{The preparations/ stand in for a twin}
In a grand room, maids worked tirelessly. They were busy preparing for the contest that would be held in the castle. They had to make sure everything was ready for the girls.
In the garden. A handsome, tall figure sat down peacefully. Emperor Azriel Alaric Archlys the first sat quietly gazing at the beautiful flowers in his garden. No one was allowed to enter that garden, including Luna. "Your Majesty, lady Luna request your presence" A guard said.
Azriel sigh in exhaustion. He stood up from his chair, he gracefully walked out of the garden. "Inform her to meet me in my private study" Was all Azriel could say.
Few minutes later Luna was led to the private study. "Your Majesty" Luna called out, with a loving tone. Azriel looks at Luna, a beautiful brunette. She has a smile that could blind her admirers. She has mesmerizing blue eyes, thin waist. She is the ideal woman every man could ask for.
"Hope you had a wonderful trip coming to visit me" Azriel said. "Your Majesty, you make it seem like I had to cross the seven seas just to see you" She said with a soft chuckle. "Why are you here? I never sent you an invitation to be here" Azriel saids in disgust.
"Uh..uh I'm here because I was informed that you would be hosting a contest to get a bride" She said nervously. Azriel raised a brow. "Why.... I mean why are you doing this? I thought we would be getting married soon" Luna said.
Azriel scoffed. "Are you serious? Get married to you? Please, don't make it seem like we were in a relationship to begin with. I only agreed to this shenanigan because you begged me to help you just to boost your status. For you to suddenly have this delusional thought of yours, just shows how far you'll go for fame" Azriel coldly stated.
Luna flinched. "You're wrong.... I have always loved you not because of the fame or the wealth but for who you are"
"Do you take me for child you could lie too? {Sigh} I expected so much from you"
Luna folds her hands into a fist underneath the table, trying hard to suppress the tears that were about to fall. "Y... Your Majesty, it stings that you only see me as a gold digger" Luna said. "Isn't that what you are?" He asked tilting his head casually.
"I am not. It hurts the way you say it" She said. "I am only making this contest to know if there are beautiful young ladies I would be interested in and if you're lucky it could be you. All you have to do is pass every test by the end of every week." Azriel said. "I'm not beautiful enough for you? I'm not good enough for you?" Luna asked.
Azriel massaged his forehead in exhaustion. "Luna don't make this into an issue and you are a beautiful but my empress needs to be more than beautiful, she needs to possess the quality of one" Azriel said. "I have all the quality an empress could need" Luna protests. "Then you'll have to prove that in the contest"
"I don't want to fight for you with peasants" Luna said. {She forgets that she's also a peasant} Azriel thought to himself.
"You scared that you'll lose?" He said. "I am not scared of some local classless girls. I know I'm going to be with you and you know it too but you're making me work for your heart but don't worry I'll win" Luna said.
"Are you sure? Because for a hundred and five days I would spend more time with other girls" Azriel said. "I am determined to work hard, I'll make you fall madly in love with me" Luna said with a glowing smile.
Azriel the most powerful and feared Emperor in the entire country. He possess powers that are far beyond any human being. He only agreed to this contest because his younger brother sees it as a good opportunity for him to mingle with young ladies.
Unfortunately every lady is scared of him due to his immense power he possess. That aside they're only after his wealth, he wants someone who would look beyond his wealth and fame. Someone who would love him and be able to bear children for him.
"Luna return home, I'll see you in a week time during the competition" Azriel said
Later in the evening Azriel sat in his private room, only he uses for relaxation. "Brother" A voice echoes in the room causing Azriel to glare at the man.
"I mean your Majesty. I see you've taken my advice into consideration" Charles said. "I had no choice. The girls would be arriving in a week time and I've arranged everything to make their stay comfortable" Azriel said.
"How did Luna take the news?" Charles asked. "She's still determined to win"
"So predictable. She's just after your fortune like a fly lurking around dead meat" Charles said. "Who isn't? Every lady coming here has the same aim in mind"
"Not all my dear brother. Beautiful things can be found in dirt if only you dig deeper then and only then shall you find the gold which you seek" Charles said with a smile that can me the sun itself melt.
"By the way how is your training going with that wizard of yours?" Azriel asked. "Same old, same old" Charles replied with a shrug.
"Has your powers fully manifested?" Azriel asked. "It's a gradual process, I hate the fact that I'm a late bloomer"
"It can be frustrating at times but you will get through this. I believe you'll be using your powers to protect the country in no time" He said. "Why can't I be like you? Why didn't I start using my powers in the womb?"
"You know that's what killed my mother right? After that father moved on and married your mother" Azriel paused keeping his emotions in check. "A day never went by without his constant reminder of what I am"
"Hey relax, that old dirt bag is dead. Besides he never knew greatness if it fucked him in his ass" Charles said. Azriel could only smile faintly.
"Even if the world see you as a monster, you will always be my role model and I will face the world with you together with your future wife. Now if you'll excuse me that crazy wizard summons me" Charles said as he disappeared.
It's been one week now, Anastasia had to learn how to be Guinevere, since she has to pretend to be to Gwen, she had to. Today being Saturday, Anastasia needed to be in the castle today. A royal chariot pulled up Infront of the house to take her and her maid.
She watched as her house disappeared as the chariot drove away. No one came to see her off, how ironic. The past week moved like a blur. Her family got her a new wardrobe, she was fed, they made sure her scars weren't visible.
Anastasia stares out the window. "How do you feel?" Hannah asked. "Nervous" Anastasia muttered. "I know this is all overwhelming but you deserve to be here more than anyone else" Hannah said. "You're just saying that"
"I mean it. You have been through a lot" Hannah said. "I don't think I can do this. How about we bail? How about we go somewhere no one would find us nor recognize us?" Anastasia asked. "If we did, the count wouldn't rest until he find us and kills us"
"I can't do this anymore. If the Emperor finds out the truth i'd be dead" Hannah placed her palms on Anastasia's mouth.
"Shh.... someone would hear you" Hannah said. "I can't win the competition, if i do then count Demetrius would use that power for evil" Anastasia said.
"If you don't want to win this competition then you could just try to survive till the tournament is over" Hannah said.
"What would happen if i don't win?" she asked. "Your father said that if you don't win then you would be sold to Benjamin'' Hannah said. "That perverted priest? i would rather die than to allow myself to be sold to that hypocrite"
The chariot stopped infront of a beautiful castle. Both girls stood in awe, this is unlike anything they've seen in their lives. Royal maids came to pick up her belongings. "Come this way please" A maid gestures towards the door.
Anastasia followed them graciously.
She was led to a grand hall and a giant door creaked open, it revealed a massive bedroom. This was bigger than the house the count owned. The maid dropped the bags in a closet.
"Excuse me, how many rooms are in the castle?" Anastasia asked. "There are two hundred and twenty five bedrooms excluding the Emperor's room and his resting room" A maid replied.
"I see" Anastasia placed her hand on her chin. "If that is all ma'am then i beg to leave" The maid said. They all left. "This bedroom is massive. Hannah can you imagine?"
"You see? You deserve the best life has to offer. This is the most amazing thing that could happen to you" Hannah said. "I hope you aren't thinking that i would end up with the emperor"
"What's wrong with that idea?" Hannah asked. "I am a stand in for Guinevere, I am expected to win but we both know that wouldn't be possible so i have to stay under the emperor protection without losing my life so winning the throne isn't an option" Anastasia said.
"Very well if you insist but I have a strong feeling that you would become great" Hannah said with a smile. "How about we settle in first then we can have this conversation in the morning"