The next morning I wake up by the gentle nudge Margret Ann is giving me, "Miss? It's time to wake up, today you meet the royal family and you don't want to be late!" she spoke softly.
I snap my eyes open, so it wasn't a dream. I'm really in the Selection. My hair is still a few inches shorter and completely straight. This is really happening.
Belle walks over and pushes the curtains apart, filling the entire room with bright light. I roll over and smile as I stretch my arms.
"That was the best sleep I've had in a long time," I sigh.
Aubrey giggles, "Yes Miss, the beds are quite comfortable! Now let's get you to your bath, would you prefer lavender or mint?"
I smile, absolutely giddy with happiness. I've never had such choices before.
After my mint-infused bath, which leaves my skin feeling even softer than yesterday, Margret Ann puts me in another day dress similar to the dress I wore after my makeover. This time the dress was baby pink and made out of a very comfortable material that hugs my waist and flares out in ruffles. There are bits of sparkle and embellishments throughout the dress, but very subtle. It's perfect, not so simple that I look like I don't belong, but not over the top. The best part, I feel like me in the dress.
Belle helps me step into a pair of cream heels that are luckily much easier to walk in than yesterday's. An arrangement of spectacular jewelry is placed before me, but I ask for the pearls I wore previously instead.
Thankfully my hair stayed straight, due to the professional treatment it received the day before. Aubrey brushes out the tangles and styles it neatly, leaving it down and natural. She keeps my makeup simple, just bringing out my eyes with a black liner and a smoky brown shadow.
"Miss," Margret breathes after I finish getting ready, "you look absolutely breathtaking!" Aubrey nods, "Yes, Lady Sutton, I'm sure the princes will love you!" Belle doesn't say anything, but she does smile.
I smile warmly at all three of them, giving each maid a hug. Thank you all so, so much. I really appreciate you help."
"Oh Miss! It's an honor, we most certainly do not mind!" Aubrey insists.
"Now you best make your way down to the Dining Hall, you don't want to be late." Margret says, and I head off..
There are a few other girls already downstairs when I arrive outside the dining hall, and I am once again glad I didn't go over the top. There's one girl who chose to wear a dress with a plunging neckline, and her face has so much makeup plastered onto it she resembles a clown. She isn't even the slightest bit pretty, in my opinion. I recognize her as Lady Briella from Belcourt, and remembered her going on and on about how gorgeous she would look in a crown during the flight.
I roll my eyes inwardly and take a seat by Ivy, who is dressed in a complementing green day dress. Her look is simple, no makeup, no jewelry.
Minutes later Charlotte bounces around the corner, clipboard in hand and glasses perched high on her nose. She seems to be taking roll of everyone, her eyes scanning the crowd of whispering girls. "Okay, good. Everyone is here. Ladies, remember to curtsy when the royal families enter and do not sit back down until they acknowledge you, are we clear?" She arches an eyebrow questioningly as a chorus of 'yes ma'ams' follow.
"Fabulous. Now let's hurry inside and take your seats, you'll be meeting one on one with both Prince Alexander and Prince Ashton before breakfast starts." She explains. Some of the girls began sweating while others look like they might faint. I'm surprisingly not a nervous wreck, but I'd be lying if I said I don't have a few butterflies.
I'm seated beside a very simple Katherine and a very overdone Aria. Across from me is Cordelia, an elegantly dressed redhead.
"She looks so regal," someone whispered to me. I turn to look at a very worried looking Katherine, and I realize she was talking about Cordelia.
"She does, doesn't she? I wish I would have thought of that." I whisper back in agreement. Of course the princes would be looking for someone elegant and regal-whoever they marry needs to fit the position of Princess or Queen.
Suddenly the doors open, revealing the royal family. King Philip and Queen Brigitte walk in first, smiling warmly at each of us. Behind them Prince Alexander and Prince Ashton follow, with a very smug Adeline following. I hold my laughter, she must have just said something to one of her brothers.
Immediately we all rise and curtsy, some girls even daring to wave flirtatiously. Beside me Katherine shakes her head and I inwardly agree-girls like that would take themselves out.
"Good Morning, ladies," Prince Alexander speaks as the King, Queen, and Adeline take their seats.
