True to Tony's words, Ashley was nowhere to be found the next day. I never knew what she did or say that made Tony dislike her, but it's not like I care or anything. We weren't close but hopefully after this Selection, we will be.

We were down to 23.

Madame Lourdes was giving us a history lesson on how Illèa came to be. I couldn't care less. It's not like I'll actually need it in real life.

Julianne, however, thought differently. She kept on answering the questions that Madame Lourdes was asking. Claire was also participating along with Gayle.

Carmel was trying as was Isabella and Irene.

I didn't even make the effort to listen. I've already memorized the whole history of Illèa and Italy. That was only because Celestiana was very intelligent. I was forced to do it.

"Ladies, I will give out tests to know how much you've learned today. Lady Mary, please pass these papers around." Madame said accompanied with a lot of groans.

Mary gave me a test paper and I did a once over at it before answering.

"Hey, what was the war before the American war again?" Harriet asked beside me.

I shrugged. I'm not a fan of cheating. Although I felt a little bad for not helping a friend in need.

I quickly finished the test and passed it to our instructor. She examined it thoroughly. She raised her eyebrow a couple of times before saying, "Excellent, Lady Haidee. I noticed you weren't paying attention so I thought you'd get a low score, but you got it perfectly. I'm proud of you."

I smiled at her and curtsied before taking a seat.

"You got a perfect score?" Harriet whispered and I nodded.

She groaned and continued andwering. After a few minutes, everyone passed their tests and Christine and Harriet got low scores.

"Tutor us, Oh great and powerful future queen Haidee!" Harriet pleaded dramatically and even knelt down.

I laughed and pulled her up, "Oh I will, but please, don't call me that."

She laughed.

"Oh great and powerful future queen Haidee, can I steal your time?"

I looked behind me and saw Tony with a teasing smile. I glared at Harriet and she just laughed.

"Bye, Haidee!" Claire waved and pulled Julianne and Christine whole Harriet was following them.

Tony laughed, "Follow me, Oh great and powerful future queen Haidee."

I rolled my eyes but put my hand on his arm and followed him to wherever he was taking me.

"So, where are you taking me?" I asked.

He smiled, "You'll see."

I didn't reply at that and just observed where we were going. We went to a room that was near the mini ballroom. Inside was a small circular stage and Celestiana stood in the center wearing a beautiful wedding gown. I stood there, mouth agape, in awe of my beautiful friend.

"Oh my god, Celestiana!" I exclaimed, "You're so beautiful!"

She looked at me and smiled, "Glad to see you finally here. Thanks for bringing her here, Zeke. William's waiting for you next door."

Tiny smiled and squeezed my hand before he left. I approached her and fawned over her dress, "William would be drooling when he sees you in this gown!"

She laughed, "I hope so but I'd prefer him to just cry."

"So why am I here? It's not like I don't want to see you in your gown but this is a really great privelege and I doubt you'd send me here just to see you."

She chuckled, "You know me so well."

I smiled, "I was supposed to act like you, remember?"

"You're here for your dress fitting."

"What? Why would I need to?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes, "You're obviously the maid of honor."

I gasped and looked at her with disbelieving eyes, "I am?"

"Of course. Who else?"

I smiled and hugged her, "Thank you."

She laughed and hugged me back, "Come on, look at your dress."

She waved for a maid to take my dress and after a few minutes, the maid showed up with a royal blue gown. It was off the shoulder and designed with flowers.

I gasped and she laughed at that reaction, "Go try it on!" She said and shooed me away.

I fitted my waist perfectly and it went down to a trumpet shape. The maids put white flowers on my hair and fixed it into a low bun.

I looked at the mirror and found muself satisfied with the finished product. I approached Celestiana with a wide smile.

She looked at me proudly, "I knew that you had to be the maid of honor. This suits you!"

I laughed as she kept on complimenting me. I returned the compliments to her.

"I think we're done for now." Celestiana stated.

I nodded with a smile, "Of course. That means that I get to help with the preparations, right?"

She smiled, "That need not be said."

I went to wear the day dress I was wearing a while ago and she went to wear hers. When we were done, we hugged each other before leaving.

I returned to the Women's room where the selected were all chatting. As usual, I went to my friends who were chatting.

"Hey," I greeted and sat down beside Christine.

"Where did he take you?" Harriet asked.

"Technically, he didn't ask for me. Celestiana did. He just ecorted me to her." I answered.

Harriet pouted and crossed her arms, "I was expecting something juicy."

Julianne nodded, "As was I. It's been a long time since you told us a story about your date."

My heart ached a little. Just a little. He made up for it so I didn't need to worry, "I know. I guess he just doesn't have any time for me."

"He doesn't have any time for you? but he has time with everyone else?" Claire asked.

I couldn't respond to that.

Christine nodded, "I really thought that you'd be taking most of his time, but when the days pass, I guess I was wrong."

He just wanted me to enjoy all of your company. He just wants me to feel how having a friend would feel. But what if that was just an excuse?

No. I'll believe him.

I smiled, "He just wanted to be fair to the others."

Harriet rolled her eyes, "Fair my ass. If he doesn't take you out on a date this week, I swear I'll kill him."

I laughed, "You couldn't possibly."

"Oh yes I could," She said with her eyes glinting a bit of mischief and something darker.

