Princess of Illéa

Chapter 25 - Ring

I wake up and take a shower. As soon as I get out of the bathroom, my maids start getting me ready for the day.

We're all in the dining room having breakfast, America is strangely not here. This makes Clarkson a little happier, which consequently makes me a little angrier.

"Is everything all right with Lady America?" Mom asks Maxon, but everyone in the room listens attentively.

Maxon is acting a bit strange. "I've been warned by her maids that she's not feeling very well, she has a migraine, so she won't be coming down for breakfast."

The king smiles disgustingly. I see Mom getting even more worried. I wonder if this reminds her of her own Selection, and the fact that she spent part of it in the med bay because of her migraines caused by the polluted environment she worked in when she was still a Four. It also caused her to have a major fertility problem, and consequently to have a couple of miscarriages before Maxon was born.

I have lunch in the Women's Room with the Selected. America appears during lunch. I watch her discreetly throughout. The first thing I notice is the dress with longer sleeves than she usually wears. A few times when she brings her fork to her mouth, she seems to be trying not to grimace. I think she might be injured. Maybe the rest of them haven't noticed, but I notice a different sheen on America's face, sweat.

Our trays are taken away by butlers, and then Silvia comes in. "It's time for you ladies to shine again. In a week, we'll be having a small tea party, and you all, of course, are invited!" she says. "You won't be in charge of any preparations for this particular party, but you must be on your best behavior, because this will be filmed for the public."

Good, that would at least change the monotonous atmosphere of the last few days.

"You will each invite two people to be your personal guests at this tea party, and that will be your only responsibility. Choose wisely, and let me know your two contacts by Friday."

I wonder if perhaps this is a plan by the king with America in mind. After all, who would she invite?

"Who are you picking, Celeste?" Kriss asks.

I'm curious too. Celeste shrugs. "Not sure yet. But I promise they'll be spectacular."

I bet they will be. Celeste turns to America. "Who do you think you'll bring, America?"

America clears her throat before answering. "I have no idea. I'm not sure I know anyone who would be appropriate to invite. It might be better if I bring no one."

"Well, if you really can't find anyone, let me know," says Celeste. "I'm positive I have more than two friends who would like to visit the palace, and I could make sure you at least have an idea of who they are. If you want to, that is."

I'm glad that Celeste is being friendly with America, I knew that in the beginning, before our relationship started, she wasn't at all nice to any of the girls. I also told her that America is my favorite, and I feel that Maxon shares my opinion. Celeste winks at America.

"Thank you," says America.

"No problem. If we're going to have a party, might as well make it a good one."

The day of the tea party arrives. I have to stop myself from widening my eyes when I see America's guests: Nicoletta, the princess of Italy and Georgia, the rebel I met the other day. Speaking of America, my suspicions that she's injured have been pretty much confirmed, ever since she didn't come down for breakfast that morning, she's always wearing dresses with long sleeves. America was right to invite the princess of Italy, she's probably the best guest in the room. I can just imagine Clarkson being furious about this and my day gets a little better. 

While America's guests are Nicoletta and Georgia, Elise's are two cousins from New Asia, Kriss's are a professor from the university where her father works and her mother, and Celeste's are Tessa Tamble, a very famous singer who, according to Celeste, sung on her last birthday, and Kirstie Summer, another singer.

I greet all the guests and end up standing next to America, Georgia and Nicoletta.

"Nicoletta," Mom says as she approaches us. "How wonderful to see you again."

The two exchange kisses in greeting.

"The joy is all mine. I was elated when I received America's invitation. We all had such a wonderful time on our last visit." says Nicoletta.

"I'm glad to hear that," Mom says. "I'm afraid it's going to be a bit calmer today."

"I don't know," says Nicoletta, and then points discreetly at Celeste's guests. "I'm betting those two will send me home with at least one story."

As Celeste's friends, I don't doubt a thing.

We all laugh. I see my mother getting a little anxious. "I suppose I should go introduce myself."

"Always the picture of bravery," America jokes.

Mom smiles to her. "Please, relax and enjoy yourselves. I hope you get to meet some new acquaintances but, honestly, just take some time together with your friends."

"Wait, Mom. I'm coming with you." I say, and then Mom takes my hand and we go together to Celeste and her friends.

I use any excuse to stay as close to Celeste as possible. As soon as we get close to the three of them, I give Celeste a little wink as I have to resist the temptation to touch her in public. Her friends quickly bow when they see the queen. While Amberly is introduced to Tessa and Kirstie, Celeste and I stand next to each other, exchanging quick glances.

While the five of us are talking, one of Celeste's friends, Tessa, seems to notice something. She takes Celeste's left hand and says. "Celeste!" she gasps. "Did the prince give you that ring? I know an engagement ring when I see one!"

I stop controlling myself for a second and widen my eyes. The engagement ring I gave Celeste. It's a discreet ring, it was mine and so as a symbol of our engagement I wanted to give it to Celeste. I control my reaction again and then look at my mother, who is equally shocked, although she is a little more discreet in the way she shows it. Celeste is red from being taken by surprise.

She starts to stutter, trying to think of an excuse, when my mother answers for her, "My son must think you're very important to him if he gave you that ring as a present." she discreetly turns to me and winks.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty." Celeste replies. She pulls herself together and continues. "I imagine he gave at least one other piece of jewelry to every other girl in the Elite. It's not an engagement ring, it's a gift from the prince. He's very generous."

Fortunately, none of her friends seem to suspect the answer. Mom and I spend some time chatting with Celeste and her friends.

I know that my mother, at the beginning of Maxon's Selection, avoided having too much contact with the Selected girls so as not to get attached to any of them. Now that we're in the Elite phase, she's allowed herself to get to know each of the girls a little better, but she still tries not to get too close to them for fear that she'll create an almost mother-daughter relationship with one of the girls and then the girl won't be Maxon's chosen one. However, I can see that my mother is discreetly trying to get closer to Celeste, since she knows that Celeste will be her daughter-in-law in the future, so she's not afraid to get attached to her. It warms my heart to see my mother and Celeste interacting, to see the two of them getting on well.