Chapter 10 chapter Ten

I kept my head down throughout the dinner. I was in the women's room just now, and because Mary was by my side, I was braver. After all, she was the only one who felt that my behavior was out of kindness.But here, among hostile people, I couldn't be strong.I looked up once and saw Chris Umber twirling his fork viciously, while Ashley, who was always a lady, kept pouted and didn't talk to me.I just want to escape to my room. I don't understand why this matter matters at all, so what if the people like me?They outshine me right here, the signs and the cheers don't help. I don't know whether to feel happy or annoyed by such a commotion.

I focus all my attention on the food on the plate.The last time I ate steak was Christmas years ago, and even though my mother had tried to buy as much beef as possible, it was very different from the steak on the plate now.It makes me want to ask others if they think this is the best steak they have ever eaten.If Mary was sitting near me, I'd be sure to ask her.I glanced cautiously around and saw Mary whispering to the people around me. How did she do it?Didn't the report just now say that she is also very popular?How did she get other girls to want to talk to her? Dessert was vanilla ice cream with fruit, like I've never had anything like it.If that's food, what is it that I've been putting in my mouth all this time?I thought of Xiaomei, and her obsession with sweets like mine, she would love this dessert, and, if she was here, she would be excellent.

We couldn't leave our seats until everyone had finished eating.After dinner, we were strictly required to go back to our room to rest. "You will meet Prince Maxson tomorrow morning, so you must all want to be in the best state." Sylvia guided, "After all, he will become the future husband of one of you." Several girls fantasized that they were in this picture, and sighed with satisfaction. The footsteps of the girls going up the stairs were softer than coming down, and I couldn't wait to take off my shoes and dress.I brought a suit of clothes from home, and I wondered whether I should change into it to make myself comfortable for a while.

After walking up to the second floor, the girls all went back to their rooms.Mary pulled me aside. "Are you okay?" she asked me. "It's okay, just a few girls are staring at me at the dinner table." I said as lightly as possible. "People are a little nervous because they like you so much," she said, not taking their actions seriously. "But there are also many people who like you. I see many brands supporting you. Why don't they show you face?" "You've never been with a group of girls, have you?" She smiled knowingly, feeling like I should understand what was going on.

"No, I'm mostly with my sister and sister," I admit. "Homeschooled?" "yes." "Oh. I also homeschool with a few fourth-grade kids. They're all girls, and they each have their own way of torturing. Actually, the way is to get to know these people and figure out what irritates them. A lot of girls would say sarcasm, sarcasm, like that. I know I give the illusion of enthusiasm, but I’m really shy, so they think they can compliment me with their tone.” I frowned, so they did it on purpose? "To deal with a mysterious and quiet person like you..."

"I'm not mysterious." I interrupted her. "You're a bit of a mystery. Sometimes people don't know whether to take silence as confidence or fear, and they look at you like a bug to make you feel bad." "Huh." That made sense, and then I thought, what would I do if I were going to knock someone's self-confidence down, "How would you do it? I mean, if you wanted to make them feel bad ?” She laughs: "Ignore them. There's a girl in the family who's getting mad at me for not being able to influence me. So don't worry about it. Just don't let them see that they can influence your mood."

"Not actually." "I almost believed you...it's not that easy." She smiled, and the warm laughter was quickly sucked away by the quiet corridor, "Can you believe it? We will see each other tomorrow morning It's his time." She turned the topic to something more concerned. "No, honestly, I can't believe it." Maxson was like a ghost in the palace, mentioned, but not really there. "Well, good luck tomorrow." It was obvious that she wished me sincerely. "I wish you luck, Mary. I'm sure Prince Maxson will be delighted to meet you." I shook her hand again.

Her smile was a little excited and a little scared.She turned and went back to the room. Going back to the door of my room, I saw that the door of Vallei was open, and I could hear her whispering to the maid, but when she saw me, she slammed the door hard immediately. That's very kind of you. Unsurprisingly, my maids were waiting for my return to help me with my grooming.My nightgown, a thin green dress, was lying on the bed waiting for me.No one touched my backpack, they were too kind. Their work is not only purposeful, but also very efficient. There is obviously a whole set of grooming procedures, but they do not rush to complete any part.I think the end result of the whole grooming process should help me relax, but I still want them to leave quickly.But there's really no way to push them as they help me wash my hands, undo my skirt, and pin a silver name tag to my nightgown.This long process made me restless, not to mention that they asked various questions from time to time, and I had to answer them as politely as possible.

