The Choice To Be Chosen (Book 1 of the CTBC Series)

Chapter 11

I spend the rest of the hour in my room talking with my maids. I avoided speaking of earlier before being sent off to etiquette lessons by asking my maids about their lives, though I didnt get told much, the hour was then used to tour my closet thanks to Claire. When I walk into the women's room, I get glares from a majority of the girls, though none are as bad as the jealousy and hatred burning in Elegance's eyes. I shift my glance downward before awkwardly walking over to Sarah. She gives me a smile as she motions for me to sit beside her.

"Hey! How was it?" She says in a hushed tone. I sigh before answering the same way I had before.

"Great." My voice is flat, Sarah gives me a look saying she wants the full story later. I nod hesitantly before Sofia stands up and clears her throat. Yeah, really missed her.

"Ladies!" She sang. "Today we will be learning how to dance! It is very important we start learning now before the annual Halloween party in a month! You will all be required to dance 5 traditional songs, others will be optional. Today, your dance partners will be a few guards I happened to snag away from their duties." She smiles seeming very proud with herself.

"Please, line up!" We do as she says and she opens the doors after we are. A girl I believe is named Adara raises her hand.

"Yes, Lady Adara?" Sofia answers as the guards begin to walk in.

"Aren't men prohibited from entering the Women's room?" She questions boldly. Sofia begins to answer, however is cut off my another female voice gracefully entering the room.

"Yes, unless I have approved and am present to supervise." The queen walks in behind the guards as we all curtsy, including Sofia.

"Your highness," she says.

"Miss Sofia," Queen Marisa smiles before looking at all 35 of us. The guards line up as well, so we are standing across from one another. I look down the line for Officer Olsen and smile when I see him.

"Today, men will chose whom they wish to dance with." she states gesturing down their line. "Please make your pick." She nods as the guards switch places with one another. I look back to where Officer Olsen was standing but dont see him. I sigh frustrated at all the movement.

"What? Not happy about having me as a parter?" I look up and right across from me he stands. I smile and laugh, though slightly embarrassed.

"Today you will simply be learning the four step! It is what you will be doing during non traditional songs, so pay attention, its more difficult than you think." Some girls laugh at the queens comment while others start to get nervous. I understand why I guess, It is a bit overwhelming to be in the palace, to be in front of the queen, to have the sudden change in wardrobe. But honestly, I enjoy the lifestyle of a royal, the clothes, the shoes, the hair, the parties, everything really except for those who rule currently, mainly Zacharias.

We all curtsy and bow, then step forward to learn arm placement. I smile and feel my cheeks redden when Officer Olsen rests his hand on my lower back, almost a bit protectively. I smile when our hands lace together. Wait, what the hell am I thinking?! I cant fall in love within a matter of hours! Especially not with someone I don't even know the first name of!

"What is your first name?" I speak my thoughts without realizing which makes Officer Olsen give me a confused look.

"Im sorry?" He asks. Perhaps I spoke too quietly or he just thought Id never ask.

"Im sorry, I just," I stop and mentally yell at myself for being like this. "Id like to know the name of my partner. Id rather not dance with someone I know is a murderer." I say my stupid joke and force a slight smile. Officer Olsen, however, chuckles softly and answers me anyways.

"Fredrick, Fredrick Olsen." He says seeming slightly embarrassed.

"Fredrick," I repeat. "Sounds nice." I smile and he does as well.

"Very good, Lady Bradilyn." Sofia says in an almost surprised tone as she walks by. This makes me realize we have already been dancing this entire time, my cheeks redden.

After several more minutes of Fredrick apologizing for his terrible dance skills, Sofia excuses us all back to our rooms before lunch. Thankfully, the royals will not be attending. However, when I reach my room, It makes me wish I were still will Sofia downstairs.

"Hello, Bradilyn Stem." He leans against my door, smirking, holding something in his hand.

"I finally realized who you are, right before you, well, you know." he chuckles and begins to walk towards me holding the object between his fingers, twirling it.

"And?" I say annoyed at all of this hide and seek nonsense.

"And," he steps towards me again, light showering over him and the object. "I wanted to give you this." Zacharias hold out a mint rose to me making hundreds of emotions consume my body. However, instead of taking the one thing that will always resemble my mother, instead of planting my perfectly manicured nails against his perfectly shaped jawline, instead of falling to the floor crying, I ran into my room slamming my door behind me, making Claire come out of my closet to see my face down on my bed crying.

Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to update! My birthday is coming up and ive been busy planning that! Also Ive been dealing with a lot of hurtful drama making me too sad to write at times. But I think Im good now! Anyways, I wont be posting, or even writing, another update until after the 12th, 15th, and 16th! These are my birthday, and birthday party! Lol anyways thanksso much for reading my story, im sorry if this isnt the best chapter, but before I go I have a question...

WHO ELSE CANT WAIT FOR PITCH PERFECT TWO!!!???!!! Omg im so excited! Lol also...

WHO ELSE HAS READ THE HEIR??!!?? I cant even explain my mood after that book... geez...

Lol anyways thanks so much for reading, commenting, and voting! Love you all!

~Summer (aka @selectionlover)