As I figured, all the girls were eager to show off their curves to the prince, each one beautifully enclosed in their gowns. I on the other hand made sure no single skin was inappropriately exposed. The gown I chose was golden brown, my favourite colour as it reminds me of the sun sometimes.

In the women's Common Room, Madam Alicia sits in a corner, eyes keeping us girls in check, particularly me.

That's why Theresa could only glower with impotent rage at me from across the room.
The other girls are seated in the sofas neatly arranged against the walls.

Beside me, Harriet, and two others girls, Bethany and Alice chat endlessly about the prince.

"I'm excited to meet the prince. Do you think he will ask all of us to go on a date with him?" Bethany asks in her normally shrill voice.

Alice scoffs. "For the sake of my sanity, I hope not. There are some girls I cannot stand here."

I thought she was referring to me until I catch her aiming a dirty look at Theresa.

Harriet sighs. "Me too. Why does she always act like she owns the palace?"

"And I'd like nothing more than to slap that annoying smirk on her face." Bethany adds.

I snort, eyeing her petite figure. Petite but curvy. She sends a curious gaze my way.

"What?"

I fake a cough. "Well, pardon my manners but I have slight respiration issues."

Harriet seeing through my lie, shakes her head but Alice and Bethany immediately set on telling me about remedies for my respiration problem.

An hour later, a young male came in, announcing the presence of the prince. The gowns moved in a blur, all hands reaching to fix any stray strand of hair. I on the other hand flipped a page of my book, trying to ignore my mounting curiosity.

When he walks in, time seems to be on a halt. A thoroughly masculine young male, defeating the beauty of all faces I've ever seen. Sorry dad.

The boy's in his princely garment, of rich blue velvet, brown hair neatly stacked on his hair, and blue eyes that would make an ocean jealous.

I'm unable to restrain my jaws from falling in reaction.

The same boy I saved from a bunch of petty thieves is the same boy standing before my eyes.

Madam Alicia clears her throat and normalcy is restored. We all curtsy, acknowledging his presence.

He smiles. "Good afternoon ladies. I'm sorry to keep you all waiting."

And when his eyes search me out, all I want to do is crawl into a hole.

"My name is Prince Finnegan, and I would love to meet you all personally."

No, I'll love to punch you in the face for lying to me the entire time.

We're organised into two groups and would each get a turn to speak directly with the prince.

My blood boiled. All the while I've been bad mouthing the prince, it really was him?

"He's so handsome, Alanna." Alice whispers in my ear.

I try not to gag after seeing the dreamy look in her eyes. Every other person's charmed except for me and Harriet and I already know the reason for Harriet's indifference.

I would confront her after this.

"Lady Theresa." Madam Alicia calls out. All eyes including mine focus on her ginger steps to sit with the prince.

Five minutes later, another name was called. And another. And another. Until it got to my turn. I was last.

When I sit on the chair facing the prince, I glare at him. His smile fades.

"I have a lot of explaining to do." He breathes out, focusing on my eyes.

I raise a brow. "Indeed?"

He nods and beckons a guard over. "Can you dismiss the ladies. I need some time alone."

What?

"Yes, your highness."

And when the guard carries out the prince's command, I endure the arrows shot at me as the girls file out through the door. Only Harriet wears an amused smirk.

"Talk." I demand, crossing my arms.

Prince Finnegan leans over, glancing around to ensure we're alone. "Can I entrust a big secret to you?"

I nod. "It better be worth keeping or I'm telling everybody."

He chuckles. "Look, this is all a lie."

"What?"

"I'm not the crown prince."

This new revelation fills me with shock and then anger.

"Why are you people toying with the emotions of so many girls?" I ask with so much disdain in my voice.

Prince Finnegan's expression sinks. "My brother is too much of a coward. Mom and dad forced this year's Choosing on him and he isn't ready to meet with you girls. I'm only taking his place."

"Why?"

"It would be embarrassing sending all the girls back home." Prince Finnegan explains.

Although it makes sense, but this whole pretending stuff is unfair still.

"Maybe he had a good reason for not wanting to choose a bride. Did anyone bother to ask him why?"

From the confused expression on Prince Finnegan's face, I gather my answer.

No.

"Females are so much trouble. I'm sure he wants nothing to do with girls fighting literally and figuratively over his attention for a span of two months, or maybe, he just isn't ready for marriage."

The prince nods subconsciously. He's thinking about my words for sure.

"Lady Alanna, would you accompany me to somewhere this evening?"

I smirk. "Sneaking out again?"

He laughs genuinely. "No. Though you have reminded me of a place I should be tomorrow evening."

Sighing, I search my brain for a pressing need. He's the prince after all.

"I'm going to tell everyone your secret."

Colour drained from Prince Finnegan's face. "You wouldn't dare."

Well, I might not actually do that, but he doesn't have to know does he?

"Do you doubt my capabilities, your highness?" I bat my eyes sweetly at him.

He groans. "I just made a deal with the devil. What do you want, Alanna? Name your price."

This makes me chuckle. I'm a good manipulator.

Smiling, I state my price. He nods with a grim expression.

Secrecy comes at a price. Keep this in mind.

♘♘♘

Sighing, I flop on my bed face down. Who knew socialising with a bunch of girls could be exhausting?

After Prince Finnegan, Isaiah immediately ushered me to the gardens to join the other girls. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my book in the Common Room, so I was forced to listen to the painful gossips about the prince. Harriet was unusually silent and I left her undisturbed for now.

"Do you need a feet massage, my lady?" Symphony offers, helping me with my shoes.

I roll over, catching the dullness in her face. "No, thanks. Are you alright?"

She nods. "Yes. It's probably the cold."

Snorting, I snatch my left foot from her grip. "It was thirty degrees last night and this afternoon too. Don't lie to me."

She mumbles something about me being too smart for my own good.

Pretending not to hear that, I patiently wait for her to collect her thoughts together. But before that can happen, Madam Alicia sways in with a bunch of fabrics.

I scoff when her hawkish blue eyes land on me. How much longer do I have to room with this woman?

"Tomorrow, the girls are going horse riding. Symphony, make sure you get these clothes cleaned and straightened."

Symphony rushes out with the clothes and when the door shuts behind her, I turn to the woman.

"What do you tend to achieve?"

She smiles. "Everything I do is for your own good."

As if I'd be fooled.

Hissing, I trudge to the bathroom on my side of the room.

There's a wall seperating my space from Madam Alicia's but there's no door meaning both rooms can easily be accessed at any time.

After scrubbing my body down, I change into my nightwear, ignoring Madam Alicia's, eyes on me as I go to shut the windows.

When the large palace clock announced twelve midnight, I grabbed a cloak and deftly sneaked out of the room.

There was something I needed to do.

Alanna can't really get over her habit of sneaking out, can she?

Lol.

Where do you think she's going to and what are your thoughts about the impostor Crown Prince Finnegan?

There's so much more in store.

Thanks for reading and voting.

Until the next chapter, stay safe.

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