Cecilia picked up a dress she made the last night. It was a yellow short plain gown.
Sighing, she checked the clock to see the time was 4:35 pm.
When will he be here?
She wondered.
'Stop it, Cecilia, he'll come himself'
She scolded herself because she was thinking too much.
She lay on her bed to sleep when she heard a knock on her door. Dashing to the door in anticipation, she opened it to see Vivian.
The smile on her face died down immediately.
"Please come with me Milady, it's urgent"
Vivian said her face worried.
Biting her bottom lip gently, she followed Vivian.
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They got to a hall, but this one was different.
It was a bit smaller. Getting to the room, some princesses were already waiting, while some weren't even there yet.
She saw the princess and the king, then she saw him.
His red eyes scrutinized her. He sat down on Princess Linda's left-hand side while Jacob sat on the right.
Her heart skipped a bit as he kept on looking at her.
Then she looked at the ground.
She didn't want to make eye contact with him.
As much as she hated the way he gave flirty lines to her, he was still useful in getting her tangible information.
A few minutes later, the other princesses trooped in murmuring.
"Silence"
Princess Linda ordered.
And the place became quiet.
"One of you is dead"
Princess Linda said, her voice sounding angry.
"She tried to pry into the royal family's business. So without haste, the queen ordered for her to be killed on the spot."
By now every contestant had done a head count and noticed they were now 13.
"The reason I called this meeting, is to warn you all, don't try to meddle in our affairs, you have to win the king's heart and not to uncover the mystery behind the royal household.
You may all leave"
She said ushering them outside.
Cecilia gulped. So, contestants could be killed?
Her heart started beating at a fast pace.
Then following the other princesses, she left the room. Vivian smiled and started leading the way to her room.
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She got to her room, a lot of questions on her mind.
This whole contest was taking a toll on her.
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"Someone said he caught him going to her quarters. Do you think they have a relationship?"
He asked slamming his cup on the table.
"Calm down brother, who cares about it, mother is the one preparing the elimination list. Am sure she'll be among the first set to be eliminated"
A blonde girl replied to the tensed man in the room.
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It was 9:15 when she heard a knock on her door.
She was already dozing off when she heard it. Jolting from her bed, she went to the door.
"Did you sleep already?"
He asked her even though he knew she had fallen asleep.
Her heartbeat was in a steady rhythm, making him know she had fallen asleep.
She heard his deep voice ask her.
"Yes, I thought you weren't going to come anymore"
She said biting her lips still not letting him into her room.
"I always keep to promises. Won't you let me in bunny?"
He asked amused.
She wasn't letting him in yet. Then he decided to tease her.
"Open it, or do you want me to push harder?"
He asked, his voice now husky.
Her legs became wobbly all of a sudden due to his voice, not knowing he had underlying meanings to it.
"Come in"
She said softly, ushering him in.
Taking a look at her room, he noticed it looked neat. Properly arranged.
'So she's neat with her surrounding, will she also be neat down there...'
He thought but her voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"Won't you sit?"
She asked softly. This was the first time a man was with her in the same room.
"No. I'll be leaving soon"
He deadpanned.
"About your earlier question, the best way to get eliminated is to be real"
He added.
Her brows creased.
Real? What does he mean by that?
"Be real in whatever you're asked to do. If you're fit to be queen, it'll be portrayed in your character.
Who's not fit, will be eliminated."
He deadpanned.
Biting her lips, she nodded.
She wanted to ask him about the contestant who was killed. But would that count as prying?
"I know you're curious about what happened, why she was killed. She deserved it"
He deadpanned.
Her brows creased further.
"I advise you, Cecilia, stay out of the royal family's business if you ever want to go back home alive"
This was the first time he called her by her name.
Sometimes she wondered if he even knew her name. But his voice, he was warning her.
Gulping she nodded.
"Good girl. Sleep well and dream of me. Make sure you don't forget my name, cos you might be screaming it in your dreams."
He winked his face painted with amusement.
Then he left her room.