I forced myself to sleep that night despite my horrendous heart beat. I was dressed in a white day dress that had laced sleeves that reached my elbow. Light blue designs decorated the skirt.

I chose to wear white today as if to say 'I'm innocent and I don't know what you did to me last night'.

My hair was left down and just curled at the ends. My maids put a little make-up on me like always.

I took a deep breath as I faced the doors to the Dining Hall.

You can do this, Haidee. It's not like he knows that you were awake.

I motioned for the guards to open the doors and I walked to my seat gracefully after a curtsy to the royals. I glanced a little at Tony and saw his face a little red.

Trying to look innocent, I caught his eye and asked him, 'Are you okay?'

He looked back at me reassuringly, "Of course'.

Some of the other Selected entered and when we were complete, we started eating.

Two more seats were empty, Jane's and Mae's. The rumors were true. 19 were left, which means the announcement of the Elite were coming closer.

Although I knew who were in the Elite, I still felt nervous. What if something happens and he decided to eliminate me?

No. I'm staying.

We ate silently. Not even Tony broke the silence, and he does that often. I was glad when Celestiana spoke, the silence was making me deaf.

"Lady Haidee, kindly come to my room this morning. We have matters to discuss, matters that was supposed to be discussed yesterday." She stated and glared at Tony.

I chuckled lightly, "Of course, Princess Celestiana."

Some of the girls were glaring at me once again. Who wouldn't hate the girl who was close to the royal family?

I ignored them and continued eating my food.

"Lady Daphne, would it be okay if take some of your time today?" Tony asked to which she beamed at.

"Gladly, your highness."

If I didn't have the least bit of manners, I would've glared at her, but of course, I didn't.

"Zeke, I'll be needing you this afternoon. Make sure to keep your schedule empty." William said and I sighed in relief.

The worst I could handle was him taking another girl out despite kissing me last night.

What if I wasn't the first girl he kissed?

"Sure." Tony responded.

"Ladies, you will have an assignment given this afternoon by Lourdes. I made her arrange it, so make sure you do it nicely." The Queen stated and we all noddedㅡwell except for Carmel.

"Of course, Your majesty. We'll be doing our best." She stated with a smile, clearly trying to get on the Queen's good side.

That was awfully wrong. I wouldn't blame it on her though, she didn't know the Queen as much as I do. The Queen doesn't like people acting like they were close to her, but she politely nodded.

I saw William discreetly shake his head.

We ate the rest of the meal in silence. With 16 girls gone, it went totally silentㅡwell, not that much.

I finished my meal and decided to leave early.

Celestiana and I rose from our seats at the same time and curtsied, saying, "Excuse me."

We chuckled lightly before leaving the room together. We hooked our arms together on the way to her room.

I sat on her bed as we entered. Her bed was made but I ruined it. The doors to her balcony was open, leaving the wind enter the room, sending chills. It was a little chilly here but I guess the other Selected wouldn't notice. Since I grew up in Angeles, I was used to the warm weather.

"We have to plan the bridesmaids and the other roles." Celestiana said as she approached me.

"Do you have someone in mind?" I asked.

She sat down beside me, "So far, I've thought of Harriret, Claire, Christine, Julianne, and two of my cousins. I still need two more. William and I agreed on eight bridesmaids and eight groomsmen."

I thought about the possible girls to be a bridesmaid, "What about some of William's relatives?"

Her eyes widened, "I haven't thought of that! You're a genius!"

I laughed, "So anyway, from his cousins, which would you like as your bridesmaids?"

I took a pen and paper from her drawer as she thought about who to pick.

"I guess Ester Schreave and Aino Koskinen." She stated.

I wrote down the names of the bridesmaids.

Julianne Evans
Claire Venice
Harriet Wilsons
Christine Ramirez
Adalene Schreave
Aino Koskinen
Abrianna De Luca
Cara Moretti

"What else?" I asked.

"Flower girls."

