The Ceremony

PRINCESS ROWENA'S POV

The great auditorium of Edrath is bewitching to look at, a gathering of proud dragon lords and deranged werewolf royals in all their glory. 

Everyone is sited according to their status. The most powerful Royals grace the front, with each column assigned to a separate kingdom.

King Roderick and his three wives are at the forefront, and with them is King Draco of the Dragon Kingdom. Behind them are the five malevolent Princes, dressed in more gold than actual fabric.

There is space between them and the Royals from lesser kingdoms. Being the renowned warrior princess and soon to be alpha queen of Silvermere empire I was offered the opportunity to sit at the forefront, but I chose to blend into the crowd and enjoy my freedom before I am forced to marry the monster that will become the overall emperor.

At the powerful crown of Elowen is mounted upon an elevated altar where all eyes are fixed. The blood of it's heir is supposed to turn jewel's red light to pure white, and it will grant him the crown's great powers. 

Tied to the crown, are two twine cords that descend into a golden threshold where each of the five Princes must shed their blood and the chosen one shall be the irrefutable king of kings, a mighty emperor and god to all. 

I shall be married to whoever the crown chooses, because each of the five Princes had sent marriage proposals earlier and it's my responsibility to ensure the survival of Silvermere Kingdom. I hate the pampered fools. That's why I plan to kill whichever gets chosen by the crown and makes the mistake of marrying me. I will then have the emperor's throne.

I find it hard to believe that king Elowen's crown has found an heir among the loathsome monsters. Their souls are as dark as night. But not even Draco himdelf has the might to rebel against the heir of Elowen's crown. The emperor will be lord and king to all. 

Several nobles have brought their daughters as exquisite gifts for the new emperor. The refined princesses will be no more than esteemed concubines, but I guess that is good enough when their owner is a powerful emperor.

It would take a great level of stupidity to be a loyal wife to such a malignant being. They expect that from me and it's going to be fucking difficult.

The atmosphere grows palpable as entertainers leave the stage and the alpha King, Roderick, steps forward to introduce the big moment. The visibly tense king stands at the podium facing his famed sons and the huge audience.

"Today the great crown is going to pick my favourite son to be your mighty emperor," he boasts. His statement causes consternation among his sons, wives and audience, everybody wondering who his favourite son is.

"Let it be written in the history of our kingdoms that I, Alpha King Roderick, will hold celebrations for an entire month to honour my favourite son when he becomes the king of kings. With those few words let the crown reveal to you who my favourite son is," he declares and the entire hall breaks into applause and laughter.

The entire auditorium is as silent as a grave when Prince Elon rises from his seat and begins his graceful walk towards the threshold, beaming with confidence. 

I have heard that the gigantic Prince loves watching tethered human slaves being whipped for his enjoyment. He also has dozens of young concubines living in his chambers to appease his strangest sexual desires.

He is selfish lunatic, yet he is the one most expected to be the heir of Elowen's crown.

He assertively picks one of the knives from the platform then proceeds to graciously make a small cut on his palm then squeezes a few drops of his foul blood over the chalice set upon the threshold. 

With baited breaths the kings, queens and nobles wait for the crown's light to turn white. But it doesn't!

Flabbergasted, Prince Elon makes a larger than normal cut this time, almost impaling his entire wrist and screaming in the process. But the jewel retains it's red light despite his blood pouring into the chalice like a river. 

Enraged he knocks down the chalice. At his back the first wife of King Roderick collapses. But the other two queens together with their sons break into celebration. A weeping Elon is escorted out of the hall by several guards at King Roderick's orders. 

I am relieved to see that I won't be marrying the worst of the monsters even though none of the other Princes possesses a valuable character.

Prince Regan's mother pats his shoulder as he rises to make his attempt. "Make me proud, son. Don't let it reject you," she says before urging him forward. 

He makes sure to pick the shiniest of daggers and goes for his left hand. His blood does not alter the colour of the crown's light. He taps the chalise several times to ensure that it senses his blood but nothing changes. His legs buckle and he comes down the stairs with his head downcast. 

Prince Edgar moves towards the great crown in a hurry. It's evident that he just wants to just get done with it. He doesn't even look disappointed when the crown's light remains the same after pouring his blood. He sighs and returns to his seat. 

The mightiest Royals starts to grow anxious as no one had anticipated that any of the younger princes would be the heir to the crown so less gifts were sent to them. 

Prince Callum appears to think he got what it takes as he waves enthusiastically to the crowd. He literally jumps up the stairs to get to the threshold but cautiously punctures a very small wound on his palm that he spends a lot of time trying to squeeze a drop of blood out of. 

He patiently waits for the jewel to change it's red light until the audience becomes impatient.

"Coward you have been rejected!" they scold. Several guards escort him back to his seat. 

Only the last born prince, Tedmond, is left. Just like Prince Elon, Prince Tedmond's hideous character is known to all. But it appears that he will be the emperor and the man whose proposal I must accept to make my father proud and ensure the survival of our northern empire under his reign.

