Chapter 3: The Contest

"Princess Umi! Princess Umi please wake up!" Umi stirred, her sleep was disturbed by the maid's desperate call. Snuggling deeper in her pillows, she mumbled 'leave me alone' and returned to dreamland.

"Please princess! Everyone has gone to the dining room for breakfast! The queen has requested all the princesses to be there!" The maid pleaded while continuing to shake her master, she nearly cried at the thought of punishment in case the one that she took charge of was late. Her effort was finally returned when the princess's eyes immediately snapped open at the mention of queen Emeraude.

Umi groaned in frustration, tiredly climbed out of the large bed and still produced curses while the maid happily help her change the clothes. She has spent the first night in Cefiro anxiously in sleeplessness. Later that night when she has safely gone to her own room and had a quiet moment with no more disturbing men, Umi began to calmly relive the situation. Since her irritated mood had completely disappeared and her sense was back at that time, the more she thought of her early actions the more she was terrified. Of all people, she had insulted the great Master Mage which was the most important member of Cefiro's royal council; she had said rude things to the first prince Lantis which was one of the men she was supposed to marry. Oh, how wonderful thing the short temper of her has caused.

"Damn it!" Umi cursed, made the maid rolled her eyes curiously. It was not the first time the princess's stubbornness was creating troubles. Back to the time she was still in Chizeta, it was once her powerful weapon to wipe away the sea of suitors under her feet. She couldn't count how many generals have cried for their mothers because of her threatening, not to mention a dozen of counts have tried to commit suicide, a few dukes have mysteriously disappeared and the rest has ran away for their dear live the minutes after their dates with her. Thank to that, the beauty was still available till now. If it was not for the country's sake and her father's request, she wouldn't consider courting a mere man that she didn't ever know and marry him. But once Umi has determined to do something, she would never back down. That was why she had to make sure to keep her emotions in good check for the time being and not involve in more trouble.

"Only if they are reasonable enough." She muttered. Umi glanced at the reflection of the maid in the mirror while she was doing her hair from behind. The girl was in her early twenty with black hair and honest face. She would be an useful source of information, Umi thought.

"What's your name?" She suddenly asked.

"I'm Ellie, your Highness." The maid replied politely.

"You live here long?"

"Since I was born, your Highness."

"Could you please cut that part?" Umi winkled her nose. "It's too bothersome, just call me Umi. Let's be friends."

"I'm afraid that would be rather inappropriate princess."

"Why? Back to my palace all the servants there are my friends." The princess titled her head. "Don't tell me Cefiro is that kind of country?"

"No... it's not like that but…" Ellie said perplexedly.

"So you have no reason not to." Umi cut her in and continued. "Hey, can you tell me about the princes?"

"I'm not allowed to gossip about the masters." Ellie shook her head.

"Relax, it will be just you and me. Just a little bit. Please?" Umi pleaded. Her face formed an extremely adorable pout that could make even a girl like Ellie blush. That worked every time.

"Okay." She sighed. This princess was too irresistible. "The first is prince Lantis, a great swordsman. He likes to travel and rarely in the palace so people don't know much about him. But you can tell he is very cool." She said dreamily. "The second is prince Ferio, the future king. He's great in sword too but unlike his brother his Majesty is very friendly with everyone, including the servants like us. He's really nice and we all expect him to ascend the throne some day." She paused a bit. "And the last one, prince Ascot, was a bit… stranger. He always hid in the royal forest near the castle that no one is permitted to come in. No one dare to, except the princes. However, he's quite cute. There was a time when I merely bumped at him in the hallway and he blushed and apologized even before I did." Ellie giggled and fixed a ribbon in Umi's hair. "That's all I can tell you, princess."

Umi didn't pay attention to her maid anymore but busied herself by analyzing the information she just received. 'Indeed the one named Lantis is handsome, but he's also a bit too cold and arrogant. Further more I've argued with him so he's out of the question.' She sighed. 'I wonder if the other two can be any better. Back to the ball last night that Ferio seemed to be the sly type and I hadn't seen the third one yet, actually he hasn't made any impression. They definitely shouldn't be like...'

"What about the Master Mage?" She blurted out. However, Ellie has finished her make up at the same time and hurried her into joining the breakfast. Reluctantly Umi rose in her feet and leaved the room, not bothering to check herself in the mirror.

'I will ask later. Oh well.'

"Princesses from all lands, under the name of the Queen of Cefiro, I am very honored to have your presences here. No matter who will be chosen as the next queen of Cefiro, I hope that you all will have an enjoyable stay at our country. Please do your best for the pride of your land and prove yourself to be worthy of Escudo, the most powerful power in the world. May the Goddess bless you." Queen Emeraude, looking as radiant as ever, raised her glass of wine to welcome the princesses. Everyone followed her and cheered. Starting today the contest for choosing brides was begun.

