Like suggested, we hung out at Harriet's room before dinner. Harriet let the others borrow a dress from her to get out of the red dress they were wearing.

"I'm so glad I'm not wearing that dress anymore," Christine said and sat down on the bed beside me.

Julianne walked over to us and sat down on my other side, "So am I."

"It wasn't that bad." Claire said.

Julianne rolled her eyes, "For you. We can't handle those dresses."

"I honestly liked the design of the dress," Harriet confessed and she high fived with Claire.

"How many are left again?" Julianne asked.

I shrugged, "18?"

Christine nodded, "We're still a lot."

"Not that I'm complaining, but I want this thing to be over." Harriet said.

"So do I, but I'm scared of what will happen." Claire replied.

"I'm afraid too. If I go back to Clermont, all eyes would be on me. I'm not even sure if I can get a singing career when I go back." Julianne stated.

"When you come back?" I asked, a little confused, "Not if?"

She shook her head, "I know I'm not going to win. I don't have a chance."

I tooke her hands and looked her in the eye, "Julianne, you have much of a chance as everyone here. Don't doubt yourself."

"Haidee's right." Claire said, "It's not over until it is. Don't go jumping to conclusions."

"We'll never know. One day, we might look up to you and wait for your royal decrees." I said and winked.

She laughed and shook her head, "I know you have much more of a chance than I have, Haidee."

I rolled my eyes, "Like I said, we all have equal chances."

"I agree with Julianne on this one, Haidee." Christine stated, "Now that we know that you had a little something with him before, you have a bigger chance."

I sighed, "So what if I spent time with him before you? He might have feelings for you too. He might even forget me."

"What if he doesn't?" Harriet asked.

"Then he doesn't." Claire said, "It's that simple."

I smiled, "Que sera sera." (What will be will be)

Christine shared my smile, "Whatever will be will be."

"I know this song!" Claire exclaimed, "Our future's not our to see."

"Que sera sera," Julianne continued.

"What will be will be," Harriet stated.

"Great. Now let's make a promise." I said, "Whatever happens, whoever wins, we'll support them fully."

Claire smiled, "Agreed."

The others muttered their agreements and soon, we laid down on the bed and just talked about random things and avoiding selection-related topics.

No matter what, I won't let the selection ruin our friendship.

"Are you ready for The Report tonight? Because I am certainly not." Christine stated.

"Oh, right." I said, "I forgot about it."

Harriet had wide eyes, "Oh god. The session tonight would be our second interview!"

"What would be the questions about?" Claire asked in a panic.

I rolled my eyes, "The Selection."

She glared at me, "I knew that."

I raised my arms up in defeat.

"Probably about the progress in our relationships." Julianne answered.

"Also about the engagement party and Halloween ball." I added.

"Hey, I heard some gossip." Harriet said.

"What?" Claire asked enthusiastically, clearly forgetting her panic a while ago.

"I heard that Daphne has a thing going on with a guard."

"What?" I asked in disbelief.

"That's against the rules!" Julianne exclaimed.

Harriet nodded, "I know that but it looked like she was in love."

Claire sighed and shook her head, "She better not get caught. She'd get caned if she does."

"I doubt Zeke would allow that." I stated, "I mean, I know it's in the rules but I really don't think he'll punish someone for falling in love. Besides, mother and father are merciful."

"You're right." Christine agreed, "But she still needs to be careful."

"There's more," Harriet said, "Remember Samantha? She was sent home because she was a lesbian."

"Really?" Julianne asked, "Did Zeke know?"

Harriet nodded, "From what I heard, she confessed it to him and he just sent her home."

"I also have news." Claire stated and showed a gossip magazine she was holding.

"Where did you get that?" I asked.

"In the Women's room. I've been holding it the whole time!" She exclaimed, "So anyway, look at this."

She flipped to a page where the headlines read: Iole Fakee Eudora?

My eyebrows met at the title. I grabbed the magazine and read.