"Yes, I've met the other candidates." "They're not very talkative." "Yes, the dinner was great." "No, we don't see the prince until tomorrow." "Yes, I'm tired gone." "I relax most when I'm alone," I added to my last answer, hoping they'd get my implication. They looked disappointed and I had to remedy that. "You are all fine, but I want to be alone, I have seen too many people today." "But it is our duty to serve you, Miss Singer," said the leading girl.I think it's Anne, she just seems to be in the right place, Mary is more easygoing, and Lucy is a bit shy.

"Thank you guys so much, and I'll definitely need your help tomorrow. But tonight, I just need to relax. If you guys really want to help me, then please give me some time for myself. If you guys rest well , I’m sure you’ll be able to serve me better tomorrow morning, right?” They looked at each other. "Uh, it should be." Anne reluctantly agreed. "According to the rules, one of us needs to stay with you, in case you need something in the middle of the night." Lucy was a little nervous, as if she would shiver from time to time, I think it was because she was too shy.

"If I need anything, I'll ring the bell, that's fine. Also, I can't sleep if someone is looking at me." They looked at each other again, still hesitating.The only one that works, and I don't really want to use it. "You should all obey my orders, right?" They looked at me hopefully. "Then I order you all to go to sleep, please come and help me in the morning." Annie smiled, and I could tell she was beginning to get my way. "Yes, Miss Singer. I'll see you in the morning." They curtseyed and went out.Anne's last look at me made me feel that I was not what she expected, but she wasn't too upset. As soon as they left, I took off my delicate slippers and stepped barefoot on the floor, which felt so good and so natural.Then I started packing my things, which didn't take much time.I left the clothes I brought in my backpack and put them all into the big wardrobe, and then I looked at the few dresses hanging in it, probably enough for me to wear for a week.Every girl should have the same number of dresses, there is really no need to make a few more for someone who is leaving tomorrow, right? I took out the few photos of my family that I had and stuffed them against the frame of the mirror, which wasn't affected at all because the mirror was so big.I also have a box for little things, including my favorite earrings, ribbons, and headbands.These things may be too mundane for a palace, but I still want to bring some of my own to accompany me.As for the few books I brought, I put them on the bookshelf next to the balcony door. From the balcony doors, you can see the garden, a maze of fountains and benches, flowers blooming everywhere, everything is so perfectly manicured.Beyond the fine garden is a small clearing and then the forest.The forest can't see the border. I don't know if the wall of the palace can enclose the whole forest. I don't understand why there is such a forest.In the end, I didn't know where to put the thing I was holding. This little bottle with a penny rolled in my palm a few times, and I listened quietly to its crisp click.Why did you bring it here?Am I trying to remind myself that there are things I can't get? This love, this love that I have secretly managed for two years, has become untouchable now. Thinking of this, my eyes are moist again.In addition to being nervous and excited today, I am really exhausted.I didn't know where to put the bottle and finally decided to put it on the nightstand for now. I dimmed the lights and climbed into bed covered with expensive blankets, still unable to take my eyes off the bottle.I allow myself to be sad, to think about him. How did I lose so much in such a short period of time?Leaving home, living in a strange place, being separated from a loved one, these things should take years, how can it be just one day? I don't know what he wanted to say to me the moment I left.I can only deduce that what he has to say must not be said in public, so, is it about her? I look at the little bottle. Or, did he want to say sorry?I scolded him so severely last night, maybe he felt that he should apologize after this incident. Or does he feel that time has passed?I saw it with my own eyes, clearly, thank you very much. Or he can't forget me?He still loves me? Stop, don't allow yourself to be hopeless anymore.What I need now is to hate him, and only hatred can support me to continue walking, because half of the reason for coming here is that I think the farther away from him the better. Hope makes the heart ache and brings homesickness.Mei sometimes sneaks into my bed, wishing she was here.Then, thinking of the other girls who want me to go out as soon as possible, they will probably try their best to make me feel bad.Also, I would be caught by the camera from time to time here, and it would be a lie to say that I was not nervous at all on that program that was watched all over the country.Furthermore, there are people who will harm us for their political stance.All of this is too much for my busy head to analyze. My vision gradually blurred, and I didn't even realize that I was crying.I suddenly felt that I couldn't breathe, and my whole body was shaking.I jumped up and ran to the balcony. In a panic, the door lock couldn't be opened, but it finally opened.I thought a breath of fresh air would be enough, but it didn't help, I just felt short