The next moment my maids rushed in and the long process of my transformation for tonight began. I went down to the studio alone, I had persuaded Martin to let me find my way. I had been crying my eyes out all night, after everything that happened yesterday I no longer feel the need to take part in this casting. The thing was, I would probably be found dead on the banks of the Thames and my family was in danger. I took as much time as possible on my way to the studio. Even my maids must have noticed how much I had suffered. I didn't know how much make-up I had on my face, but it was more than usual. I knew he was already off work and I would have felt bad if he wasn't paid for his performance. Even though he had experience in personal protection, it had to upset him that two girls had died at the same time. Although to be precise, only one had died so far. Annabeth was in intensive care. However, I feared that she had no chance of surviving. Especially not if Leopold still had his fingers in the pie. I wore black just like yesterday, only not with a veil and gloves. It was a knee-length, flared dress with a breach at the waist. When I arrived at the studio I was the first. The studio looked like a ghost town to me. Never since I lived in the palace was I the very first. Had I lost track of time? No, this seemed very unlikely. My maids would not drag me out of my bed for anything else. Even the light was switched off. I decided to sit in the darkness and think. How could I tell Nicolas that I wanted to leave the casting without having to tell him? I squinted my eyes and bit my painted nail. Then I remembered that I couldn't leave. It was a vicious circle and I was the hamster who would never reach his destination in his wheel. My heart was beating so fast that it seemed to fill the whole room. If I hadn't been alone, I'm sure everyone would have turned to me and looked at me funny. Calm down Belle, you mustn't freak out now. You don't need another scandal. It still pained me how mean and inconsiderate the prince had behaved towards me. I was the last of three women to be harassed and blackmailed by a criminal. How could he be so cold after all that had happened between us? How had I let myself go like that? The next moment the door swung open and Queen Valentina entered. I recognised her by her stature, she didn't seem to see me. It was too dark, then the light came on and we both looked at each other. What could I do? I felt caught, though I had done nothing wrong. I jumped up awkwardly like a mouse that has been discovered and curtsied. "Your Majesty, it is good to see you." She didn't answer me but turned to a technician. I was unsure and bit my lip. Should I walk out of the row of chairs to her and apologise? Her entourage stepped onto the stage. I sank into my chair in shame, she had just missed me. She was certainly not well disposed towards me. She was wearing a trouser suit and had a clipboard in her hand. "And how is the light? My son has to look good in everything." She turned to an assistant: "What is he wearing today? No, he can't wear that, he wore that last week. Yes, people remember details like that, Avantie!" She seems to be in her element. I got to know another facet of her. She was an interesting personality. The stern tone of voice, matched her appearance today. I hadn't seen her that much before, but I must admit I never followed all the events of the casting very closely. She looked around the room, probably checking all the details again. Our eyes met and I froze. She did not look happy to see me. After all, I was also responsible for Nicolas throwing everyone under the bus. Valentina beckoned me to her. I stood up hesitantly and forced myself out of the row of seats, slowly approaching the stage. My heart slipped lower with each step. She scanned me briefly before asking: "What are you doing here?" One small detail, and one I admired about her, was the little brooch of a dahlia. The one we also carried to Marina's grave. I liked that she was honouring a candidate, although she was probably doing it out of a sense of duty. But I couldn't imagine that she wasn't heartless... like her son. I gulped, her tone sounding cool. It was like a slap in the face, at the garden party she had been friendly and cordial to me and now she was dismissive and cold to me. This family seemed to have one thing in common: if something didn't go according to plan, they all went down. "I'm waiting for the decision to begin.", I replied meekly. "I see, get me a coffee! These interns are good for nothing.", she said with a quick wave of her hand and shooed me away. With my chest throbbing and without saying anything back, I looked for the catering table. Maybe she was also angry with me because of all the scandals I had caused her. Take the garden party, for example. Nicolas had, even though I had no idea in advance, but all the ladies before their heads I hoped she would forgive me eventually. I couldn't say I disliked her for it, I could already understand her. I headed for the table and poured the drink into a cup. When I came back and put the cup in her hand, I said: "I'm not an intern." She looked up from her clipboard and eyed me sharply, then her gaze softened: "Sorry, but usually the girls are more dressed up. It was a horrible week." I nodded and gritted my teeth. She had obviously insulted me. "My son tried to explain himself after the party." I had hoped she wouldn't bring it up. ''Don't worry, it sounded very plausible, at least I understand him now. He is young and has feelings for a girl for the first time.'', she smiled slightly. She turned her attention back to her work. The conversation was over. I went back to my seat and watched the place slowly fill up.
"Good evening my dear viewers. Before our beloved Prince announces next week's selection and we show you saucy snippets of palace life, we have a sad announcement to make. Marina Temper, a contestant of the casting, had a tragic accident during an outing. We are deeply saddened by this news and have great sympathy for her family. May she receive enough strength, love and support. On that occasion, Prince Nicolas Alexander Mehr Kantonie, the future King of our country will give you a short speech." A tender clap followed and one spotlight later Nicolas stood on the lectern. Behind him hung a picture of the deceased. It was a beautiful shot in black and white. Marina smiled at it. Nicolas' eyes were bloodshot, he cleared his throat. He held the index cards in his hands, his fingers trembling slightly. Even though I hated myself for it, I felt sorry for him. He shouldn't be on stage in such a state. "We were all very saddened by the sudden death of Lady Marina Meredith Temper. Marina had brought life to our palace and was always there for everyone, even those who might have disliked her. Unfortunately, I no longer have the opportunity to get to know this wonderful person. I offer my condolences and sympathy to all those who were connected with Marina. I speak to you today, not as a prince, but as a friend. You are welcome to join us for a minute's silence over the television." Nicolas closed his eyes and lowered his head, everyone around me did the same. The minute of silence was so sombre and eerie, even the camera seemed to stand still. After a minute of silence, the prince thanked everyone for their sympathy and ushered in the break. We clapped devoutly and watched Marina Temper's picture slide show until the lights came on and the broadcast was interrupted. The ladies whispered around me, barely audible. I tensed my shoulders and wished that this tirade would end soon.
