7

- Wait, princess, you have to put on a dress before going to see your sister.

I turn to Ariane, amused by her words. Why the hell would I go and follow these old traditions?

“As long as I'm here, I'll never wear a dress.

She gives me an outraged look, punctuated by my remarks.

- But anyway ... It's in the rules!

- And you think it's normal that women have to wear these horrors? It itches, it's long, it compresses and you can't even run with it! (I pause then continue:) Take me to my sister, Ariane.

She bites her lip before sighing. Surely because she knows she will never have the last word with me. Leaving the corridor hastily, she declares in a low voice:

"You won't last long here with this state of mind." Rules were written for a purpose and it will bring you misfortune if you don't follow them, princess!

I shoot her a smile as we walk down the hall, my hair swinging heavily down my back.

“Rules are made to be broken, Ariane.

She stares at me, eyes wide as if I had said something horrible. I understand it, deep down. She must have lived in this palace for several years and my behavior probably shocks her.

- Pardon ?

“I said it was a shame. Look on the bright side, if I'm eliminated, you won't have to worry about me anymore!

She walks around me, rolling her eyes to climb the stairs. The palace is deserted and only the guards act as our presence. Posted at the edge of the corridors, they remain stoic, their huge bronze helmets blocking their faces. Which makes me think I still haven't seen a single member of the royal family.

"Ariane, where are the prince and his parents?"

“I think they've left for an important state meeting... But they'll be back tonight to welcome you.

I nod as she leaves me in front of a door and says:

- It's here. You no longer need my services?

- Mmm, no. I think I got the path.

I smile at her as she turns her back on me to walk away. I call out to her before she disappears.

"Ariane?"

"Yes, princess?"

- Thank you so much.

She answers me with a discreet smile before continuing on the way to leave. So I knock on my sister's bedroom door, patiently waiting for her to open the door.

To tell the truth, I didn't really have a goal of going to see her, but hey... She's still my sister and I want to know her thoughts on this palace.

The door opens to a beaming Solenn. Her hair has been swept back in a lavish bun and she wears a long, puffy pink dress that shows her off perfectly. I am left speechless at her beauty.

- Solenn, wow...

“Sarah! What are you doing here ? Angela told me we weren't allowed out of our rooms.

I enter his without answering him and ask him:

"Angela?"

— My servant. What are you doing here ?

She looks annoyed at my coming. Eyebrows raised, she pinches her mouth then clicks her tongue on the palate.

“I wanted to see how you were doing.

I collapse on his bed, exhausted. It's true that I still haven't slept and I'm really starting to get tired. I benefit that she searches in her closet to observe her room. Everything looks... Perfect. Each object is in its place, not even a speck of dust or dirt, the fabrics of the bed are just sublime and her room is so beautiful in the end... Just like her.

She is splendid. Unlike me. My braid is completely disheveled and I have a horrible face in addition to my disastrous clothes.

"Who dressed and made you up like that?"

— My servant. Besides, where is she? Servant! I need you to help me choose a pair of shoes.

I observe Solenn, a tight smile on her face. Poor Angela... The latter arrives, out of breath as if she had run a marathon, disinfectants in her hand. She obviously had to clean the bathroom.

Without a word, I slip out of the room. I sigh as I close the door behind me. Solenn is acting really weird. Ordinarily, she wouldn't have spoken like that to someone... Would she have been stubborn since our arrival? In such a short time, it's impossible. Would she therefore have forgotten that initially she was nothing more than a simple baker?

Tired, I ended up wandering around the palace without getting too lost. The guards pay me no attention so I continue on my way. I hope there is a library here, I could spend my days there for a month until the first eliminations. I love books but I was not allowed to take any with me.

As I walk, I approach a window and freeze before two figures in the garden with their backs to me. They seem to be wearing rich outfits, the kind of jackets embroidered in a pure color that are rarely found in my village.

The two men then turn around and I squint. The king and the prince in the garden, in my line of sight. How do I recognize them? One wears a crown on his head and the other is the spitting image of the eldest. I don't have time to dwell on them before they go inside.

I must disappear and quickly. If they come upstairs and see me, I've signed my death warrant. I still haven't understood why we are not allowed to walk around. It's not like we risk being killed or kidnapped, the guards are everywhere...

- Miss, what are you doing here?

I turn around and my gaze meets that of a man. From his outfit, I think he's a guard. He wears a sort of black war jumpsuit that molds his body to perfection. Rather tall and muscular, his face darkens as he glares at me. His brown hair forms a mass on his head and I find myself finding him handsome.

"Uh, I...

So beautiful that I stutter.

- I wanted to go to the little corner. Women's issues, you know?

Despite my attempt to make him as uncomfortable as possible, he doesn't seem to and replies coldly:

— You have a personal room right next to your room where there is a shower, toilet and sink. Your excuse makes no sense.

He approaches me, his hand on its scabbard. Shit.

"I didn't know," I reply. I got here and didn't go straight to my room so that's why I'm looking for the toilet.

He is suspicious, I can feel it. He then approaches me and I realize that I am only a vulgar twig compared to him. He's at least three heads taller than me and I'm only a feather in the face of his muscles.

I wonder who he is...

"I'll take you to your room. What is your name ?

— Sarah Crawford.

He motions for me to follow him, his footsteps echoing sharply on the pale marble.

- And you, who are you ?

He turns his head with a glare.

"Am I asking you questions?" No.

"You just asked me one," I remarked.

He winces and that makes me let out a chuckle. Then my smile stretches.

“You seem far too happy, Miss.

I ignore it and continue:

"Who are you then?" A guard ? A bad guy who takes me to a secret room to kill me?

He turns to me with a sigh.

“I'm only Prince Kaled's bodyguard. Stop imagining things, it just makes you dumber than you already seem.

Outraged, my mouth opens and I reply:

- I see. I'm dealing with a very confident man who thinks he knows everything about people when he doesn't know them. We arrived anyway.

I open the door to my room, annoyed. Ariane is busy dusting my windowsill and stops when she sees me.

“A problem, princess? asks Ariadne.

"He said I was stupid!"

- Who ?

- Him ! Damned Kaled's bodyguard! I breathed. And stop calling me princess, for God's sake! If you don't want to call me Sarah, call me miss but please, anything but princess! Do I look like a princess to you?

Ariane observes me, attentive.

- Well yes. Want me to help you show off?

- No.

"But you could...

- I said no ! I have everything but want to stay here, you understand?

She freezes, her face contorted. I realize then the gourd that I have just committed and pass a hand on my face, exhausted.

"You don't want to marry the prince?"