The Flash Bulbs went off again, capturing Edward and Braeylnn smiling brightly.

This photo shoot was merely for the amusement of the public, but I couldn't help thinking that there was some actual weight to it. Someone had written an editorial in a magazine about the look of a Queen. I didn't get to read the article myself, but some of the others did. According to her, it was about Edward needing to find someone who actually looked regal and photographed well with him, someone who would look nice on a stamp.

And now they were lined up in identical dresses, taking pictures with Edward. They all wore cream, off-the-shoulder dresses with red sashes. The photos would be printed in the same magazine, and the magazine staff was going to make picks. I was kind of uncomfortable with it all.

Some of the girls were walking around, munching on no-drip foods and chatting, but the majority, including myself, were standing around the perimeter of the set erected in the Great Room.

Tanya walked up to Edward with sparkles in her eyes, and he smiled as she approached.

"All right, miss, just turn to the camera and smile, please," the photographer called, and Tanya immediately complied. She turned herself into Edward and placed a hand on his chest, tilted her head down, and gave an expert smile. She seemed to understand how to use the lighting and set to her best advantage and kept moving Edward over a few inches or insisting on changing their pose. Where some of the girls took their time and made their turn with Edward last— particularly those who still hadn't secured a date—Tanya appeared to want to show her efficiency instead.

Alice looked angelic as she posed next to Edward, despite looking so tiny. But she was a favorite.

When everyone was done, Edward came over to me. He handed me one of the dresses.

"Change."

"Edward?"

"Change." He growled.

I sighed and went to the changing room. I changed out of my blouse and skirt and into the cream dress. I put on the red sash and red heels. Edward was grinning when I walked out. He led me over to the background.

"I don't want these published, understood? These are for my eyes, and my eyes alone."

"Yes, your highness." The cameraman said. Edward wrapped an arm around my waist, and we smiled. Then we did one with my back to his front, his arms around me.

"Thank you, everyone. These will be published in the magazines soon."

I quickly changed out of my dress and back into my normal clothes.

"What do you think she did?" Camari asked.

Janelle had been asked on a date, but she was dismissed. We didn't know what she did wrong.

"That was her second date with Edward. She's the only one who got two," Lauren said.

"When she came back, she was crying. I asked her what was wrong, and she said she was leaving, that Edward had told her to go. I gave her a hug because she was so upset and asked her what happened. She said she couldn't tell me about it. I don't understand that. Maybe we're not allowed to talk about why we're eliminated?"

"That wasn't in the rules, was it?" Tuesday asked.

"No one said anything to me about it," Camari replied, and several others shook their heads in confirmation.

"But what did she say then?" Tanya urged.

Kriss sighed again. "Nothing."

Why was she sent home?