"Lady Juliette, the prince is here to pick you up for your dinner."

Juliette twiddled her fingers as Lexie laced up the back of her dress. When Adonis had sent word that morning of the date, there were a few key thoughts that ran through her head. Firstly, it was smart of him to formally invite her on a date. One of the few rules of the Selection was the fact that when the Crown Prince asked you to do something, you did it. It wasn't a choice.

Although, the second thought, accompanied by the butterflies that always managed to make their way to her stomach, was how excited she was to see him again. It was like she didn't have a choice about that either. No matter how many times she told herself to let go of the feelings she had for Adonis, it was like a natural reaction that she couldn't stop from happening.

The third thought was about the kiss that Elsa had received. She needed closure. She needed to know who else he was kissing. She needed to know that the kiss she had shared with him wasn't important. If it meant so little to him, maybe then it would finally be enough to shatter her heart enough to move on from falling for him.

"She's ready!" Lexie beamed, turning Juliette to see herself in the mirror. And ready she was. Her hair was twirled up into a sophisticated knot, with a few wisps of perfectly curled hair framing her face. Her dress was a soft mint color, draped softly over her shoulders and cinching at her waist.

"You got this." Chantel agreed with a smile. Juliette took a deep breath and walked over to the guard holding the door open. When she stepped out, she saw Adonis in all of his princely glory. He wore a dark velvet suit, the metallic silver of his tie standing out against it.

"You look good."

The brightness of his smile took Juliette's breath away for a moment. He didn't say a word, simply offering his arm, which she took with a shy curve of her lips.

"I have something for you." He kept his voice low, taking Juliette by surprise. The guards and camera men following didn't seem to hear him. She blinked at him, puzzled, and he continued, "Don't open it here. Do it in your room."

The couple was led down the spiraling halls to the banquet room, where a small table was set up in place of the large one that usually sat. Plates and silverware were already set out, with a large bouquet of pink flowers that Juliette didn't recognize in the middle. Adonis pulled the chair out for her, and she took the spot, eying him cautiously. He pulled a small locket out of his pocket, holding it out to her with a smile. A forced, worried smile. Something was wrong..

She took the locket anyway, tracing her fingers along the engravings in silver. Small flowers and leaves decorated it, shining under the lights of the room as she twisted it. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

"I thought you might like it." He said with a curt nod. The boy took his seat, and almost instantly the food was brought out. Tension sizzled in the air of the room and Juliette wondered if anyone else felt it like she did. The cameras flashed like nothing was any different and there was a hum of chatter as the staff got the plates in front of them. "It's been awhile. It's good to see you."

Juliette looked away, unable to meet his eyes when he said it. "It has. You have a very busy schedule, and I'm grateful to have a moment with you."

Juliette was glad that she wasn't watching him, because she was sure he could see through her words. A servant fixed her hair quickly as they posed for a more 'candid' shot. "I know you ladies have been working very hard as well. How has your event planning been going?"

"It's coming along. I'm looking forward to the ball." She twisted her fork in her fingers before bringing a bite of the potatoes to her mouth. They were delicious. She tried to focus her thoughts on the food. "Do you enjoy the balls, your Majesty?"

Adonis laughed. "They're not exactly my favorite."

"I see."

The silence felt long and awkward. Juliette took another forkful of food to her mouth, almost an excuse to not say anything. To keep herself from falling into hypnosis from his big, bright blue eyes.

"That's a wrap from us, we'll leave you two." The head photographer waved at them before gathering his team and their bundle of supplies and lights.

"We'll be outside the door if you need us, Prince Adonis." The guard added.

After a bit of shuffling and murmurs, the two were left alone in the room. Juliette could feel his gaze burning into her. "You've been avoiding me."

"I haven't."

"Did I do something wrong..? I don't understand."

Juliette's fork scraped against the plate. "No, I just… I don't know. I've just been thinking a lot, that's all."

"Thinking about what?"

"About us. And the Selection. And the other girls. Just about everything, I suppose."

Juliette glanced at him quickly, which she immediately regretted when she saw the confusion on his face. His acting was too much for her. Were any of his feelings real? Her father had told her that they were all a fabrication, yet the look on his face seemed to disagree.

"I don't understand." Adonis repeated, tugging at her heart strings. "I thought we were good friends. Hell, I thought we were becoming much more than that."

Juliette's cheeks flushed. "We are friends."

"Just friends..?"

"I-I don't know, Adonis." Juliette took a deep breath, trying to control the rosiness burning down her neck. "It's hard. It's just hard to be here and do this."

"To do what?"

