"Bienvenue!" We welcomed. (Welcome!)

We curtsied to the french royal family. They smiled at us. Queen Camille was holding Chantrel with her right hand and she held her husband, Prince Consort Ahren's hand with the other. He held Chantelle with his left.

When Adalene entered, she ran to embrace Celestiana. They were giggling with happiness. Beall entered and Tony and William greeted him with slaps on the back, hard ones. Beall glared at his two cousins but the two only laughed at him.

"Ahren!" Mom exclaimed.

"Eady!" The prince of france exclaimed and the two ran to hug each other.

"I missed you so much!" Mom said.

Ahren laughed, "I missed you too, Eady."

They pullled away from each other and Mom turned to hug Queen Camille, "How are you, Camille?" She asked.

Camille smiled, "I've been great."

Dad and Ahren man-hugged each other and patted each other's backs.

It was a sweet family reunion. I smiled at the scene, hoping to have something like that with my brothers and brothers's children.

"Come, come!" Mom ushered, "The girls have prepared a party for you."

"Did they?" Camille asked with a smile.

"Oh they did and they did spectacularly!" Mom answered.

We smiled sheepishly at her compliment. Quickly, our group bounced to action. Julianne and Mary were stationed at the food table, Louise and Christine were preparing the music, and Diana and I were ushering the guests into the seats.

"Princess Adalene," I called and curtsied.

She smiled, "Please, just Ada."

I smiled, "Ada, as you know, you are a bridesmaid at Celestiana's wedding."

She nodded, "Yes, I know. But I don't know your name, darling."

I blushed in embarrassment, "I'm sorry. I forgot. My name is Haidee."

Her eyes flashed recognition, "Oh, so you're Haidee! You're beautiful."

"Thank you," I said with a smile, "Getting back to the topic earlier, we're doing a bridal shower for Celestiana at January 14."

She smiled, "You are?"

I nodded, "We'd like you to be there."

"I'd be honored to. I also know some games for that," Ada said with a mischievous smile.

I laughed, "Oh, please. Don't include boys there."

She pouted, "It won't be fun."

I smiled, "It will be fun. I'm sure you have other games you know that aren't including boys."

"Good point." She said, "Alright. I'll be waiting for the day."

"We'll just call for you when it's going to start." I told her.

She nodded, "So bridal shower aside, let's talk about your love life." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"What about it?" I asked innocently.

She rolled her eyes, "I've been hearing stories of you since the day they started tellling me stories!"

I laughed, "I do hope those stories are good."

"Oh it is good. One story was about how you said you thought Zeke was just handsome."

My eyes widened and I groaned, "Who told you that?"

"Zeke." She said and laughed, "Another story was also the one where Zeke threw you into the river."

I sighed, "He's a strong thrower."

She chuckled, "There was also a story abouㅡ"

"Don't say it," I told her, "I'm sure it's as embarrassing as the others."

She laughed, "That they are."

I should go talk to the other guests but I'm not sure how to approach them, besides, I'm still talking to Ada. Adalene was wearing a pretty pink gown which were decorated with intricate white flowers. Her hair was stuffed with flowers and it made her look more appealing.

I observed everyone beside Ada. Chantelle and Chantrel were running around and laughing with Mary.  Beall was talking to William. Mom was talking to Queen Camille and Diana. Prince consort Ahren was talking to dad and Tony. William was with Celestiana and they were dancing in the middle. Julianne was talking to Louise and I couldn't find Christine. The other Elite were also here but they just ate and talked. Claire grabbed a muffin and walked to Julianne. I also couldn't see Harriet and Bloom. I guess Christine and Harriet were together somewhere. But Bloom . . . maybe on the phone?

With these thoughts in mind, I didn't even see someone walking to us.

"Aunt Eady!" Adalene exclaimed and hugged her.

Mom chuckled, "Hello, dear." She.patted Ada's hair, "Would you mind if I take Haidee for a moment?"

Ada pouted, "I thought you were here for me."

"Sorry, dear. I'll talk to you later." Mom said, "Come on, Haidee."

