Mira's POV:
The competitions had finally arrived, and the entire Palace and Calon city were buzzing with excitement. I had been looking forward to watching all the tournaments, and was currently at the Royal Viewing Box in the Palace grounds, where the horse races were taking place. The atmosphere was electric, with people cheering and chanting for their favorite riders.
I was seated with the King, Prince Nova, and other dignitaries in our designated area. The high priestess and her daughter were also present. Prince Cadoc sat beside me, and we exchanged warm smiles. Just then, I noticed Abigail making her way towards us. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes.
As Abigail approached, she tripped and fell onto Prince Cadoc's lap. It was obvious to me that she had done it on purpose. "Your Highness, I'm so sorry," she said, batting her eyelashes.
Prince Cadoc politely helped her up, saying, "No harm done, my lady."
Abigail smiled sweetly and took the empty chair beside Prince Cadoc, which belonged to his bodyguard who had stepped out temporarily. I glared at my cousin, but she ignored me.
"If you don't mind my sitting here, Your Highness," She said, smiling flirtatiously.
"Not at all," Prince Cadoc replied.
"I'm Abigail Weldon," she said, extending her hand.
Prince Cadoc furrowed his brows. "Weldon?"
Abigail nodded. "Yes, Mira is my cousin."
Prince Cadoc looked at me, and I nodded reluctantly. He smiled at Abigail and said, "Well, in that case, nice to meet you, Lady Abigail."
After that, prince Cadoc and Abigail chatted casually, much to my annoyance. I was happy though when the match started, and prince Cadoc and Abigail were forced to focus on the match. Caleb, the bodyguard of prince Cadoc, came back, but to my dismay, Abigail didn't stand up, and Caleb had to stand.
As the match continued, Prince Cadoc and I were fully engaged, cheering on our favorite rider, Luther. The race was intense, with Luther and another rider, Marcus, neck and neck until the very end. Prince Cadoc and I were on the edge of our seats, holding our breaths as the riders approached the finish line.
We stood up, our excitement too much to contain, and screamed as Luther crossed the line first. I hugged Prince Cadoc tightly, jumping up and down in his embrace as we laughed and cheered. The thrill of the win was exhilarating, and for a moment, I forgot about Abigail's annoying presence.
When we finally let go of each other, I turned to see Abigail leaving with a strange expression on her face. I shrugged, muttering "good riddance" and focused on the next match with prince Cadoc. We continued to cheer and support our favorite riders, enjoying the rest of the tournament without further distractions from my cousin.
â â â
Valerie's POV:
I took a deep breath as I prepared to enter the stage for the dessert competition. It was the second day of the tournaments, and I had only 30 minutes to get ready. Luckily, Julie was by my side, helping me gather everything I needed. We had rehearsed this moment before, and I was confident in my abilities. But as I glanced out at the sea of faces in the audience, my nerves began to flutter. Julie's reassuring smile and the memory of our successful test run helped calm my jitters. I remembered how she had tasted my dessert and confirmed that it was the best she'd ever had, assuring me that I had a winning recipe. I was incredibly grateful for her support and presence here today.
I decided to take a quick peek at the crowd, and my eyes landed on Mira in the front row, holding a sign that read 'Go Valerie!' It warmed my heart to see her support. I also spotted Prince Nova in the audience, which gave me an extra boost of confidence. I was ready to showcase my talents, but little did I know, disaster was lurking around the corner.
Lord Alexander's POV:
I watched as the so-called friend of Brownie snatch an ingredient from the desk back stage where I knew Valerie's ingredients were laid out. I turned to observe the other contestants, who were busy arranging their own stations, oblivious to the sabotage. When I turned back, the girl was hastening away, her guilty expression evident.
I shrugged, thinking it wasn't my concern if Brownie lost the competition. I turned to leave but I didn't make it back to my seat in the viewing area. Instead, I found myself turning back towards Brownie's station. When I approached, I saw her frantically searching for something, her eyes scanning the table with a hint of desperation. As I drew closer, I noticed her eyes welling up with tears, and that unsettled me.
"Brownie, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice softening despite myself.
