Hello everyone. I am back! And with that, a new chapter too. Anyways, I thought it was time for me to do a chapter from the Crown Prince's POV so here you go.

Warning, there is a bit of french in this text. There will be a translation at the bottom for those who do not understand French!

Please do read the AN at the end as it contains some very important points!

Here's chapter 15:

Edward POV:

I couldn't believe that already ten days had passed since the girls got here. It seemed like they've been here for ages. However, one look at the calendar was enough to tell me that I was wrong. Today was the 12th of May and they had arrived on the 2nd. I've been on plenty of dates by now, but only a few had been enjoyable. Those that I truly enjoyed were the ones with Tess, Zora, Bell and Bella. These two girls did have similar nicknames, and they had me well confused. And I knew that there was a Belle too. How would I ever be able to differ between their names? The time I've spent with Rowe was also good, but most of our meetings have been in larger settings. I'd need to take her out properly for the cameras. But that could wait. With 25 girls left, I found it hard to date as well as focus on my duties as Crown Prince.

Stuck in my office, I tried to focus on the reports mom had sent earlier. I'd been at them since breakfast, but I really couldn't seem to focus. Whose idea was it to agree to take the full work load? Mine! Well, as long as I couldn't focus on these reports, I decided to plan a few dates. I needed to narrow down the girls. I grabbed the pile of forms of the selected, pushing the reports aside. Closing my eyes, I randomly picked a form and it revealed to be the hometown girl, Lady Josephine Blakely from Angeles. I decided to take her out for lunch and quickly looked through her form to find what she liked.

Taking a piece of paper, I quickly wrote out a note inviting her to a lunch date. I opened my door to find a maid passing by and I asked her to give the note to Lady Josephine. Then I decided to go for a walk, knowing quite well I wouldn't be able to focus. Grandpa had been right about that. But before walking out, I decided to change into my favorite blue t-shirt. Stepping out of my room, I first went to the kitchen to let the head chef know my plans for lunch. Then I walked out into the garden.

Hearing laughter come from one side, I rounded the corner to see Rowe, Bell, Bella and Tess with Josephine. I walked towards them and Bell caught sight of me.

"Edward, join us," she invited me with a smile.

"Yes do," Bella added.

"How are you Ed?" Rowe asked me as I sat down with the girls.

"I'm fine, what about you girls?" I answered as I looked at all of them.

"Quite well, Your Highness," Josephine replied.

"Please call me Edward," I said, shaking my head. Would I have to tell each girl separately to call me by my name?

"You should then call me Jo," she replied, while everyone around us laughed.

"I presume you got my letter?" I asked her, wanting to be sure.

"Yes, I did, I'll meet you at three," she replied.

An awkward silence lapsed as we all got silent.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be working?" Bell asked me, breaking the spell.

"I bet he couldn't focus," Bella interjected before I could reply.

I just nodded to confirm her statement, but I didn't like being caught like this. Was it really that easy to tell?

"Shouldn't you be in the Women's Room, right now?" I asked curiously. They ought to be having lessons right now.

"We were just relaxing, no classes today." Tess replied.

"I see. Want to do something right now?"

"What?" Rowe asked.

"Let's have a race," Jo suggested.

"In these dresses? And heels?" Bell asked. "We should at least change our shoes."

"Good idea," Rowe agreed, "we'll be back in 15 minutes?"

The others agreed and ran off to change and leaving me to wait. 15 minutes seemed like eternity but soon the girls were back. It seemed like their maids had found them all sneakers as all of them were wearing them under their comparatively shortened dresses. Rowe had changed into a green dress that ended just above her ankles and fit her slim form completely. Bell had chosen a silver version of the same dress while Jo had changed into a mysterious indigo coloured dress. Bella was wearing pink and Tess had chosen blue. Their sneakers were complimentary to their dresses.

"Ready, Edward?" Jo questioned once they all had assembled.

I nodded in response. The girls walked over and started to form a line.

