Beyond Her Beauty

CHAPTER 57 (Lifted√)

I swept away my tears before Marie, Mary, and Sam noticed it. I didn’t want them to see me cry the last time we met. Everything is fixed and there's no turning back. Kaden's father's decision could not be changed because of what happened. It is forbidden to discuss GEORGE’s old diaries on national television or anywhere. I didn’t think of that, all I knew in my mind was to come up with a plan, a script, that I would do and say in front of many people.

To be honest, the pressure, the challenge, the happiness, the people in here and of course Kaden — I would definitely miss them.

Since Natalie and I got eliminated. I'm rooting for Kriesha, since she is perfect for him. I can't imagine Selena winning this battle.

“Miss Lily, can you visit us?” Marie said, holding a bunch of white lily flowers.

I stood straight and faced her. “It’s a no for now Marie, you know it's hard to travel when you come from Mellow woods.”

I saw the sadness on her face. But she immediately smiled.

"Okay, then we will visit you if we have a chance."

“Our royalty is still yours Miss Lily,” Sam said, vowing her head.

I chuckled, this, this is the thing that's hard to let go.

“I will probably visit you of course, for sure dad comes here whenever he buys a new instrument.”

The three were pleased with what I said.

“No more cat fights, okay?" I said, remembering Marie and Mary fighting for an unexplained reason.

“Yes Miss Lily, we promised.” they said.

“But we will miss you, our kind and stubborn Princess.” Marie said, teasing me.

I smirked and chuckled at the same time.

“I would probably scratch my dad violine just to see my favorite three gorgeous maids,”

They chuckled. I sighed before I turned to my big black luggage.

“Oh, farewell for now.” I said, before I wrap the finger of my palm around the handle of my luggage.

“LILY!”

I heard a loud sound of screaming and calling my name. The sound echoed around my room and I saw Rihanna at the wide door.

“Put it back, King and Queen decided to lift the elimination.” Rihanna lost her elegance and fashion when she said that. She seemed pleased with her announcement.

“Miss Lily, you're not leaving anymore.” Marie said cheerfully.

“That’s enough ladies. We need to hurry Lily.” Rihanna said, before she approached me and pulled me away from my room.

…

We are now at the Great Room enduring another etiquette lesson when bricks came flying through the window. Elise immediately hit the ground and started crawling for the side door, whimpering as she went. Selena let out a high-pitched scream and bolted toward the back of the room, barely escaping a shower of glass. Kriesha grabbed my arm, pulling me, and I broke into a run alongside her as we made our way to the exit.

“Hurry, ladies!” Rihanna cried.

Within seconds, the guards had lined up at the windows and were firing, and the bursts of sound echoed in my ears as we fled. Whether they came with guns or stones, anyone showing the smallest level of aggression within sight of the palace would die. There was no more patience left for these attacks.

“I hate running in these shoes,” Kriesha muttered, a heap of dress draped over her arm, eyes focused on the end of the hall.

“One of us is going to have to get used to it,” Selena said, her breath labored.

I rolled my eyes. “If it’s me, I’ll wear sneakers every day. I’m already over this.”

“Less talking, more moving!” Rihanna yelled.

“How do we get downstairs from here?” Elise asked.

“What about Kaden?” Kriesha huffed.

Rihanna didn’t answer. We followed her through a maze of hallways, looking for a path to the basement, watching as guard after guard ran in the opposite direction. I found myself admiring them, wondering at the courage it took to run toward danger for the sake of other people.

The guards passing us were completely indistinguishable from one another until a set of green eyes locked with mine. Bridger didn’t look afraid or even startled. There was a problem, and he was on his way to fix it. That was simply who he was.

Our gaze was brief, but it was enough. It was like that with Bridger. In a split second, without a word, I could tell him Be careful and stay safe. And saying nothing, he’d answer I know, just take care of yourself.

