Chapter VIII
America and Maxon started to explain the Selection, and although Regina had always wondered about how it worked, she found herself falling asleep.
"So how are Cass and Kian going to get to know thirty-five plus young ladies in two weeks before the first elimination?" She asked, but her mind wandered elsewhere. The faint whisper of crying caught her attention. Shrugging it off, she decided that it was only one of the Selected, sobbing over stress.
"Ginnie?" Regina blinked and came back to reality.
"Pardon me, what did you say?"
Maxon repeated the question, "Have you had a chance to meet the other girls?" She shook her head.
"Speaking of which, I should get ready." She stood up and kissed her mother and father. Then retreated to her room. Inside, Ekaterina was sweeping the floor quickly. Her dresses had already been hung neatly in the wood closet, and her shoes on the shelf. She looked over the dresses and pulled a rich purple one off, holding it up to her shoulders.
"What do you think of this one, Ekaterina, for the afternoon tea?" Ekaterina looked it over before approving it with the nod of her head.
"I think you would look lovely, My Lady, the purple brings out your eyes. Shall I help you into it?"
"Yes. Thank you, Ekaterina." After dressing, Ekaterina handed her a pair of flats to match the dress. "Would you get my necklace from my jewelry bag, please?" The maid hurried over and drew the string of the small bag to open it, taking out a thin silver chain with an amethyst charm. As she stepped into the shoes, she dismissed Ekaterina for two hours, to which her maid curtsied gratefully. Outside, the garden was bustling with people, camera crews, and servants. The instant she stepped out into the bright sun, a reporter rushed up to her, bombarding questions. Regina respectfully but firmly shooed them away.
Walking up to the first group, she extended her hand and introduced herself. The girls seemed flustered, flattered even, as if they were the only ones, but regained their physique quickly.
"Lady Lucille, your highness," the brown haired girl curtsied, and cringed at how low the top of her dress was.
"Lady Giada," another said in a quiet voice. She seemed sweet, but not the princess type. Too fragile and shy.
"I'm Lady Tania," The last said, giving a small curtsy.
"It's been lovely meeting you, but now I've got sixty-seven other to meet." She excused herself, then began to search for her brothers, occaisionally stopping to meet a few of the girls. Most were polite, some were not.
Suddenly, a voice called her name. "Gina? Is that you?"
"Cass!" She spotting him sitting under one of the age old oaks with a lady that seemed very young, too young to be in the selection. Her hair was held up in a stylish, loose ponytail, and she wore a sparkly orchid dress. Cassian stood up and offered her his hand as Regina approached.
Breaking decorum, Cassian give his sister a big hug. "I missed you!" Regina wriggled out of his grasp.
"It's great to see you again. Who's this?" She gestured to the girl.
Cassian brightened. "Regina, this is Lady Calanthe: Lady Calanthe, my sister, Princess Regina." She shook Lady Calanthe's hand and smiled.
"It's an honor, your highness." She replied shyly. Certainly, she would make an exceptional princess. Her face was good for the cameras, although her personality was not.
"Cass, can I borrow you for a moment, if you don't mind, Lady Calanthe?" Lady Calanthe shook her head and stared at her toes. Regina took his arm and they strolled away. After a while, Regina spoke up.
"So, anyone caught you eye?" Cassian shrugged, and his silence answered her question. "Who is it? Or who are they, if there's more than one."
Cassian ran his hands through his hair. "Well, I've only actually talked to Lady Calanthe, and another, Lady Gabriella. Gabriella is friendly enough, I suppose. She seems to like me, but isn't very talkative. Neither of them were. Calanthe's really sweet, but she's just so...I don't know..."
"Young? She looks like she could be fifteen."
"No, not exactly..." Suddenly, he snapped his fingers. "Resentful! Like she doesn't want to be here." Regina thought about it.
"Well, Mom did not want to enter the Selection, she says Grandmother almost forced her. Maybe she's poor, so a family member forced her to do it. For the money, you know." she stopped as she passed a group of girls, then turned to Cassian and whispered a warning. "Stay safe, Cass. Some people would do anything for the crown." Her words sent a shiver down his spine as he watched her reunite with Yasha, taking his arm and looking at his lovingly. Would that be him soon? Only if he could use insight to figure out who was here for him, and who was here for the crown.
Francesca insisted that she should get to know the other girls, and although Gabriella really didn't feel like introducing herself to the people that might kick her out of the competition, she found it hard to resist Francesca's consistent begging. If you want to stay, she thought, you've got to act like a princess. Grabbing her hand, she lead her over to a table. A group of four girls were sipping tea and gossiping about one of the guards.
They looked up as Francesca approached. "Do you mind if we join you?" One girl, a blond wearing a stylish red gown, opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, another shook her head.
"Of course not! We'd love to have you join!" Her black hair was pulled up into a tight bun, and the emerald dress she wore complimented her tan skin exquisitely. Gabriella was surprised at how natural she seemed, as if she had been going to royal tea parties for ages. Either she was a two, or she was an extremely good actress. Gabriella snapped out of her thoughts as Francesca swatted her shoulder. The girl in the emerald dress laughed, and Gabriella's face flushed red as she realized that the girl was waiting to shake her hand. "Daydreaming about the princes? I'm Paxton, er, Lady Paxton now. You are...?"
"Lady Gabriella." She watched as Francesca effortlessly chatted to people she didn't know. Turning to Paxton, she asked, "We're you walking with Prince Kian today in the gardens? I thought I saw you." The table went quiet as the others turned to Paxton in shock. The blond girl was green with envy.
"You already went on a date with Kian?"
Paxton glared at her. "Calm down, Alera. We only passed each other, talked for a moment." Alera leaned back in her chair and squinted at the two girls.
"What were you doing in the gardens anyway, Gabriella?" She questioned, blue eyes menacing. How were these girls so protective over someone that wasn't even theirs?
"That's for me to know, thank you."
Another girl straightened. "You were with the prince weren't you! You little cheater!" She growled.
Gabriella had had enough. Standing up, she thanked Paxton for allowing her join the conversation, then walked away. Her fists clenched and she pushed through to get as far away as possible. Finally she hid under the shade of a tree, resting her hand against the rough bark. Her insides were fuming. How dare she call me a cheater! That was Cassian's fault! He's the reason I'm here! He-"
"Hi there," Cassian said, leaning against the tree. Gabriella jumped, surprised. "Don't like socializing? Or is someone beating up on you?"
Gabriella sighed. "the latter, unfortunately."
Cassian stepped closer, and her breath caught in her throat. "Are you going to do anything about it?"
"No."
"Why?"
Gabriella thought for a moment. "I don't want to give them another reason to hate me, I guess."
Cassian nodded. "That makes sense, I suppose. You look very beautiful, by the way. I love the light blue." Gabriella blushed at the compliment.
"You look very handsome also." Cassian smiled, offering his arm. She took it faster than she hoped it looked.
"Care to meet my sister and her husband?"
Gabriella grinned excitedly, her mind electrified by Cassian's charming gestured. "I'd love to!"
(K