Chapter 64

64 Half a loaf is better than none

The crowd gasped when Zavian took the tray from her hand, placed it by his side, and took another muffin.

All color drained from the Princesses’ faces when they noticed him smiling and talking to Zelda.

They couldn’t hear what they were saying but Zelda was blushing. Daphne and Alicia who had been laughing earlier couldn’t talk anymore.

Jasmine noticing that Daphne and Alicia couldn’t talk again leaned closer to them and whispered;

“There’s a saying that goes, never judge a book by its cover, I guess the both of you have not heard of it;”

They blinked but did not say anything in reply. Everyone was at a standstill as Zavian talked with Zelda for close to fifteen minutes before she walked back to the others empty-handed, as Zavian took her tray.

The crowd clapped and cheered as she went back smiling. Zavian stood up to leave and everyone stood up as they waited for him to leave, before sitting back down.

“Now we would score the Princesses;” Lady Weslee announced as she walked to the Princesses and tasted their food one after the other, after which she wrote down something on a book.

When she was done, she climbed the podium with a smile;

.....

“I guess we have our winner;”

Lady Weslee announced as the crowd cheered for the obvious.

“Princess Zelda wins the first test!”

The crowd stood and clapped for her. Princess Zelda waved with a smile as she stepped out from the rest.

Kitana was the most vexed. She folded her palms in annoyance as her fingers dug into her skin.

She would have come first if not for Zelda. The king liked her pancakes, but Zelda came and spoiled everything for her.

“And the second position goes to, Princess Kitana.”

Kitana quickly replaced her frown with a beautiful smile as she waved to the crowd.

She did not come first but she knew if the king were to choose, she would be chosen. Zelda was not physically compatible to be queen, so basically, she won.

Zelda was only able to make better snacks because she ate all day. She loved to eat, so why wouldn’t she know how to make what she ate?

Kitana thought, consoling herself as she waved to the crowd.

“And the third position goes to Princess Emma;”

Emma smiled and waved excitedly. She knew she wouldn’t win, but she was sure she wouldn’t come last. She was grateful she came third.

The other princesses followed and Princess Alicia came last, for obvious reasons.

She smiled but did not wave. It was not a thing of joy.

“This concludes the first test. The Princesses can retire to their chambers and prepare for the next test, which would be in four days.”

The crowd cheered as the Princesses walked back to the Castle.

Zelda hummed a song as she walked past the Princesses, and Daphne and Alicia glared at her;

“She thinks she’s queen because she won the test?” Daphne scoffed,

“Why wouldn’t she know how to make snacks when that is what she does every day, eat.”

Alicia added but Jasmine was quick to cut in;

“Another saying goes, half a loaf is better than no bread; Zelda has half a loaf, you two have none.”

She smiled, squinting her eyes before she walked past them.

Daphne and Alicia’s lips opened but could not utter a word as Jasmine was correct. Zelda was one step ahead of them, whether they liked it or not.

...

Neera has come out to watch the test. After the ceremony had ended, she searched for Penelope and finally saw her after so many days. They hugged briefly and sat down at a corner and talked;

“I’m good, how are you? I couldn’t even see you after what happened in the hall that night, what did the king do to you?”

Pen asked worriedly, and Neera shook her head;

“He was not mad at me, strangely. He was more bothered about my injury.”

“Oh, how is your head?” Pen asked, pushing her hair to the side to check her wound;

“It is healed already; how is Princess Lyra treating you? I hope she’s not a headache?”

Pen sighed; “No, thankfully. She’s okay. At least better than Princess Kitana, I heard she’s not kind.”

“Me too, I’m doing well to avoid them;” Neera paused and then added;

“Princess Lyra’s brother likes me;” she said in a casual tone that it took Pen a few seconds to understand what she just said. Her eyes widened in shock;

“Prince Axel? Really? Was that why he saved you? I thought it was just a mere coincidence!”

“Well, that’s what he says, but I can’t believe him you know, why would a prince be serious about a lowly slave? Besides, the king won’t take it lightly if he hears that Prince Axel is making advances on me. I told him off already, but I’m sure he’s not going to give up easily, I do not know what to do.”

“Wow, Princess Lyra talks about her brothers a lot, but she’s particularly fond of Prince Axel. From what I’ve heard, he’s a nice person, handsome, and fun to be around. Although many women are flocking around him, I’ve not heard about his tales with any of them. Maybe he truly likes you.”

Neera sighed; “It doesn’t matter, does it? The king would not let me go, and it’s more complicated now that he kissed me.”

Pen blinked; “Wait... what are you saying? The prince kissed you? Or the king kissed you?”

She asked, her eye almost falling from her sockets from how wide she opened them.

Neera looked around to be sure no one could overhear them and then she replied in a hushed tone;

“The king...”

“WHAT!!! The king?! How! When!”

“Shh!” Neera cautioned her, as she placed her hand over her mouth, stopping her from talking;

“It just happened. I don’t know, I think he mistook me for his dead wife. He said it won’t happen again, but I can’t get it off my mind.”