I followed her with no objection. She leads me towards Queen Camille. I couldn't see Diana there so I guess they were done talking to her.

I curtsied, "Your majesty."

Queen Camille smiled, "Oh, please. Call me Aunt."

"Sit down, Haidee." Mom said and pointed to a seat as she sat down beside Aunt Camille.

I sat down and looked at them.

"Camille wanted to meet every elite." Mom explained.

I nodded, "My name is Haidee, Aunt Camille. I live in a village near here."

She smiled, "Tell me, dear. How is life at the palace?"

I paused to think, when I thought of an answer, I said, "To answer it simply, I'd say it was nice. I like it here but mostly the people. The staff, the royals, and the selected are very nice."

Mom smiled, "She's the girl I told you about."

Aunt Camille's eyes showed recognition the same way Adalene did. The resemblance is uncanny.

Aunt Camille nodded and smiled, "As you may have heard, I've been told about you. Everyone's been saying that you will win this selection."

I gulped and blushed, "Everyone?"

She nodded, "Well, not everyone."

Mom smiled, "The people of Illèa thinks that Lady Claire would win, but royals placed their bets on you."

"There are bets?" I asked her incredulously.

She laughed and nodded, "A lot of bets, in fact."

I sank in my seat, "And the royals bet on me?"

Aunt nodded, "Illèa's royals, France's, Italy's, extended families etcetera."

I blushed fiercely, "That can't be true."

"But it is," Mom stated.

"Why me?" I asked.

"Well, dear Haidee. Everyone can see that you and Zeke are close. Especially on The Reports." Aunt replied.

"He's my son, Haidee and I know him better than anyone. I know he likes you more than anyone in this competition." Mom told me.

I felt embarrassed but at the same time, I felt proud. I blushed at her statement, "The Selection isn't even over yet. What if he changes his mind?" I asked.

"Then he changes it. We can't do anything about it." Aunt Camille answered.

"The mind may change but the heart does not," Mom said. I found myself in awe of her words of wisdom, "Even if he loves another person, he can't ever unlove a person he once loved."

I just nodded at their words, "The choice is purely made by him."

Aunt shared a smile with Mom.

"But I do know that when this competition ends, you'll be living in the palace for a long time." Mom told me and winked.

"Um . . ." I muttered, unsure of what to say, "Thank you?"

They laughed at me. I felt awkward, embarrassed, hopeful, proud, happy, and doubtful. I didn't know I can feel a lot of emotions through a short period of time.

"It was nice meeting you, Haidee." Aunt told me.

I smiled, "It was nice meeting you too, Aunt Camille."

"Haidee, kindly get Lady Harriet for me, please." Mom said.

I rose from my seat and curtsied, "Sure."

They smiled at me before I left. I walked away from them to search for Harriet. Then I remembered that I can't see her anywhere. They aren't here in the gardens, then maybe inside the palace?

I walked inside and saw a guard stationed by the door. I decided to ask him if he's seen Harriet enter. He nodded.

I checked the rooms of the Selected to see if she's there. She wasn't. I checked the Women's room but she isn't there. I roamed the halls and peeked through every room to hopefully find her. I wasn't going to peek inside the office but I heard voices there.

I opened the door and saw Harriet with Christine and Bloom. They were in front of Mom's desk and were going through the papers inside the drawers.

"Finally," I mumbled.

"Where is it?" Bloom asked.

I entered the room, "Where's what?"

Their heads snapped to look at me. Their eyes were wide and they immediately put their hands behind them. Why were they nervous?

"Why are you here in the office?" I asked.

Harriet and Christine looked at Bloom so I did too.

"Um . . ." Bloom muttered, "We were searching for the letter I made for Zeke."

I raised my eyebrow at her, "Why are you searching for it here?"

"Because he said that he's leaving it here." Bloom answered.

I pointed to the desk, "But that's the Queen's table."

They gulped. What were they hiding?

Bloom clapped her hands as if she understood now, "So that's why we couldn't find it!"

She moved to Tony's desk and opened the drawer.

"Why are you even looking for it?" I asked.

