EVOLET
"Waw! This is beautiful!" I exclaimed at the sight of the beautiful large dining room.
As the Queen had instructed, every Damsel that made it to the next round, came into the room in the dresses that she sent to us.
I was putting on mine. A bright purple floral dress, which actually matches my name. Derby, who stood next to me at the dining room, wore a blue sparkling attire, gazing at the interior of the large room with happiness.
"You can say that again. I think I'm going to explode!" she shrieked, grabbing my arm in excitement.
I wanted to join her in this joyous moment, but it was ruined by Fiona, who cat walked into the dining in her own dress, a red and black floral attire.
"Wow," Derby and I had uttered on dropping our eyes on Fiona's dress. It was the most beautiful gown in that room, outshining other maiden's attire in the room.
Other girls gawked at her sparkling dress, giving her all the attention she needed.
And when Fiona was engulfed with this praises, she took a glance my way and smirked out with pride.
That made me disgusted.
"How come her dress is more beautiful than the rest of us? I hope the Queen isn't using this to point out her favourite among us?" Derby groaned, sharing her suspicion.
And I couldn't help but to take in Derby's words to mind. To me… it felt like the Queen was favoring Fiona after her performance at the arena.
"What are you thinking, Evolet? You're just exaggerating. Don't jump to conclusions," I pacified my fear from within, taking in a deep breathe, then out.
Just then, Sorceress Thelma stepped into the room and said to us all, "Welcome Ladies. Do have your seat, please."
With a wave of her hand, the seats came pulling back, amusing everyone of us.
We all smiled in delight, watching the sorceress showcase her power, before we all took our seat.
"Queen Chriselda and Alpha Allen will be here soon. You all should make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you, Sorceress Thelma," Fiona voiced out, bowing her head in respect.
Her action impressed the sorceress who smiled at her with pleasure, making the rest of us look disrespectful.
"Thank you, Sorceress Thelma!" The rest of us chorused, bowing our heads just like Miss Perfect.
Unlike Fiona, the Sorceress didn't give us a smile, but just stood aside, still gazing towards Fiona's direction with admiration.
"Gosh! She just won the Sorceress's heart wit that move. I don't like this," I panicked within, looking at Fiona.
She was seated like a saint, giving the innocent damsel's vibe. But I know this is just an act to impress the Queen. And if she makes the Sorceress happy, she has a high chance of getting the Queen to notice her.
That will only spoil things for me.
"Goddess, I only depend on you. Please help me," I prayed within, slowly holding my necklace.
Not too long, Queen Chriselda stepped into the room alone. Alpha Allen wasn't with her.
We all got to our feet and welcomed her, bowing our head at the Queen.
She walked up to her seat and sat down. "You may sit," she said, sounding odd.
We all did as she said, looking at her direction.
I noticed how moody the Queen was, as she gazed straight at the table for the next three minutes, all quiet.
"Is she okay?" Derby whispered to me, also noticing the Queen's behaviour. "She's acting weird."
"Be careful, Derby. You don't want the Queen to hear you," I whispered back, so as to caution her. Only for my whole body to shiver at the sight of the Queen's eyes darting straight at me!
I shivered in fear, hoping she'd look away. But I was wrong.
"May I know what you two are talking about?" Queen Chriselda asked, sitting up.
With her eyes on both Derby and I, everyone at the table were able to trace her gaze to our direction, staring.
Embarrassed, that's how I felt while rising to my feet, along with Derby. I could feel my knees trembling, hovering my gaze from one maiden's face to another, then at the Queen's.
It was so humiliating.
"Um… we… I was asking her about something. Evolet wasn't talking. I was," Derby stammered, accepting her action.
I wished I could thank her right there for taking the blame, but someone was out to ruin everything for us.
Before Queen Chriselda could respond to Derby's words… "You two have forgotten where you are, haven't you?" Fiona interfered, glaring at us.
Who asked for her opinion?! She's acting like the Luna already.
"This is not your home. You are in our precious Queen's mansion. Learn to behave yourself," Fiona scolded us.
Mine, as well as Derby's mouth, dropped at her behaviour. I felt annoyed, ready to say something to Fiona, when I heard the Queen utter, "Thank you, my dear. Seems you are wiser than the others. Or should I say wiser like me."
Queen Chriselda smiled, revealing her delight at Fiona's action.
This wasn't looking well for me. Fiona is gradually stealing the Queen's attention, making me look like the bad egg here.
