CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The Last date

When the meal was over, I managed to get a minute with Elise. She whispered that Leo had returned and wanted to speak to me.

There was no chance of me escaping while the King and Queen of Thalia were still here, so I told her to set up a time to meet him in the library after dark.

Luca and I were not only expected to leave the party, we were practically ushered from it by King Theron who said something along the lines of “You lovebirds need some quality time alone.”

As with most of my other dates, we ended up in the garden.

“Let’s hope that when we kiss again, there will be no one to photograph us.” Luca winked.

I nudged him and pointed at the stage where Sadie and her photographer were still packing up from earlier. As we’d taken a good hour to eat, they must have been hanging around to see if they could get more candid shots. I took Luca’s hand and pulled him away from them to the back of the palace where we wouldn’t be seen.

“I heard that you came to see me when I was ill,” I began. “That was nice of you.”

“You are all about the nice aren’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“I wasn’t being nice; I was worried. I wasn’t doing anything to be nice. I don’t want to be thought of as nice, especially by you. Nice is boring. I want to be...”

“What do you want to be?”

“I don’t know. This whole competition has me messed up. One day I think we are getting on really well, the next I see you in the papers with Leo.”

“You know as well as I do, those photos are for show.”

“I know that, but deep down, I wonder. Do you know how hard it is dating someone who is also dating three other men? I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve never had to compete for another girl’s affections before, and it’s driving me crazy. I don’t know what to do or what to say to make you like me. I feel like I’m going out of my mind, and when you are with those other men, I’m consumed with such jealousy that I don’t know what to do with myself. I miss you when you are not with me. That’s why I came to see you when you were ill. I wasn’t being nice; I was desperate to know if you were ok.”

The August sun beat down on us, and the once green grass was almost completely brown despite the daily use of sprinklers. It was all I could think about as Luca poured his heart out to me.

In two months, I was going to have to walk up an aisle and pledge my love to someone. Would it be so bad if it was Luca? He loved me enough for the both of us.

Luca picked a few daisies that had managed to survive and passed them to me.

It was a sweet gesture. As a princess, I received hundreds of expensive bouquets of flowers a year and even more so since the competition began, but there was something about those daisies that meant a lot more. I kissed Luca’s cheek and began to thread the daisies together to make a chain. When I’d finished, I pulled my diamond tiara from my head and gave myself a crown of daisies instead.

“I think I prefer you like that. You look more carefree. You’ve been so serious lately.”

“I don’t want to make a mistake,” I answered honestly. “It’s not just about me. It’s about my kingdom too. It’s a huge decision to make.”

“I want to be honest with you now. I want to marry you. I came here because I wanted to help rule a country one day and that was all, but as the months have gone by, I’ve fallen in love with you. You really are beautiful although I see an ever-present sadness in you. At first, I put it down to the loss of your sister, and as time went by, I thought it might be the strain you are under. Now, I think it might be something else. I’d like to feel we can be honest with one another. Can you tell me what it is?”

I couldn’t tell him. How could I? I was sad for so many different reasons, two of which he’d mentioned, but I was also sad about being away from Cynder. I was sad at how my life was turning out and the lack of control I had over my own future. I was sad how my own father was treating innocent people, and I couldn’t think of a way to stop it.

“I’m sad because I’m overwhelmed by my own responsibilities.” It was the closest thing to the truth I could tell him.

He squeezed my hand. “Then let me share those responsibilities with you. I may not be as good looking as Xavier, or as well loved in Silverwood as Leo, but I know how to be a prince, and I know how to look after a princess. I’d like to look after this princess if she’d let me.” He pointed at my chest, right where my heart was.

“I...”

“You don’t need to say anything. I can see in your eyes that you don’t love me, and that’s ok. Love is something that can grow. We barely know each other, but if you choose me, I’ll work hard every day to make you feel safe enough that you could fall in love with me.”

He kissed me then, and I let him. I let him because he was my only chance at a future. I didn’t know if I’d ever see Cynder again, but Luca was right here beside me. He was the perfect man to take my side to one day rule the kingdom. I’d never love him like I loved Cynder, a love that eclipsed the way I felt about him couldn’t exist. But Luca’s kisses took my breath away which was more than I could wish for. We both ignored the tears streaming down my face. Maybe Luca didn’t even notice, for however practiced his kisses were, they could never beat the innocent embraces I shared with Cynder on the shabby sofa of his apartment.

I gazed up to his window. The curtains hadn’t moved. Something told me that Cynder was back on the run. In my heart of hearts, I knew I’d never see him again.

“I’m going to choose you.”

