The Crowns Choice

❦ Chapter Ten: Atlas ❦

As I strolled through the palace's common room, the air was thick with tension. The other guys were scattered around, each one trying to make their presence known in the most nonchalant way possible. It was like watching a pack of wolves circling each other, waiting to see who would make the first move.

I leaned against a wall, eyes scanning the room. This was supposed to be an experience of a lifetime, right? But for most of these guys, it felt like a game—a high-stakes one where the prize was a crown. Alexander Hawthorne was already working the room, his voice smooth and confident as he chatted up some of the other contestants. Everett Sinclair was lounging in a chair, keeping a low profile but with an unmistakable edge to his demeanour.

I needed to play this smart. My little encounter with Lottie earlier had been a stroke of luck, but I knew I couldn't rely on that alone. I had to get a read on the others, figure out who was a threat and who was just playing along.

My eyes landed on Jasper Montgomery, who was seated in an armchair by the window, flipping through a book with an air of practised indifference. He was from Stratum Two, which meant he was used to the finer things in life. He didn't look up as I approached, but there was something about his posture that told me he was fully aware of my presence.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked, keeping my tone light as I sat down across from him.

Jasper slowly lifted his gaze from the book, his eyes cold and assessing. "Why would you?"

I blinked, taken aback by the bluntness. "Just thought I'd introduce myself. Get to know the competition."

He smirked, closing his book with a snap. "Competition? Please. You're no competition to me."

I forced a smile, not letting his arrogance get under my skin. "You're awfully confident. But isn't that what this whole Crowns Choice is about? Figuring out who fits best?"

Jasper leaned back, crossing his arms as he looked me up and down. "You really think you have a chance, don't you? Coming from Stratum Five, of all places."

I felt my jaw tighten, but I kept my expression neutral. "Everyone's got a shot. That's what they say, anyway."

He scoffed, his eyes gleaming with condescension. "You should leave while you still can. This isn't a charity case. Lottie's not going to waste her time with someone like you."

The way he said her name, so casually, irritated me. Like he already had her in the palm of his hand. "Lottie, huh? You sound pretty sure of yourself."

Jasper's smirk grew, and he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper. "Let me give you some advice, Everheart. Go back to your Stratum and do whatever it is you people do there. You're out of your league here."

I clenched my fists under the table, fighting the urge to snap back. Instead, I forced a laugh. "Thanks for the tip, Montgomery. But I think I'll stick around. I'm curious to see how this all plays out."

He shrugged, dismissing me with a wave of his hand. "Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you."

I stood up, nodding at him with a tight smile. "Guess we'll see who lasts longer."

As I walked away, I could feel his eyes on my back, that smug, superior gaze that made my skin crawl. He might've written me off, but I wasn't about to back down. I walked over to the far side of the room.

I kept my face relaxed, leaning against a wall with an easygoing smile as I surveyed the room. The Crowns Choice was supposed to be this big deal, and sure, most of the guys looked like they were treating it that way—trying to size each other up without making it obvious. I could see Alexander Hawthorne in the corner, already deep in conversation with someone, probably testing out his charm. Jasper Montgomery, all quiet confidence, sat with a book, pretending not to care about the social dynamics unfolding around him.

I knew I needed to play this smart. My little run-in with Princess Charming had given me a head start, but I couldn't rely on that alone. I had to gather information, make allies—or at least figure out who the competition was.

I spotted Elias Vance, leaning back with a cocky grin as he chatted with Everett Sinclair. They were probably swapping stories of past conquests or something equally mundane. I sauntered over, keeping my movements casual, like I was just another guy trying to pass the time.

"Mind if I join?" I asked, flashing my most relaxed grin.

Elias glanced up, his grin widening like he'd found a new toy to play with. "Sure, the more the merrier."

Everett gave me a once-over, his expression neutral but his eyes calculating. "You're the guy from Stratum Five, right?"

I nodded, leaning against the back of a chair. "Yep. Name's Atlas. And you two must be the big shots from the upper Strata?"

Elias laughed, clearly amused. "Something like that. But hey, everyone's on equal footing here, right? At least, that's what they want us to think."

I chuckled, playing along. "Yeah, a level playing field. Sure."

Everett's gaze sharpened, like he was trying to figure me out. "So, what's your angle, Atlas? You think you've got a shot at winning this thing?"

I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "I figure it's worth a try. But honestly, I'm more interested in seeing how this whole Selection thing plays out. It's not every day you get thrown into a palace and told to win over a princess."

Elias smirked, clearly enjoying the banter. "True enough. But don't get too comfortable. Some of us have been playing this game a lot longer."

I matched his smirk, leaning in just a little. "Games are all about strategy, though, right? It's not just about who's been playing the longest, but who can adapt the quickest."

Everett's lips quirked into a faint smile, a hint of approval in his eyes. "You've got a point. But don't underestimate the competition. We're not all here just to look pretty."

I held up my hands in mock surrender. "Wouldn't dream of it."

The conversation drifted after that, veering into lighter topics, but I kept my ears open, absorbing the bits and pieces of information. It was clear these guys were here to win, each with their own tactics and approaches. But there was an undercurrent of tension too—everyone knew there could only be one winner.

As the conversation ebbed, I excused myself, claiming I needed to stretch my legs. But really, I wanted to get a feel for the place, maybe stumble across another opportunity to gather intel. I wandered the halls, admiring the artwork and the extravagance that dripped from every corner. This place was a far cry from the life I knew.

My thoughts drifted back to my earlier encounter with Charlotte—no, Lottie. The fact that she wanted me to call her that was intriguing, like she was trying to create some distance from her royal persona. There was something about her that drew me in, something beyond the whole Selection setup. She was guarded, sure, but there was a spark there, a fierceness that made me want to dig deeper.

I turned a corner and found myself near the garden again, the same one where we'd met. The memory brought a small smile to my face. Maybe I'd gotten lucky, or maybe it was fate—I wasn't sure. But I knew one thing: I wasn't going to let that little encounter go to waste.

As I started back towards the common room, I couldn't help but wonder what Lottie was doing now. Was she thinking about me, too? Or had she already moved on, filing our meeting away as just another part of this whole mess?

Either way, I'd be around. This was just the beginning, and I had every intention of making the most of it.