The Royal Matchmaking Competition: Princess Qloey

“An endearing coming-of-age story with plenty of romance amidst an assassin mystery…” -Independent Book Review “The Royal Matchmaking Competition is a delightful young adult fantasy romance with a touch of intrigue and excitement… [it] combines coming of age with romance and mystery in a terrific contemporary fairy story.” -Readers’ Favorite Review "Cheeky in its approach, spirited and splendidly written The Royal Matchmaking Competition is a must-read for fans of Teen & Young Adult Romantic Fantasy and is highly recommended." -BookViral Review "Loved it! 😍 Twelve eligible bachelors. One traitorous assassin. One naïve Princess. Who will she choose? In all, Galloay has created a vivid fairytale world, with bright and vivacious characters." -Reedsy Discovery Other Books by Zoiy Galloay The Royal Matchmaking Competition Series: Princess Qloey Prince Zadkiel The Fate of the Empire Books Coming 2023-2024:The Search for the Truth Within Trilogy:The Wizard CodeMore to come… This book is only intended to entertain. Characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locals, is entirely coincidental. The author or publisher shall have no liability or responsibility to any person or entity regarding any interpretation, loss or damage incurred, or alleged to have incurred, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book. The Royal Matchmaking Competition: Princess Qloey To view special features, including deleted scenes, colored illustrations, & win book giveaways & prizes visit: https://ZoiyGalloay.com/Special-Features/ To help the author, review the book on Goodreads and wherever you purchased, received, or downloaded the book. Copyright © 2022, 2023 Zoiy G. Galloay Map & Illustrations © Zoiy G. Galloay Illustrations created by: David Kondratiuk Cover Designer: Claire Holt with Luminescence Covers www.luminescencecovers.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission to reproduce in larger quantities please contact the copyright owner. Published 2023 United States of America Paperback ISBN: 978-1-958996-00-3 E-Book ISBN: 978-1-958996-02-7 For the One Infinite Source, for only you made it possible. Contents Map Left Map Right RMC Candidates 1. The List 2. The Grand Competition 3. The Crystal Chambers Qloey Portrait 4. True Concern 5. Archery Alejandro Portrait 6. The First Date 7. Talent Show 8. Hedgewood Hedgewood Portrait 9. Racing to the River 10. The Centaurs 11. Investigation Abdulla Portrait 12. Prince Abdulla 13. The Secret Lover 14. Physical Challenge 15. Glynnda Qinrel Portrait 16. Second Chances 17. The Game Show 18. Fairy Goddessmother Zaccaria Portrait 19. Kipp the Beggar 20. The Maze 21. Controversy Edgar Portrait 22. The Ruby Mines 23. New Policies 24. Croquet Game McKinley Portrait 25. Moonlit Swans 26. Updating the List 27. Turning the Tide Kipp Portrait 28. Pippa’s Play 29. The Most Compatible Octavio Portrait 30. Making Choices 31. Eliminations Zazan Portrait 32. Gossip 33. The Royal Ball 34. New Clues Clayton Portrait 35. Comparison 36. Dark Path 37. Taking Charge Lancelot Portrait 38. Dreams Falling Apart 39. Goodbye 40. The Threefold Plan 41. Arranged Marriage 42. Wedding Prince Zadkiel Promo RMC Series Sneak Peek Zadkiel Prince Zadkiel: Prologue Special Features Acknowledgments About the Author Erudition Blurb Other Books by Zoiy Galloay Erudition Promo Chapter 1 The ListIt cannot be denied that I was fortunate to have this opportunity. Where many would complain about the lack of freedom given in marriage, I gratefully acknowledged that there were at least twelve boys to choose from. For me, marriage was a duty, not a right. It was an obligation, not a dalliance. My parents, the empress and emperor of Velazia, were examples of this. They ate together, they sat together during public events, but when nighttime came, they went to opposite sections of the palace and slept alone, only to repeat this routine the next day.This was expected of me.Yet… who wouldn’t be curious about love at seventeen?My mind lifted into the clouds, daydreaming of the feeling of being in love and being loved, something that caused my heart to press against my chest and beat faster. When I came out of the daydream, I found myself staring intently at the three-layered glass chandelier hanging from my bedroom ceiling.Quickly, I straightened my neck and brought my attention to the servants who were tightening my stays, polishing my shoes, and preparing to put my skirt on, hoping nobody saw me ogling at the ceiling.I cleared my throat.Really, all I knew of love was from watching dramas at the Orb Theater in town; tragedies really. Somehow, two people would develop feelings for each other and were met with impossible odds that kept them apart—yet how these feelings developed between two people was yet a mystery to me. Interestingly enough, these lovers were either enemies from different kingdoms or people of different social classes who fell in love, and almost every time, they both ended up dying in the end. Yet part of me always rooted for them to end up together, happily ever after, despite the fact that they unceremoniously defied social protocol.Truly, love made no sense.It seemed irrational.Nonetheless, I would perform my duty to the empire and follow in my parents’ footsteps by marrying a boy with the perfect image and profile.I tried to end my thoughts at that, yet… I couldn’t escape from the lingering curiosity in the back of my mind: what if I fell in love in the next four weeks?The last servant finished plucking off a single black hair of mine that fell on my sleeve. After everything was perfect, they asked if there was anything else for them to do, but I wished to be alone with my thoughts before the ceremony, where I was about to meet my future husband. They curtsied and left my room.My nerves shook enough to make my legs feel weak and I had to get the jittery feelings out before presenting myself to the world.As the crown princess destined to inherit the empire, perfection wasn’t an