"And I do not hope for a queen who has a late habit." The queen added as everyone turned at the door. Failed to slip in secretly, the newcomer smiled embarrassedly and quickly made her way toward an available seat. Although the table was very large, probably the largest one Umi has ever saw but most of places near the princes were occupied and there was only one seat that was remained at the end of the table. Didn't have any other choice, she sat in and noticed that though it was very far, but she was indeed facing the eldest prince at the opposite side. There was a very faint but definitely amused glint in his eyes as he was staring at her. Umi's cheeks reddened as she looked down, pretending that she didn't see it.

It seemed like she has made fun of herself every time in front of those princes.

"Okay," Queen Emeraude stood up and clapped her hands, "I just want to make sure that everyone will hear the rulers." That gained everyone's attention. "Firstly, there will be tests of knowledge, dance, singing, riding, archery and swordsmanship. Three princesses who have best records of each category will be chosen. The second round, these eighteen princesses will have to pass the trial which the princes decide to choose only three princesses at the final. They will be trained magic and Cefiro's royal manners by our Master Mage Clef in 3 months. At the enthronement's ceremony, the new king will announce his chosen queen and the remainders will eventually marry the other two princes." Emeraude finished happily. "Is there any question?"

Whispers were growing loud in the dinning room. Umi smirked. She couldn't say that she was the best in all of this but surely she was trained enough to do some tricks.

"Why a queen has to have such abilities like riding, archery and swordsmanship? I mean, we are princesses not warriors." A high-pitched voice questioned. It was belonged to a princess with a bit too much make-up on her face that made she look like a waxen doll and amount of jewelries that made people wondered how she even managed to stand with them on. A bunch of princesses with similar appearance agreed with her.

The Queen's face was serious when she slowly began to answer. "My noble ladies," her voice was still gentle yet firm at the same time, "If anyone of you came here with the illusion of great wealth and power that our country has merely created, I'd be happy to have you as our honorable guest and bid farewell when you come home. However, a true Queen need more than that. Right now when we are sitting here and eating a plentiful breakfast, our soldiers are fighting those monsters at the North to protect us. We don't gain peace with nothing but trade by our own blood and lives. Even if the Queen doesn't go to the battlefield, her soul and her power are always serving her people's safety."

For a moment, silence filled the room. Everyone was overwhelmed by Queen Emeraude's glory and nobleness. Even Umi was staring at her with a new found admiration. Was this the true form of a queen, she wondered, if someday she could become like her. Aside from only the beauty she has seen before, there was so much more. There was greatness.

Noticed the tense air she has caused, Emeraude softened her eyes. "Worry not, my dears. As long as you have a strong will you can do anything. Actually, this kind of test will give you more chances. If you're not good in one category, you can try another." She smiled. "To tell the truth, I has passed before only thank to my first place in singing category."

"Really, that queen is amazing." Umi sighed. She was still dazed by Emeraude's early speech even now when she was walking in the hallway. After that the queen has announced that the test would be started in ten days and Umi decided to spend her free time in the palace's garden, just to clear her head.

"Hey." Umi suddenly felt a light tap at her shoulder. She turned back to find a girl smiling and recognized her as the princess that has been with Lantis last night.

At that time Umi was too in the mood to pay attention to this girl's appearance but now while getting a close look at her, she had to admit that this princess was very cute. She had an innocent, childish and rather round face and her long pigtail was bright red like flame. However, the most attractive on this princess, in a strange way, was her big red eyes. It was lively, honest and contained a hidden strength that gave Umi a moment of doubt if she really was the timid girl last night.

"Hello." Umi greeted friendly.

"Hello, you're the one who helped me yesterday right? You've left so quickly that I hadn't the chance to thank you." The other princess asked happily. "I've been searching for you since morning but didn't see you anywhere so I began to wonder if you truly came here to attend the princess contest."

"Ah, it's just that…" Umi laughed embarrassedly, "Last night I didn't sleep well and woke up late this morning."

"Sometimes I'm like you too. Especially when I'm in foreign country like this." She nodded. "By the way I'm Hikaru Shidou from Autozam, please to meet you."

"Well I am…"

"Princess Umi Ryuuzaki of Chizeta, right? You've said it yesterday."

"I did?"

"Yes, when prince Lantis asked your name. You're pretty brave to treat him that cold." Hikaru pointed out.

"It's not something to proud of." Umi sighed. "Anyway you're not too timid though, why didn't you talk back to that rude prince?"