of breath and chilled all over. There is no freedom here at all, the iron bars of the balcony keep me firmly inside, and the wall that surrounds the palace is so high, and there are guards standing guard.I want to get out of this place, but no one will allow me to.The feeling of desperation made me feel more vulnerable. I looked at the distant forest and saw nothing but trees. I turned and rushed out of the room, groping in the right direction even though my vision was blurred by tears.Walking along the road I wrote down, I turned a blind eye to the gold-encrusted artworks and ornaments along the way, and didn't pay attention to the existence of the guards.Although I don't know the layout of the palace, I know that as long as you go down the stairs and turn in the right direction, you will see a large glass door leading to the garden.I need this export. I ran down the resplendent stairwell, pattering barefoot on the marble.Along the way, I encountered a few guards, but no one stopped me until I got close to where I wanted to go. As I saw in the afternoon, there were two guards in front of the big glass door. When I saw that I was about to push the door to go out, one of them stopped me with a spear-like weapon in his hand. "Sorry ma'am, you need to go back to your room." He said it quietly, but with such authority that it thundered through the quiet corridor. "No... no. I'm going to... get out." I slurred my words and couldn't breathe normally. "Ma'am, please go back to your room immediately." Another guard also came towards me. "Please." I gasped, feeling like I was going to faint. "I'm sorry... is it Ms. America?" He saw the name pin on my shirt. "You need to go to your room." "I...can't breathe." I stammered, falling on top of him as he approached me and pushed me back.The thing in his hand fell to the ground, and I struggled weakly, only feeling dizzy. "Let her go!" A strange voice suddenly appeared, very young but very dignified.I tilted my head to follow the sound.It's Prince Maxson, maybe I'm tilting my head the wrong way, he looks weird, but I recognize his haircut and stiff stance. "She's fainted, Your Highness. She wants to get out." The first guard explained nervously that he would be in big trouble if he hurt me.Now, I am the property of the Kingdom of Elijah. "Open the door." "But... Your Highness..." "Open the door, open it quickly. Quick!" "Do it right away, Your Highness." The first guard immediately took out a bunch of keys from his body.The keys jingled, followed by the crisp sound of unlocking the lock.My head was tilted, and the prince looked at me worriedly.I slowly struggled to my feet.As soon as the door opened, the sweet fresh air hit every cell in my body, giving me enough strength to rise from the guard's arms and rush into the garden like a drunk. I stumbled all the way, but I didn't care if I was elegant or not, I just wanted to get out.The warm air soothes every pore of my body, and the green grass under my feet is so comfortable, it seems that even the creatures of nature have become luxurious here.I wanted to walk all the way into the forest, but my feet were weak, and I slumped down as soon as I reached a row of stone benches.The dark green nightdress was stained with mud.I put my arms on the stone bench and rest my head on them. There was not even a bit of strength left in his body to cry, so the tears just flowed down quietly.How did I get here?How can I let these things happen?What will I become here?Can I get back a little bit of my old life?have no idea.And, there's nothing I can do about all of this. I was so lost in my own thoughts that if Prince Maxson hadn't spoken, I wouldn't have known I wasn't alone here. "Are you all right, honey?" he asked me. "I'm not your dear." I looked up and glared at him, the disgust in my eyes and tone was so obvious. "Did I do something to offend you? Didn't I just let you out?" He was confused by my reaction.He must have thought we all liked him and thanked God for his existence. I stared at him fearlessly, but was weakened by the tears all over my face. "Excuse me, honey, are you still crying?" he asked me, his tone disturbed. "Don't call me that! I'm the same as the thirty-four other strangers you've locked in your cage. I haven't kissed you much." He moved a little closer and didn't seem to mind my gaffe.He was just... pondering, the expression on his face was very interesting. His gait was indeed graceful for a boy, and he moved back and forth beside me with ease.This situation is really embarrassing, he was wearing a suit, and I was almost half naked, so my arrogance immediately weakened.If his stature didn't scare me, his manner did.He must have had a lot of experience dealing with unhappy people.When he opened his mouth to respond, his tone was surprisingly calm. "It's so unfair to say that. You're all my darlings, but I'm going to find out who's going to be my dearest." "You didn't really use the word 'coming soon' did you?" He laughed aloud. "It seems so. Forgive me, my education hurts." "Education." I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes, "It's ridiculous." "Excuse me, what did you say?" he asked. "I said it's ridiculous!" I yelled out, regaining a little courage. "What's ridiculous?" "This contest! This thing! Haven't you ever loved anyone? This is how you'd be willing to pick a wife? Are you really that shallow?" I shifted on the ground to make it easier He, he also sat down on the stone