The Crowns Choice

❦ Chapter Thirteen : Charlotte ❦

I had been avoiding the guys ever since I narrowed it down to twenty, sending fifteen back to their former lives with nothing but polite goodbyes and a few awkward handshakes. It wasn't that I didn't want to interact with them—it was that I didn't know how. Navigating this whole Selection process felt like walking on a tightrope, and I was still figuring out how to keep my balance.

So, I kept my distance. I buried myself in other tasks, avoiding eye contact in the hallways, and taking my meals alone in my chambers. But as much as I tried to sidestep the whole situation, I knew I couldn't avoid it forever. Not with the eyes of the kingdom watching my every move.

I was pacing in the west wing, contemplating my next steps, when a messenger arrived with a summons from my father. I cursed under my breath, crumpling the note in my fist. A visit to his office never boded well, especially when it came without warning.

As I made my way to his office, I couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach. When I entered, I found him sitting behind his massive oak desk, his expression unreadable. The room was as intimidating as always—dark wood panelling, shelves lined with ancient tomes, and a portrait of our ancestors staring down at me with a sense of judgement.

"Charlotte," he began, not even looking up from the papers in front of him. "Sit down."

I did as I was told, my back stiff against the cold leather chair. I could feel the weight of his gaze on me even though his eyes were still fixed on the documents. The silence stretched on, thick and heavy, until finally, he set the papers aside and looked at me.

"The public is unhappy," he stated bluntly, his voice devoid of any warmth or concern.

I blinked, caught off guard by his directness. "What do you mean?"

"They're not seeing what they want," he continued, leaning forward slightly. "There's a distinct lack of romance in this Selection, and it's not going unnoticed. The people are talking, and they're not impressed."

I sighed, feeling the familiar frustration rising up inside me. "I've been interacting with the contestants—"

"Interaction isn't enough," he cut me off, his tone sharp. "They want to see more. They want to see you engaging with these men on a deeper level. Dates, moments of connection, and yes, even a kiss now and then."

I grimaced at the thought, but I knew better than to argue. The whole point of this ridiculous process was to distract the public, to give them something to focus on besides the growing unrest in the kingdom. If that meant playing the part of the doting princess, then so be it.

"Fine," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'll make more of an effort."

He nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. "Good. It's important, Charlotte. For all of us."

I bit back the retort that was bubbling up inside me and simply nodded. After a few more instructions about upcoming events and a reminder to stay vigilant, he dismissed me, and I left the office with a sense of dread hanging over me.

As I walked back to my chambers, I let out a long, frustrated breath. My father's words echoed in my head, reminding me of the expectations that were piling up on my shoulders. But even as I tried to push the frustration away, I found myself thinking about how to approach this new challenge.

The idea of faking romantic moments for the public was less than appealing, but if I was going to do it, I needed someone who wouldn't make it feel like a chore. Someone who wouldn't take it too seriously, but could play along convincingly enough to satisfy the public. And as much as I hated to admit it, there was only one person who came to mind.

Atlas Everheart.

He was cocky, sure, but there was something about him that made this whole thing feel like less of a burden. His playful banter and easy charm were the perfect antidote to the heaviness of the situation. If I had to fake something, I might as well do it with someone who made me smile.

The decision was made, I quickly drafted a note, instructing a servant to deliver it to Atlas. I asked him to meet me in one of the palace's smaller meeting rooms later that afternoon. The anticipation of seeing him again brought an involuntary smile to my lips, which I quickly tried to suppress.

When the appointed time arrived, I found myself pacing the room, my mind racing with thoughts of how this would play out. I had no idea how Atlas would react to my request, but I was confident he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to add another layer to our ongoing banter.

The door creaked open, and Atlas strolled in with that signature smirk of his. "You called, Princess?"

I rolled my eyes at the nickname, though I couldn't hide the small grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. "I did. I need to ask you for a favour."

His eyebrows shot up in mock surprise. "A favour? From me? Now this I've got to hear."

I crossed my arms, meeting his gaze with a level look. "Yes, a favour. Tonight, I need you to meet me in the gardens. I've tipped off a photographer to be there, and I need you to help me create some... convincing moments for the cameras."

Atlas's smirk widened, and he stepped closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Convincing moments, huh? And here I thought you were immune to my charms."

I huffed, but the playful tone in his voice was impossible to resist. "This isn't about your so-called charms, Atlas. It's about playing the game. The public needs to see something romantic, and I need someone who won't make it awkward."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful for a moment before that cocky grin returned. "Alright, Princess Charming. I'm in. But just so you know, I don't do anything halfway."

I felt a flutter in my chest at his words, and I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the details of the plan. "Good. We'll keep it simple—nothing too over-the-top, just enough to get the photographers something to work with."

Atlas leaned against the edge of the table, watching me with that same amused glint in his eyes. "Simple, huh? Somehow I doubt anything about this will be simple with you involved."

I shot him a mock glare, but his words had already succeeded in making me smile. "Just be there tonight, Atlas."

He pushed off the table and gave me a mock salute. "Your wish is my command, Princess."

As he turned to leave, I couldn't help but notice the way my heart seemed to race just a little faster. Our conversation had been laced with the usual banter, but there was something different about it this time—something that left me feeling unexpectedly light-hearted.

And as the door closed behind him, I realised with a start that I hadn't stopped smiling throughout our entire conversation. The thought of spending time with Atlas that evening filled me with a sense of excitement that I hadn't anticipated.

For once, I wasn't dreading the performance I had to put on. In fact, I was actually looking forward to it.