"To know that what you say to me that you could be saying to each one of us. I feel like a toy in some sort of game, you know? Seeing the gifts that other girls receive, or hearing the stories of their dates."

"I feel that way too, Juliette. It's hard for me too. How many of you are here just to take my crown? For the fame? The money? I'm trying to find a wife out of all of this chaos."

Juliette didn't respond. She was indeed here for a reason not related to love, being a wife, being a Queen. It was fair of him to worry. Arguably, it was even more reasonable for him. The blonde eyed her food, not wanting to make eye contact. Every time she did, she said too much. He had that effect on her.

"So you have been avoiding me then." His voice was matter of fact, and Juliette cringed.

"No, you've just been spending time with the other Selected." She argued, folding her leg with a pout.

"What are you talking about? I haven't taken anyone else up there to the balcony."

"Why not?"

It was a petty question, but part of Juliette wanted to see just how dedicated to his lie he was. Could he look her straight in the eye and tell her that she was special to him? How well could he weave his lie before it crumbled?

He seemed flustered. "Because it's…. I… I don't know. I thought it was, like, our thing."

Juliette finally moved her gaze to watch the prince. His eyes bore into her, making her heart quicken its pace in her chest. "Why?"

"Because it's closer to the stars. You said you liked the stars."

"I do."

Adonis narrowed his eyes in bewilderment at her. "I don't understand. Do you not want to meet up there anymore?"

"I just don't want to have all the secrecy. Why don't you want to see me where everyone can see?"

His shoulders drooped slightly. "I'm not keeping any secrets from you. I wouldn't do that to you."

"I heard you kissed Elsa."

Adonis' face was flushed, his cheeks red. He looked at his plate. Juliette felt her chest tighten. She had caught him. He surprised her, however, by failing to contain a large laugh.

"No. Absolutely not." He shook his head, a smile lingering on his face. "I'm not nearly suave enough. I'm still reeling from kissing you."

Juliette blinked a few times. She still wasn't completely sure if she believed him. Yet, the idea of Elsa lying about it wasn't too much of a stretch either. It was best for Juliette to try and ignore the last part of his statement, though.

"I just feel safe when I'm around you. You know? I feel like I don't have to worry about putting on a show. And I feel like you're not afraid to tell me when I'm wrong. So many people around me just let me think that everything I do is right and you don't. I trust you."

Juliette blinked even harder. Her eyes burned. If only he knew how wrong he was to trust her. Was he telling the truth? She just couldn't tell. It felt surreal, almost. It felt like he meant it. The look in his eyes seemed so sincere. Yet, her father's words rang in her head. Honestly, the tug of war going on between her heart and her mind was exhausting. Half of Juliette just wanted to give in. To enjoy the way he made her feel regardless of the worry that nagged at her.

"I need some space." Juliette stood up abruptly from the table. Adonis followed the action, meeting her as she stepped away from the table to take her arm. His voice was gentle, the tenderness breaking Juliette's heart.

"Please." Although he only said one word, his eyes spoke for him. Juliette was drowning in his feelings - he wore them right on his sleeve. Unless they were a hoax.

"It's not right for us to sneak around and I don't want to do it anymore." Juliette's voice cracked and she took a deep breath to try and calm herself.

"Just give me one more night then. Just one. I have something I want to give you - it's taken longer than I thought to prepare, but I want you to have it." Adonis's hand made its way to her chin, bringing her green gaze up to his. It lingered a moment longer to cup her cheek, leaving her speechless as her heart hammered in her chest. "And then I promise I won't ask you anymore. Not if you don't want to. If you don't want to be here, I won't force you."

Juliette hesitated, her mouth barely opening as she tried to keep her composure at his proximity.

"I'm not ready to go home yet. I just need time to think about… About us."

His eyes flickered slightly and she could tell he was hurt by her uncertainty. "As friends, then. Because you mean a lot to me and I want to show you."

"One night," Juliette said evenly. His lips broke into his lopsided smile once more, and he nodded briskly before backing away from her.

"The night of the Report before the dignitaries come." He said, "My gift will be ready by then. You won't regret it."

Juliette picked up her locket from the table, and, gripping it tightly in her hand, headed back to her room. Her pace was so quick that her guard had trouble keeping up with her. When she got to her room, Lexie scrambled up from the chair she was sitting in in surprise.

"You're back quickly." She said with a breathy laugh, already pulling a chair to the vanity to help her clean up before bed.

"I'm tired." Juliette responded, offering a weak smile. "Will you draw me a bath?"

Lexie nodded. As soon as she left, Juliette popped open the locket. A small piece of paper was crumbled inside of it, which she opened to read a small message.

