La Douleur Exquise

Chapter Two

"And the first contestant is..."
The entire world seemed to hold its breath.
"...Dahlia West." The girl let out a breath she hadn't noticed she'd been holding in disappointment. Of course she wouldn't be chosen; the invitation sent to her had probably been a mistake anyways. A clamor of excited energy erupted from a group of girls as a confident looking angel of a lady straightened and gave a smug smile to the crowd that translated to 'I knew it.' Her hair was a beautiful wisp red streaked with pieces so dark they looked auburn. The tips of her hair were jet black and she wore a furred top with a fashionable black collection of skirts and palm gloves.

"The second contestant is..."
A hush fell once more. She caught herself leaning forward and she crossed her arms.
"Zachary Chase." A young boy wearing a dark grey coat and large boots with dusty looking hair combed over his forehead and a cowlick sticking up from above his right temple raised an arm in solemn acknowledgement. A few nearby boys clapped heartily, obviously companions of his.

"The third contestant is..."
A few other people joined the crowd, the street performers watching from afar as they packed up to move out as more vendors and shop owners filed into the premises and shooed them away.
"Hunter Craig." An appreciative swell of applause erupted as a good looking young man with chiseled features and broad shoulders wearing a black trench coat and a green scarf waved in calm tranquility. A girl beside a group of friends shrieked in excitement.
"What is Hunter Craig doing here?! He's so amazing!" Whispering yells, loud cries and a bustle of movement to get a good look at the well known Duke of Craig commenced. Grey raised a hand and the entire group of onlookers froze in obedience.

"Please remain calm-we have one last contestant to reveal. Last but not least, our fourth and final contestant is..." His words trailed off as a woman hustled onto the stage with a beautiful dress of embroidered gold and a large white hand muff slid onto her wrist as not to be cumbersome approached Grey hurriedly and whispered something in his ear. Looking surprised, he glanced down towards the navy haired boy surreptitiously who inclined his head in turn, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. Turning away in the act of giving up she began to walk away towards the stalls so she could do some browsing before she departed.

Grey quickly collected his composure and sent the woman back down the steps her dress fluttering and her lips glued into a smile of accomplishment. Rejoining her friends she squealed something to them, before falling quiet as Grey stepped back up without a slip of paper.
"The last contestant has been altered due to a turn of events. Our last contestant is..."

The girl was only a few paces away from the crowd but she was relieved by the separation already. This isn't where she belonged; all she wanted was a blank canvas, a warm fire crackling in the hearth, a cup of tea and a nice novel. This was not what she wanted, to be noble and rich. She just wanted to be happy, and Lucille and Matt provided that justly.

"... Chantelle Antoinette."
She froze.

Oh dear, God, no. Turning she spotted a young looking boy in a colorful purple overcoat and tall black boots with bright blond hair. He was examining a vest of black and white stripes at a vendor's shop, apparently uninterested in the unfolding events of the election. Hurrying towards him she cleared her throat timidly.

"Um...excuse me? Would you happen to know the nearest exit, sir? I came in at the main entrance but I don't know exactly how to get back-" he turned to look at her with striking electric blue eyes and a dazzling smile. His side swept blond hair almost blinded her, and the fashionable green and black vest and his unusual apparel of black shorts during the winter time seemed to emanate an eccentric glow.

"Oh! You're that Chantelle girl! I've heard so much about you." He giggled bubbily and gave her a once over.

"You look the part. Didn't they call you? I haven't been paying much attention, frankly they're all imbeciles, the whole lot of them." His eyes darkened slightly before springing back into a joyous light. "Anyway, the entrance is a little ways off I'd have to show you, but I don't feel like it." She opened her mouth to protest but he cut her off by leaning forward a little, only a minimum of three inches taller than her.

"Hmmmm I thought that scent was wafting over from the stand next door but..." He gave a delicate sniff. "You smell fairly nice for a commoner. I've changed my mind; I'll show you the way." He declared. Slipping his arm through hers he began to saunter towards a row of shops sending a last doleful glance over his shoulder at the abandoned vest.

Blinking in surprise she attempted to keep up with his quick paced strides through the snow as he dragged her along. At least she had escaped. Just as the blond headed boy had done, she threw a last look at the platform over her shoulder. She was able to catch a glimpse of the three previous contestants searched for her among the crowd of girls insisting their name was Chantelle Antoinette and Charles Grey whispering to the Queen before she was pulled out of a direct line of sight. The boy was explaining something about a style he was interested in and a new tea he was intrigued to sample. Maybe escaping hadn't been the most intelligent idea when the only fugitives to assist you were the very people you were trying to run from.