7

"I'm so glad you're here," Fiona linked her arm through mine as we walked towards the table set for breakfast. 

"Where would I go?" I laughed. 

Fiona shrugged, "Maybe a vampire stole you away at night." 

As we took our seats, I noticed Esme's eyes on me. 

"I'm sure Esme would want that," I said. 

"I don't think she hates you," Fiona shrugged. 

"Trust me, Fiona, I think she despises me," I shook my head, my heart leaping as the servants brought in breakfast. 

"Who do you think is going to last through The Cut?" Fiona asked, as a platter of fruits was set in front of her. I hardly knew a lot of the girls' names but there were those of them who stood out to me. 

"Obviously not me," I laughed. "Obviously Esme- and Ashley." Ashley was turning out to be Esme's right hand woman. They whispered to each other, giggled together and you could feel almost every girl wishing they were just like Esme and Ashley. Ashley was gorgeous, with a foreign face one couldn't quite place. 

"I think Katherine as well- she has a very...outstanding bosom," Fiona giggled. 

As we looked around the table, I noticed how similar the Ladies were. They were all beautiful in their own right, with perfect manners, giggling and chatting. They all seemed like the same programmed person- the Prince would have a hard time choosing between them. 

"I personally think dresses from Paris are so overrated. This summer my family went to Milan and the fashion there is impeccable," Esme bragged, earning her 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the girls. 

"I've been to Milan- the fashion isn't all that," Fiona rolled her eyes. 

I wondered how the Ladies managed to travel outside Aridia for the holidays. My mother was extremely lazy and any sort of traveling 'wore her out'. Caroline normally didn't care where we were, as long as she had a suitable list of suitors pining after her. The main reason I didn't think my father liked to travel was because he was an extreme cheapskate and despite him being a Viscount, he liked to hoard his money. 

Breakfast was absolutely splendid. I stuffed myself with toast, eggs, fruits and juice until I felt my stomach would burst. The girls showed me no mercy, giving me disgusted stares here and there as I 'occasionally' popped an omelet in my mouth. 

"Look at the amount of food on Isadora's plate," Fiona whispered, wide eyed. 

Isadora's plate was virtually empty save for a piece of sausage and a berry. It did explain why she was so skinny, and looked like she could break at any moment.  

"Magdalene, what finishing school did you attend?" Esme asked, turning to me. 

Now, all the girls' eyes were on me, waiting for my response. I wasn't going to ignore the fact that Esme had 'forgotten' my name. 

"I went to Hartford," I said, truthfully. "But, I'm sure your finishing school was much more prestigious, Emma." 

Esme's eyes narrowed before she turned to converse with someone else. 

"You should really stop taunting Esme," A girl said. She wasn't conventionally pretty with large facial features. Her face kind of reminded me of a horse's. "I went to finishing school with her and when she doesn't like someone, she makes the person's life miserable."

I rolled my eyes. "Esme loves me." 

"I'm being serious, Madeline. Stay away from Esme- she can be dangerous," Horse girl warned, before turning away. 

Ladies were so unnecessarily dramatic. What was the worst Esme could do to me? Pull my hair? 

Breakfast was eaten with a weird tension surrounding the table. Also, it didn't help matters that immediately after breakfast, we were to spend the afternoon with the Queen and Princess in the salon. I found salons awfully boring and my stomach filled with dread as breakfast drew to an end. 

"What talent are you going to be presenting?" Fiona asked. 

"Talent?" I raised an eyebrow. 

"Yes, we have to present a talent to the Queen and Princess," Fiona said, like it was common knowledge. I had no idea about the presentation. Besides, I had been told I was completely talent-less. I didn't have the grace to dance and I had an extremely horrible voice. 

"Don't tell me you don't have a talent," Fiona's eyes widened incredulously. 

I bit my lip in thought, "I'll think of something." 

*** 

The Queen's salon was a large lavender smelling room with a cluster of tables and chaises. There were 2 small 'thrones' that I guessed belong to the Queen and Princess. As we entered the room, I was relieved to see a wall entirely covered by books. 

I guess I won't be completely bored. 

The Ladies were arranged in a straight line which I quickly joined. Once we were all arranged in the line, the doors opened again and the Queen and Princess walked in. The Ladies curtsied and I followed suit, just a beat late. 

