Well it's good to be back and writing! I still apologize for the late chapters since my compact schedule is crazed! But I will try to update on weekends. I am now 9 weeks into recovery with 12 weeks left! It's been a long two months and I'm excited to be able to write more. I hope you all enjoy today's chapter and try not to drill me too hard for the bad writing XP Still a little rusty.
Love Smashleigh
Alex:
"Well it seems you have narrowed it down quite a bit, Your Highness." Gavril joked, nudging my shoulder.
I glance over at the nine women sitting behind me. I felt bad having to send Claudia home. She had confessed to not wanting to be a part of the Selection and that her boyfriend actually made her enter. I couldn't help but think she deserved better than someone who forced his girlfriend to enter something like that (A/N: Hmm sound familiar). But either way she confessed her love for him and felt wrong staying where she obviously was unhappy. I thanked her for her concern and sent her off with a lovely smile on her face.
"Gavril all these girls are lovely in looks and personality but I'm finding it hard to pick. They all are someone who is interesting in their own ways." I admit.
I let my eyes linger on Cassie. She shut herself in again and refused to speak or look at me. I felt awful not seeing the girl I've come to enjoy spending time with. But it's my fault and I've tried ways to make it up to her.
"Well how about we speak with these lovely ladies?" Gavril suggests. "Lady Elizabeth! Come and join us darling!"
Elizabeth's interview came and went as fast as she sat down. Though she attempted to catch my eye I was focused on Gavril and his questions. It's not meant to snub her but I really find no connection with Elizabeth. She's too quiet and has no personal opinion on matters.
Next came Karolina. Her smile was radiant as she approached us. This girl could easily make me smile just by glancing at her because it was so contagious. She sat rather close to me which I didn't mind. Karolina was probably one of my closest confidantes. She was looking for a friend, someone to talk to and not compete against. Which I greatly obliged her. Though I don't think there's anything that would suggest our relationship going further.
Cassie was after her. I could tell she was smiling just for show and would not make eye contact with me when I kissed her hand. Also the distance she put between us was unacceptable. I scooted closer to her and shot her a look with my eyes to behave. She gave me a smirk and turned towards Gavril.
"Oh! I sense a little tension between you two." he said.
"You could say that." Cassie said rudely.
"Would you knock it off?" I whispered softly.
She turned to me. "Knock what off?"
"There's no need to snap at Gavril. He didn't do anything." I told her.
"Your right it's not." she said and stood up. "Pardon me Gavril but I am not in the mood to discuss my relationship with Alex."
A gasp emitted throughout the room not only for her behavior but for addressing me so informally. She stormed off the stage, ripping the microphone off her dress in the process. Without thinking I got up and stormed after her. This woman was so infuriating!
"Alexander Schreave!" my Mother exclaimed, chasing after me.
I ignored her and stalked Cassie out into the gardens. She knew I was following her and continued walking. Finally I grasped her arm and spun her around. "What the hell Cassie!?" I exclaimed.
She turned her chin up defiantly. "What? Don't agree with my response? That's basically how I've felt for the past five days since you snubbed me! Why do you care? I'm just your charity case right?"
I grasped both her shoulders. "You need to behave! Do you understand this behavior is not fit for the competition?"
"Would you stop thinking about the damn competition for two seconds?!" she screamed.
"I am! Think about your actions Cassandra! Don't you realize that all the things you do affect me as well! I need someone who will be there for me! To help me and behave like a princess! I need you to think about how this affects others and not yourself!"
"You don't get it! You don't know how stressed and how hurt I am! Every day I see you with the others! I haven't seen or heard from you in days Alex." she said softly.
"I've tried. But you always snub me." I tell her.
She shakes her head. "I won't be someone you have at your beck and call. When you send notes and messages I hate the fact that you never ask me yourself, in person."
"What if I don't have time to?" I ask.
"Then make time. If not I see no reason in furthering a relationship if you can't find time for me." she says.
"Don't say that. Please." I beg her.
"You've smashed my heart Alex. I need more than pretty words and petty excuses. I need you to show me I'm not one of them." she said.
"I will. Just give me time please." I pleaded.
"I'm willing to give you another chance. Just don't screw it up." she joked.
I planted a kiss on her forehead. "I won't."
