“All right,
ladies, please line up for the final event of the evening–The Ladies Parade,” a
voice boomed from the speakers. “Give your partner a smile and a curtsy, and
then ascend the stairs to the stage area.”
“Right,”
Marohka reasoned, “like I need any man.”
Harold, the
father presenter, liked to follow the old habit of bowing to one’s partner. The
custom to him added romance and grandeur to the evening. She could’ve told him
differently, but with him being an old stick from a bygone era and a hopeless
romantic, he wouldn’t have listened.
“Now,
gentlemen, here are the rules. Although, you might know them, I’ll restate them
again so no problems will occur because you forgot what you’re supposed to do.”
Harold paused a moment and scanned the crowd. “So listen carefully.”
Marohka and the
other girls started up both sides of the twin staircases. Harold stood at the
top of the landing, dressed in his usual green plaid suit. His cheeks colored
with his excitement.
“Each one of
these lovely ladies will be carrying a small placard with a number printed on
it.” Harold showed them a sample card. “The number is not how many mates she
desires.” The crowd broke into the expected laughter. Harold grinned.
She wished her
sign displayed a zero. Even one man was more than she needed. All evening,
she’d avoided them. If a man approached, she offered him a rude comment and
walked away to prove her lack of interest in catching a mate.
“If you’re attracted
to a certain lady and want to meet her in the mating arena, take note of her
number. If you write down the wrong number, you’ll be matched with a different
girl, which would result in an unwelcome surprise.” Harold released a small
cough of humor.
“You can choose
three women. In the end, however, you’ll only be mated with one.”
A good-natured
roar of disappointment exploded from the men in the hall. Marohka rolled her
eyes at the typical male response.
Harold sighed.
“Sorry, boys, that’s the rule. The Council of Elders will determine which girl
on your list will become your mate. Then it’s up to you to pass the next
challenges. The first duel is at three sharp in the battling arena. Be sure to
check the schedule. If you miss your fight time, you’ll be out of the running
and will have to wait until next year.”
Turning to the
girls standing beside him, Harold added. “Ladies, don’t worry. An escort will
be sent to your room to make sure you arrive on time.”
As the oldest
unmated girl, Marohka stood at the front of the line. Her future suspended on
the edge of success. She’d led the other girls down the red carpet, along the
edge of the dance floor, through the ballroom, and then back up the twin
staircase on the other side of the room many times. She drew in a deep breath,
preparing for her final steps to freedom.
Harold glanced
at her and nodded. “At the top of the list from the Taunton family is our
special princess, Marohka. A smart girl, she’ll offer any man a stimulating
adventure, where life will never be boring. She works hard and . . .”
Stepping
forward, she cut off Harold’s words by moving off the stage and out of the
spotlight. She detested the Royal Presenter selling her to these men. With her
job of finding qualtrilium and keeping her father’s company afloat, she had all
the challenges she needed in life.
Lustralia’s law
might require Royal girls to be present at the charade. But with this being her
final year of mandatory attendance, victory stood in sight. All she had to do
was navigate the man-infested waters between here and the staircase on the
other side of the room. Freedom waited.
She reached the
bottom of the staircase. Her path led her past a legion of men. From tall,
dark, and handsome to fair-haired wonders, an array of eligible men lined her
route. Dressed in fine, silk coats and tight fitted pants, they represented
hundreds of Royal families across the great land. All showed excellent breeding
and genteel manners. Any one of them would make a good mate to the girls behind
her, but none tempted her to lose her freedom.
Staring
straight ahead, she avoided eye contact with every man she passed. Moving along
the edge of the dance floor, she wove her way back and forth across the
assigned path. Her steps, jerky and clumsy, she hid her natural smooth gait. No
man, in his right mind, craved an ungraceful wife. At least, she hoped not.
With the stairs
a few steps ahead, she tasted victory and allowed herself a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness.”
A masculine
voice in front of her chuckled. “It’s not over yet, princess.”
Have a wonderful weekend,
Tina