"Do you have any female relatives that are children?" I asked.

She nodded, "Write Dahna De Luca and Gabriella Ricci. Also Frances Singer."

"Only three?" I asked.

She nodded, "So they would each have a partner. Dahna will be with the page boy. Frances with the coin bearer and Gabriella with the ring bearer."

I nodded understandingly and wrote the details down.

"Let's finalize the design for the bridesmaids' gowns." Celestiana said and showed me sketches of gowns, all very pretty.

All of the sketches looked liked mine, one way or another. I like the third sketch the most. Like mine, it was an off-shoulder gown but it was short, unlike mine which was a high-low gown.

"I like this one." I said and pointed to the third sketch.

She nodded with a smile, "It's nice, but I like this one more."

She pointed to the last sketch which had a sweetheart type neckline and the skirt also reached the knees like the third one.

I nodded, "That's good."

She nods, "I know."

"But I still like the third one better to have more sense of uniformity."

"But if they wore the other one, you'd stand out more."

"ButㅡWait. Why are we fighting over a dress? How about making the bridesmaids come over and ask them which they want?"

She nodded with a sigh, "You're right. Come on, let's look for Christine and the others."

We left the room to go the Women's room where we saw them huddled in a corner.

"They're over there." I said and we approached them.

As we walked, heads turned, mouths gasped, and eyes glared. The princess was with me and we were walking to our friends, no big deal right?

"Oh, hey Haidee." Claire said once she saw me.

"What brings you here, Celestiana?" Christine asked.

Some gasped and whispered.

"Follow me. We need to talk about something." Celestiana said.

Whispers.

They followed us out of the room silently. Nobody spoke until we reached Celestiana's room.

"Okay, Why are we here?" Harriet asked.

"The four of you will be my bridesmaids."

They gasped.

"Really?!" Julianne exclaimed.

Celestiana and I nodded. Claire and Julianne squealed and grabbed each other while jumping. Christine and Harriet looked at each other with disbelieving eyes.

"Now that you know, we need you to choose which gown you're wearing." I said and motioned to the sketches.

They examined every sketch and talked to each other about the possibilities.

"Which do you like best?" Celestiana asked.

Claire looked at the others for confirmation and they all nodded, "The first one."

The first sketch had laced sleeves that reached the wrists and the skirt also reached the knees. It was also a turtleneck. The designs on it were like the ones on mine.

"Alright." I said.

Celestiana nodded, "Okay. Now we have to pick the flowers for the bouquet."

No one talked. Instead, everyone looked at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Your family own a flower shop, right?" Julianne asked.

"Oh," I said while nodding.  "Okay, then. What colors would you want?"

Celestiana shrugged, "Just make it a mix of white and blue."

"Fine. I'll take care of the bouquet, although I need the finest flowers. Your wedding should only be the best." I said and Celestiana smiled and hugged me.

"What else?" Christine asked.

"The food in the reception would be chosen by William and I."

"When's the wedding?" Harriet asked.

"Next year." I said.

"So it's in about two and a half months?" Claire asked.

"The date's set. It would happen on January 17." Celestiana replied.

"Why did you choose that date?" I asked.

Celestiana smiled, "When you count the letters of our names together, it would be 17. Also, that's our anniversary."

I nodded with a smile, "That's sweet."

"Wait." Julianne said and looked at Celestiana weirdly, "Anniversary? But weren't you supposed to marry Prince Thornton? And you were forced to marry William?"

Celestiana looked at me worriedly and my eyes showed fear.

"Que devrais-je faire?" Celestiana asked in french so only I could understand. (What should I do?)

"Je pense qu'ils méritent toute la vérité, mais ne leur dites pas que nous changeons tous les deux." I responded. (I think they deserve the whole truth, but don't tell them about the two of us switching.)

Celestiana took a deep breath, "William and I had a secret relationship and only Zeke knew."

They gasped.

