Chapter 4 THE CHOOSING DAY

ROYALS MANSION

The living room was filled with the sounds of laughter, shouting, and electronic beeps. Victor and lucius were both engrossed in a heated video game battle, their eyes fixed on the screen as they competed aggressively. The room was noisy, the TV blasting the game's soundtrack and the two friends trash-talking each other,none of them ready to give up.

"Give up already guy,you're fighting a lost battle"Victor said.

"It's not bad if you admit that you're scared of me attacking again,you've been trying to force me to give up" Lucius chuckle.

On the couch, Augustus sat with his phone in hand, oblivious to the commotion around him. He scrolled through his social media feeds, his face bathed in the glow of the screen. He occasionally chuckled or nodded to himself, but otherwise, he ignored Victor and Lucius's antics.

The only missing member of the group was Leon, who was likely holed up in his room, pursuing his own interests.

"Gosh,some girls are crazy" Augustus shook his head.

"Another nude?" Lucius and Victy faced him at the same time.

"More than I can count this time,what the heck? To check my dms these days sound so impossible"Augustus said.

"What do you expect? You love posting yourself shirtless and in shorts,they probably got wet just by staring" Victor said and Lucius laughed.

"This is not funny but I'm enjoying It" Augustus chuckled and shook his head.

He started a live video and immediately about ten thousand already watching in two minutes.

Among them all,He's the social media freak,He's a model as well so he spends a lot of time on social media than others.

Everyone of them have their own insta account but they hardly upload pictures,their fans always dying of long waits,especially Leon,he posts at most three times in a year,and he's got some crazy fans that are madly obsessed with him.

Hundred thousand fans already watching August even though he hasn't said a word,comments just kept on coming.

👥 You're so handsome

👥 Oh my Augustus

👥 How are you doing?

👥 Can you show us others please?

👥 I miss Leon!! Please

👥 Lucius and Victor please

👥 Can you show us our hot prince?

"I can't believe this,I'm the one on live but they keep asking for you dummies" Augustus said.

Victor and Lucius didn't even hear whatever he was saying

"Yessssssss!!!!!!" Lucius suddenly exclaimed and thew the game control away.

He just won the game.

"You're embarrassing me" Augustus groaned.

Lucius came close and blew kisses to the camera,the comment section turned upside down,

It even got worse when Victor joined.

Now just Leon remaining and they keep on asking for him.

"That little cutie might be sleeping already" Augustus said.

"Just go on and check up on him" Victor and lucius pushed August.

"Fine fine" Augustus chuckled and got up.

He continue talking to the fans as he climbed the stairs and finally he knocked on Leon's door.

"User unavailable" Leon answered from inside.

August chuckled and opened the door anyway.

"What" Leon groaned.

"Don't act rude to me,I'm on live" Augustus said.

Leon scoffed, August turned the camera to him and he waved slowly.

"Hi,how are you all doing?"

"Goodnight,thanks" He bowed and turned away.

August couldn't stop laughing when he began reading the comments.

"They said you're cute"

"Go out" Leon muttered.

"Guys,I think we need to call it a day here,goodnight" August said and ended the live video.

"What are you doing here all alone?" He asked.

"Spending quality time with myself,it was too loud downstairs" Leon replied.

"So you prefer isolating yourself?" August asked and sat down on the bed.

"Isolating? I'm just trying to rest my head" Leon replied and left the bed.

"What are you waiting for?" He asked,getting a drink from the fridge in the room.

"I'm not going out,let me join you. Victor and lucius were not talking to me either,that was why I started the live" August replied.

"Oh,so what should we do now?" Leon looked at him.

"I should be asking you that" August said.

"Movie?" Leon asked.

"Horror" August smirked.

"You know how much I hate anything scary,do you want to kill me?" Leon scoffed and August laughed.

"I'm not wicked but I love your face when you're scared,and don't worry I will be right beside you" August said.

"And you expect me to trust you? It's not about watching alone,I'm definitely going to have nightmares as well" Leon said.

"Then I will sleep beside you all night...."

The door opened and Lucius entered.

"What are you two Planning?" He asked.

"Movie,wanna join?" Leon asked.

"Come on! I thought it's just us" August said.

"I don't trust you like I said, you might just lock me up here after watching the silly horror movie," Leon said, and Lucius laughed.

"I'm not that heartless, you're hurting my feelings," August touched his chest.

"What am I missing out?" Victor entered as well.

"Why my room, please?" Leon groaned in frustration.

"Sorry," the three boys said at once and fell on the bed.

"Who called Alex?" Lucius suddenly asked.

"Oops, nobody. I will do that now," Augustus muttered and immediately dialed Alex's number.

---

NEXT MORNING, RADIANT CROWN PALACE

Hazel stood frozen in the grand courtyard of the palace, her eyes scanning the overwhelming scene before her, covered with a multitude of girls.

