Jade Durnn awoke abruptly and realised the room was in the middle of a fight. She worried if her wig was in place as she struggled to open her eyes.

"You, Sir, have stolen my shirt," Harry shook as his face reddened with anger.

"Have not," Robert, a tall, vain young man, dismissed his accuser without a look. He continued to pull his night shirt over his head not caring if everyone saw him shirtless. Jade fought the instinct to look away.

"Stop being dishonest," The prim man changed his position trying to face Robert who still ignored him like one would an annoying fly.

"It's not as if you've got your name on it," Jacob warbled from his corner as he partook the complimentary fruit laid beside their beds.

"As a matter of fact I have," The slim man announced although his chin shook as if he were controlling his tears.

"Don't tell me your mum still stitches your name on your PJs, you fancy wanker," Paul shouted from across the room. Harry's sudden hunched posture indicated it was true.

"Does she hold your hand when you piss?" Jacob laughed mercilessly while the other men joined in. Robert brandished the name sewn on the stolen shirt and threw it at the rightful owner's face.

"That's enough, you pisspots," Jade interrupted the humiliating scene firmly although the idea of Harry's mum holding his hand everywhere did give her some amusement.

"As if you're the one to talk, mister fancypants. You've been busy diving deep into the muslin party," Francis drawled at her. Jade wanted to retort but was interrupted by another candidate opening a letter waiting at the basket at the entrance.

"We've been summoned, ladies. We're finally meeting the Royals," Jacob fluttered the paper in the air, "Prince Edward has announced a meal with us. He wants to check out who wants to be Luke's new man."

"Ugh, not him. He's rather annoying to be honest," Jade blurted out unthinkingly.

"Don't sell me a dog! You've been meetin' the Prince Luke and now you've been introduced to the Crown faffing Prince. You've all the luck if that's true" Paul hollered disagreeably.

"Should've known you'd be an arse licker. All poncy and perfect. Have you lot seen his clothes. Stiffer than Harry's back," Robert spoke with a certain meaness that made Jade uncomfortable.

"I haven't been meeting with anyone," The girl replied firmly.

"What were you doing with the dumb bird that fell off the boat? Is she getting you the job by getting friendly with the Prince? He did save her after the farce she played," Robert asked with a sneer marring his handsome face.

"Take that back! I will pummel you to the ground," Jade roared at the implications. She had no idea if she could even lift a finger against the tall, broad opponent who was flaunting his physique at this very moment but she was furious enough to try.

"Now, now, it's not like she threw herself off the boat for attention," Harrisburg was conciliatory in his speech. He liked to stay out of their conversations as much as possible but it seemed like he sensed the threat of physical violence was real.

"He's right. She never fell on her own. She was pushed," Francis mentioned offhandedly.

"Pushed. Oww. What a strange lot these nobles are. You'd think they would behave better," Paul tsked like an old granny.

"Yes, I'm scare what they'll do to us," Jacob took a large bite out of a green apple as Jade watched. She wondered who would be so spiteful to throw a mere librarian's daughter off a boat.

:::

Jade along with the rest of the candidates walked into a cavernous dining room. At the end of the room was a dormant fireplace carved into the wall that was large enough to seat a couple of guests. Even with the proportions of the room Jade was certain this was a smaller eating area since Permelia had often boasted of how vast the tables were at the palaces. This table only sat a two dozen at most which had been the capacity of the table at her own home.

There were a few people already seated around table. There seemed to be no fixed seats assigned although it was obvious certain seats at the head of the table were assigned for the Royal family. In between the empty seats sat Emma whose pallor was sallow. She seemed unhappy to have found herself invited to another intimate Royal gathering.

Her pale blue eyes lit up the sight of the arriving men not knowing that a few hours ago they had nearly come to blows over her.

"You have brightened up my day," She whispered loudly as she gestured for Jade to join her. The tall girl realised that everyone around them must have heard her.

"So, you are not displeased. I was unable to save you. I heard you were pushed," Jade ignored the probing eyes and sat down next to her. The chair was stiff and unwelcoming.

