already tucked it away so it’ll stretch out for a long time. You’ve done so much for us, Maxon.” I tried to smile at him again, but his expression remained unchanged.
“Good God. When you said you were only here for the food, you weren’t kidding, were you?” he asked, shaking his head.
“Really, Maxon, we’ve been doing pretty well lately. I—” But I couldn’t finish my sentence.
Maxon came over and kissed my forehead.
“I’ll see you at dinner.”
As he walked away, he straightened his tie.
MAXON HAD SAID HE WOULD see me at dinner, but he wasn’t there. The queen entered alone. We made our delicate bows as she took her seat, and then settled in ourselves.
I looked around the room to find the empty chair, assuming he was on a date, but everyone was here.
I had spent the afternoon replaying what I’d said to Maxon. No wonder I’d never had any friends. I was shockingly bad at it.
Just then Maxon and the king walked in. Maxon had his suit coat back on, but his hair was still a handsome mess. He and the king had their heads together as they walked. We hurried to stand. Their conversation was animated. Maxon was using his hands to express things and the king was nodding, acknowledging his son’s words but looking a little put out. When they reached the head table, King Clarkson gave Maxon a heavy pat on the back, his expression stern.
As the king turned to face us all, his face suddenly flooded with enthusiasm. “Oh, goodness, dear ladies, please sit.” He kissed the queen on her head and sat himself.
But Maxon remained standing.
“Ladies, I have an announcement.” Every eye focused in. What could he possibly have for us?
“I know you were all promised compensation for your participation in the Selection.” His voice was full of a ringing authority that I had only really heard once—the night he let me into the garden. He was much more attractive when he was using his status for a purpose. “However, there have been some new monetary allocations. If you are a natural Two or a Three, you will no longer be receiving financing. Fours and Fives will continue to receive compensation, but it will be slightly less than what it has been so far.”
I could see some of the girls had their mouths open in shock. Money was part of the deal. Celeste, for example, was fuming. I guessed if you had a lot of money, you got used to the idea of collecting it. And the thought that someone like me would be getting anything she wasn’t probably got under her skin.
“I do apologize for any inconvenience, but I will explain this all tomorrow night on the Capital Report. And this is a nonnegotiable situation. If anyone has a problem with this new arrangement and no longer wants to participate, you may leave after dinner.”
He sat down and started talking again to the king, who seemed more interested in his dinner than Maxon’s words. I was a little disheartened that my family would be receiving less money, but at least we were still getting some. I tried to focus on my dinner, but mostly I was wondering what this meant, and I wasn’t alone. Murmurs went up around the room.
“What do you think that’s about?” Tiny asked quietly.
“Maybe it’s a test,” Kriss offered. “I bet there are some people here who are only in it for the money.”
As I listened to her, I saw Fiona nudge Olivia and nod her head toward me. I turned away so she wouldn’t know I saw.
The girls offered up theories, and I kept watching Maxon. I tried to catch his attention so I could tug my ear, but he didn’t look my way.
Mary and I were alone in my room. Tonight I’d face Gavril—and the rest of the nation—on the Illéa Capital Report. Not to mention the other girls would be right there the whole time, watching one another and mentally critiquing. Saying I was nervous was a gross understatement. I fidgeted while Mary listed some possible questions, things she thought the public would want to know.
How was I enjoying the palace? What was the most romantic thing Maxon had done for me? Did I miss my family? Had I kissed Maxon yet?
I eyed Mary when she asked me that one. I’d been throwing out answers to the questions, trying not to think too hard. But I could tell she’d asked that one out of genuine curiosity. The smile on her face proved it.
“No! For goodness’ sake.” I tried to sound mad, but it was too funny to be upset about. I ended up smirking. And that made Mary giggle. “Oh, just … why don’t you clean something!”
She laughed outright, and before I could tell her to stop, Anne and Lucy burst through the doors with a garment bag.
Lucy was looking more excited than I’d seen her since the moment I’d walked in the first day, and Anne seemed quietly devious.
“What’s this about?” I asked as Lucy stopped in front of me to give a buoyant curtsy.
“We finished your dress for the Report, miss,” she replied.
My brow wrinkled together. “A new one? Why not the blue one in the closet? Didn’t you just finish that one? I love it.”
The three of them exchanged looks.
“What did you do?” I asked, pointing at the bag Anne was hanging up on the hook near the mirror.
“We talk to all the other maids, miss. We hear a lot of things,” Anne began. “We know that you and Lady Janelle are the only two who got more than one date with His Majesty, and from what we understand, there might be a link between you two.”
“How so?” I asked.
“From what we’ve heard,” Anne continued, “the reason she was asked to leave is because she said some rather unkind things about you. The prince did not agree and dismissed her immediately.”
“What?” I put a hand to my mouth, trying to hide my shock.
“We’re sure you’re his favorite, miss. Most everyone says so.” Lucy sighed happily.
“I think you’ve been misinformed,” I told them. Anne shrugged with a smile on her face, not concerned at all with my opinion.
Then I remembered where this had started. “What does any of this have to do with my dress?”
Mary came over to Anne and began unzipping the long bag, revealing a stunning red dress that shimmered in the fading light falling through the window.
“Oh, Anne,” I said, absolutely awestruck. “You’ve out-done yourself.”
She acknowledged my praise with a nod of her head. “Thank you, miss. We all worked on it, though.”
“It’s beautiful. But I still don’t understand what this has to do with anything you said.”
Mary pulled the dress out
