For the evening’s elimination, I picked out a fuchsia silk Les Reveries dress. The dress was sleeveless and had a high collar with a keyhole neckline, and it was adorned with frothy ruffles at my neck and on my thighs. I slicked my hair back into a long ponytail and wore the dress with leopard print Dolce & Gabbana stilettos. Once I was done, I sprayed myself with my signature perfume, and felt like a million bucks. I knew I’d be cold, so I grabbed a snow leopard faux fur shrug to wear on top.
I met the other girls in our main room. Their worried faces didn’t escape me, and I felt a little deflated myself, too. Despite the Queen’s pep talk – which I hadn’t expected – I felt defeated by the day’s events. And I had no idea who was going home either, which only made me worry more.
All of us were dressed and primed to our best, and I knew the competition would only get tougher from here on out. I followed the other girls into the ballroom, which was decorated for the upcoming holidays.
A massive Christmas tree had been put up, the fairy lights twinkling on it and beautiful decorations in a white-and-champagne color scheme adorning the three. The room itself sparkled, the marble shining, waiters spreading around the room and mixing with royal subjects to distribute flutes of champagne and canapés.
I was nervous. I couldn’t bring myself to relax, constantly glancing around the room and not even knowing what I was trying to do. After all, Olivier had already made his decision. If that meant me going home… would I be upset, or relieved?
I wanted him. Still, I wanted him. But the competition was getting to me, and I was letting it impact me. The thought of going back to Rose and Thorn’s filled me with equal amounts of dread and relief. I wasn’t even sure what I wanted anymore.
It felt like moments later that the Queen announced we’d be starting with the elimination. The girls shuffled to stand on the ornate staircase, with Olivier standing at the bottom. A tray with aquamarine stones was by him, and I bit my bottom lip in an effort to stop myself from crying out.
What would I even say? Yes, I wanted him to pick me, but I wanted the games to be over already.
“I will be sending one woman home tonight,” Olivier told us in a solemn tone. “It has to be done. Let’s begin with the ceremony.”
He took the first stone and my heart pounded loudly in my chest.
“Amber,” he called out.
I stepped forward, feeling faint as I descended the stairs and joined him. His eyes glittered with unspoken words as they met mine, and he attached the aquamarine stone to my collar.
“Good girl,” he muttered loud enough for just me to hear. “You’ll be okay, chérie. Go stand to the side. I’ll find you after.”
I gave him a barely perceptible nod and stood to the side, where Bruno and the Queen were. Bruno’s eyes didn’t escape me, following my movements around the ballroom like a hawk.
“Zara,” Olivier called out next, and I smiled at my beaming friend who rushed down the stairs.
When I watched Olivier place the stone on her collar, a sliver of jealousy I couldn’t stop made me look away. I hated him being with other women. Hated it despite knowing the competition was just a charade, and I’d end up the winner.
Zara came to join me, her hand in mine and a happy smile on her face as Olivier called out the next few girls. Kendy, Monica, Eva and Camellia were all picked. The number of women on the staircase was dwindling until it finally came down to Asya, Freya and Safiya.
I was trembling for them, afraid for my friend. I wanted Freya to go home, but strangely, I didn’t want to be the reason for her elimination. She was only doing what the Queen told her to.
The loss of Safiya would be even worse. I knew I’d blame myself for it forever. After all, I was the one who’d unveiled her best-kept secret.
“Asya,” Olivier called out next. The Turkish beauty let out a huff of air before joining him at the foot of the stairs.
My eyes connected with Safiya’s while we waited. I mouthed a sorry, but she didn’t seem to care. Her mouth was set in a thin line and she refused to meet my eyes again after that. I looked at Freya next, and knew she was unable to stop her true emotions.
I noticed she was trembling, obviously terrified by the prospect of leaving the competition.
Now, Asya joined the rest of us. Olivier would make his final decision with the next name he called.
He looked up, took a deep breath and said, “Freya.”
A massive weight dropped on me, and I found it hard to breathe. Safiya kept her expression stoic as the Nordic princess took the stairs, a smile of relief making her look prettier than ever. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and neither could Olivier.
He placed the stone in Freya’s collar and she joined the rest of us, smirking at me as she made her way to stand front-and-center of the other girls. Then, Safiya descended the stairs to say her goodbyes. She held her head high, proud and not relenting as she looked Olivier in the eyes. He muttered something to her, and she nodded, agreeing with him. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, and my stomach knotted with worry.
Olivier brushed a kiss against my friend’s cheek, and she came to join the women to say goodbye.
Zara let go of my hand to comfort her, and Safiya still wouldn’t meet my eyes as they started talking. Shaking, I took a step forward, and her once warm eyes turned cool when they met mine.
“I’m so sorry, Safiya,” I managed in a small voice. I’d never felt more ashamed than at that moment. “I didn’t think what I said… what I did, would send you home. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry,” she replied with a prim smile. “I’m not going home just yet.”
“No?” Zara asked, her eyebrows knitting together. “Did you get a second chance? Is that what Olivier told you when you were standing up there?”
My heart slowed down, but Safiya shook her head, saying, “I’m staying in town. Remember that castle I told you about, and the stories surrounding it?”
“Yes,” Zara nodded.
“I’m going to try and get to the bottom of it,” Safiya told us. “I’m going to find out what’s really going on there, and I’m not going home until I unveil its secrets.”
“Good luck,” Zara said. “I hope we’ll stay in touch.”
They embraced, a moment of warmth I wasn’t privy to shared between them. I hated myself with a burning passion, knowing I’d played a part – the main role – in sending one of my best friends in the competition home. Shame threatened to swallow me whole.
Then, Safiya turned to face me, offering me a placating smile.
“I’m not mad at you, Amber,” she told me. “I just… thought you were my friend.”
There were traces of pain in her words, enough to let me know the damage I’d done to our friendship. Anything I could have said would be too little too late, and I merely managed to nod, my eyes on hers, hoping I was conveying my deep regret over what had happened. What I’ve done.
“Thank you,” I managed to get out when I met Safiya’s eyes. She surprised me by giving me a bright look, one filled with excitement. Maybe this was what she wanted all along. Maybe the real reason she came to the castle was to discover the secrets of the hidden mystery in the woods.