She looked up at me, but her eyes were distant, her focus elsewhere. "I can't find my main ingredient," she said, her voice laced with panic. "Without it, I can't make the dessert."
I watched as she frantically searched her desk and the surrounding area, her movements becoming more desperate by the second. It angered me, seeing her so worked up over a simple competition.
I grasped her hand roughly, forcing her to look at me. "It's just a competition, Brownie, stop fretting over it," I said calmly. "It's not worth getting so worked up about."
Her eyes hardened, and she yanked her hand free. "It's not just a competition," she spat, her voice low and fierce. "It's something I've put my mind to, something my parents worked hard to help me achieve. Mira is out there supporting me, and Julie practiced with me and helped me. They're all counting on me. So next time, watch your words."
I watched as she continued to search for her ingredient, even asking a fellow contestant for help. I was taken aback by her outburst, and for the first time, I was at a loss for words. But I knew what I needed to do.
I walked up to her and said, my voice soft, "Valerie-Valerie...look at me."
She lifted her gaze, a tear escaping her eye, and it made my fist clench with a sudden surge of anger. I had never cared for anything or anyone this much before, but for her, I cared. I cared so much that I wanted her to win, to succeed, to be happy.
I took her shoulders, my grasp gentle but firm, and said, my voice soft and almost lovingly, "I'm going to get what you need, I promise. Just trust me."
She looked flabbergasted, but nodded, her lips parting slightly. My heart swelled at that small gesture of trust, and with that, I turned and walked away, determined to find what she needed to win.
I strode down the hallway, my long legs eating up the distance. Time was running out, and I had no idea what the ingredient even was. But I knew I had to find it. I spotted the girl who had taken it, looking dejected and miserable. I stomped towards her, my boots echoing off the walls.
"Where is it?" I growled, my voice low and menacing. "Where is Brownie's ingredient?"
Her brown eyes widened in fear, and she looked down, muttering, "I don't know what you're talking about."
I snarled, my anger tipping over. "I saw you take it, so don't lie to me. Where is it?"
She cowered, her eyes flashing with fear, and whispered, "I disposed of it. You won't be able to find it."
My anger boiled over, and I sneered, "I thought Valerie was your friend. Why would you do such a thing?"
The girl looked ashamed, her eyes dropping. "It was the right thing to do," she whispered.
I scoffed, my disgust evident. "The right thing to do? You betrayed Valerie, and I'll never forgive you for that. I saw how close you two were, how she admired you. You're disgusting."
The girl was crying now, unable to meet my gaze. I turned to leave, but stopped when she whispered, "Eldrida petals...that's the ingredient."
I didn't even spare her a glance as I left, my mind racing with the information. I would make sure Valerie won, no matter what it took.
_______
I strode out of the palace, my mind racing with desperation. Where could I find Eldrida petals? I had asked a cook, and she had shaken her head, telling me it was impossible to find them here. The competition was about to start and I was starting to lose hope, but I refused to give up. I was still going to search for them somewhere, anywhere.
As I reached the main entrance, I heard a deep voice behind me. "Excuse me, sir."
I turned, my irritation evident. "What is it?"
The man, a package delivery officer, looked undeterred. "Do you know any Valerie Alaric?"
My heart skipped a beat. "Yes, why?"
The man's face brightened. "A package didn't get to her. It was separated from the first one, and I only realized it now. I'm deeply sorry for the inconvenience."
My mouth hung open in disbelief. "Give me the package. I'll make sure she gets it."
The man smiled. "Thank you, but I need someone to sign for it."
Without thinking, I blurted out, "I'll sign it. She's my girlfriend."
As I signed the package, I felt a strange sense of happiness, and maybe, just maybe, I wished that it were true.
I took the package, knowing without a doubt what was inside. I didn't need to open it to confirm. But I tore open the box anyway, and my heart leaped for joy. Eldrida petals! I had found them!
I sprinted back to the competition hall, praying that the competition hadn't started yet. Val was going to win, no matter what it took.
