I closed my eyes in satisfaction appreciating the bread I was tasting.

"Mmmm... Donald this is really good," I moaned into the bread.

Donald had to be the best baker in the world. I came to his bakery anytime I could. My mom disliked me leaving the house alone so I usually had to sneak out.

Donald only laughed and shook his head. "How you eat that much and remain the same weight fascinates me Liana."

"Oh come on Donald, I don't eat that much," I scoffed. I knew I had an appetite but I can't help it if I'm always hungry and food is so glorious.

I took out my pouch ready to give him a coin but he shook his hands. "It's on the house."

"Is it ever not?" I asked. Every time I came, he'd insist it would be on the house. It was sort of embarassing. I know my family did not have much to give, but it's his earnings.

"Please, you're the only reason I ever get this much customers. " He nudged his head to a group of boys standing in line behind me. I knew they were there since I noticed them following me to the bakery. I could also hear their whispers and giggles.

"Well in that case, I'm taking this," I said picking up another piece of bread. I'd like to call what Donald and I have as a wonderful partnership.

Donald just laughed and let me go. Taking my bread, I head out the door waving goodbye to the boys.

"Bye Liana," the boys said in unison. It was awfully cute that it put a smile on my face.

I started making my way home with the fresh loaf of bread smiling at the villagers. I heard light foosteps running behind me making me smile even wider.

"Oh Liana!" A little voice yelled from behind me. I turned around watching a little boy running my way. He was holding a beautiful white flower. "I picked this for you."

He held out the flower for me with a shy smile. The little thing was blushing; I had to hold in my awe. "Why thank you sweetheart, I'm going to put it in my hair." I tucked it behind my ear. "There, does it look pretty?"

He nodded and smiled a toothless smile. I gave him a kiss on his cheek making him blush even more. I ruffled up his blonde hair before making my way home. Walking down the dirt path to my little home, I found a horse tied to one of the trees outside. It was a beautiful black mane. It was so big and muscular. It was mezmorizing. I wonder if it's friendly. I approached the horse cautiously. It just let out a huff of hair. Wow, it was so obedient. I wonder where it's master is. How long has it been here. I went to the well behind my house and filled up a bucket of water before bringing it to the horse.

It let out a grateful neigh before drinking. I started petting it appreciating it's beauty. I wonder if we have anything I could feed it. Maybe some hay or carrots. I pet the beauty one more time before heading inside to search for some food.

"Mama I'm home!" I yelled opening the door. The smell of her cooking filled my nostrils. "Mmmm what is that smell?"

I needed to have some of whatever was cooking.

My mom came rushing to the door. Her face expressing how worried she is. Here come's the lecture, right about...

"Where were you? How many times do I have to tell you that a girl as pretty as you should not wander alone!" She threw her hands in the air.

There it is.

I got this every time I got out. I was not going to sit around waiting for an escort around my village. I was so over not being able to breathe because I was single pretty young woman.

"The bakery does not count as wandering," I waved her off. It was like my second home. "Donald gave me an extra loaf of bread and I'll have to say it is quite divine!" I said walking into the kitchen trying to see what she's cooking. Lifting the lid, I squealed in delight. "Oh soup!"

A deep cough came from behind me. Was papa home already? I turning around and screamed. My shock caused me to drop the lid of the pot that was in my hand making me squeal again. The cough did not belong to my father. Quickly looking away from the man, I rushed to bend down to pick up the lid. Luckily for me, the stranger also bent down at the same time making our heads bump into each other. Ow. It only went further downhill from there as I fell down on my behind. Double ow. I rubbed my head at the pain that was slowly beginning to fade. "Ouch."

"Are you okay?" he asked. I finally looked up at the stranger in my home. I couldn't hold back my shocked expression. He was lethally handsome. His brown hair was cropped short matching his features sharp. He was fairly tall with large shoulders making his gold and navy royal guards uniform fit perfectly around his well sculpted body. His uniform explained the lethal part to his handsomeness. Obviously a man not to be messed with.

"How hard did you hit your head?" He asked again. I manage to see the corners of his mouth struggling not to smile. Oh right, my embarrassing moment!

I had to admit it was pretty funny. Actually it was very funny. I couldn't help but laugh. I just let out a whole hearted laugh holding my hand to my lips trying to stifle it and failing.

"That's Liana! Always seeing the good in things," my mom's worried voice reminded me of my poor actions.

Dear me! How slow of me! Someone from the royal guard, a very handsome someone, was in my kitchen while I was still on the floor laughing like a lunatic.

I stopped laughing and cleared my throat. How else shall I embarrass myself?

Seeing his hand still out for me even after my episode, I took it with a soft thank you and blood in my cheeks. Stop blushing Liana! Once I was up I straightened myself making sure I didn't look like a complete mess.