"And welcome back dear viewers," the presenter smiled at the camera, "Let's move on to a more enjoyable part of the evening. Which of Prince Nicola's candidates are still in the running? What juicy details had taken place at the palace this week? Find out now: In our weekly review." The camera swayed and recorded the edited impressions. I had always lost interest from this point on in the show, but this time was different. "Also this week, Lady Maybelle Woodstock had it in for the Prince!" I quickly jumped up and stared at the screen. Watching was me and Nicolas coming out of my room, it was the day Annabeth had jumped out of the window. But the editors had cut everything as if there had been a jealous quarrel between the ladies. Mercedes crying, the prince trying to comfort her, Martin looking after her. They made everything look as if Mercedes had caught us doing something forbidden. "Nicolas... wait!", I matured. Again and again, I was cut off, running after him, and the prince, annoyed, turned to me and shouted at me to leave him alone. "I need my rest..., what don't you understand about that," he shouted at me. Witnessing it again almost made me cry. I didn't even have a chance to escape from the room without some camera following me. Everything looked staged as if I was the clingy, annoying candidate who was attached to the prince like a limpet. "This looks like a real scandal. It seems that the good-hearted Belle has lost her place as a crowd favourite this week. What a blow for the little one. Who could have possibly known? ", Ralph Vaans had sat down on the sofa and was ready for an interview with the Prince. With thunderous applause, Nicolas was called back on stage. Ralph's teeth flashed as he turned to Nicolas with his moderation cards, "The way I see it, your favourite has mutated into a burr. How did you feel at that moment?" He cleared his throat, "I was honestly quite surprised and overwhelmed in the situation. I never thought she would freak out like that when I don't have time for her right now. I love the ladies for their devotion to me, but sometimes too much is just too much. I expect my future wife by my side to pull herself together more and not react like a child. Duty always comes before privacy." I swallowed hard, those words were even worse than the ones he had thrown at me then. Especially as the scene had been taken completely out of context. His eyes searched for me in the crowd. I felt Nicolas searching for my reaction in the crowd. I wiped a tear from my cheek; he would not see me cry. Ralph was also looking for me in the crowd, "Have you considered throwing the lady out of the casting?" A second camera now caught my reaction on camera. "I was going to, but then I remembered that she's not used to the duties of a princess." "You are referring to her status as a Four, I assume." Nicolas lost focus on me and turned back to the presenter, the camera still on my face. "I don't want to answer that." Ralph grinned from ear to ear, "You don't have to say any more. After a short commercial break, we will be right back for you" He spoke the last part again into the first camera.
10 Minutes later. ''And which of the 15 remaining beauties could win the prince's favour this week?'' Ralph smiled into the camera. The spotlights flew on Juliette, Phoebe, Melinda and Loulou. All four came on stage and took their seats opposite Ralph. I felt slightly sick, how long did this tirade go on? I let my eyes wander over the faces of my comrades-in-arms. They and I were hanging on the moderator's lips, all of us waiting for the important words. Why was Nicolas spending so much time with these girls? The typical videos of this week's dates and dramas appeared again, except my drama. "And Juliette, are you excited about the vote yet?", Ralph's voice echoed through the studio. Juliette had her hands folded demurely in her lap and was beaming professionally at her counterpart. I'm sure Nicolas had taught her all that, last week she could barely sit still and now she was transformed. I gritted my teeth quietly. Without wanting to, I tangled my fingers in the dress. It pained me. "I had a lot of fun, I would be happy to be a favourite this week.", she smiled sweetly and fixed her hair. In the light, her skin looked green because she was very fair. "Prince Nicolas, why don't you tell us your impressions of this week with Juliette?" Nicolas cleared his throat and rose again. He stood up from his chair and looked into the camera: "This week was marked by many impressions, I was able to narrow down my decisions. The ladies can be quite demanding." The crowd laughed and he too fell into laughter for a moment. His eyes searched me, I avoided them. He doesn´t deserve my attention. Why was he staring at me? My heart began to pound harder. I remembered back to that moment in the garden. He had given me the necklace. I wore it every day except the last hours. It was covered under other jewellery on my desk. Ralph laughed: "Well, is there something you want to tell us, a secret love affair perhaps? #Nicolette." Nicolas quickly turned away from me and put on his mask. He smiled broadly at the camera and wandered down to the stage. There he put his hand on Juliette's shoulder. Juliette looked very embarrassed and fell out of all the clouds when he leaned over to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Yes, the spark is ignited." A murmur went through the crowd, followed by whistles and clapping. "Does that mean that you just admitted to having an affair with both Juliette and Lady Maybelle?", Mr Vaans was all excited and smelled new headlines. "Is that why you admitted that you don't have time from Belle right now because you were dating Juliette?" Silence fell. Juliette took the prince's hand and squeezed it uncertainly. "I think denying it would be pointless now. I and Juliette have indeed met many times.", Nicolas smiled slightly. "You have skilfully dodged my question, my dear Prince. Now, did they also meet you on that day when you sent Maybelle away?" Nicolas didn't want to answer that, I could tell by his demeanour. This was confirmation enough for me, apparently for everyone else too, because an excited murmur followed. Suddenly I reappeared on the scene. "And what do you think of this fact, Lady Maybelle?", Ralph Vaans always pronounced my name as if it were a disease.
I sat frozen. Once again I was at the mercy.