Valerie's POV:
My heart raced like a wild animal as I stepped onto the stage alongside the other contestants. I noticed that Bellamy was one of the contestants but I didn't pay mind to it because I had way more problems than that.
The main ingredient for my dessert was missing, and I felt like I was walking into a nightmare. Why had I even bothered to come on stage? I thought about my parents, who had been beaming with pride and happy that I had finally found doing something for myself for once, and Mira, holding a sign with my name in the audience. Prince Nova's encouraging gaze also flashed through my mind. I was about to disappoint them all. Plus, Julie was nowhere to be found.
I gazed blankly at the items on my table, wondering why I had even set them up. Lord Alex's confident words echoed in my mind, but I realized he had no idea what I needed. Even if he did, there was no way he could procure Eldrida petals at such short notice.
As the emcee began to speak, signaling the start of the competition, my last shred of hope vanished. I raised my hand, ready to forfeit, when something inexplicable happened - a miracle, perhaps?
Lord Alex burst into the room, his sudden appearance grabbing everyone's attention. But he didn't seem to notice, his eyes locked solely on mine. "Valerieâcatch!" he shouted, throwing something in my direction.
I raised my hands, and miraculously, I caught the small package. My eyes widened as I realized what it wasâthe Eldrida petals! I looked up to see Lord Alex smiling brightly at me. It was the first time I had seen him smile like that, and I couldn't help but smile back.
The emcee's voice cut through the moment, "Start!" he announced, as if the interruption had never happened.
I quickly got to work, pouring the yogurt into a stylish glass cup. I added the honey and shredded coconut, my hands moving with renewed confidence. Suddenly, I heard Lord Alex's voice again, "Brownie, you can do this!" I furrowed my brows, looking up to see him sitting in the front row, his eyes shining with encouragement. I grinned back at him, and my gaze met Mira's, who was looking at us with a curious expression.
With the yogurt chilled and my station decorated, I took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. I carefully placed the Eldrida petals on top of the dessert, finishing it off with a flourish. As I looked up, I caught Prince Nova's eye, his smile making my heart flip. I fought off my own smile, trying to maintain my composure.
It was time for the judging. As the judges made their way to our stations, I stood nervously in front of my dessert, my heart racing with anticipation. There were ten contestants in total, and the judges had already sampled several desserts, including a chocolate mousse and a fruit tart.
When it was finally my turn, I took a deep breath and began to explain my creation. "The dessert is called Eldrida Petals Bliss, a yogurt-based dessert infused with the delicate flavor of Eldrida petals. The petals enhance the natural sweetness of the yogurt, while the shredded coconut adds a satisfying crunch and the honey provides a touch of warmth."
The judges nodded thoughtfully, their expressions unreadable. One of them took a bite, and I watched anxiously as she chewed, her eyes closed in concentration.
Next to me, Bellamy had made a decadent chocolate lava cake, which the judges had devoured with gusto. I tried not to compare myself to her, focusing instead on my own creation.
After what felt like an eternity, the judges finished their tasting and moved on to discuss on their own. I let out a sigh of relief, my nerves still jangling. But I didn't care if I won or not - I had made a statement, I had done something for myself, and I wasn't alone.
The emcee finally took the stage, a dramatic flourish to his voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, after careful consideration of the contestants' unique desserts, we have finally found a winner. And let me tell you, it was not an easy decision. Each and every one of you showed remarkable skill and creativity. But one contestant stood out for her exceptional understanding of the assignment. She combined flavors and textures in a way that was both familiar and innovative. She demonstrated a clear passion for her craft, and a dedication to excellence. And that contestant is... Valerie Alaric!"
I stood there, frozen in shock, as if I hadn't heard correctly. The room erupted in cheers, but it seemed distant, muffled. It wasn't until I heard Lord Alex's loud "Yes!" that I finally looked up, a smile spreading across my face.
Mira rushed to hug me, tears of joy in her eyes. Prince Nova cheered loudly, beaming with pride. I felt a sense of great joy, like my heart was overflowing.
The emcee presented me with a check for 5000 CF, and I couldn't believe my eyes. Bellamy came to congratulate me, and asked to try my Eldrida Petals Bliss. "It's really unique," She said after trying it. My heart almost burst with joy.
