"Hmm. . ." I muttered and looked at the sketches in front of me. "It's hard to choose!" I complained.

"Come on, Haidee! There must be one that you like!" Vivianne said.

One sketch was a fairy costume. the other was a flower, and the last one was a swan.

The fairy costume looked cute. It had a short skirt and long sleeves. The wings looked cute too.

The flower costume was beautiful. The skirt was styled like petals and it was curved upward at the bottom. For the top part, it formed a sweetheart neckline using two large petals.

The swan costume was elegant. The wings were folded to make the skirt. It was a turtleneck with no sleeves.

Was I going with cute, beautiful, or elegant?

I decided that I was too old for cute so that's out. Beautiful or Elegant?

Claire told me that some of the girls also dressed as flowers and some went with angels, peacocks, princesses, butterflies, and vampires.

I guess that Irene and Isabella were the ones to dress as princesses.

Julianne told me that she was going to be a vampire. Harriet dressed as an enchantress. Christine said that she'd be a butterfly. Claire would be a firefly.

I knew that Gayle and Carmel would dress as flowers. Gayle would be a rose and Carmel would be a yellow bell. Their state flowers.

If I would choose the flower, then I'd be in the same group as Carmel and Gayle. And I don't want that.

"The swan." I said.

Hannah nodded, "Good choice, Haidee. Now go inside the tub, breakfast is about to get started."

I obeyed and saw them talking about who would do which part of the dress.

I bathed quickly, knowing I have little time before breakfast begins. I wore my robe and exited the bathroom.

"Oh goodness gracious." I said and put my hand on my heart.

He laughed, "Sorry to startle you."

"What are you doing here?" I asked, "Shouldn't you already be at the hall?"

His smile faded and he looked at me seriously, "Why didn't you tell me that someone's been hurting you again?"

I looked at my feet, too guilty to say anything.

He sighed and rose from my bed and grabbed my arms. He looked at my left one and inspected it before looking at the right. His eyes hardened when he saw the bruise.

I grabbed my arm from him and covered the bruise, "It's nothing, really."

"Dee, It's not nothing. Both Claire and my mother told me about that."

I didn't respond. I know that I should've gone to him and tell him what happened, but I'm afraid of him not believing me. He could say that I just want those girls gone and win.

I know I shouldn't have defended Beatrice and the others when I was talking to him but I was afraid they'd spread rumors of me in their home towns.

"Dee, look at me."

I didn't. He put his hand on my chin and made me face him. He held my hand with the other.

"If you're having trouble with the other girls, you shouldn't hesitate to tell me. You should know that I'd believe you whatever happens." He squeezed my hand.

"I'm sorry." I said.

He smiled, "It's okay. Just don't forget to tell me, okay? If this happens again, tell me."

I nodded, "Now, I really should get dressed now."

His face reddened and he let go of me. He turned around and scratched his nape.

I laughed at him, "Didn't you notice that I was wearing just a robe?"

He shook his head, "I-I'll go now. See you at breakfast."

He left without another word. I chuckled at his retreating figure. I went to my closet and wore a long sleeved day dress to hide the bruise. I didn't wear any make-up and I just left my hair down. I wore my heels and rushed to the hall.

I curtsied to the royal family and sat down on my seat. We began eating. Margarette's seat was empty.

Tony cleared his throat, "Lady Elena, May I take you on a date after eating?"

Elena beamed, "Of course, your highness."

"Zeke, do you already have an idea of who would be in the Elite?" Celestiana asked.

Tony looked at her curiously, "Why should I?"

"There are only 18 girls left." Celestiana replied.

William nodded, "Celestiana has a point. By this time, you should already have some girls in mind."

Tony nodded, "I do have some girls in mind."

The girls beside me stopped breathing. I could almost hear their heartbeats.

"But for now, I'm keeping that a secret." He added. "Who knows? I might change my mind."

"Everyone," The queen called.

We all turned to look at her, waiting for what she was going to say.

"Information has reached me that some of the Selected harm other Selected." She said.

I gulped as I received glares from Clover and Leigh.