I looked up to see the man's arm stretched in front of me. Between his fingers was the white flower I had received from the little boy.

"May I?" he asked. I only nodded in response not knowing what he was asking. May he what? His hand reached out to behind my ear where he tucked my hair and put the flower back in its place. If it was possible, my cheeks turned a shade darker. Can cheeks melt off someone's face?

"Miss Liana of Aris, I am Dorian of Burk, Captain of the Guard of the Royal Palace. I come bearing a great offer from the palace," he nods officially. The palace? What does this mean?

Noticing my confused expression he continued, "we were instructed to bring in the most beautiful unwed girls between the ages of fifteen and twenty-two into the palace for a competition. Your village all mentioned you when I asked."

"A competition?" I furrowed my brows.

"Yes, we will choose twenty girls from the selected to live in the palace. From there we will teach each girl proper etiquette, how to dress, educate her, and find a talent she might have. Seeing which girl improves the most, we will then narrow them down to ten girls. The queen will then choose which girl she feels best to lead the country after her. The remaining nine girls will get new titles and increase in status. Reasonably, they would marry someone of higher status and live a comfortable life," he explained.

"What about hierarchy? Doesn't the Queen have a granddaughter?" I asked. I knew the Queen had one son who died in war and his wife died during labor to their daughter Adeline.

"Yes, the royal vizier advised we try a new method of choosing an heir. This way we show our people that we are equal and we care about our subjects."

That was sort of amazing...

"So what? Am I one of the selected girls?" I asked. I was no fool, I knew I was considered beautiful in our village, but I've never been outside our village. Was I still beautiful out of this village?

"Yes." Dorian nodded. "We've seen a lot of girls. You seem to pass expectations."

I blushed at the complement. So I was indeed pretty... Wow.

I took a moment to consider my options. "And if I wasn't interested?"

I didn't want to be a queen. It required too much responsibility and I would prefer to stay a free spirit.

"Goodness Liana!" my mom gasped. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. She has this fantasy of me becoming a princess of some sort. I found out she'd tell my suitors I wasn't interested without even asking me because she knew I'd marry some well off man who would only be interested in me for my face and body.

Dorian, to my delight, seemed to ignore my mothers comment. "That would not be very wise. Think of the benefits it will do you and your family."

I looked around at our small home. It barely held a roof above our home. I looked at the pot of soup knowing my parents will starve making sure my brother and I were full. I'd be selfish not to take this chance. If I failed I would know that I had tried.

"What about my family? Will I get to see them?" I asked. They were my world, I wasn't ready to get up and leave them.

"We will compensate your parents for their contribution to our country," he pulled out a bag of what I assumed were coins putting it down on our wooden table. "As for seeing them, visiting will only be prohibited along elimination or completion of the competition."

I looked at my mom who seemed to be begging me to take the offer. God, I was going to miss them. "When do I start?"

"Tomorrow," he said curtly. "I will be back tomorrow morning. This gives you enough time to bid your family farewell. You don't need to pack anything, everything will provided at the palace."

"N-nothing?" I couldn't bring anything that reminded me of home?

Dorian opened his mouth and closed it. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I slumped my shoulders bummed out about all this. Suddenly my eyes widened as I remembered something. "Wait!"

Dorian turned around trying to figure out what I needed.

"Can I see your horse?" I asked. My mom gasped and yelled at me but I didn't pay head to her. Dorian, on the other hand, looked surprised at first then amused. "If you truly want to."

I nodded my head following him outside. I held up my finger to Dorian before running to our shed in the back. There it is! I found some hay holding it to my chest. I walked back to Dorian who was eyeing the hay. I walked up his horse offering it the hay. It wiggled its ears making me giggle. I pet it softly as it ate away. I looked at Dorian who was eyeing me weirdly. "What's it's name?"

"She is called Niya," he said joining me in petting his horse.

Niya. "That's a beautiful name. Did you name her?"

Dorian nodded his head. "She was a gift from my father."

Oh my, he must come from a wealthy family. To gift a such a powerful horse!

"Liana," he said softly gaining my attention. "You can bring a small token to remember your family, I won't tell anyone."

Oh my! "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Dorian cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. "I will see you tomorrow, but I must meet up with my party."

I nodded my head understanding. I nuzzled Niya one more time before taking a step back. Dorian mounted his horse looking so mighty on top. He nodded his head in salute before doing a clicking sound signaling his horse to move. As soon as Dorian was out of sight, the negative emotions started pooling back.

I was about to leave my family to be in a competition I want nothing to do with. The upside, I was going to help them and pay them back for everything they've done for me. I owe them this at least. Also... I hear the palace has great food, although I'm sure nothing compares to Donald's bread.

This is going to be a long dreadful night.

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So this is the first chapter!

It's pretty much giving you a background on the basics, it's about to get better I promise!

Hope you enjoy!

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Love ya!