Selected || H.S

65.

Don't forget to vote please! xx

"She is right." Every heads snap to look at the door and my eyes widen when I recognize Queen Marie standing there, face set into a sad frown.

I feel my insides twist, absolutely mortified that she found us all bickering like this. She scans our group as she slowly walks over to where I stand, my hands sweating buckets as I fidget on my spot.

"Y-Your Majesty." I stutter, bowing down in front of her and her lips twitch up into a smile before she stares at the girls. Something seems to have snapped in their heads, waking up from the shock of seeing Queen Marie here, and they all bow down simultaneity.

"Madison, darling," She turns to look at me, talking slowly and quietly, and I gulp. "I was about to spend a little moment in my room to rest. But then," She lets out a single laugh, cutting through the heavy silence in the room like a knife. "I thought, why not greet the beautiful ladies who are part of the competition. I thought I'd come to give advice and answer a few questions, but...it seems like you've been doing a better job."

"I..I-I"

"No, no." She shushes me and I bite my lip, truly clueless about what she meant by that and what is going to happen. I'm not the only one holding my breath, all the girls are staring with wide, scared eyes at the Queen, hands locked behind their backs and posture perfectly straight. "I was going to interfere as soon as I heard shouts and loud banter, but I was caught with interest and curiosity to watch how it really is behind the scenes."

She starts to walk, stepping past Victoria who looks frozen on her spot. I follow the Queen with my eyes as she marches past every girl, her red, satin heels clicking with every slow step she takes. "What I witnessed and heard was truly...mediocre and highly deceiving. I was expecting a lot more from the ten remaining contestants." My heart drops at that, feeling so disappointed in myself that I ended up making Queen Marie dislike me. I don't know what I've done wrong though? Was it the words I used?

She stops in front of Alexandra, looking up at the tall red haired girl with a hard stare while Alex tries to smile, not being able to hide her trembling self. "I'll make this really simple," Queen Marie continues, spinning on her heels and reverting her steps to stand next to me. "Miss Saddler and Miss Robins will be leaving as soon as the masquerade is over. I would like for Miss Yu and Jones to meet me in my room tomorrow at 2 in the afternoon. Miss Tempel and Miss Taylor will be receiving extra lessons from Lindsey and..." I think everyone's jaw dropped to the floor. She's going to disqualify Alex and Jasmine? I look at them, seeing the colors draining from their faces as a look of pure mortification contorts their features. Cindy and Noel also look scared to death and I grow worried for them, forgetting about Alex and Jasmine's case. What will Queen Marie do?

Harry's grandmother turns to look at me, a genuine smile back on her face and I hold my breath, ready for her final judgment. "Madison."

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty?" I mumble, eyes glued on the floor, my head tilted down in respect. The lump of nerves and anxiety in my throat has grown, the tension thickening by every second of silence that pass.

"I am now certain you'll be a great Queen." My face falls in surprise, the lump melting into a feeling of warm coulis expanding in my chest as I stare at the legendary woman in front of me, speechless. My mind is fuzzy, my heart is beating hard and she gives me a single nod, sincerity in her eyes.

"Miss Wood, Campbell and Valley, I hope you enjoyed your stay at the castle. I will be seeing you all at dinner." She ends before gracefully walking out of the Blazy like the powerful Queen she is.

It takes a moment for everyone to realize what just happened until Jasmine bursts into tears. I look at the girls, my mind still not fully processing what just occurred and my knees feel like jello. I meet Alex's eyes and sensing a cold shiver run up and down my spine at her glacial look and gulp, feeling the burn of her rage all the way from my spot. She flares her nostrils before turning around and storming out of the Blazy, leaving behind her a tensed silence and a heavy sense of fear in the pit of my stomach. I did not like that look at all.