I looked straight into Luca’s eyes. The grin on his face was unmistakable which only made my heart break a little more. I had to pick someone, and between Xavier and Luca, there really was no choice. If I could ignore his playboy past, and he could ignore the fact I wasn’t in love with him, maybe we’d make a good team.

“I didn’t want to believe you’d choose me. Even though I was the only prince out of the four, I knew I had shortcomings and wasn’t good enough for you. When you kissed me all those weeks ago, I’d hoped it was enough to convince you we should be together, but you still went on dates with the others. The time between our dates was so excruciatingly endless that I found myself wandering the palace in the hope I’d accidentally bump into you. I’ve always considered myself a romantic, but it is only with you that I realize I was nothing but a flirt and a cad. Right from the start, with you, I’ve felt different, like I’ve finally found someone I could make it with, be a partner to. When you spent that week with Daniel, I thought that was it. I was so torn up with jealousy that I couldn’t eat or sleep, but the rules forbade me to interrupt you. I just had to wait it out. When you announced he was leaving, I was overjoyed. I thought maybe my letters had worked.”

“Letters?”

“I wrote you every day. There was nothing in the rules about that. Didn’t your father give them to you?”

I seethed on the inside. “No. My father didn’t. I’m sorry, Luca, I didn’t know.”

“It doesn’t matter now. All that matters is that I’m here with you and that you’ve chosen to stand by my side.”

He cupped my face in his warm hand and kissed me again. My anger faded away as I melted into his kiss.

“I need to tell my father.” I said much later “I don’t know if he’ll want to announce it now, or if I’ll have to go through the elimination with Xavier as planned.”

“And Leo.”

“And Leo.” I’d forgotten about having to have him officially eliminated too, mainly because he hadn’t been an option for me for quite some time.

I stood up and brushed the grass from my gown. Xavi would die on the spot if she could see the mess I’d made of it. Luca picked up my tiara and handed it back to me.

“Where are you going? Our date has only just begun.”

“I want to tell my father the news. No time like the present.” I may as well get it over with as soon as possible.

“Good idea. I’ll tell my parents too.”

“No! I need to tell my father first. Could you please wait?”

“For you, anything.” He kissed my hand and let me leave.

I walked slowly back to the palace, wondering if I’d made a terrible mistake. This was the second man I’d proposed to this summer. The second man I didn’t love but was the best option available to me. The second man I’d asked to marry me in the hope I’d love him one day. It was a depressing thought. He wasn’t the one for me, but he was the best choice for the kingdom. I remembered his stance on the Magi. One day, we’d make things right again, and on that day, Cynder would understand why I did what I had to do. He’d be free, like all of his kind. I only hoped he’d forgiven me by then because I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to forgive myself.

I found my father having a joke with Queen Sarina. I noticed he was standing as far away as possible from King Theron who was in discussion with Elise and my mother.

“Father, can I have a word in private?”

He excused himself from Queen Sarina and took me to his office. I wasn’t sure exactly how he was going to take my news, but at the end of the day, he really didn’t have any choice in the matter. Yes, he could tell me he wanted Xavier kept in the competition as long as possible, but the final decision had always been mine. Once it was announced to the public, he wouldn’t be able to change it anyway. Part of me thought it might be better to tell the world before my father as I had planned to do with Daniel, but the next elimination was a couple of weeks away, and I was sick of playing the charade.

“I’ve picked Luca.” I said it straight out before I lost the nerve.

“You are going to eliminate Luca? Wonderful. I’ve been waiting all day to stick it to that odious bore Theron. Xavier will make a great partner and leader I’m sure. You’ve made the right decision.”

“No. You misunderstand. I’ve picked Prince Luca to marry. I want to marry him. I want Xavier and Leo eliminated as soon as possible. I’m sure if you called Sadie, she’d be all too happy to set up another broadcast at short notice.”

My father frowned and didn’t speak for a few minutes. When he did, his tone was gruff.

“I thought we had an understanding. Xavier cannot be eliminated.”

I stood firm. “Yes, so you have said, but you also said that the final decision is down to me. I’ve made that decision, and it’s to marry Luca. That can’t happen without eliminating the other two men.”

“This is not acceptable.”

“It is acceptable, and it is what’s going to happen. I didn’t want to do this stupid competition in the first place, but I did because you asked me to. I chose four men out of a hundred, and I went on date after date in the public eye. I didn’t want to do any of it, but I did because it is what you expected me to do. I’ve not complained at all, but now I’ve made my choice, and my choice is Luca.”

My father nodded slowly. “Fine. I shall contact Sadie and ask her to come tomorrow. May as well get it over with. I’ll expect you in your finest gown at midday for the formal announcement. I’ll let Prince Luca know he is to be ready also. I assume you’ve already told him?”

