I woke up with Lissy gently shaking my shoulder. I groan as the sunlight streams in through the windows as Rebecca opens the curtain. I heard what must be Katie running a bath and I rubbed my eyes. Lissy gently drags me out of bed and over to the bathroom which I now had a chance to look at properly. It was filled with full-length mirrored walls and almost everything was marble or gold. It reminded me of something my father would want. A memory flashed into my head, smashed glass and blood everywhere. Shaking my head to get rid of the memory I strip and get in, the maids looking away. I didn't feel completely comfortable being naked around them but they had to bathe me ( Which I could do perfectly fine by myself anyway.) for some unknown reason. They dressed me up in a cream day dress with a rose pattern and went through my assigned daily beauty routine as well as putting on some pink nail varnish. I was given a choice of jewellery from the royal store and I have to admit I did take some pink and gold jewellery that looked a bit nicer than my things. Rebecca looked me over pursing her lips and put my silver name badge on, nodding in approval, meaning I could go to breakfast.
I walked into the foyer and watched all the other girls fuss and scramble around. Every girl in here was dressed like how they perceived a royal as. Some were just dressed more elegantly than usual, whereas others were dripping with dazzling jewels and covered in sparkles; Some were in long loose dresses while a few wore tight dresses that hugged every curve in their body. Like Mimi and Tammi. I swore that they would either burst out of their dresses or die from lack of oxygen. I jolted out of competition mode. I wasn't here for the Prince or the crown like everyone else. I was here for freedom. I would flirt with the prince enough to stay in the competition for as long as possible and then I'd go home. Besides, the Prince would be no match for me. No matter how 'charming' he was meant to be. A few more girls rushed down the stairs and we were ready to go. Lucine walked over in a red skater dress and heels, her hair up in a chignon with little diamantes and a lot of diamond jewellery to match. "Wow. You look really nice." I tell her. "Diamonds really suit you!"
"Thanks! It's weighing me down though. This stuff is heavy!"
I laugh. "Well you have got a lot on. I'm not wearing too much but I still feel about an inch shorter." I joke. Maria then assembles us into some sort of order and then we are ready to go. She takes us straight past the dining room and through to the great hall. Inside was hell. A huge amount of people were bustling around; Camera crews, maids, 'd drawn us in with the hopes of food and gave us a photoshooton our first day. Thanks for that. The tables were all set up with plates, glass and silverware and in the corner was a set of pastel couches. Maria told us to sit down and we complied. There weren't place cards on these seats so I sat next to Lucine and a girl who introduced herself as Eliza. Opposite me was Lady Marianne who insisted on being called lady and sat there like she owned the place. I hoped she was gone soon. I don't know what life would be like with her as Queen but I don't think it would be good.
The cameras hadn't stopped filming us since we'd came in. Maria cleared her throat and gave us a lesson on etiquette. Not anything I haven't heard before; What glasses for what drinks, always use the tongs for pastries, etc,etc. She started to explain how the day would go. "Okay, so you will sit here until the prince comes in. You will stand up and curtsy and then you will wait for him to sit down, wherever he chooses, then you can sit back down. ONLY then." She told us with a serious look. "When the interviews start you will be called up one by on. The rest of you may eat in that time." Murmurs came from a few girls but they died down as quickly as they'd started. "The prince will be arriving very soon so be on your very best behaviour." Then she walks over to the photoshoot area and leaves all of us to worry ourselves to death. I could hear all the girls down the table fussing. I ask a grinning Lucine.
"Not as much as that girl at the end of the table." She told me. We both looked over and identified the girl Lucine was talking about. She was biting her lip and sweating manically. Dread had engulfed her face and her fingers drummed on the table.
"Poor girl," I sigh. "The prince isn't that scary." I tell Lucine. Just then the doors creak open. Silence sweeps through the room and 35 girls, including me, stand up and curtsy in unison, waiting for the Prince to sit down.
It was then Lucine decided to whisper. "Dayum, that's one fine prince." Causing me to let out a very quiet laugh. Thank god nobody heard. A mischievous smile stayed on my face even after he sat down. I leaned in to Lucine.
"I know right Luce." She looked at me confused and then realised what I meant. Then she laughed.
