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CHAPTER 2

AMELIA

I knew that the challenge I faced was colossal, but I also knew that within me was a strength capable of overcoming any obstacle. And with that certainty, I prepared to face whatever destiny held for me that night.

As time dragged on, my anxiety grew like a voracious flame within me.

Every second felt like an eternity, and the silence in the main hall was deafening. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest, the sound echoing in my ears like a distant drum.

As we waited, I observed the other girls around me.

Their faces displayed a mixture of fear and anticipation, mirroring my own emotions. We were all pawns in this cruel game, at the mercy of the will of a king we barely knew.

The hall was imbued with a palpable tension, as if the very air were electrified by the imminence of the event. I felt as if I were on the edge of a precipice, about to plunge into an uncertain destiny.

"Beautiful dress.", a voice said, and I turned to see a girl with blonde hair wearing a green dress.

"My mother made it for me; thank you."

"You seem very nervous, and from the look on your face, I can see you want to run away from this castle. My name is Anna.", she said with a smile, and I nodded.

"Actually, I am very scared. I am Amelia."

"Don't feel so bad; we're all scared, Amelia. But only one of us will be chosen, and then everything will go back to normal."

Finally, the heavy doors of the hall swung open, revealing a tall man, but I realize he is not the king. His cold, penetrating eyes swept the hall, assessing each of us with an intensity that made me shudder.

I shrank slightly under his gaze, feeling like cornered prey before a relentless predator. The man approached the center of the hall, his presence dominating the space with undeniable authority. His lips curled into a chilling smile as his eyes scanned the rows of girls before him.

"Welcome, young ladies.", he said with a smooth voice, yet laden with authority.

"Today is a special day for our kingdom, the day when one of you will have the honor of becoming our king's new queen."

His words echoed in the hall, filling the air with palpable tension. I swallowed hard, struggling to control the waves of panic threatening to engulf me.

The man began to traverse the hall, stopping before each of us to examine us closely. When he finally approached me, I felt my heart freeze in my chest. His dark eyes fixed on me, probing me as if reading my deepest thoughts.

For an endless moment, we stood in silence, locked in a game of gazes that seemed to transcend time and space. Then, finally, he withdrew, and his interest seemingly dissipated.

A collective sigh of relief echoed through the hall, but I could barely breathe. My legs trembled under the weight of relief, and I leaned against one of the marble columns to avoid collapsing to the floor.

As the man continued his inspection of the other girls, I found myself lost in my own thoughts.

What would happen now? And where is the king?

These thoughts whirled in my mind like a furious storm, clouding my reasoning and undermining my determination. I wished with every fiber of my being that he would just ignore me and that he would choose another girl to be his wife.

But deep down, I knew I couldn't escape my fate. I was destined to be one of the twelve chosen ones, no matter how much I wished otherwise.

"The ball will begin now, and each of you is free to explore and enjoy yourselves before our king's decision. Explore and charm your king.", he said with a smile.

Murmurs intensified, and the girls began to move, following the man who had been assigned to lead them inside the double doors.

I joined the group, my heart still pounding heavily in my chest. The tension in the air was palpable as we advanced through the hall, each step feeling heavier than the last.

As the doors opened before us, I was greeted by a stunning sight. A larger hall stretched out before me, illuminated by chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Richly decorated tables were arranged around the space, covered with a variety of foods and drinks that I had never seen before.

My eyes widened at the scene, absorbing every detail with fascination and a hint of apprehension. There were beings of all kinds and sizes gathered there, a miscellany of supernatural creatures that seemed to have stepped out of legends and fairy tales.

As the twelve girls entered the hall, I felt their curious and speculative gazes upon us. I felt more nervous than ever, aware that we were the center of attention at that moment.

I decided to walk towards one of the tables, seeking some kind of refuge in the familiarity of the furniture. Around me, elegantly dressed people conversed animatedly, their smiles and laughter filling the air with a festive atmosphere.

Soft music began to echo through the hall, filling it with its entrancing melody. I looked around in wonder, trying to absorb all the grandeur and opulence of the place.

The tempting aromas of the foods and drinks wafted through the air, arousing my curiosity and appetite. I approached the nearest table, observing the exotic dishes and gleaming goblets laid out there.

As I helped myself to an unknown drink, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I turned to find the warm gaze of an older woman, dressed in extravagant attire that exuded elegance and sophistication.

A vampire.

"You seem a bit lost, my dear.", she said with a friendly smile.

"Can I help?"

I thanked her for her kindness with a nod, trying to hide my anxiety.

"I'm just... trying to get used to all this.", I admitted timidly.

The woman nodded understandingly, placing a comforting hand on my arm.

"I understand perfectly. This is a new and dazzling world for many of us. But don't worry; soon you'll feel at home."

Home.

Surely this castle was not my home.

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