"In a few minutes we will be calling each of you to speak with us, just so we can properly introduce ourselves," Prince Ashton smiles. I like his smile, it's one of those easygoing smiles that strangely remind me of summertime.
"Please, take your seats and make yourself comfortable. We're excited to meet all of you, and welcome to the Palace." Alexander finishes, and for the first time I see him really smile.
I roll my eyes at myself, seriously Sutton? You're already focusing on their smiles? Pathetic.
"Sutton," Katherine nudges me, "They just called us." My stomach clenches, and I feel like I am going to throw up. Stay cool, Sutton, I think to myself. It's just an introduction.
I somewhat gracefully walk over to where Prince Alexander stands while Katherine goes to Prince Ashton. Prince Alexander bows slightly and says, "Good Morning, Lady Sutton."
I curtsy in reply, "Good morning, your Majesty," I smile.
"Please, come take a seat." He smiles back. Taking my hand he leads me to a couch that is made out of a soft material I recognize as velvet.
"I heard about your encounter with my sister yesterday." He chuckles, and I manage a small laugh as well, despite my raging nerves.
"Yes, she is quite the fireball!" I say, hoping my voice wasn't showing my anxiousness.
"That she is. I hear you're quite the pianist?" He says with a wink, and I feel myself melting into a puddle.
Well he sure isn't as stiff as I expected, I think.
I shrug, "I'm alright, I've played since I was a girl, but it's just a side hobby."
"I'd love to hear you sometime, perhaps you could play for me?" He suggests. I feel my cheeks instantly turn red.
"Yes, your Majesty, I'd like that very much." I smile. Adeline definitely said something to him.
He opens his mouth to reply but is cut off when Prince Ashton clears his throat,
"Excuse me, mind if I steal Lady Sutton?" he asks, and if I wasn't blushing before I definitely am now.
"I suppose I'll let her go, I look forward to seeing you again, my lady." Alexander then takes my hand and presses his lips to it, before handing it over to his brother.
"Shall we?" He grins boyishly. I nod and follow him to the second couch that was exactly like the first.
"Your eyes...their exquisite." He complements, his gaze fixated on them.
I blush yet again, "T-Thank you," I stammer.
He smiles, "I noticed them while you were eating dinner on your balcony last night. I was taking a walk in the gardens at the time. They were almost glowing in the moonlight."
I giggle shyly, surprised by both the fact that I never noticed him last night and that he paid any attention to me.
"Are you enjoying the Palace so far?" He asks, looking genuinely worried that I wouldn't like it.
I smile, "Very much so, your Majesty. It's even more lovely than I imagined, and my maids are very sweet. Oh, and of course I'm really enjoying the food."
He barks out an awkward laugh that sparks a giggle from me. "Yes, the food is delicious, if I do say so myself. I'm glad you're settling in," He replies.
"I'm glad to be here, although it is a bit nerve racking." I say.
"You're telling me," he rolls his eyes before continuing, "I have to date for the first time in front of the entire country! Plus I can't just have a normal Selection, I have to share it with Alex. I'm both terrified and excited at the same time, but honestly I'm ready for it to be over with."
I take his words in for a moment, deciding that they make sense. "Hm, I never thought about it like that," I say, "I assumed this was something you and Prince Alexander had been looking forward to your entire lives."
He shakes his head, "It's not that I'm not excited about it. I'm just ready to find the one, and there's a lot of pressure and anxiety that comes with that."
I smile, "Well lucky for you there's a room full of girls head over heels for you, I'm sure you'll find the one soon." I say with a smile, and maybe, just maybe that could be me, I add secretly.
He grins, "Well if their half as lovely as you, it will be a hard decision."
For a girl who never blushes, I am sure blushing an awful lot today. I awkwardly look at the floor, unsure of what to say, and peek his way under my lashes.
"It was very lovely meeting you, Lady Sutton," he rises and like Prince Alexander, takes my hand and places a gentle kiss on it.
"It was an honor, your Majesty." I smile warmly at him before giving a small curtsy and trotting off to my seat.
"So, what did you think?" Katherine whispers to me once I sit back down. I sigh dreamily, "They're amazing. I was expecting them to be more...I don't know, stiff, maybe?"