"Last one to the apple tree in the middle will have to do as we say," Bell said, with a twinkle in her eye.

I knew which tree she was talking about. There was a huge apple tree right in the middle of the garden, which I could see from my office's window. And apparently, the hospital wing faced that way too, as six years back the medical team had reached there the instant I had fallen when trying to race Nazia up. I turned to see Rowe nodding in agreement, she too knew which one Bell meant, she had been with me when I had fallen down all those years back.

"How will we know which one it is?" Tess asked as the others didn't know which one Bell had referred to.

"It will be right in the middle of your path, facing the medical wing," Rowe replied, "you can't miss it."

"Ok, game on," Bella agreed. "Let's race."

"I'll count to three and then we begin," I said and lifted a finger. "One….Two….Three, go!"

As soon as I had said it, the girls took off and I hurried after them. We raced across the garden at full speed and soon I was in the lead. However, Rowe and Bell joined me too. Since we three knew our way, I thought it would be one of us to win. However, Jo pulled ahead soon and was the first to reach the tree. Bell and Rowe tied for second position and I joined them mere seconds later. Soon Bella and Tess came in sight, both neck to neck. But, at the last moment, Bella pulled ahead and reached us first, mere seconds before Tess could enter under the shade.

"Congrats, Jo," Bella said, panting and trying to slow down her breathing.

"Well, Tess," Jo started speaking, "it's time we decided what you should do."

Jo pulled us all in a huddle and asked us what we thought we should get Tess to do.

"Well, ever since I showed her the library, Tess has been stuck there," Rowe said.

"We should get her out, it was difficult convincing her to come out today," Bell agreed.

"Let's set a time limit to her time in the library," Bella suggested and the others nodded in agreement.

I agreed too, I had often seen Tess heading towards the library. So we finalized that we would limit Tess's time somehow or other.

"So, Tess," Jo started to say. "We have found that you love spending time in the library."

"Yes, I do," Tess replied. "I want to learn more about pre-Illean history."

"Well, Tess," Rowe said, "we think you spend too much time in the library."

"So, we have decided to limit your time there," Bella continues.

Tess looked shocked so I quickly intervened, "Tess, you should spend more time with the others too and get to know them. So what about spending an hour or two with the others aside from lunch, dinner, and classes?"

"Hmm, maybe you are right," Tess fell into a thought. "Ok, fine. An extra hour in the Women's Room won't hurt."

"Yayy!" the others screamed in delight and Tess grinned.

The girls fell in a huddle and I heard whispers of doing a re-match. I shook my head mentally, knowing that some way or the other they would loop me in, too. As they ended their meeting, I saw a grin on Rowe's face.

"Let's see who reaches the top of the tree first," she announced, looking in my direction and smirking.

I knew she was thinking of me falling down the last time I had raced to the top of this tree. I was about to refuse when the others looked at me, their expressions daring me to refuse.

"Ok," I agreed after thinking for some time. Maybe this time I won't fall?

The girls quickly surround the tree and started climbing. I joined them, climbing from branch to branch. I saw Bella helping Tess along the way as the other three climbed further along. Rowe stopped, reached a high branch and swung her legs over it. Bell and Jo followed her and I soon joined them. Bella and Tess joined soon as well and then all were sitting on different branches near the one Rowe and Bell had chosen.

"Perhaps now you'll be able to focus on the reports," Rowe suddenly said, completely taking me by surprise.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"Well, you have relaxed enough with us and we took your mind away from all those things," Bella answered in agreement with Rowe.

"Oh dear, look at the time," my glance suddenly fell on my wristwatch as I was about to agree with those two, "its 2:30 pm already."

"What!?" Jo shrieks. "I need time to prepare, see you soon Edward."

With that, Jo suddenly dropped to the ground and ran towards the castle doors. We couldn't help but burst into laughs. I quickly climbed down too, so that I could go and change and waved the others goodbye.