"Oh god! You were dating despite being engaged to Zeke?!" Claire exclaimed.

"Technically, William and I started going out before the engagement even happened."

"This is so twisted, but I guess this proves that the two of you are meant together." Julianne commented with a smile.

"Thanks." Celestiana said with a smile, "I'd appreciate it if you kept this a secret."

"Sure." Harriet agreed and glanced at Christine, "But I do hope that the two of you would be more honest with us."

I gulped but kept a smile on my face, "Of course."

"Okay," Celestiana started and clapped, "Let's discuss the decoration."

We talked about the wedding the whole morning until someone knocked on the door to inform us that lunch is about to begin. We walked to the dining hall together, still talking about the wedding.

"So, how about having blue roses decorate the place for the reception? Also decorate it with blue ribbons." Claire suggested.

"Are there even things such as blue roses?" Julianne asked.

Claire shrugged and looked at me. The others also turned their gazes to me.

I shrugged, "What? I'm not a flower expert. I just arrange them."

"That's like, the same thing." Harriet stated.

"No it's not, Harriet. If you're an expert, you'd know what every flower is called and also their scientific names. You can also classify which family they are in. If you're a person who arranges flowers, that means thatㅡ"

"We get it, Haidee. Stop your constant nagging." Claire said and playfully covered her ears.

I rolled my eyes but smiled, "Whatever."

Celestiana laughed, "Stop it, ladies. Come on, let's go inside."

We entered the Hall and curtsied to the Queen and her husband. William and Tony wasn't present.

They were probably discussing about the wedding too.

We went to our seats and waited for the Selected to be complete before eating. One fourth through the meal, the doors opened and William came in with Tony. They were still talking.

We rose from our seats as we curtsied.

"You may sit down," Tony permitted and sat down on his seat beside William.

"Lady Haidee, I will be discussing some matters to you after the meal." Tony stated.

"Prince Thornton, despite how much I want to, I can't. We have a lesson with Madame Lourdes after lunch." I replied.

"Ah," Tony said while nodding, "Well then I'll have to discuss it to you at night. I'll see you until then."

I met Julianne's eyes that were questioning and worried. Obviously, she was thinking that the important matter that we were yet to discuss was me going home.

I gave her a reassuring smile that said that I wasn't.

Why do they keep thinking that I was going home? What if I was?

What if the reason why I dreamt that he was sending me home was because I was?

I quickly finished my meal, no longer having the will to stay. I went to my room to rest for a while before going to the Great hall.

The room was half full and my friends weren't anywhere to be seen. I sat down on a secluded chair away from the other girls.

It's hard not being with someone.

I sat patiently to wait for my friends to come inside the hall but a girl was standing in front of me.

"Hey, Haidee, right?"

I looked at her and nodded. She held out a hand for me to take and I took it hesitantly.

She grinned, "I'm Margarette."

Margarette had strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes, unlike my champagne blonde hair and brown eyes. Beside her were two other girls. One had chestnut brown hair and black eyes and other had black hair and light brown eyes.

"This is Clover," Margaretted said and pointed to the girl with brown hair, "And this is Leigh." She pointed to the girl with black hair.

I nodded, "I'm Haidee."

Once I said that, I felt stupid. She already called me by my name so that would mean that she already knows me.

Margarette smiled, "I know. Can we ask for a favor?"

My gut told me not to but I ignored it and smiled, "Sure. What is it?"

Margarette smiled wider, "Could you get out of that seat?"

My eyes widened with shock, "What?"

"Here's the thing. That seat is the one that would be closest to the Queen later and we want it." She said and pointed to the throne that was only a few feet away from me.

"You want me to get out of here so you could be close to the Queen?" I asked and masked my disgust.

They nodded.

"Could you get out now? The Queen and Madame Lourdes are about to enter." Clover asked.

I was fuming with anger. Would I let them get what they want?

I hid my anger and disgust from them, "I'm sorry but I reserved these seats for my friends."

