"Your wish will come true."
Perhaps Medea's wish had not been so stupid, wondered Heera. After all, the prince would at least remember it. After everyone had only desired jewellery and clothing, now the remaining candidates took care of Medea an example and wished the strangest things - unicorns, flying dogs or talking cats.
Finally, only Heera and another girl were left. She had all the time hiding shyly behind the others elect who was downright tiny. The little one had pale skin and a crouching, almost timid attitude. Nevertheless Heera could tell at first glance what would have led that girl who was now one of the chosen ones. Her hair was the colour of ripe rose hips, but that was nothing compared to her eyes: So green and sparkling like emeralds. And her graceful figure, gave her the appearance of a fairy.
clandestinely she glanced at Heera, but when she crossed her arms across her chest and made no move to come before the throne, she stepped hesitantly toward the prince.
"Erina, right?" asked Lean and grinned at her. She nodded excited and delighted that he could remember her name, and not hide. "What do you want?"
"I would like nothing more than to be allowed to spend a day with you, my lord," she said unexpectedly brave and looked longingly at the prince. This was slightly taken by surprise, but his mother took over the word. She clapped her hands in delight, rose from her throne, walked up to the girl and locked her warmly in her arms. "What a wonderful answer!" She praised. "Thou shalt be the first who will get a meeting with the prince!" Lean was not even asked, but he nodded in agreement.
Again the envious whispers broke among the other applicants, but the prince ignored it and kept all his attention on Heera. Now was the only one before the throne, while the other girls were already stepped aside.
"What about you? Do you wish a keg of beer? "Lean teased, amused.
Heera did not enter into his game. " You wanted me drink under the table!”, She called naughty.
"Another time," Niobe interrupted her sharply. Heera was in their eyes an injustice in the castle. She came not as a bride even in the slightest manner, even if her son seemed to have found on the unbridled behaviour favourable. "Please, call us your wish!"
Heera had long thought about it and had to have safely made the right choice. They had less thought of the prince, but especially to their parents. "I want a horse, but not for the dressage or hunting, but a workhorse for my old father to pull the cart to order the field."
There was silence in the hall and lean looked at her seriously. "Do you feel your family is so important?"
"More important than anything else," Heera replied without hesitation and sought eye contact with her sister, but she was only guilty conscious and looked down. She did not think about something that would make the lives of the family easier. But Heera did not blame her. Medea would become queen and her parents will get a good life and Elena will get a secured future. Heera thought only of the Plan B, if the prince should be too stupid to make the right choice.
Lean looked at his mother and father before he replied, "Then are you like me. Your family will get not only a horse, but also a cow. "
With a cow, they would always have milk and could even make cheese and curd. In particular, the mother would be happy about a lot. Heera was unable to smile, unlike the prince she hated. He was probably a show-offs and good-for-nothing, but at least he seemed to have a good core.
"I thank you from my heart," she said honestly. The thought of how her parents would get the animals handed, leaving behind a huge grin on her face.
If girls are to fight and plunder the Prince,
so is the battle for the crown opened.
6
Lean walked across the room, which was separated by a partition from the ballroom. Here waited the gifts his chosen had desired of him. To get the jewellery and the clothes had been the easiest. More difficult was the Unicorn, the flying dog and the talking cat. In the next room already rang the sounds of the musicians who grossed up for the Inaugural Ball. Food and drinks were served and the last servants performed their duties.
Amphion stood beside the prince and inspected his work. "You have to admit, with the unicorn I have achieved a masterpiece” he praised itself. The mythical animal had previously been an ordinary white mole, but the magician had managed to let him grow a horn within a few seconds.
"A unicorn is not more useful than an ordinary horse" Lean countered blankly. He let his hands glide through a chest of gold that a candidate had wished. "Pearls, precious stones, gold and rich fabrics, that's all what the girls are interested in. They are not here for me, but for the riches. "
"That's not true", his friend disagreed with him. "What was the name of the little redhead?"
