Hello, my friends, I have a very interesting and long chapter for you. Hopefully, you like it!
My plate piled with food I rushed to the tree they had gathered under. I sat quickly, crossing my legs like a 'proper lady.' The girls huddled closer.
" So you were talking to the Prince, huh," Helia grinned. I nodded. Wishing for a little that we could discuss something other than the Prince.
" So what did you guys do before this?" Kaya seemed to have read my mind.
" I painted a lot. I wanted to have my own gallery," Helia remarked.
" That's awesome," I swallowed. " What'd you paint?"
" Portraits. Dabbled in landscapes."
" Really?" Vera, a girl who had recently joined our little group chimed. " Could you do a portrait of me?" Helia nodded, grinning. "Oh my god. It's gonna be absolutely amazing."
" My god, have you see these guards," Fen gestured at the garden. There were more guards than girls. Fen had a way about her. She was graceful and elegant. " The one who brought me here," she pretended to fan herself, " Truly was a looker."
Kaya gasped. "My, my, Fen, looking at someone other than the Prince. How could you?"
" I was only making an observation. Some of those boys were works of art. You're an artist, Helia. What do you think?"
" They are pretty good looking," she mumbled, hiding a smile. I gasped dramatically.
" She's brainwashed Helia!" We started giggling, sitting in the corner like little girls. I smiled when suddenly a hush fellow over the group. We turned to the entrance of the garden. King James was striding in, the Queen at his arm. She wore a red dress that clung to her tightly. It had a deep V that cut almost to her belly button and a slit that reached mid thing. She used to be an actress, until two years ago when they announced the were to be married. A baby came seven months after. A woman in a maid's uniform held the young princess on her hips. I wonder where Princess Alexandra was, Holden's other sister. Everyone standing bowed politely. I was glad I was sitting, I didn't want to bow to that man. Who ignored the plights of the Sevens and Eights. The man who wasted away as his country sunk into debt. He let go of his queen's hands.
" Hello girls. Welcome to our Palace. I hope you have enjoyed your time here so far. I hope my son," he gestured to Holden who was standing by Caterina and Katerina, " Has acted like a proper gentleman. One of you is to become the Queen one day. As such, I expect you to begin to act and dress like a Princess. After lunch, you will be escorted to the Women's Room. Your lessons will begin tomorrow. Have a good afternoon." The Cats clapped enthusiastically as the other girls glanced at each other, worried on their faces. The King and Queen turned and went straight back into the palace. Holden gestured for the maid to stay and everyone else turned to what they had been doing, breathing a sigh of relief.
The girls standing around flocked towards the young Princess, cooing and awing. Fen clapped excitedly. " I can't wait to meet the Princess."
Allya finally spoke, " I have a baby at home." It sounded almost like a whisper.
" What's her name?" I asked.
" Larissa. She's two"
" Does King James know?" Fen questioned. Kaya glared at her. " What? He's evil. We should protect Allya."
Allya bit her lip, anxiously. " Yes, she exists. But she's listed as my sister."
" Do you miss her?"
Allya's eyes lit up. " Of course. She does this adorable little thing that makes you upset. She'll crawl into your lap and tap your hands."
" She sounds sweet," Kaya smiled. "And don't worry. This won't go past our group."
Allya grinned, "Thank you." Fen gasped a little. And we directed our attention towards her.
" Look," she pointed behind us, very blatantly I might add. We all turned. Prince Holden held the young Princess in his arms, bouncing her gently, his back turned to the garden as he pointed to things in the sky. "Guys with babies…"
The smile on Prince Holden's face was visible from here. The weariness sapped from his face and was replaced with a glowing happiness and pride. He turned and his eyes met mine. I stared back, my face motionless. I wanted him to come say hi. He seemed to read my mind. And he began to glide towards our group. We all stood. Helia squeaked a bit, fiddling her fingers. Kaya kept her head raised. Allya's eyes were glistening with a sad happiness.
" Hello, ladies," Holden smiled. We bowed. And Allya stepped forward almost immediately.
" May I hold her?" Holden nodded and moved the young girl into her arms. Allya began speaking with her under her breath as the small girl stared at her with open eyes. Holden stayed at her with an awe.
" You're good with children."
Kaya leaned over to me, "Let's go. She hasn't spoken to him yet." The rest of the group and I move away. Something twists in my gut as I see him talking to her. But I ignore it.
The Women's Room is different from the one Gran described. One wall is covered with magazines, magazines I guessed were the belongings of the Queen. There were couches around the room, creating various seating areas. The Women's Room did not seem very enjoyable. We sat on the couches closest to the window. The Queen walked in a moment after the last girl, still in her tight fitting red dress. Her hair was slightly undone. I didn't want to know why.
" Line up!" The Queen ordered. We did so. Our hands clasped behind our backs, our chins raised. She began walking down the line of 15 girls.
