The Selection: One of the Selected

15: Announcements

We hurried down staircase upon staircase, until eventually reaching the doors of the Great Room. My maids nodded as way of farewell, before rushing away and leaving me with the crowd of other girls. 

'Has anyone tried to open the door?' someone asked from behind me, and a girl near the doors jiggled the handle to show it was locked. Hushed whispers started to ripple through the group.

'What do you think he needs to say?'

'You don't think he is kicking someone out himself do you?'

'Can he even do that?'

'No.'

'Well, there you go then.'

Marlee and America came last, arms linked, and both visibly frowned in confusion at the gather outside the doors. I went up to them to explain how it was locked, but both shut me down with a hard glare.

I could read that both the expressions on their faces read, "Did she tell on me?".

Even if I said I didn't, they wouldn't believe me, as proved with the maids situation. 

Officer Avery pushed through the crowd to the doors, holding a large collection of keys on a chain. He was clearly uncomfortable about being near this many girls at once, but he seemed nice enough; I could see why Rose was chasing him. As soon as he clicked the doors open, he scrambled out the way and caught me staring. With a small nervous smile in my direction, he left the hallway and escaped through a side corridor.

I saw Celeste, the girl who I had travelled to the palace with, aggressively shove the door open and lead everyone else in. 

The first things that caught my eyes as we filed in were the two long tables set out, and food lined all down them. There were name cards also set out, but it seemed everyone had been put next to their friends...meaning I was in between Marlee and America. Talk about awkward. 

The top table was also laid out with food and plates, but no-one to accompany them. Everyone quietly slipped to their designated seats, but remained standing as the royal family hadn't arrived yet.

Any gentle chatter was immediately cut off when we saw the look on the king's face. He mirrored that of a school headteacher coming in to scold a disruptive class, but said class had just lit a classroom on fire, set loose a large sum of rats, and made a teacher resign. 

I could feel Marlee and America's accusing eyes on me, but I blankly stared forward. I had done nothing wrong. Yet. If Maxon hadn't heard me.

'Sit,' he instructed, and the room dropped down like a bomb had gone off. The queen elegantly glided over to the head table, just a simple resting smile on her lips. The prince, however, was nowhere to be seen. 

'Some of you,' the king began, his loud voice echoing round the walls, 'may have heard of a "Hallowe'en" party coming soon, to which not all of you will be able to attend, as you will have left the palace by then. Can I just make it clear that this will not be an annual event, as some of you have started to think, and this will most likely be the only time that the palace will celebrate this occasion of "Hallowe'en.'

One girl went rather red when he mentioned that some had thought of it as a usual occurrence, so no guesses at who spread that rumour.

However, still no Maxon in sight. Even the queen at this point was glancing at the large wall clock, as if counting down the seconds that he was late.

'Prince Maxon will be announcing who will discontinue in the competition this evening. You will all be in the Ladies' Room, and will be called out individually to be informed by the prince himself whether you will stay, or be picked up tomorrow morning,' he continued, but over half the room were now gazing at the door, waiting for when "The Prince Himself" would make his entrance.

'Oh, and you may begin your food now,' the Queen smiled, in a noticeably lighter tone to that of her husband's. 

Slowly at first, everyone began to take meal items from the centre, but I didn't take anything. I wasn't particularly hungry, and when you are being glared at from both sides it does put you off your food. 

'Aren'tyougoingtoeat?' Marlee blurted. Seems like niceness got the better of her.

'I'm not that hungry. I might have a chocolate for dessert though,' I said with a small smile, and Marlee gave me one back.

'Of course. You couldn't miss dessert, otherwise I think I might actually have to call the nurses to check you over,' America added.

~ * ~

Maxon didn't turn up to dinner in the end, but I did see a blue suited arm scramble round the corner when we all headed to the Women's Room. 

We were all sat bolt upright on chairs, little chatter to be heard, as we awaited where our fates lay in the palace. After what seemed like forever, but had only really been a few minutes, someone was called out the room.

They came back fanning their face with their hands, so as to avoid their tears from spoiling their makeup. Before another girl was called away, they were taken up to their room, presumably to collect their stuff.

The second girl came back with a satisfied smile on her face.

The third didn't return, nor did the fourth or fifth.

Goodness, he really was dropping us like we were just many inconveniences, which perhaps we were, in the way of him finding his true soulmate. Sixth, however, came back with an excited beam on their lips.

This continued, until Marlee was requested to come outside. I showed her my fingers were crossed, but when she had left I stared down at my twisted fingers. Were they only good luck for her to keep getting with a guard behind closed doors? America saw me looking at them in confusion, but didn't say anything.

Marlee came practically skipping back, and set herself back onto the sofa with a flourish. 

America was called.

She came back after a longer amount of time than everyone else. 

I was called.

'Ah, Quinn!' Maxon smiled when he saw me.

'Ah, Maxon!' I copied, and he raised an eyebrow, but was still smiling.

'If you were anyone else, perhaps that would have costed your place in the palace, but as you are Lady Quinn Appleton, the girl with the most interesting name, then you may stay,' he joked.

'An interesting name, you say?' I repeated, and he gave a small nod.

'Yes, in a good way, of course.'

'Of course.'