Katherine giggles, "Yes, I figured they would be very uptight and formal, but they weren't at all!"
I decide then that I liked Katherine. Out of all the girls she is the only one who hasn't treated me as an enemy, and her bubbly personality is refreshing.
Almost an hour later, every girl had spoken to both princes and breakfast was served. My mouth watered as plates full of French toasts, eggs, bacon, as well as many other foods were placed before us.
I wasn't kidding when I told Prince Ashton I was enjoying the food, but that was definitely an understatement. This food even tastes royal. Around the time everyone is finishing, Prince Alexander stand.
"I hope everyone has enjoyed their meals. Ladies, if you will, please stand as I call your name." He speaks, his voice and face serious.
"Lady Rebecca, Lady Alison, Lady Natalie, Lady Lucy, Lady Victoria, Lady Grace, Lady Anna, Lady Janet, Lady Audrey, and Lady Beatrice. Ladies, please follow Charlotte, she will be leading you back to your rooms. Unfortunately we are sending you home, but thank you for your time." He smiled apologetically before calmly walking out of the room, followed by Prince Ashton.
An immediate chorus of gasps and sobs ring around the room. Just like that, we are down from forty-five girls to thirty-five. Some girls, like myself and Katherine, sit in absolute shock. None of us had spent longer than five minutes with each prince, what could anyone have possibly done in that time to get sent home so quickly? I sympathetically watch as all ten girls walk away in shame, not even caring how badly they were smudging their makeup. I suppose it didn't really matter at this point, anyway.
Moments after the eliminated girls leave, a maid pokes her head through the doors, scanning the crowd of remaining participants. Once her eyes land on mine, she calls out, "Lady Sutton? Please come here."
My heart instantly sinks. Katherine gasped, but quickly covers her mouth with her hand. What in the world did I do? Wasn't I polite and well-mannered? I run both conversations through my head, but can't pinpoint any moment where I said something inappropriate or rude. Clearly I must of done something if they forgot to mention my name, and then felt the need to single me out so I could go back home.
I decide I will go out with dignity. I keep my face emotionless as I calmly stand up and walk towards the maid. I give her a forced smile as I walk past, praying that I can hold myself together until I get home.
"Miss? Where are you going, I'm here to deliver a note to you." The puzzled looking maid asks.
I quickly spin back around, my eyes landing on a small card the woman is carrying. A note? From who? Possibly Adeline, maybe she wanted to play piano together sometime this afternoon.
"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am. A note from who?" I apologize with a smile, this time not forced.
The maid gives a coy grin and says, "Why don't you read it and find out?" She hands me the note, and I notice how heavy the paper was. No doubt it was some sort of luxurious paper, similar to what the Selection letter was written on.
She nods as I take the note, patiently waiting for me to read it. I hesitantly open the card, but my heart leaps as I read the words;
Dear Lady Sutton,
Please join me for a walk around the grounds this afternoon at one o'clock, I shall stop by your room beforehand to pick you up.
Hope to see you,
Prince Alexander
My eyes widen in pure delight. I had gotten worked up for nothing. Looking back at the maid I realize she is waiting for an answer, but I can't seem to make words come out of my mouth. Instead I eagerly nod with a smile.
She seems to understand and curtsies before quickly rushing off, no doubt to find the Prince and tell him my answer.
I glance up and see the mixed emotions of the other girls. Some looked confused, and others seem to have figured out what the note said. I tuck a strand behind my ear nervously before walking back to my seat. I am determined to show confidence, despite the glares I keep receiving from the few girls that had figured it out.
Katherine, thankfully, gave me a bright eyed, cheerful smile.
"Which Prince?" she asks excitedly.
"Oh, um, it was Prince Alexander, " I blush, earning a squeal from Katherine.
"Oh my, you two would look adorable together! Congratulations, you sure must have charmed him if you've already won a date!" She exclaims, almost as giddy with excitement as I was.
Well, If I thought I had enemies before, I most certainly do now. Every other girl in the room made a point to roll their eyes or turn their head. I shrug it off, none of that mattered anyway.
I'm going on a date with the Prince.