"Erina" Lean immediately replied and looked curiously at his friend. She too, had remained in my memory. She had something magical in herself.
"She has nothing more desirable than a meeting with you. If that's not sincere interest, I do not know, "Amphion defended the girl.
"Perhaps just tactics", thought the Prince and began to stroke the dog behind his ears, and this upset the brown wings of a proposed engagement. What will the girls do with flying dogs or unicorns, if Lean sent back home? then they could not feed their families also. It was a mere nonsense and stupid!
"I do not believe! The girl was so excited to have you alone, to that you have hardly brought out a word. Perhaps you will be doing them an injustice. Most of them know about you any more than you about them. "
Lean lifted the cage with the lark. "The two sisters seem to be honest to me."
“To be honest they may be, but the older of the two does not seem to have an interest in you to have your crown", countered Amphion.
Lean glared at him belligerently. "At least she does not play with me. In your place I would have liked to have one of them who would be useful in their place. "
"Give it to her at least if you have just chosen to annoy your mother."
Lean could not hide a grin and shrugged. "May be, Did you see how pale she became, when I asked Heera when we could get drunk together? "
Amphion also had to smile at the memory. He knew only too well how much the Prince drove his mother to anger. Few things gave him more pleasure. "I do not begrudge you your fun, but you should not forget that it comes to find the woman who will last a lifetime at your side. You really want to select a rude girl with no manners, only to upset your mother? Dispute would be pre-programmed. "
Lean was annoyed and groaned. "Boring", he moved to Amphion. "Who says that one of the chosen ones will be my future? There are still plenty of princesses, between which I may choose. As long as you could quietly let me have my fun. "
He let his friend left alone and went to the tumult of the ballroom. Amphion watched him blankly. If he had the chance to meet even one of the girls, he would be a happy man. But as a magician of the court he would always be alone, because as much as people admired his magic, they feared him.
All the girls wore new clothes before they entered the ballroom. There were plain clothes, but still splendid than anything they had owned. Each wore a dress in a different colour. But all were made of precious silk, perfectly tailored to each elect. Unlike the morning, the candidates were called in the evening individually by name. Not only should the prince know their names, but the whole court. It was a test for each of the elect. They would ogle, after toggling from all sides and search for flaws. Behind closed doors, especially the ladies of the castle would draw their own conclusions about them, Queen Niobe up front with the leaders. She wanted the best for her son, but none would be good enough for her.
A Trumpet announced the arrival of the first applicant.
"Daphne, seventeen, only daughter of the merchant Jannis, first elect," announced the speakers and the big double doors were opened. Over a white carpet the candidate entered the ballroom. As for the auditions she was dressed in a silver dress, but this dress clung to her skin tight shapely body. Her blond curls shone in the light of
chandeliers and candles. She carried them in an updo, which were decorated with stones in the colour of the dress. Humbly she bowed to the royal family.
A servant brought Lean a casket with the gift for Daphne. He went to meet her and commanded her to rise. She thanked him with a smile of her radiant, almost perfect teeth. He opened the box and thus brought her eyes in ecstasy. Because they saw a necklace of white pearls, as she had wished. The Prince took the necklace in his hand and put it around the slender neck of Daphne. Stirred, she set out her fingers on the new jewel, and went through the gesture looks to her lavish neckline. Even Lean could not acquit her. A certain attraction he couldn't deny her.
Daphne noticed his gaze and rewarded him with a provocative smile before she stepped aside past him. There she would have to face the eyes of all those present, to all the chosen girls had entered the hall.
Renewed trumpet announced the next candidate.
"Medea, sixteen, second daughter of the farmer Theo, second elect."
