The Selection: Third Generation

Ch. 23: Blizzard

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Assault talk. Skip this chapter if it triggers you! I do not go into too much detail but do not want to upset anyone. I will keep this chapter short so that anyone who skips does not miss too much info!

The snow is blasted against the windows in the bright parlor. The quiet snow days became a small blizzard overnight. We are gathered in the large parlor on the first floor for the welcome party, but our guests are running behind. I ended up on a team with Annabelle, which worked out best for me. I made most of the decisions, but she still helped a lot with the actual work of putting it together. The room is covered in gold and white, elegant but still fun. Decorations were Isabella and Annalise's job and we had food. We had to all work together on music, which resulted in an elegant string quartet in the corner. We have a dessert table on one side and a finger food table on the other. Maids circulate the room with glasses of champagne.

"I hope they arrive soon." Annalise says as she walks over to where I am standing in the corner facing the doors.

"I do, as well. I wonder who they are." It has not been announced to anyone yet since they are coming earlier than the original plan dictated. 

"I hope they're nice. Especially the girl, because it would be nice to have someone to talk to that isn't also trying to win the selection."

"Oh yes, that would be so nice. I mean, there's Princess Diana, but she is slightly biased based on the fact that she's his sister," I giggle, smiling and waving at the princess who is standing across the room from us.

Right at that moment, Sophia leads the contest winners in. As I lock eyes with the guy, I cannot help but gasp, my hand rising to my mouth.

"What's wrong, Arabella?" Annalise puts her hand on my shoulder in an attempt to help me stay on my feet.

I had not seen him since his whole family moved, but I would know those dark brown eyes anywhere. He smiles as he sees me, and it gives me chills.

"Arabella? Here sit down." Annalise leads me back to a chair against the wall and I sit down very ungracefully. I feel like I am not breathing. Am I breathing? I take in a large amount of air to make sure. Prince Carlisle and the King are getting the guests and I want to run over and yell. Yell for him to get far, far away from Carlisle. From me.

"Arabella, you're scaring me. Should I go get the queen?" This snaps me out of it. I have to remain put together. I cannot fall apart. Not here, and not now.

"No, I am sorry, Annalise. I am fine, thank you." I say. I take another deep breath and stand. Annabelle and Isabella walk over to us at that moment.

"Shall we go greet our guests?"

"Yes, let's go," I say, needing to remind myself that I am still in control here. We walk over and I make sure to plant a large smile on my face. I stand next to Carlisle, who wraps an arm around my waist without even thinking about it. I lean into him, taking comfort in his presence.

"Ah, let me see if I have this right," Dayne says. "Lady Isabella, Lady Annabelle, Lady Annalise, and Lady Arabella," he greets, pointing at each of us in turn.

"Yes, sir. You have gotten them all right." Isabella says, fluttering his lashes at him. It makes me want to gag but I hold it back.

"I am Dayne Lauren. It is a pleasure to meet you all." Dayne sinks into a bow for a few seconds before rising. "And this is Lady Mia, the other contest winner."

Lady Mia is a short, thin girl with long wispy brown hair. She smiles and sinks into a curtsy for us.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Mia and Sir Dayne." I greet, simply opting to mow my head to them. My stomach is in knots and my legs are screaming at me to run and never look back.

I am polite and a courteous host for the duration of the party, although I stay by Carlisle's side as much as possible. He walks me to my room whenever I tell him I am ready for bed for the night. I told him I am not feeling well.

"You girls did great with the party, Ar," he says as he leads me down the hall and up to my room.

"Thank you," I respond in a whisper.

"Is everything okay, Arabella?" Concern laces Carlisle's voice and I am not sure if I should tell him or not. I just nod my head and whisper that I am fine, just not feeling well. We do not talk much the rest of the way to my room, and he offers to stay or to get my maids for me, but I decline both, saying I just want to sleep.

"Okay, my love. Goodnight and sleep well. I love you so much, dearest." Carlisle says sweetly. He leans down and kisses me on the lips so gently that it makes me want to cry.

"Goodnight, Carlisle. I love you, too."

*As soon as my door shuts, I am on my floor. My whole body is weak and shaking and tears roll down my face. Dayne's face has haunted my nightmares for years. He was my babysitter when I was little all the way up until I was about 12. My parents didn't believe me when I told them what he had done until it came out that multiple other little girls that he babysat came forward, as well.

Dayne hurt me. He never touched my sister. I protected her as much as I could, but I couldn't protect myself. It was always at night. He would wait until my siblings were asleep and creep into my room. This happened every time he babysat us for my parents to have a date night.

I do not know how long I am strewn out on the floor, shaking and crying, whenever Anne comes in. It is still dark and the blizzard is still slamming wind and snow against my windows. he does not notice me at first until I gasp. I do not realize it is her until she looks at me.

"Oh, Arabella! What's the matter? What's wrong?" She gasps, running over to me

"He-he, he's h-here. He's here. He's here."

"Who? Who is here? No one is in here but us."

"No, he's here!" I yell sobbing and pointing to the door, meaning he is in the palace.

"Come now, let's get you in bed. You need to calm down so you can tell me what's happening, okay?" I nod and try to help her get me into bed, but my whole body is still shaking. She tucks me in tight under the covers and lays next to me, soothing my hair until my body calms down.

"Now, who is here, babygirl?"

"It-it's Dayne."

"Who?"

"Da-dayne. The cont-test winner. He is here. Why is he here? W-why him?"

"Shh, shh. I will call for a guard and a nurse, okay?"

"No! No! I don't want them to know!" I start sobbing and shaking all over again. Anne gets up and hits the button on the wall for the other maids to come before climbing back into bed, trying to soothe me. Barbara and Leah get here within minutes and rush over to my bed when they enter and see my current state.

"Leah, go to the kitchens and make two cups of chamomille tea. Barbara, go to the laundry room and get fresh, warm blankets. Say nothing to anyone." They nod and run off, taking their tasks seriously. 

"In the morning, we will talk more. You will have to tell us, at the least, and then we will decide what to do, but whoever or whatever has you in this state, Lady Arabella, will pay. I cannot have my lady so upset. I will not stand for it."