The Selection

Chapter 27: Lockdown

Gabriel was indeed correct. The next day Ivy's parents did arrive and they were wonderful. Her mom was so gracious and was identical to her. They fit in wonderfully, taking in the scenery of the palace and it only reminded me how terribly my parents wouldn't fit in.

Gabe spent much of his time with Ivy and I didn't question it. It would be rude not to.

So as he gave them a tour of the palace and grounds, I decided I would sneak into the room I'd waited in before the ball. Hopefully this time uninterrupted so I could find the beeping noise and what it was connected to.

Ivy's parents attended dinner, as did the royal family and I couldn't help but notice both King Anderson and Queen Olivianna were overly friendly in their presence. Asking them questions, laughing with them and even excusing themselves with them after dinner to sit and chat in the "sitting room" which I had never seen. Gabriel and Ivy both when with arm in arm and I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Shaking it off I turned to Grace.

"What are you going to do tonight?" I asked her. Her room was on my floor and I didn't want to make the mistake of running into her while sneaking around.

"Probably take a really, really long bath and read a book. You?" she asked while taking one last bite of her sautéed asparagus.

"That sounds wonderful, I'm going to do the same," I nodded, fake yawning. I stood and she followed suit. The walk was very silent on the way to our rooms until she said, "When do you think Gabriel will propose to you?"

I couldn't help but giggle, "He may not. You never know."

"Oh please," she waved a hand. "Goodnight, Ember."

She closed the door slowly behind her and I started towards my room. What if I was right though? What if I got caught sneaking around the palace, trying to find things I shouldn't and he decided my mischievous attitude didn't belong in royalty.

Don't get caught, my inner voice told me in a smug voice. Easier said then done.

Entering my room, I slid off my sparkling red evening dress and corset. Instead I changed into a black high neck day evening dress so it could give me some concealment. For the first time since I'd been in Carolina, I wished for pants. If Gabriel were to propose I'd have to ask for pants on lazy day occasion. I decided going barefoot would be the most quiet.

I slid out of my room and tiptoed down the hallway only stopping to listen to the bath water running in Grace's room. Sneaking past, I turned to go down the stairs only hearing silence down the lifeless halls. It was unnerving somehow.

This would be the difficult part. Such a long hallway with no concealment.

I took off in a fast walk, my mind racing as I past by doors upon doors. I could feel my heartbeat in my head as I listened to each smack my barefoot made against the floor.

"I had no idea our parents would get along this well," I heard Ivy's voice echo way down the hall. I stopped in my tracks, frozen.

MOVE, my inner voice screamed.

"I know, my parents don't often get to talk to down to earth people," Gabriel's sweet melodic voice sounded closer. I could hear Ivy's heels clicking. I turned to the nearest door and closed it quickly and quietly behind me, praying it would be an okay door to go through. It wasn't.