The Only Daughter Of Lancaster
Part Fourteen: The First Test

Amabel remained silent until dinner. There's a ban on getting out of the room for the Prince's future wife, I don't know why. Amabel was bored, and she had to eat in her room again.

"Kier, when is the first exam held?" Amabel looked at Kier who was currently choosing jewelry to wear Amabel tomorrow.

"The first test will be tomorrow." Kier answered, this time he was removing jewelry that would not be used by Amabel. "Every empress candidate will take the written exam. Usually about the knowledge of the kingdom."

Amabel nodded while putting one piece of potato into her mouth. "Then, what next test?"

Kier hugged the book he was carrying in front of his stomach. His eyes were fixed on Amabel. "I don't know, princess. The organizers of the new test told me the day before the test."

Amabel put the spoon in front of her lips. Weighing for a while before finally asking, "why do you call me princess while Rachel Hutger you call miss, Kier?"

The woman in front of him was immediately bowed. "I'm sorry, princess."

Amabel doesn't understand why Kier didn't answer her directly. "Tell Kier, I won't be mad."

The young woman smiled and coded for the waiter to clean up Amabel's dinner. "I will prepare tea for the princess before going to bed. Do you want to change your nightgown now?"

Amabel took a breath. He knew it wouldn't be easy. Kier looks like someone who's going to obey orders. The loyalty of a royal servant cannot be doubted. "Yes, please help me change clothes."

After another servant came out of her room, Amabel said softly. "Kier, this is just my guess. But, is it possible that I have definitely been chosen as empress?"

Kier who was opening the dress Amabel fell silent. He then sighed, "master princess, you are the son of a Duke. We servants are required to call each empress candidate according to their family position."

Amabel fell silent. Ah, so that's the reason. I don't know why Amabel felt a little relieved. "I'm sorry if I'm too suspicious."

Kier now picked up a nightgown made of satin. "I'm grateful you have that suspicion. That's how you can survive. Thank goodness that you have suspicions because I can finally breathe with relief."

"Why is that?" Ask Amabel.

Kier started removing the embellishments on Amabel's head, then gently combed her silver hair. "You look so innocent and so good that I'm afraid that one day it will hurt you."

Amabel can see Kier's facial expression from the mirror reflection. The woman looked back at him, through the mirror. "But I know, the princess is a smart girl. I'm sure you can be a good empress."

"Your praise is too much, Kier." Reply Amabel with empty eyes. It must be too much because Amabel didn't want it. "For tomorrow, please bring me warm lemon water."

Kier nodded. His hands are busy cleaning Amabel's face. "The princess should strive to be the best. I'm sure by doing so, the princess family will be proud."

Amabel just smiled with her eyes closed. He doesn't expect to be the best. There were many noble princesses who had more knowledge than him. That's why Amabel didn't expect much.

"It's over, miss." Amabel opened her eyes and now her face was plain without any decoration.

Kier clapped his hands twice and a servant came in with a tray. Kier immediately poured the tea brought by the waiter. "Drink this before you go to sleep." Then he also put a glass of water on the nightstand next to Amabel. "Then, we'll excuse you. May you be granted protection and a good dream."

"Thank you." Amabel then left the room.

The girl did not go straight to sleep but instead read a book about the four nobles. I don't know since when Amabel started to fall asleep and wake up because of the slow shaking of Kier. The girl rubbed her eyes slowly and sat on her bed. His neck hurt from his sleeping position last night.

"Good morning, princess. The warm water is prepared." Kier stands by Amabel's side. His hands stretched out to help Amabel stand up.

Just like the morning before, Amabel did not know how she was in front of the mirror to dress up. Today her hair was braided and allowed to fall on her right shoulder. It uses earrings with small sun-shaped gems. There was a necklace with a blue gemstone around his neck, of course his tulip necklace was still used.

Wearing this necklace Amabel's neck seemed to want to be dislodged, very heavy. He wants to ask Kier to replace him, but Kier's shining eyes undo his intentions. "So pretty princess. The necklace was also very suitable for the princess. The color was the same as the dress that the princess was wearing."

Amabel didn't have a chance to ask Kier to throw this necklace. "Thank you, Kier."

The woman immediately clenched her hands, excited. "In the future I will choose a dress and go best for the princess."

Amabel immediately shook her hand, giving a rejection gesture. "Kier doesn't have to work too hard, I'm sure whatever Kier's choice will be good."

"Of course because the princess is so beautiful, even bad clothes can look charming." Reply Kier, this time it's calmer. "Then let me take you to the exam room."

The examination room referred to by Kier was in the main area of the palace. An auditorium room with benches facing the podium. The room is surrounded by glass, so that people who pass by can easily see. Kier escorted Amabel to her seat. The place for Amabel was in the first row, in front of the supervisory table. On his desk was a sincere tool and a signboard of himself.