"As you know, it is stated in the rules that you must not do any wrong doings to another Selected. It also has been said to me that this wasn't the first time it happened." She continued, "I'm very disappointed. If anything happens once again, it would be my pleasure to see you out of the palace."

"Queen Eadlyn, if it would be of any help, I'd gladly observe the girls and report to you of their behavior." Carmel suggested.

I saw that Mom's face showed disgust for a split second but she recovered, "Your help is not needed, Lady Carmel. However, I already talked to one of the selected to be my spy. So, be careful of what you say and do."

A spy? Who would she ask to be a spy? As far as I know, I am the only person who she talks to. It's either she got close with another selected or she just said that to make the girls obey.

Father cleared his throat, "Let's not dwell on that topic any longer. As you know, the Halloween ball is approaching. I trust that all of you already have a design for your clothes. You should know that other guests will be coming. Some would be from my wife's selection, my family, her family, and family friends. Make sure to be polite and act accordingly."

"Uncle Kile is coming?" Tony asked excitedly.

Mom nodded with a smile, "Of course he will."

"Will Uncle Henri also be coming?" William asked.

Father smiled, "Yes."

"Brilliant." William stated.

"Your grandmother and grandfather will also be coming. Your uncles Osten and Kaden will also be coming. Ahren will be here when December starts." Mom stated.

I haven't met either of their families and that made me nervous. What if they didn't like me?

I decided not to think about that and plan the party for the Royal family of France. We were making progress. We just needed to evaluate each choice and do some research about the meaning of those colors and food chosen.

The party we were going to host was the first event to happen among all three events. It was a good thing we had decent members.

The closest event to happen, however, is the Halloween ball. There was only one week until October 31.

I guess that my maids were already working on my dress. As nervous as I felt, I also felt excited. This was my first Halloween in the palace, and I guess it was also everyone else's.

When we finished breakfast, we went back to the Women's room as required. I couldn't help but scan everyone's faces in the room to hopefully find out who was the spy.

I failed. I didn't see anyone observing us but I guess that they would think that I was the spy because I looked like I was observing them.

Although I didn't find the spy, I found Clover and Leigh glaring at me for getting their friend eliminated.

Beside me, Julianne nudged me saying, "Haidee. They're talking to you."

I instantly looked at Claire. She rolled her eyes.

"If someone is talking to you, the least respect you could show is listen." She stated.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying?" I asked apologetically.

"Since we're Celestiana's bridesmaids, I thought that we should give her a bridal shower." She answered.

I nodded, "That's a good idea. Who are we inviting?"

"Of course the five of us and the other bridesmaids." Julianne said.

"Adalene Schreave would be here on December 1. Aino Koskinen on the Halloween ball. Abrianna De Luca and Cara Moretti will arrive on January 10." I said.

"So that means that the shower should be thrown before 17." Christine said.

"Who else are we inviting?" Harriet asked.

"I think we should invite every girl in her or William's family. Only the teenagers though." Claire said.

I nodded, "So we have to talk to them on the ball, and the two parties."

"Where are we throwing it?" Julianne asked.

"I was thinking one of our rooms." Harriet said.

I shook my head, "Our rooms are too small to fit a party. Considering that we're inviting almost every female in her family and William's family. The only rooms that are big enough is of course, the Great Hall and Dining Hall but that would be too obvious and we'd want it to be private. Aside from those rooms, the rooms of the royals are large. But we obviously can't use them because they're occupied." I explained but a thought entered my mind, "Except the Princess suite."

"But we can't use that room for a party." Christine said.

We used it for my birthday.

I shook my head, "We can."

Claire raised her eyebrow, "How?"

I guess I should tell them, "When it was my birthdy, they threw a private party in that room. We were 12 people inside a single room."

Their eyes widened.

"You had a private party?!" Harriet exclaimed.

I shushed her and looked around nervously, looking for people who might've heard. Thankfully, we were in a part of the room where no one else was.

"Who were there?" Julianne asked curiously.

"My family, the Queen and her husband, William and Celestiana, and Zeke." I answered.