The beautiful Medea entered the hall. Her hair was silky on the shoulders and framed her pretty face. Upright she walked across the carpet, without stumbling or even lowering their gaze. She beamed a classic beauty in the blue dress as worthy of a queen. Only when she stepped in front of the Prince, Lean recognized her nervousness on her flushed cheeks. Nevertheless, she looked at him bravely in the eyes. The servants brought Lean the cage with the lark, he handed it to Medea. Their hands touched for a brief moment. Medea's skin was tender, as soft as velvet. She took the cage and smiled lovingly to the tame birds. But instead of stepping aside, she took all her courage together and cleared her throat audible to all.
"My lord, you have fulfilled my wish and gratitude I would like to sing for you, and those present, if it please you."
Lean looked at her hand that held the cage trembling, barely noticeable. She was very excited, yet she dared to sing in front of the whole court. This impressed him, although Medea really had no reason to hide her voice. Already the audition her voice was so pure and clear, as he had never heard it in his life.
"It would be my pleasure," he said sincerely.
The musicians struck up a gentle melody with the violins. Medea closed her eyes for a moment swayed to the beat of the music and began to sing. Lean thought he would have had her singing well remembered, but now her voice appeared to him even more beautiful than he had thought. All those present were silent and listened Medea’s sang. While she sang, they flourished formally. Her eyes shone like stars and her smile took everyone under her spell. It was, of course, and radiated warmth that took Lean. Maybe he was wrong and not every girl was at his side only in his riches. The Lark agreed with a soft chirping, which caused enthusiastic giggles. A little practice, it would probably still need for a duet.
The court applauded her as the last notes rang out. Medea bowed gratefully to all sides and throwing kisses happy with her free hand in the air. She let the people back with a smile as she stepped aside next to Daphne.
The trumpets announced the appearance of the next candidate.
"Heera, nineteen years old, first daughter of the farmer Theo, third chosen one."
Lean expected to see a girl with grumpy view and rigid step entering the room. Stubborn and reckless as he had got to know the opinion of others. But on the carpet seemed like something else. Heera’s hazelnut brown hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders. Her face did not have the usual stubborn expression, but she smiled happily and wholeheartedly. They hovered over the ground literally in his direction, but her eyes were not him, but on her sister. Almost from the moment she arrived in front of him, she stretched her thumb in the air proudly and exclaimed, as if she could not stop herself: "This is my sister!"
Lean could not help but laugh at her enthusiasm, just like Heera herself. It was only when she noticed that she laughed with him, she fell silent and looked at him with the same challenge in mind like the first day. If the prince stood opposite to her, she did not feel like a chosen one to look in the face, but rather counterparty. Her dress had the same tone as her eyes that seemed to unite all the colours of the forest in and it seemed strangely familiar to him. He felt as if he had seen those eyes before in a strange face.
The servant led a large horse with wide hooves in the hall - a workhorse, as she had wished. But Heera seemed to distrust the prince, because instead of saying thank you, she went searching for the animal around. She lifted his hooves, stroked his light brown coat, ran her fingers through the white mane and finally checked even teeth. The prince noticed the derogatory view of the ladies and heard the whispers.
"What's going on, Heera? Don’t you trust me "
"Trust is good, but control is better," she replied only with a shrug.
"And what is your verdict?"
She looked at him with amusement. "It's a little thin," she hesitated, but then she added: "It reminds me of you. I'll call it Lean. "
Queen Niobe jumped out in anger and rushed to the girl. "How can you dare to compare your future king with a horse?" She went on to Heera boiling with rage and grabbed her by the wrist. But Lean intervened and broke his mother's hand gently.
"Dear Mother, you do not be angry. It's an honour that she gave my name to the animal that will feed their families, "he tried to soothe her and took Heera once again in front of her protection. He knew that the girl wanted to provoke him and did not do him a favour.
Niobe threw Heera a withering look before stepping back on the throne. The prince turned again to the outrageous elect. She had not disappointed him. On the contrary, so much disrespect he would not have imagined in his wildest dreams. "I regret that the horse does not meet your requirements. But maybe you can appease the cow. "
A servant led in the second animal. This time Lean with Heera went together to the animal. He stroke over the skin. "You see how silky it is?"
