My heart pounded helplessly as Freya stepped front and center, her devious eyes finding mine and daring me to stop her. Whatever she had found couldn’t be good. My past wasn’t pretty.

A part of me wanted to stand up and beg her to stop, but I knew she didn’t have a choice. The Queen had made it clear that we all had to play along with the challenge.

“Well, it seems like our friend Amber here has quite a lot to hide,” Freya said with a saccharine sweet smile. “Of course, as we all know from the introduction, she doesn’t have a lot going for herself, does she?”

She pouted her lips, mocking me and throwing me a pitiful look.

“It must be hard,” she said with a sigh, shaking her head. “Living among us with nothing… with all these accomplished, beautiful women. Do you feel like you stand out, Amber? I’m sure you do.”

I ground my teeth together, refusing to take my eyes off her. She wasn’t getting to me. I wasn’t going to let her words hurt me. They were merely empty threats that meant nothing. Olivier had picked me time and time again, after all. He would never let Freya’s findings influence his opinion of me.

I remembered Safiya again, how I’d exposed the secret I’d promised to keep. A hot wave of shame flushed my body, and my bottom lip quivered.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

Freya didn’t care about my obvious discomfort though. She just kept going, her smile growing wider by the second. She’d found something awful, I just knew it. Something she was going to humiliate me with.

“Our poor little Amber grew up with nothing,” Freya went on. “Her family is dirt poor, and I’m sure that makes it a bit easier to understand why she’s so… common.”

I hated her. She was the competition’s equivalent of a mean girl, intent on hurting me and determined to bring me down. But I was going to strike back soon enough. I wasn’t going to stand around and watch her destroy me.

“And as if growing up without a penny wasn’t enough,” Freya went on. “Amber’s life didn’t get much easier after. See, her father was a drunk. A drunk, horrible man who hit her and her mother, and she took it because she didn’t want her younger siblings to get slapped.”

I looked at the floor, my cheeks burning up.

How could she possibly know that?

“And her troubles didn’t end there,” Freya continued. “She’s had quite the colorful life, this one. She danced from a young age and caught the eye of a rich man. She even lived with him for a while.”

The first tear slipped down my cheek, but I refused to lift my head and show Freya my weakness. I couldn’t bear the other girls looking at me, already feeling their eyes burning me.

“The man wasn’t very nice from what I found out,” Freya went on. “Our little Amber went through a lot because of him. She was hurt… abused… even… fucked.”

“I wonder how this didn’t come out during the doctor’s exam,” Freya purred. “Because I’m fairly certain that our little golden girl isn’t a virgin after all of that.”

“Enough!”

I raised my head, my eyes locking with the Queen’s. Her expression was thunderous, and she glared between me and Freya.

“Your M-Majesty,” Freya stuttered. “I’m sorry I–”

“Don’t!” the Queen barked, raising her hand to stop Freya from talking. “This is slander.”

“Slander?” Freya repeated. “But all the other women…”

“I don’t care,” the Queen snarled. “Sit down!”

The Queen strode to the front of the room and glared at the rest of us. I looked at Olivier for reassurance. But he wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were on his mother, an expression of amusement on his face. Of course, he knew the truth. He knew he had been the one to pop my cherry.

“During the physical exam,” the Queen went on. “It was indeed revealed Amber isn’t pure.”

A collective gasp went through the group of girls, and I hung my head yet again, ashamed by her words and knowing things would only get worse.

“But before you continue with your assumptions,” the Queen bit out. “You should know this won’t be a problem for Amber going forward in the competition.”

“Why?” Safiya asked loudly, her cold eyes meeting mine for a split second. “What was the point of the exam, then?”

“You will not question me,” the Queen said. “Not now, not ever. The reason it won’t be a problem is because Amber and the Prince have met before. I will not go into the details, but something transpired that night, I’m sure you can guess what.”

Olivier turned to face me, winking at me over his shoulder. I flushed to the roots of my hair.

“Why are the rules different for her, Your Majesty?” Freya spoke up next. “It seems highly unfair that Amber alone would be held to different standards.”

“That is Olivier’s decision, not mine,” the Queen bit out. “Now let’s keep this moving. I’m not going to let false facts get out.”

“Why didn’t you interrupt any of the girls before, then?” Eva asked now. “Wasn’t that slander?”

“Not if it’s the truth,” the Queen replied icily, and my lookalike blushed. “I wouldn’t let false information get out. Trust me, we’ve done our research too. We know all the bad things you’ve done. All the wrong turns you’ve taken. It’s our duty to know. One of you will be the Queen, after all.”

That rendered the girls and me silent, and as the Queen sat down, Olivier strode to the center of the room.

“Let’s keep going,” Olivier said. “But you should know, your facts need to be based on the truth, not just hearsay. We’re here for the real dirt, not for the lies.”