"There's something in there that's embarrassing." She replied. She looked through the papers then she pulled one out.

"Here it is!" She exclaimed and walked briskly to the door, "Thanks for pointing it out, Haidee. Let's go," She motioned for the two.

Before she could go, however, I read the paper. My eyes widened, "That's not the letter!" I exclaimed and grabbed the paper from her.

"What?" Bloom asked.

"It's not your letter," I said and hid the paper behind me.

The paper read:

This contract is to certify that Miss Iole Haidee Eudora will be Prince Thornton Zeke Koskinen's bride.

"If it isn't my letter, then what is it?" She asked.

"It's a contract," I replied.

"It is?" She asked.

I nodded, "Why did you mistake a contract for a letter?"

"Um . . . I must have gotten the wrong paper. The letter must not be here then," She said and started walking out of the room.

"Harriet!" I called.

She turned to look at me, "What?"

"The Queen is looking for you," I said.

She glanced at Christine and Bloom with fear. My eyebrows furrowed.

"Where is she?" Harriet asked.

"At the gardens like everyone else except the three of you," I answered.

She nodded, "Alright."

The three of them turned the other way to walk to the garden. I entered the office again and put the contract in his drawer. I left the room after.

I walked back to the gardens. The people were still doing what they were doing before I left. Tony met my eyes and he started walking towards me.

"Where have you been?" He asked.

"In your office," I replied.

"What? Why?" He asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"I was looking for Harriet and I saw her there with Christine and Bloom."

"Why was she there?"

We were walking to a spare table and sat down once we've reached it.

"They were looking for Bloom's letter. Which reminds me," I paused and raised my eyebrow, "What was the embarrassing part in her letter for you?"

"Letter? What are you talking about?" He questioned.

"Bloom's letter for you." I answered.

"She never wrote me a letter." He answered with incredulity.

Confusion was written in my face when I asked, "What? She didn't write you a letter?"

He shook his head. I leaned back in my chair with disbelief. She lied? Why would she lie?

"But she said she did and that's why they're looking for it in your office." I told him.

"Maybe she did write me a letter," He said, "But I just haven't seen it."

But she said that you said you left it in the office.

These thoughts were making me suspicious but I decided to just shrug it off. I wanted to change the topic but what?

"Tony," I called, "Why did you suddenly announce the elite?"

He sighed, "There was a problem and I just needed to announce it early."

"I know there must have been a problem, but what is it?" I questioned.

He looked away, "I can't tell you."

"Why?" I asked him softly, "You know you can trust me, right?"

He nodded, "I do trust you, Dee. It's justㅡMy mother told me not to tell anyone. It's a big problem and if everyone knowsㅡ"

"Okay," I told him, "But whatever that problem is, remember that I'm right here, okay?"

He nodded and gave me an appreciative smile, "Thanks."

More people were dancing in the middle now. Adalene was dancing with William. Aino was dancing with Aimo. Claire was dancing with Abraham. Celestiana was dancing with Nicholas. Heck, even Julianne was dancing with Earl.

I smiled at the sight, "I really ship Julianne with Earl."

Tony looked at me and smiled, "You do?"

I nodded, "It's like what they say, the more you hate the more you love."

Tony smiled at that. Dad took Mom to dance and so did The prince consort of france to Aunt Camille. Beall took Diana to dance. Chantelle and Chantrel were dancing along and it looked cute. They were laughing and having fun. William danced with Mary. Twain took Claire to dance. Abraham was with Grace. Aimo danced with Julianne. Earl danced with Louise. Abigail was talking to Christine and Bloom.

"Have you danced with anyone?" I asked.

He shook his head, "I haven't."

"Why not? You should dance with the elite or yoir cousins," I said.

He smiled, "Maybe I should."

"Go have fun!" I exclaimed as he rose from his seat.

He walked away from his seat and started to approach me. I furrowed my eyebrows at this, "I told you to dance, didn't I?"

He smiled and held out a hand, "Dance with me?"

Unconciously, a smile broke on my face, "Are you making it a life goal to have me as your first dance?"

