The crowd
does as bid, dutifully breaking into vigorous applause, while the
line of chained young women is led by the troll, through the ballroom
to stand before the prince.
“Yes,
yes,” shouts the mc over the noise, “More!”
People
begin to cheer and whoop enthusiastically. They continue doing so
until the full line of girls is gathered together, flanked on either
side by a troll.
Robert
steps away from the woman, trying to make his way closer, to get a
better look.
The mc
silences the crowd with a wave of his hand. “Friends,” he
addresses the crowd, “Tonight should have been a very different
celebration.” The crowd mutters its approval. “Tonight, there
should be a betrothal. But no, this girl has seemingly disappeared,
leaving only these imposters.”
Once more
the crowd murmurs in agreement.
“The
prince is loathe to accept this,” he looks to the picture, “He
believes she must be somewhere in the nine valleys so he makes you
this pledge. An imposter will be burned at the stake every day until
this girl stands before him.”