But then I saw him, standing awkwardly to the side, and without thinking, I hugged Lord Alex tightly. He stiffened at first, but then relaxed and hugged me back. "Thank you, thank you so much," I exclaimed, my voice muffled against his chest. "I wouldn't be here without you."
He pulled back, a small smile on his face. "You deserved that win," he said, his voice gruff. Then he cleared his throat, and scowled. "Don't expect this kind of kindness from me next time," he growled.
I smiled, knowing that beneath his gruff exterior, Lord Alex had a big heart. And in that moment, I felt like I was on top of the world.
_______
As I settled back into my room, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. I had just won the dessert competition, and Lord Alex had revealed how he had obtained the Eldrida petals - it seemed as though my parents must have sent two packages, which had, by a stroke of luck, been separated from each other.
I had called my parents, and they were over the moon with joy. But now, as I gazed around my room, I discovered what was missing - Julie. I realized that I hadn't seen her for a while now. I tried calling her, but she didn't answer. I considered going to her room, but something held me back. I decided to wait until tomorrow, the final day of the competitions. Tomorrow, Prince Nova and Lord Alex would face off in a game of Polo, and I knew everyone would be there to witness the intense rivalry between the two. I would be there too, but I wasn't sure who I would be rooting for. I pushed the thought aside, deciding to let tomorrow take care of itself.
â â â
Prince Nova's POV:
I gripped my polo mallet tightly, my eyes fixed on Alex, who was smirking at me from across the field. I was good at polo, it was my thing, and everyone knew it. But today was different. I had too much riding on this game. I had told Alex that if I won, he should stay far away from Valerie, but he just smiled and said "Nova, it's on." I knew he didn't take me seriously but I was aware that he wanted to win.
I glanced over at Cadoc, who was on my team, looking less than thrilled to be here. I had convinced him to join the game, but he clearly wasn't into it. And then there was Xander, who was on Alex's team; I wasn't too surprised to see him on Alex team, since he kind of looked up to Alex.
The small arena in the Palace was packed with guests, including my father, the king, and some other spectators. I spotted Valerie and Mira at the front, chatting and laughing. Valerie's eyes met mine, and I felt a surge of determination. I was going to win this game, no matter what.
The referee signaled for the game to start, and Alex smirked at me again. I clenched my jaw, my grip on my mallet tightening. This was it. Let's do this.
The game began with a throw-in, where the ball was tossed into play. Alex expertly caught it and began to ride towards me. I met him halfway, our mallets clashing as we fought for control of the ball.
Cadoc joined the fray, using his mallet to deflect the ball away from Alex. I took advantage of the opening and struck the ball, sending it flying towards Xander. But he was quick and managed to intercept it, passing it back to Alex.
The game continued, with each side fighting for dominance. Alex and I were evenly matched, our skills honed from years of playing Polo. The score was tied, 4-4, as we broke for halftime.
As we returned to the field, I knew I had to focus. The game was far from over. With just minutes left to play, I saw my chance and took it, expertly maneuvering my horse to position myself for a shot. I swung my mallet, feeling the satisfying thud as I made contact with the ball.
As I passed Xander, I knew I was about to score. But then my eyes shifted to Valerie, and I didn't even know why. She was choking on her drink, and Mira was rubbing her back. I paused for just a second, my concern for her momentarily distracting me from the game.
And that was all Alex needed. He swooped in, taking the ball from me and passed Cadoc, who had thought I was already about to win. With a triumphant smile, he scored the winning goal.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Alex and Xander celebrated their victory. I couldn't believe it. I had let my focus slip, and now we had lost.
As Alex celebrated his victory with Xander, he caught my eye and smirked. He walked towards me, his confident stride eating up the distance between us. I clenched my jaw, still trying to process how I had let my focus slip.
He leaned in close, his voice low and taunting. "Seems like I'm not leaving Valerie's side anytime soon."
Valerie's POV:
I found myself walking towards Lord Alex, to congratulate him on his win. A crowd was formed around him. But as soon as he saw me approaching, he immediately ignored them and walked towards me, a hint of a smile on his face.
