A Grand Celebration

By Caylah West

After the fall of democracy, the royal monarchy was replaced, uniting all of North America to create one big country: Aedorynn. And since the start of Aedorynn, traditions were put in place to keep the royal family the highlight of the nation.

When a member of the royal family turns twenty-one years old, all eligible sons and daughters of dukes and lords of each province must venture to the royal palace to compete for marriage. It’s a tradition that has lasted since the end of the War of Civil Unrest—a tradition that Kaiser Rowan wanted nothing to do with.

Lady Kaiser Rowan is the daughter of Josephine and Philip Rowan, duke and lady of the province of Texxarnan. She is sarcastic, blunt, and rebellious by nature; so when she is told that she must compete in the race for the crown, she is less than thrilled. Kaiser forms a plan to get back home as soon as possible, but things don’t always go as planned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984565709

Book preview

PROLOGUE

A nd in conclusion, we’d like to wish Prince Lucian a happy twenty-first birthday, and good luck to all the ladies heading to the royal palace this season, the announcer Eleri Levene said from the TV screen. I sighed and stood.

Kaiser, sit. We need to talk, my mother said as she walked into the vast and elegant living room. She was stunning in her flowing plum-colored chiffon strapless dress. Her honey-colored hair was pulled up into an elegant bun, and her makeup was always flawless, her fair skin clear of any discrepancies. She dressed elegantly all the time as a proper lady did. Obediently, I sat back and waited.

If this is about Prince Lucian’s Grand Celebration, I respectfully decline, Mother, I said as I sat up straight. My mother sat across from me, her expression stern and scolding.

You know that’s not an option. It’s mandatory, and you’re eighteen now. You’re eligible, she replied.

You didn’t make Winston go to the palace for Cordelia’s Grand Celebration, I argued. My mother was growing irritated, and it was written in her eyes.

That’s because he was already lined up to marry Guinevere from Belmount, you know that. He wasn’t eligible at the time. You are, she said to me. I sighed and tucked a loose strand behind my ear as I looked at my lap. There was no way I was getting out of this one, and I knew it.

Mother, please, I started. She held up a hand to stop me.

It’s not up for discussion, Kaiser. I had Liliwen set your arrival gown on your bed. You’re supposed to fly out tomorrow morning, she said. Just then my father walked in with a plate of chocolate cake and a sympathetic smile.

I’m sorry, honey, he said as he handed me the cake. My mother glared at him before taking the plate.

Philip, she has to look her best tomorrow in her gown. Chocolate cake is not an option at the moment, she scolded him. My father rolled his eyes.

Oh, Josephine, relax. Cessie is too rebellious and hotheaded for the prince anyway. She’ll be back home within the first week, my father joked. My mother seemed appalled, but my father and I laughed it off. We all knew it was true.

Please, at least try not to piss off the prince, Kaiser. Remain poised. Remember, you represent us and Texxarnan as a whole, my mother said. She was antsy and nervous. I knew why. Every time the royal family had a child, she had a child in hopes to get one of her children in the royal palace, but she was infertile now, and she only had three more chances to get her children into the Grand Celebration. She only had Idalia, Allain, and me as her last resort.

I’ll do my best, Mother, I said tightly. I was lying, of course, but I had a lot of practice. She nodded before she stood and left. As soon as she did, my father handed back the chocolate cake with a wink. Despite myself, I smiled.

Philip, my mother called from halfway down the corridor. My father stood.

I’ll see you back here in a few weeks, my father said before he left to go find my mother. I sighed and stood before going to my room. I caught sight of myself in the full-length mirror. I had the same blue eyes and honey-colored hair as my mother, only my hair reached well past my knees when it was down and straightened. The only difference between my mother and I was the freckles that subtly dotted my fuller cheeks. I took in my low-rise shorts, black tank top, and messy low bun. This is what I was comfortable in, and all that was about to change.

The Grand Celebration was a tradition in Aedorynn that helped members of the royal family, male and female, find a suitable spouse. Only the sons and daughters, ages eighteen to twenty-two, of lords and dukes were invited to attend to weed out any undesirables and keep the newfound monarchy alive. I was close to avoiding Prince Lucian Chamberlain’s celebration because I had only recently turned eighteen, but somehow, my mother pulled her strings and got a last-minute invitation for me. Despite being a daughter of a duke, I hated the high lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice not having to worry about a job or money, but I liked cooking for myself. I wanted to go to college and learn more about the arts. I wanted to open my own dance studio in Texxarnan near my home …

The only home I wanted.

The only home I knew.

I was okay with not traveling. I was okay with not being total royalty. It was all politics anyway. I knew from my mother’s lessons how carefully planned the royal family answered each question on the news. Against my mother’s hopes and wishes, I liked being home and taking care of my family, even if that meant I never found a husband.

On the bed was my arrival gown. It was a tradition that a lady wears a wedding gown upon arrival so that the royal family could see what potential they held. It was an absolute circus, and I was about to be a part of that circus …

At least for a little while.

