NIA'S POV
As I saw Arthur stomp away, clearly going upstairs, I feared for Elsa. I wondered what was happening up there. The dining table was rounded with me, Ursula, Andrew, and some members of the Conbraids. Silas was still uncomfortable, his face when Arthur requested he sit next to me told me that much. He kept on tossing the chicken on his plate, avoiding eye contact with me. It went on for too long, I had to break the silence.
"How did you see the mansion? Hope your leg doesn't hurt from all that walking?" I tried joking, maybe that would make him comfortable, but it didn't.
"Great, I enjoyed the view. You hardly see a place so homely and so sophisticated nowadays. It even has a love garden." He said, laughing to himself. It sounded great. I didn't know if I was supposed to be thinking about how good his
NIA'S POV"Why do you want to know?" I asked. Something was definitely up with Elsa and Arthur. First, she wouldn't even identify the problem they seem to have had. Second, he went upstairs to fetch her himself when she refused to eat lunch."Nothing. I was just thinking that I have never actually heard you talk about both of you and your story. I would love to hear it." Elsa said, her face expressionless."Well, it was through the regular way, 'the pick'" Elsa's brow shot up in question and I rushed to explain. "It's an event where the people both outside and inside royalty brought their mature enough daughters who have already wolfed out for the king to choose from.""So if he chooses her, what happens next?" Elsa asked."He becomes her husband and she bares him an heir," I answered. Elma sat quietly as if contemplating what to say next."And if he doesn't see a person he wants there?""It's not possible, well... It is possible, but it's mandatory that he has to choose one.""So how
URSULA'S POVIt was midnight, and I couldn't sleep. Andrew was supposed to come to my room tonight for us to talk. The two times we had sex, I could swear on my most valuable jewelry that it was a mistake. Now it was kind of weird that recently I'd not been able to sleep without him. A knock sounded at my door making me jerk."Who is it?""It's me." Arthur's voice rang through the other side of the door. My heart dropped to my stomach. "Um... Come in." Arthur entered the room and smiled at me. What was happening?"Hi. How are you doing?""I'm doing fine, you?""Great, great. I just wanted to see how you were doing.""You saw me today, Arthur. Is there a problem?" My voice was trembling and I was trying to hide it. I was doing a bad job."I know, I just wanted to apologize for... Recently I've been a little bit intense.""It's okay, everything has been intense, with Elsa and the Conbraids and the rogues and all.""Well... I'm glad you understand. You usually don't, so I'm glad you und
ELSA'S POVThe room was quiet for a while, then Arthur came to stand beside me in front of the fridge. He stared at the wasted carton then at me, his gaze questioning and apologizing."I'm sorry for scaring you and making you drop the milk you craved. Feel free to get another one from the fridge, there's plenty.""I was just about to do that. Thank you." I grabbed another carton and then walked a short distance to the cabinet to get a glass. I felt his gaze on me but made no move to comment on it."You like milk, huh?" He said, making me freeze, then forcefully urged me off that state. I didn't want to give him any reason to be suspicious. Everything was still in the planning phase, and until I had everything figured out and on the move, I was going t
NIA'S POVI carefully scrutinized my dresser for the best workout dress to wear. If I wanted to get a good result today, I needed to look my best. Cute was the word. I quickly had cereals, munching as fast as I could through every grain that had me stuck in one long chew. It was like I was a schoolgirl trying to impress her crush."Slow down, or you'll bite your tongue or worse, choke," Elsa said from beside me at the dining table. While I had settled for sky blue, she had decided to go with baby pink.""I don't want to be late on the first day of training, I want to be punctual and impress the shit out of the Conbraids.""Any particular Conbraid in mind?" Elsa asked a sly smile on her face.
ARTHUR'S POVI had never been a fan of events, but just as Edgar said, I had a very special kind of dread and hatred for 'The Pick'. Everyone would be so expectant, leaving you hanging and angry and lost. I had another choice of words. It was easier when I had to choose Nia. She stepped inside that hall and I knew I was going to go with her. Now, I was beyond tired of picking wives. I was already facing problems with the ones I had already."Can't we just shift the date for it? I have been so busy already with the Conbraids, and the people.""We have pushed it for two years, I don't think it'll be wise for us to do anything of the sort or the people will start questioning your abilities as a man." Edgar's voice raised, accusation filled. If not that I had been warned severel
ELSA'S POV"What about your parents?" Elton asked and my heart thudded. Was he aware of who I was? Why would he ask of my parents if he didn't? I tried to look ok cool and collected, even though I felt nothing like that at this moment."What about them?" I asked, playing dumb. Hoping he was buying it."How are they doing?""Um... Why... Why do you want to know?" I asked, hearing the accusation in my tone. I didn't mean to get defensive but I saw no reason why he would be interested to know about my parents out of the blue."Well, I just shared a story you thought was pretty impressive of my family, I think it's only fair that you do the same. If it makes yo
ELSA'S POVSalad. It was like there was a spell attached to it. Anytime we had salad for dinner it always turned out to be awkward. The Conbraids had joined us that evening and even before we were served, nobody said a word. Just exchanged looks. Arthur was staring at me intently like there was something at the tip of his tongue, I didn't look back at him, it would bring attention to us, and just like he had commanded, it was better to keep what was going on between us, whatever it was a secret. Besides, I liked the idea because it wouldn't make things as difficult as it has to be when it was time for me to run. Nia and Silas on the other hand, sat beside each other as always. Ursula sat beside Arthur, Andrew was by my left, and Elton, my right."So we are going to be hosting 'the pick' ceremony. I'm sure you have all heard abo
NIA'S POVI knocked on Elsa's door, hoping she was back already after all it was a bit late. I stayed there, waiting for a reply which I didn't get. Just as I was about to knock again, Elsa called out from behind me."Hey, stranger. What are you still doing awake by this time of the day?" She asked walking towards her door in what I would call a happy way."Why are you not in your room, on top of your bed sleeping by this time of the day?""I was with someone. Elton. We lost track of time. Don't be angry or irritated if I burp about eight times tonight, we had some tacos. Probably the best I have ever tasted.""Well, you sound like you had yourself some fun.""It's because I did. I never knew food carts were this influential with food." She unlocked her room, and we both entered inside."Well thank God one of us had fun, it's good to know.""Maybe next time the both of us could go, you should know that the guards do not give breathing space in the name of protection, it is so annoying