"We don't need dates to get close. We've been with each other for a week before this happened, remember?" I told them.

"But I thought you said you didn't talk." Julianne replied.

I nodded, "We observe."

Seems legit. They must have thought.

"Have you heard?" Claire asked, "Lucy and Dianne have been sent home."

We all gasped in shock.

"What? Why?" I asked.

What did they do?

Claire shrugged, "I have no idea. Go ask the prince."

"So now we're only 21." Christine stated.

"Not only that. I heard that the Prince asked Jane and Mae if he could go to their rooms." Claire continued.

This was like a mass elimination. What's next? Later at dinner he'll ask someone else?

"So if it's not a date, then they're going home?" Julianne asked to which we all nodded.

"Is he rushing things?" Harriet asked.

I shook my head, "I guess he just really felt like something wouldn't happen between him and those girls."

Besides, I told him to eliminate those he didn't feel a spark with.

And he remembers every word I say.

Dinner came and we all went to sit down at our seats. Some of the girls still didn't show up, probably trying to look their best.

Once everyone entered, we started eating.

"Lady Haidee, may I come into your room tonight?" Tony asked.

I felt burning glares but I also saw triumphant smiles from my friends.

I smiled, "It's not like I have a choice, but of course."

I could see that my friends giggled at my answer.

"But I was wondering if she could come to my room to discuss some things." Celestiana protested.

"But I asked first, so go find another date." Tony teased.

"She's going to mine." Celestiana said sternly.

"Nope, I'm coming to hers." Tony said, "And that's final."

Celestiana grumbled in her seat and I could almost hear her complaints. I chuckled lightly at their fight.

Lucy didn't show up, nor did Dianne.

After dinner, my friends and I walked back to our rooms.

Harriet patted my back and wiped a non-existent tear, "I'm so proud of you."

I rolled my eyes at that but smiled.

"You can do it, Haidee! We'll be in the Elite right?" Claire encouraged and I nodded.

Julianne and Christine smiled warmly at me and nodded to express their support.

I entered my room and saw my maids cleaning.

"Haidee, you're back!" Georgia said to acknowledge my presence.

I nodded, "Yup, and all of you have to leave before Tony comes in here tonight. You know how he hates uninvited guests."

They laughed.

"Would you wear a night gown like always?" Vivianne asked with a teasing smile.

I paused to think. It's not like anyone would see, right?

I nodded, "Let's get this make-up off first."

They quickly fixed me. They made me take a bath and prepared a silk white night gown for me.

When they were satisfied, they left after saying their 'goodbye's.

I sat down on my bed but found it boring so I approached my violin and played a song. It was the first song Tony taught me. I don't know why but I just felt like playing it. When the song reached the end, applause filled the room and I saw Tony standing at the door way, clapping.

"You've gotten better at playing that instrument." He complimented.

I smiled, "Learned from the best."
He smiled and sat on my bed, "I missed seeing you in your night gown."

I laughed, "Of everything you could say, you say that you miss seeing me in my night gown."

He had a smile at his face and he tilted his head innocently, "Should I not?"

I smiled, "You'll be seeing me everyday with a night gown if you want."

He smirked mischievously, "You will?"

I pretended to be afraid, "I take that back."

He patted the space beside him and I happily sat down beside him.

He put his arm around me, "I miss this. I missed you."

I smiled and leaned my head on his shoulder, "I missed you too."

He smiled at that.

"After escorting me to Celestiana, where did you run off to?"

"I went to William for a suit fitting."

"You're the best man?" I asked.

"Yup." He said.

I smiled, "They set us up."

He chuckled, "Guess they did."

"So why did you want to see me?" I asked.

"Can't I just want to see you?" He asked.

I smiled, "I remember what Harriet told me earlier."

"What did she say?"

"She said that she'd kill you if you didn't take me out on a date."

He laughed, "She should've known that I didn't need that threat. I'd be dead if I didn't see you for a month."

"You see me everyday." I replied.

"I mean alone."

I smiled, "Can I ask you a question?"

He nodded.

"Everyone's been dying to know why you sent Lucy and Dianne home."

He nodded, "What's the question?"

I rolled my eyes, "Why did you send them home?"

He shrugged, "I don't know."

I nudged him, "Come on. I know you have a reason."

His face scrunched up, "They talked badly about a Selected. Although they didn't say it straightly, it still counted."

I nodded and didn't ask about which girl it was because I figured he didn't want to tell me.

I laid down on my bed and he followed beaide me.

"Are you spending the night here?" I asked him.

He faced his side to look at me, his arm acting as a support, "If I can, but I shouldn't. I'll leave when you fall asleep."

"But you need sleep more than I do." I told him.

He smiled and kissed my forehead, "Then sleep so I can too."

I smiled, "Goodnight, Tony."

"Goodnight, Dee."

I closed my eyes to sleep but I only pretended so he could go and sleep. I can't fall asleep when someone was watching me.

A few minutes of silence but I couldn't feel that he left the bed. Instead, I felt that he was moving closer.

My heart raced.

Then, soft pairs of lips were placed gently on top of mine. I fought the urge to open my eyes.

"Goodnight, Dee." He said one last time before leaving.

When I heard the door close, I sat up from my bed and my hands instantly hovered over my lips.

He kissed me.