The Royal bride selection trials

Chapter seven

senna pushed me awake the next morning, I groaned as I rolled off the bed. stretching before sitting on the cold floor.

"Isabelle, we need to get you ready before breakfast"

I looked up at her as she walked to my closet,

"What time is it?"

"7am"

I pushed myself off the ground and walked to the closet right beside senna

she pulled out a dress and faced me

"how about this?" she held the dress up to my face,a smile stretched across her face.

I nodded and went into the bathroom.

We spent the next hour styling my hair and putting on some makeup.

I put on the dress she picked out and waited for the bell to chime.

"Isabelle?" senna called. I turned to face her sprawled on the floor

"senna?"

she smiled

"you know you can go down right, you don't have to wait for the bell"

I thought of the little display Camille made in front of the queen, wondering who else was like that. I didn't want to be friends with any of these women. At least until I was certain they weren't assholes.

I felt a needle prick my chest.

I was a hypocrite.

"I'm not ready to make friends yet" I sighed. senna sat up looking confused

The bell chimed and like last time I waited ten minutes before going down to the dinner hall.

This time it was arranged so we were four at each table.

my eyes searched the room for Anastasia,I didn't want to spend breakfast at a table full of complete strangers.

The girls stood in groups in two and three, whispering in each other's ears and stealing glances at other groups.

"Isabelle!"

I instantly recognized that shrill cold voice.

Camille walked towards me with a smile so fake it was obvious ten miles away.

she came in for a hug and I awkwardly tapped her back.

"we got off on the wrong foot earlier and I came to apologize" she held my hands softly

"what?" I carefully slipped my hands out of hers

"you'll never be a threat to me" she said coldly her smile did not waver.

"you'd be surprised"

she laughed loudly

"oh you're so funny"she squeezed my shoulder a little too strongly and walked off.

Anastasia didn't come down for breakfast, I had spent the morning at a table of girls who went on and on about how handsome the crowned prince was and how they couldn't wait to meet him personally.

My mind drifted to Callum and the phone I had hidden up in my room.

I hadn't checked it today, what if he had sent a message.

After breakfast I locked the door to my room and drew out the phone from its hiding place

I had a message, two in fact

[All the wings in the estate have a secret room, find them.]

[I'll see you soon.]

Did that mean he would come see me? I stopped my smile and shook my head

how?visitors weren't allowed.

I looked at the first message

secret rooms?

I tried to remember the map of the estate I had studied and where the rooms could possibly be.

What was in the rooms?

He never gave me complete details.

In his words "the less I knew the better"

hard to argue when whatever I was doing could ultimately destroy the royal family.

I shoved the phone back in its hiding place and decided to take a look around.

staying cooped up in my room would drive me crazy eventually.

I quietly closed my door and walked downstairs, some girls still sat at the dining hall. I went the opposite direction.

some guards stood by the entrance

Maybe if I walked past them confidently they would let me pass.

I had nothing to be worried about. There was nothing in the rules that said I couldn't stroll through the royal garden.

"just taking a walk through the garden" I said loudly as I walked past

I increased my pace and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding when I was finally out of their line of sight.

The Royal garden, like the rest of the palace, was beautiful.

I followed the concrete walkway to a wide open space with trees providing shade and benches a small fountain in the middle and beneath the largest tree was a

"swing!" I yelled, I covered my mouth with my hands immediately

"Are you a child?"

"f**k!" I almost jumped out of my skin, I placed my hand on my racing heart and turned to face the voice.

"Language!" he smiled.

"you scared me" I walked towards him

he was sitting under a shade with a book in hand,

he stretched his hands as I got closer, his golden blonde hair reflecting the sun

"Sabastian and you are?"

his hands were soft yet firm, I held on longer than I was supposed to

"Umm... Isabelle"

he looked up at me with his grey blue eyes and gestured at the seat next to him.

"I'm sure that's against the rules, your highness"

I tried to courtesy but my knees buckled and he let out a small laugh

"I'm certain the rules says you shouldn't seek me out and you didn't,"

"No I did not"

"yes, you were here for the swing" he placed the book on the bench and walked towards the swing.

"I didn't even know it was there"

"The palace is so huge many beautiful things are left neglected"

He pushed the swings with his legs and we both watched it sway with the wind.

I heard the bell chime from a distance and knew it was time for the first stage.

"I have to go"

"it was nice meeting you Isabelle, you really should practice your courtesy"

"I was nervous! jeez"

his warm laugh revealed perfect dentition

I ran off before he could say anything else.

right now I need to focus on making it through the first stage

Though I had no idea what the trial would actually be.