The Appointed: A Selection Fanfiction

Chapter Nine

Once again, my maids never ceased to amaze me. They had put me in a beautiful light green gown with little silver kitten heels. My hair was curled and pinned into a bun shaped like a flower. They had done my makeup perfectly as well. For the first time, I really thought I looked pretty.

As I approached the Women's Room, I saw Benli walking towards me.

"Grey?" She asked sounding worried.

"What is it?" I hadn't spoken to her since we met and I must say, she looked absolutely stunning in her gold heels and light blue dress.

"I haven't seen Leni all morning." She said, breathless. Her face suddenly went white. "What if she's been sent home?" She hurried away with her face in her hands, crying.

I hadn't realized Leni and Benli were such good friends. I had never seen them talk, but I haven't been paying attention either. Maybe when I have been talking to Quinn, Leni's been talking to Benli.

I sat down on the couch next to Quinn and told her about Benli and her suspicions about Leni.

"I honestly don't think she's gone. I mean, look around," Quinn said. "Eight girls left last night. Why would the Prince send a girl home this morning, when he could have just done it last night? It doesn't make any sense."

"You're probably right." I admitted. "It's probably just nothing. I shouldn't be getting this worked up."

"Oh my goodness!" Quinn exclaimed. "Look at the time," I glanced up at the clock. "We're supposed to be at breakfast."

All the girls hurried out of the room, not wanting to be late. I don't know about them, but I certainly didn't want June yelling at me. We all sat down in our seats just as the Royal Family began to walk in. We all stood to curtsy, then sat back down as the food was served.

I piled my plate with some bacon, pineapple, and a biscuit. The food here was so good I had to eat as much as I could. Who knew how long I would stay.

I was sipping my milk quietly until I heard someone call my name.

"Lady Grey?" I looked up to see Prince Benetton staring at me so I nodded. "How are you enjoying your stay at the palace?"

"It's actually quite lovely," I replied truthfully. "The decor is amazing. Though I must say, there are too many hallways for my liking. I get lost quite frequently." I joked. It was true though, I never seemed to be able to find my way around this place.

"Ahh, I see," Benetton replied. "Maybe I will call in a hallway exterminator. That may fix the problem, yes?"

"Yes, I would think so." I laughed.

The Prince didn't call on anyone else to speak with for the rest of the meal. Did that mean something? He provably just wanted to break the silence.

I excused myself from the table and went back to the Women's Room. It was quiet at the moment and no one would question me. I looked out the window and saw the vibrant purple flowers and green trees. Everything was perfect. Just like everything else in this place. Perfect floors, perfect food, perfect girls. Why couldn't I be perfect?

Quinn walked in and sat in the chair next to mine.

"I still haven't seen Leni. Have you?" I asked, hoping for an answer.

"No, I haven't. But I know where we can." She said as she grabbed my arm and rushed out of the room. We ran up the steps to the second floor and stopped in front of Leni's room. Quinn motioned for me to knock.

"Come in." Said a soft voice from inside. We both let out a sigh of relief knowing that she at least hadn't gone home.

I opened the door and walked inside. I noticed Leni was on the floor with a suitcase halfway packed.

"Hey, Leni." Quinn said beside me. "Why are you packing up?"

"I'm not cut out for this. It's too much pressure and I can't handle it."

"Did the Prince send you home?" I asked.

"No, I was just going to ask him after I finished packing. I assumed he would understand." She said with a weak smile.

"You don't have to go, you know. We can help you get through this." Quinn offered. "I know it's hard, it you can get through this. You're strong, Leni."

Leni started to zip up her suitcase, but didn't finish as the tears in her eyes spilled over.

"I yelled at him." She wept. "I yelled at him and he still didn't send me home. I was so awful. The pressure was so unbearable and I lashed out." Her last words were slurred together from her crying and I couldn't understand.

"It'll be okay." I comforted. "We're here for you."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Quinn unpacking Leni's suitcase and putting the items back where they all belonged.

"Thanks, guys." Leni sniffled.

"Hey, the least you could do is stay for the Report." Quinn joked.

I had forgotten the Report was tonight. The Selected weren't going to be interviewed until next week so all I had to do is listen to the Prince answer questions. Easy enough.

As I sat up, I noticed Leni looked much better and had stopped crying. Quinn hugged her before we left and said, "Hey, go easy on yourself. The Prince is the one doing the choosing, not your mind. See ya' later, Leni."

I closed the door behind me and told Quinn I was going to head to my room. She nodded and went to her room as well.

I sat down in thee desk at the corner and starte to write a letter home to my family. It read.

Dear Mom and Jake,

The palace is wonderful! Everything is so pretty, not to mention the food. It is heavenly and tastes better than anything we ever had at home. There are these little lemon tarts that taste so good. I wish you could try one because I feel like you would love them as much as I do!

Yes, the Prince is okay. I've spoken to him twice and both times he has been quite the gentleman. I don't really know him that well though, seen as he's never talked about himself. Maybe I'll get to know him better on the Report tonight.

Ahh! Mom, I'm going to be on TV! This is so exciting, but nerve racking at the same time. Where do I put my hands?!

I promise to behave during my stay. Love you,

Grey

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Is the letter italicized? It's not showing it for me, so please tell me and I'll try to fix it. Thx.

-Quinn-