The Unexpected Crown

Twenty-seven

I'm not surprised to hear a couple of gasps - either from the Elite, the royal family, or maids - echoing throughout the dinning room as I glide my way to my seat. As far as I can see, only Gracelyn isn't shocked at my deliberate choice to demonstrate that even after an awful situation, I am prepared for battle. And battle meaning the fight for a Prince's heart... or for some others, his crown.

"Lady Corrine, we are ecstatic to have you back in our safekeeping. You look radiant." Queen Georgia proclaims with a gracious smile.

"Yes, welcome back indeed, Dear." Her dutifully husband, our king, adds on happily. This is the first time he has ever directly spoken to one the the Selected publicly and I must say that I am momentarily stumped at his jovial words.

"Thank you, Your Majesties. I am overjoyed to be back." I reply, secretly thrilled yet at the same time dreading joining the other girls who sit vengefully.

I sit in the only spot left open next to Megan and Raymie, across from Della. Megan is the only one who looks as if she's excited to see me, the other two find ways to ignore me - Della in more of a rude manner - as I settle in.

"How was it?" Megan interrogates a bit too chirpily - seeing as the question is meant for my kidnapping.

"Excuse me?" I hold in my scoff, but I choke on the water I just took a sip of.

Della mutters something to Erica in disgust while looking at the entire event. Managing to keep a polite look upon my face, I glance at Raymie to find her looking incredulously at Megan, now attentive to the conversation.

"She was kidnapped you daft fool." She adds, surprisingly backing me up.

Blushing at her mistake, Megan mends her wording, "I mean, was it... thrilling?"

Raymie shakes her head again as I answer, "If you're asking if it was similar to an amusement ride, no. No it was not. I was caged and chained and starved. I'd prefer to say nothing else."

This shuts the black haired nuisance up. I try to dive into my meal somewhat elegantly, but Raymie holds me back. Some sort of sincerity and remorse flash on her face.

"I want to apologize, Corrine. I was ill-mannered when you returned and when you came to dinner, you didn't do anything willingly to deserve that. We all just were jealous because when you were gone, it became very clear that Prince Hunter cares a lot about you. We all - me especially - felt very threatened." Raymie sucks in a breath, ready to continue her confession but I cut her off.

"Why?" I don't even bother trying to hide the curiosity in blatantly resting on my face.

"I have only had one date with Prince Hunter. Every other girl here has at least had three." Her eyes widen at the word 'three'.

"I haven't. We've only had two."

"But you've been alone with him, right?" I nod slowly. "I haven't even had that. I see him when everyone does, it doesn't make sense." Her eyebrows knit in confusion.

The words I say hurt; "But he must have liked you enough to keep you after only having one date with him."

Raymie's eyes brighten up at this thought. She smiles joyfully and lays her hands on the table. I can't help be cringe inwardly at her unladylike behavior. If I had done the same with Mother around, she would have smacked me so hard that I wouldn't be able to see straight ahead.

"I suppose so! Anyway, back to the moral of my apology, I am sorry. I hope you can forgive me. It would be nice to have a friend in this. I've tried to befriend Noelle and them, but she's so boring." Raymie and I giggle quietly at the reserved, pale, blond haired girl picking at her food.

"I forgive you, and I'd love to be your friend. Other than Bianca and you, I don't see any other friendly faces in the Elite." I stare around the group and what I said proves to be true. Erica, Della, and Aurora mutter to themselves on one side of the table. Noelle, Lorelei, and Raven eat politely near the head of the table. Bianca is chatting with Gracelyn. Megan smiles oddly to herself, munching away on her meal.

"You're right. But weren't you friendly with Aurora? I saw you hang around her in the first week or so."

"We were. She said some catty things during one of the Report's and then stopped talking to London, Bianca, and me." I explain while cutting up my chicken.

"Oh, that's sad. I'm sorry about London. You two were close, right?" She asks before taking a sip of water.

"Yeah. I'm sorry about Olivia. You both knew each other before the Selection, correct?"

"Mhmm. She was my closest friend when growing up. But it's okay, she had a guy pining after before she was selected. I'm hoping they get together." She smiles mischievously. She must ship to two.

We settle into silence in order to finish our supper. Out of everything this day brought, I'm glad to be back at the palace, in good terms with Hunter and Bianca, and to have a new friend in this game.

~~~

I don't bother to wait for Hunter in my gown, I settle for my soft pajamas. Besides, he's already seen me in them, so what's the harm?

Even though he already told me that he would be late, I find myself completely and utterly bored. Thinking back to the morning, I remember promising London to write to Zac so that he may seek her out. Snatching a pen and paper, I set off to work—writing about how wonderful the Selection is, asking him how he is doing, and then finally suggesting that he take London out on a date. As I set the letter down on my nightstand, Hunter knocks on the door.

"Come in!" I call, not wanting to get out of bed.

He takes long strides towards me, looking like a hot, slightly disheveled mess. His hair sticks out everywhere from his tick about running his hands through it. He must have lost his tie a while ago and there is a distinct scent of cigar smoke covering him; most likely for sitting in a room with a dozen of old men deciding tax issues.

His mouth captures me in an intense kiss before I can even sit up from my bed. Instead, he just kicks off his shoes and joins me on the soft mattress. The kisses become soft and sweet, and I run my hands through his hair, making it even crazier. But of course things take a turn for the worse as he turns his head slightly to the left and seems to turn into stone.

"Baby? What is it?" I ask. My hand tries to pull his head down to look back at me but he brushes it off.

Sitting upright, he straddles me and grabs the letter off of the nightstand. His eyes fill with anger as he reads the first half of the letter.

"You're here with me, in my home, loving me, while loving him?" Hunter inquires, poison seeping from his words.

"What? No! London asked me to write to Zac Tessel for her. She wants to go out on a date with him. Read the rest of the letter, I promise." I explain, tears forming in my eyes.

He skims over the rest of the letter, somewhat satisfied. Setting the letter back down, he leans right next to my ear.

"I'm sorry, love. Tell me before you write letters to actors so I don't fall into a jealous rage." He whispers huskily, causing a sigh to escape me.

"I promise." I reply, kissing him one last time before I shoo him out my door. If he would stay any longer, I'm sure that laws would be broken.

Sorry for not updating in forever! Hope you liked the chapter! Please vote and comment!