❦ Chapter Nine: Charlotte ❦

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I paced the marble floors of the west wing, trying to drown out the echoing sounds of The Crowns Choice preparations. The palace was buzzing with activity—every corner seemed alive with the hum of anticipation. I glanced toward the east wing, where the thirty-five contestants were staying, and felt a shiver of unease.

It was almost impossible to avoid thinking about them, even if I tried. They were the focus of every conversation, every glance from the palace staff, and even my own thoughts. Despite my best efforts to maintain a semblance of normalcy, the reality of The Crowns Choice was starting to seep into every aspect of my life.

"Don't go to the east wing," I muttered to myself as I rounded a corner. "Don't even think about it."

The east wing was now a hive of activity—rooms being prepared, meals being delivered, and the constant shuffle of guards and servants. And most importantly, it was where the contestants were, all vying for the chance to make an impression on me. I was determined not to let my curiosity—or any other emotion—get the better of me.

I had promised myself that I would approach this with the utmost professionalism, keeping my distance from the contestants until absolutely necessary. The last thing I wanted was to accidentally stumble upon them and give any of them an advantage, or worse, reveal any personal weakness.

"Keep focused," I reminded myself as I wandered through the grand halls. "This is just a part of the job."

I tried to immerse myself in the tasks at hand—preparing for the official dinner, reviewing the schedule, and making sure everything was in order. It was supposed to be a distraction, a way to keep my mind off the strange and uncomfortable reality of The Crowns Choice. But no matter how busy I kept myself, my thoughts kept drifting back to the contestants.

Earlier that day, I had been involved in a meeting with my parents and the advisors, discussing the various aspects of The Crowns Choice. They talked about the logistics, the media coverage, and the potential outcomes, and I had to sit there and listen, all while maintaining a façade of interest.

"You need to be aware of every detail," Mother had said, her voice calm but insistent. "The public will be watching, and we can't afford any slip-ups."

I nodded, trying to absorb every piece of information, even though my mind was racing with thoughts of the east wing and the people now occupying it. It was like a parade of strangers who were about to become a very public part of my life, whether I liked it or not.

After the meeting, I'd retreated to my private chambers, hoping to escape the overwhelming buzz of activity. But even here, the noise seemed to follow me. The distant chatter of palace staff, the faint clinking of dishes from the kitchens—it was all a reminder of what was happening just a few corridors away.

The next official event was approaching fast, and the reality of what lay ahead was beginning to weigh on me. I knew that I had to keep my distance from the contestants until the formal interactions began, but it wasn't easy. Curiosity was a powerful thing, and every time I heard a mention of the contestants or caught a glimpse of one of them in the distance, my resolve was tested.

I found myself standing in front of one of the large windows overlooking the gardens, the setting sun casting long shadows across the manicured lawns. It was a peaceful sight, a brief respite from the chaos inside the palace. But even here, I couldn't fully escape my thoughts.

"Why does this have to be so complicated?" I asked the empty room, frustration seeping into my voice.

The garden below seemed to mock me with its tranquillity. I longed for that same sense of peace, away from the endless expectations and the circus of The Crowns Choice. But it was out of reach. I had to deal with it, to face the reality of it head-on.

The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden hue across the garden. I walked along the gravel paths, enjoying the relative peace. The only sounds were the rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. It was soothing, almost serene.

But as I rounded a corner, the peace was interrupted by a voice.

"Well, aren't you just Princess Charming?"

I turned abruptly, my heart racing, and found a young man leaning casually against a stone fountain. His grey eyes locked with mine, and his confident smirk made it clear he wasn't intimidated by the situation. He looked almost too comfortable in the setting.

I raised an eyebrow, taking in his relaxed demeanour. "And you are?"

"Atlas Everheart," he said smoothly, pushing off the fountain and standing up straight. "At your service."

I tried to keep my surprise from showing. "You're one of the contestants, then?"

"Guilty as charged," Atlas replied, with a hint of playful arrogance. "I didn't expect to run into you before tomorrow's official introductions."

I crossed my arms, scrutinising him. "You're not supposed to be out here yet. What are you doing?"

Atlas shrugged nonchalantly. "I needed a breather from all the formalities. Besides, who could resist a chance to meet the infamous Princess Charming?"

I narrowed my eyes, not entirely amused. "And you think you're charming enough to break the rules?"

He flashed a confident grin. "Well, I do like to think I have a certain charm. But let's be honest, meeting you outside the usual routine? Definitely a bonus."

I sighed, feeling a mix of annoyance and intrigue. "You're not making this easy."

Atlas's expression softened, though his smile remained. "Hey, I'm just trying to make the best of a crazy situation. I know this Crowns Choice thing isn't exactly normal for you either."

I paused, considering his words. "That's true. But you still shouldn't be here."

"I get it," he said, stepping a little closer. "But you know what? Sometimes breaking a few rules leads to better conversations."

I couldn't help but smile despite myself. "You're certainly persistent."

He chuckled, looking genuinely amused. "It's a talent. Plus, it's not every day you get to talk to a royal pompous ass like you outside the official event."

I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. "Pompous ass? Bold choice of words for someone who's trying to win my favour." My voice was teasing, but there was a playful challenge in my eyes. "But I'll let it slide—for now. Just know that if you keep calling me names, you might not make it to tomorrow."

His grin widened, clearly not intimidated. "I like living dangerously."

"Alright, Atlas," I said, unable to hide the amusement in my tone. "But seriously, you can't tell anyone about this. I wasn't supposed to meet any of the contestants until tomorrow."

"Got it," he said with a nod. "Your secret's safe with me."

I hesitated for a moment before continuing. "And you can call me Lottie. I'd prefer it."

Atlas's grin widened. "Lottie. I like it. And I guess I can be your inside man. I'll keep you updated on the other guys."

I gave him a sceptical look. "You think you'll be staying long enough to do that?"

He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. "Oh, I'm confident. But if not, at least I'll have had a chance to meet the infamous Lottie."

I shook my head, amused despite myself. "Alright, Atlas. But remember, keep this between us."

"I'll keep it quiet," he said, flashing a charming smile. "But just so you know, I'll be around."

With that, I turned and headed back toward the palace, Atlas's gaze lingering on me as I walked away. I had a feeling this encounter was just the beginning of something more complicated than I had expected.

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