Olivia:
"Suck in a little bit more dearie." the seamstress said. I did as she said but still the dress wouldn't budge. She was trying to squeeze me in a gown that was definitely not my size. "Come on I know you can do better."
I sighed in exasperation. "What size is this dress anyways?"
"This is a two ma'am. The size given to us by Her Grace." she said through a mouthful of pins.
"There is no way this is a two!" I exclaimed. "I fit in those easily."
"Well apparently not anymore." she mumbled.
I ignored her comment. Looking up I met my Mother's shrewd eyes in the mirror. She snapped her fingers once and caught everyone's attention. "Out!"
The seamstress and her assistants dispersed and left the room. I wanted to let the dress fall but kept it clutched to my chest, afraid to ruin it. "Mother are you sure you gave them my correct measurements?"
She nodded. "They were the ones from last month, when we got your dress for Uncle's wedding."
That's right. When Uncle Gerad got married I needed a bridesmaid's gown since the bride insisted on including members of his family. But…I don't eat a lot. Oh God. I haven't turned obese? Have I?! No. I haven't eaten anything for the past few days. I've been sick and have been in bed.
"Think Olivia. Use that head of yours and think for once in your damn life." my Mother said.
"What am I suppose to th-" then it hit me. "Oh God. OH GOD!"
Dropping the dress I rush over to retrieve my clothes. The smile spread across my face is nothing compared to the thought of Sam's face. Though we hadn't talked in days in the days since our fight, I just knew this could be our reconciliation. He had to be happy! If he wasn't happy then I don't know what I'd do with myself.
"Olivia. Where do you think you're going?" my Mother asks.
I turn to face her. But she's not mad. A smile is spread across her face and she nods. That's all the reassurance I need as I rush out of the room. Since it's a Wednesday and not one of our busy days I settled on jeans and a deep blue sweater. My black boots clicked across the wooden floors as I dashed down the hall to the servant's stairs. Taking them two at a time I reached the door and shoved it open…to a very unwelcomed sight.
There was Sam, of course, but he was plastered to a girl with jet black hair. I recognized her as Kelli, one of the girls selected for my brother. Her scarlet red nails were dug through Sam's hair as he trailed kisses down her neck. I tried covering a sob but it escaped my mouth. The two stopped and turned to look at me. Both their faces looked at me with horror as I leaned heavily on the wall.
"P-princess Olivia!" Kelli exclaimed, dropping a quick curtsy. "It-it's not what you think."
But I didn't want to listen. I turned and dashed right back up the stairs. I could hear Sam frantically telling me to stop. But I couldn't listen to him either. How could he? Five days after we had a fight and he's off searching for a replacement? Maybe it was a good thing this wedding was being moved up. Sam needn't know about the child and I could live with Eli in a country completely different from my own. I reached a landing and was spun around from behind.
"STOP!" Sam exclaimed.
I pounded on his chest with my remaining strength. "Let me go." I sobbed.
"Not until you listen." he said sternly.
"No. No, I will not listen to your excuses. Let me go Sam!" I cried, losing more strength.
Sam shook my shoulders. "Compose yourself Olivia! Listen to me!"
I sank against the wall and let my legs go out from under me. Sam scooped me up in his arms and carried me up the remaining flight of stairs. Peeking through the door he quickly dashed to my room and locked the door, remaining unseen.
Placing me on the bed he loomed over me. But I couldn't look at him. I never wanted to look at him again. How could he? I said the things I said out of spite. That didn't mean I never wanted to see him again. It was the heat of the moment.
"Olivia?" he said softly. "Will you look at me?"
I turned my head a fraction and looked at him out of the corner of my eye. My vision was still blurry as the tears poured down my face. I just couldn't stop them. My heart felt like it'd been ripped open.
"You need to listen. She was someone who had gone riding the other day. I helped her and she just wanted someone to talk to. So I rode with her as an escort. We laughed and talked but I never thought it'd be anything more. My mind was filled with you. She was a good distraction. But she became more persistent. What you just saw was a moment of weakness for me. I missed you and I craved you. When she kissed me I thought it was you, not her.
"You need to understand that I never meant to do anything. I actually meant to come to you and apologize when she came out of the servant's stairs. That's when things escalated."