" To become a Queen, you must look like a Queen. Work out everyday. Study everyday. Look good everyday. If you do not. You will be eliminated. Holden does not hold all the power here. I will be the mother of this girl and I will not tolerate imperfection." Everyone stayed silent. "Now…" The Queen was cut off by a shrill shout. The girls broke out into conversation as a guard stormed in. A shot echoed around the room and a girl screamed.
" An attack! Follow me." The girls flooded out of the room, skirts in hands, heels tapping on the floor. I started walking forward then noticed behind me a girl. She was rocking back and forth, her hands clasped around her knees, mumbling and crying. I remembered her; her name was Vera. She was the youngest here. I rushed to her side.
" Vera. Vera we have to go." My voice was urgent, fear was climbing into my throat. The attacks were in the reports, but they didn't feel real until now. She shook her head so hard I though might sprain it. "Vera! We can't stay here."
" Evelyn. What the hell are you still doing here?" Kaya's voice came from behind me.
" She won't get up," I said exasperatedly. Kaya blew out air, pulling off her heels and throwing them towards the side of the room in one quick motion. I followed suit.
" We'll carry her." Grabbing both of her arms we hauled the young girl to her feet. She was still sobbing, trembling. What had happened to this poor girl? We hurried out of the Women's Room, lugging the girl with us.
" They went left," Kaya said breathly. We passed the hall of doors, each looking as similar as the last. I could feel the sweat collecting on my forehead. Suddenly, the clanking sound of footsteps sounded in the hall. We froze. My fists clenched. Jake's face appeared behind the corner and a slight bit of relief washed over my fear stricken body. Jake looked pissed.
" Of course you were one of the missing girls," he ran towards us, picking Vera up in a bridal style like she weight nothing.
" Shut up Jake," Kaya snapped. We were running down the hall now.
" When will you understand that you're not supposed to run into danger?"
" This is not the place, idiot."
" Idiot." Kaya stopped.
" What did you just call me," she crossed her arms over her chest, glaring daggers at Jake. He smirked.
" I called you a idiot you stupid woman."
" Stupid, how dare you…" I growled, annoyed.
" Okay you lovebirds, start running before I whoop both your asses." We started running again with nothing but the blare of alarms and Vera's sobbing.
" We're almost there," Jake said bluntly. A short echoed down the hall near us and I froze for a moment.
" Faster!" Kaya yelled. Suddenly a clobbering came up behind us. And something in my gut told me it wasn't guards. Jake whipped around, pulling his gun out of his holster and pushing Vera into Kaya's arms.
" Go!" Kaya looked like she wanted to argue but didn't sprint down the hall. Jake looked at me. " You too, Eve."
" Go with the girls Jake," a voice sounded from behind. Holden was wearing a bulletproof vest, a gun in his hands and his face drawn taught in seriousness. "That's an order."
" I'm not leaving," I pulled Holden's handgun from his side, cocking it. Jake ran after Kaya. Holden stared at me with annoyance.
" Go."
I smiled, "No."
I stood with my back to Holden as two men rounded the corner in ragged clothing. Two shots from Holden and they were both on the floor. Holden turned on me.
" You're reckless. This is stupid. You should've gone with Kaya."
" I've trained before. And shouldn't the Crown Prince be in the safe room?"
" Evelyn…" Another man strode down the hallway. But before his hand could touch his trigger I shot, using Holden's shoulder as a rest. The man fell as Holden turned.
" Never turn around."
" You distracted me."
I flushed red when suddenly he picked me up, flinging me over his shoulder and started running. "What the hell are you doing?" I yelled, pounding on his back.
" Keeping you safe." I heard the slide of the door and I was pushed onto a wooden landing. And before I could get up the door closed.
We were let out of the safe room two hours later. Herded into the Great Room. The girls were whispering to each other. But I wasn't talking. Kaya and I walked side by side silently. Each mad at someone and waiting to show them a piece of our minds, part of us afraid that we wouldn't get the chance.
On the pedestal stood Madam Rienne, the Education minister. She wore a gray pantsuit and her silvery blonde hair was pulled into a bun. Her eyes were a sharp green and seemed to notice everything. She was often on the Reports. I had a feeling it would be her teaching our lessons. Holden was nowhere to be seen.
" Please settle down." We quieted, waiting. " Due to the strength of this attack, the King has decided, for the safety of the Selected, fewer girls will remain in the palace. However, it is strongly advised that you do not speak of this event outside the Palace walls."
" What does this mean?" A girl called from the back. Madame looked annoyed by the interruption. She clasped her hands tight and smacked her ruby red lips.
" It means," she paused, " That Prince Holden will be choosing the Elite tomorrow."
Suspense. Who will Holden choose? Will he even be able to choose? And what's going on with jake and Kaya? Find out soon. Hope you liked it. Thanksss
fae