voice.
“No, of course not.”
Her expression relaxed back into its normal, beautiful, carefree state. “Can’t imagine you being scared of anything.” She winked at me.
It was comforting that at least one of us thought so.
CHAPTER 9
W HEN THEY STARTED POURING IN , I fled to my room, sketching in the sunlight on my balcony. Too many boisterous laughs and overly enthusiastic greetings. I wondered how long that camaraderie would last. This was a competition, after all. I mentally added finding ways to pit them against one another to my to-do list.
“I think we should put my hair up, Neena. I want to look mature today.”
“Excellent choice, my lady.” She scrubbed at my nails. “Any thoughts on a dress?”
“I’m thinking evening gown. Black would do nicely.”
She chuckled. “Looking to scare them?”
I couldn’t hold back my sly smile. “Only a little.”
We giggled together, and I was glad to have her with me. I was going to need her soothing words and calmingtouches over the next few weeks.
After my hair was dry, we braided and knotted it up like a crown, which only made my tiara look better. I found the black dress I’d worn for a New Year’s Eve party last year. It was covered in lace and fitted to the knee before it flared out to the floor. An oval of skin was exposed across my back, and the tiny butterfly sleeves set low across my shoulders. I had to admit it looked even more beautiful in the sun than it did under candles.
My clock struck one, and I made my way downstairs. We had converted one of the libraries on the fourth floor into a Men’s Parlor so the Selected could gather and relax during their time in the palace. It was about the same size as the Women’s Room and had plenty of places to sit, lots of books, and two televisions.
I was heading to that area of the palace now. We had decided that the suitors would be brought out one at a time to greet me and then escorted to the Men’s Parlor to get to know one another.
I saw a cluster of people down the hallway, including my parents and General Leger, and made my way toward them, trying not to let my nerves show. Dad looked stunned and Mom covered her mouth as I approached.
“Eadlyn . . . you seem so grown up.” She sighed as she touched my cheek and shoulder and hair, not fixing anything, just checking.
“Probably because I am.”
She nodded to herself, tears in her eyes. “You look thepart. I never really thought I passed for a queen, but you . . . wholly perfect.”
“Stop it, Mom. You’re completely adored. You and Dad brought peace to the country. I haven’t done anything.”
She placed a finger under my chin. “Not yet. But you’re too determined to accomplish nothing.”
Before I could respond, Dad approached us. “Ready?”
“Yes,” I answered, steadying myself. That wasn’t the pep talk I’d been envisioning. “I don’t intend to eliminate anyone just yet. I figure everyone deserves at least a day.”
Dad smiled. “I think that’s wise.”
I took a breath. “All right, then. Let’s begin.”
“Do you want us to stay or go?” Mom asked.
I considered. “Go. For now, anyway.”
“As you wish,” Dad said. “General Leger and a few guards will be nearby. If you need anything, simply ask. We want you to have a wonderful day.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“No,” he said, embracing me, “thank you.”
He pulled away and offered his arm to Mom. They walked off, and I felt like I could see their happiness glowing simply in the way they moved.
“Your Highness,” General Leger said gently. I turned to see his smiling face. “Nervous?”
I shook my head slightly, almost convincing myself. “Bring the first one out.”
He nodded before making eye contact with a butler down the hall. A boy walked out of one of the libraries,straightening his cuff links as he approached. He was lean and a little on the short side, but he had a pleasant enough face.
He stopped in front of me, bowing. “Fox
“No, of course not.”
Her expression relaxed back into its normal, beautiful, carefree state. “Can’t imagine you being scared of anything.” She winked at me.
It was comforting that at least one of us thought so.
CHAPTER 9
W HEN THEY STARTED POURING IN , I fled to my room, sketching in the sunlight on my balcony. Too many boisterous laughs and overly enthusiastic greetings. I wondered how long that camaraderie would last. This was a competition, after all. I mentally added finding ways to pit them against one another to my to-do list.
“I think we should put my hair up, Neena. I want to look mature today.”
“Excellent choice, my lady.” She scrubbed at my nails. “Any thoughts on a dress?”
“I’m thinking evening gown. Black would do nicely.”
She chuckled. “Looking to scare them?”
I couldn’t hold back my sly smile. “Only a little.”
We giggled together, and I was glad to have her with me. I was going to need her soothing words and calmingtouches over the next few weeks.
After my hair was dry, we braided and knotted it up like a crown, which only made my tiara look better. I found the black dress I’d worn for a New Year’s Eve party last year. It was covered in lace and fitted to the knee before it flared out to the floor. An oval of skin was exposed across my back, and the tiny butterfly sleeves set low across my shoulders. I had to admit it looked even more beautiful in the sun than it did under candles.
My clock struck one, and I made my way downstairs. We had converted one of the libraries on the fourth floor into a Men’s Parlor so the Selected could gather and relax during their time in the palace. It was about the same size as the Women’s Room and had plenty of places to sit, lots of books, and two televisions.
I was heading to that area of the palace now. We had decided that the suitors would be brought out one at a time to greet me and then escorted to the Men’s Parlor to get to know one another.
I saw a cluster of people down the hallway, including my parents and General Leger, and made my way toward them, trying not to let my nerves show. Dad looked stunned and Mom covered her mouth as I approached.
“Eadlyn . . . you seem so grown up.” She sighed as she touched my cheek and shoulder and hair, not fixing anything, just checking.
“Probably because I am.”
She nodded to herself, tears in her eyes. “You look thepart. I never really thought I passed for a queen, but you . . . wholly perfect.”
“Stop it, Mom. You’re completely adored. You and Dad brought peace to the country. I haven’t done anything.”
She placed a finger under my chin. “Not yet. But you’re too determined to accomplish nothing.”
Before I could respond, Dad approached us. “Ready?”
“Yes,” I answered, steadying myself. That wasn’t the pep talk I’d been envisioning. “I don’t intend to eliminate anyone just yet. I figure everyone deserves at least a day.”
Dad smiled. “I think that’s wise.”
I took a breath. “All right, then. Let’s begin.”
“Do you want us to stay or go?” Mom asked.
I considered. “Go. For now, anyway.”
“As you wish,” Dad said. “General Leger and a few guards will be nearby. If you need anything, simply ask. We want you to have a wonderful day.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“No,” he said, embracing me, “thank you.”
He pulled away and offered his arm to Mom. They walked off, and I felt like I could see their happiness glowing simply in the way they moved.
“Your Highness,” General Leger said gently. I turned to see his smiling face. “Nervous?”
I shook my head slightly, almost convincing myself. “Bring the first one out.”
He nodded before making eye contact with a butler down the hall. A boy walked out of one of the libraries,straightening his cuff links as he approached. He was lean and a little on the short side, but he had a pleasant enough face.
He stopped in front of me, bowing. “Fox
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