that we were in separate groups. We gave each other a sad look before heading to our groups. We were a total of ten groups, with ten contestants in each group. There were so many contestants, my odds were so little. I couldn't help but feel worried. There were so many beautiful women, I felt average. My mother's words rung in my head; that I was more beautiful than just in a mother's eyes. I was going to do my best to make them proud and happy. If I did fail, which I hoped I didn't, but if I did; I knew my family would welcome me back with pride. I put my chin up and put a smile on my face. I was going to go into this with a positive attitude and I will not let anything put me down. I am my father's girl, and I will remain strong like he raised me.

Dorian was standing with an older man and woman. They seemed to be discussing something important, in fact, they all looked pretty important. They were now walking towards one of the group. I wonder what is happening.

A cough on my side caught my attention. I looked to my right to find a beautiful blonde girl in a pink cream colored dress. To say she was beautiful was belittling. She was stunning. She held herself in such a way, she had to come from an important family. Her blue eyes were almost electric. They held power yet gentleness.

"It seems like you and I are one of the few calm one's in our group," she said. Her voice was fair and even. She did not seem nervous either.

"Seems so," I said as I looked around noticing the same thing. The girls were a bundle of nerves and stress and fear. Much like I was earlier.

"They would appear so much more beautiful if they were calm, happy and confident," she looked apathetic towards the girls. I can see kindness in her. I trusted my instincts. This one would be a good friend.

"I like you, I'm Liana," I smiled.

She threw her head back in laughter. "Well it seems that I like you too, I'm Adeline."

I widened my smile realizing I've made another friend. I looked back at Dorian and the other two. They had a group of ten girls lined up against the wall. They asked them one by one up front and it looked like they were asking them questions before sending them back against the wall.

"Do you know whom those two are? The one's with the captain I mean," I asked curiously.

Adeline nodded her head. "The women is Imogen. She is going to be in charge of the competition, she is the castle instructor. She instructs... the princess in how to properly act like a lady and royalty, changing her from girl to woman. The man is the castle vizier, he is the political advisor, he came up with the competition and executed it. And you already know the Captain of the guards, he has the highest title a knight can get. They are some of the most powerful people in the castle, right after the queen of course."

Wow... these were important people.

"What do you think is happening right now?" I asked her again.

Adeline tilted her head slightly to the side looking at the three. "Well, I can see that they are first lining up the girls to rate them by looks. Then separately asking them some questions to see whose answers would suit a queen. Finally, I see the three judges discussing among themselves who the greatest contestants are and who they want to send home."

I put my finger to my chin thinking about it. "Do you suppose that the captain and his men also took note on the women they brought here?"

I was nervous Dorian might dismiss me. A queen had grace, I was clumsy. I wasn't like the other girls. I liked the outdoors, I liked to eat, I liked to have fun. Maybe he didn't see me as serious enough.

Adeline thought about it for a moment. "I suppose, if some of the contestants really stood out in both a positive or negative light, then I suppose the captain would take that into account."

That made sense. I shouldn't stress. Keep talking to Adeline, her positive attitude and courage should inspire you.

"If we make it through, I do hope we can be friends," I admit to her. "It's hard to find friendly contestants."

Adeline's eyes widened in shock. "You want to be my friend? Really?"

I nodded my head but looked at her suspiciously. Was it a problem?

"Do you not know who I am?" she asked, her voice sounding slightly nervous.

"No..." It was my turn to sound nervous. "Should I?"

Something glistened in her eyes before she gave me a dazzling smile. "I am glad to have you as my first female friend from the same age group."

What?!

"I am--"

"Alright team four, line up against the wall," Dorian yelled out.

I looked at Adeline giving her we shall talk later look, while she looked glad to be escaping my question.

We stood along the wall before being asked to show our profiles on all sides. I tried reading the faces of our judges to guess what was going on, but they all maintained neutral expressions. I should have guessed this since Dorian was the king of neutral expressions.

I was seventh to be called up.

"State your name," said the female. She had a straight nose and neatly pinned gray hair. Her posture was firm and her stare was strict and slightly intimidating.

"I am Liana of Aris," I said boldly. I was not shy of where I came from, I loved my village and my home.

"Miss Liana..." the man tested my name. He was a tall and thin man. His gray hair was pulled into a low pony tail. He had a permanent scowl imprinted on his face. "Describe our future queen."

Ah! Why so vague!

I looked at Dorian for help and he just nodded his head as if he was telling me something. What does he mean? I thought back to our moments on the road. OH! Really? That? Well, here goes nothing. "Someone that is as kind as she is beautiful. Someone who puts her people and kingdom before herself. A leader and a mother. A person so great that she is talked about across kingdoms and throughout history."

The three nodded their heads writing something on the papers in front of them.

"Captain, anything else you want to add?" the man asked.

Dorian shook his head. "I've seen enough on the road to get an impression."

Oh no! I'm out! I didn't even make it past the first round.

"Very well, you may step back in your place Miss Liana," said the woman.

I kept my head high before going back to my place. If I was going down, I was going with my head held high and a smile on my face.

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Sorry for the late update! As an apology I made this chapter extra long!

My final is tomorrow so you you can see where my priorities are... Yeah I'm not a good student role model...

Anyways, hope you all enjoyed! I will be posting the next chapter soon!