Leigh scoffed, "Just move to another seat."

"But I came here first." I argued.

Margarette rolled her eyes, "Obviously, That's why we're making you move out, right?"

I sighed, "There are a lot of seats in here. Why don't you just take a seat somewhere else?"

"Why should we? You can just move out." Margarette said.

I saw my friends walking to me and I sighed in relief. Back-up's here.

"Move b*tches." Claire sneered.

Margarette snorted, "Why are you telling that to us? We should be the one saying that you."

"Just leave." Harriet said.

"I told you that we wanted the seat!" Margarette yelled at me.

"But Haidee came here first." Claire argued with a deadly look in her eyes.

"So? I don't care! We want to be in the seats closest to the Queen!"
I sat frozen in my seat. Everyone was looking at us now. Margarette's shouting got the attention of everyone.

"You want to take the seat so you could be close to the Queen?!" Claire exclaimed.

Harriet balled her fists and Julianne was silently killing them in her mind. Christine was looking at us worriedly.

"Yes! I just said it, didn't I?" Margarette rolled her eyes.

"Youㅡ" Claire stopped when I talked.

"Claire, don't. I'll just give her the seat." I stated to which Margarette smirked.

"No, Haidee! She's acting like a child!" Claire compained.

"Claire, it's not a big deal." I told her.

Claire took a deep breath, "I'm telling this to Zeke."

Margarette raised her eyebrow, "Like he would believe you."

"Of course he will." Claire stated bravely.

"Stop it." I said and stood up from my seat.

Margarette smirked and walked to the seat. She bumped me on the way.

"Oops." She said as I crashed to the ground.

Am I going to let everyone hurt me like this?

"Rot in hell, b*tches!" Clover said and laughed.

Harriet suddenly ran to Clover and pulled her hair.

"Harriet! Stop!" I told her and Julianne and Christine held her away from Clover.

"You b*tch!" Clover yelled.

I rose from the floor and calmed Harriet down.

"Don't fight them. It'll get you in trouble." I told them.

Then I was pulled forcefully to face Margarette. She was holding my arm tightly that her nails were leaving a mark.

"You better let your friends know their places. Or else I'll have you and your friends thrown to prison when I become queen." She told me with dark eyes.

"What's happening here?!" Madame Lourdes yelled.

Margarette glared at me one last time before letting go of my arm. My arm now had a bruise forming and her nails made tiny scratches.

"Nothing, Madame Lourdes." Leigh answered sweetly.

Madame raised her eyebrow at me for confirmation. I covered the bruise and nodded.

She sighed, "Okay. Go to your seats, ladies. The Queen will talk to you one by one first and tell you a number. Make sure that you remember what she says."

Julianne and Christine assisted me to a seat. Harriet and Claire were cursing those girls in their minds, I could tell.

"We should get these treated," Julianne stated as she looked at my new wounds.

The Queen entered the Hall and we all rose from our seats to curtsy. She gestured for us to sit down as she did in her throne.

"Well, then. Let's start." She said and motioned for Margarette to come.

They talked a little and she was sent to one part of the room. Clover was next and she was told to go to Margarette. Leigh, however, was put to another part of the room. Next was Diana and Louise. They were sent to another part of the room. Mary was sent to Leigh. Daphne was sent to Diana's group. Gayle was sent to Leigh's group and so was Isabella. Irene and Carmel was sent to Margarette's group. Harriet was in Leigh's group. Claire was in Margarette's and I saw her complaining. Bloom was in Leigh's too. Catherine was in Margarette's group. Elena was in Leigh's.

It was Julianne's time to talk to the Queen and she sent her to Diana's group. Christine was next and she was also in Diana's group.

I walked to the Queen and sat on the chair in front of her after curtsying and after her motioning for me to take the seat. Her eyes went to my arm and her eyes widened.

"Oh, dear Haidee. What happened?" She asked.

