I hope you guys had a great Christmas and new year sorry it as taken me so long to post this chapter the holidays are always crazy for me especially with my birthday being two days after Christmas and my dad's birthday one day after Christmas, anyway I hope you like this chapter and I will update soon. Thank you to all the people who have reviewed so far it really makes my day hearing what you think and see if you're liking the story, so please review.
xoxo
Hope for the Selection. :)
Chapter 11
"This way" August says softly leading us through some tree's. Once we got outside the palace walls we'd gone into stealth mode, lurking around the tree's and bushes barely making a sound. There could still be rebels in the area so we have to make sure nobody see's us or hears us. After about an hour or so of walking, I look over at Kile and see him smiling at something I want to ask him what he's smiling at but that wouldn't be smart. I don't even look at Josie knowing that she's muttering her complaints under her breath. I look at Osten next to me and he looks at me I know we're both thinking the same thing, when will we see mom and dad again.
"Stop," August says suddenly and I stop dead in my tracks and look at him.
"What's wrong," I ask but he doesn't seem to hear me.
Suddenly two figures in black clothes and masks drop to the ground from the tree just above us, I can feel my heart beating out of my chest. I hate to say it, but I'm scared, are these rebels coming to kill us. I pull Osten behind me and look over at Kile next to August but then I see August smiling at the two dark figures.
"How long did it take you two to it think of this entrance," August says with a laugh.
"About 4 hours," The person on the left says with a chuckle, it sounds like a man.
"Not bad but the masks and black clothes don't give off the air of 'We're not here to kill you' don't you think," August says and the two figures shrug.
"Ok, can someone explain what's going on," I ask and they all look at me then August laughs a little.
"We're are my manners, let me introduce you," He says then walks up to one to the person on the left.
"This is Noah," He says and the figure takes off his mask, and I suck in a breath. The boy in front of me is a very handsome, he stands about 6 feet tall with dark brown hair and piercing green eyes that would make any sane girl melt at the sight but I don't melt on the outside but on the inside I'm hot fudge. I look at him and he looks at me and I hear Josie sigh next to me but I ignore her, Noah is dressed in a tight black shirt and I can see all of his muscles, I just being a rebel can do that to you.
"Your Highness," He says with a bow of his head and I shake my head a little to clear it.
"Nice to meet you," I say with a little bow of my head and to my surprise Josie doesn't start rambling her name and a ton of other things at Noah, she just stands there drooling at the sight of him, I think I know who's name is going to be written all over her diary.
"And this is Rose," He says and she takes off her mask to revile a beautiful girl with dark brown hair and green eyes, just like Noah. I look between Rose and Noah, they look a lot alike.
"Are you two related," I ask and they smile and I almost melt at how cute Noah looks smiling, but I compose myself knowing Kile won't like me drooling over some boy, even though he is so droll worthy.
"We're twins," Rose says and I smile, finally I meet some twins.
"And my kids," August says and I look at him, then I realize of course he has kids why and I so surprised.
"Ok enough with the introductions we need to get going," Kile says he looks a little mad.
"Your right, let's go," I say grabbing Osten's hand.
"This way," Noah says and we all start running in the direction he pointed.
We jog for a long while before Noah, Rose, and August all stop at the same time. I almost run into Osten who's in front of me when we stop, I look ahead and see Noah walking around a tree then he pulls down on one of it's many branches and the whole tree slides away to revive a hole and stairs. I walk up to the hole and knee down to look into the hole, I look down and my mouth drops open to see everything going on at the bottom of the long stairs. There are people with guns and some with papers all rushing around, I hear someone chuckle and look up to see Noah smiling at me.
"What," I ask and he just smiles offering his hand to help me up, I gladly take it and then I sense someone standing next to me and I turn to see Kile looking down the hole too.
"That goes down a long way," Kile says and Noah nods.
"Yes it does, now if we don't want to be caught we better go," Noah says and I nod.
"Ok let's go then," I say and Noah helps me down into the hole and onto the first step, Kile jumps down next and is soon right behind me. I look around as I wait for the rest to jump down, all around me there are cement walls. There stairs and made of iron and when you walk the sound echo's, I look up to see blinking red lights and nonblinking blue ones. Once everyone is down we start walking down the long stairs, Noah is ahead of me Kile is right behind and the rest are behind him. I can hear Rose and Osten talking behind me and it makes me smile, soon the noises from down below get louder and louder then Kile leans in to whisper something into my ear.
