The Translator

Chapter 5: The Cut

*Erik's P.O.V*

The next morning Henri and I stumbled down to breakfast, quietly discussing what he should say if the Princess were to speak to him today. All throughout breakfast the lovely Princess Eadlyn is absent, no doubt planning her next move with the selected very carefully. Henri and most of the other men are sad continue to glance up at her empty place, a sad look in each of their eyes.

Later in the morning, we are all hanging out in the Men's Parlor when suddenly the double doors fly open. Standing behind the doors is Princess Eadlyn, her hair blowing in the wind from the door making her look just as beautiful as ever. There is a sudden rush of nerves as each of the selected all hurry to face her, some rushing to get out of the way as the Princess enters with a throng of reporters and their accompanying cameras. She comes to a stop in front of a very skinny guy with curly brown, giving him a wicked smile.

"You can go," she says simply.

"Go?" Paisley Fisher asks, glancing back at the rest of us.

"Yes, go. As in, thank you for your participation, but your presence at the palace is no longer required," the Princess says, getting a bit annoyed when he continues to linger.

She breathes something into his ear, earning her an angry look as he slowly leaves the parlor. His reaction seems to vex the Princess, but only for a second before she turns to yet another one of the selected.

"Blakely, isn't it?"

"Ye-" Blakely squeaks, clearing his throat before starting again. "Yes, Your Highness."

"When we met, you couldn't stop staring at my breasts," she says loudly, making his face go pale. "Make sure you get an equally satisfactory look at my backside as you leave."

I try not to laugh as he ducks his head and leaves the room, knowing that would be completely inappropriate even though he completely deserves it. She stops in front of two others and sends both of them home, each of them giving each other a confused look as they leave the parlor together. She comes across Kile Woodwork next and I can see it in his eyes that he desperately wants her to dismiss him. However, she walks right past him without even a word and she stops in front of Hale. They have a short conversation, probably about yesterday because I can slightly hear Hale say something about how his suit couldn't be saved.

As the Princess continues to make her way around the room, I turn to Henri and begin translating everything that has happened so far. He is a little confused at first, but once I finish translating, he looks up at the Princess and gives her a big smile. She gives him a small smile before turning back to the other selected men, sending six more of them away before facing all of those left in the room.

"If you are still here, that means you've done something between our first meeting and now to impress me or have at least had the common sense not to offend me," the Princess says firmly. "I want to encourage you all to be deliberate, because I take this very seriously. This isn't a game, gentlemen. This is my life."

With that, she walks out of the room and pulls the double doors shut behind her. The parlor immediately erupts with activity as those that are left begin conversing about what just went down. A couple of the men burst into tears, some laugh, and others begin to strategize what they are going to do next. Henri stands there in silence, his face perplexed as he tries to take in what I translated for him. He begins to worry about where he stands with the Princess, but I quickly assure him that he is doing well and his smile returns to his face once again.

Here we are, three days into the selections and Princess Eadlyn has already sent 11 of the selected home. This competition may go by much quicker than we ever anticipated...