The White King's Favorite

The two cousins exchanged a quick glance, both disturbed. They had never seen anyone with a skin color this close to their mothers' before. There had been a brief trend about women trying to lighten their skin, but it wasn't anything like they were witnessing now. This woman by the King's side was clearly mixed, like them, and more fair-skinned than dark. Although her hair was more likely to be artificially tainted, she couldn't fake her skin color so easily, nor how her traits were reminiscent of a long-forgotten race of people, the same race both Tessa and Cessilia were descendants of.

The Rain Tribe.

"Welcome, Your Highness," she said with that beautiful smile. "...and... I suppose I'm talking to the famous traitor, Sir Yassim. It must have been a long journey back from the Dragon Empire."

The way she spoke, in a gentle and whispery manner, was troubling. Something in Cessilia's mind told her this woman was acting polite, but not friendly. Even her attitude as she stood next to the King spoke volumes. She had no fear, and displayed her pride and self-confidence without an ounce of hesitation.

Tessa glared at Yassim, hoping they'd get an explanation for this too, but the old man looked baffled. From that woman's speech, he had visibly never met her in person. However, anyone could see how familiar she was with the King. If it had been the Dragon Empire, she surely would have been some sort of Concubine, but in here, the girls were unsure. Everything was new, they couldn't be sure of anything. The rules and customs ought to be different from their homeland...

Instead, Tessa glanced around. In fact, all the nobles present were either ignoring that woman, or looking upset by her. So she wasn't too popular with anyone here... Yet, she stood by the King's side like this?

Meanwhile, Cessilia was still staring at the odd couple facing her. Her expression had changed, and her green eyes showed something bitter compared to before.

As a few seconds passed in silence, the red-haired woman sighed.

"Looks like I ruined the mood here. I am Jisel, the King's attendant..."

Tessa raised an eyebrow. What attendant, this woman was clearly the King's mistress already.

The King suddenly turned around, and sat back on his throne with a sullen expression. He was still staring at Cessilia, and hadn't reacted at all to Jisel's appearance, but it didn't seem to matter. The red-haired woman kept her perfect smile on, and took a step back, standing just one foot behind the throne, her hands behind her back.

"Enough," groaned the King. "Resume."

In just two words, the whole atmosphere had changed, every noble in the room eager to please. The soldiers that were flanking Yassim quickly moved aside, leaving the old man free for now. His shoulders visibly relaxed, but Yassim didn't forget his primary mission. He was about to gently guide Cessilia and her cousin to the side, when Jisel spoke up.

"Ah, the guests should take the empty seats. We aren't waiting for anyone."

Although that seemed like an innocent and considerate couple of sentences, both girls noticed how Yassim's expression fell while hearing this, and the other nobles looked down too. Neither Cessilia nor Tessa moved, waiting for the old man to indicate how to react. Yassim silently clenched his fist, and nodded penibly.

"...I see."

"I'll s-stand," suddenly said Cessilia.

All eyes turned to her, visibly surprised not by her stutter, but by how openly she defied the King's woman's offer. She didn't even look her way, or wasn't looking towards the King anymore. Instead, she simply stood next to the old Yassim as he had moved aside, actually standing next to those two empty seats.

Tessa nodded, and did the same, both young women standing behind Yassim. They weren't so blind as to ignore what was going on completely. There were nine seats in this room, aside from the King's, and Yassim had mentioned nine lords during their trip there. Judging from his shattered reaction and Jisel's words, they could easily imagine what had happened, and why they shouldn't sit in those seats. The reactions of the nobles weren't all the same this time. Some kept staring at them, visibly intrigued, some subtly nodded, and some shook their heads.

"As you wish," chuckled Jisel.

One of the nobles standing sighed, and stepped forward, taking the middle spot of the room they had stood in just before.

makes a total of ten candidates as to whom your future

at all. Instead, his eyes were still fixated towards the Princess, as he wouldn't even blink, with a frown

anymore. She was

is Counsellor Yamino, an old friend. He is a

slightly nodded, listening

Noble Families, each family and Royal Counsellors are free to introduce any young woman of marriageable age as a King's Candidate. Each Candidate and her family shall

had reacted to that sentence.

attend all the social events organized by the Royal Castle, the official meetings like this one, and obey each of the King's orders. Any refusal or miss to any of the forth mentioned rules will result in an elimination of the candidate,

They had to obey all

among other presents, ten thousand gold coins and eternal glory. The new Queen will be the official Queen of our Eastern Kingdom, and mother to all the official heirs to the Throne. She will assume all the responsibilities of her rank and position, and be

not appreciate at all. All but military matters? Now that they looked around them, all the

breath, briefly glancing towards Cessilia before

officially entered. No punishment will be held against those who chose

actually be present here, aside from Cessilia. In each case, a member of the family gave an excuse for their candidate not to be there, claiming she was ill or

out the others. "This is

where her cousin's opinion came from. This indeed felt very foolish. However, now, it was clear her fate was intertwined with Yassim's. Moreover, there were still too many questions pending, including why Jisel wasn't called among the candidates. Cessilia had listened. For each candidate, they mentioned her name and her family's, but Jisel never spoke, and everyone seemed

Candidate is Lady Naptune, introduced by myself, and my niece is

nodded. The old man didn't hide the wave of relief in his eyes, instead looking infinitely grateful. He turned to his former colleague,

of the Dragon Empire, introduced

called out one of the Nine Lords.

"Yes," nodded the Princess.

his mouth, but his eyes were still fixated on the Princess. It was

"A party will be

was a general movement of stepping away from the throne, and the man standing a step in front of it. However, Ashen didn't say anything. He stood there for a

seconds after he was gone for anything to

had seen it. She still had her little smile on, and her eyes met Cessilia's. The Princess already didn't like that woman, like a lioness who knew she was faced with a rival. Jisel gave her a little wink, and quietly walked out

was Yassim. He turned around,

he quietly

quickly left the room, visibly needing to run away. They had barely walked out when a loud banter exploded

them, and guided the two women out instead. He looked like he finally could control the situation a bit, and was guiding them away, through the corridors and further away from the previous room. After a little while, they seemed sufficiently far,

anymore. "A competition to be that crazy bastard's wife? Old

down,"

to do this at that? And you guys think we are barbaric! Our fathers don't even dare take concubines, and you want to make Cessi beg for this Tyrant to

that woman," said Yassim. "I... I had heard rumors

Asked Cessilia, ignoring her furious

the strongest families of the Kingdom, and even the two Counselors who