I closed my eyes the entire time. His words just kept twisting the knife further. It didn't matter that he didn't love her. It was the fact that it still happened.
"God Olivia, say something please. You're killing me." he said.
"S-Sam…I just don't know what to say. I wanted to come to see you too. Just when you were kissing her I felt like you moved on. That I meant nothing to you." I opened my eyes and saw his filled with tears.
"Never." he said passionately. "You could never mean nothing to me. As long as I breathe."
I let out a loud sob. "But I just…don't know if I can trust you."
He looked away. Trying to rein his emotions I watched a tear escape his eyes. That's when I broke. Sam didn't really cry, not in front of anyone anyways. I leaned up and kissed the tear away, and then another as it rolled down his cheek. He shuddered when my lips touched his and leaned back. Meeting my eyes for a brief second, he leaned down and softly touched his lips to mine. I kissed him back and we each just gave another feather soft kisses.
I realized what I wanted to tell him but wasn't sure. Was it the right place? The right time? We just made up but I felt like it would just be a bad idea. Would he be happy? Or would he be super mad?
"What is it?" he realized when I stopped kissing him.
I looked up into his blue eyes and debated telling him. I wanted him to know. I needed him to know. But the words would not leave my lips. I was afraid. His reaction meant everything to me and I wanted to know yet didn't want to at the same time.
"Sam I…I'm-"
A series of knocks sounded on my door. Sam groaned in protest as I shoved him off of me. He crept his way to my closet and once I knew he was in there I opened my door. There stood Eli, looking determined and somewhat pissed.
"Eli!" I shut the door a fraction. "What are you doing here? You can't see the dress!"
He frowned. "You're really worried about me seeing the damn dress?"
I widened my eyes in fake innocence. "Well…yes."
Rolling his eyes he pushed his way into the room. His eyes skimmed over the white garment bag placed beside the full length mirror. A sliver of the dress was exposed through the top half. I refrained from hiding it because it's not like it mattered anyways. When his eyes fell on me they were full of hatred.
"So I was told the fitting didn't go very well, that you were given new measurements." he said.
Damn it. I knew it wouldn't go unnoticed. He probably had an inside girl as one of the seamstress's assistants. But I gave him a shy look and looked down at my boots. "I seem to have gained a few pounds."
"Funny, isn't it? That a month and a half after your escape you wind up gaining one or two pounds."
I shut my eyes. Sam was probably listening on the other side of the door. I wouldn't get to tell him first. He would find out like this. During a conversation I had with Eli. The thought made me sick…oh wait that was just morning sickness. Oh. God. I covered my mouth and rushed to the bathroom, losing the contents of my lunch yet again. Once the dry heaves subsided I looked at the door where Eli stood, looking even more extremely pissed then before. Striding over to me he yanks me up with one hand. I yelp in surprise as he pins my shoulders to the wall.
"Understand this." he whispers harshly. "My parents are against you keeping the child. They do not want his bastard on the throne. But since I love you, I'm willing to let you keep it. At least until it is born and then it will be given up for adoption. I'll just announce that you lost it during birth."
I gasp and place a protective hand over my stomach. "N-no. I will keep my child. You cannot take him or her."
"You forget that I can always have my parents get to you. So you either comply with my request or you can lose the child before its even born." he snaps. "Your choice."
Releasing my shoulders he turns and leaves my room. I slump against onto the cool tile floor and bury my face in my hands. No, no this can't be happening. I'll lose my child either way! I won't get to see them grow up…oh God what have I done!? The sobs rack my body as I weep. No sooner had I started did I feel a comforting grasp on my shoulders. Sam's scent filled the air and he cooed softly to me and tried to calm me down. I just wept into his shirt and let his steady heartbeat relax me. It was reassurance that he wasn't mad. That he stayed with me and comforted me. But it still gnawed at me whether he cared or not.
"S-Sam?" I croaked. He leaned back to look into my face. I searched his eyes for any emotion but found none. "I-I'm sorry. Truly, dearly, desperately sorry."
He searched my face for a moment. His eyes flittering across my eyes, nose, and lips, as if memorizing them for later. I waited patiently as he studied me. Finally a chuckle escaped his lips. Scooping her up in his arms in spun her in a gentle circle. I let out a small squeal and he set me down on my feet. The smile plastered on his face seemed to melt all the sorrow from today. It was worth it to see the happiness he radiated.