bench, but I was too uncomfortable to express my thanks. "I know I'm being superficial and I know it looks like cheap entertainment. But in my world I'm always protected and I don't get the chance to meet a lot of women. The girls I know are all diplomats Daughter, and even when we speak the same language, we rarely have anything in common.” Maxson seemed to think it was a joke, and laughed softly.I don't find it funny.He cleared his throat. "So, under the circumstances, I have no chance of falling in love with anyone. What about you?" "I have." I said matter-of-factly.But as soon as I said this sentence, I wanted to take it back quickly. This is my private matter and has nothing to do with him. "You're lucky then." There was a hint of envy in his tone. It's hard to imagine that what Prince Ilya envied is exactly what I came here to avoid. "My parents also met and got married through this method. They get along very well, and I hope to find my happiness. Find a wife who is loved by the people of Ilya, who can accompany me and entertain the leaders of other countries. She will be with me. My friend is friendly and will be my confidant. I am ready to find this wife." There was something in his voice that struck me, not the slightest sarcasm or sarcasm in it.This incident is just a show for me, but for him, it is the only chance to find happiness, and he can no longer recruit the second round of beauties.Well, maybe he could, but it would be too embarrassing.What he just said was so absolute and hopeful, it made me feel less disgusted with him, but only a little. "You really think this is a cage?" There was genuine sympathy in his eyes. "Yes, I really think so." I said calmly, and immediately added, "Your Highness." "I've felt that way more than once. But you have to admit, it's a beautiful cage." "It's just for you. If you put thirty-four men in this beautiful cage and grab the same thing at the same time, you can see if it's beautiful." He raised one eyebrow: "Have you really fought for me? You should all understand that it's me who chooses people, right?" "Actually, it's very unfair. They're fighting for two things, one for you and the other for the crown. And, they both feel like they know exactly what to say and do to make your choice Simple." "Oh yes, the man and the crown, and the scary thing is that some people can't tell the difference." He shook his head. "Good luck." I said coldly. As soon as my sarcasm came out, we were all silent.I secretly glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, waiting for him to speak.He looked at the grass with vacant eyes, with a solemn expression, and then, taking a deep breath, turned to look at me. "Then which one are you going to fight for?" "Actually, it was a complete mistake that I came here." "mistake?" "Yeah, that's about it, it's a long story. And now... I'm here, and I don't want to fight for anything. My plan is to enjoy the food here before you kick me away." Hearing this, he laughed out loud and bent down exaggeratedly to slap his thigh. This state formed a huge contrast with the usual stability and stiffness. "What are you?" he asked. "What's the meaning?" "Second? Third level?" Is he blind? "fifth." "Oh, yes, that food should be the motivation for you to stay." He laughed again, "Sorry, it's so dark I can't see your nameplate." "I am America." "Well, that's great." Maxson looked into the night with a smile on his face, as if this matter was very interesting, "America, my dear, I hope you find something worth fighting for in this cage .After tonight, I'm curious how you would behave if you really wanted to fight for something." He got off the stone bench and squatted on the ground with me, so close to me that I couldn't think normally.Am I a bit of a star fanatic, or have I not recovered from the crying just now?Anyway, when he took my hand, I was too shocked to speak. "If you like, I can let the guards know that you like to come to the garden, so you can come out at night without being stopped by them. But I think you'd better take a guard with you." I really want this arrangement, and any kind of freedom is wonderful, but he needs to know how I feel. "I don't… don't feel like I want anything from you." I took my hands away from his. He was a little taken aback, with a hurt look on his face. "Whatever you want." I felt even more regretful, I didn't like him, but I didn't want to hurt him, "You'll be back inside soon?" "Yes." I took a breath and looked at the ground. "Then I won't bother you, there will be a guard waiting for you by the door." "Thank you, um, Your Highness." I shook my head.How many times have I used the wrong title in this conversation? "Dear America, can you do me a favor?" He held my hand again, very insistent. I squinted at him, not knowing how to answer: "Maybe." His smile returned: "Don't talk about tonight with anyone else. As a rule, I shouldn't see you guys until tomorrow, so I don't want to make anyone unhappy. Although, it doesn't count if you yell at me What a romantic date, right?" It was my turn to laugh. "Of course not!" I took a deep breath, "I won't say it." "Thank you." He raised my held hand, kissed the back of it lightly, then got up, and gently put my hand on my thigh, "Good night." I looked at the piece with residual warmth on my hand, and didn't know how to react for a while.Then, I turned to look at Maxson's leaving back.He finally gave me the privacy I've been thinking about all day.