As she gazed out at the sea of different faces, Hazel felt her heart sink. The courtyard was packed with elegant, refined young women, each one more beautiful than the last. They chatted and laughed, their voices like music, as they waited for the next thing to do.

The air was electric with anticipation, and Hazel felt like an outsider looking in.

The girls were dressed in their finest attire, showcasing their wealth and status. Silk and satin gowns in every color of the rainbow rustled and shimmered in the sunlight, adorned with intricate lace, delicate embroidery, and sparkling jewels. Their hair was styled in elaborate coiffures, and their faces were painted with subtle, alluring cosmetics.

In stark contrast, Hazel felt woefully out of place. Her simple, worn dress seemed dull and faded amidst the splendor surrounding her. Her hair was plain and unadorned, and her face was bare of makeup. She wore no jewels, only a small, leather-bound necklace that had been her mother's. As she looked around, she felt like a small, insignificant flower amidst a garden of exotic blooms.

The sheer number of girls was daunting, and Hazel wondered how she would ever stand out in such a crowd. How could she possibly hope to catch the Prince's eye when so many others seemed more qualified, more refined, and more beautiful? The thought sent a pang of despair through her heart, and she felt like turning and fleeing, abandoning her foolish dreams forever.

"What am I going to do now? I need to go to school," she mumbled tearfully as she bit her nails while moving backward without watching her back until she suddenly bumped into someone.

"Ahh! Are you blind?!" The scream made Hazel jump; she turned.

Vynessa glared at her disgustingly. She's definitely the best dressed among everyone Hazel has seen. Maids are even following her; she's obviously a princess.

"I'm sorry..."

"Shut up! Is this riffraff also here for my Alex?! Really? This is irritating! Give me water; I need to wash my hand! Right now!" she yelled.

"Here, Your Highness," a maid immediately handed her a bottle of water.

Before Hazel could do anything, Vynessa was already washing her hand on Hazel's head.

The maids blinked in shock, but none of them uttered a word.

"What the heck do you think you're doing, you bitch!" Hazel yelled angrily and pushed Vynessa off.

"How dare you touch me!" Vynessa screamed.

"You ugly asshole! You soaked my clothes, are you dumb?! Did I touch you intentionally? You spoiled brat of a spoiled nation!" Hazel yelled back.

"Guards!" Vynessa shouted.

Five guards covered Hazel up immediately.

"Take her away! Throw her out!" Vynessa yelled.

They were about to carry her.

"Stop," a voice said, and Vynessa frowned.

They all turned to see Princess Isabella coming, and they all bowed at once. Hazel bowed as well.

"Vynessa, that's enough," Isabella said softly.

"She disrespected me, sis..."

"I said that's enough, leave," Isabella snapped.

Vynessa glared at Hazel before storming away, her maids followed her.

The guards also left, and Isabella smiled at Hazel.

"Why are you here? In that outfit?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, but... this is all I have," Hazel replied.

Isabella looked around.

"What time is the selection starting?" she asked her maids.

"In thirty minutes, Your Highness," they chorused.

"Good... come with me," she said to Hazel, who was confused but followed without arguments.

They continued walking until they entered Isabella's quarters.

She took her to her dressing room, and Hazel almost gasped. Are they selling clothes here?!

"Dress her up," Isabella ordered her maids, and Hazel's eyes widened.

"Do something about her hair. There should be a perfect shoe for her... a pretty dress would do also," Isabella told them, and they got to work immediately.

Within twenty minutes, they were done. By the time Hazel stood in front of the mirror, she almost failed to recognize herself.

She was looking absolutely stunning and gorgeous!

---

Amidst all, Alex was still bent on trying to convince the king to reverse his decision. Since yesterday, the king had refused to talk to him.

He had to force the guards out of the chamber entrance and sneaked in.

He passed through the first living room, but it was empty. He was approaching the second one when he began to hear the king speaking with another man, probably one of the royal elders.

He wasn't about to burst in but decided to wait.

"Your Majesty, if I may ask, why do you suddenly want the youngest prince to get married?" the elder asked, and there was silence before the king answered.

"You know about my health and illness... I have just a short time left to live," King Edmund said, and Alex's eyes widened.

"I have to make things right before I leave, and Alex is the main purpose of whatever I'm going to do because he was born to be the head. That silly kid just doesn't know the kind of responsibility he has on his shoulders," the king coughed.

Alex swallowed, still not getting it.

"I've made my decision on who would take over my crown since ten years ago. I just decided to keep it within myself, or it would be war, even though the war can never be avoided when I'm gone," the king said.

"Who is going to get crowned, Your Majesty?"

"My youngest son... Alex. He's the best and safest person for me to leave the throne for," the king replied.

At that moment, Alex's head banged, his eyes grew wider, and tears poured out of his eyes.

This is not happening... Right?