2 Chapter 2: Palace Mysteries (1/2)

The next day, all the girls in the nobles school are riding carriages of four to Yue Castle for Trials of Fantasy. The girls chatter loudly and giggle with excitement.

”What about you QiLing?”

”Huh… oh he's so handsome, I can't wait to meet him in person!” I smile fakely and play along.

The girls don't notice the fakeness and keep gossiping.

When we arrived, I gasped in astonishment at the beautiful building in front of me. Yue Castle is unreal in person. It's a white castle that looks as if there was a layer of pearl over it, just like the moon.

”Hurry along now!”, says a maid of the castle and escorts me to my estate in the castle for unpacking. I stare around in the room that could live a family in the countryside. These people are too rich for their own good… I mean like 100 of these rooms? I quickly unpack and join the rest of the girls in the unbelievably big ”castle garden”.

”Welcome, your Highnesses.”, the messenger excitedly announces, ”As of today, you will be in the Trials of Fantasy that will decide on the next Queen of Yue Kingdom!”

I quietly sigh in exhaustion, when will this be over.

”First up we'll be testing elegance and respect.”

The messenger prances in front to lead the way to the Ballroom with gossiping girls behind him. I hesitate, then follow.

When we arrive, the messenger stops and gestures to some masked maids, waiting at the side who then passes us masks, including the messenger.

”Trial orders”, he says curtly.

A loud groan comes from the girls.

”Aww! I wanted to seduce him with my pretty face!”

”Shh! I know right, but we can't ignore the orders!”

I quickly put on my mask and then another noble came up to me.

”Hello, QiLing, I hear that you're Mayor Chun's relative.”

”Yes, I am.”

”Is that so? Were you and your family hoping that you could rise in status?”

I see where this is going and I turn away.

She sneers and speaks again, ”If you are, drop your hope and you should exit right now.”