LUCIAN’S POV

L uc, don’t be so pessimist. It’ll be fun, you’ll see, Cordelia tried to assure me. It was the last dinner I would have with just my family, and they were ruining it by talking about my Grand Celebration . I chewed the fillet slowly to give myself time to think out my next words.

"Cordelia, you were lucky that you already loved Lionel when he entered the celebration. All the people I know outside of the royal family were at Cambridge, and people from London aren’t allowed to join in Aedorynnian affairs," I said as I rolled my eyes. It was a little irritating. I’d lived in the palace my whole life, except for a brief two years where I attended Cambridge, but I had to come back when my father died.

Give it a chance, Luc. You might be surprised, my brother Alastair chimed in. Al took the crown after our father passed, but he was having medical issues of his own. He was using my Grand Celebration to take some of the attention off him for a little while. His wife Queen Joanna reached over and held his hand in hers as they smiled at each other. I thought I was going to hurl.

Yeah, we’ll see, I said, unconvinced.

After dinner, I changed into one of my personally tailored suits and went to the news studio in the north wing of the palace. I had to talk with Eleri Levene about my Grand Celebration. Eleri had been with our family for a few generations now. He covered anything that had to do with the royal family. I remember seeing him interview my father when I was a boy. He had a slimming face, and his hair was completely white, but he still had some pep in his step. I sat in the interview chair patiently as the makeup team swooped in and went to work. After Eleri got in place, the cameras switched on, and we got down to business.

"Prince Lucian, how are you feeling about your upcoming Grand Celebration?" he asked. I smiled as I’d been trained to do and looked right at him.

To be honest, I’m a little nervous but excited. This is a big deal and can determine the rest of my life, but I hear it’s going to be a blast, I said lightheartedly. Eleri smiled back at me as he nodded thoughtfully.

I see how your emotions can be conflicting. Do you know any of the ladies attending? he followed up. I slightly shook my head.

No, but that’s what makes this so interesting and nerve-racking. I’ll be starting from scratch, and I only have a year to choose a bride out of twelve ladies, I explained. Eleri looked a little confused.

Twelve? I thought there were thirteen ladies? Eleri said. I put the easy smile back on my face.

We had a mix-up with one of the ladies. It turns out she’s not of age yet, I explained. Eleri nodded thoughtfully.

Well, she’s missing out. Any words for the ladies who will be here tomorrow? Eleri asked, expertly redirecting the conversation. I nodded once before I widened my smile and faced the camera.

"To all the ladies coming to join in the celebration tomorrow, I just want to say I can’t wait to meet all of you, and good luck," I said. Eleri signed off before the camera shut off, and I sighed.

How are you really, Lucian? Eleri asked. I shrugged.

I’ll let you know when it all begins, I replied. I quickly went to my room to get some rest before all the craziness began. I sighed as I plopped down on my bed. My butler Mark started bustling around the room. There was a knock on my door not even a second after I sat. The tablet next to the door announced that it was my bodyguard and best friend Cyril Bailey. Cyril and I had been friends since we were kids. His mother was a servant for us when she was alive, and his father was a guard too. He was the only friend I had in this palace even despite everything we’d been through. Mark opened the door for him, and he smirked at me.

And the bachelor lives, he joked. We wrestled on the ground for a moment until I gave up, laughing.

It’s not funny, Cy. All these proper and elegant ladies who are just here to be a part of royalty—it’s a stupid idea, I said as I moved to sit on my black leather couch.

Oh, come on. They’ll be easy. They’ll do pretty much anything, and everything is already planned for you. All you have to do is show up and flirt a little. Are you telling me you can’t do that, Luc? Cyril asked as he plopped down next to me.

Help me out here, Cy, I begged. He chuckled and leaned back against the couch.

I’ll do what I can, but there’s only so much I can do. You know we have random trainings, he said. I shrugged.

Yeah, I know. Can you just watch them as much as you can? Let me know anything interesting, I asked. Cyril rolled his eyes.

I’m not a babysitter, Luc. But if I see anything, I’ll let you know, Cyril agreed. I smiled, feeling better already. I knew Cyril would have my back. That was one thing I could always rely on. Cyril and I were like brothers, only better because we chose to stick up for each other. I loved my family, but I was closer to Cyril than all of them. Cyril even went to Cambridge with me.

Good to be back, I said sarcastically.

You’ll probably have more fun than you think, Cyril said. Everyone seemed to be saying that lately, and I didn’t get it. There was nothing fun about having a house full of pretentious ladies who are all fighting for a higher title.

We’ll see, I sighed. Hopefully, they wouldn’t all be boring and proper.

CHAPTER ONE

Kaiser’s POV

I smoothed the front of my dress over with a sigh. It was a champagne-colored form-fitting mermaid gown with beading detail in the center. It was strapless and made of satin. Liliwen braided my long blond hair in a side ponytail. In my entire life, my mother would only trim my hair, never cut it. It was well past my butt. I had my father’s high cheekbones and my mother’s doe-like eyes. Liliwen was putting the finishing touches on my makeup.