With that, he turned to face me, grinning and making me avert my eyes. All our dirty laundry was out now, for all the other girls to see, and I couldn’t help feeling embarrassed as hell.

“I have a prior commitment,” he told us. “But I’ll be back for the elimination right after. I’ve already made my decision, in fact.”

A frozen silence fell over the room.

“Are you sure, son?” the Queen asked, worry knitting her eyebrows together. “You should stay a little while longer… Wait to find out more.”

“No need,” Olivier replied with a bright smile. “My decision has been made. I’ll see you tonight, ladies.”

With those words, he strode out of the room, leaving the rest of us speechless.

After what felt like several long minutes of silence, the Queen finally got up and told us we’d be continuing with the challenge as planned.

The other girls went one after the other, but the secrets they told got less and less juicy until the challenge was finally over.

“Alright, girls,” the Queen said with a nervous smile. “I’ll see you all in a few hours. You’re free to get ready now.”

I got up with the others, but when I was about to pass her on my way outside, the Queen touched my arm and I raised my eyes to hers.

“Can you stay for a minute, Amber?” she asked, and I felt the all-too-familiar pressure in my chest when her attention was on me.

I didn’t want her questions and didn’t welcome her presence. But I didn’t really have a choice.

She didn’t start speaking until we were alone, and when she did, I refused to meet her eyes.

“I used to be a lot like you, Amber,” she said. “Driven, beautiful, determined. We may not have the same background, but I see a lot of myself in you. And I know you’re my son’s favorite in the competition.”

I raised my eyes to hers, not knowing what to say, but she wasn’t finished just yet.

“I have respect for you,” she said. “And I want you to know I will respect my son’s choice when he decides which one of you he will marry.”

Somehow I doubt that, I thought, but I knew better than to speak out.

“I didn’t reveal your past with Olivier because I was worried you’d be attacked,” she went on. “Jealousy is a terrible thing, Amber. But I trust that you can take care of yourself from now on. Am I right in thinking so?”

“Yes,” I replied. “I don’t need anyone’s help.”

I meant it as a hint for her, and she seemed to understand, flinching at my words. I didn’t regret them, though. There was something about the woman I just didn’t trust.

“All right,” the Queen said, her voice soft, gentle. “I’ll see you at the elimination in a few hours.”

I nodded, making my way past her. When I reached the exit, she called out my name once again, and I turned to look at her over my shoulder.

“Amber, you should watch out for the other girls,” she said. “The ones you think you’re friends with... I wouldn’t trust them quite so implicitly.”

My mouth set in a thin line and I said, “Thanks, but I can handle it myself.”

With those words, I left the room. I didn’t trust her one bit. Surely her comment about friendships was only meant to drive a wedge between the others and me. I trusted Zara especially, and I wasn’t going to take the Queen’s words to mind.

For the evening’s elimination, I picked out a fuchsia silk Les Reveries dress.

The dress was sleeveless and had a high collar with a keyhole neckline, and it was adorned with frothy ruffles at my neck and on my thighs. I slicked my hair back into a long ponytail and wore the dress with leopard print Dolce & Gabbana stilettos.

Once I was done, I sprayed myself with my signature perfume, and felt like a million bucks. I knew I’d be cold, so I grabbed a snow leopard faux fur shrug to wear on top.

I met the other girls in our main room. Their worried faces didn’t escape me, and I felt a little deflated myself, too. Despite the Queen’s pep talk – which I hadn’t expected – I felt defeated by the day’s events. And I had no idea who was going home either, which only made me worry more.

All of us were dressed and primed to our best, and I knew the competition would only get tougher from here on in. I followed the other girls into the ballroom, which was decorated for the upcoming holidays.

A huge Christmas tree had been put up, the fairy lights twinkling on it and beautiful decorations in a white-and-champagne color scheme adorning the tree. The room itself sparkled, the marble shining, waiters spreading around the room and mixing with royal subjects to distribute flutes of champagne and canapés.

I was nervous. I couldn’t bring myself to relax, constantly glancing around the room and not even knowing what I was trying to do. After all, Olivier had already made his decision. If that meant me going home… would I be upset, or relieved?

I wanted him. Still, I wanted him. But the competition was getting to me, and I was letting it impact me. The thought of going back to Rose and Thorn’s filled me with equal amounts of dread and relief. I wasn’t even sure what I wanted anymore.

It felt like moments later that the Queen announced we’d be starting with the elimination. The girls shuffled to stand on the ornate staircase, with Olivier standing at the bottom. A tray with aquamarine stones was by him, and I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from crying out.

What would I even say? Yes, I wanted him to pick me, but I wanted the games to be over already.

“I will be sending one woman home tonight,” Olivier told us in a solemn tone. “It has to be done. Let’s begin with the ceremony.”

He took the first stone and my heart pounded loudly in my chest.

