The morning sun filtered through the tiny cracks in our wooden roof, painting golden lines across my mat. I blinked slowly, not wanting to rise yet, but I knew better. In our village, laziness was not a luxury the poor could afford.
I sat up, careful not to wake my younger sister, Ama, who slept beside me. Her breaths were soft and steady, her tiny hands curled beneath her chin. She deserved more than this life, more than this leaky hut, more than watery soup and hand-me-down slippers.
Mama's voice called from outside, "Adira! Come pound the yams before the market bell rings."
"Yes, Mama," I called out, tying my scarf and slipping out. The morning breeze was cool, and the ground still damp from last night's rain. I inhaled deeply, ignoring the ache in my stomach.
As I stepped into the daylight, my eyes caught a crowd gathering by the village square. Curiosity stirred in my chest. Something felt… different. I left the yam mortar untouched and followed the murmurs.
A tall man in deep royal blue robes stood beside the village elder. He held a scroll in one hand and a symbol of the royal house in the other. I recognized it immediately; the golden phoenix crest. My heart jumped.
"They're here for the choosing," someone whispered behind me.
I froze. The palace had sent messengers to every village, calling for young maidens of "pure heart and strong will" to be tested for a role in the royal court. Some said it was for training. Others believed it was something greater, something secret.
My name was never submitted, not even by mistake.
So I turned to leave. But then—
"Adira of Anlow village," the man announced, his voice deep and strong.
I stopped mid-step. My heart pounded. Whispers exploded all around me. I turned slowly.
"Adira?" Mama's voice came from behind. She looked confused, her hands still white from yam flour.
The man looked at me directly. "You have been chosen by royal command."
The world seemed to blur as I stared at the man. Me? Chosen? But how? My name was never submitted. I had no title, no riches, not even a pair of sandals. Yet, the messenger's eyes stayed fixed on me, unwavering.
"I… I think you have the wrong person," I stammered, stepping back slightly.
The village elder stepped forward. "It is no mistake," he said firmly. "The palace has their ways. When the scrolls arrived, they bore your name."
My mother stood beside me now, her hands trembling at her sides. "Adira… did you know about this?"
"No, Mama. I swear it."
The crowd had became so quiet, but the looks of surprise and envy were everywhere. I could feel them burning holes in my back. A few girls from my age group whispered behind cupped palms.
I heard one of them scoff, "What could she possibly have that they want?"
The messenger unrolled a second scroll. "You are to leave by nightfall. Preparations will be made. This journey cannot be delayed."
Nightfall? So soon?
My knees felt weak. I hadn't even had breakfast.
By mid-afternoon, our little hut was buzzing. Auntie Eka brought me her best wrapper to wear. My older cousin braided my hair with gentle fingers, tears in her eyes. Ama clung to me like she had when our father passed. I held her tightly, promising to write if I ever could. But we all knew, letters from the palace rarely returned.
Mama packed the few good things we had; a bead necklace passed down from her mother, a carved comb, and a dried packet of ground pepper
"In case the palace food tastes like boiled stones," she joked, forcing a smile.
The air was heavy as the sun began to dip low. The royal cart stood outside the village square, drawn by black horses whose eyes were covered in gold-threaded blinders. Two palace guards waited silently.
"I still don't understand," I whispered to Mama as she tied the wrapper tighter around me.
"Then don't try to. When the gods choose, we obey," she replied. "Be wise, Adira. Watch everything, speak less and whatever you do never forget who you are."
I swallowed hard. "I won't."
Then, with one last glance at the life I had always known, I climbed into the cart.
****************************************
Kael's POV
The sound of the palace bell echoed through the marble halls as I walked down the west corridor. Another announcement had just been made in the southern provinces. One of the village girls had been selected. I didn't know her name yet. Not that it mattered. Most of the chosen never lasted more than a week in the palace.
My steps slowed as I neared the royal library. The tall doors stood open, spilling warm candlelight across the polished floors. I stepped in, nodding to the two scribes who barely looked up. Their noses were always buried in scrolls, old histories, and war strategies from ancestors they'd never met.
I sat near the window, overlooking the lower gardens. The wind from the sea carried the scent of the hibiscus trees up to my tower. But even that couldn't drown out my thoughts.
My fore fathers; had started this tradition decades ago. Girls from different villages in our vicinity were chosen and brought here to "serve" and "learn." Some believed it was noble. Others whispered it was just another way for the court to feel powerful.
I never asked for it. Yet every few months, new girls arrived.
And now, another one was on her way.
I leaned back, watching the red sun dip beneath the palace towers. Maybe this one would be different.
********************************************
Adira's POV
The palace came into view just as the moon rose high. I had never seen such a thing walls so white they glowed in the dark, turrets that seemed to scrape the clouds, and golden lanterns lighting every corner like daylight.
The cart stopped at the outer gates. A guard spoke to the messenger in a tongue I didn't recognize. Then the iron bars opened slowly.
I held my breath.
The palace smelled of roses and something sweet I couldn't name. Servants dressed in matching blue robes waited at the inner court. One of them, a young woman not much older than me, approached and gave a stiff bow.
"You are the chosen girl from Ugezi clan, from Anlow village ?" she asked.
"Yes," I said quietly.
"I am Miren. You'll come with me. You'll be assigned a room, given a new wardrobe, and trained on how to conduct yourself before royalty. You must not speak unless addressed. Do not ask unnecessary questions. And never ever enter the West Wing. Do you understand?"
I nodded.
My feet followed her, but my mind stayed behind at the gate. What had I just stepped into?
The halls of the palace were too quiet. Even our footsteps seemed swallowed by the thick rugs lining the floors. Every few paces, we passed a statue — tall, cold-faced figures with swords or scrolls, all watching with empty eyes. I didn't dare look at them too long.
Miren led me through a narrow staircase tucked behind a tapestry. It wound upward, round and round until we reached a wooden door. She opened it and gestured for me to step in.
"This will be your room."
I blinked at the space. It was small, but still bigger than my family's entire hut. A soft bed sat in the corner, covered in pale blue linen. A chair, a wash basin, and a small window overlooking the garden made up the rest. A folded gown and a pair of shoes sat neatly on the bed.
"You will wake at dawn. Training begins tomorrow."
I nodded, still speechless. Miren paused at the door.
"Not every girl who comes here gets the King's attention. Most are sent back after a few days. So mind yourself, Adira."
She closed the door.
I sat on the bed, hands trembling. I should be happy — my village would be honored, my family might be rewarded. But all I felt was a strange knot in my stomach.
******************************************
Kael's POV
I didn't sleep that night. I rarely did.
The moonlight poured in through the tall windows of my chamber, casting long shadows across the stone walls. I stood by the balcony, watching the torches flicker along the palace edges. From here, I could see the servant quarters. One of those small rooms now belonged to her.
The chosen girl.
I didn't know why she kept tugging at my thoughts. Maybe it was the way my father spoke about her earlier, with an odd note in his voice. Or maybe it was that I had glimpsed her briefly as she arrived, eyes wide, unsure, yet calm.
She didn't look like the others.
I pushed away from the railing and walked back inside. My sword rested on the wall, untouched since training that morning. I ran a hand through my hair.
Tomorrow, I'd see her again, properly this time.
And something told me… everything was about to change.