"See, you're saying bad thing about him again." Hikaru laughed. "I'm just not use to men's company aside from my brothers and my bodyguard. They're not cold like him too. And although I admire your straightness I never dare to talk back to my possibly future husband like you do."

"I guess you're right. Too bad we must try to put up with that attitude in case of marrying him. Sometimes I truly hate my temper."

"But I like you! I mean, you seem really nice to help me yesterday and I wonder if we can be friends." Hikaru said hopefully.

"Aren't we already enemies in the way to win the queen's throne?" Umi raised her eyebrows. "And I only helped you because I was pissed of that prince."

"It's not like that." Hikaru protested. "Indeed we have to try our best to win but that doesn't mean we can't make friends." She said disappointedly. "This place was full of strangers and I can't help but feel lonely. All others princess act cold to me because of this contest. Are you like them too?"

Umi looked at the red-haired princess oddly. Her honest words and innocent face erased every doubt in Umi's mind about a plan was formed to get rid of an enemy. This Hikaru sure had an interesting way of thinking. Umi wasn't such heartless that saw every other princess as her enemy but she didn't intent to make friend with them too. She simply didn't care.

"Fine," Umi said, "We're friends."

"Really? I'm so happy!" Hikaru exclaimed happily and danced around the blue-haired princess like a child just received his gift.

"It's like I just have a new little sister." Umi chuckled amusedly.

"Hey! I'm already 17 years old!" Hikaru protested.

"What?" Umi stopped laughing and studied the figure in front of her: A pink dress with many red ribbons at the neck, waist and the fringe; a height that barely reached Umi's nose. She shook her head in disbelieving. "You must be 14 at least. There's no way you're the same age as me."

"Why everyone always mistakes as a child?" The red-haired princess pouted.

"Why is it so hard?" Fuu groaned miserably while rubbing her leg after a countless fall. The brown-haired princess was so dreaded of the dancing category that she decided to train herself in the palace's garden right after the meeting was over. However, due to her crumpled and dirty green dress it was obvious that she didn't have much success. Beside from her incredible bad skill, her swollen feet also prevented Fuu from dancing. "Memorizing a dozen history books is definitely a piece of cake compared to this."

"Are you alright?" Startled at the sudden voice, Fuu's head jerked up only to see two pair of curious eyes staring at her. Feeling unconfident and embarrassed, she stammered "I-I'm alr-right!"

"It seems like I startle a lot people these day." The one with blue hair laughed then offered Fuu a hand. "Come on, do you plan to sit there all day?"

"Thank you…" She tried to stand up but her legs were too weak to obey.

"Be careful!" The blue-haired girl caught Fuu in her arms and managed to lead her sit down on the grass with her friend's help. Pulled out a handkerchief she began to wipe the dirt in Fuu's face and her dress while the other one examined her legs. "I'm Umi Ryuuzaki and she's Hikaru Shidou. You're one of the princesses, right? What are you doing here? Did you just have a fight or something? Your clothes are all worn out and there are several bruises on your skin." She joked but concern was shown clearly in her voice.

"I…uhm… I just… Ah-!" Fuu whimpered painfully when the red-haired girl called Hikaru accidentally touched her feet.

"So-sorry!"

"Well, My name is Fuu Hououji of Fahren and I… just do some dancing training." She finally regained her voice but looked away due to embarrassed. "It's ridiculous, isn't it?"

"Wow! You train so hard that your feet go swollen? That's awesome!" Hikaru exclaimed, surprising the brown-haired princess.

"Wha-what?" She blinked.

"She's right." Umi grinned, brushed of the last dirt in Fuu's cheek. "It's not ridiculous at all. Your skill may be bad but your effort is cool. It's not like every princess could work hard like you did. I like those who have strong determination."

"You two really think so?" Fuu blushed. "Thank you."

"It's nothing, but next time you have to train properly in order not to hurt yourself again."

"That's right! Why don't you teach her how to dance, Umi?" The red-haired princess suggested, once again made the other two raised their eyebrows in surprise. "I mean, Chizeta is famous for its dancers, isn't it? And you are their princess after all, you must have great skill!"

"Teach her?" Umi repeated, looking puzzled.

"No-no! You don't have to, I'm alright…" Fuu shook her head, dismissed the idea. She didn't believe there was a princess that would help her enemy in the progress of winning the heart of some men.

"But Umi said that she liked Fuu's determination, didn't she?" Hikaru said cheerfully. "I know Umi is a good person, she would help other people!"

"Wha…" The blue-haired princess felt slightly disturbed but looking at the little girl puppy eyes, she didn't have the heart to refuse. "Okay. Anyway dealing with this kind of contest just some tricks would do."

Please R&R.