Sorry, this took long I ran into a little bit of writer's block. But it's here: The Elite! Enjoy!
The next morning we gathered in the dining room. The Royal family sat at the head of the table: the King, Queen, Holden, his baby sister, and his other sister, Alex. I almost forgot that I hadn't spoken to Alex. She was unlike the rest of her family. Her hair was an electric blue and on the report, her adventures were often detailed. The 'rebel princess' was well known. I could imagine how annoyed the King would be.
Everyone ate in a tense silence. We knew what was happening after. The night before Kaya and I had talked late into the night. We both managed to skirt around the subject of guys but we spilled about home and our aspirations, and how much we disliked the King and Queen. Kaya sat on one side of me now. Fen on the other. I hadn't known them for long but the thought that they might have to leave brought upon an inkling of sadness. Suddenly, Holden rose. He didn't meet my eye, he seemed to stare right over our heads. Kaya found my hand and held it tightly. She had already told me she liked the Prince, however, it didn't feel romantic. She wanted to stay though. I could sense as much.
" As you know, we are speeding up the Selection due to unforeseen circumstances. I am very grateful for the time I spent with all of you. I will be announcing the Elite today."
" The Elite. Vera Wilkes…" The girl Kaya and I had helped looked up with surprised eyes. She was really beautiful. With icy blue eyes and raven hair. " Caterina Klin." I rolled my eyes a bit at those choices. It would be no surprise if both the Cats showed up in the Elite. "Helia Lakes." Helia grinned wide, dimples forming on her cheeks. She deserved this. I caught her eyes and shot her a thumbs up. She nodded and mouthed " Good luck."
" ...Kaya Normas." Kaya's facelifted and she squeezed my hand. I could feel my hand getting clammy. I did want to stay. I wanted him to want me to stay. I didn't know that until now. Now, when it was too late.
" Evelyn Singer." I let go of Kaya's hand and wiped the grin off my face. I caught a glance at the other girls. Some had already left. Others looked at the Elite angrily while others simply stared into their hands.
" Allya Dukes. Congrats to the Elite…" suddenly the Queen stood. Holden looked annoyed at her disturbance but gritted his teeth and sat down.
" The rest of you girls have a day to pack. You'll have family and engagements waiting for you. Leave. Now." The rest of the 9 girls stood. I looked at Fen, stopping her. She was still smiling faintly. But I could see the tears in her eyes.
" Thank you, Fen. For being so kind."
" You better call me when this is over. Wherever you end up."
" I will. I promise." She left then, rushing out. The Queen truly did scare people. The Queen turned to the rest of us.
" The rest of you will be held to a higher standard now. Today is your first lesson. Please follow Madame Rienne to the Classroom."
Madame Rienne stood, her hands clasped together, her mouth a firm line. She turned and the ten girls stood. I stood, unsure. I turned to Fen, but she was staring at her hands and I knew I shouldn't disturb. Goodbye, for now, I thought.
We walked silently, following the stout woman. The Classroom was two doors away from the Women's Room. We all shuffled in, taking a seat in cushy chairs, each with a desk an arms width long. Kaya sat next to me, winking as we sat. I suppressed a grin.
" Now girls…" I sighed, turning my focus to Madame. She gave a toothy smile before turning to the board and writing in big letters: MANNERS. Oh, wonderful. This was bound to be fun.
By the time the dreadful lesson was over, I had learned much too much about forks and curtsies. And a lot of the habits of Royals overseas, as a Princess had to know her guest and well as she knew herself. Kaya and I rushed to the garden the minute the class finished, breathing in the fresh air to clear our cluttered head.
" I forgot how much I hated class," she laughed. We began to walk deeper into the garden. A guard eyed us warily, warning us to stay within grounds before he began to follow us at a distance.
" What did you learn in school?"
" Policy and English. I wanted to be a teacher," she responded a note of sadness in her voice. I opened my mouth to console her when the guard sounded behind us.
" Miss!" We turned. The guard stomped towards us.
" The Queen requests the Elite's presence in the throne room."
" But we just came out." The Guard didn't respond, just waited for us to reroute our course.
" Let's go see what she wants," I sighed, grabbing Kaya's arm. She groaned before following me.
By the time we arrived, everyone was already in the Women's Room. Lined up, side by side. The scene looked foreboding and I felt my hands clam up as Kyra and I stood in the line of six girls. Suddenly, the Queen strode in, wearing a revealing white gown and heels that looked like weapons. I straightened my back, my eyes level while most of the girls lowered their eyes.
She stood in front of Kat, a delicate smile on her face.
" The Prince will be having lunch with you today," Kat smirked and tossed her hair.
" Thank you, Your Majesty." The Queen patted her gently.
" My pleasure, darling."
Suddenly, she stopped in front of me. Her jaw was taught as she stared at me. I felt my resolve wavering but I didn't move.
" The Prince wishes to go on a dinner date with you." I bit back a grin. " Do not believe in yourself special. That player cannot be trusted." She was one to talk. I internally rolled my eyes. The last thing I needed was to be thrown into the dungeon for rolling my eyes at the Queen. "You're not very pretty, you know. Your grandmother was very plain, too. Didn't deserve to make it to the Elite, worthless Five." My nails dug into my palms. How dare she?
" King Maxon didn't think so. His opinion holds more weight, don't you think?" The remark escaped me before I could keep it at bay. Suddenly her hand came flying at me. My eyes widened as the stinging pain rocketed across my cheek. I heard the girls gasp as I turned back to the Queen, glaring daggers. From the corner of my eye I saw Kat smirking and Vera holding back tears and beginning to rock back and forth.
" I told that twit to not let you into the Elite. Girls who think they're better than us. Better than me," she seethed.
" Prince Holden."
" What did you say?"
" The twit. Prince Holden." I had already gotten slapped once, what was one more. Especially if I took this Queen down a few notches. I saw her hand rise again but Kaya stepped in front of me.
" I wouldn't do that," she crossed her arms over her chest. Allya, looking angrier than I had ever seen her, stomped towards Kaya and stood beside her. Then Helia joined, her eyes ablaze. I let the smile onto my face. Standing straighter and looking right at the seething Queen.
" You tell anyone about this and I'll have you thrown into the dungeons." With that she stomped out of the room, her heels clacking. Helia, Allya, and Kaya turned towards me smiling and whooping.
" Thanks, guys."
" That biatch doesn't deserve the crown," Kaya spat.
" Kaya." She shrugged as we all started laughing at her bluntness. Then she turned to me, her face serious.
" How is your cheek." Stinging.
" Fine." I knew it was going to bruise.
" Good, because we have to get you ready for a date."
Oooo, they're going for a date. Yay. Review and favorite for faster chapters and shoutouts!
Fae