Chapter 32
The next day, Michelle decided to talk to James, to see if he could help her bring Giselle and Caleb together.
Along the way, she met Kasha.
"Hey Michelle," she said look at this magazine article.
Michelle looked at it. It was an article about her.
Michelle White, gaining the strength of Daenerys Targaryen.
Just like our queen, Dinette, who is a mixture of princess Diana and Daenerys Targaryen, Michelle White is rising from the low life of a seven to a one. She is the one everyone in Illea hopes for to be our queen.
"You should have seen Emily's face when she read it," giggled Kasha. "She looked like she was gonna explode. And look at the back of the magazine."
She turned the magazine to the back cover. On it were ratings of the popularities of the girls and Michelle saw that she was in the top with 95%. Giselle was behind her with 89%.
Michelle was surprised to see how popular she was, was Dinette feeling the same too when Taylor chose her?
Michelle spoke James after breakfast.
"I can tell Caleb and Giselle have feelings for each other," said Michelle. "Because you've seen Giselle looking a bit unhappy about her being in the selection and that she could marry someone she doesn't love."
"I have seen her look like she was in love with Caleb," said James admittingly. "They always looked like they were having fun when they played. But how can we help them get together, if a girl in the selection has an affair with another she will get canned."
"If she drops out she won't," declared Michelle. "Once she realises who she is in love with, she'll drop out.
"I guess you're right," said James. "But what's your plan?"
"Can you take me to the Neilson's villa?" asked Michelle. "We can bring Caleb to Giselle and they can talk together."
James nodded.
Michelle and James drove over to count Neilson's villa and to their luck they saw Caleb and his father working in the garden.
"Hi Caleb!" called Michelle running over to them.
"Michelle?" he asked. But then saw James and quickly bowed down.
"You know you're highness," said Caleb. "If your looking for count Neilson, he's in his parlor."
"Actually, we came to see you Caleb" said James.
"Me?" said Caleb looking surprised. "Why?"
"It's about Giselle" said Michelle.
"You better go son" said the gardener.
"I guess you're right father" said Caleb.
As they walked back to the car Caleb looked back at the garden.
"Is something wrong?" asked Michelle.
"No," said Caleb. "It's just, sometimes I remember when Giselle, James and I were kids and we played in the garden. I've always wanted to see the world and Giselle admitted to me once that she did too."
"I know you love Giselle" said Michelle softly.
Caleb looked surprised.
"Grand ladies don't marry gardeners" sighed Caleb.
"It's not true," declared Michelle. "I've heard many stories about aristocrats marrying commoners, especially servants."
"Not to mention my mother our queen was an eight" added James.
"Talk to her" said Michelle.
Although still a little unsure, Caleb agreed.
When they got back to the palace Michelle, spotted Elaine walking in the hall.
"Elaine!" called Michelle running up to her. "Can you gather the other girls to meet in the dining hall? James and I would like to make an announcement."
"Sure?" said Elaine looking confused but decided to comply.
Michelle, James, and Caleb headed up to Giselle's room.
Michelle knocked on the door.
"Giselle?" she called softly.
Giselle slowly opened the door.
"Michelle?" she asked surprisedly.
She opened the door further and saw James and Caleb.
"Caleb? What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Caleb would like to talk to you" explained Michelle.
Giselle waved her arm in the "after you" position and Caleb walked in.
"You know Giselle," said Caleb. "You remember when we were kids and we would talk of stuff like exploring the world someday?"
Giselle nodded.
"I know as we've gotten older we drifted apart the three of us, but I've never loved any girl more than you" said Caleb.
"I used to think any romantic feelings I've had growing up were for James," said Giselle blushing. "But I soon realized that, what feelings I thought were for James were actually for you, but I never did tell because I was afraid that my father would forbid us to even see each other, because you know he never really approved of me being friends with the children of servants."
"I know I'm not an aristocrat," said Caleb. "But I love you and Michelle brought me here to tell you and to see if you love me in return."
"Of course I do Caleb," said Giselle holding his hand with hers. "I don't need an aristocrat for a husband, I wanna marry someone I love and who loves me. There was a time I feel like my family were very close," she sighed. "But father started to care more about his family status and never thinks about what would make me happy. I know he loves me and my mother. I'm sure before I was born they were more loving, but for as long as I can remember, I don't think I've seen much love between my parents. I don't think I can take it anymore. I'll go anywhere with you."
With that Giselle and Caleb gave each other a big hug.
In the dining hall, all the other girls in the Elite were wondering why Elaine had called them there.
Just then Michelle, James, Giselle, and Caleb walked in.
"Everyone," said James. "I have an announcement to make."
"If it's okay James," said Giselle. "I'd like to make the announcement.
James nodded, respectively.
"I am dropping out of the Elite," announced Giselle. "Because I realized my heart belongs with my old friend and the son of my father's gardener Caleb. So we are planning to elope from Illea and travel the world!"
"Let's give Giselle and Caleb a big congratulations!" cried Michelle. She and James burst into applause and then everyone in the dining hall applauded too.
"They look like a perfect couple" sighed Holliday romantically.
"Stereotypes," humored Beth. "Always the royal and the servant getting together."
"Congratulations Giselle" cried Shari.
Later that day, Giselle and Caleb had their bags at a harbor dock where they were with James and Michelle.
"Michelle," said Giselle kindly as she gave Michelle a hug. "You're a good friend."
"Thanks," replied Michelle. She then noticed something on Giselle's index finger. "You're mother's ring?"
Giselle nodded. Michelle lifted her hand too reveling the matching fake ring Giselle had given her for her birthday.
"Promise you'll write?" asked Michelle.
"I will" said Giselle.
Michelle and Giselle giggled and gently tapped the rings against each other and then Giselle and Caleb grabbed their bags and climbed aboard the ferry and waved goodbye.
Later that day, the quartet where hanging around count Neilson's villa. They had told him they hadn't seen Giselle all day.
Suddenly a messenger came in. he had quite the story to tell him.
"What!?" cried count Neilson crossly. "My daughter is eloping with the son of the gardener?!"
"I'm afraid so sir," said the messenger.
"Stop them!" he ordered.
"It's too late sir," cried the messenger fearfully. "The ferry departed five minutes ago!"
"Do we still have our jobs sir?" asked Emily innocently.
Tiffany glared at Emily in annoyance.
Count Neilson turned to look at them and calmed down.
"Yes," he said. "You all can still come in handy."
Far away at sea, Giselle and Caleb smiled happily looking at the beautiful ocean and danced around the ferry.
Author's note; Michelle's plan worked and now Giselle is with the person her heart loves. But there is a bigger threat coming.