The Selection - Aarmau

Chapter Ten

Two weeks later

12 girls were gone, and 23 remained. Aphmau was one of them, she didn't know whether to feel like she was lucky about it or not. Something did feel unlucky.

Perhaps it was the feeling of being homesick, and although the place being luxurious, not quite feeling comfortable yet.

She chuckled at that thought. 'Yet'. As if she was ever going to get used to this.

They were sat at breakfast, pancakes, and bacon, grilled to perfection. There wasn't a hint of a burn on any of the pancakes, and Aphmau could imagine the hundreds thrown in the garbage because of it.

Even at work, where she worked with chefs, it was impossible to not burn at least one.

The king and the queen were eating breakfast with them, and Aaron still had yet to show up.

There was a gravity to Queen Rachel, one that pulled everyone around her in, she was incredibly kind-looking, and the smile she gave the girls when a giggle was heard was sweet.

It was evident that, although she was queen now, once upon a time she was just like them.

Aphmau still felt shunned out from the rest of the group, at least by most of them, and Lucinda, the girl who Nana had befriended, was already sent home.

In the middle of their meal, Aaron walked in, and all the girls went to rise and curtsy to him, he put his hands up, and spoke quietly. "Please, sit. No need."

He was in a crisp suit, just as everyone in that palace always wore, it was a deep navy blue colour, a navy tie to match. He sat by his father, and sooner than later, they were done their meals. Leaving him to the lions den of women fighting for him, and the crown.

Aphmau, unfortunately, wasn't sat by either of her friends. Katelyn and Nana were on the other side of the room, and she was sandwiched between two girls who glared at her at every chance they got.

Particularly, Jenny Edwards, and Michi Santos, the same girl who had attacked her weeks earlier. She was almost surprised that Michi wasn't sent home, but she couldn't fault Aaron.

The drama was entertaining.

Jenny and Michi looked like opposites, and Aphmau looked like the polar opposite of either of them. Jenny was blonde, with sapphire eyes, Michi was dirty blonde, and it had been dyed purple during the competition in some places, and olive skin.

She kept her eyes foreward, not even daring to look towards Aaron or anyone else in the room. She knew that would make her more hated.

...

"Lady Aphmau, you do not have to clean this space. It is our job." Cassandra said, trying to stop Aphmau from tidying up her own room.

"I insist. I know how to clean."

"Nobody doubted you of that, Miss." Daisy piped up, grabbing her hands. "Nobody did. But, you are on a vacation of sorts, and this is our job."

She wants to fight it, but they have put up with enough of her bullshit, and she nods. "Okay. You're right. I'm sorry."

"You do not have to apologize, darling. Why don't we get you dressed up for the evening?"

They pulled a strapless dress out of the closet, floor length, with a sweetheart neckline, hanging on the hanger as well was a sheer piece of fabric, assumed to be a shawl.

The dress was royal blue, and they asked if it was the one she'd want to wear. After she nodded, they dressed her. They pulled her hair every which way to decide how to put it, before wrapping it up in a bun, they placed a sapphire in her hair, and one around her neck.