I Choose All of You

Chapter Nineteen

I wore the only nice dress I owned. It was a bit small because my mom bought it for me a couple years ago so I would have something nice to wear to church. It was a solid mint green sundress that came just above my knees. The limo, Atlas and I rode in, drove us smoothly to the palace, and I watched the sun rise above the horizon.

We sat in silence. For some reason the atmosphere was tense and almost melancholy. When I would glance at him, he looked almost sad or maybe he looked worried. I couldn't quite tell.

I spun away from the window to face him. His black hair was styled back from his face. He wore a black button down and tight black jeans. Atlas was hunched over across from me, his fingers intertwined with each other, and he was looking down.

"Atlas," I spoke up.

His dark eyes looked up. He straightened his posture, "Yes, Sarah?"

"I'm going to be okay," I gave him a faint smile. I don't know why I felt the need to reassure him, but I did anyways.

He smiled softly back at me and gave me a small nod, "I know. I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm just unsure about everyone else."

I wasn't sure what he meant by that exactly. I mean, I'll be living inside a palace with royal guards, a royal family, and lavish things everywhere. I suppose he's just being protective.

We drove the rest of the way without exchanging anymore words, until we reached the steps of the Maxwell Palace. The limo in front of us drove off, and I caught a glimpse of a young woman walk through the front doors. She must be another "candidate" like me. I wonder if she's as nervous as I am.

The limo driver brought us to a stop and Atlas went out first to open the door for me. I stepped out onto the gravel, and the driver handed my bags to a butler. In the morning, the palace looked even better, than it did the previous night. The early morning rays glistened against all the windows, and diamond-like colors reflected off of them. The stairs were lined with maids and butlers. They all stood impressively still and wore cleanly pressed uniforms. A few maids stood out from the rest. They stood lining the bottom of the stairwell and had nicer uniforms on than the other maids behind them. One of them walked up to me with a large smile and curtsied.

"Hello Miss Hart. My name is Hannah. I will be your lady's maid during your stay here," the maid named Hannah spoke.

She looked my age. Her tight brown curls were tied back into a low bun, green eyes, and fair clear skin. Her face looked kind and warm.

"Oh please don't curtsy," I laughed at her politeness. Honestly the curtsying made me uncomfortable. "Nice to meet you, Hannah. You can just call me Sarah though."

She beamed at me and looked almost relieved, "Great! Just follow me inside and I can show you to your room."

Hannah stepped aside to allow me to follow her, and I turned to face Atlas once more before leaving his side. He looked down at me, and his face looked once again unreadable.

 "I'll see you soon, Sarah," he said lowly.

"See you soon."

With that, Atlas entered the limo and they drove off. I listened as the tires drive over the gravel. I then followed Hannah up the steps.

"What about my bags," I questioned.

Hannah waved me off, "Oh don't worry about those. Matthew, the butler over there, will bring them to your room shortly. I'm technically supposed to do it, but he owes me." She laughed and I laughed along with her.