He winked and I laughed. I took his hand and he led me to the dance floor. We danced alongside Earl and Louise. Earl smirked at us.

"Nice going, mate." He told Tony.

"Why aren't you dancing with Julianne?" I asked him and wiggled my eyebrows.

He scoffed, "She said she's living hell when she's around me."

I laughed and so did Tony. I could sense that Louise was uncomfortable and out of place.

"Hey, Louise." I greeted.

She smiled at me, "Hey."

"So, Lady Louise." Tony began and twirled me, "How's Earl treating you?"

She smiled, "He's nice."

My eyebrow raised at that. I could tell Tony was shocked too.

"I beg your pardon?" Tony said.

"He's treating me nicely," Louise repeated.

Earl rolled his eyes, "I'm not that bad." He said when he saw our disbelief.

"Why does Julianne hate you, then? She loves everyone!" I exclaimed.

"I don't know. Maybe we were born to hate each other."

"You hate her?" Tony asked.

Earl nodded, "She thinks she's too good for me."

I raised my eyebrow, still not believing him, "But the two of you danced earlier. People who hate each other don't dance with each other voluntarily."

He didn't respond to that but I saw a little pink on his cheeks. Tony also noticed this, "You like her, don't you?"

"No, I don't." Earl said and danced away from us.

"He totally likes her," I commented and laughed.

He joined my laugh, "He does."

The music comes to a stop and he took my hand and placed a kiss on my knuckles, "I'll see you later, Dee."

I smiled, "See you."

He sighed, "Can't I just sit down or maybe rest in my room?"

I chuckled, "No you can't. You're kind of obligated to dance with the others."

He walked me back to a seat, "Alright. Be good and don't flirt with the other guys here."

I rolled my eyes, "Then I'll flirt with the girls?"

He smiled, "Yup. See you."

He walked away after that. He took Christine to the dance floor. Earl danced with Harriet. William danced with Claire. Beall was with Celestiana. Dad was with Julianne. Aimo was dancing with Grace. Twain is with Abigail. Abraham danced with Mary. Nicholas is with Louise. Bloom was talking to mom and aunt Camille.

"May I have this dance?" A man asked.

I recognized him as the husband of Aunt Camille, "It's my honor."

We walked to the dance floor along with the others. I wasn't sure if I should start a conversation with him but it would be awkward not to talk to each other while dancing.

"I heard from my wife and my sister that yout name is Haidee." He said.

I nodded, unsure of what to say.

"They also told me about your progress with my nephew."

I stared at him in shock, "They said what?"

He chuckled, "I've been told that you're his favorite. I have yet to confirm it, however."

"Please don't, your majesty." I told him.

"Why not? And call me Uncle."

"Well . . . I don't know if I want to hear the answer. You could say I'm scared of knowing it."

"But everyone says he's going to choose you."

"I've only been on one date with him." I tell him and he looks at me with shock, "It's true. The other meetings aren't dates."

"I'm sure he's done more that they say you're his favorite."

Well, that's true but . . . "Maybe he did," I said, giving in.

He smiled, "See? If everything goes the way I predicted, you'd be staying her for a long time."

"Wait," I told him, "Did you place your bet on me?"

He laughed and nodded, "They told you about the bets?"

I nodded, "Seriously though, Why have these bets?"

"Being a ruler can be stressful. We take every chance we get at relaxing and having fun."

"Sorry but I wasn't informed that bets were fun," I told him.

He smiled, "Let's have a bet then. If you win, you have to name your first son after me."

"And if I don't?" I asked.

"You can come with us in France and live as a royal to get over my nephew. You can also bring your family with you."

I analyzed the deal. It was a good offer. If don't win, I can forget about Tony and spend the rest of my life away from him. And if I win, Ahren isn't a bad name.

I smiled, "You strike excellent deals, sir."

He smiled, "So I presume you accept?"

I nodded, "I've got nothing to lose."

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FYI! This book is already completed. I just need to publish the rest of the chapters. There's a book two coming and I can't wait to let you guys know what's in the second book!