"Somebody elbowed me at an unfortunate moment. Well, some good did come of it. My social suicide would have been complete if I were not saved by Prince Luke himself. Instead of pitying me the girls were rather jealous," The fair haired girl trailed off with a sigh, not looking particularly happy with the new development.

"Of course. I'm glad my inferior self did not come to your rescue," Jade could not contain her smile.

"As you should," Emma suddenly stiffened at the herald walking into the room, "Stand up, the Princes are here. I wonder what game Edward's playing. He couldn't care less what Luke gets upto."

"Could he not want to help his brother find the perfect secretary," Jade hissed as she rose with the people scattered all over the seats.

"Hah, you jest. If he cared so much he would instead find the girl Luke's been searching for. He's been busy making fun of him," The younger girl replied from the corner of her mouth. The herald announced the Princes and guards took their place on the sides of the door.

"Sending that shoe out in the market is a bit exteme," Jade felt put out having to agree with the disagreeable crown Prince. The doors were open in unison and in walked the crown Prince with a female companion they had not seen before. Following him was the second Prince who walked in alone. Behind them was a small crowd of people including Elliot who would complete the table.

"Oh, now don't you start. It's romantic," Emma said as they sat down again.

"Did you see the girl?" Jade asked curiously.

"Not quite since I sat too far away in the crowd. She was very slight and tall, completely unlike me. I believe I was mesmerized by her entire countenance. She sparkled without single gaudy gem on her body," The librarian's spun the tale of the ball as if she could visualise it just then.

"It sounds like it wasn't only Prince Luke who fell in love with a mysterious girl," The taller girl chortled.

"Hah, silly boy, I can admire a beautiful face when it comes before me. Not like I had a chance to do anything else but admire the beautiful people," Emma sighed wistfully as she played with the cutlery.

"And what were you doing if not charming up the local population at the ball," Jade teased.

"I was standing with the wallflowers and that odious Edward made it even worse," Emma grip on the spoon tightened, "He approached me as per his usual. He either disparagingly commented on the ugliness of my gown and how unfortunate I looked in it, I don't know. He's always so unkind it could really be anything. He then asked the girl next to me for a dance."

"What a louse! I would have tripped him if he had done that to me," The auburn haired girl scowled.

"As if he sould ever ask you to dance, silly boy. Anyway, he didn't even know who she was, much less what she looked like since he was still looking at my face. If he expected a reaction I gave him none. I am very proud," The plump girl gave herself a satisfied nod.

"He expected you to be devastated by his obvious rejection."

"Yes, I wonder what he expects me to do. He provokes me all the time but I dare not say a word. I would have fainted if had asked for a dance.... would have done my weak heart in," Emma gave a jittery sort of a laugh.

Someone cleared their throat and the pair stilled when they realised that the meal had not begun because of their whispering. Everyone was staring at the gossiping duo.

Edward gave them a very pointed stare and then after a little speech sat down at the head of the table. He was joined on one side by his brother while on the other by his female friend.

Prince Luke was indeed as reticent as the rumours claimed. He kept to himself, barely looking up from the meal before him. The only person he conversed who him was Elliot who sat next to him. He was not arrogant though.That Jade had discerned after going over their encounters. Perhaps he was shy. Her gaze turned to Edward and that man was certainly the opposite. His mouth had ceased to close for as long as they were in his presence.

Jade was well aware she was being watched by everyone as well. She was the one after all on trial. The girl had no worries about her comportment. No matter how Permelia had mocked her manners she was still a girl and even at her worst she could not be as uncouth as any man. Her companion, Paul, on the opposite side of the table should be worried since his slurps could be heard from across the table.

Emma was quieter now that the royal party was in the room. Jade could feel her vibrate a strange sort of tension. Her face was sour and her meal a pulverised mess. Upon one look upwards immediately informed her of the source.

Prince Edward was glaring at them heat of a thousand suns. His blue eyes were blazing as if he wanted to render their corner of the table into ash. Jade looked down at her meal and realised she had taken up a powerful foe