(Christopher's POV)
"Can't believe my result came in today," I said to my assistant and best friend, Michael.
"Me too. You are the only heir to get it late, which was scary," Michael pointed out, passing my tie to me.
"I thought I was going to be the first heir to die because I couldn't get a match," I said, halfway sarcastic and halfway serious.
"Don't say that, Chris! It's not nice to hear," he said, uncomfortable.
I knotted my tie, staring at my reflection in the massive mirror of my suite. The weight of expectation sat heavy on my shoulders, just like it always did. Today, however, it was worse.
"You look extremely handsome today. I am sure all the ladies would die seeing you in your traditional compatibility wear," Michael said, trying to encourage me.
"Oh, please! All women think about is what they can get or collect from me in one way or another, or the compatibility score, so I don't care about them. You know that already," I said seriously.
"Well, you are going to match with a lady today, so you will have to deal with at least one lady."
I rubbed my temples. "Because I don't have a choice. If I had a choice, I would remain single."
"Your mother would pass out if she heard you say that," he said.
"I know!" I said, a bit frustrated.
I could hear the crowd outside. For them, the heir to the ruling family would receive his compatibility results in front of the public—a grand display of fate deciding their future and an encouragement for them to trust the system.
But I already knew how this would go.
I'd be matched with someone of high status, another powerful family to strengthen alliances. Maybe someone I already knew, maybe a stranger. Either way, it wouldn't matter. The system had never failed. It always matched people with absolute precision.
"Let's hope you don't get matched with Grace Davies," Michael said.
The name Grace snapped me from my thoughts.
"No way! I'd rather die than match with Grace Davies," I over-exaggerated.
"It's not that bad! She is extremely hot, and she has one of the most beautiful faces in the land," Michael said. I threw him an are you out of your mind glare.
"Well, I say it's a 50-50. You get to rule the land for two years as an extremely beautiful and attractive damsel," Michael said.
"Oh really? Then you can have her. She's all yours," I said, hitting him on the chest lightly. Both of us laughed.
"I changed my mind," he said immediately.
A knock on the door interrupted us. "Sir, it's time," a voice called from the other side.
I let out a slow breath, reset my face to serious mode, rolling my shoulders before turning towards the door. As I stepped out of my suite, Michael and my personal guards flanked me instantly, walking in perfect formation as we made our way through the grand hallways of the palace. The closer we got to the balcony, the louder the crowd's cheers became—a deafening roar of excitement.
I kept my expression cold and neutral as we stepped outside. The city square 'the rounder' was packed, thousands of people crammed together, all eyes locked on me. Giant screens displayed my face, magnifying every movement.
I turned to see my father and mother already seated. I gave them a head bow and moved to my position, Michael following behind me.
The announcer, a middle-aged man with a booming voice, stepped forward, raising his hands to quiet the crowd.
"Today marks a historic moment in our great nation," he declared. "The heir, Christopher Vance, will now receive his compatibility results!"
The cheers erupted again.
I inhaled slowly. Just get through this.
The announcer turned to me, holding a golden envelope with the official government seal. He presented it with both hands, and I took it, fingers tightening slightly around the envelope.
"Before we proceed, there is an urgent matter that must be addressed."
My mother's voice rang out over the crowd, sharp and commanding. The excitement that had filled the rounder shifted instantly, turning into hushed anticipation.
I turned my head slightly, watching as she stepped forward onto the balcony beside me, her posture regal and unshaken. Now, the cameras were on her.
"A crime has been committed," she continued, her gaze sweeping over the masses. "Two individuals have dared to mock our sacred system, claiming they were matched to my son."
The crowd gasped. Shock rippled through them like a wave, murmurs rising in disbelief.
"Now that is shocking. How desperate are they?" Michael whispered in my ear.
"Stay away from me. Don't make me lose my cool here," I said, trying not to laugh. He was really the only one who could make me laugh, and I didn't need that now.
With a snap of her fingers, my mother signaled the guards. The large screens around the city square flickered, and suddenly, two figures appeared on display—disheveled, bound in chains, their faces illuminated for all to see.
Their names were written on the large screen along with their photos.
"Damn! They are so beautiful even though they are looking rough right now," Michael commented. I didn't answer him.
Kimberly Dawson. Patricia Hayes.
My grip tightened.
The guards dragged them forward, their steps heavy against the stone floor. Kimberly stumbled slightly, but she quickly regained her balance, her chin lifting in quiet defiance. Patricia, on the other hand, rolled her eyes, looking more irritated than afraid.
The crowd erupted into chaos.
"Blasphemers!" someone shouted.
"Mocking the system? How dare they!" another yelled.
Food, trash, and whatever else people could find were hurled toward the screen, some even reaching where Kimberly and Patricia stood. They flinched but said nothing.
My mother raised a hand, silencing the crowd once more.
"They have insulted the very foundation of our society," she declared. "And for that, they will pay with their lives."
Cheers rang out.
I took a deep breath, keeping my cold expression intact. This was not what I had expected today.
"Their punishment," she continued, "will be to witness the true results of the compatibility test—so they may see, with their own eyes, how wrong they were before their execution."
The crowd roared in agreement, their bloodlust thick in the air. My stomach twisted. An execution? I didn't like witnessing such things. However, I was used to the cruelty of this world. There was nothing I could do about it. Suddenly, all eyes turned to me.
"Now, Christopher," my mother said smoothly, gesturing toward the envelope in my hands. "Let us reveal the truth."
I swallowed. The envelope felt heavier than it should have. Slowly, I broke the seal, pulling out the slip inside. I read the names in my head.
Kimberly Dawson.
AND
Patricia Hayes.
I read it again. And again. My brain refused to process the words staring back at me.No one in history had ever matched with two people. No one had ever received a perfect 100% compatibility rating. And yet, I had both. This... this was impossible.
I glanced up at Kimberly and Patricia, still bound, their expressions a mixture of defiance and confusion. The crowd was waiting. The tension was suffocating.
"Well? What is the result? Tell us and put those girls to shame." My mother insisted.
I took a breath. "My match is..."
I hesitated.
People leaned forward in anticipation. I lifted the paper higher so everyone could see for themselves. The cameras zoomed in, the names now boldly displayed on the screen.
"My match is Kimberly Dawson," I said.
"And Patricia Hayes."
Silence.
Everyone kept quiet, we could easily hear the birds singing as they flew by. Michael didn't say a word, which was unusual for him. I looked up, feeling the weight of the silence that had fallen over the Rounder.
And deep down, I knew whatever had caused this impossible match was bigger than any of us.
'What is going to happen now?' That's all that was in my head.