"Congratulations, Lord Alex," I said.
I couldn't believe it. A week ago, I wouldn't have thought I'd be congratulating him, but here I was. He had helped me yesterday, and I had to admit, I was starting to warm up to him.
"Aww, Brownie, you finally admit I'm the best polo player in the world," he teased.
I rolled my eyes, feeling more at ease with him now. "Oh please, you're not that great," I said nonchalantly.
Lord Alex chuckled. "You're rolling your eyes, which means you're secretly impressed," he said, his voice teasing. "And I must say, I thought I was too intimidating for you and you hated my guts."
I laughed. "You're not intimidating, Lord Alex and I definitely don't hate you. You are just annoying at times."
Lord Alex smirked. "Annoying, huh? Well, I'll take that as a compliment."
My eyes shifted to Prince Nova, standing in the middle of the arena, surrounded by people who were talking to him in awe. Even though he hadn't won, they still looked at him with admiration and reverence. I felt a pang of concern for him.
"Excuse me, Lord Alex," I said, not waiting for his reaction. I walked away from him and towards Prince Nova, who was still surrounded by the crowd. As I approached, the people left, leaving us alone.
"Are you okay?" Prince Nova asked, his eyes scanning my face. I nodded, wondering why he was asking me when I should be the one asking him. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking down, and said, "Guess I didn't win."
I smiled, trying to reassure him. "Even though you didn't win, everyone here will agree with me that you were the star of the match."
He looked up, surprised, and I shifted closer to him. He grinned, and I grinned back. We just stared at each other. My grin slowly left my face as I realized how close we were, and for a moment, I forgot we were in the midst of people.
But the moment was ruined when a figure stood beside us. I turned to see Julie. Shoot! I had forgotten to call her this morning. She looked disheveled and tired, with eyebags under her eyes and a pale complexion. I was about to say something when she muttered, "I took the Eldrida petals on the day of the competition."
She didn't make eye contact as she said it, then without waiting for me to respond, she hurriedly walked away. I looked at Prince Nova, and a silent communication happened between us. He nodded understandingly.
I turned and followed Julie, leaving Prince Nova behind.
I followed her into the Palace, careful not to be seen. She hurried down the hallway, not noticing me behind her. She headed to the north wing and closed the door, but I quickly opened it and called out, "Julie?"
There was no response. I went to the left, wondering where she had gone. Just as I was about to give up, I saw Julie talking to Bellamy in a nearby hallway. I ducked and hid, but still managed to see them.
I was shocked to see Julie and Bellamy together - I had no idea they knew each other. Bellamy's voice was cold and condescending. "I didn't ask you to sabotage your friend, did I?" she said.
Julie looked almost desperate. "I just wanted to be acknowledged by my sister," she said.
Sister? I thought, confused. What was going on?
Bellamy scoffed. "You are acknowledged all right - as a betrayal. And a betrayal can never be my sister." Julie shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Bellamy eyed her disdainfully, crossing her arms. "Pathetic, Julie. You're pathetic. You always have been, and it seems like it's not changing anytime soon."
Julie sobbed at that, and I felt a surge of anger towards Bellamy. Who did she think she was, talking to Julie like that? I knew one thing - Bellamy had no right to treat Julie with such cruelty.
I stepped forward, and Bellamy and Julie turned to me. Julie's eyes widened in horror, but I couldn't tell if it was from fear or shame. Bellamy raised an eyebrow at me.
"I don't know what's going on between you two or what kind of relationship you have," I said, "but I can see the love Julie has for you, Bellamy. And I know Julie would never intentionally hurt anyone she cares about."
Bellamy frowned at me, while Julie looked down in shame.
"So, you don't have the right to say those mean things to her," I continued. "Yes, Julie did something wrong, but I have a feeling she might have done it for you. And maybe, if you have a little conscience, you can at least try to say nice things to her. She's clearly hurting, and your words are only making it worse."
Bellamy scoffed. "I can't believe you're defending her. Do you even know what she did? She sabotaged you and took your main ingredient so that I could win. Isn't that pathetic?"