"Is the princess comfortable with this place? If not, I can ask them to replace it." Kier said after seeing Amabel who rubbed her stool expressionlessly.

Hearing that Amabel immediately shook her head, "no need, Kier. I'm doing fine. Don't worry too much, you can go back and get on with the job."

Kier looked doubtful and Amabel caught the doubt. "Kier, you can come back when I'm done with the exam while carrying the cookies. I need something sweet after filling up on those things."

A smile was finally created on Kier's lips. He bowed slightly to Amabel, "if that's the case, excuse me. I'll come back with the pastry at the princess' request."

Amabel nodded and smiled. The girl waved her hand at Kier who kept turning her head, so Amabel had to throw her away with her hand in order for Kier to leave. After Kier had completely left, Amabel immediately circulated her gaze. It didn't take long for Amabel to find Rachel. The girl immediately got up from her seat and walked towards the bench in the last row.

"It's strange to see a Rachel Hutger reading a book in the morning." The greeting from Amabel made Rachel look up. The girl's eyes were red, probably because she wasn't sleeping. "What happened to your eyes? How long you been sleeping, Rachel?"

Rachel did not answer and hugged Amabel instead. "How is this, Amabel? You know how lousy I am in my lessons, don't you? I'm a lover of practice, not writing."

Amabel chuckles, if Rachel Hutger is not confident it means she wants to be the best. "Rahel, I'm sure you can do well. You just need to remember, I'm sure you've read a lot of books."

Rachel sighed and went back to the page of her book. "Written trials are not just about history, I'm sure they will see our ability to solve problems as well. There will be a question of opinion on the matter in this country."

The girl's eyes were straight ahead. Amabel didn't even think about it. The girl patted Rachel's shoulder slowly. "Don't worry, you can."

"Of course a child of the Viscount should be worried, princess." The words came from the blond girl. His smile was conceited and from the tail of his eyes Amabel bis saw Rachel roll her bead.

"I don't think someone's title can affect their knowledge." Reply Amabel with a flat tone, he does not like the scornful tone issued by this blonde.

The girl in front of him immediately shook her hair, "huh, you might not know who I am. But-"

"I don't think it's important to know who you are." Cut Amabel cold. Her aura turned darker than Rachel used to see. Rachel was even surprised to hear Amabel's tone of voice.

"How disrespectful is the daughter of the Lancaster family!" The girl was upset.

The face of the blonde girl before him flushed red, restraining his anger. Amabel took a breath, before ending her sentence. "If you feel upset and hurt by my words, I'm sorry. But think about how you will act in the future. I don't know who you are, just the way you talk about my friend Rachel pisses me off and for that I won't apologize."

Amabel then turned to Rachel and picked up the book that her friend had read. "Rahel, read this section. I think it's coming out."

Rachel nodded, though she was still shocked by Amabel's attitude. "Thank you." Said with a big smile.

Amabel nodded, in her eyes there was still anger. It's always about status and Amabel's fed up. "I'll go back to my place, you can continue your studies."

The girl turned around after seeing a nod from Rachel. Amabel stared at the blond girl who was still staring at her disliked. "Is there anything you want to say again?"

The blonde girl was silent, just staring at Amabel. "If not, get out of the way. I'm going through."

Rachel was surprised. He had never seen Amabel like this. However, knowing Amabel who hates to talk about status, little Rachel understands.

A smile was created on Rachel's lips, Amabel was really cool. The girl chuckled, it was really nice to see this side of Amabel who was usually sweet and polite. This friend of his did not even care about the gaze of another girl, typical of Amabel.

Before long, a professor walked in with four guards. The paper was quickly distributed to each noble princess. The professor raised his eyebrows, confused. "I'm sure you're Count Albert's daughter. So, lady why don't you sit at your place? The exam will start soon."

Ah, so he's the son of a Count, thought Amabel. The girl turned her head, but the blonde girl looked up and sat down in front of Rachel. As he was about to stare ahead, his eyes met the brown haired girl by his side. The two looked at each other, until the girl gave a smile and Amabel replied.

"I'm Alberto Bennett who will be in charge of the exam today. I'm sure you all know that this is a written exam. There are three parts; the first is the history of the kingdom, the second is the general knowledge, and the third is the opinion on social issues. Don't think about cheating or using magic because we'll know. Time ends when the last sand falls." Professor Bennett holds the hourglass with both hands. "start."

If most of the Prince's future wives took stationery, Amabel chose to open the matter before him. There are 15 historical questions, 20 general knowledge questions, and 3 general problems. Amabel quickly scanned each question and smiled, her hand picked up the paper, and wrote the answer immediately.

