Reeling back, Cassandra held a hand to her head that hurt rather badly.
What had just happened?
She had been walking quickly toward Dame Agatha when she had collided with someone who had gotten in the way.
Her friends behind her were hurrying to her side and Cassandra began to blush at the fuss she had caused.
She quickly dropped into a bow of apology, wondering how she would remedy this new issue.
Why had she not been paying attention?
Walking into someone and causing a scene was hardly what the palace was looking for in a person who was to accompany the queen herself in the future.
"My apologies," her breathing was rushed as the words left her lips.
She composed herself as best as she could, rising from her bow before her head lifted to see who it was that she had walked into.
A muscular chest was the first thing Cassandra saw before her eyes travelled up his strong torso, up to his thick neck, a strong jawline, lips in a stern line and then up to his eyes.
Cassandra's thoughts remained still for a moment.
The eyes of the man she had walked into were a startling sort that had locked onto her gaze with an unyielding dominance. He was tall with bronze skin. His hair was thick and combed back to reveal thin scars along his forehead. He seemed to swallow up the room with the aura he was emanating. The raw scream of power rolling off his body was surely catching everyone by surprise in the room. Surely it could not be only Cassandra who found it hard to rip her eyes away from his.
"Cassandra?"
Cassandra jolted at Charlotte's worried voice.
What was she doing? Had she been staring at the powerful looking man without leaving immediately? How long had she been looking at his eyes anyway?
The striking man in question stepped back a little way.
With a little bow, his arm extended as though in welcome.
"Ladies."
The four women hurried past with small curtsies, their heads bowed as they walked past the man and toward the waiting table of women and Dame Agatha.
"What a voice!" Elizabeth whispered and Cassandra blushed.
"Elizabeth!" Charlotte admonished in a fiercer whisper and the women quickened their steps.
Cassandra was still self-conscious and breathing hard when they reached Dame Agatha.
"Dame Agatha," the women bowed.
"May we be seated, madam?" Charlotte took the lead and enquired.
Cassandra looked up to see Agatha's expression. The tall lady gestured for the four women to take their seats.
"Should there not be one more with you? I had asked that the maids dress five ladies at a time." The older woman's voice was stern and emotionless.
"Yes, madam," Cassandra decided to answer. Her voice shook slightly from the nerves but calmed down as she continued to speak, "the maids explained that there was a slight problem with the dress our companion had picked out and that she would be delayed a few minutes as a result."
Dame Agatha said nothing, only pinning Cassandra with a stare.
The table was completely silent as they all watched Cassandra.
Cassandra felt like the world was ending. The dame pursed her lips before nodding curtly and looking away.
"Wh- Why don't we continue our meal?" One of the other noble ladies said.
Cassandra was grateful for her kindness but could feel her stomach shutting up and her throat going dry.
She had tarnished her chance!
What a blunder.
Her body started to shiver ever so slightly.
What had she done?
This was only the first day and the morning itself had not yet concluded. There were ten more days to go.
Cassandra was sure Charlotte would be chosen. The woman who had kindly adjusted the table's emotions so effortlessly definitely belonged in the queen's entourage. Phoebe was usually tactful and quiet and had a high chance of getting in. Even Elizabeth would take directions from her friends and would be allowed to pass the test if all went well.
Cassandra needed to be in the entourage more than anyone else. She was desperate for it and had vowed to do only her best.
Was this her best?
Cassandra wanted to burst into tears, but she held her emotions in.
She took a long, quiet breath before straightening her spine and focusing on the meal before her.
Her eyes were shining with tears, but she removed her focus from her fear with all that she had.
Sunlight was streaming in; she was surrounded by caring friends and had an opportunity of a lifetime in her hands that was surely granted to her for a reason.
Nothing would go awry.
She had to believe it.
"That was a pretty woman just now."
Alaric said nothing. He tore into the meat he had been given while his other hand held the large loaf of bread. The knights were loud as they roared with laughter and talked over each other.
They were almost barbaric as they hungrily went through their first meal of the day after heavy training.
It was a large, well-lit hall and fitted the large group perfectly. But it did not, at all, suit the group of delicate and snobby ladies sitting at the far table near the windows.
Twenty-one women sat there, prim and proper with only polite conversation and delicate laughter.
Alaric grimaced.
Nobles. He hated them. They were a bunch of cowards with no spine of their own and only enough air in their heads to wag their tales for royalty like filthy dogs.
Alaric grabbed a large jug of water and gulped down the contents earning some loud laughs from some of the men around.
He hated their guts.
If there was anyone he hated more than the cruel woman who was the ruler of the land, it was her pawns. The dogs sniveling at her feet made Alaric want to retch.
He groaned as he set the jug down quickly.
He had a part to play in the next few months, and he hated it with all his being.