Chapter Four

We all arrived at the palace shortly after the graduation ceremony. Every graduate and their family had been invited, and the royal halls glittered with celebration. Rich drapes of velvet and crystal chandeliers adorned the ceilings, while long tables overflowed with a feast that looked like it belonged in a painting. The palace servants had outdone themselves—each tray and table spoke of perfection.

I sat with my friends amid the music and laughter, yet my mind was far from the revelry. All I could think about was what Luke had said to me two hours ago in his car.

Earlier, just as we were about to leave campus, Luke had insisted I ride with him. It was strange, unexpected. If he had a crush on me, this whole thing would spiral into awkwardness. But he was persistent—claiming, quite confidently, that it was his duty to drive me since I was his date. I couldn’t argue. I had no choice but to accept.

The ride to the palace was unbearably silent, tension hanging thick between us. Curiosity gnawed at me. Why was Luke suddenly acting like this?

“Uhm… Luke?” I finally broke the silence.

“Yeah?” he responded, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

“Why are you doing all this?” I asked softly, yet with urgency.

“Doing what?” he replied, feigning innocence.

I sighed, growing slightly frustrated. “I’m serious, Luke. Asking me to be your date… driving me here… why the sudden affection?”

He chuckled under his breath, brushing me off. “Hey! What do you mean, sudden affection? You’re one of my best friends. Can’t I be nice to my friend?”

“Luke, stop!” I snapped, my voice sharp with emotion. “I’m being serious.”

He finally let out a sigh, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Okay, fine. I just wanted to help,” he said, growing quiet.

“Help with what?” I asked, my heart starting to race.

“You and Christian. I know you’ve liked him for a long time,” he confessed.

The words hit me like cold water. I froze, stunned. “B-but… how did you know?” I stammered.

“C’mon, Jess. You couldn’t be more obvious. The way you look at him… the way you care for him. You’d literally die for the guy,” he exaggerated with a shake of his head.

“Oh…” I murmured, my throat tightening. “How many people know?”

“Well… everybody,” he said casually.

I gasped, mortified. “Christian too?” I shouted, the horror twisting my face. Luke laughed, which made everything worse.

“No, no—Christian doesn’t know… I think,” he added, looking unsure.

“What do you mean *you think*?” I asked, nearly panicked.

“Jess, Christian is blind. He can’t see what’s right in front of him. And frankly, I’m worried. I’m scared you’ll end up getting hurt.”

I lowered my head, unable to deny the pain in my chest. “I can’t help it, Luke. I like him so much it hurts.”

“Then tell him,” he said gently. “What if he likes you back?”

I turned to him, startled. “No… I can’t. I’d rather keep it to myself than lose him completely. If he doesn’t feel the same, I’ll lose not just my pride—but my best friend.”

Luke didn’t argue. “Okay… but what if he *does* like you back?”

“He doesn’t,” I said quickly, desperate to protect what little was left of my heart.

Luke grinned slyly. “That’s not what I saw today.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Jess, how could you *not* see it? The moment he laid eyes on you, his whole face changed. He looked at you like… *damn.* Then he tried to hide it.”

“Stop making up stories,” I mumbled, half-annoyed, half-hopeful.

“I’m serious. When I asked you to be my date, he looked like he wanted to punch me.”

“Maybe he was just being protective,” I offered. “You know how Christian is.”

Luke shook his head. “Fine. But you do know he won’t stay single forever. One day he’ll pick someone. Won’t you regret never telling him?”

That question haunted me all through the palace celebration.

I kept glancing at Christian from across the table. He looked stunning tonight, as always—his dark hair swept back, his navy suit tailored to princely perfection. My heart was in chaos.

*C’mon Jessica Lohan,* I whispered to myself. *You can do this. If you don’t tell him now, you’ll lose him for sure. And if he rejects you… well, pretend it was a joke. You’ll laugh it off. Right?*

I signaled Molly from across the room. She caught my eye, and moments later, we slipped away to a quiet corridor.

“What is it? Why are you blushing like that?” she laughed. “Girl, you’re as red as a rose.”

I rolled my eyes, but my fingers trembled slightly. “I’m going to do it,” I whispered. “I’m going to confess to Christian. Today. Right now.”

She froze. “*REALLY?!*” she screamed, and I instantly clamped my hand over her mouth.

“Shhh! Not so loud!”

“Oh my goodness—finally!” she gasped. “Wait—what changed your mind?”

“Luke,” I said simply.

“Luke?” she asked, blinking. “Wait—he *knows*?”

“Yeah.”

“That explains the weird behavior this morning… he was trying to make Christian jealous, wasn’t he?”

I nodded. “Apparently.”

“Do you think it worked?”

“Luke thinks it did,” I said. “But I don’t know…”

“I can’t say either—I was too focused on Jake,” she giggled.

I laughed nervously. “Come on, I have to do this now. Before I lose my nerve.”

“Let’s go,” she said, rubbing my back like I was about to step into a ring.

Back at the table, I sat down for a few minutes, trying to calm my pounding heart. Then I stood and walked to Christian. I leaned down to whisper in his ear, my breath catching.

“Can I talk to you privately?” I asked.

He turned toward me with surprise, then smiled. “Yeah, sure—”

But just then, the microphone crackled.

“Can everyone please settle down?” It was King Henry, standing tall on the stage.

Christian paused. “Let’s talk after this, okay?” he said, eyes flicking to his father.

I nodded, disappointed. The courage I’d built up started slipping through my fingers.

Molly caught my eye from the distance and made a calming gesture. I took a deep breath and focused on the stage, where the King now addressed the room, flanked by cameras and flashing lights.

“Today,” King Henry began, “I have a special announcement to make on behalf of my son, Prince Christian.”

Everyone turned toward Christian in surprise. Even he looked confused, shaking his head slightly.

“As we all know, in Orlander, the crowned prince is expected to find his princess before he turns twenty-one. It is a tradition passed down by our forefathers. If a man can lead a family, he can lead a kingdom. My son has had suitors in the past, but for the past two years, he has remained unattached. That is why, with the Queen’s blessing, we have decided… to host a Selection.”

Gasps echoed through the hall.

My heart dropped.

A *Selection*?

No. No, this couldn’t be happening. A public competition for Christian’s heart? I couldn’t even look at him—I was too afraid of what I’d see in his face.

“Twenty young women from Orlander will be randomly chosen to participate. And from among them, my son will choose his bride—the future Princess of Orlander. Auditions begin tomorrow.”

The applause that followed felt like thunder.

Girls around the hall squealed in disbelief, dreams ignited at the idea of becoming a princess. But I… I was breaking.

I finally looked at Christian. His face was stormy with anger—fierce, dark, and wounded. I had never seen him like that. Without a word, he stood and stormed out of the hall.

“Christian—” I called softly, but he was gone.

I sat there, frozen, tears blurring my vision.

I had waited too long. And now… I had lost him. My one chance. My best friend. The love of my life.

Regret. It gnawed at my soul.

I should have told him. Even rejection would have been kinder than this hollow, cruel twist.

Molly rushed to me, wrapped her arms around me, and led me out of the hall. She took me into her room, where I collapsed into her bed. She held me as I clung to her, and the tears came—silent, relentless, breaking me down.

I cried until I could cry no more, and sleep took me like the sea, swallowing me whole.