"This is going to be an interesting day," He says and I laugh.
"Yes it will be," I say and he smiles I turn me head forward again and continue walking and Kile goes to walk with Osten behind me, all of a sudden Rose appears at my side and I smile at her.
"Hello," I say and she smiles.
"Hello your Highness," She says and I giggle.
"Please can me Eadlyn"
"Ok Eadlyn," She says trying my name out. "I was wondering..." She stops herself, she looks like she rethinking her question.
"Wondering what," I ask.
"I was wondering when is your wedding," She asks and I look at Kile behind me, he's talking to August and doesn't notice.
I turn back to Rose. "We haven't really set a date, too much has been going on for us to focus too much on wedding details," I say and she nods.
"That makes sense, I can't imagine what the last few months have been like for you. First the selection, then your brothers, then the Queen has a heart attack, and then the rebel attacks, and now this." She says and I nod.
"Yeah it's been a lot, but the hardest part was the selection. You don't know what it's like to date 35 men all at the same time, you have to have at least 5 dates a week and you have to get to know all of them. A normal relationship is hard enough on its own, but try having 35 relationships all at once, it's exhausting getting to know all of them then having to send some away until you find the one you love. I didn't think it would ever end" I say with a sigh and Rose nods.
"Just hearing you talk about it makes me tired," She says and I laugh.
"So where does this staircase lead," I ask and she smiles.
"My home" Is all she says before walking ahead to walk with her brother.
When we get to the end of the stairs I'm shocked at how loud it is down here, there are people in white coats with clipboards and papers walking or running around with men dressed in uniforms following their every step, they must be the guards they sure look like ones. I look around and see white walls and high roofs, I look at August for instructions and he motions us over to a door and into an office. We all go inside and he sits down in the chair, I stand next to Kile and Osten both of them are looking at August with intensity. August reaches for the phone looking thing next to his desk and it beeps as he presses a button.
"Send PK3 into my office please," He says and a 'yes sir' is all he gets in return.
I look at Kile and he shrugs so I look back to August. "What or who is PK3," I ask and August smiles.
"You'll see, but I promise you'll like it," He says just as the door opens and a man in a uniform walks in.
"Here's PK3, Sir," He says and I gasp as Kaden walks through the door. Kaden sees us and smiles then rushes over to me and Osten and hugs us and I hug him and Osten close.
"Are you ok," I ask and Kaden's smile widens.
"It's been a blast, I get to do whatever I want. I don't have to wear a suit or sit up straight or any of that boring stuff I just get to do what I want all day long, it awesome." He says and I smile at his enthusiasm.
"Are you here to take me home," Kaden asks and I look at August.
"I'm sorry we haven't told him yet, we thought you might want to," He says and I nod, then look back at Kaden who has a confused but hopeful look on his face at the thought of going home.
"No Kaden we're not going home, that's why all of us are here. We needed to leave the palace and go to a safe place so Sir August told dad he has a place for us." I say and Kaden's mouth drops open.
"I didn't get to see mom and dad," He says and I nod in understanding.
"I know, and they send their love but Kaden we're not safe at the palace anymore so until it's safe to go back we have to do what Sir August says so we stay safe" I can see Kaden's eyes welling up with tears but I can see that he's determined not to cry.
"I will be ok," I say pulling him in for a hug.
"I know" He whispers into my shoulder, I pull back and give him a weak smile then turn to August.
"What now"
"Now you get your new look," He says and I squint at him.
"Um"
"You can't go out looking like this, people would realize you instantly. We are going to make you look different enough so that won't happen. Now Eadlyn you go with Rose and the boys will go with Noah." He says and we all split up and walk in different directions.
"So what do you want to look like," Rose asks me and I shrug.
"I don't know," I say and as we turn a corner.
"Well, they'll take a picture of you and then they use their computers to adjust how you look on the screen to see what works then if you like it they make you look like the photo. It's pretty straight forward" She says and I nod.
