Ilya dismissed the topic and wasn't pleased at all. He would occasionally glance at me with the most disappointed looks but other than that it was pretty awkward. 

"Remember there is a dinner tonight, begin getting ready now I'll have a dress sent over." He says grabbing the book and keeping it to his side. "And keep your dirty little hands to your dirty little self." He continues before storming out. After he's gone and I'm alone I feel scared. I have always thought myself to be the one to do the right thing. And even if I don't like the circumstances of which I am put in. I still shouldn't have slept with Ace. 

"We need to talk." Someone barges into my room. I turn around to see Ace dressed in a different suit than this morning. A black crisp cut suit with a black tie.

"Does no one know how to knock? Just because I can't open that stupid door doesn't mean you should let yourself in." I say putting my hands on my hips. 

"Apologies, but we must talk." He says stepping towards me and I take a step back. He looks down at my neck and sees the vague bruises and his eyes darken. "Did my brother do this to you?" He howls. My eyes widen and the loudness of his voice.

"Yes, but we should never have done what we did," I say trying to regain some poise even though I feel utterly humiliated inside. The one person I actually liked turned out to be scheming against me. 

"And why not? We're two people that have perfect chemistry." He says scowling. 

"Ilya told me what councilmen do, and I know you're one of the worst," I say squeezing my eyes shut, willing myself to not make the situation worse.

"What?" He says shocked before taking a step towards me but I take another step back. "Are you really afraid of me Eleonora?" His voice sounds hurt with a bit of shock. 

"I'm afraid that you might do something against my rule," I say my voice breaking. I don't care much about my rule. But I know I should, its the right thing to do. 

"Eleonora, I would never do anything to harm you. We have something." He says, his voice is genuine and I almost believe him but I don't. 

"You need to leave," I say looking up to meet his pained expression. He opens his mouth to say something but doesn't, he raises his hands in surrender and leaves the room. I mentally punch myself in the face. How can I be so stupid? 

Shortly after the handmaids come into my room and we begin the torturing, they run a bath and rub my skin clean until it turns red, they blow dry my hair and comb it to the point where I feel as if my hair is falling out. They conceal the bruising on my neck without question. Ilya finally comes he brings in a beautiful blush pink sleeveless dress. When I put it on I realize it is very similar to the one I wore when I first got here. It's got a long slit down the side which complements my figure greatly. I twirl around a few times feeling like a princess. 

"We are ready!" Ilya says beaming. I nod before he escorts me out of my room and towards a ballroom.

The room is decorated completely different than before, the whole room has been painted from gold to white, there are circular tables everywhere with small chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. The crystals sparkle and burn my eyes. Near my throne, there's a long rectangular table with four seats. I begin walking down the stairs and I can feel all eyes on me some people gasp in delight while others applaud. I begin scanning the crowd and notice Ace. I mentally kick myself in the face and continue smiling and walking down the steps. I see that he and Lucas make eye contact before Lucas begins walking towards the bottom of the staircase. He extends his arm in a gesture to escort me. I remember the way he grabbed my neck and tried to suffocate me, and I do not condone violence at all, there are no excuses. I turn my head away from him distastefully before walking towards the tables. 

A few people gasp in shock and I hear murmurs. But they don't know what he's done. The look on some people's faces is pure horror. The dimness of the room makes for a dark aura and I realize that tonight is the night I eliminate someone, actually turn someone away from me. And I haven't even tried to get to know these people at all. I throw all of them a fake smile before taking a seat. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is the night you have all been looking forward to," Ilya says walking over to the center stage, poised with a microphone in hand and flashcards in the other. "The elimination." His voice booms across the large room and people begin clapping frantically. I raise on eyebrow confused at the peoples' excitement but brush it off. "At the end of tonight, our dear princess will pick a caller who will be eliminated." He says and the crowd goes even crazier. I clench the tablecloth in my hand and watch as the three men arrive and take their seats. They all say their hellos. I give Lucas a death glare before beginning to eat the soup in front of me. The people below the stage completely ignore us and begin eating their meals as well. 

Hope you enjoy and as always please don't forget the vote and comment <3