“Of course, I have. Oh, thank you, Daddy.” I ran to hug him, but he just huffed and barged past me.

It was only when I went to bed late that night that I remembered I was supposed to meet up with Leo. I’d left it too late, but I knew he’d understand after tomorrow’s announcement.

Xavi fussed around me even more than usual the next day. She’d been told I was going to make a big announcement and had the perfect dress for me to make it in. It was an off the shoulder white number that could easily pass for a wedding dress had it been a little longer. Perhaps she had guessed what the announcement was to be.

I felt almost happy as I walked down to the stage area. There were so many people crammed into the palace grounds that I wondered how they could all breathe. They stretched as far as the eye could see, way past the gates of the palace. There were also many more cameras here today than usual. It seemed my father had invited all the networks, not just the one Sadie worked for. I was pleased to see it was still she that would be interviewing me though. I didn’t like being interviewed, but I, at least, knew her.

I waited at the edge of the stage while she did her usual warm up of the crowd.

I’d hoped Luca would be around, but maybe he would join me after the announcement. It made sense. As my nerves increased, I found myself playing with the bracelet Cynder had given me. After today, I’d have to take it off. Only the thought that I was doing this for him and the other Magi kept me going. I’d sacrifice my life with him if it meant his freedom. Once I was married, I’d have more say in the running of the kingdom and with Luca on my side along with his parents, I would work tirelessly to make the Magi free again.

Taking a deep breath, I waited for Sadie to finish her speech. She was working her way through a presentation showing pictures of the whole competition from the night of the ball to the official photos taken yesterday of the Thalian royal family.

I shed a tear when I saw Daniel among the photos and wondered what he was up to. I’d not seen him since the last elimination. I hoped he was doing well. We would soon be needing those chairs he was making for the palace, so I was confident I’d see him again sooner rather than later.

When the presentation finished, Sadie spoke directly to the crowd.

“There have been a number of highlights from the competition as you can see. We’ve watched Princess Charmaine blossom from a young girl into a woman these past few months, and now we are all gathered here for an important milestone in her young life. For tonight ladies and gentlemen, I’m extremely excited to announce that we are not eliminating one man, but two. Her Royal Highness, The Princess Charmaine has chosen the man she will marry in six weeks’ time.”

The crowd went ballistic. I had to stick my fingers in my ears for fear of going deaf as the thunderous sound of thousands of people cheering filled the air. I could just see some of the banners that they were holding up.

We love you Leo

And

Luca for Charmaine. I even saw one with Xavier’s name and a girl’s phone number on it.

“Without further ado,” continued Sadie as the noise abated slightly, “Let me bring on stage Princess Charmaine.”

I walked on stage to even more riotous applause. I could see more of the banners now. Many were supporting the three men left. A couple had Daniel’s name on them.

I smiled as I approached Sadie, and waved out to the people. It took a full five minutes before the crowd had calmed down enough for me to be able to speak.

“What a welcome!” said Sadie.

“Thank you all. I’m very happy to be here, and I’m so grateful for your support through this competition. It’s been a very difficult choice as you can imagine. All the men were wonderful, and any girl in my position would find it hard to choose. Eliminating Daniel last time was so much harder than I anticipated and the same goes for the two men I’m eliminating today. Having spent time with both of them, I can assure you, they will make fantastic husbands to two lucky ladies one day.”

“Just not you, eh?” Sadie interrupted good-naturedly.

“I can only pick one man, Sadie, as you know.”

The crowd laughed. I pulled so hard on my bracelet I could feel the tiny silver carriage digging into my skin. Cynder would be watching this. I wondered if his heart would break as much as mine had.

“A girl’s heart is a complicated thing. For one man you may be his lucky charm, but sometimes, no matter what you do, you have to make a decision that is the best for everyone. Everyone should be free for that.” I hoped that Cynder understood my cryptic message. I added the “everybody should be free” in the hopes he knew I was doing this so he could be free. I hoped he knew that I’d love him forever. “I’ve been free to make my decision; I just hope it’s one you all agree with.”

“Exactly, and if we don’t, then there’s always the two gorgeous hunks left for us, right ladies?”

There was another cheer, and the banners were thrust higher into the sky.

“Without further ado, let’s put the kingdom out of its misery and invite the new soon-to-be prince of Silverwood to the stage.”

I waited for Luca to join me. I could feel my charm bracelet cutting into my skin; I was pulling it so tightly.

There was a huge collective scream from the crowd as Xavier took to the stage. At the same time, the screen behind us showed his photo and the words “Prince Xavier.”

The pain on my wrist stopped suddenly as the bracelet broke and flew across the stage.

The screen cut to me, and all I could see was my own expression of shock.