The Selection

👸 Good Princess, Bad Princess 👸

The following day came with our debut on The Report. We were told that a few questions would be asked at random to us, but The Report would mainly focus on news.

It was lunch time and I was munching on a wonderful salad. I'd just gotten a letter from Tuck, where he said he was a bit worried (and very angered) at the rebels. He also said that he wanted to propose to Natasha, which made me happy for him. I saw Natasha a few times, and I knew that she would be a great match for Tuck. 

I was chatting with Selena and Mara about places we wanted to visit one day. It made me remember yearning to go to the tropical islands south of Clermont and North of Dominica. Selena talked about how she wanted to go skiing in the northern part of Illea, and Mara said she wanted to see parts of Sonage. 

A maid collected my plate and I quietly wrote a letter to Tuck, keeping it brief as always. To my suprise, Princess Quinn approached me. Remembering my first conversation with Brielle, I stood and curtsied. "Your Highness," I said.

Quinn looked satisfied. "Lady Aria," She began in a oddly sweet tone. "May I speak with you outside?"

"Of course, Your Highness." I said, following her to one of the sitting areas outside the women's room.

"Look," Said Quinn, all the sugar in her voice gone. Her eyes turned into angry slits. "I don't like intruders in my home, but a Seven of all people is too low. I'm sure you've stolen something already from this place. You don't know anything and don't deserve to either. So until Daniel comes to his senses and kicks you out, you better sleep with one eye open. Oh, and my mother thinks the same." She flipped her brunette hair and sashayed back into the women's room.

I blinked back tears. Did Princess Quinn really think so lowly of me?  I rushed to my room, sobbing. Maybe she was right.

"What's wrong, miss?" Nia asked, rushing to me. 

"Q-Quinn said some really insulting things to me." I managed to say.

"The brat!" Esme exclaimed. "Um, don't tell anyone I said that."

I managed a smile. "Your secret's safe with me." I responded. "She said she thought I'd stolen something from her, and that I didn't know anything and didn't deserve to either, and I should sleep with one eye open."

"That's terrible!" Jade's jaw dropped. 

"Miss, would getting ready help?" Nia asked.

I nodded, so my maids got to work prepping the bath. It was unsurprisingly soothing. The bubbles felt nice, as did all the serums, scrubs, and washes they used to clean me. My undergarments felt comfortable, as did my robe and slippers. They rubbed lotion in, put my hair into a georgous braid, and perfected my makeup. Jade even re-did my finger nails. 

The dress I wore was stunning. The torso had a square neckline and snugly fit, while the skirt ruffled out in waves. And, it was bubblegum pink.

I read a book about style on my sofa when I heard a knock at the door. It was Brielle. "Hi, Aria." She said. I motioned for her to sit down. "Quinn told me about your conversation. I have never been so disgusted by her!"

"It-um-it really hurt my feelings. She must hate me a lot."

"It's not you, she just feels like she's above everyone else. And she's super discriminative when it comes to caste. She just hates your label." Brielle explained. 

I gratefully nodded, appreciating Brielle's warm nature. "Thank you, Brielle."

Writer's note: 

I'm back at it with these probably cringey writer's notes! So, do y'all like the new, very expected, enemy? So, I have a question for y'all. Actually, it's not a question, but a request. Describe a ball gown that sounds absolutely beautiful. The winner might get featured!