A commotion breaks out among the Royals as Prince Tedmond's mother, the third wife of King Roderick, demands that her son be declared the emperor at once since he is the only candidate left. But the other queens oppose her request, fiercely insisting that Prince Tedmond must face the threshold just like their sons. 

Amid shouts of "hail king of kings" Prince Tedmond comes to the threshold seeming confident since he is the only one left. The crowd is ecstatic. 

"Now that's my favourite son!" King Roderick shouts as Prince Tedmond picks the last dagger to make a cut on his palm. 

Some of the guests order their assistants to go ready more gifts for the new emperor. The trumpeters that were prepared to sound their trumpets as soon as the emperor is unveiled fill their mouths with air. 

But Prince Tedmond's blood fails to alter the crown's light. As seconds count the trumpeters run out of air and let go. Prince Tedmond freezes like a statue before the crown.

Gasps of shock fill the spacious room, everyone wondering what went wrong. 

The eye of Elowen's crown is still awake, but it didn't choose any of the prestigious Princes as it's heir. Something must be extremely wrong because the crown's heir must come from King Elowen's bloodline. 

Royals argue in confusion and shock. Curious stares turn to King Roderick seeking answers but he appears just as dumbfounded as everyone else. In fact his entire body trembles like a leaf in the wind. 

"If none of the mighty princes is the crown's heir, then who is?" the lady seated beside me asks in astonishment. 

I stare at the powerful crown whose mysterious jewel still indicates that it's heir exists. Yet it rejected all it's possible heirs. Except . . .

I suddenly realize that I may be aware of who the crown's heir is. 

Before King Roderick married his three refined queens he had a beautiful human wife who was a commoner. She was accused of infidelity and banished, leaving behind a son who King Roderick immediately disowned, claiming that he was born of his wife's infidelity. 

My guess is that the child was a true son of King Roderick and the rightful heir to the throne. And since the great crown of Elowen has rejected the other sons of King Roderick then I have no doubt that the illegitimate prince is it's true heir. 

I don't know how King Roderick would react to that fact. Because I heard that he turned the child into a slave. 

His family does not deserve the powers of King Elowen's crown. And if the heir has a good heart they do not deserve him either. 

Problem is how do I ensure that they can't get him by the time they realise what they are missing? 

I discreetly stand from my seat and leave the now chaotic hall. If I can find him before someone else figures out who the mighty crown seeks, then I can ensure that the prideful family will never rule over any other kingdom. 

I make my way down the hallways of the majestic palace that is thrice the size of my father's castle. 

I stop the first servant I meet and he immediately bows his head as far as it can go. 

"At your service, your highness."

"Are you at liberty to take me to the slave quarters?" I question. 

"Absolutely, your highness. Follow me," he turns and leads the way down the grand staircase and out of the palace through the back. 

"That's the slave castle, m'lady," the servant points at a dilapidated building several metres away. "May I suggest that you send me to get whatever it is you seek?" he offers.

"No. But there are other ways you can help," I say and he eagerly nods.

"Tell me, is the bastard son of King Roderick's banished wife a slave of this palace?" I question. 

"Oh yes. Ever since he was a child," the servant answers. 

"And who is in charge of the scumbag?" I ask. "I wish to buy him as a gift for my father."

The servant appears surprised, but answers my question nevertheless.

"Um . . . Sir Bowman is in charge of all matters pertaining slaves. He is the one that decides which ones are to be traded, m'lady" 

"Then I wish to speak to Sir Bowman, immediately," I state and the servant nods.

"I will go get him," he bows again before hurrying back towards the palace. 

The heavily guarded slave castle looks battered and extremely filthy. Only a foolish clown like King Roderick would condemn his own son to living in such revolting conditions. If my plan succeeds he will be greatly rueful. 

I will ensure that his prideful family will never gain power over any other kingdom. I am a royal and have zero concern for the unfortunate child he enslaved. That child is however the key to the crown's mighty powers. Which means owning him would give me power over his imperious family and much more.

The servant returns earlier than expected walking behind a plump man in fine clothing.

"It is an honour to be at your service, your highness," he bows his head deeply. "I hear that you are looking for a healthy slave to buy," he adds, his face aglow with excitement.

"That's right. Are you at liberty to sell them to me?" I ask. 

"Of course. Tell me the kind of slave you want and my men will select the best for you," the official answers. 

"I want the bastard son of King Roderick's banished wife. He will be the best gift for my father," I say. 

Both the official and the servant appear astounded. I imagine they had not anticipated anyone to be seeking the illegitimate son when the crown of Elowen is expected to grant it's powers to one of the favoured princes.

"I am afraid that selling that one might not be entirely under my control, your highness. I can however speak to the king on your behalf." the official responds despite his earlier assurances that he was at liberty to sell anyone.

"I am a bit in a hurry. Will his majesty mind if you sell the slave at a stunning amount of a thousand gold coins?" I question.

The official happily smiles. "His majesty would be pleased by my work, your highness."

"Then get me the slave."