His Choice (The Selection)

Chapter Twelve

Seven girls. That's how many he asked to stay in the great room, that is how many empty table spots there are, that is how many girls did not follow Prince Charles into the dining room. I don't even know who some of them were. I know one of them was getting her makeup done while I was, but that is all I know.

The other girls seem to glance around nervously. I just roll my eyes and continue picking through my eggs. Most of the girls, like April who is across from me, are full of nervous energy. They can't stop looking towards the head table and whispering to one another.

Although, it might not be those seven girls who just left that they are talking about. It might very well be the fact that they are in the same room as the fabulous Queen Celia—note the sarcasm. I had to go through this with Lily. Celia is not more fabulous than me or her.

None of the girls seem to realize this, though, as they continue to stare at the queen. They don't seem as interested in her husband—who is quite good on the eyes—or her daughter who is trying to launch blueberries at her uncle.

When breakfast is finally over, I almost run out of the room. The place was suffocating. I mean, seriously. Any person who eats a meal while staring at someone needs to get a life.

I quickly walk up to my room, hoping to beat any girls following me. When I get there, I crack the door open but the mess of dresses and jewelry is still on the floor. Maybra and Connor clean it up silently. I close the door, hoping they don't notice and go back downstairs.

I walk around that floor of the palace for a little while, not sure where I really planned to go. After turning a corner, I came to glass double doors with curtains blocking the view. I sigh as I figure this is the only place to go.

I put my hand on the doorknob and I am about to twist it open when I hear the sound of talking. "Ash, you have to behave," the voice says. A sigh follows.

"I will mommy," a two year old's voice says. Then, Queen Celia comes around the corner where I just came from holding Princess Ash's hand. I look quickly away from then, but then remember to look back and curtsy.

"Hello, your majesty," I say. She nods.

"Hello. Is there any reason why you were just standing here at the door?" she asks. I look at the door then back at her. I quickly shake my head.

"Oh, um, no," I answer. She nods, but doesn't say anything else. Princess Ash looks up at me.

"Are you going to open the door?" she asks. I take in a sharp breath, not expecting someone her age to say that. I nod.

"Oh, um, yes, of course," I say. I open the door and let them pass through. As Queen Celia passes, it almost looks like she is trying to disguise a smile on her face. I take a deep breath, shaking off what just happened and walk into the room.

As soon as I step in, Savannah is waving at me eagerly. I give her a small wave and then quickly walk over to two arm chairs in the back where Giselle is reading a magazine. When I sit down, she puts the magazine down in her lap and looks at me.

"Did you meet Queen Celia?" she asks, looking towards the queen who has sat down at a table in the corner by herself. She has already busied herself by scribbling things down on paper. Ash sits in the floor in front of playing with several dolls. I nod.

"I did, but basically she just asked me to open the door," I say. She nods. I reach over to the table between us to grab a magazine. She looks down at my hand and raises her eyebrows.

"What is that?" she asks. I look at her with a confused look. "The ring."

"Oh. It was my grandmother's. I was never very close to her, but when she died I was the only granddaughter so it got passed down to me," I explained. She nods.

"Then why do you wear it?" she asks. I notice a little bit of movement in front of me. I look towards it and Bexley seems to be listening to our conversation. I ignore her and shrug.

"I don't know. She died when I was five so this was the first piece of real jewelry I ever received. I have wore it everyday since. . . It feels like a bit of a good luck charm," I explain. She nods and goes back to her magazine.

I pick mine up and begin flipping through the pages. I glance over the top of the magazine and while Bexley is holding up her own, she seems to be staring at my fingers. I ignore her and keep reading about some celebrity's drug addiction.

So, I felt this need to write an update at 8 am (seriously, my retainer is still in my mouth and my glasses are not on my face) so this obviously has bad editing. And anyone who wishes to remind me of that in the comments will get their commented deleted. But, anyways. Celia was not as important to the chapter as I had planned. Oh well. But at least Ember admits that Celia is fabulous because we all know she is. Comment and vote!

Disclaimer: The story of the Selection came from Kiera Cass's brain particles, not mine.