"I didn't think anyone had heard me. But that doesn't mean it's any less true." We looked up at the prince. I must say, he was hotter in person. He sat in his chair as though he was king already. His blue eyes were filled with arrogance that matched the crooked grin that graced his lips. He surveyed us, his eyes staring into each girls until they reacted. Some blushed while others looked away. A few winked or bit their lip. I watched Lucine smile flirtatiously at him. Then his eyes landed on me. First he looked me over like he'd done to the rest of the girls. Ew. I resisted the attempt to roll my eyes. His eyes reached mine and he stared into them. I looked up at him challengingly not breaking eye contact. I didn't react. I refused to. He would not get anything from me. The blue orbs narrowed as he realised I wasn't going to do anything. After a few seconds he raised his eyebrows as though impressed and moved on. I held in a sigh. I had basically just played the don't blink game with a Prince. I bit my lip trying not to snigger, the mischievous smile reappearing on my face. Then I felt a pair of eyes on me again. I looked around but I didn't know who it was.
The prince cleared his throat. "The selection is something that has been done in Illea for generations. I am proud to be a part of it like my father and all those before him." He smiles at the camera. "Now lets start the photoshoot." He walks over to the pastel couches and sits down. Food is served and a name is called. I watch the girl step over and sigh. I fill my cup with orange juice from a pitcher and grab a banana from one of the fruit bowls. I'm not very hungry today.
"That was brief." Lucine murmurs, filling a bowl with some sort of chocolate cereal.
"Tell me about it." I reply. "What was with the staring?"
"I have no idea. But it was kind of hot."
I laugh at her. "This is why we're friends."
"Lucine Carpenter." Is called and Luce stands up and walks off, looking nervous. I watch her, smiling encouragingly at her when she looks at me. She's mostly fine but she shows signs of being nervous occasionally, like scratching her neck. She walks back over.
"How did it go?" I ask.
"Alright." She answered with a sigh. "I didn't embarrass myself but I don't know if we connected."
"It's just one photoshoot. You can't expect him to express his love for you right now."
She laughs. "I guess not." Then I hear my name being called. "Good luck!"
"Thanks." I tell her as I get up and walk over to the sofas. I sit down gracefully as I can next to the prince, not leaning right into him but not as far away as possible. I sat up straight and tall, no slouching as though I could hear the voice of my ballet teacher in my ear. A small smile crossed my face at the thought. I remembered where I was and smiled at the cameras.
"Hello beautiful, what's your name?" He asks, changing his pose to look at me with a cocky grin.
I look at him as well and start to speak while keeping up my smile. "It's Lilah. Tell me, how many of the girls before me have you used that one on? It's not even that good." He put his hand on mine, still looking at me. Our heads were titled so the cameras could still see our smiles but our eyes were still looking at each other. He stood up, his hand still in mine, with me looking up at him smiling as he looked down to me, also smiling. Then I stood up with him.
"I have to admit that you're the first one I've said that one to. Two of them were sexy and the rest were various pick-up lines." He put his arm around my waist, still looking at me. "But you are definitely worth a beautiful." I looked away from him slightly blushing and looking at the camera. I wouldn't let him see it.
"Well I'm going to have to take that for honesty. So what's the difference in pick-up lines between sexy and beautiful?"
"I'm always honest beauty. As you asked so nicely, sexy is for the slutty girls who won't take it the wrong way, who hear it every day and expect it, the ones who will try and seduce you to get what they want. Beautiful is for people who have a sort of way about them." He then put his other arm around my waist so I was facing him, trapped, staring into his eyes. "the ones who float through your life like a butterfly, wondrous and beautiful but delicate and cautious, the ones you want to stay forever but will slip through your fingers like sand." His hand brushed my cheek as he leaned closer. "But I don't intend to let that happen, beauty." he whispers. For a moment I believe it. I'm stuck gazing into his eyes, the blush from moments ago still apparent on my cheeks. Then I remember who he is. Prince Kyron, arrogant, charming and most of all a player.
I break out of his arms and speak, my voice filled with defiance. "Well I guess we will just have to see." I tell him. The photographer snaps one last picture and tells me he's done. I leave quickly before he can get another word in and sit next to Lucine.
"How did it go?" She asks.
"Fine." I tell her. Breakfast flies by and soon everything is done, everybody sat at the table chatting quietly. Then the Prince starts going around and whispering in each girls ear. Some get up and leave the room and others stay sitting. he gets to me and leans down, his lips touching my ear.
"Hey beauty. Stay in this room."
He almost leaves but I quickly speak to him. "Why?" I whisper.
He pauses but doesn't leave. He leans back down. "You're staying." A sigh escaped my lips, relief rushing through me. Kyron moves on. I won't have to face my father ... At least not yet. The freedom I had stolen was still in my grasp.