Her knees were shaking and she was more nervous than ever before in her life.
"Smile, beautiful Medea", chirped the lark out of their cage in front of the window. Instant Medea rendered their prompt sequence. "Oh, dear lark, I wish you were the prince, then I would not worry ."
"If I were the Prince, so my choice would long since fallen," the lark said approvingly.
"What if he decides against me?"
"He will not."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Trust in your heart!"
"I love him, but what if he does not feel the same for me? What if he decides to Heera and send me home? "
"Your sister would be very happy. You risked everything to save the prince. Your kiss has freed him, "the Lark reminded her.
"Why did she fall in love just in the Prince? If she had fallen in love with one of his friends, I would be happy for them. But how can I give her the happiness when my own heart is breaking it? "
"You could give another your love."
"Never!" Medea said firmly.
"Do not you love me?"
"I love you more than anything else, dear lark. But you're just a bird, "the girl sighed sadly. "If you had only an enchanted prince, I would marry you on the spot."
"A prince I am not," lamented the lark.
"And so I can only hope that I was able to gain lean for me. Wish me luck! "She blew her little bird a kiss with his hand to and joined with a beating heart out of the room.
Prince Lean was restless beside the throne of his father. He had to make a decision before he had feared from day one. As the selection had begun, he had been annoyed and wanted it as soon as possible get it over with. For him, all the girls were the same: Imaginary goats that were just behind his crown her. But he could have no longer fooled. Perhaps some of the girls were actually more interested in his status as him, but that was not so easy to see through. But he had at least some of the girls so far met that he knew that behind them put a lot more than it did seem at first glance.
As would Daphne, whom he had chosen the first. She was a charming and graceful appearance and his friend Silas was completely crazy about her. Although he did not share the same enthusiasm, but he also learned to appreciate Daphne. She knew what she wanted and did not hesitate to take it up. Assertiveness was an important feature for a future queen. She had at his side rule the kingdom and could not hesitate. You would be a strong partner.
Xenia was visually just as irritating, more reticent it in its essence. She would fall slightly to make friends at the court and it would be an asset to any solemnity. No other girl could dance elegant than her. Even she made with her crooked legs beside her a good figure. Maybe they would be able to use her in government issues not advise, but a dance with her would make him always forget any worry.
Erina had a gentle and loving nature. It seemed as if she could do any animal or person any harm. You would be a benevolent queen who would put the welfare of their people and satisfying stay. The people would worship her. He liked Erina particularly like because she never tried to impose it. At the same time he could see how much she enjoyed his company. In addition, the thought pained to send them back out into the cold. She was completely alone in the world and did not even have a roof over his head. She was one of the poorest of the poor.
Medea was beautiful, intelligent, loving and talented beyond measure. Her voice was unique, just as she was. He had spent with her a wonderful day and for the first time in the choices he really regrets not a girl to kiss. If the curse had not been, he would have done it. He did not know if he was in love with her, but at least he was crazy about her. However, doubts about him had come, whether Medea really belonged to a throne and not rather on a stage. He had seen how they had blossomed in the theater. While they might as Queen sing every now and then for the people or a piece list, but not much time remained for her. Ultimately, it would be just as trapped as their lark in a cage. If he were to ask her, she would insist that it would be exactly what they have always dreamed of, but could he really believe it? Maybe she did not even once, and her heart really longed.
And then there was Heera. No matter how often he thought about it, they always seemed to stand in the mist. Only he had the impression that the castle was the worst place in the world for her and she despised him and his entire family. She had made him curious by their defense behavior. Unlike the other girls she had been a challenge and it had irritated him to prove to her that he was completely different when she accepted well. But in fact, they had shown him that in her more stuck than the rough facade, which she wore to the outside. Heera was braver than any man, but deep down inside she was vulnerable. She had given him for brief moments insight and since he could no longer imagine a life without them. They had become friends, or at least thought the lean until the black witch had cursed him. Only the True Love's Kiss had to free him and just Heera had given him this. She had more feelings for him, this miracle was different not to explain. But even if he could not see them on the throne. She was a heroine and all the people celebrated and admired her, but there was more to be queen. Heera would boring at every celebration to death. They would complain about the too narrow and scratchy clothes. Life in the castle would deprive them of their freedom and they would no longer be the same. The wanted Lean not do that to her.
But how should he decide to do? He wanted none of the girls hurt and even though he had already learned so much about it, he did not even long enough to know. His mother noticed his uncertainty and reassuringly patted him on the arm. She had previously given him her own choice as advice on the way: Daphne, Erina and Medea. But the final decision lay with him. He could add it, but what if he would repent for the rest of his life? In addition, would also arrive this evening the four princesses. He could not now decide how should then only be with them? Lean could not remember to have ever been so desperate to.
The trumpets announced the arrival of the elect and tore him from his thoughts. All conversations ceased and the guests looked eager to de n large double doors. A red carpet led from there to the throne.
