Chapter 1: Death at the ball (1)
"The crown prince has arrived." A wave of whispers swept over the ballroom.
Tyrion Castro, the crown prince of the Castro kingdom, entered the ball.
Tonight, Tyrion faced a duty he greatly despised. He needed to choose a bride.
"Prince Tyrion, might I have the honour of being your first dance?" came a request from a young lady.
Behind this woman was her mother, who shared endless compliments of her daughter. The compliments were relentless, reminding Tyrion of the farmers hawking their livestock to anyone passing by.
"No," Tyrion replied curtly. . "Your mother seems eager so dance with her."
It was like this each time he had to attend a ball with the offers pouring in. Mothers would go to any lengths to thrust their daughters into his path so they might have the chance at becoming queen.
Rather than act interested, as the palace court insisted, Tyrion preferred letting them down rather than give false hope.
"Oh," a young lady stumbled, falling in his direction.
A tiny smile spread across her lips as she finally had his attention. She presented herself as the first damsel.
Tyrion stepped back so she would continue to fall.