I Choose All of You

Chapter Twenty-Three

The night of the lobster incident, Prince Kalum took Nessa on a date. Apparently Kalum had set up some super romantic gazebo date for them. There was desserts, champagne, candlelight, and they just "couldn't keep their hands off one another". Or so Nessa says. She's been raving about the date nonstop since it's happened.

That same night, Prince Jeremiah took Valentina on a date. No one knows what exactly happened on it, because every time one of the girls asks her about it, she acts all sly and suspicious. Rumors went around, but I'd rather not believe any of them.

Then since Nessa wouldn't shut up about her date with Kalum, Jeremiah felt the need to one up his brother. The following night he took Nessa out on a date. Again, I avoided any rumors about that date too.

Kenna scored a date with Prince Kalum as well. Still, no dates for me.

My days became filled with the boys ignoring me. They have been spending a lot more time with the other girls. Which was fine, I don't care. Okay. Maybe a little bit. But I don't. I swear...

Avalon and Hannah quickly became my closest friends here. Throughout the last couple days, I would hang out with Avalon and we'd tell stories and joke about. Sometimes Chloe would find us, and chat until Avalon and I could lose her. Chloe was sweet, super sweet. But I have come to the conclusion she just doesn't breathe. It's like one long, continuous sentence that could last for hours at a time. It's sort of impressive. 

 I've avoided the garden the last couple nights. Having Kalum upset with me again isn't exactly high priority right now. So instead I've been exploring the castle.Unfortunately everything has seemed pretty well secured and guarded though. But maybe Atlas will notice something I haven't, once I send him over my blueprint sketches.

It's the day before the ball now. I've been here for five days. Everyone here has been asked out on at least one date, besides myself and Avalon. Which is fine, but Avalon seems a bit bothered by it. I can tell she likes the boys, even though she doesn't up right say it. For myself, I am terrified to spend the evening alone with Kalum on a date. It just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but Jeremiah would be fun. Granted, his flirting it a bit much at times, I truly do enjoy his company. So not seeing him come to my room after dinner, has bothered me a bit.

Lunch came and, to my surprise, the Queen joined us. We all rose when she came in. I then mentally noted how regal she looked every time she entered any room. It was like an art, and she was the master. Queen Clarissa remained standing at the head of the table and motioned for us to be seated again.

All eyes were on her as she cleared her throat, "Hello ladies. As you all know, tomorrow night is the ball. I have been very busy planning this week, so I do hope you all have a lovely time tomorrow evening. That being said, I will not be staying to eat lunch. I am simply here to inform you all of a couple things. After the ball, I will have a private conversation with Prince Kalum. He will tell me who he has decided will leave in the morning."

The air in the room suddenly seemed to be sucked away. We all looked between one another with shock on our faces. Leave? 

 The Queen continued, "This will happen at the end of every week, until the two months are up. At which there will be one girl left, for Kalum to take as his bride. That is all." The Queen bowed her head towards us and left.

Commotion followed her absence. Nessa and Valentina smirked to one another, and the room spun into discord. I felt Avalon lean in beside me, "Sarah, this doesn't sound good for us."

Her tone sounded worried. I turned to face her and she looked pale in the face.

"Avalon, we're going to be just fine. There's still time until then," I said as confidently as possible.