The teeth of the cow he commented: "A cow could hardly be healthier."
Finally, he pointed to the udder. "Baffle and firm. You will be able to supply not only your family, but also their calves with enough milk. "Boldly provocative, he let his gaze wander over Heera’s bust slide. "I'd say you liked that it reminds me of you. But I'm sorry, this is not like that. "
The court erupted into laughter, while Heera insulted criss-crossed her arms before her breast. Her cheeks reddened and her eyes sparkled in Lean's direction. That was his revenge, but strangely he did not enjoy her as much as he would have expected. He had the girl humiliated in front of all and seemed thus to have truly hurt, because for the first time she looked past at him rather than in his eyes.
The king commanded all the laughter to stop. "Both horse and cow be handed over tomorrow to your dear parents," he turned to Heera. She bowed, but it looked like a doll made of wood, whose bodies you had to bend.
She entered without a glance at the Prince to pay tribute to her sister, who was talking excitedly to them. Lean wondered whether she is actually still with his joke, or whether she has already planning the revenge on him as the next of the Twelve was announced.
As all the elect had entered the ballroom, the musicians began to play. It was the Prince to open the dance. He came from the podium, on the throne, and went to the number of female candidates on and off. Each one gave him her warmest and most exciting smile with one exception. But Lean decided that he had tortured Heera enough for that day. He was sure that she danced more miserable than Him. In addition, he would have angered his mother, if he had given the outrageous brat the honour of the first dance. Perhaps Medea? Her wonderful voice still hummed in his ears and she blushed every time he looked at her. But he walked past her. His eyes remained on the graceful Agnes. Her dress was black as night, matching her silky hair. She had an unapproachable aura and looked mysterious to him. Her smile was sublime, as if she knew more about him than he already is and also the one he could only imagine. Erina was fourteen years old, not only the youngest but also the smallest of the girls. Her red dress emphasized her fiery mane of hair
. Certainly he would have been pleased with her request, but he would have to spend a whole day with her. She was not only shy, but downright taciturn on him. How could he pass the time with her only? Even her he passed. Finally, he chose the last of the twelve: Xenia. A girl of sixteen years with almond-shaped eyes, and long, brown hair in a plait, fell on the back. The yellow of her dress emphasized her tanned skin. She curtsied to him before he took her hand, giggling and let him lead her to the middle of the dance floor.
Lean was not a good dancer. He spent his time in the woods with his friends rather than in the ballroom with the exasperated teacher. But he was lucky, because Xenia was the better dancer who ironed out his mistakes by a smile. She did not complain once about the fact that he kicked her feet. On the contrary, she seemed to enjoy it. And the prince was So relaxed. He had to admit that he almost took a liking to the dance, as long as he had a girl at his side, which knew how to move. Although all twelve were from middle-class home, they seemed all the dance to have been placed in the cradle. Also his friends Silas and Yanis danced with the elect. Xenia's graceful example was followed by Daphne, who he called as Second and Phoebe as third parties.
Meanwhile Heera explored the buffet. Although a myriad of dishes had been served, she was hardly interested. When the other girls were not dancing, they looked longingly to the prince. The decoration in the castle seemed to serve food. The idea made Heera angry. From the buffet a whole village could have been filled, but instead, the courts would probably end up after the party in the pig trough. Grimly she pushed one of the pies in the mouth. The taste of sweet cream, dark chocolate and pickled in rum cherries spread. She had never eaten anything tastier. If she could, she would have packed everything and brought her little sister Elena. At home she rarely had money for sweets and then it was usually not more than a piece of candy. How could Medea resist the whole food? Although the prince had not yet danced with her, she was barely eliminated from the dance floor. A nobleman called one after the other to dance. Even if Lean should decide against it, it would certainly not even last a week and one of the other courtiers would ask for her hand. Heera pushed a chocolate between her teeth: chocolate with nuts and raisins. Delicious!
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