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“Your Highness,” Corbin pursed his lips together as if he was speaking on the fly, but his cue cards waited by camera one. “The last twenty-four hours have been eventful to say the least, correct?”
“Yes.” The lack of excitement in his voice surprised me. “Actually, Corbin, if possible, I’d like to make this short.”
Once again, Fitz threw off the host. Panicked looks passed between the producers off camera. They obviously wanted to object, but we were live. What could they do?
“Yes, uh—of course.” Corbin started to speak but stopped early. With nothing left, but to allow Fitz to run the show… again… he took a step back.
The change in him, though subtle, couldn’t be ignored. Where his confidence typically stole the room, tonight Fitz barely made eye contact. Shoulders slumped slightly, he sought words he couldn’t find. With a shake of his head, he finally spoke.
“These ceremonies are not going to be any easier as we move forward. Maybe I didn’t think of that before. But I don’t see the point in prolonging pain and disappointment for any of you.” Though his stare grazed across us, I felt it linger with me. “If your name is not called, I apologize, but know this decision has not been made lightly. Time is simply not on our side.”
Time? Had something happened with his father? I knew he was sick, but had he worsened? Fitz had originally felt confident that finishing the competition on New Year’s Eve would work, but maybe he needed to speed things up.
“Lady Gwendolyn, as you have your charm, please, take your position to my right.” Fitz motioned to the space where the chosen had stood the night before. Whispers sprang to life around me, not just with the contestants, but with everyone who waited on the sidelines.
“He kissed her.”
“Can you believe it?”
“We could end it right now.”
“He’s so in love.”
Seriously, what had happened at the bonfire? I drew in a breath to calm myself, but an ache in my heart refused to be silenced.
He’d kissed her?
Why did that hurt?
That was supposed to be good news.
As far as I could tell, Gwendolyn was a great choice, but somehow, it left me empty. Split open.
“Lady Chantal, please step forward.” The murmurs grew to a gentle tumult. If he was ranking his choices, then she’d leapt to the top. Chantal’s strapless pink dress hugged her curves as she made her way toward him. This time around, I heard his words.
“I was impressed by how hard you worked with your team. I know it wasn’t easy for you and I appreciate the effort.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Chantal tipped her head forward in respect. “I look forward to showing you more.”
“I’m sure she does,” Blair whispered beside me.
Fitz picked up a dainty snowflake charm from the tray beside him. “Will you take this charm as a symbol that your heart is true, your intentions are pure, and you are willing to serve the people of Nolcovia as their future queen?”
Of course, she did. I wanted to be bitter, but she did play nice with the team. She gave it her all and never once treated any of us as less than her. He was right. She deserved to stay. But it still bothered me.
He worked through his choices quickly.
Esme.
Eirene.
Minny.
Dagny.
All agreed to his terms with a smile. Meanwhile, I waited on my turn again, growing more nervous by the second that I’d done something to anger him. Was my team’s loss really that bad? I glanced at the others with me. He would have to call Blair. They had a date in the morning. If he called me and not Sadie, I would happily give up my spot for her.
“Lady Sadie.” Fitz laughed to himself as he had the week before, a brief moment of frivolity in the middle of his brooding. As she arrived, he smiled and took her hand. “Any chance Sadie is short for something?”
