Royal Chase

Things must have been more serious with Genesis than I thought. “It’s not what Matthew Burdette wants.” I told him about everything that had gone on with the producer. He looked more and more worried with each word.

“Has he said anything to you?” I asked.

Now he seemed distinctly uncomfortable, which was surprising. “Just that he liked the way you and I are together.”

He wasn’t lying, but I could tell he was choosing his words very carefully. I thought about my list upstairs. I didn’t believe for a second that Burdette didn’t have his own copy, and that he wouldn’t hesitate to call each and every person to tell them never to speak to me.

“Let’s do this. You pick two other women for the finale. I will stay up to that point. You can come see my family, I’ll go see yours. I will stay and play along and do what I have to do. But you can’t choose me, send someone home that you could have loved, and then have me marry another man. It would ruin everything. The producers might try to force you to pick me, but if you promise me, I know you’ll keep your word.”

His jaw twitched two times, like he was gritting his teeth together. For a minute I thought he might not agree to what I asked. “If you will answer one question for me, then I will promise you.”

I took in a deep breath. “Okay.”

“What do you think would happen if we were together?”

The shock of that question jerked my head back and made me stand up straight. I had to clear my throat before I could speak. “I’ve seen the articles online. I know what you do in relationships.”

“You can’t know because you’ve never been in a relationship with me. When I commit, I commit.”

He couldn’t possibly think I’d be this easily fooled. “Why? Because of your knightly code of honor?”

As soon as I said it, I knew I shouldn’t have. His face fell, the disappointment obvious. “Yes, I was raised to treat women with respect and honor. And that may seem stupid or old-fashioned to you, but . . .” He trailed off. He shook his head. “I suppose there’s nothing I can say that will change your mind.”

“This is just pretend, remember? Just for the cameras.” I hated how sad he looked. And that I had caused it.

“Right. Just pretend. And Lemon, I promise you that I will not take you to the finale.”

We were alone. There wasn’t even a crew anywhere nearby. And he didn’t call me Limone. That hurt worst of all. “Thank you,” I said. I expected to feel relief.

Instead I felt shame and regret.

Harris came out to retrieve me and had me join the others inside. I looked back to see Dante being led in the opposite direction. I wondered if they wanted him to make some kind of big entrance. I lined up in the Heart Celebration room with the other girls, candles burning, cameras on.

Dante might very well send me back to Atlanta. We might leave things this way. I didn’t want that.

“I know that you’re standing here, expecting that one of you will go home. Well, as you can see, there are no heart pins on the tray. No one is leaving tonight.”

Genesis grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I smiled back, and I finally did feel relieved. “Instead, I have an announcement to make.” Harris looked at me specifically when he said it, and that relief dissipated as quickly as it had come. He was about to out me. I knew it. He would tell the others that I wasn’t there for the right reasons and Burdette would blackball me and America would hate me. There was an ache at the back of my throat, and chills strangled my spine. The gnawing sensation in my stomach felt like a family of rabid squirrels had taken up residence. I thought I might start hyperventilating.

“As you all know, Dante is charming, handsome, and intelligent. Any woman would be lucky to be with him. But what you don’t know is . . .”

Harris waited, stretching out the moment. I pressed my hand to my heart, so relieved that he wasn’t talking about me.

“Dante is actually His Royal Highness, Prince Dante. His parents are the ruling monarchs of Monterra. Dante also has a substantial trust fund waiting for him when he comes of age.”