Amabel thinks this is magic paper. The material used is different, the color is more brown, and in the right corner there is already a name. The reason why the guard professors knew was because of this magic stationery. Amabel plays a red pen with goose feathers. His eyes squinted to see the engraving on the body of the pen, a magic spell. Amabel's smile was created again, very interesting.

The palace has very interesting things. The girl answered the questions in front of him. These are the things he discussed with Sir Reginald. While the essay is really interesting. Amabel wants to meet the person who made this essay.

The question of the first essay is what is the biggest problem in the kingdom, the two opinions about the marriage order, and the third about the most needed regulations for the kingdom. Amabel smiled with satisfaction, finally she was able to express the opinion she had been holding all this time. The first question of Amabel was about the injustice of education for the people. He expressed his opinion about the low level of read-write to the people and the consequences on finding a job. On the second question, Amabel was silent for a long time until she finally took a breath and began to write until all questions were answered.

Amabel did not like to look back at her answer because she most likely had doubts. He believed in the answer, so the girl immediately handed him the answer paper. "Thank you, professor." Pamit Amabel, bowing in greeting. "If there's a chance, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

Professor Bennett looked at Amabel a few seconds later smiling. "Sure, I'll be happy about it, miss.".

This time Amabel's smile was wider, "then excuse me, professor. Have a nice day."

Professor Bennett nodded then looked towards the other noble princess. Some look calm, most feel frustrated. Professor Bennett pulled Amabel's answer paper and smiled, "pulling. The daughter of the Lancaster family is really interesting."

Amabel leaned on one of the pillars, the exam time was still plenty and it was likely that Kier was still busy with her work. The girl was silent for a long while then decided to take a look at the palace. She smiled as she thought of the idea. Amabel remembers seeing a fountain yesterday, the girl decided to go there.

The steps are sure, until reaching a park with a fountain in the middle. From his place, Amabel can see the shape of the labyrinth. The girl immediately smiled, to spend the time she could try to get out of this labyrinth. Amabel saw the route of the labyrinth and remembered it quickly. He began to enter the labyrinth and fell asleep with the height of the plant on the right-left side. That made Amabel forget her route.

"It feels wrong, but I don't know where to go." He murmured while continuing to walk. Amabel felt that she had just been spinning in the same place. The shape and the plants on the right-hand side are not helpful because they are similar.

The girl finally gave up and sat down on the ground. Amabel doesn't care, she's tired and her legs hurt. "Huhu, I want to go home." His complaint. Amabel doesn't usually complain, just that she doesn't like being alone like this. Usually there is a ribbon accompanying him. There's also Alec going to look for him or Eli going to be noisy all day. Now it feels lonely. Amabel even just wants to meet Kier right now.

"What are you doing here?" The question made Amabel look up. Before him was a tall young man with black hair and golden eyes.

Amabel's teary eyes finally shed tears. He quickly removed it and stood up, "I'm lost." Amabel replied in a hoarse voice.

"Where are you going?" Ask again.

"Solve the labyrinth, but I'm lost." Answer Amabel. He did not know who this foreign youth was, only that Amabel hoped to be helped. "If you don't mind, can you help me?"

"certain. Follow me then." The young man started walking in front of Amabel. Both are five steps away. "Are you one of the future empresses?"

Amabel nodded, but remembered that the young man in front of her could not see. "Yes, sir. Are you one of the knights?"

The young man nodded, "you could say so."

Amabel's eyebrows are linked, confused. "Why is that?"

"Because I haven't been sworn in. I thought there was a written exam, you didn't follow?" Asked the young man without turning around.

"I'm done and plan on looking around the palace." Answer Amabel slowly.

The naughtiness Amabel could hear from the spitter in front of her. "And you're lost, of course. We've arrived, from here you can remember the exam room, right?"

Amabel smiled, she was really relieved. "thank you. From here I remember."

"Other times, draw the first way out, just get into the labyrinth." Said the young man.

Amabel nodded and greeted, "again thank you. I hope that all your kindness can be reciprocated by prosperity."

"May you always be protected." Reply to the young man.

Amabel walked a few steps and then looked over. The young man was still in his place, "if you may know, what is the name of the master?"

"Rael salutes." Reply with a smile.

Amabel nodded, "Amabel Lancaster said hello. Thanks again."

After that Amabel returned to the front of the examination room with Kier staring at her dress in disbelief. "Oh my God, princess, where did this stain come from?"

Amabel could only scratch her nape, "i'll tell you later. Now can we go back to the room?"

Kier finally nodded, not good to let a lot of eyes stare at this messy Amabel. "I've prepared cookies and tea in the room. The princess can eat it later."

"Yes, Kier. Thank you." Thank you." Reply Amabel. He thought Kier wouldn't talk about it, but he was wrong. Kier kept asking in a tone of disbelief even after Amabel told her the truth. Inevitably Amabel could only listen and promise not to dirty her dress again.