'Mother making eliminations from group projects down to the Elite. Supposed to be secret. Stay on her good side.'

Juliette read the message once. Twice. Then she shoved her face into her hands with a groan. Time for her to step up her game - because Eadlyn was not sending her home yet. Not without a fight.


"Juliette!"

Juliette looked up from the magazine she had been reading in the Women's Room. Courage bit her lip, tapping her long pink acrylic nails along the table nervously. Juliette flopped the magazine on the table, giving the beauty queen her full attention. "Hello Courage."

"I saw Breck and Harmony in the gardens." Courage kept her voice so quiet that Juliette almost couldn't hear her.

"Yeah, they're pretty close friends." Juliette replied, flipping one of the pages of the magazine nonchalantly. Lots of the Selected had made close friendships by now, so the two of them hanging out shouldn't ring any warning bells. She had forgotten to check up on the budding romance, with everything going on in the castle it was hard to keep up with every little thing.

"Close is an understatement." Courage scoffed. "I think they're… Lesbians."

Juliette couldn't help but laugh at the way she whispered the word. "You think so?"

Courage folded her arms. "Don't make me frown, it causes wrinkles."

"Don't you think you're making quite a leap?"

"I think I might tell Allegra about it."

"Don't do that." Juliette said quickly. She hoped the panic wasn't clear in her voice.

"I feel like I should! It's illegal."

Courage looked genuinely concerned. Juliette couldn't tell if it was the cheating on the prince or just the fact that they would be a same sex couple that bothered Courage so much. Juliette glanced to the other girls in the room, but nobody seemed to be paying too much attention to the two of them.

"Do you have proof?"

"Proof?"

"Proof that they're in a relationship?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Do you really want Allegra to think that you're trying to sabotage other Selected without proof?"

Courage brought her hand to her mouth. "I'm not trying to sabotage anyone!"

Juliette shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't want her to question my integrity."

"You're right… I have to have more proof." Courage said, half to herself. "Thank you, Juliette. I wouldn't have even thought of that."

"No worries." Juliette replied, picking her magazine back up. She flipped to the page about the Selection. It was an opinion article on which girls had the best style. Juliette was surprised to see herself getting decently positive feedback. Courage peered at the pages over Juliette, "Oh, do they say anything about me on there? My dress was really good the last Report we were on."

It seemed odd that Courage went immediately from trying to get other girls kicked out of the competitions - or even worse, arrested - to worrying about how she looked in a magazine. Were pageants slimy like that behind the scenes too? Maybe it wasn't unusual behavior in the world Courage was raised in.

"Juliette, which magazine do you have?" Juliette's thoughts were interrupted by Amy calling across the room. Amy approached the other two, holding a different magazine in her own hands.

"Umm," Juliette checked the title of it, awkwardly flipping the pages over to see the cover, "Glamour?"

"Who are the top style picks? I was only number five in Cosmo." Amy put the magazine on the table and leaned over to look. Juliette tried to ignore the strong scent of her floral perfume. "Tahlia? That's ridiculous. Her dress looks awful with her skin."

"Really? I think that the lilac looks good. It's a nice contrast with how dark her complexion is." Courage said. Juliette didn't really have the fashion knowledge to know what looked good or not, but she couldn't argue that Tahlia looked stunning. She was probably the only girl in the entire Selection that could pull off having her head completely shaven and still look like a goddess.

"Nothing looks good with that dark of a complexion." Amy muttered under her breath. "Well, I suppose being number three isn't bad. I'll take it."

Juliette, not knowing how to respond, just stared at Amy as she gave her long, perfectly curled hair a flip as she straightened her posture.

"Third is pretty good," Courage agreed slowly, perhaps too at a loss for words.

"Well, I have a massage planned for tonight, so I'll head out." Amy said with a stretch, "I'll be number one next time."

"Good luck with that." Juliette said. She was glad to see Amy go, despite the small huff she gave at the sarcastic comment.

Courage shook her head. "That was awkward."

"You'd think the fashion designer would be more worried about the dress than the person in it." Juliette shut the magazine with a flick of her wrist.

"You'd think a fashion designer would know better than to still think that leopard print is in style." Courage added, earning a snort from Juliette. "I guess I better get going too. I just thought that after the sleepover that you'd know what I should do about… You know."

"Yeah, I know."

"Thanks for the advice."

"Any time."


After the run in with Courage, Juliette spent her time focusing on finding Breck or Harmony to get their situation straightened out. Well, actually, the opposite of straightened out, if she thought about it. It took until the next day from her to manage to snag Harmony after breakfast.