She leads me through a few more halls until we reach our destination and walk inside, the white walls of this room are higher and they seem like a darker white than the ones outside, I look around and my mouth falls open. In one corner of the room, there are cameras and computers and a few another thing I don't recognize, the rest of the room is only for the makeovers. It looks just like a salon, there are chairs and mirrors lining one wall with hairbrushes, curling irons, hair dye, and enough makeup to drown in, and on the other wall there are dress, pants, shirts, wigs, shoes, jewellery, and I see a whole rack of colored contacts to change the color of someone's eye.
"This is amazing," I say under my breath and Rose laughs.
"Yes it is, oh come with me and I'll introduce you," She says walking over to the woman in the corner of the room by the computers.
We walk up and the woman turns, and a sweet smile takes over her face, she has red hair and brown eyes that are framed with glasses, she's tall and slim and looks very friendly.
"Hello, Mrs. Ellis this is Eadlyn, Eadlyn this is Mrs. Ellis" Rose says with a smile and the woman holds out her hand and I shake it.
"It's a pleaser to meet you, Your Highness," She says and I smile.
"Please call me Eadlyn, and the pleaser is all mine," I say and she chuckles a little then gets down to work.
She leads me over to the chair and has me sit down then she fusses with my hair until it's in the position she wants it to be in then turns me ever so slightly and runs behind the camera and snaps the picture, then we do a few more from either side of my head and one more from the front. When we're done with the photos me, Rose, And Mrs. Ellis all sit around the computer as we look at the photos, then we start changing my look. First we do my hair a different color we decide to make it a lighter brown closer to blond really, then we look at my eyes and make them an ice blue that looks really good with my new hair color. And finally we work on my makeup and clothes, the makeup is lighter than I'm used to but in the picture it looks great so we go for it.
Once my look is done on the computer Mrs. Ellis sets to work changing me to look like the photo, both Rose and Mrs. Ellis say that I can't look at my reaction until there done so I wait the hours it take to dye my hair, style and cut my hair, change my eye color, pick out an outfit, do my makeup, and finally after more hours than I care to count Rose puts the last piece of Jewelry a beautiful blue necklace that goes with my new eyes. They cover my eyes and lead me over to one of the many mirrors and then lets me see the new me.
I gasp at the girl in the reflection, I look stunning with my lighter hair color and blue eyes I look like a whole different girl, I'm dressed in jeans and a light blue blouse and with my new hair and eyes, I look pretty and with the makeup I look older than I did before but I'm not sure how I'll replicate it. I turn to Mrs. Ellis and smile.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I say with hurried excitement and she smiles.
"Just another masterpiece," She says and I smile.
"You are definitely a masterpiece" I look up at the new voice and squeal with happiness to see Kile standing there but it's not the same Kile, I leap off the little platform and into his arms smiling and laughing as he twirls me around. He puts me down gentle and holds me at arms length and looks me over and I do the same. Kile's normally blonde hair is dark brown close to the color of my old hair but not quite, his blue eyes are no longer blue but green and a beautiful green at that and I have seen a lot of dark-haired greened eyed boys lately and he has to be the cutest by far. He's wearing casual clothes, a gray shirt, and jeans he looks so much more real but also so fake, this is not the Kile I'm used to, it's only been a few minutes and I already miss his blue eyes but I'll have to get used to it.
"You look... Different" I say with a smile.
"I can say the same about you but it's a good different," He says and I giggle
"Where are the others," I ask and Kaden, Osten, and Josie walk into the room right on cue.
I giggle at my two brothers they look so cute, Kaden's normally blond hair is now light brown and his eyes are a lighter brown than before but it's a pretty brown. Osten's hair is no longer red but brown like Kaden's but darker and his his blue eyes are now green like Kile's. Josie now has black hair and it's shorter than before, and her eyes are a dark brown she also look pretty with the new change. All in all, we look good with our new hair and eye colors and clothes, we look normal like a normal family not royalty but just a group of happy normal people.
"Ok" Someone says and I look up to see August came in with Noah right behind him. "We need to get going, you will eat first but then we have to get you into your places I'll go over the details as we walk to the dining hall," August says and we all nod, then start walking toward the dining hall.
