"All my life, I have never been touched by a man. I've remained clean and chaste" - Ava Goodchild

...

As we assembled the floor, I looked around carefully, noting where everyone was.

The beast was right at the center, on his throne.

With a tight-lipped and stern expression, he watched each of us prudently.

There were some men, standing just by his side.

And one other, serving as a guard, who seemed terribly familiar.

While at the top part of the mansion, were two other women. The first was Cicilia, the seductress. I couldn't recognize the second cause I never remembered seeing her anywhere.

But what I did know was that she definitely held a high rank.

There was no doubt in that, from the way she was positioned, just beside Cicilia. She wore a really expensive attire, engrossed in an unknown conversation with her.

One thing was quite obvious.

She was indeed pretty.

And she held a more visible aura of power, compared to Lady Cicilia.

"Greedy expressions."

Emily suddenly remarked, as we made preparations to dance.

On our toes, with our ankle jewelries, which clanked in sounding

"Huh?"

"The party guests on the other side, all wearing avaricious and greedy expressions...Their eyes searching, like we're some prize to be caught."

She remarked.

But my mind was far off from her words. I only nodded to the words she said, with my eyes on Lady Cicilia and the other female beside her.

I noticed their respective assistants were also conversing with each other.

I needed to talk to one of them, and investigate more.

From how things looked, to have a conversation with one of them, I had to patiently wait for them to come down, to interact with their friends.

One thing I knew was common in women, was we liked show offs.

I planned on using it against them.

"Lady Rook!"

I called out loud the moment I noticed the second female that conversed with Bishop Cicilia, passed beside me.

With her eyes, holding a surprised look, she narrowed them towards me, slowly stepping towards me in elegance.

Her hair was a long and straight brunette, decorated with ancient pins and something that almost resembles a tiara. While her garment, was a peach colored one, with dark and gold embroidery on it.

"Rook Francesca if that's what you meant." she dominantly stated.

I smirked, knowing that was my intention.

Guessing her rank from the chest pieces, with an aim that she'd say her true name.

"My apologies, Rook Francesca,"

I said, curtseying with a slight bow while I held my dress.

"You look unfamiliar, are you new around here? Perhaps, one of the chosen?"

"Yes, I am, milady. Under your mercy of course."

I expressed.

I just had to spite her.

I needed her to reveal something in order to protect her emotions.

"My mercy? What do you mean?"

She elegantly, asked. With her carefully constructing her words. She was definitely a smart and wise one, unlike Lady Cicilia, a bimbo.

"I mean you have quite some reputation, as the obvious higher rank next to the beast. You didn't even breed his child,"

I rolled off my tongue, with a slight chuckle.

"How in the world, did you do that?" I let out.

"You must be a witch,"

I whispered, this time with a clown expression.

She fumed, closely staring at me.

"I assure you that is being worked on. I mean, I was just this close before the choosing paused it all,"

She said.

"King Caspian had to go himself to get the girls, that's why,"

"Besides,"

I watched as she swayed her fans towards her neckline.

"This assures my protection, around here,"

Some set of fangs immediately extended from her mouth. This made me gasp on my spot, and I took a step back.

I now understood why she had extended the fan.

She wasn't human.

Instead, something out of the ordinary.

"W-What are y-you?"

I breathed out, presently hyperventilating, and trying to keep up with the conversation.

"Are you scared, pawn?"

She mocked.

"Even though I wasn't turned fully but this is enough to scare you to..."

She trailed on her words.

"Stay the hell away from me."

"You're probably like the rest of the girls and will end up dead anytime soon."

She added.

"Unlike us the lucky ones,"

I watched as Rook Francesca, swayed her hands, directing them to herself and Cicilia.

My eyes immediately bolted in realization, as she walked away, gracefully and stylishly.

T-They were both supernatural creatures, like the beast.

This was definitely why they related so well.

Question was...what were they?

With curls of distress in my features, I looked around as everyone cackled, and drank.

Anytime soon, the Great Dance would begin, and I was starting to get a cold-feet.

I mean, what if the girls from 200 years ago, died because of these two people?

"Pawns, assemble!"

That brought me out of my daze immediately.

It was Knight Lydia. And, she ordered standing up from where she was seated, with her head, high up in the air. She exhibited dominance.

But not enough to intimidate me as before.

At least I knew who controlled the strings now.

"Remember this is your last chance to be among the Five. So, give in your very best," she advised.

"Yes, Lady Lydia,"

We all chorused, together.

Making our formation, my eyes searched the best place to position in. I knew getting his attention meant, doing something different. Since we were all humans, distinct things captivated us.

We were also told the rules.

All I needed to do was to get the beast to throw his piece of cloth towards me.

Doing that, meant he chose to be with me, for the night.

The bell dinged, with the orchestra playing the music we had rehearsed to.

"Let's do this, Ava,"

Emily said.

I nodded as we both partnered, with smiles on our faces.

We twirled in our dance attires, which showed our bellies. I was definitely going to use it to my advantage, swaying like I saw harlots, do in my village.

The instant we separated, our legs jingled our anklets, throwing our waists towards the beast. We did just as Lady Cicilia made us practice, doing the same with our shoulders.

"To the middle, Ava,"

I muttered to myself, knowing the dance was about to end. I did just that. However, there was something I had noticed while we were rehearsing. There was an end beat for about a minute and some seconds.

And that beat included a seat of submission as we were told to do.

The minute the dance ended, the remaining 24 girls, including Emily, laid in submission.

But as the beat continued, I took a leap of fate to dance just from the middle.

"This is your chance, give your all," I told myself.

Slowly, I twisted my belly, throwing my waist towards the beast's direction and smiling. I looked directly into his eyes, with my hands running all over my collarbone to the middle of my breasts.

Next, my legs widened and I slowly settled on my toe, like Cicilia had taught us. Coming back up, I turned back directing my feminine behind towards him. My hand came directly at the waist line of my dance skirt as I made an illusion of removal.

When he smiled, I knew I had gained his attention.

From the beats the orchestra made, which I had studied, I knew they were about to end.

"I hope I make it,"

I stated.

Slowly, I connected to the floor just at the middle in submission.

With my two hands outstretched, I got nothing from the beast. Rather, I only heard claps from the audience at the pawns' performance.

My heart thudded, knowing I was going to get in big trouble, if I didn't gain his approval.

Right now.

I was almost giving up, when I felt the piece of cloth on my hands.

My eyes widened.

The beast had just thrown it to me.

...

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