Sorry for the lack of posts the last two weekends, I wasn't able to get this chapter finished in time for the first weekend. This week was rough as well, as RL decided to kick me in the gut as one of my co-workers was killed in a car accident. I'm pushing through as much of this as I can this weekend to see what I can give you without a cliffie.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 7
I woke up, mortified by my behavior the night before. Had I really scolded the crown prince of Volterra? I could only hope he'd let me apologize before he dismissed me.
Around my room, my maids flitted about, completing various tasks. It wasn't until Nettie pulled back the curtains on the window beside the balcony door that I had to admit that I was awake.
While I had been careful to clean my feet last night, I had missed the bit of dirt on my nightgown. The girls said nothing as they prepared my bath and asked which dress I wanted to wear. There was a beautiful cream dress with blue flowers on it. I told them I would wear that and then slipped into the large tub.
My maids were more like me than the other girls in the competition, I had a better chance finding friendship with them, but I wasn't sure their rigid palace training would allow them to open up to me. After all, I was now a three, even if I didn't feel like it.
After relaxing in the bath, Nettie used some of the ribbons I brought from home to weave into my hair as she put half of it up. The care she took to dry and style it was impressive, all the while Maria did my makeup and Vanessa smoothed lotion over my skin.
I put on my heels and then was shown to my personal jewelry cache. Feeling self-conscious, I asked Nettie to fetch my songbird necklace while I picked out the smallest diamonds I could find.
I stepped out into the foyer at the top of the stairs and was alone. For the next twenty minutes people trickled out and found places to settle in. Two girls came out in similar dresses and then ran back to their rooms to change.
There was a theme in the outfits. They all glittered like jewels. While they already looked like ones, I looked like a five in a pretty dress. I felt plain.
Esme arrived and led us downstairs. But where we all expected to go to the dining room, we were instead led to the Great Hall. I thought they might be having an event to welcome us, but as we entered, I saw rows of small tables set for a meal, but there was no food.
"Before you eat in front of the royal family, we need to go over etiquette and how to act when entering a room with the royal family or when they enter the room you're in. Take a seat anywhere," Esme said.
I sat down with Lucy to my right and Alice in front of me. I noticed the camera crew in the corner and sighed when I saw they weren't recording yet.
Lucy leaned over and asked about my necklace. When I told her it was from home, she said that was smart as it wasn't as heavy as what was made by the jewelers. I mentioned that whoever won would need to get used to it.
"Well, I guess we both better train in how to wear it, since you were a favorite at the airport," Lucy joked.
I snorted out a laugh and Esme turned. "A Lady never speaks above a gentle murmur at meals."
I felt her stare.
"Your training on how to be the next princess of Volterra begins now. Any mistakes will be reported to the royal family, so be careful to always show your best self in public.
"When you enter a room with a royal, you curtsey and wait for them to address you, then you can continue. Never speak to them unless spoken to, or given liberty to speak freely. Prince Edward will likely be the one to do that with you."
For the next half hour we were instructed on which glass and utensil was for what. How we would always be served from the right and to never pick up something from a communal plate with our hands.
I was starving, but before I could wonder if we would ever practice our new table manners, Edward walked in, causing the girls to perk up immediately.
"My apologies, Esme, but I wanted to introduce myself to my Collection. I know you must be hungry, so I will not keep you long. I would like to work my way through the rows, and just speak with you each briefly. I must beg your forgiveness, it will take me a little while to learn all your names. You have me outnumbered."
Edward approached Carmen, who was in the front left seat. He escorted her to a couch along the wall, out of earshot.
Each conversation was only a few minutes, and as girls grew restless they spoke amongst themselves in the whisper that Esme had instructed us to use. Alice and Lucy wondered what he could be asking in so short a time.
The camera crew came and spoke to the girls waiting for their moment with the prince. When they arrived at our little group they asked about our first day and our maids. I gushed about my trio, saying they'd built me the perfect wardrobe and I was excited to see what they came up with for me next.
Lucy was her usual poised self when she returned, though she looked a little nervous. When Alice walked back, she looked as if she wanted to skip the last few feet.
I walked up, smiling when Prince Edward made a point to check my name tag as he greeted me. He offered me his hand as I stepped onto the raised platform thd couch sat on.
"How did you sleep last night, My Dear?"
"I'm not 'Your Dear' yet, Your Highness. And to answer your question, I slept well once I was able to relax."
"I'm glad to hear it, My … Isabella."
"Before we go any further, I want to apologize for my behavior. I was so overwhelmed, but that isn't an excuse. You could have thrown me out for so many things, so the fact that I'm allowed to stay means the world to me."
"Your honesty is something I admire. You're transparent, even given my station," Prince Edward admitted. "I do have a question for you. I know you came here for reasons other than me, but do you believe there's a chance loving feelings could grow between us?"
I sighed, this could be what sent me home. "In the interest of honesty, since you admire it so much, the answer is no. If circumstances were different, I'm sure something could develop. After all, you're kind, thoughtful, and handsome. But my heart still belongs to someone else, no matter how much I wish it didn't."
I could feel the traitor tears threatening to fall, but before they could start, I noticed that Prince Edward became upset as well. "Please don't cry. I can't stand it when women cry; I don't know how to handle it."
That confession made me laugh. He could run a country, but tears were his undoing.
"Would you like to be sent home so that you could be with your love?" Though he offered me the option, it was clear the idea bothered him.
"No, he made it clear that he wants someone who needs to be provided for, not a partner. Besides, I did this for my family."
"The stipend? That was what made you agree, along with the needed distance between you and your fool of an ex."
I smiled at the idea that they both thought the other a fool. "What you give them for a week means that they have more options. They don't have to worry about food, or if someone gets sick. There's a safety net we've never even dreamed of having." Just then, an idea came to me. "I have an proposition for you. If you keep me, I'll be your inside man, or woman as it would be. I'll be the confidant and friend you need until you figure out who you want to fill that role permanently."
"I accept. It will be nice to not need to be so guarded with you. Now, would you allow me to call you 'My Dear'?"
"No."
The prince shook his head. "None of the other girls mind it, in fact they rather like it."
"And that, My Prince, is why I don't," I told him.
He bid me goodbye, promising that he wasn't going to give up on this.
It wasn't much longer before he excused the majority of us, asking those of us he'd told to remain to do so.
Alice and I walked out and she didn't hide her disappointment that he hadn't asked her to stay. I told her that Lucy would demurely tell us about it when she returned.
We reached the doors to the dining room and entered as a group. Collectively, we curtseyed, standing when we heard Queen Elizabeth's voice.
"Ladies, please be seated, I'm sure you are hungry. On behalf of the royal family, I would like to welcome you to our home. I cannot wait to get to know you all in the coming days and weeks."
We moved to our seats and in an organized manner the butlers removed to coverings on our plates to reveal eggs, bacon, and pancakes.
I began to eat, trying to remember everything Esme told us when Prince Edward entered alone.
I watched as he greeted his parents, speaking to a butler before taking a seat and eating himself.
My eyes landed on the empty chair beside me and then looked around counting chairs. Eight girls had not returned from their meeting with the prince.
Rosalie Hale was the one who spoke, obviously answering the question we all were thinking. "They're gone."