"Take a walk with me?" Juliette linked elbows with the brunette, trying to sound conversational and not stick out. She needed to get away from everyone else. It was too risky to have another girl or guard or anybody overhearing the conversation.

"Why not? It is a lovely day," Harmony said, immediately catching on. It wasn't untrue - despite it being early September, the sun was out and shining brilliantly. The two were quiet as they walked until Juliette felt that there was enough distance between them and anybody else.

"What has been going on with you know what?" Juliette asked, monitoring her friend's expression closely.

Harmony blushed, "She likes me too. We're going to try and date under the radar back in my hometown in Allens."

"When?"

"Goodness, I thought you'd be a little happier for me." Harmony gave a breathy laugh. "Are you in a hurry to see us go?"

Juliette shook her head, "Courage is on to you. She wants to tell Allegra. She's worried you guys are in a relationship."

"Oh no." Harmony covered her mouth with her hand. "I didn't think anybody had noticed… We haven't done anything really. We just talk."

"Why haven't you guys left yet?" Juliette asked, "It's dangerous to stick around here too long. You'll get caught."

"I didn't want to leave our groups. For the event planning. It didn't seem fair." Harmony said, twisting a lock of her brown hair nervously between her fingers. "But I didn't think anyone had realized."

"Harmony, you guys have to leave or you have to stay on the down low." Juliette asserted. "If you were caught… Treason is punishable by death."

Juliette tried to ignore the obvious irony of her warning anybody else about treason. She was worried about her friends. Watching them be jailed or killed… Goosebumps rose on the back of her neck. She didn't want to think about it.

"We can lay low then. I will tell her. Once the planning is officially over, we will head back to Allens." Harmony said determinedly. After a small pause, she smiled at Juliette, "Promise you'll write?"

"Of course." Juliette wrapped Harmony in a tight hug. "As long as you promise to invite me to the wedding."

Harmony giggled. "It's not that serious… Yet."

Juliette pulled away from the hug with a grin on her face. 'Mhmm. It's always serious at the least convenient time, huh?"

The brunette nodded with another laugh. She looked over at the doors back to the palace before turning to Juliette, her hair falling in front of her face like a veil, "Can I tell you something?"

"Go for it."

"I think that the Prince really likes you."

Juliette's heart sank to the pits of her stomach, her smile evaporating. "What..?"

"The way he looks at you, even when you're not paying attention…" Harmony shook her head, a sly smile on her face, "I've written enough romance to know the signs. I just thought I'd say it before I don't have the chance to. What you two have is something special."

Juliette was speechless. "Do you really think that..?"

"I do. Honest to goodness." Harmony replied. She gave Juliette another quick hug, "I have to go tell Breck. I'll see you later."

With that said, Juliette was left alone in the gardens. She wandered over to the willow tree. She slid down to a seat underneath it with a sigh, leaning back against it and closing her eyes.

She must've dozed off for a bit, because she was woken up with a start when she heard heated voices from farther into the garden. She rubbed her eyes and stood, following the sound.

"You're such a bitch! Who do you think you are?" India's gruff voice was immediately distinguishable as part of the argument before Juliette even reached the shouting. India and Kiara sat on the edge of one of the fountains, and in front of them Elise had her arms folded indignantly. Serenity also graced the garden, which was a surprise to Juliette considering the issue she seemed to have with germs. The wind, as if hearing the drama going on, quieted down, and Elise's voice cracked like thunder through the silence, "Oh, cariño, don't pretend you don't know."

The sickly sweetness of her sarcasm only heated India more. Kiara grabbed her friend's arm, trying to keep her contained as she spoke, "You think that just because your family has money to throw around that you're better than us, but you're wrong."

"Dead wrong." India growled.

"It's ridiculous to think that having money isn't a direct representation that we've worked harder than you." Elise said with a shrug.

Juliette's approach went unnoticed by the bickering girls, so she kept her mouth shut. As much as she wanted to argue, she knew she needed to stay out of the Queen's line of sight. But her curiosity kept her ears perked to the conversation.

"You two haven't worked a day in your life, I'm sure." Kiara put her free hand on her hip.

"Do you even know what I do?" Serenity kept her voice level, "Or do you just look at someone living comfortably and assume the worst?"

Kiara didn't say anything, so Serenity continued, "Because I lost my father - a firefighter, very young. We lost him, but he went out saving the lives of others. That's why I dedicated my life to my home as a firefighter. But you want to attack me anyway. You don't care how many lives my family has saved, or the sacrifices we've made."