"No matter what, I can't allow her plans to succeed. Allen and I belong together. But speaking of the Alpha… Why isn't he here?" I wondered, directing my gaze at the entrance the Queen had stepped out from.
"Thank you, my Queen. Um… When is the Alpha joining us?" Fiona asked, taking the words from my mind.
Queen Chriselda, now looking bright with a smile across her face, responded to Fiona's question. "My son won't be joining us tonight. As the Alpha, he has a lot of work to attend to."
Her response made my heart skip with sadness. I was hoping to see and speak to him tonight.
"I know if he sees me properly, he'll recognize his love, me." I smiled, flashing back to that night when he kissed me.
Since then, I've been crazy about that man.
"Last night, the Pack's horn was blown, revealing the presence of a rogue in our beautiful land," The Queen shared, pulling me out of my dreams.
I was shocked, remembering the roller coaster ride in the forest with Cadell last night.
"Alpha Allen is attending to the case. He'll make sure that the rogue is caught and punished," she said with pride, getting all the ladies to clap with delight.
But I wasn't happy with this information. This matter involves two important people in my life. One is the love of my life, and the other is that Pervy wolf of mine!
Damn it! What will happen when they discover the rogue they are after is my so-called wolf?
"I need to be careful. And where the hell did that dummy run off to?! He better not get caught or else I'll skin him alive!" I grumbled, getting worried about Cadell.
Just then, the Queen waved her hand at Derby and I, giving us the go ahead to sit.
We both bowed at her in appreciation, listening to her announcement.
"Let's not divert from the main topic now. You ladies have made it to the next round. But it won't be starting tonight or tomorrow. The next game will begin in two weeks time, so you need to use this opportunity to boost your skills and get yourselves ready."
"My Sorceress…" she signaled to the elderly lady from behind, who drew closer to the table, staring at us with seriousness. "She will help you girls in your training, along with Beta Dean and Gamma Dave. They will help prepare you girls for the next round."
Her announcement pleased all the ladies. They were excited.
She went on to talk about tomorrow, suggesting that we can head home to see our family one more time, and also follow one or two rules.
"If you'll be staying here as a contestant, then you need to follow the rules. First, no phones or gadget. And second, you can't bring any of your belongings to this place. Every item will be provided to you," she added.
I felt glad about that second rule, since I didn't have anything nice to bring along to the mansion. My belongings will only get the others laughing, and I trust Fiona on that aspect. She'll use that to disgrace me.
"My Queen," Fiona's voice came in, getting everyone's attention.
The Queen faced her direction, waiting to hear from her. That's when this backstabbing witch said, pointing at my direction, "You said no personal belongings allowed, but Evolet has that wild dog in your mansion. Doesn't that rule apply to her pet?"
I gasped on hearing Fiona. She's trying to ruin me by getting rid of Cadell!
"I mean… It's her belonging. You will provide her with another wolf, right?"
"No!" I voiced out unexpectedly, surprising everyone.
Calmly, I stood against Fiona's words, giving reasons why Cadell can't leave. "He has no one. That poor creature sees me as his only family."
"Ah, Yes. I forgot you are carrying out the late Queen's example. Friendly with other creatures," the Queen said, mocking me.
Her words struck me deeply, as she compared me to Queen Violet, calling me her double.
It got the others chuckling, except for Derby, who wasn't pleased.
"Yes, the Queen may be dead, but her legacy still leaves on in our hearts. That's why you used that nonsense in getting into the next round, portraying the true Queen. Isn't that right, Evolet?" She asked in mockery, smirking at me.
I felt ashamed, hearing the others laugh out loudly. It made me wish the ground could just open up and swallow me right there, hiding me from the others.
"And what a coincidence. You ended up with a purple dress. Queen Violet's favourite color. How charming," she scoffed, adding more spice to the matter.
My eyes fell on the dress I was putting on. I didn't know the color purple was the late Luna's color. Probably because her name is Violet, just like mine is Evolet.
But… Did she send this to me on purpose, just to make fun of me over what happened at the arena?
And that wasn't all. Her dress… it was red and black, just like Fiona's!
It's just like Derby said. Maybe the Queen is indicating her favourite damsel through the dresses she sent to us.
And that's Fiona.
This was a clear sign that she likes Fiona than the rest of us.
"Goddess, help me out. Please let Allen see and recognize me. That's the only way we can be together and convince Queen Chriselda that we belong to each other. I can't let Fiona defeat me. I won't allow it."