His father spoke up. "Dear guests, today is an important day in my son's life. Today he will opt for three girls who must continue to fight for his love against four lovely princesses. Five girls are left. You have already achieved great things and deserve our respect. Greeted with me the first of them. "
A trumpet blew the start-up tone and the doors were opened peppy.
"Daphne, seventeen, only daughter of the merchant Jannis, first elect."
Her curls shone like pure gold and fell loosely over her chest. On her face was a confident smile and her slender but shapely body was hidden in a pink dress from the finest silk. Gems ornamented the hems and sparkled in each of its graceful movements.
One of the guests cheered very loudly. Even whistled through his teeth. He could hardly raving with enthusiasm. It had to be her father, d hen other relatives did not seem to haven. Daphne gave him a kiss before she reached the throne and bowed low before the royal family. Then she stood on the right side on a small pedestal, so that all could admire it.
Renewed trumpet drew attention again to the large double doors.
"Medea, sixteen, second daughter of the farmer Theo, second elect."
As Medea entered the hall, all held their breath. She looked stunning in a blue dress, which had been occupied from top to bottom with sparkling stones. At each step, they shimmered like a whole starry sky. Her long, dark hair fell smoothly down the spine. She had nervousness flushed cheeks, making her look even lovelier. Her parents and her younger sister looked at her admiringly. Medea waved at them briefly before they greeted the prince and his parents and Daphne climbed on the podium.
Once again sounded the trumpet.
"Heera, nineteen years old, first daughter of the farmer Theo, third chosen one."
There she stood, in a simple green silk dress. It was not as fine as the other girls, although Lean had never seen her more beautiful. Her
brown hair fell Heera’s in gentle waves over her shoulders and her eyes had the usual challenging look, but he could see her uncertainty at each step. Others perhaps did not notice, but Lean she had now enough to know to notice the twitching of her little finger itself. She was the first to elect who scanned the amount targeted for her family. When they found her, her face lit up. The father smiled at her happy and the mother held a handkerchief in her hand, with which she wiped with emotion the tears from her eyes. Apparently she had never seen her daughter in such a fashionable dress. Her younger sister stared at both stunned and fascinated.
Heera bowed as any previously before the royal family, but she would not Heera have been if she had not taken out a peculiarity. She cleared her throat loudly, instead of rising to the podium. Lean felt his mother tensed beside him. You already expected the worst.
"Would you tell us something Heera?" Asked King Egeas strictly.
"I want to introduce you to someone," grinned cheekily at him Heera. She sought eye contact with Lean. "You may think you already had the most beautiful girls of Chóraleio seen, but one has escaped you. It is not only the most beautiful but also the wisest of all. I am proud that she's my little sister. "She turned to the little girl who was shy with her parents and waved it to be. The child tore frightened eyes and shook his head frantically. Heera started laughing, went through the crowd and took her little sister by the hand. This followed her with a red face. When she arrived in front of the throne, she bowed humbly at once.
"Prince Lean, may I introduce you to my sister Elena?"
Lean smiled broadly and walked toward Heera and Elena. "You're wrong, Heera, we already know each other." He knelt down and blew a kiss to the hand of the little girl. "It is my great friends to see you again, dear Elena."
They immediately began to giggle and a hinge torn Oh went through the crowd. Even Queen Niobe could Heera forgive their rebelliousness. Elena was sweetly and would be to excel in a few years certainly of beauty hardly.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you cannot marry her," Heera joked about Lean, who began to laugh like all guests. This was one of the many qualities he like about Heera. She did not care for labels. She loosened the whole event on by their natural, unguarded charm. But befitted this behavior for a future queen?
"? Elena, you might want to sit with me to see the other girls," Lean asked politely, adding: ". It would be a great pleasure"
Elena was beaming from ear to ear, but said, "I can watch them like me, but better than my sisters do not you think."
Again all started laughing and Lean realized that he had been mistaken. In Elena put more of Heera than it did seem at first glance. He took her by the hand and let it take place next to the throne, while Heera took her place on the podium. Lean looked like Medea smiled at her older sister. He knew that the b oaths not well understood lately what was probably his fault, the more it pleased him that she now held talks again. He still did not know if he had to leave that day by one of them.
Again playing the trumpets.
"Erina, fourteen, seventh elect."
It was striking that in her neither father nor mother were named. They probably were not known and also passed for a long time, but the speculation died once Erina entered the room in a bright red dress. You shone like a torch in the dark. The dress and the hair accented her pale and flawless skin. Her eyes shone brighter than any diamond. She had the appearance of a petite elf and seemed not to be of this world. She walked with her head held across the carpet and bowed to the royal family. A quick, shy smile she sent in Lean's direction before she entered the podium. Now only missing one. The trumpets announced the arrival of the last candidate.
"Xenia, sixteen, eldest daughter of the miller Balon, twelfth elect."