"You have no need to be sorry my dear." he said, planting a kiss on my nose. "This couldn't make me any happier."
I looked up into his eyes. There was still so much though. How could I possibly stay here when I was meant to leave in two days time? There's no way I could fake an illness now. Hiding is pointless. But I couldn't just marry Eli. Even if it brought an alliance to the country, which was most needed…I just…I just love Sam.
"I can practically hear the gears grinding in your head." he whispered in my ear.
I sigh. "How can I not? There's too much to do…"
"One thing's for sure." he said tilting my chin up to look at him. "I am not leaving your side ever again."
"But…how?" I ask.
He gives me a wicked smile. "You need to promise you'll trust me."
America:
Reclining in bed, Maxon and I relaxed. We've neglected our duties for the afternoon to spend some time together. We needed a well deserved break. Especially to take some of the tension out of our relationship.
Maxon ran small circles on my stomach while I closed my eyes. The soothing movement just seemed to lull me further into sleep. Right as I was about to drift off, Maxon planted small kisses along my neck. I giggled and let my head fall back as he explored the skin from my shoulder to my ear.
"What am I going to do with you?" he murmured against my neck.
I ran my hand through his slightly overgrown hair. The golden hair now hung past his ears with small streaks of gray that no one could see unless you looked for it, like me. I plucked one out and he gasped, reeling back he looked at me with astonishment.
"It bugged me." I giggled.
Grasping my hair in his hand he yanked my head closer. Letting his mouth hover over mine, I closed my eyes in anticipation. His breathe mingled with mine as he ran his hands through my long hair. The thick, red waves tumbled down my back and rested just above my hips. Finally letting his mouth descend on mine, he kissed me passionately. Pushing me to lie on my back, he kissed me from my stomach to my neck. Letting the sweet kisses make a trail. I floated along the bliss as he ran the kisses across me.
A sharp knock sounded on the door. He groaned in frustration and reached for the robe at the foot of the bed. After slipping me into mine, he wrapped himself in his. Approaching the door, he opened it up a fraction. He exchanged quick words with the person on the other side before shutting the door. Returning to the bed he looked at me with sad eyes. "America…its Rosie."
"What about her?" I asked, suddenly leaping out of bed for a change of clothes.
"She's sick. Apparently Becky found her in her room throwing up. Seems she has a stomach problem." Maxon said softly.
"My baby!" I squealed, rushing to button my jeans.
Maxon came over and clasped my shaky hands in his. "Darling, compose yourself."
"Maxon let me go! I need to see her!" I cried.
"I'll let you go when you calm down." he told me firmly. "You cannot let her see that you are worried."
I sob. "But I am."
"It's not reassuring for her. Now quit crying my dear. I don't mean to sound so rude but you have worked so hard on hiding your emotions. Do this for her."
I nodded. Taking deep breathes I waited for my heart to stop racing. Finally reaching that point, Maxon got dressed quickly and we made our way to Rosie's room. My hands shook the entire time it took us to walk down the hall, until we finally reached the door at the end.
Unknown:
Peeking through the small crack in the door I faintly could make out three figures in the candle lit room. Two people stood hand clasped in front of the third member. Shaping the sign of the cross the single person placed his hands on top of the couple's. Saying something in some odd foreign language, which I assumed was Latin since I picked up a few words from my prayers, but other than that I just watched. Finally saying a few words in English I practically gasped, "You may now kiss the bride."
Finally I could make out a familiar face in the candlelight. The golden blonde hair was braided up into an updo and a frail, pale pink gown rested on her body, almost white. The man's back was turned to me but the tanned, toned back wouldn't be hard to distinguish. I watched as the Princess Olivia kissed the mysterious man passionately. Pulling back with a smile on her face, she looked up into the man's eyes with all the love in the world. He scooped her into his arms and carried her away into the opposite room, leaving the officiate to clean up the ceremony. I slowly edged away from the door and dashed back to the castle, the ceremony just seconds away from my lips.
Uh oh! What now?! Who was our mystery guest? What will happen to Sam and Olivia now that they've been discovered?! Hehe I know all the answers…you'll just have to wait and find out…
