Monday, Atlantean Royal Palace
I laid on my bed, crossing out the list of girls still in the show. It was two days after the dance. And the weekend was packed full of dancing, sight-seeing, canoeing, and watching movies. Eight more girls have been eliminated. All the g irls under thirteen. And Eleanor George.
Oh my, Eleanor. She's so…irritating! She clung to my arms during the canoeing, until I was sure my arms would fall off. She's just a small-time actress, yet she acts like she's going to the Oscars. She's always hogging the camera. She's vain as a peacock, and is mean and bitchy. And she treats me like a kid. I hate her.
And Amelia. I used to think she's like Eleanor, vain and proud and bitchy. But she was so very nice to me, going, "Cal, you're a champion rower!" and saying all those encouraging things. Why did Lia make her out as a jealous stepsister who does things behind her back? Maybe if Lia acted more like Mia, more boys will like her.
Ariana was OK. Sweet, cute as a button, and kind, she's perfect. Yet I'm not too sure if I'm in love with her. Maybe I'm in love with Mia. Oh, I don't know! I don't have anyone to confide in!
Yes I do. Crystal Damien. She's a hotel concierge, but she's really nice. And goodlooking. She's suffering from a broken heart, she told me, and her sister thought that entering her name in the Bachelor would cheer her up. And it did.
Crystal's my special friend. She always lends me a listening ear if I've got a particular rough day in filming. And she listens to my troubled feelings. I'm going to keep her in this show for as long as I could. A trip to her room would be just the thing.
Trouble is, she now shares the same room as Lia. I crept to their door, trying to listen if Lia was inside. I wasn't there for long when the door was flung open.
I fell inside, and Lia stood in front of me. She looked shocked. "Cal! What're you doing here? Nevermind, I've got to talk to you."
"Oh, but I can't, Lia. I came to ask Crystal something," I said.
"Fine!" Lia stormed off, glowering. What's her problem? PMS?
"What's up, Cal?" Crystal asked. She was meditating on the bed.
"Oh, Chris. I've got a problem. You must help me! It's about the girls." I said, sitting down.
Crystal nodded gloomily. "What about them?"
I wasn't sure where to begin. "Well, I'm in a turmoil. I don't know who I should choose. Sure, Alexandra, Antoinette, and Yolanda are great conversationalists, but they're not exactly the type that Princes chose to be their wives. I mean, they're like, your knowledgeable friend. Good to have around exams, but…that's all. And
the friends type. Ariana, you, and Cynthia are great friends. But that's all you are, pardon. Just friends. Not even a spark of interest. Even though you've all got such a great character, looks good, and all. You're just the kind of person that people treat as Agony Aunts. You know, the good friend type who helps you with problems and confides in them. And then there's Jacinda and Nicole. All my ministers think I should choose them because of their royalty bloodline or whatever. But it's all professional. No real love. And they're neither knowledgeable or Agony Aunts. Just formal acquaintances that you always treat with caution." I was slightly breathless after all my ramblings. Thirsty, too.
"I think you've left out two person," Crystal said quietly.
I nodded. "Yes. Lia and Mia. If I chose Mia, Lia will never talk to me again. But I don't want to lose Lia. She's my best friend." Maybe more, but I didn't say it out loud.
"Do you love Lia or Mia?" Crystal asked.
"Well, ambiguous feelings. Mia looks perfect, pretty, nice to me, and encouraging. She makes me feel as though I'm a big, strong, man, and I feel like I must protect her from the bad guys who want her too. Like, defend her against the other males. But she's too good to be true. Like, I've never seen her sweaty, dirty, or looking less than immaculate. Like she's just putting on an act," I said.
"She might be, you know. Some people do unscrupulous things, like seducing a guy, to get what they want. It may all be a plot to usurp the throne. I've done some research." Crystal swung her legs off the bed and marched over to the laptop I've given her. "Amelia Atlanta was spotted on Saturday morning with Mitchell. Mitchell was suspiciously by her side when she fainted. It might either be because Mitchell is in love with Amelia, or he promised her fame and fortune if she manages to seduce you, and maybe kill you in your sleep when you chose her. Or even both.
"Aurelia Alexandria, however, is a precious ally of yours. Amelia hates her even more when she became your best friend, foiling several of their plots. However, during my stay with the above mentioned name, I vouch for her real and total genuine concern for the involved monarch, Michael Laurence, Prince of Atlantis." Crystal finished reading out from her laptop, and looked up at me.
I swallowed. This is abrupt. Five minutes ago I was all set to pick Amelia, convinced that she'll be the perfect wife, and I'm the big strong King. Now I see how foolish I was. I was so proud that I fell into Amelia's traps. Who is she kidding, calling me a "big, strong, man"? If not for Lia, I might already be dead. I owed her one. Not even a thousand trophies "for risking her life to protect the Prince" could replace it. And I'm not letting her down. I am going to eliminate
Amelia. If only I realised it sooner. For two days, I was being twisted by Amelia's little finger! Well, no more. I was momentarily stunned because a pretty girl had focused her attention on me, a scrawny kid. Well, no more. Amelia only cared about the Prince. Not ME. Only Aurelia ever cared, really risked her life and cared, for ME. Aurelia.
A-U-R-E-L-I-A.