They entered the hall in a bright yellow dress that went directly to the attention of all guests. Her dark skin was accentuated by the bright fabric and her eyes shone like stars in the sky. Your hair was artfully ambitious and around her slender neck was a glittering necklace. Her whole family was invited to the ceremony and applauded her enthusiastically. It consisted of father, mother and nine children. The younger siblings were no longer tenable and stormed to her sister as playing puppies. It had been several weeks since they had last seen each other. Xenia admonished her siblings to restrain himself. She was the indignant behavior embarrassing and some of the guests were already beginning to whisper. When she bowed to the royal family, it did their identical siblings what everyone laugh. Only Xenia pressed his lips together and grew angry with a forced smile on the podium.
Guests now welcomed all the girls together with a big applause. Lean clapped loudest of all. There were five wonderful young women and none of them deserved it, that he decided against it. Among the five chosen ones, now they came near the six already eliminated candidates: Phoebe, Acelya, Celestia, Jone, Lenya and Selena. About Agnes was silent.
The musicians played the melody of the opening dance and it would have been on Lean to ask one of the girls as a first dance. But he could not decide and he proved this honor his mother, who accepted his election with a smile, but a reproachful look.
Heera crept along with Elena at the buffet. This time the crowd was significantly larger, since not only the nobles, but also the families of the chosen girls were present. These talking even posh back, but at least the food was not so lonely and deserted as the first time. Especially the children could not get enough. Whether soups, salads, pies, roasts, side dishes or desserts, everything was delicious. Elena pushed just a little tart between his teeth and closed his eyes appreciatively. "Taking a vacation," she made and Heera was pleased with their enthusiasm. Of this she had dreamed since the first day at the castle. At last she could at least give a carefree evening her family. All could be tired Sen and her mother would for years to rave from the village of the festival with their girlfriends. But even if Heera v iel laughed and apparently did not worry, it was routed internally. She had chosen the prince and now it was up to him whether he wanted to have them continue in its proximity. They were reluctant to control from, especially not if they themselves did not know what kind of output you should wish for the evening. Lean was important to her: Wichter than any boy before. But they had no future together. Lean had not even left brothers, whom he had the throne. That being said, that he had never been willing to do any more than they would be willing to assume the throne. All his life he grew up with the knowledge that one day he would be king. The people loved him and she had to admit that he would be a very good ruler. What they should wish so? That he decided against it because it would be the most sensible thing he could do or that he continues chose, although they did not know both what should ever become of them?
For a moment, let his eyes wander Heera across the dance floor. Lean had danced only with his mother, then with Daphne, then with Medea, Erina and Xenia, while she hid himself behind the buffet. But now she had lost sight of him. The music played on and other guests were swinging on the dance floor. Suddenly someone tapped her on the shoulder and Heera startled when she saw the prince himself standing next to him. She had not expected him.
He grinned mischievously and she already knew what would follow. He held out his hand invitingly.
"? I know I lost the bet against you and owe you one wish, but would you give me a dance anyway" When he noticed their defensive attitude, he quickly added, "It's just a dance!"
"I could use my desire that I do not have to dance with you," Heera replied cheekily.
"That you could," Lean agreed. "But it would be a very stupid desire!"
He held out his hand and still Heera felt that they were being watched. Previously it would have been not care what others thought of her when she missed the prince a basket. That was still, but he was no longer her care.
"I'm going to step on their feet," Heera warned him, but he just laughed. "You will not. Trust me! "
Once she put her hand in his, she felt a gentle gust of wind slipped under her dress. Her feet fo
llowed Lean on the dance floor, without that it would have commanded them. Footed she began to weigh in time. But these movements were not her. Someone most unrtealistic turned her body. Not "be frightened: insecure, she looked around, whispered in his ear as Lean her! Amphion only going to make a good impression helps you. If you want him to stop, you just have to raise your hand. "
They turned in a circle and at this moment caught Heera a look at the young wizard. He murmured softly to himself and winked at her there. She smiled at him gratefully. So she needed at least not to worry that it would hurt the prince or tripped over her own feet. Almost they began something like pleasure to find dancing.
Lean she moved close to him. "Oh Heera, what should I do?"
Surprised, she looked at him. Expected he really a piece of advice from her? "That's your decision."
"And if I decide against you?"
"Then so be it." The neck laced to her and her eyes were moist.
"You're the first girl who kissed me."
"If you look at it closely, Agnes you kissed the first," she teased, so as not to let on their fear.
"Do you remember me?" He grumbled. "Without you I would still be a toad."
"I must say, my dear Prince, our first kiss was very disappointing. Somehow so slippery and slimy, "she giggled and pushed the impending decision.
"Maybe we should try a second time. Otherwise you tell afterwards throughout the empire around the Prince kisses like a toad. "
"Perhaps," smiled Heera.
Amphion ensured that Heera slid smoothly and lightly over the floor. He looked like the prince. Lean looked relaxed in her presence and laughed a lot. Most of the time they challenged each other, but just the most irritated the Prince. He had to fight for Heera and offer Paroli.
He felt someone put close to him. "Are you only in theory or in practice a good dancer?" Asked a sweet voice. Startled, he ran out of time, but Heera seemed nothing to notice. She danced on, as if nothing had happened, absorbed completely in Lean's eyes.
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