> As this story went from bad to worse, I'm canceling it... I hope to see you soon with a completely new one.

>

>  

While Galen and Elara just followed the conversation in silence, not daring to interfere, my mother, already determined to put an end to my peace, cleared her throat with that characteristic gesture that always announced her most important speeches.

It was already clear to me that my mother had made up her mind. Because of my disobedience, she seemed determined to turn that moment into a real nightmare.

"In our most recent census, we found that a single woman in her twenties lives in your home. It gives me great pleasure to announce that your daughter will have the opportunity to honor the Kingdom of Valtoria."

As my mother announced, with joy and enthusiasm in her voice, everything that was written in the letter, for some reason it seemed like a positive thing to her. However, for me, every word that came out of her mouth was like a stab in my chest.

After my mother uttered those words, even Elara, who until then had been silent, began to scream, as did her daughter, who was now clinging to my arm, pulling me with all her might.

"And you, Aunt Livi!"

My niece exclaimed, holding my arm tightly as she jumped for joy.

I commented as I stared at my niece. After hearing the revelation of what I had said, she let go of my arm, her eyes filled with fear, which quickly turned to tears.

"She's just playing with you, my dear."

My mother said, as she gently stroked Nira's head, and then gave me a reproachful look.

Ignoring my obvious discomfort, my mother continued with her enthusiastic speech.

"Like our beloved prince, Cassian Valerius..."

My mother continued, creating a little suspense. After all, she already knew that the longer she went on about it, the more she would torture me.

"He'll come of age later this month. To mark this new phase in his life, he has expressed the wish to have a companion by his side, someone who can celebrate this great occasion and become the future princess of the Kingdom of Valtoria. If your daughter, sister or a protégé is interested in becoming Prince Cassian's future bride, please fill out the form attached to this letter and send it to the nearest service department in your province."

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

When my mother finally stopped talking, I thought all the torture was over. However, I was wrong. As soon as she gave me another look, she continued speaking.

She had paused intentionally, just to create a dramatic mood. She knew it made me uncomfortable and, for some reason, my agony seemed to be her source of joy.

"One young woman from each province will be selected to meet the prince, ensuring that the choice is completely random to avoid any complaints. Those selected will be housed in the royal palace during their stay. For the families of the participants, there will be a generous reward offered by the kingdom."

As soon as my mother fell silent once again, I decided to try, even though I knew it would be futile, to change the course of the conversation.

"Guys, can't we finish reading the letter after we've eaten?"

I was already desperate, I didn't know what I was doing, let alone how I was going to answer any tricky questions they might ask me.

"Livia, can you stop interrupting me all the time?"

My mother asked, looking at me with an unfriendly countenance.

Since I didn't know how to answer that question, all I could do was lower my head and remain silent.

"As I imagined... where were we again?"

My mother commented, as she turned her attention back to the letter.

"Oh, yes."

"In advance, we thank you on behalf of the whole kingdom for your service to the royal family."

Elara, who had listened attentively to everything my mother had said, decided to remain silent. On the other hand, my brother, who always liked to tease me, saw this as the perfect opportunity to pester me.

"Did you hear that, Liv? They'll be generous with us."

My brother made a sarcastic comment, mocking me, which made me roll my eyes in anger.

Despite the ironic tone in my brother's words, I did my best to remain calm in the face of the absurd situation I found myself in.

My mind was racing as I tried to somehow find a way out, or at least a way to face what seemed inevitable.

What irritated me most about the situation was the macho system that disregarded our opinions.

While the princes didn't have to do anything but wait for a bride to be presented to them on a platter.

The princesses and commoners who married were often used as bargaining chips in marriage alliances, aimed at raising the morale of both their people and their nation. Although I understood the need for these alliances, I was still opposed to this sexist practice that gave women no choice.

The irony of the situation did not go unnoticed. Gender inequality was clearly evident in this archaic system, where princesses were treated as mere bargaining chips, while princes enjoyed much greater freedom of choice. This reality irritated me deeply.

My mother, completely oblivious to the indignation growing inside me, continued to extol the virtues of the 'honorable' invitation I had received. For her, it was a priceless opportunity, a chance to shine in the upper echelons of society.

But for me, the letter was like an irrevocable decree, a sentence that seemed to imprison me in a fate I had never wanted. With every word I read, my discontent grew, as I fought against the idea that this decision had already been made, as if my will had no value at all.

I couldn't understand how what my mother believed would change our lives could be the right thing to do.

As far as I was concerned, she was just selling out her only daughter, sacrificing my dreams and desires in the name of a distorted vision of success and social advancement.

For me, the Selection served only as an instrument for the kingdom to unite all Altherians, making them forget the problems we faced. It was an attempt to make them go back in their memories, as if our country had come out of nowhere and become a great power. This manipulation of history bothered me deeply.