Their eyes widened again.

"The royals threw a private party for you?" Christine asked and I nodded.

"Now that you know that the suite was large, how about it?" I asked to change the topic.

Claire nodded, "But it's not like we can just throw a party in the Princess suite without permission."

I smiled, "Leave it to me."

"Let's have the party on January 14." Harriet stated.

We all agreed. We kept planning the party until lunch time. Conveniently, our lunches were delivered in the Women's room because the royals were making arrangements for the ball.

In the afternoon, we all gathered to our groups to continue planning the party. Our group went to the library to do the research and we argued a little on the meanings, but we figured everything out.

We finished early so I went to the office where the Queen would be. I also reminded myself that the Prime minister and Tony were also there.

I faced the door and knocked three times.

"Come in!" The queen yelled.

I opened the door and peeked inside. The Queen was reading a letter and the Prime minister and Tony were nowhere to be found.

"Haidee? What brings you here?" She asked as I approached.

"I wanted to ask a favor." I said.

She nodded at me to go on.

"The bridesmaids and I decided to throw a bridal shower for Celestiana. We wanted it to be private so we decided to do it inside a room but there wasn't a room that would fit all of us."

"And you want to use the Princess suite?" She asked.

I looked at her, a little startle, "How did you know?"

She shrugged, "It's the only room that's bug and unoccupied."

"So, can we?" I asked hopefully.

She smiled, "Of course, Haidee."

I smiled widely and hugged her, "Thanks, mom."

She patted my back with a chuckle, "But inform Zeke of this. He'd be on the other side of the room. He should know if a pack of girls enjoy next door."

I nodded, "Okay. Thank you!"

She smiled, "You're welcome."

I left the room after a quick goodbye. Now, I just needed to look for Tony.

Where would he be?

He spends most of his time in the office and he's not there. He's not on a date, he always announces if he does. Where is he?

Would he be in the men's parlor?

I went to the room and put my ear on the door. There were voices. He could be in there.

I took a deep breath before knocking on the door. A guard opened the door and looked at me with questioning eyes.

"Um, is Prince Thornton in there?" I asked.

He looked back at the room then at me. He nodded.

"Could you please tell him that Lady Haidee is requesting his presence outside of this room? I really need to discuss something with him."

He nodded and turned his back on me. He closed the door so I had no choice but to wait outside.

A few seconds later, Tony opened the doors and looked from side to side in panic. When he saw me, he ran to me and checked my arms and face, "Whu did you call? Is something wrong?"

I shook my head with a chuckle, "No, no. Nothing like that."

He sighed in relief, "What is it then?"

"We're doing a bridal shower for Celestiana." I started.

He raised his eyebrow, "We're doing a stag party for William too."

"Really?" I asked and he nodded. "Anyway, the point is that we're using the Princess suite and you can't force us not to. We already have the Queen's permission."

His eyes widened, "You're using the Princess suite?"

I nodded.

"But we're using my room." He said.

My eyes widened, "Then that means that only a wall and a door are between us?"

"When's your party happening?" He asked.

"January 14."

"Ours is on that date too." He said. "This is too coincidental."

I nodded, "But I guess it wouldn't do any harm, right? We're the only ones who know."

He nodded in agreement, "I guess we just have to tell them that they shouldn't go to the other room."

"Great. Don't mention this to anyone." I told him.

He nodded, "Of course. Now I should go back inside, We're still discussing the details of the party."

"Okay. See you when I see you." I told him before he went inside the room.

I went back to the Women's room where I saw everyone huddled with their group of friends. The other groups must have finished their meetings too.

I saw my friends back at the part where no one sits at and joined them.

"We can use the room." I told them.

"Fantastic! Now, let's discuss the party games and events." Harriet said.

I was about to suggest a game when I remembered that I was thr one assigned for the bouquet of flowers, "The four of you can dicuss it. I still need to arrange the bouquet for the wedding. If you need me, I'll be in the library."

They nodded and let me go. I needed to look for a book of flowers and find out the best possible combination of blue and white.