The Prince or the Crown

chapter eighteen

The next day was another ball. After dinner, there would be only twenty women left in the Matching, which meant tomorrow the remaining suitors would move into the new palace to live in the same hallway as Azmir.

I still hadn't talked to Chloe about what I'd seen and wasn't planning on doing it anytime soon. She'd tell me how she felt if she wanted to, and I didn't want to pressure her into admitting anything in front of the cameras. But I would definitely try and test her reactions myself.

"Bella, you never told us about the date you won saving us from that little white roses prank," Keala said after I'd waltzed out of Azmir's arms. 

I laughed. "Oh, you know, it was great," I said, adjusting the tool of my billowy red dress. 

I glanced at Chloe's expression to see her chewing her lip as she watched Azmir offer Isla a dance. "Chloe, why don't you ask him to dance?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

She turned to me in shock, her eyes wide in surprise. "W-what? Why would I do that?" Her face flushed red. 

Charlotte tilted her head to the side and studied Chloe's expression. "Chloe. Do you... like the prince?"

Chloe looked around her for any cameras. "Don't say that so loudly!" she whispered.

"Oh, look, he's coming over here," I said casually. 

She narrowed her eyes in anger and leaned forward, gritting her teeth. "Shut. Up."

"Hey, Chloe," Azmir said, grabbing her hand and spinning her around to face him. She tilted up her chin, trying and failing to suppress her blush. "You look like a flower today," he whispered in her ear. She shuddered, but met his gaze with fierce determination. 

He stared into her eyes. "Let's dance."

Charlotte, Keala, and I gawked as Chloe and Azmir moved effortlessly across the floor. Sure, they were going much slower than the rest of the dancers, but Chloe was no longer stumbling over her own feet. She seemed to relax into his grip, allowing him to lead her through the dance. 

"Huh," was all Charlotte said, her lips upturned in a smile as she took a sip of her wine. 

I suddenly met a familiarly warm pair of light green eyes in the crowd of skirts and suits, his eyes widening as he met my gaze. It looked like he was about to say something, so I turned around and walked towards the bar. I asked for a glass of white wine and waited near the counter. 

I let my focus drift across the room to Kavek. He stared at me with sad acknowledgement written in his eyes before casting his gaze to the floor and slipping out of the ballroom. I turned back to the bar, holding in my tears like my life depended on it.

This was good. 

"Ladies!" Azmir's voice announced from the center of the room. 

I gave the bartender a quiet 'thank you' as he handed me my glass, then walked over to where everyone had gathered. 

"It is now that time of the day. All of you have made it so far into the competition, and I just want to congratulate you on working so hard to ensure the future strength of Aeqaea. But as much as it pains me to do so, I have to let five of you go. Now, since you have made it this far, the five of you being sent home will receive a small sum of money to compensate for your time as well as a personalized letter from me. I had a lovely time getting to know all of you and if you aren't my future wife, I hope you make it where you want to in life. You are all beautiful and deserve the best. Okay, I know it's late, so I'll make this brief. The five people I must send home are Rea Sand, Kae Sarak, Mena Kev, Weana Kendal, and Keala Meren. Please pack your things and prepare for your flights in the early morning. Thank you, everyone!"