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Chapter 4:
Kile POV:
I didn't see Eadlyn for the rest of the day, hopefully because she was resting in her room. After what I saw yesterday, I could tell that she needed some sleep. But going into breakfast this morning, Eadlyn wasn't my main concern. I was planning on applying for a summer internship with one of Illea's top architects if I didn't win the Selection (knock-on-wood), and in the havoc someone caused in my room yesterday, they had not only destroyed a majority of my portfolio needed to apply, but had ruined the building I had so painstakingly drawn as a gift for Eadlyn. I wish I had suspicions about who it was going to be, but all of the guys left were so nice, I couldn't see any of them trying to "sabotage me", if this could even qualify as sabotage.
I wanted to arrive at the Great Room early, but I accidentally overslept as I had stayed up late at night, fearing whoever it was might come back. It was a good thing I had lived at the palace my whole life, for it was easier for me than most of the guys to get ready quickly, and I arrived at the dining hall breathing a sigh of relief when I found that only Erik and Henri were seated. Erik and Henri had quickly become two of my closest companions throughout the Selection, and I feared the day that they would be sent home, for without them I feel that the other boys would have killed me a long time ago.
Henri quickly said something in his normal, jubilant tone, but when Erik relayed it to me, I wasn't paying attention as my eyes were trained on the door. My plan was to make eye contact with each boy that walked in the door to see how each one reacted. It wasn't the best plan but hopefully this would give me some idea of who was the least-bit suspicious. However, Erik and Henri knew me so well that they could quickly tell something was wrong. Erik voiced these concerns and I slumped in my chair, having wanted to avoid telling anyone for fear that whoever was after me might find out. But, if I couldn't trust my best friends in this place, who could I trust? Besides, the room was empty except for a few guards who wouldn't be spreading rumors.
"I've just had a rough few days Erik. Someone, probably one of the boys in the Selection has been targeting me for basically no reason, Eadlyn going crazy over her mother is driving me crazy, and my mom is in hysterics over her best friend. You could wring me out from all of the tears I've faced this week." As I vented to Erik, who relayed my message to Henri so he wouldn't feel left out, I felt a twinge of regret: Henri has had enormous troubles throughout his entire time here, and yet he never complains. I've been living the life for 18 years, a few things go wrong for me, and I'm running around complaining to those who have it worse for me. "Enough about me though: how are you guys doing? Anyone giving you any trouble, because my right hook is killer!" I exclaimed, trying to lighten the dreary mood in the empty dining room.
"Everything with Henri and I is good," Erik said, just a little too fast to be genuine. But, I could see his discomfort and decided not to pry: probably just another case of homesickness or a fight between him and Henri. Nothing that hadn't been dealt with before.
I tried to focus on my task as the boys started to stroll in, but by the time breakfast had been served I had nothing. Every boy walked, talked, and acted as if everything was usual. Well, except for Erik and Henri. I would have to ask Erik later what happened between the two of them. I hoped that there was something I could do to help them. I saw what it was like when two people normally so close had been driven apart and I didn't want that to happen to Erik and Henri. That type of stress had nearly driven Eadlyn mad when they reunited, and Ahren became distant with everyone at the palace: I couldn't lose any more good friends to something I could help.
I pondered what to do over breakfast, and I decided to start by questioning my helpers and those of the nearby rooms. In the rebel attack, most of the security camera's had been broken, so I could inquire with the guards if the one outside my room was functioning, but I needed a backup plan.
"Hey Erik? What would you do if someone threatened you, but they also threatened someone you lov- I mean care about?" Phew! That time, I didn't know if it was a slip of the tongue or if it was true.
"It depends what their saying Kile. I don't really know, I've never had to think about something like that. If it's happening right now, I would tell the king: if it's one of the Selected they could get in HUGE trouble!" I nodded my thanks and rose as everyone was leaving the room. As much as I wish it did help me, Erik's advice did literally nothing for me. Everything he said couldn't happen: I couldn't just ignore it, but I couldn't tell the king. He doesn't need stress that could be avoided in his life right now. I would just have to go ahead and see if the maids saw anything.
But, in the meantime, I remembered that I still needed to finish my talk with Eadlyn from the other morning. Ugh. If I don't talk to her, I go insane with the desire to tell her my feelings, and if I do talk to her then someone is gonna get revenge. Like I said, what I wouldn't give for anything in my life to be simple.