"So we're going to put you on a train that will take you to the town you'll be staying in, the train trip will be long about 4 hours or so but there are things for you to do. Once you get there you will be taken to your new home by some of our men dressed to look like movers helping you move all the things inside. For today you will just get settled in the house but tomorrow you will all go to your new jobs, Kaden and Osten will go to the school just a few blocks from the house and Eadlyn the fashion boutique is right across from the school next to the hunting shop so you should see it immediately, you can walk with the boys to school then go there, and Kile the place you'll be working at is farther away so you'll take the train there in the morning and evening it's only a 15 to 20 minute ride not to long. When you get there we have a man that can show you around and help you with whatever you need. Any questions?" August asks as we reach to big metal doors.
"Where is this town," I ask and Noah smiles.
"That's a secret", He says and I roll my eyes, that's about the tenth time I've heard that phrase this week and I'm sick of it.
"How is it dangerous for us to know where you're shipping us off to," I ask in frustration.
"It's not really but just to be safe we'll let you find that out on your own" Noah says with a knowing smile and I just cross my arms.
"That's totally not going to be weird, yeah I'll just walk up to someone and say 'Hello my name's Grace do you know where I am'." I say sarcastically to Noah who only smiles wider and chuckles, which makes me mad I don't know why but it does. I'm about to say something when Kile wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me close and whispers into my ear.
"Don't punch him!" He whispers into my ear and I look up at him to see that he has that knowing smile of his.
"Don't worry about him, worry about yourself," I say and Kile chuckles.
"You wouldn't hurt me," Kile says and I elbow him in the ribs not hard but enough to get him to stop.
"Come on," August says with a smile and then he disappears behind the two doors.
I sigh and walk after August through the doors and into the dining hall, it looks just like any other room tall ceilings white walls the only thing that's different is all the tables set up and the line of men and woman waiting to get their food. I walk with Kile and the others up to the line to wait for our food. I look around trying to see if there's anyone I recognize but that's silly there's no one here that I know. When we finally get our plates we walk over to the buffet and I look at the food, there's bread, soup, salad and lots more. I get some mushroom soup, some bread, and water then Kile and I start walking over to sit down next to our siblings. I look around at all the people talking and eating and I find myself smiling at how happy and warm everyone is around here, at home meals are never like this sure we talk and stuff but it's not the same we're not allowed to talk over what's appropriate and we can't laugh and do the things these people do at meals.
We walk over to our siblings and sit down with them, Josie is talking and giggling with the young boy next to her and my brothers are talking to a guard across from them, I smile at how they all fit in here. I look at Kile next to me and see him watching Josie with a look of protection in his eye that I've only seen once when I was talking to the other selected or Isaac. I giggle and he looks at me then smiles but I can still see that protectiveness in his eyes.
"What," He asks.
"Your so cute," I say laughing lightly.
"I'll take that as a compliment but what did I do," He asks and I smile then look over at Josie as she giggles at something the boy said.
"It's cute how protective you are over your sister," I say looking back at him.
"Where did you get that idea," He asks looking at his water.
"I can see it in your eyes, but it's harder to read you with those contacts, but I still can," I say and Kile looks up and smiles.
"I've always wondered what you'd look like with blue eyes," He says and I laugh.
"I've never wondered what you would look like with different color eyes, your eyes we're always too perfect to change," I say and Kile smiles and I can see that he wants to kiss me but there are too many people watching for that.
"I like you better with hazel eyes, they suit you, but you look good with blue ones too," He says and I smile.
"Anyway, where do you think we'll be going," I ask turning back to my food.
"No idea," Kile says taking a bit of soup.
After a few minutes, I take my last bit of bread and sip of water and just in time too because just as I finish Noah, August, and Rose walk up to our table with a few bags with them and I stand up amenity I don't know why but I do and Kile follows suit alone with my brothers but Josie looks like she could care less about what's going on around her.
"I hope you're all done eating we have a train to catch," August says and we all nod then start walking toward the doors.
But then I notice that Josie is not with us, I look behind us and see her totally gushing over that boy. I sigh, turn and walk/stomp my walk over to her. She doesn't even encourage me so I take her by the arm and pull her to her feet.
"Sorry but we need to go," I say to the boy and he nods bowing his head.
"Of course your Highness," He says and I see why Josie was gushing over this boy, he has a beautiful sweet accent, he's pretty cute and he seem to be about Josie's age. I smile then half drag Josie behind me and back over to the group waiting by the door.
"Let me go, I didn't get to say goodbye," Josie says as we get up to the group and I roll my eyes and let her go.