"Good afternoon, Ladies," Queen Amelia addressed. Her eyes raked each girl from top to bottom and when they met mine, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Her eyes were extremely unnerving. 

"This salon is a chance for me to get to know you as well as you showing me your individual talents," Queen Amelia explained. 

She resumed her seat on her throne and my eyes couldn't help but dart over to Princess Barbara. She looked like she would love to be anywhere but here and rolled her eyes countless times. At least we felt the same way. 

The Ladies began different tasks. Some of the Ladies knitted, while some played chess. I watched as Fiona took a seat in front of piano and started playing the most enchanting tune I'd ever heard. 

I stood awkwardly, wondering what I could do. I was horrible at knitting, disastrous at chess and I couldn't play a tune for my life. 

I was instantly attracted to the bookshelf. Reading was easily my most favorite pastime. I loved sneaking away into my father's library and stealing his books though my mother said men didn't like women who read too much. I couldn't care less what men liked so I read nonetheless. I enjoyed learning about far away countries, myths and fantastical tales.  

Taken aback by the amount of books, I ran my fingers along the fairly dusty spines. I picked a random one out and opened to the first page. I was drawn into the world of faeries, water nymphs, gods and goddesses and for the first time in the competition, I actually felt like myself. 

As I sat alone, I watched each Lady, trying to decipher them. 

Esme was easily the most beautiful Lady. I certainly didn't like her but I had to admit, her knitting skills were immaculate. 

The next Lady was Lady Ashley Fulton, who I recognized as Esme's right hand woman. She was knitting as well but her skills weren't nearly as good as Esme's. 

Another Lady who was fairly close to Esme and Ashley was Lady Petulia Horton. Her looks were extremely average, along with her knitting skills. I couldn't tell what exactly she was knitting but I think it was meant to be some sort of flower- which it looked nothing like. 

Playing the flute was Lady Isadora, the skinniest girl of the bunch. Despite her being frighteningly small, she played the flute like a professional and grace painted her features as she closed her eyes, enveloped in the tune. Lady Isadora didn't speak much, though she reminded me of a water nymph, small and dainty. She mostly kept to herself and apparently, played the flute. 

The rest of the Ladies all seemed extremely similar to me, including the girl that resembled a horse from earlier on, whose name, I realized, was Lady Ursula Blythe. They played chess, or just conversed. They were all seemed to dress the same and I thought them extremely boring. 

"Now, the Queen will watch your presentations- a showcase of your individual talents," A man who I assumed to be the Royal Butler announced. 

The Ladies exchanged nervous and excited looks as everyone resumed their position in the straight line. I started to panic. I wasn't talented in anything apart from riding, climbing trees and reading which I didn't think the Queen would appreciate. 

I had to think of something. And fast. 

First up was Esme who did an exquisite solo dance. As her muscles twisted, her face depicted calm and tranquility and as she danced, I realized once again how beautiful she was- and how she was most likely to win the competition- even if we hadn't seen His Royal Highness. 

Ashley tap danced and somehow, she still managed to be elegant. When I tried to tap dance I looked manic. 

The line shortened as the girls presented their talents to Queen Amelia, who certainly didn't look impressed, though, I didn't think her expression changed much. 

Soon, it came to be Fiona's turn and I watched as Fiona curtsied in front of the Queen. She hadn't told me what her 'talent' was and I was excited to find out. 

"I am Lady Fiona Kensley, of the Lester Kensleys," Fiona introduced. The Queen gave Fiona a curt nod before Fiona positioned her hand lightly on her stomach. 

Fiona's mouth opened and words flew out in the most magnificent tune. A series of gasps and whispers could be heard across the Ladies and I couldn't stop my jaw dropping. I had never heard someone with a more beautiful voice. Somehow, Fiona's singing made me feel more nervous than ever as I had no idea what to do. 

Eventually, Fiona stopped and the Ladies applauded. She walked back with a warm smile, her cheeks rosy. "Good luck," She whispered. 

I definitely needed it. 

I tentatively walked to the space in front of the Queen and did my best curtsy and as I rose, my eyes connected with hers, setting me on edge. 

"I am Lady Madeline Prowess of the Colgate Prowesses," I said, trying my best to sound confident.