The Most Annoying Love

Chapter two

I think I screamed. Everyone turned to look at me and my mom turned and embraced me in a hug filled with tears. Looking over my moms shoulder I could see people scoff and roll their eyes at me and honestly, I can't blame them. I mean, I am a poor girl that almost died and now I am on my way to the palace.

My mom and I talk excitedly about what we think the palace life would be like, the balls, gowns and an experience one could only dream of. As we enter my house a way of sadness washes over me as I realize that this will be the last night I spend in my childhood house for what could be weeks to never coming here again. Not that it would ever happen. Prince Kingston will probably choose some girl from a high caste and will never look at a low eight like me.

The next morning I am woken up by a palace guard that urges me to get dressed and hurry downstairs. Confused, I change into my clothes and run to the kitchen. Before I can get there I see David yelling at a woman at the door. Stepping closer I see it is Ella.

"Ella!" I exclaim and she opens her arms.

"Lilah!" She says as she hugs me.

"Come on in." I say to the annoyance of David. Finally walking into the kitchen I see my mom hunched over a tablet with a woman and several other guards surrounding them. "Uhh mom? What's happening?"

"Finally your up!" The woman exclaims and walks over to me. "My name is Bri. I will be in charge of your stay at the palace. Now, I got your mom's favorite dresses for you, now I just need you to take a survey to find your style. Sound good?" I nod in agreement and she hands me another tablet.

"Um thanks." I say and begin the survey. I am tempted to select all of the dresses, they all are stunning but there differently and few that caught my eye. When I am finished I hand Bri back the tablet she looks over my selections and nods in approval.

"Ok so now I have to ask you some personal questions. Dad, if you could leave the room?" Bri says and looks at David. He is then escorted out of the room and Bri turns back to me. "Ok, so first. Are you in a relationship? Boyfriend?"

"No."

"Health records?"

"I was diagnosed with cancer when I was a month old and just a broken arm when I was ten and a broken leg when I was twelve."

"Is there a possibility or are you aware that you are pregnant?" I stutter and gape at her.

"No, absolutely not."

"Ok sorry I just have to ask. And here is the monthly balance you will receive for as long as you stay in The Selection." My mom peeks at the balance but I choose not to. "Last thing, this is what I recommend, not a demand. Do not deny the prince." Bri says. 

"I'm sorry?" I say weakly.

"Don't deny him." Bri says and I gulp and take a shaky breath before I nod. "Good. So I will give you a bit to pack and then.." I cut her off.

"I'm already packed." I say and pick up my bag that I left by the door last night.

"Great! Then I'll give you some time to say goodbye." Bri says as she calls the guards and leaves the house.

I turn and tearfully hug my mom and I hold on for what seems like hours before finally letting go. "I love you mom. I love you so much. You have given me everything, I owe who I am to you."

"Oh my dear Lilah. You are my whole heart. I love you to the moon and back again.

"To the moon and back again." I turn to Ella.

"Thank you Ella." I say while I give her a quick hug.

"I'll be watching and cheering you on." She says. I wipe my tears and walk right past David and when I get outside guards surround me and lead me to the train station. When we get there there are cameras flashing and a huge crowd. I look sheepishly and give a small wave to a camera and I board the train. when I get on the train I see two other girls who are talking. One of them notices me and ushers me to join them. 

I sit down next to them. There is one girl who has shoulder length dirty blonde hair and olive eyes. then there is the girl who noticed me. She has hair that is a little longer than the other girl but her hair is just a little lighter. She has dark blue eyes. These girls look so similar that they could be sisters. 

"Hi, my name is Rory." The girl who noticed me said. 

"I'm Alexandra." the other girl added.  they stare at me, waiting for me to speak.

"Oh, um I'm Lilah. Sorry."

"what are you apologizing for?" Rory asks me. 

"um, i don't know." I say looking at my hands. "I've just always had to apologize at home."

"Really? Where are you from?" Rory asks me.

"Utah. Where are you guys from?" I reply

"California." Alexandra says.

"I'm from Nevada." Rory says.

"What's your caste?" Alexandra asks  "I'm a two."

"Really? I wish. I'm a five." Rory says.

"I'm an eight." I say and they stare and gape at me

"Really?! Your the eight?!" Alexandra asks.

"Yeah. Why?"

"It's been all over the news!" Rory said. Before I can respond the train stops and guards walk us up a huge room, that I assume is the ballroom, is set up with ten sets of vanities and makeup and hair supplies. I am led to a station in a back corner and am introduced to three girls that range from a mid aged woman to girls that look just a few years older than me. 

"Miss. Bloom, these will be your handmaidens, Anne, Elizabeth and Mary." The guard says. All the ladies are bowing to me which I think is weird. 

"You really don't need to bow." I say to them.

"It's protocol Miss." The youngest looking one says. 

"Miss, if you could come sit here, we will get you ready to meet the prince." The oldest says.

"OK, but first could you tell me your names?" I ask and the eldest speaks up.

"My name is Anne" She says and she has dark hair and eyes, "and this is my daughter Elizabeth" she says nodding to a girl my age with bright red hair and piercing blue eyes,  "and step daughter Mary." Mary has light brown hair and brown eyes. 

I head over to the stool and sit down. They begin looking me over and I am a little uncomfortable with their eyes looking at me. "What can we do Miss?" Elizabeth asks me.

"Um, anything. But make me look like me." I say and they nod.

About an hour and a half later they were done and they turned my chair around to face the mirror. I have a sharp intake of my  breath. I have never really seen myself but my hair looks brighter, my eyes shiner and my skin softer. They added some light tips to the end of my hair and the makeup that they applied made me feel pretty. I thank them and they take me upstairs to my assigned suite. 

When I walk through the door I see a large bed and a stunning desk accommodated with several other wooden accents.  

"Miss, would you like to choose your gown?" Mary asks and I walk over to a grand closet filled with heels and gowns. 

"They are all so pretty." I say and I am having trouble choosing.

"If I may, Miss," Elizabeth says, speaking up, "I think that this dress would be perfect."

A/N

Hey, did you guys catch my little Tudor Queens Easter Egg?

I hope you guys are enjoying so far!

-Violet