While I could easily be at peace with the things we didn’t need to say, I had no such luck with the things we’d said out loud. Our last conversation wasn’t exactly a happy one. I had been about to leave the palace and had asked him to give me some space to get over the Selection. And then I’d ended up staying and had given him no explanation as to why.

Maybe his patience with me was falling short, his ability to see only the best in me running dry. Somehow I would have to fix that. I couldn’t see a life for me that didn’t include Bridger. Even now, as I hoped Kaden would choose me, a world without Bridger felt unimaginable.

“Here it is!” Rihanna called, pushing a mysterious panel in a wall.

We started down the stairs, Elise and Rihanna heading the charge.

“Damn it, Elise, pick up the pace!” Selena yelled. I wanted to be irritated that she said it, but I knew we were all thinking the same thing.

As we descended into the darkness, I tried to reconcile myself to the hours that would be wasted, hiding like mice. We continued on, the sound of our escape covering the shouts until one man’s voice rang out right on top of us.

“Stop!” he yelled.

Kriesha and I turned together, watching as the uniform became clear. “Wait,” she called to the girls below. “It’s a guard.”

We stood on the steps, breathing heavily. He finally reached us, gasping himself.

“Sorry, ladies. The rebels ran as soon as the shots were fired. Weren’t in the mood for a fight today, I guess.”

Rihanna, running her hands over her clothes to smooth them, spoke for us. “Has the king deemed it safe? If not, you’re putting these girls in a very dangerous position.”

“The head of the guard cleared it. I’m sure His Majesty—”

“You don’t speak for the king. Come on, ladies, keep moving.”

“Are you serious?” I asked. “We’re going down there for nothing.”

She fixed me with a stare that might have stopped a rebel in his tracks, and I shut my mouth. Rihanna and I had built a friendship of sorts as she unknowingly helped me distract myself from Kaden and Bridger with her extra lessons. After my little stunt on the Report a few days ago, it seemed that had dissolved into nothing. Turning to the guard, she continued. “Get an official order from the king, and we’ll return. Keep walking, ladies.”

The guard and I shared an exasperated look and parted ways.

Rihanna showed absolutely no remorse when, twenty minutes later, a different guard came, telling us we were free to go upstairs.

I was so irritated by the whole situation, I didn’t wait for Rihanna or the other girls. I climbed the stairs, exiting somewhere on the first floor, and continued to my room with my shoes still hooked on my fingers. My maids were missing, but a small silver platter holding an envelope was waiting on the bed.

I recognized May’s handwriting instantly and tore open the envelope, devouring her words.

Ames,

We’re aunts! Astra is perfect. I wish you were here to meet her in person, but we all understand you need to be at the palace right now. Do you think we’ll be together for Christmas? Not that far away! I’ve got to get back to helping Kenna and James. I can’t believe how pretty she is! Here’s a picture for you. We love you!

May

I slipped the glossy photo from behind the note. Everyone was there except for Kota and me. James, Kenna’s husband, was beaming, standing over his wife and daughter with puffy eyes. Kenna sat upright in the bed, holding a tiny pink bundle, looking equal parts thrilled and exhausted. Mom and Dad were glowing with pride, while May’s and Gerad’s enthusiasm jumped from the image. Of course Kota wouldn’t have gone; there was nothing for him to gain from being present. But I should have been there.

I wasn’t though.

I was here. And sometimes I didn’t understand why. Kaden was still spending time with Kriesha, even after all he’d done to get me to stay. The rebels unrelentingly attacked our safety from the outside, and inside, the king’s icy words did just as much damage to my confidence. All the while, Bridger orbited me, a secret I had to keep. And the cameras came and went, stealing pieces of our lives to entertain the people. I was being pushed into a corner from every angle, and I was missing out on all the things that had always mattered to me.

I choked back angry tears. I was so tired of crying.

Instead I went into planning mode. The only way to set things right was to end the Selection.

Though I still occasionally questioned my desire to be the princess, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be Kaden’s. If that was going to happen, I couldn’t sit back and wait for it. Remembering my last conversation with the king, I paced as I waited for my maids.