Heading towards my room, I was still thinking of what to wear. I opened my cupboard and looked in to find the best suit. Then my eye caught sight of a casual blue suit and I decided to wear that. Quickly changing, I brushed my hair that had fallen out of place due to the race with the girls. Satisfied with my choice, I left my room to find my sister at the door.

"What is it, Nazia?" I asked her.

"Nothing much, Ed," she replied. "Where are you going?"

"On a date," I said, looking at my watch. It was 2:45 pm. "and I need to run"

"Ok, good luck," Nazia called out after me as I started walking towards the selected's wing.

Soon I found myself outside of Jo's room. Upon knocking, I learned that Jo needed five more minutes, so I waited. Five minutes later, the door opened and I saw Jo step out. She was wearing a bluish long dress that ended a little above her ankles from the front and touched the ground from the back. She had paired that with black heels and blue earrings and looked stunning. Holding out my hand, I offered it to Jo, who took it and we walked towards one of the side rooms on the third floor. The doors opened and I heard Jo gasp as she took in the view of the gardens that we could see from the balcony.

"Like it?" I asked Jo.

"I love it," she replied, her eyes trying to take in everything.

"Look, there's that tree we raced towards," she said, easily identifying the one tree where we had fun with the others.

"Indeed, it is," I replied and pulled out a chair for her to sit on.

As soon as she sat, I joined her at the table and soon the food was served. Opening the dish, I heard her gasp as she saw that the menu had pasta and loads of cream sauce. I knew she loved it and hence had it prepared for her. Since both of us were hungry after the exertion we had earlier, we attacked the pasta and soon it was finished.

"It was delicious, thank you, Edward," Jo said once we had finished.

"My pleasure, dear," I replied. "Well, tell me a little bit about you."

"So, I am an only child and I love coding. Currently, I'm studying at University of Angeles and I intend to open an e-commerce company. What about you?"

"Well, I have been training my whole life to be the next King, so yeah practically that's what I am good at. I don't mind doing budgets, but at times it can get stressful." I replied, while motioning for the butler to serve the desert.

"Hmm. Well I can speak French too," Jo said as the strawberry tarts were served. I really loved them.

"Really!? That's great. J'espère que tu passes un bon moment?" I asked motioning for her to take some.

"Oui. What do you do when you are free?" she said, after picking a few of them and I took one myself.

"Read books, spend time with Nazia, watch movies, and now, taking you all out!" I winked at her at my last statement and Jo giggled.

"What about you? What do you love doing the most?" I asked her

"Well, reading, coding, running, riding… anything related to sports," she replied.

"Well, my favorite sport is football," I said.

"Really! I love it too."

"What about your parents?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Well, my dad, Thomas Blakely, is the CEO of a shipping company and my mom, Rose Blakely, is a former model."

I couldn't help but notice that she seemed a little distant when talking about her parents. Maybe they put a lot of stress on her? Some upper-class parents still did that.

"What colour do you like, Edward?" Jo suddenly asked me.

"Blue. What about you?"

"Indigo. It's kind of like blue but still a lot different."

"That's great," I replied.

"Mm, these are great," Jo said, eating yet another of the tarts.

"My favorite desert. I've got the love for them from my grandmother," I explained.

"Evidently," she laughed.

"Oh, look at the time," I suddenly glanced at my watch. It was 4:30 pm. "I have to go and focus a bit on those reports," I added, looking apologetic.

"No worries, I had a great time," Jo said, getting up.

I escorted her to her room and kissed her hand before leaving her at the door and walking back towards my suite. I really needed to get some work done.

Hours later, I heard a knock on my door. It opened a little, and I saw grandpa peek in.

"Come in grandpa," I said, quickly shoving the papers I had been working on aside. I had managed to do a lot of work and only a little was left.

"How was your date, Edward?" he asked me, sitting on my bed.

"It was great, grandpa," I replied.

"And how is your work going along?"

"Fine."

"You know, you aren't expected to do a lot of work right now."

"I know, but I want to," I replied.

"Well, just remember this then, you can always take a break!"

"Ok, grandpa."

"Want to talk about the selection?" he offered.

