Embellish

Madden

“And you are willing to commit to living here until after the baby is born?” Mallard asks the third candidate he has chosen from the green file folder. I watch as she smiles brightly, but I am not impressed. She doesn’t hold any qualities I am interested in, and I had already put her in the no pile for a reason…. Just like the others.

“Yes, I have already spoken to my family,” she beams. “We have all agreed that you have the best medical staff here, and not only would it be safer for me but for the future heir of the kingdom,” she says, pulling her hair to the right side of her shoulder as her eyes meet mine.

Mallard nods, tapping his pen lightly against the candidate score paper as he thinks over her answer, making me smirk.

Ever since I gave him the responsibility of choosing, he has become very serious about every girl who has walked through these doors to interview…. serious is something Mallard rarely is, and I must say, I am impressed.  “And Ms. Cultry, have you ever had sex before?” Mallard asks, but I watch as she nervously moves her hair to the left side of her shoulder, trying to think of a suitable answer-- Uh-oh.

“Uhm, yes,” She pauses, “Well, no,” she squeaks as her fingers twist her hair. “I didn’t think it mattered?” she questions. “I hadn’t before,” she stutters, “But now…” she trails off, and my eyes dart to Mallard—third strike.

I watch as Mallard stands, shaking his head quickly, “I’m sorry, but this interview is over,” he sighs as he motions for her to stand before guiding her toward the door. “It didn’t matter before, but it does now,” he says, leading her out. “Thank you for coming in, but we will not be in touch.”

The door closes, and I watch him sigh deeply before he turns around, “Why is this so hard?” he asks, grumbling. And I can’t hold back my laughter any longer. I finally let it out as he stares at me with wide eyes, “Really, Madden? You find this funny?” he asks with shock written all over his face.

I nod, trying to control my breathing, “Yes, it’s hilarious,” I admit. “Yesterday, I was the one in charge, and today, it’s you,” I grin. “And now you see this isn’t all fun and games, is it?”

Mallard’s mouth opens, and he shakes his head, “No,” he admits as he walks toward me. “I thought this would be easy,” he says, looking at the stack of papers on the table, “These girls are different than what you and I both go for,” He pauses. “I was sure we would find the diamond we were looking for,” he sighs, sitting back down beside me. “But it seems like they are all liars….”

I chuckle, punching his shoulder, “And that surprises you?” I ask as I glance at the door. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” I say as I stand. “The pay is great, and so are the benefits,” I laugh. “Every single one of these women have embellished their application; I can guarantee that. You just didn’t notice because you get dibs on the ones I don’t choose,” I smirk as I stare at him.

Mallard laughs, shaking his head, “You really think they all lied?” he asks, his face full of confusion. “Would they really lie to the man who could them imprisoned for the rest of their lives?”

I nod, my face more serious, “Yes, Mallard. They want more than to be my surrogate,” I chuckle. “They want to be Queen.”

Mallard’s eyes widen as he gasps, “I never thought of it like that….” He admits. “I thought what you were offering was enough.”

“It is, but these women are ambitious,” I smirk. “They want more.”

Mallard nods, “Well, if you haven’t noticed,” he pauses,” I have been taking this much more seriously today,” he says, looking at me. “But now, I will even be more diligent.” He says with confidence.

I chuckle as there is a knock on the door, “I had noticed,” I smirk. “It’s been as if I was in an alternate universe,” I tease, “But thanks for looking out for me, Bro,” I say before offering a fist bump.

The door opens slowly as Mallard’s fist bumps mine, and a guard appears, “Your Highness, the next candidate is here,” he says before bowing.

“Send her in five minutes,” Mallard says, using an authoritative tone. “We want her to sweat,” he says, placing his fingers together devilishly. The guard nods, and I chuckle as the door closes.  I watch as Mallard stands and grabs a sheet of paper off the table, “Okay, this one I’m unsure about,” he admits before he sighs.

“And why is that?” I ask, and he turns quickly, handing me the application he has plucked off the table.

“Honestly, Madden, her application is TOO perfect,” He sighs as he sits beside me once more. “I mean, look at this,” he pauses, pointing to the third line, “Can speak French? That’s odd, isn’t it?”

I shake my head, “A lot of these women are bi-lingual,” I admit, but Mallard shakes his head. “Yes, with Spanish, but French isn’t common here…. even for the nobles,” he pauses. “It just makes me think she is trying to use your mother as a stepping stone.”

I sigh—my mother. I honestly do not know much about her…other than that she was French; she died when I was three.

“But how?” I question, and Mallard sighs.

“Maybe you have just made me paranoid now,” He admits, and I chuckle before there is a soft knock on the door.

“What’s her name?” I whisper before bellowing that she may enter.

“Annabelle,” Mallard says as the door opens slowly. “Annabelle Mason.”

I nod, but when the door opens, my mouth opens wide as I stare at the most beautiful creature I have ever seen… But is she the one? Or is Mallard right?

 How much has she embellished on her application? Hopefully, none…. Because I want her.

“Come sit, please,” Mallard says, pointing to the chair across from us, but her movements are slow and unsure.

She’s lacking confidence, which I am already finding strange.

“Of course, your Highness,” she says softly before walking toward us, but Mallard laughs, making her stop dead in her tracks.

“I am not the King,” He smirks, “He is,“  he says as I stand. “May I present King Madden.” I smile as I admire her beauty, but she only freezes, clearly embarrassed by her mistake… and then it happens… she faints.