Keeping the Marquis's Secret

All of the participants were ushered into separate rooms. I entered the small room. There was a desk, a quill, ink, and a packet of papers. I rolled up my sleeves and sat at on the chair. On the wall was a clock, yet the hands weren't moving. Strange.

I stood up and looked around the room. A hunch was telling me that the first part of the exam wasn't something as simple as a paper exam. I looked up at the ceiling and smirked. There was a camera at the top. Why were they watching us? No one would dare cheat on the exam. They must be assessing other qualities.

I walked back to the stack of papers and read the first question.

"What is your name?"

What the hell? Why was it asking for my name even though my name was written on the top of the exam?

I flipped the paper over. The same question was written. I flipped through the rest of the papers. All of them had the question of, "what is your name?".

Most of the participants have probably thought that someone had made a mistake in copying and must have answered only one page and left.

I looked at the clock. The hands were still not moving. What is going on? Was there a specific action that I had to do in front of the camera in order to get the clock to move? I pushed my chair up to the wall and stood on it. I then reached towards the clock and pulled it off the hook. I turned it over and furrowed my eyebrows.

There was no area for a battery or anything like that. How does this clock work? I shook my head. Why was I concerning myself with a clock when I have an exam to take? Well the exam doesn't make any sense! I jumped off the chair and looked around the room.

There was nothing hanging on the walls. Only a chair and a desk. A quill, and ink. Papers. And a clock. Could the clock be connected to the exam answer? I set the clock down on the floor and sat down. The door was left open. Meaning that if someone finished their exam they may leave. The sound of doors closing as participants left happily filled my ears. The asshole from earlier looked at me and snickered. He then mouthed the word, "stupid" and left. Minutes later the corridor was empty. Am I the only one still taking the test? Is it actually simple but I'm just overthinking it? Or was I given a different test because I'm a woman?

I sighed and lied down on the floor. There were ten papers. Both sides asked the same question. That meant that there mist be either 20 people or 20 items whose names should be written on the papers. But whose names? Was it the alumni of the Royal Knight Exam? I shook my head.

Ugh.

I studied all of that history, arithmetics, and science for no reason. To think that the test was some sort of memory game. I picked up the clock and turned it over once more.

The clock was pretty standard. There was some dust on the back. I used my sleeve and wiped it away. A string of numbers were etched on it. Confusion filled me.

What did these numbers mean? I turned over the clock and squinted my eyes. No wonder it was weird. There were 20 Roman letters instead of the typical 12. Under each number was a word written really small. I slapped my forehead.

That's it! The names must be the words written on this clock. I walked over to the chair and brought it down on the clock. The glass cover shattered. I was then able to separate the clock. Inside of the clock was a small piece of paper.

Written down were 20 words:

"Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon...."

Why were there Greek numbers written here? No matter. I walked over to the desk and wrote down on each page one of the Greek numbers to answer each question. After finishing I took the papers in my hand and walked out of the door shutting it behind me. I looked to the left then to the right. I really was the last test taker. I must really be an idiot. I sighed and walked down the corridor.

Suddenly one of the examiners blocked my way.

"Excuse me sir but I must ass through to turn in my exam."

The examiner looked down at me with a scowl. His black eyes contrasting with his light hair. He looked to be my father's age. He wore a black cloak with a golden crest etched on the chest. He must be one of the higher ups.

"Miss Charla, the head examiner would like a word with you."

I gulped. That's it. This was the end of the line. I have actually failed so bad that I need to see the Head examiner. I followed the examiner down the corridor. We then stopped in front of a large red door. The examiner knocked.

"Altius at your service."

The red door then opened. So the examiner's name was Altius? I followed him in the room. I looked up.

"Leave us Altius."

The deep voice thundered across the room. I shivered.

"Come here girl."

It felt like the Head Examiner was really mad at me. I gulped and stepped closer to his desk. The room was too dark to see the Head Examiner.

"Who told you to break the clock?"

I shook. Shit. The clock must be expensive yet I broke it like that.

"Answer me girl. I don't have the patience to wait for you."

His voice was steady yet it felt like he had just yelled at me. Oh Lord Francis forgive this soul for being such a sinner. This must be revenge for t stolen apples. I shook my fist. Damn my temptations.

"Well?"

I held my trembling hands and answeeed.

"I'm sorry sir, I just thought that it was weird how the clock's hands refused to move."

"So you decided to break the clock for that reason?"

"I'm sorry sir but I thought that I might be able to fix it that way. My father is a craftsman after all."

"Hahahahaha!"

That's it. I'm doomed. The head examiner was probably laughing as he thought of the ways that he was going to dispose of my body. I'm sorry mom and dad but your daughter was murdered over being a dumbass.

"You have completely exceeded my expectations young girl. I knew that you were the right one as soon as I met you."

Wait what the hell was this man saying? Is this some sort of torture method that nobles used? Giving compliments before insulting someone? I braved myself for the worst.

Suddenly a clicking noise sounded as the room was shrouded in light.

"Congratulations Charla. You and eleven others are the only ones to pass the first part of the Royal Knight exam it of 600 participants."

I looked at the Head Examiner and said.

"You son of a bitch why are you here?"

The Marquis smiled.

"The emperor had apoointed me as the Head Examiner. Should you really be speaking to me in that tone? Folllow Altius he will take you to the second part of the exam. And oh before you leave, don't forget to think about my previous proposal Charla."

I nodded and closed the door behind me. I smiled! I actually passed the first part! Yes! I fist pumped the air and did a small dance. But stopped after a minute. Why was the Marquis the Head Examiner? And why does he want to spy on the emperor despite their close relationship. I mean the Marquis did kiss the emperor's concubine. But must not be the true reason.

Hmm. Too many questions yet too few answers. Altius was waiting for me outside the room. My body shook with excitement as I was led to the second part of the exam. Despite my happiness an ominous feeling rested itself in my heart. I hope that everything goes positively in the second part of the exam. With that in mind a part of me was saying, "be careful". I wonder what the second part of exam is.

A purple door was opened and Altius pushed me inside. I turned back but the door was locked. When I looked into the room I screamed. Nothing in my whole life would prepare me for the sight that I had seen at that moment.

...........

Thank you so much for reading! I'm sorry for not updating sooner but I was busy with some school stuff! Stay safe my luvs????????❤️