"Ok," I said.

What was the harm in discussing it with him? He too had had his own selection years ago.

"Well, do you like the girls?"

"Yes, grandpa. They have a range of personalities."

"They always do," he chuckled as if remembering his own time. "Anyone you want to eliminate?"

"There are a few, but I'm scared as to how they will react."

"Did you feel anything with them?"

"No," I replied.

"Well then, just tell them it would be a waste of time for them to be here."

"Ok, grandpa, that's what I'll do. Thanks," I said, and quickly took out a piece of paper to write down the names of those who I wanted to eliminate.

"I'd better go check on your mother," grandpa said and left my room giving me a good luck sign.

Sighing, I got up and asked a guard to bring the six girls who I was going to eliminate and returned to my study. Soon I heard a knock and then ladies Katlyna, Zoe, Echo, Coral, Carolyn and Sara entered the room.

"Ladies," I took a deep breath. "Thank you for entering the selection and giving me a chance." I paused. "However, I have felt nothing for you and it would be wasting the time of all of us for me to keep you in the selection. Hence, I am sending you back home."

A few of them had tears in their eyes as I said this.

"I wish you the best of luck in your future. Please go and pack, someone will be along to escort you back to your homes."

As soon as I finished speaking, a few of them ran away, while the others nodded and left without a fuss. I took a breath of relief that it went as smoothly. Sixteen down, eighteen more to go before I can find my 'One'!

I decided to take a walk in the gardens, but tried to avoid any of the selected this time. However, plans never really work out and I couldn't help but overhear a few of the girls during my walk. I had walked away from where I could hear them and yet there were more girls on the other side of the garden. I recognized ladies Zoraya, Everly, Adara and Lyssa talking about something and couldn't help but hear them talk about a birthday. Listening in closely, I learned that Lady Lyssa's birthday was in five days. I knew then and there what I needed to do and quickly went inside to get mom, grandma, Nazia and Rosita on board with my idea. They agreed with me, and soon a birthday ball was being planned for Lady Lyssa. I was glad that I could think of such ideas in a short time, but now I needed to think of a birthday present. Musing over it for some time, I finally decided to enlist Nazia's help in getting the present.

Soon it was 9 pm and I left Nazia's room with her to go towards dinner. As we entered, I saw the girls rising but I quickly asked them to sit down. As soon as my sister had joined our parents, I cleared my throat and got the attention of the remaining nineteen girls.

"Ladies," I addressed them. Whose idea was it that I should tell them about the birthday ball? "I have heard that Lady Lyssa has a birthday in five days. So, in her honour, we will be holding a birthday ball on Saturday, and you all are invited."

As soon as I said that, there were shrieks of delight and the girls looked at each other with happiness. Lyssa was looking quite surprised at this announcement.

"Ladies," mom spoke over the din. Everyone became silent.

"Your maids have been informed and they will design your ball dresses. While Rosita will guide you on how to act during balls, as this will be the first one you all will be attending. Now, let's enjoy our meal."

As soon as mom said this, the footmen served the food, but I couldn't focus on it. I looked around at the girls and saw that they all were excited about the upcoming ball.

"Well, let them be excited," I thought. "They should have some fun every now and then."

Translations:

J'espère que tu passes un bon moment? = I hope you're having a good time

Oui = yes

Hope you all liked the chapter. Please review, I love hearing your thoughts my dear readers! It really helps me write better. Do tell me how you like our Crown Prince.

Ok, for those who submitted characters, please dm me on discord or pm me here about the dresses and accessories of your girls for the ball. The theme is coral colours!

As usual, shout out to Abizeau for beta-ing quickly and for the French help (I can only speak a little french myself 😂) so thank you Abizeau for the French help

See you soon with the birthday ball chapter!

One more thing, I'll be uploading a new story soon, Elite High School, an AU where all the elite go through high school phase. I'll be updating my profile with information soon and you cam reserve characters after reading that information!

Anyways take care everyone and stay safe

See you soon

Rowena