I woke up to my maids scurrying around the room. Right. I was here. I couldn't believe the palace would be so rude as to get a guard to carry me off the stage during my interview. My rating had gone down to a 1, not that I cared. I dressed in the soft lavender dress made of silk and tulle, with short puffy sleeves and a silver belt that my maids provided me, swatting them away when they tried to tie my hair up and do my makeup. I preferred being plain. I walked into the women's room hearing this girl, Bren squeal about some gossip rag thing. I never could afford the luxury of reading the gossip rag. People laughed as I entered. "How could anyone score a one?" "No wonder, look how ugly she is!" they said in hushed whispers. I kicked the table with my arched lavender heels that had a chunky jewel on the center. The table vibrated and hot chocolate spilled over girls dresses. They squealed, glaring at me as I sat down on one of the plush chairs.

Then the prince entered. He walked confidently, his eyes set towards the center of the room. He walked towards me. I held my breath. Was this happening? His dark eyes burned into mine as he walked past me and linked his arm through Scarletts. Bitter disappointment ran through me before I scolded myself. The prince was just another pawn in the grand scheme of things. The scheme that led to starvation. Then I noticed a stark white note in the folds of my skirt. I slipped it into my pocket, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. That prince was trying to woo me! I wouldn't allow it.

I publicly coughed as he walked past me, as a sign of disrespect. "Alright girls, don't look so bitter. Follow me for physical training, didn't think you'd be sitting around sulking this whole time did you?" Said our trainer. I pretty much blocked out the argument about how disgusting training was and continued to think about the note.

As I got changed in my stall into my training uniform I pulled out the note. Training was a class we took to stay in shape. The only way to miss it was to get asked on a date by the prince. I slowly read over it.

Meet me at the garden at 4 PM

Prince Dedrick

I clutched the note in my sweaty hands, confused. Training passed in a blur as I pondered what the note meant. There was no way in hell that the prince liked me. No way. After showering and changing back into my dress I headed over to the gardens. When I arrived Prince Dedrick was standing by a white structure that had a tea table and chairs. Was this a date? "Scarlett just left." He said. Of course.

"I don't know what game you're playing but it's not working." He said. I gave him a bewildered look. "Look, Adelaide is it? Some girls will try the whole enemies to lovers thing but this level of disrespect will get you nowhere. Even if this isn't a strategy, you're lucky I haven't already kicked you out."

I scoffed. "This is no strategy, and I have no interest in you. I'm only here for my family." Who did he think he was?

"You seem so keen on leaving." He said. I turned red, anger filling me. "I just told you, I don't want to leave, I'm here for my family!" "Yes, while the point of being here is not for the money but for..." He started before pausing. "But for you." I said in a mean voice. "Well sorry but not everyone likes you." I said. He looked embarrassed. "I don't expect that. All I'm saying is that I'm making a very important decision, and you're complicating it." He replied.

"So that's all I am. A complication." Wow, what an idiot. "Listen I don't agree with how you're treated, but it's not like I have a choice. I-i want to choose someone who loves me an-and you obviously don't. I can't keep you. I could send you money if that's what you wish for-" He started, running his hand through his hair. "Wow, the smooth talking prince is flustered. Look here. I'm not going anywhere." I said. This rich, goody two shoes prince had no idea what was coming.