I'm so sorry for the long wait, guys! I meant to update sooner, but I got a new puppy, and she's a handful! Plus I have school, and homework...but here I am, on Spring Break. So I'll try to update again soon...enjoy! Oh, and thank you guys so much for 5k reads in this! I'll shut up now so you can read! *le exits*
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•Elsa's POV•

     Despite his promise, Jack wasn't at breakfast. He wasn't even at lunch. The Report was that night, so maybe I'll see him then.

    Earlier in the Women's Room, I was sitting down, reading and chatting with Rapunzal (mostly chatting) when I heard Kaya complaining that I was spending so much time with Jack when she's only had two dates.

"That whore just wants the crown! She's so poor she can't even afford to pay for a fork in this palace, that's why she's here!" I clench my fists in anger. God, I wish I could hurt that girl.

   Punzie whispers in my ear,"Don't. She's not worth it. And anyway, if you did, you would be no better than her." I nod, sighing. She's right. But that still didn't stop me from saying,"You know what, Kaya? Instead of getting onto me for having so many dates, why don't you look in the mirror and see exactly why you've only had two this time? Oh wait, it's because you're so trashy and cruel to people, he doesn't want to!" I snap, crossing my arms as I walk out, Punzie following me.

   I turn around, about to apologize for doing that when she clearly didn't want me to, but instead I gasp in surprise as she hugs me. "Oh, you go girl! Tell her off!" I give her a confused look. "But you just..."

 
  "Well, I didn't want you to embarrass yourself, but you didn't! You were so mature about it! You didn't flinch or anything! And you should've seen her face! It was priceless!" I laugh as I look at my best friend. Well, my only friend, really. I'm really glad I have her. Even is she is my competition, I would never let that get in between our sacred friendship.

      But even though she was saying earlier that it's not my fault he likes me so much, and I know she was trying to reassure me-I could see that she was jealous, too.

     It was starting to get frustrating. Before dinner, all of the girls were required to go to the Women's Room to go over history and "proper lady behavior" with Gerda, the head advisor for the Selected girls. That was exhausting. At least I knew all of the answers about the country before, and how the Illèan government came to be. A man named Gregory Illèa...a man that created a beautiful, flawed system of castes and tyrannical leaders. Hopefully when Jack comes to power, he'll change all that. I have a feeling he doesn't like the castes, either.

     After dinner, The Report was mainly discussing about the rebel attacks in Wales and Carolina. I hope none reach New Vega...Anna and Toothiana...my heart clutches with worry at the thought of them.

   "Speaking of rebel attacks," Marcus, the host, says,"it appears that Lady Elsa is back with us. Last week we got to know these ladies, all except her. Why don't you come on down, Lady Elsa, so we can get to know you?"

   Crackers.

     I blush as the camera pans to me and I see myself on screen. I see movement out of the corner of my eye and notice that Jack just sat down. He winks at me reassuringly, and my heart skips a beat.

    "So, Lady Elsa, why don't you tell us about life back home a little?"

  What is there to say? That I'm a Six, I do the work of most maids around here, and I don't even deserve to be here? "Well, there's not much to tell. I live with my sister and my adoptive mom, and we do laundry for her as well as the neighborhood whenever they need it."

   "Aw, an adoptive mom. He nods as he adds,"How is that so?"

    I can't mention my parents and their accident. Not here. He went too far. But I'm on live television, so...I have to.

    My voice chokes up as I tell him. "When I was eight, my mom and dad were called to receive shipments for my dad's boss on the border. Rebels were waiting for them..." I trail off as the tears fall. I quickly wipe them away, hoping the camera didn't catch that.

    "And...And Toothiana took us in when we didn't have a home. She took us in even though we were just Sixes. And I love and respect her for that."

    Marcus wipes away a tear, handing me a tissue. "I'm so sorry. My condolences to you and your sister."

   "It's gotten better, though. Much better since I got here."

  "Why is that so?" I smirk. "It's mainly the food." Everyone laughs, even Jack. "But really, it's all the wonderful people I've met here. Lady Rapunzal, my maids, the king and queen, the prince...." I glance over at Jack, blushing. I notice he perks up, sitting straighter in his chair. Wait, is he blushing too?

   I am pulled out of my thoughts as Marcus addresses me to a different topic. "So. Rumor has it that you're the favorite around here. Think you have a chance to be Queen and beat out these other beautiful, talented women?"

   Suddenly, I sense that he doesn't particularly like me. Is it beside I'm a Six and he thinks lower of me?

   I give him a bright smile, shaking my head as I say,"No, not at all! All of these women have as much of a chance as I do, maybe even more." I continue as Marcus looks at me, his eyes full of malice that I didn't trip up like I should have. Two can play this game...and Elsa isn't here to lose.