"That doesn't give you the right to shit all over people with less power than you." India shook her head. Juliette's stomach curled. Nobody was in the wrong here, it was a fight that neither would win. A difference in experiences.

"Honestly, the prince must just feel bad for you, India. He's probably keeping you here out of pity so your family can be compensated." Elise tilted her head in mock sympathy, "Maybe some rich weirdo will marry you for the status when you get back. I'm sure there are some blind bachelors out there willing to deal with you for their fifteen seconds of fame." She smiled, a snake offering an apple to Eve that would be her doom. She knew exactly what she was doing. She was trying to get into a fight - she was trying to get India sent home. And the more witnesses she had, the better.

India yanked her arm from Kiara, who made a sound of protest as India approached her angrily, "You skanky daughter of a whore, you know you are just here because your daddy paid for you to be!" She spat, directly into the smiling face of Elise, who didn't even flinch.

"India, you're playing into her trap-" Juliette stepped forward, holding her hand out to try and stop the fight before it happened, but India spun to face her. The blonde shrunk in fear, not knowing what the next action would be. She didn't want to be attacked - she was trying to help. Fear bubbled in her chest.

Angry heat radiated off of India, and her face curled and contorted in her fury. "You aren't any better, you know that? You want to speak for me from your fucking penthouse. We aren't the same. If my daddy could pay for the attention you're getting in the competition, I would already be the mother fucking queen."

Juliette felt small. India could squash her like a bug. Insecurity rushed through her veins like venom. Was that true..? Was her father somehow arranging for her to have a leg up in the competition to keep her there longer? It was essential for the rebellion for her to be there as long as possible, but she was under the impression that she had stayed so far according to her own actions.

"India, you're overreacting." Serenity said, unsuccessfully trying to cool the situation down, "If what you're saying is true, then what will picking a fight solve? It'll just make you look worse."

"She's right, Indie." Kiara pulled her friend back, giving Juliette a chance to breathe. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath. "Let's go. I see enough trash day to day at work - we don't need to waste any more time on them."

India nodded, her breathing heavy. She was clearly still riled up, but closer to her senses with someone to help her keep her head.

"God, I can't wait until you guys get sent home." Elise rolled her eyes with a toss of her hair. "It's exhausting trying to get down on your level."

Her taunt did little at this point, with Kiara leading India back into the palace. When they were out of earshot, Serenity let out a sigh. "You're really playing with fire, egging her on."

Elise tossed her head back with a hearty, snark filled laugh, "I see what you did there."

"Elise, it's not funny." Juliette wrapped her arms around herself, trying to calm the beating of her heart.

"I think it is. Those girls are a joke. I don't know why they even invite people like that. As if they'd be Queen material. Giving them false hope is inhumane." She responded.

"I'd agree… It's not that they're bad people, per say. They're just not cut out for royal life." Serenity keeps her voice low, a soft crashing of waves against the shore. Her calm voice betrays the nasty coldness of her words, much like the deep waters that suck their victims in before they have a chance to realize they're drowning.

Juliette frowned. This wasn't her battle to fight right now. Her rebellion needed her to stay focused. It was bad enough that she was letting the prince squirm into her thoughts, she didn't need any excess drama. Instead, despite her personal thoughts, she conceded, "Maybe they're not."

"It's all fun and games now - the Elite is when I'll really know which of you are my competition." Elise winked at the two of them, before making her way back to the palace. She had a small limp, but held her head high with her long strides. She turned her head back for only a moment, "And only half of us will make it there."

Serenity was unbothered by the comment, but it left a bad taste in Juliette's mouth. The sun was sinking in the sky, casting its red and orange curtains, as if it was on a cue to end with the horsewoman's exit. Juliette eyed the firefighter as she spoke, "She's a snake."

"I'd rather not be the venom's victim." She replied. Juliette nodded. Serenity had a point - maybe that would've been the better move. To befriend the most dangerous of the Selected. Juliette wondered, the thought dancing in the back of her mind, what the girls thought when they looked at her. Was she a threat? Was she someone to befriend? Was she someone to avoid? The Selection was simply a game, and she was suddenly unsure of whether she had played her hand the smartest way that she could have. "I think I'll be heading back, too. Don't want to be out here once the evening bugs decide to join us."

"Agreed." Juliette followed her back to the large, ornate palace doors. Unfortunately, the wasps inside the palace were even more dangerous than the bugs outside.


A/N: Catch me here with the inconsistent updates! Sorry if anyone is keeping up with the schedule I'm so bad at keeping - I've been a busy bee. But I've got big plans for the next few chapters. Hope you guys like drama, because it is coming in strong! Thanks for reading! I'll see you next time.