Hold still, she said with a frustrated sigh. I didn’t wear makeup often, so I was fidgeting a lot. I giggled slightly before I opened my eyes. Liliwen sighed and put down the small makeup brush. Cessie, you’re supposed to be getting on the jet in fifteen minutes. Your mother will kill me if you’re not flawless. Please, she asked. I quieted my giggles with a sigh and closed my eyes again.

Fine, Liliwen. My mother gets her way yet again, I said sarcastically. I felt her continue my makeup with a sigh.

She only wants the best for her children. You shouldn’t be so hard on her, Liliwen said.

I can’t help it, Liliwen. She acts like she’s never been my age before, I said. When she finished, she stood back and admired her work.

I’m going to miss you, Cessie, Liliwen said. I held her hand in mine and squeezed it gently.

I’m going to miss too, Liliwen, I said.

When the jet arrived, I was ushered to its doors with Liliwen carrying my bags beside me. She handed them to the stewardess before she turned to me. Her callused but gentle hands held my arms.

You’re going to be fine, Cessie. Good luck, she smiled before she scurried away. I boarded the plane and froze when I saw I wasn’t the only one here. There were a handful of other girls already seated.

Kaiser Rowan of Texxarnan, a butler introduced me to the rest of the plane. I could see the girls sizing me up as they sat upright in their pristine gowns. One girl took the time to smile and stand.

Cessie! she greeted me as she came closer. I smiled at the familiar face. I was glad to see her dark locks and blue eyes. I hugged her gently so I wouldn’t mess up her gown.

Harper! I greeted her. Harper and I had known each other for a while now. My older brother Winston married Harper’s older sister Guinevere about five years ago. Our families were very close.

I’m so glad to see a familiar face here. Come sit with me, she said. I gladly obliged. Besides the occasional phone call, I hadn’t seen Harper in a few months now. We spent the entire plane ride catching up. The other girls were quietly judging everyone, listening to music, or sleeping. It was slightly unnerving. We didn’t pick up anyone else. I guess I was the last of the region.

Finally, we landed behind the royal palace. The palace was in the capitol of Aedorynn—Ioraxus. King Alastair and Queen Joanna greeted us as we stepped off the plane. King Alastair was the eldest brother of the royal family. He took over after the death of their father. Queen Joanna was the winner of his Grand Celebration. The five girls who filed off the plane lined the rich green grass in a semicircle as we waited.

Welcome to the royal palace, ladies. Thank you for representing the southern region. I hope you find this Grand Celebration a wonderful experience, and good luck, the king greeted us. We curtsied before we were ushered inside the palace. We were led into a large lounge area where more girls were waiting in their arrival gowns. No one was talking to others as a heavy tension settled over the room. The warm-colored chairs and wood could do nothing to brighten the mood. We all just sat there, doing nothing as we waited. It felt as if everyone were waiting to snap at one another’s throats. Finally, the last batch of girls arrived to create a total of thirteen girls. A butler walked in and stood tall at the door.

Eleanor Groves, he called. She stood with a breath, straightened her dress, and left the room. The butler left after her, closing the door. It was beginning. One by one, names were called, and the room emptied until I was the last one. The butler came back after several minutes and looked at me apologetically.

I’m sorry, miss. I don’t have your name on my list, he admitted. I felt a smile grace my lips.

That’s quite all right. I guess I’ll just be heading home— I froze when Prince Lucian himself stepped into the lounge room. I’d seen him a million times on the news, but the TV did not do him justice. His dark hair was thicker and shinier. His skin was smooth, and his caramel-colored eyes could capture the moon. He was dressed in a pure jet-black four-piece tux with a white button up underneath. He was stunning.

What is your name? he asked, shaking me out of my shocked state.

It is no matter, Your Highness. I’m not on the list, so I’ll just be on my way home, I said defiantly.

What is your age? he asked calmly.

Eighteen years of age, I replied.

And are you betrothed? he asked. I shook my head slowly, quickly seeing the direction of this conversation. He smirked slightly as he clasped his hands in front of him. Your name? he asked again. I sighed and reluctantly bowed.

Lady Kaiser Rowan of Texxarnan, I obliged. The prince smiled triumphantly.

Oh yes, now I remember. Your father tried to pull your name from the celebration on the account that you had only recently turned eighteen. You’re mother replaced it. I guess the updated guest list didn’t reach everybody, he explained with a quick glance at the butler. But it seems you don’t want to be here. Why is that? Are you not grateful for the opportunity to be at the palace or possibly marry a member of the royal family? he asked. I snorted out an unattractive laugh before I could catch myself.

"Please … I’m not that desperate," I scoffed. I realized a little too late whom I was talking to, but I wouldn’t apologize. I meant what I said. Instead of being upset, the prince laughed as he stuck his hands in his front pockets.

You’re different … feisty. I can’t wait to see what else you do during your time here. He smiled. I felt what little hope I had left depleted. It looked as if I were going to be stuck here. Even worse, the prince liked that I spoke out of turn. He was supposed to hate me and send me home. Instead, he saw my impression as a good one. It didn’t make any sense.

The other girls were waiting in the dining hall if you would like to join them, Prince Lucian said, motioning toward the