Chapter 5 👑 ROYAL SELECTION 👑

The palace bustled with activity as luxurious cars arrived, throwing out beautiful, elegantly dressed young women. Each participant stepped out, eyes wide with wonder, taking in the palace's grandeur.

Diana's face glowed with excitement, her smile radiant. Stella's eyes sparkled, her brow arched with curiosity. The other ladies, equally stunning, exchanged nervous glances.

Maids, liveried and courteous, greeted each lady.

"Welcome, ladies," a maid said. "Please, follow me."

The maids led them to their respective rooms, each one lavishly appointed.

Diana's eyes widened as she entered her room.

"Wow, this is incredible!" Diana exclaimed.

Stella's face mirrored Diana's awe.

"This is like a dream," Stella whispered.

The maids smiled, helpful.

"my lady, please make yourself comfortable," a maid said. "The king and queen have instructed us to ensure your every need is met."

Though Dominic and his brothers were absent, the king and queen's presence was felt.

In the throne room, the king and queen sat, regal and composed.

"Ensure the ladies are well taken care of," the king instructed the maids.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the maids curtsied.

The queen's expression turned warm.

"We await the seer's arrival," the queen said. "He will address the ladies shortly."

As the maids dispersed, the ladies settled into their rooms, excitement building.

Diana paced, her mind racing.

Stella gazed out the window, palace gardens unfolding before her.

The other ladies busied themselves, exploring their rooms, marveling at the luxury.

Anticipation hung in the air, each lady wondering what the future held.

Suddenly, a soft knock on the door broke the silence.

"A messenger from the king," a maid announced.

Diana's heart skipped a beat.

"The seer has arrived," the maid said. "Please, join the others in the throne room."

Diana's face set, determination etched on her features.

Stella's eyes locked onto Diana's.

"It's time," Stella whispered.

The ladies gathered, elegance and poise personified, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The throne room fell silent as the seer, eyes closed, entered.

His presence commanded attention.

The ladies watched, curious.

Diana's brow furrowed.

Stella's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

The seer's eyes snapped open, piercing. "Ladies, I sense you are eager to begin," the seer said. His gaze swept the room. "You have been chosen for a noble purpose," the seer continued. "To potentially become the bride of the crown prince."

The ladies exchanged glances.

Diana's face lit up.

Stella's expression turned hopeful.

But the seer's expression faltered. He paused, his eyes scanning the room. Something felt off. A nagging sense in his gut. The seer's brow furrowed. "I sense an incomplete gathering," the seer said. His eyes narrowed. "One of the chosen is absent," the seer declared.

The ladies exchanged confused glances.

Diana's face scrunched.

"Who?" Ruby asked.

The seer's gaze drifted, searching. "I am not certain," the seer replied. "But the signs are clear."

The king and queen exchanged concerned glances.

"Could it be Katherine?" Stella whispered to Diana.

"Katherine?" Diana repeated.

"This changes things," the seer said.

The room fell silent, tension building.

The seer's eyes closed, seeking guidance.

The ladies waited, uncertainty etched on their faces.

Diana's eyes met Stella's.

What did this mean for them?

For the kingdom?

The seer's eyes opened, determination burning.

"We must find the missing one," the seer declared.

The king and queen exchanged perplexed glances.

"What do we do?" King Ryder asked, his brow furrowed.

The seer's departure left them with more questions than answers.

"We will wait till they are complete," the seer said. "Find out who the missing person is within the next two days, and she must be present among them."

The seer's words hung in the air, and then he left.

The king dismissed the ladies, and they filed out of the throne room, chatter subdued.

Diana's face reflected confusion.

Stella's eyes whispered concern.

Once the ladies departed, the king and queen conferenced with their advisors.

Ruby's expression turned thoughtful.

"How about we send a message to each of the families and confirm if any of their daughters refused to be among them?" Ruby suggested.

Riley nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, Dad... That will be great," Riley said.

Queen Charlotte's face lit up.

"That's a wonderful idea, Ruby," Queen Charlotte said.

King Ryder's expression turned resolute.

"Send the messages immediately," King Ryder instructed.

The advisors scrambled to obey.

The king and queen shared a concerned glance.

"Who could this missing lady be?" Queen Charlotte wondered.

King Ryder's brow furrowed.

"And what family?" King Ryder added.

The palace staff scurried to dispatch messages to the invited families.

Uncertainty hung in the air, awaiting the responses.

In the midst of this confusion, Dominic's absence was visible.

His brothers, Ethan, Lucas, and Alex, lingered nearby, curious.

"What's happening?" Ethan asked.

"The seer detected an incomplete gathering," Ruby replied.

Alex's eyes widened.

"Missing lady?" Alex repeated.

The brothers exchanged intrigued glances.

The mystery deepened.

★NOAH'S MANSION★

Mrs. Amma's face lit up with urgency as she rushed into the living room.

"Katherine, you have to see this!" Mrs. Amma exclaimed.

Katherine looked up from her book, curious.

Mrs. Amma waved the letter from the palace.

"You have to go to the palace," Mrs. Amma said, her voice firm.

Katherine's expression turned resistant.

"I don't want to, Mom," Katherine said, her brow furrowed.

Mr. Noah's face turned serious.

"But, the gathering is not complete because of you," Mr. Noah said.

Katherine's eyes narrowed.

"Dad, how are we sure if I am the one not making the gathering complete? It could be anyone else," Katherine argued.

Tony's expression turned stern. "Kathy, you have to listen to us and go. Or they will force you to once they find out you're the missing one," Tony warned.

Katherine's face set, determination etched.

"I am not changing my mind," Katherine said.

She dashed to her room, leaving her family worried.

Mrs. Amma's face fell, concern etched.

"Katherine, please!" Mrs. Amma called out.

The door slammed shut.

Mr. Noah sighed heavily.

"We should have convinced her," Mr. Noah said.

Tony's eyes met Mrs. Amma's.

"What if they force her to go?" Tony asked.

Mrs. Amma's expression turned anxious.

"We'll figure something out," Mrs. Amma said.

The room fell silent, tension hanging.

In Katherine's room, she paced, frustration boiling.

"Why can't they understand?" Katherine muttered.

Her eyes locked onto the palace's letter, crumpled on the floor.

Katherine's jaw set. "I won't go."