Chapter 30

February 16th, 2310

Time had past since the first task of the elite and the girls were wondering when their next task would be.

Two days had past since Valentine's day, everyone was in the dining room chatting about how beautiful things had looked. The halls had been decorated in shades of pink and all their clothes had been in shades of pink and red. King Taylor had really stood out in his turquoise robes.

As they were eating breakfast, king Taylor stood up.

"Attention everyone" he called.

Everybody went quiet and looked at him.

Count Neilson walked up next to the king as he spoke.

"On Tuesday, is lady Giselle's birthday, so count Neilson is inviting the household to his villa for the birthday party."

The girls were excited and chattered about it throughout breakfast. Everyone except Michelle, who was just quiet about it.

When everyone was done breakfast, the girls started to leave the dining hall. As Michelle made her way to the doors, count Neilson called her.

"Lady Michelle," he said.

Michelle stopped and turned to face him.

"If I were you, I wouldn't bother showing up at my daughter's party," he said putting a hand on her shoulder. "After that incident at your own party, you're clearly not fit for royal parties if you can't even behave yourself at your own."

Michelle frowned, she did not like being told she was unfit for royal life. And it was even worse to be reminded of that fiasco at her birthday party.

After count Neilson left, Giselle walked up. She had heard everything.

"Don't listen to him Michelle," she said kindly. "He just doesn't think that commoners shouldn't mix with royalty. Of course you can come to my party."

"Thanks Giselle" said Michelle appreciatively.

Michelle was happy that Giselle wasn't a snob.

On the day of the party, Michelle and Holliday rode to count Neilson's villa together wearing matching rouge pink dresses.

"You don't look so excited Michelle," said Holliday feeling worried for her best friend. "What's wrong."

Michelle told Holliday about count Neilson telling her not to show up at the party.

"He's just antagonizing you because you've grown so close to the prince, he's worried that Giselle might not get chosen and he's trying to scare you away" declared Holliday.

Michelle agreed with Holliday.

The car went up the driveway to the Villa. Michelle looked out the window to see two men with shovels in the garden. One was a middle-aged man and the other was about the same age as her and elite members. He had short, honey colored hair and wore

Michelle rolled her window down when she saw Giselle walking over to them with a tray of cookies. The car was going slow enough for her to hear what they were saying.

"Missy made some cookies for the party and I thought you'd like some" said Giselle kindly to the young man.

"Thank you Giselle" said the young man.

Michelle wondered who that young gardener was, he seemed to know Giselle very well.

When the car parked, Michelle and Holliday climbed out and saw James at the lobby they saw James talking with Beth.

"Hey James, hello Beth" said Michelle.

"Hi" said both James and Beth.

"James," asked Michelle. "Who's that boy out in the garden that Giselle was talking to?"

James looked out the door and saw Giselle walking back towards the villa away from the two men.

"That's Caleb," said James. "He's the son of Count Neilson's gardener. He played with me and Giselle when we were kids. He's also one of the few friends Giselle has."

Michelle, Holliday, and Beth all felt sorry for Giselle. She always looked like the independent type.

A few moments had past and everyone was gathered in the garden. One of count Neilson's footman made the announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present lady Giselle Neilson and her father count Asbjorn Neilson."

Giselle and count Neilson walked into the garden. Giselle wore a rose-red three layer gown and a white hat with feathers.

Everyone awed at how beautiful Giselle looked.

Emily showed up wearing a matching hat.

"Hey Giselle," said Emily looking all perky. "Look at my hat, we match!"

Giselle tried to smile friendly at Emily, and much to Emily's surprise she walked away.

"Hello Michelle," said Giselle. "Isn't the garden lovely?"

"For me, yes," retorted Michelle. "But why ask if it's me worthy? It's you're party."

Giselle laughed. "You've got my dad's gardener to thank, and Caleb." She added.

Michelle saw Caleb further in the garden shoveling.

"He's a wonderful man" she sighed.

She then came back into the real world. "Come on," she said. "I'll show you around."

After a while, Giselle took Michelle to her bedroom.

"And this is my room" she said.

"It's beautiful" said Michelle.

She looked up at a painting.

"Is that your mother?" she asked.

Giselle nodded, "Yep, that's my mother, countess Paige Neilson. She died when I was seven of Leukemia."

Michelle felt very sorry for Giselle.

"I miss her," said Giselle. "I love both my parents, but I had a close bond with my mother, father says she was stubborn and that I inherited it from her. Mother's the reason I'm friends with Caleb."

"She is?" said Michelle.

"Yeah," said Giselle. "Like most other aristocratic children, James and I were homeschooled, and mother saw that I was a little lonely with not many friends, so she allowed me to play with Caleb, father never really approved of me being friends with commoners."

Giselle shook the negative emotions off.

"Well let's go back to the party."

As Michelle followed Giselle, she could see something in Giselle's heart, she was in love with the gardener's son.

Back in the garden Michelle watched the festivities. Though she remained quiet, everyone was too busy enjoying themselves to pay attention to the fact that she was quiet.

Michelle got up when she saw Caleb.

"Hi," she said.

Caleb looked up.

"Hello" he answered.

"I'm Michelle White," said Michelle. "Giselle's been telling me about you. Have you really been friends with Giselle."

"Yeah," said Caleb. "Are you friends with her too?"

"Sort of," replied Michelle. "After that incident with the rebels, she said I'm a good friend. And she is very friendly."

"Giselle doesn't have many friends," said Caleb. "People say she's a spoiled snob. She told me that she enjoys her independence, though sometimes it does get lonely."

Michelle could see that Caleb was in love with Giselle too.

"But it's kind of silly isn't it," he said chuckling a bit sadly. "Grand ladies, don't marry servants."

I have to find a way to get them to see they are each other's true love she thought to herself. But how?

Author's note; it seems Giselle has someone she loves. Can Michelle help bring them together?