Iole Haidee Eudora, a girl from Angeles, was reported to be fake and bossy. A former selected, Beatrice Rowell from Ottaro, was sent home because of the young lady.

"Oh it was horrible! Haidee kept shouting at me and slapping me in the face! She hurt herself and gave herself a few bruises so she could tell Thornton that I harmed her! She told him that I along with Violet, Diamond, Harmonia, and Natalie abused her!" said Miss Rowell.

The people of Ottaro, Belcourt, Dominica, Midston, and Whites have been outraged by this information. They made several rallies to make their selected come back to the palace and have Lady Haidee gone.

The former selected have been encouraging the people to make an uproar of distate for lady.

"Illèa needs a proper queen and not a fake one." said Miss Francisco.

I put my hands on my temples as I finished reading. Harriet grabved the magazine after I finished. Julianne and Christine were reading alongside her. I heard their gasps.

Harriet put the magazine down forcefully, "That lying scoundrel!"

Claire nodded, "I haven't showed this to Zeke yet. I know he'd do something."

I shook my head, "Don't show it to him. He has other things he needs to worry about."

"Haidee! This is serious," Julianne exclaimed.

"He needs to know!" Christine yelled which I was startled at. She noticed it and her cheeks flushed, "I-I mean what Beatrice did was not right. We need to do something."

Claire nodded, "She's right. We can't have the kingdom hating you when you're innocent."

"Even Celestiana needs to know this." Harriet stated.

"Oh please, don't." I said, "I bet she'll arrange a press conference or something to clear things up."

"Good! So let's go tell Celestiana first then Zeke." Claire said and grabbed the magazine.

"No!" I yelled and ran after her.

Too late, she already left the room. Julianne held me back as Harriet and Christine rushed after Claire.

I sighed, "This is will be bad."

"Yeah. Bad for Beatrice." Julianne said and rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, just make sure they don't go killing people." I told her and she laughed.

"Okay, I'll see you at dinner." She said and waved goodbye.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Making sure they don't go killing people."

I laughed, "Alright. See you later."

She left the room and I was alone in Harriet's room. I stayed a few seconds before deciding to head back to my room.

My maids were there, cleaning. I don't see the point in cleaning my room. It was already neat and besides, if you clean it, it would just get dirty again.

"Hello, girls." I greeted.

They smiled at me. Vivianne was arranging my closet, Georgia was sweeping the floor, and Hannah was fixing the vanity.

"It's good to see you out of that nasty dress you wore a while ago." Vivianne said.

I laughed, "I'm never wearing that again."

"I thought it fitted you." Hannah stated with a shrug.

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever."

"Come on, we'll fix your hair." Georgia said and rushed me to the seat of my vanity.

"Dinner is like an hour later," I told her.

She raised her eyebrow, "An hour? Oh dear, you must have lost track of time. There's only twenty minutes left until the meal."

My eyes widened, "Really? I guess time speeds up when I have fun."

"That it does," She said and continued doing my hair, "Make sure to come right after eating. We still need to fix you for The Report. "

She styled my hair into an updo with some hair on the side of my face. She also put silver dangling earrings on my ears.

When I was ready, I went to the hall to see six chairs empty. I sighed as I recognized the owners. I sat down on my seat and waited until we were complete.

"Hey, where are your friends?" Mary asked.

I shrugged, "Must be doing some crazy stuff."

"You look lovely this evening," She said sincerely.

I smiled, "Thank you, so do you."

"Who do you think will be eliminated next?" She asked.

"I don't have the slightest idea. I mean, I'm not the one deciding, aren't I?" I asked jokingly.

She laughed, "I get your point but oh god. I really want Irene to go home."

I laughed, "I can relate."

"Also Gayle and Isabella." She added.

I chuckled, "Don't forget about Carmel. The group wouldn't be complete."

"I guess you're right." She smiled, "I really like it here."

"So do I."

"I mean, I miss my home but the palace has been wonderful. I'd give anything to stay here."

I smiled at her, "I'm sure that whatever happens, we'll all be happy in the end. May it be inside or outside the palace."