"We need to go, Josie, now come on you can call your boyfriend later," I say and Josie gives me a death look. If looks could kill I'd be long gone.
"Ok let's go before blood is shed," Kile says stepping in front of me and Josie and I give him a look but don't say anything Josie, on the other hand, glares at me and grumbles something under her breath.
"Ok come on," August says with a chuckle and I walk with Rose out the door.
After we walk down about 15 halls and passages we finally get to a door that has a small window and out that I can see that there are stairs that I assume go up to the train station. August opens the door with a key and walks through Noah, me, and Rose walks through after him with the others trailing after. The stairs are dark and I trip over the step but regain my balance without help even though Kile and Noah rush to my side in an instant but I just wave them off and brush off my clothes. We make our way up the stairs and when we get there I see another metal door, Noah opens it and I'm hit with the sounds of a busy train station (Or what I think a train station would sound like since I've never been in one) I look or at Kile and he just shrugs and smiles.
August walks out first then after a minute motions for us to follow and I walk out into the bustling of a train station, there are people walking/running around to catch the train, some are at the ticket booth and others are just standing around talking. I take Kile's hand in mine and look for August, I finally find him over by the train talking with the conductor of the train, while I'm watching them I notice the conductor looking up at us secretly. August hands him something- a small black bag from the looks of it -and he nods then climbs into the train and soon the whistle blows signaling that it's time to go.
I look around I have an uneasy feeling about all this, I'm not in the palace anymore and for now, I'm not the princess I don't know how to act or play this role as a normal girl. I look up at Kile and see him looking a little giddy, I smile of course he would find the idea of leaving the palace something to be happy about. I squeeze his hand a little and he looks down at me his smile growing just from looking at me.
"You seem happy" I commend and his smile fades a little.
"Sorry, I know this isn't something to be happy about," He says and I reach up a hand to his cheek and smile warmly.
"For you it is, this is what you want. To travel, see the world and built things and your finally doing it. You have ever right to be happy that you're living your dream" I say and he smiles shaking his head.
"Eadly when are you ever going to learn," He says with a chuckle and I cock my head to the side and smile at him.
"What haven't I learned," I ask and Kile brushes a few stray hairs behind my ear.
"That your my new dream," He says softly as he lowers his lips to mine and gives me a soft kiss, he pulls back too soon for my liking but we're in a crowded place so I can't complain.
"I love you, my princess," He says smiling.
"I love you too my prince," I say and Kile chuckles and I lean against his shoulder and watch the train sitting there and the people walking around.
"He's not a prince yet," Kaden says next to me and I elbow him in the ribs for ruining the moment.
"Oh, I forgot to ask you, Osten, what's our new name," I ask softly and he smiles.
"Lucas," He says and I think it over then nod.
"What about you," I ask Kaden and he seems a little sad about needing a new name at all.
"Jonathan," He says and I nod that's a nice name if you ask me.
"Whats yours," Kile asks his sister and she sighs.
"Lily, I know it's dull," She says and I laugh a little.
"It could have been a lot worse," I say and she nods but gives me a glare, still mad at me for pulling her away from that boy.
I see August mouthing us over so I wave Noah and Rose from across the plate form and we walk over to where he stands looking around nervously, when we get to him he looks at me with intensity.
"Grace," He says using my new name and it feels weird. "You need to be careful more than the others if people are going to recognize anyone they will recognize you as the princess your face is everywhere people know what you look like. The others don't have to worry too much but your brothers are still going to have to be careful in school no doubt some of the other kids know what they look like too." He says and I nod then take Osten's hand in my own.
"We will, and thank you for doing this. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't helped us" I say and he smiles.
"Your parents helped me and my wife and we would do anything for them," He says and I give him a warm smile.
"Ok, Noah and Rose are going with you I'm needed here but they will help you with anything. Now you will be in first class and you'll be seated next to each other" He says and I nod.
"ALL ABOARD" A man calls from the end of the plat from.
"Go," August says and he quickly hugs his children then we all climb to board the train.
We walk down the space between the seats and when we get to our seats I take the one by the window, Kile sits next to me and Kaden next to him and in front of us sits Osten, Josie, and Rose since they'res not enough seats Noah has to sit in the seats behind me. I look out the window as the train starts to move away from my home, my parents, and every inch the train moves I feel a part of my heart crumble.