"You're right, it is pathetic," I said. "But if someone, especially my sister, did that for me, I would feel like the most important person in the world. It's clear Julie values your relationship more than her own integrity. That's not something to be ashamed of, Bellamy. That's something to be grateful for."
Bellamy rolled her eyes at me, then at Julie. "You're lucky to have a friend like her, Julie. Too bad you chose me over her, and I didn't deserve it." With that, she walked away from us, leaving Julie and me alone in the hallway.
Silence ensued, and then Julie wiped her tears and finally made eye contact with me. She came to stand in front of me and said, "I don't know if this means you forgive meâ"
But before she could complete her statement, I slapped her. Julie looked shocked, and I could see the pain in her eyes.
"You are mistaken, Julie," I said, my voice shaking with emotion. "I only defended you here, but don't for once think I can forget what you did. I could have forgiven it if it was anyone else, but you..." I broke off, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I thought you were my friend, Julie. I have never had a sibling, but I looked to you like one....... like a sister. When every other person stood against me, you and Jude were there for me."
Julie was crying now, and I could see the remorse in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Julie," I said, shaking my head. "But I don't know if I can forgive you."
"I'm sorry...I'm really sorry," She said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I just stared at her, trying to process my emotions. I couldn't believe that Julie, who had been there for me during our practice sessions for the competition, could turn around and stab me in the back like that.
With that thought, I wiped my tears and turned away, walking away from Julie and the pain she had caused me.
As I walked through the main lobby, I bumped into Miss Millicent, looking vibrant in a t-shirt and shorts, just like the first day I met her. I hadn't seen her much since that night she was drunk, and I had only visited her room once in the morning to find her already dressed and quiet. It was weird, since almost all the guests had requests, but I didn't think much of it, preoccupied with the competition.
But now, as she smiled brightly at me, all the tension from the past few days melted away. "Valerie, I'm glad I ran into you!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
I smiled back, composing myself to hide the tears I had shed just moments before. I didn't want Miss Millicent to know I had been crying. "Miss Millicent, hi!" I said, trying to sound cheerful. "It's great to see you too!
She smiled and said, "I'm so sorry for not attending your cooking competition yesterday. I was busy with something, but I heard it was a huge success! Congratulations, Valerie!"
I smiled. "It's okay, thank you."
Miss Millicent beamed at me. "You deserved the win, even though I couldn't have a taste. I'm sure it was delicious!"
I laughed. "Thank you. I could make the same dish I made for the competition â the Eldrida petal bliss, just for you!"
Miss Millicent's eyes sparkled. "As much as I don't want to miss tasting it, I have to leave for Marlenia today."
My eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
Miss Millicent grinned. "My mum finally agreed to let me go to Marlenia for my very important project!"
I couldn't help but feel happy for her. It seemed like this project was the reason she had gotten drunk the other day, and now that she was able to do what she wanted, she was radiant.
"That's amazing!" I exclaimed.
She chuckled, her eyes shining with amusement. "Mum even called my dean and he said I was an exceptional student...and I guess he was right, wasn't he?" She laughed, a joyful sound that was infectious.
I laughed too, feeling happy for her. "Definitely!" Then added, "I'm going to miss you." I meant every word. Despite not knowing Miss Millicent very well, I had seen a side of her that I was sure many people hadn't, and I was definitely going to miss her.
She smiled sadly. "Me too," she said. "Though it's not like I'm going forever...I will be back, I promise."
I nodded.
She added, teasingly, "And also, take care of Nova for me."
I flushed a little, but I was used to it now.
Miss Millicent's expression turned faraway, and she said, "I used to have a crush on him back when we were still young. We all grew up together - me, Cadoc, Alex, Evie, and him. It was perfect then, but I'm glad for how far we have come. I'm happy-I'm happy that we all encountered you in our lives, Valerie."
I stood in shock for a while, mulling over what Miss Millicent had just said.
She finally said, "Thank you."
I furrowed my brows. "For what?"
Miss Millicent smiled slowly. "For believing in me."
______
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