“Amber,” he called out.

I stepped forward, feeling faint as I descended the stairs and joined him. His eyes glittered with unspoken words as they met mine, and he attached the aquamarine stone to my collar.

“Good girl,” he muttered loud enough for just me to hear. “You’ll be okay, chérie. Go stand to the side. I’ll find you after.”

I gave him a barely perceptible nod and stood to the side, where Bruno and the Queen were. Bruno’s eyes didn’t escape me, following my movements around the ballroom like a hawk.

“Zara,” Olivier called out next, and I smiled at my beaming friend who rushed down the stairs.

When I watched Olivier place the stone on her collar, a sliver of jealousy I couldn’t stop made me look away. I hated him being with other women.

Zara came to join me, her hand in mine and a happy smile on her face as Olivier called out the next few girls.

Kendy, Monica, Eva and Camellia were all picked. The number of women on the staircase was dwindling until it finally came down to Asya, Freya and Safiya.

I was trembling for them, afraid for my friend. I wanted Freya to go home, but strangely, I didn’t want to be the reason for her elimination. She was only doing what the Queen told her to.

The loss of Safiya would be even worse. I knew I’d blame myself for it forever. After all, I was the one who’d unveiled her best-kept secret.

“Asya,” Olivier called out next. The Turkish beauty let out a gasp before joining him at the foot of the stairs.

My eyes connected with Safiya’s while we waited. I mouthed a sorry, but she didn’t seem to care. Her mouth was set in a thin line and she refused to meet my eyes again after that. I looked at Freya next, and knew she was unable to stop her true emotions.

I noticed she was trembling, obviously terrified by the prospect of leaving the competition.

Now, Asya joined the rest of us. Olivier would make his final decision with the next name he called.

He looked up, took a deep breath and said, “Freya.”

A massive weight dropped on me, and I found it hard to breathe.

Safiya kept her expression stoic as the Nordic princess took the stairs, a smile of relief making her look prettier than ever. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and neither could Olivier.

He placed the stone in Freya’s collar and she joined the rest of us, smirking at me as she made her way to stand front-and-center of the other girls. Then, Safiya descended the stairs to say her goodbyes. She held her head high, proud and unrelenting as she looked Olivier in the eyes. He muttered something to her, and she nodded, agreeing with him. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, and my stomach knotted with worry.

Olivier brushed a kiss against my friend’s cheek, and she came to join the women to say goodbye.

Zara let go of my hand to comfort her, and Safiya still wouldn’t meet my eyes as they started talking. Shaking, I took a step forward, and her once warm eyes turned cool when they met mine.

“I’m so sorry, Safiya,” I managed in a small voice. I’d never felt more ashamed than at that moment. “I didn’t think what I said… what I did, would send you home. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry,” she replied with a prim smile. “I’m not going home just yet.”

“No?” Zara asked, her eyebrows knitting together. “Did you get a second chance? Is that what Olivier said to you up there?”

My heart slowed down, but Safiya shook her head, saying, “I’m staying in town. Remember that castle I told you about, and the stories surrounding it?”

“Yes,” Zara nodded.

“I’m going to try and get to the bottom of it,” Safiya told us. “I’m going to find out what’s really going on there, and I’m not going home until I unveil its secrets.”

“Good luck,” Zara said. “I hope we’ll stay in touch.”

They embraced, a moment of warmth I wasn’t privy to shared between them. I hated myself with a burning passion, knowing I’d played a part – the main role – in sending one of my best friends in the competition home. Shame threatened to swallow me whole.

Then, Safiya turned to face me, offering me a placating smile.

“I’m not mad at you, Amber,” she told me. “I just… thought you were my friend.”

There were traces of pain in her words, enough to let me know the damage I’d done to our friendship. Anything I could have said would be too little too late, and I merely managed to nod, my eyes on hers, hoping I was conveying my deep regret over what had happened.

What I’ve done.

“Thank you,” I managed to get out when I met Safiya’s eyes.

She surprised me by giving me a bright look, one filled with excitement. Maybe this was what she wanted all along. Maybe the real reason she came to the castle was to discover the secrets of the hidden mystery in the woods.

Still, it didn’t change what I’d done. How much I’d hurt her, and how I’d betrayed her friendship.

Safiya was escorted out of the room and the Queen stepped front and center.

Our attention shifted to her, and she smiled, saying, “Celebratory dinner will be had at Luxuria’s most beautiful restaurant tonight. I ask you all to go to your rooms to collect a present waiting for you, then meet Prince Olivier down here for dinner.”

Excitement flowed through my veins, instantly replaced my guilt and regret for what I’d done to Safiya. It wouldn’t be easy to move on from that.

But I decided to try and move on for the time being, and I followed the other girls to our rooms.

What could the gift be? I wondered silently. Only one way to find out.