Mom cleared her throat, "Let us begin. The other people who're missing will just have to start eating once they arrive."

We started eating the appetizer. When the main course was out, the gigantic doors opened and in came the tardy people.

Tony, Celestiana, Julianne, Claire, Christine, and Harriet paraded down the hall into their seats. They curtsied to the royals and uttered their apologies for their tardiness.

Once they were seated, mom looked at Tony for some kind of explanation.

"Why were you late, Zeke?" She asked calmly.

"I took care of some . . . business." He replied.

"And what is that?" She asked.

"I'll explain later, mother." He answered and started eating.

"Celestiana, why were you late?" Mom asked.

"The same reason as Zeke, your majesty."

Mom sighed and continued eating. I wonder what would happen to Beatrice.

I'm surprised the article only came in a few weeks later. Back then, I thought that the time it was released was the time she got back home.

This was what I was afraid of. Now, I bet Margarette would do the same. How many girls went home because of me? Six?

Imagine six states hating you. I knew I should have stopped my friends from telling Tony. If they weren't sent home then I still would have been invisible to the other states. If they weren't sent home, Beatrice and the others would still boss me around.

But I guess it's for the better. If they stayed, they have a chance to be queen. And if they become queen . . .

When I look at the girls that are left, I figured that Diana and Julianne would be the fittest to become queen. Both are very smart and collected. They are graceful and regal. They can keep their feelings to themselves and smile when distressed.

Claire and Gayle would also be okay. Although both are a little witchy, they're strong minded and can tell people what to do.

I glanced at Julianne and she gave me a thumbs up to which I smiled at. I'm sure that thumbs up said that they didn't kill anyone.

Claire had a smug smirk that she shared with Harriet. I can't help but feel sorry for whatever they'll be doing to Beatrice.

I finished dinner with the others and it left the six of them in the hall. I walked with Mary to our rooms and I really didn't know why Mary wasn't a favorite. She was this sweetheart that everyone loves. I was hoping that he'd exchange Gayle or Carmel for her.

When I got back to my room, my maids shoved me into a silk orange ball gown. I wore white gloves to look elegant.

They styled my hair into a low side bun that were decorated with white and orange flowers. I wore the necklace that Tony made and wore diamond earrings.

When I was ready, I walked to the place where we shoot and saw nine girls including me. My friends weren't there and so was Celestiana, Tony, Mom, and Sebastian.

I saw Mary in a white and light blue gown. I instantly smiled at her, "Mary!"

She looked over her shoulder and smiled once she saw me, "You look amazing!"

"Not as amazing as you! You look heavenly," I stated.

She laughed while shaking her head, "I don't. Look at Irene, she certainly looks heavenly."

We laughed together as we glanced at the said girl. Irene was wearing a red mermaid-style gown that hugged her curves. It was backless and her hair was in an updo. Her neck was decorated with jewels and so were her ears.

"Where are the other girls? It's almost time to shoot," I questioned to which she shrugged at.

"They're probably taking time to look exquisite," She stated.

"Ladies," A man greeted.

Mary and I looked back and saw Tony with a smile. We curtsied to him as courtesy.

"Lady Haidee, would you mind if I steal Lady Mary away for a minute?" He asked.

I smiled, "Not at all."

He smiled at me and offered his arm to Mary, leading her away after winking at me. I rolled my eyes at that.

I walked away into my seat beside Louise and Elena. My eyes searched for my friends and I saw that they were talking to Celestiana and mom.

"Hey, Haidee. Why aren't you with your friends?" Louise asked.

I shrugged, "They're doing something I don't have an idea in. Besides, it's not like I'm glued to them." I joked.

She laughed, "Actually, the five of you always stick to each other."

I gasped, "Really?"

She nodded. Beside me, Elena laughed.

"The five of you are like one person combined," Elena commented.

I smiled, "I doubt that. We have different personalities."

"Really? But the five of you always agree with each other." Louise said.

I smiled, "I guess we do."