I pursed my lips, "Nothing."

She looked at me seriously, "Haidee, I'd appreciate it of you told me the truth."

I took a deep breath, "One of the selected pushed me and I landed on the floor. She also grabbed my arm forcefully and her nails left marks."

The Queen's face was blank when I looked at her.

"Name?" She asked calmly.

I hesitated but answered, "Margarette Weasley."

She nodded, "I'll talk to my son about this. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

I shook my head, "It wasn't your fault, Queen Eadlyn."

She smiled, "Please, we've know each other for months. Call me Mother or Mom. I'd like to hear a girl call me that. Celestiana doesn't want to call me mom until she's married to William." She sighed, "I've always wanted a daughter."

I smiled, "It would be my pleasure to call you Mom. Your husband also told me to call him Father."

She chuckled, "He's tired of hearing 'your majesty' or 'prince'."

I laughed too, "I noticed."

"Well then, I guess you wouldn't want to be in that girl's group. So go to Lady Diana's group."

I nodded and smiled, "Okay."

"Take care of yourself, Haidee." She said as I stood up.

I nodded and said my farewell. I walked to Julianne when I approached Diana's group.

"Hey, Haidee." Diana greeted, "I'm sorry if nobody helped you before your friends came."

I smiled, "It's okay. I understand that you don't want to get into trouble."

Christine joined our group shortly after. Our group consisted of me, Julianne, Christine, Diana, Louise, and Daphne. If you compare our group to the others, this would be the group who made the least noise.

Leigh's group was consisted of seven members. Her, Harriet, Gayle, Isabella, Bloom, Elena, and Mary. They would be the group who would create the second most noise.

Lastly, was Margarette's group. Although they had six members unlike Leigh's seven, they would create the most noise. Why? It had Margarette, Clover, Carmel, Irene, Claire, and Catherine.

"Everyone, kindly listen to Lourdes' instructions. I'll be leaving now. I expect your best." The Queen said and left.

"Alright, ladies. Listen up. These are your groupings for the project. The project is to host a party for different guests. The first group, Lady Claire's group, will host a party for Christmas. The second group, Lady Gayle's group, will be hosting the royal family of Italy. Princess Celestiana's family. The last group, Lady Diana's group, will host the royal family of France. The Queen's twin brother's family." Lourdes assigned.

We were hosting the queen's twin brother?

My eyes widened along with everyone else's in my group.

"We're hosting who now?" Daphne asked.

"The dates for these parties would be, of course, for the group one, on Christmas Eve. Group two January 10. Group three on the first of December. Group two has the most time to prepare but don't slack off, this would also be the party before Princess Celestiana's marriage." Lourdes stated, "Also, since it's near the end of October, kindly prepare for the Halloween ball."

"Okay, first, let's talk about where we're doing it." Diana said.

"How about in the gardens?" I suggested.

Diana nodded, "That's a nice idea, Haidee. They could also enjoy the view. I also think that the Queen's brother would miss his old home."

"What about in the Great hall?" Louise suggested.

"If it's in the Great Hall then it would trap them inside. It's a nice idea, really. But if it's inside the palace, the kids won't be able to move around freely and enjoy." Diana reasoned.

Tony was right. Diana really is incredibly smart.

"How many are they?" Daphne asked.

"Six. Queen Camille and Prince Ahren, their eldest daughter Adalene, their first son Beall, and their twins Chantelle and Chantrell." I answered.

"How do you know all of them?" Julianne asked, wide eyed.

I blushed a little, "Um, let's just say that I was forced to know every member of the royaal family of allies."

"Okay, so now that we know, let's discuss the food." Diana said.

"What about French food?" Christine suggested.

I shook my head, "I think that they'd want Illèan food. Prince Ahren certainly would have missed the food here."

Diana nodded, "Good point, Haidee."

We continued discussing the things needed until we decided to stop for to day and inform our maids about the Halloween ball.