Chapter Five - Ella

The backroom was abuzz with excitement and whispers, but I felt miserable. I was sure I had made a fool of myself on stage and wanted to go home. The sooner I was out of these clothes and back into my own, the sooner I was home studying and talking to Frederick, the better. The festival had been humiliating. I felt sure that my nerves and inexperience showed when I walked, when I danced, in everything I had done.

I had tried. I had no desire to be here or to marry the crown prince, but I hated not doing well at things. At anything. I’d always strived to be the best at school, in sports, and in music. There was a collection of ribbons on my bookshelf to prove it. I couldn’t stomach failing. So I’d tried. I’d thought of what Gretchen would do and I’d tried to walk confidently in my heels. But I couldn’t hold it. I knew I’d faltered and stumbled and probably looked absolutely atrocious.

A few minutes after the last girl had walked, a loud voice called us all back in, as a group to the stage. It was time to announce the winner. I wanted it to be over with as fast as possible. I stood, staring at the floor, not really bothering to listen, until--

“Crown Prince Tristan has chosen number twenty-four, Ella,” a man with a red face and worry lines around his eyes said.

For a minute, I didn’t hear him. The words didn’t make any sense to me, and they sounded wrong in my head, like a puzzle I couldn’t figure out. When I did, everyone was staring at me. Some girls were hugging me excitedly and some were glaring at me. I felt hot all over and more than a little dizzy.

“Me?” I said, still not really believing it.

“Yes, the prince is expecting you,” the man said, motioning for me to come along. I hugged three more strangers and then followed him, feeling like my heart was pulsing and pounding out into my fingers.

The man led me behind a curtain and I saw him for the first time. Prince Tristan.

The first thing I thought was, I’ll have to tell Gretchen she was right, she’ll love that, because Prince Tristan was gorgeous. Intensely, sharply attractive, with bright eyes and a perfect jawline.

The second was, This man wants me?, because I was sure for a second there must be some sort of mistake. Until I saw it in his eyes. Prince Tristan was looking at me like he couldn’t get enough of me, like he wanted me. His gaze was as intense as everything else about him seemed to be, and it made me feel as if I couldn’t breathe.

“Ella, meet Prince Tristan, Crown Prince of Ladoria,” the red-faced man said. I bowed, and then curtsied, not sure which was proper.

“It’s an honor,” I said. Prince Tristan grinned, wide and dazzling.

“Believe me, the pleasure is mine, Ella,” he said, taking a few steps toward me. I had to suppress a shiver, looking at him, listening to the way he said my name, the way he said pleasure.

“Please sit, so we can go over the rules,” the man said. Tristan smiled at me again and pulled a chair out for me. His eyes traced the contours of my body as I sat, lingering over my dress, my thighs. He looked as though he was trying to see under my dress, like he was imagining what was there. I wanted to stay under his eyes and let him keep looking, even though I knew I shouldn’t. I knew I should feel objectified, but all I felt was turned on.

Prince Tristan pulled his chair close to mine, so close we were almost touching as the man who seemed to be in charge began to speak.

“You will have a trial period of two days and two nights together. You must complete these days. After they are over, you will both decide if you want to continue. If either of you declines, the relationship will be over and you will not be permitted to contact each other again.”

“Two days and two nights?” I asked. I could still feel the prince’s eyes on me, and I liked it. Two days and two nights were not bad, I thought. I could spend two days with this man, this gorgeous, sexy man.

“When?” Prince Tristan asked. His voice was rough and deep, and I thought it matched him, suited his face.

“Whenever you choose, sir,” the man said, placing documents on the table in front of us. I looked them over, nodding. I held the university record for the top grade in contract law ever acquired, and this one seemed pretty straightforward, just what the man had said. I thought about school, about my family, about Frederick, and the Prince sitting next to me, looking at me like I was sexy and beautiful. I thought of Gretchen telling me to let myself have adventures. I thought of nights in my room, bored and frustrated and lonely, wanting an outlet, wanting to have experiences and not just thoughts.

I picked up the pen and signed.

“Tomorrow,” Tristan said, eyes still burning into me, “come tomorrow at six.”

“I will be here,” I said. The whole thing should have still made me uncomfortable, but looking into Prince Tristan’s face, I felt intrigued. In spite of myself, I wanted to see where these two days went.