The Calm Before the Storm

As the days passed, the competition at Averleigh Palace grew increasingly tense. Evelyn could feel the undercurrents shifting, like an approaching storm that no one was quite ready for. The palace had become a web of whispers, veiled looks, and carefully constructed smiles. Every conversation was a carefully measured dance, and every gesture seemed to carry some hidden meaning. She had long known that this was a world of politics, but now, it seemed the politics were closing in on her.

The other contestants, particularly Lady Margaret, were growing more aggressive in their attempts to outshine one another. Evelyn couldn't help but notice the way Margaret's eyes lingered on Prince Alexander, the way she laughed just a little too loudly in his presence, the way she ensured that her every action drew attention. Margaret, it seemed, had perfected the art of subtle manipulation. But Evelyn wasn't like her. She had no interest in playing those games, and it seemed the harder she resisted, the more the palace turned its focus on her.

It was early one afternoon when the tension reached its peak. Lady Beatrice had called for a gathering in the palace's grand sitting room, a place that seemed to amplify the unease in the air. The contestants were gathered together, seated in plush chairs, eyes darting around the room as they waited for the royal adviser to speak. Even Prince Alexander had joined them, his presence commanding but distant. Lady Beatrice stood at the front of the room, her gaze sweeping over them with a mixture of authority and something else, something that Evelyn couldn't quite place.

"We've reached a critical point in this competition," Lady Beatrice announced, her voice cutting through the silence. "The next series of tasks will determine who remains in contention and who does not. The stakes are higher now. Prince Alexander expects nothing less than excellence from all of you."

Evelyn leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest, listening with half an ear. The words were the same as they always were—task after task, performance after performance, and in the end, a prize that she never asked for. She couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. This wasn't what she had signed up for. The thought of spending another few weeks in this high-stakes charade seemed almost unbearable.

"You all know the rules," Lady Beatrice continued. "This is the part where the prince's interests will play a more direct role. You'll each be expected to showcase your abilities in ways that go beyond what we've seen so far. There will be no more room for mistakes."

Evelyn's thoughts began to wander, her eyes scanning the room. Lady Margaret, sitting across from her, was already sharpening her smile, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She had already proven herself to be a fierce competitor, using her charm and wit as weapons. The others, though less obvious, were equally determined. But Evelyn remained resolute in her indifference. She wasn't going to let herself be molded into something she wasn't, no matter what it took.

The prince's voice broke through her thoughts. "I expect each of you to rise to the occasion," he said, his gaze sweeping over the room. "The coming days will be your chance to show what you're truly capable of. You'll have to give everything you've got."

Evelyn's eyes met his for the briefest of moments. There was something in his gaze, something unreadable, but it held her attention for a heartbeat longer than it should have. The moment passed, and the others around her began to murmur amongst themselves, discussing the upcoming challenges. But Evelyn remained silent, lost in her thoughts.

Later that evening, she found herself in her chambers, pacing back and forth. She had to admit that a part of her was curious about what the upcoming tasks would entail, though she was determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing her eager. She would play along—just enough to keep the royal family off her back—but she wasn't going to become another pawn in their game.

The door to her room creaked open, and Evelyn turned to find none other than Prince Alexander standing in the doorway. His presence was unexpected, and the suddenness of his appearance made her heart race, though she kept her face neutral

"Your Highness," she said, her voice steady despite the surprise.

He stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind him. "I thought I'd come check on you," he said, his tone casual, though there was something guarded in his posture. "You seemed… distracted earlier."Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "I'm always distracted."

He gave a short laugh, though it didn't reach his eyes. "That's true." He took a few steps closer, his gaze never leaving her. "But this time, it felt different. Are you worried about what comes next?"

She didn't hesitate. "Worried? No. Frustrated, yes."

"Frustrated?" he echoed. "Why?"

"Because I never asked for this," she replied, her voice low. "I never asked to be part of this competition, and now I'm stuck in the middle of it. I'm tired of pretending like I care."

He studied her for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. "You're not the only one who feels trapped," he said, almost under his breath. "But sometimes, the only way to get through it is to play along."

Evelyn met his gaze, her frustration giving way to something else—a sharp awareness that she hadn't quite let herself acknowledge before. There was more to him than the charming, aloof prince everyone saw. Behind his carefully constructed facade was a man who was just as stuck in this world as she was.

"I don't want to play along," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander took another step toward her, his expression shifting. "Then don't," he said simply.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension thick between them. The silence stretched out, and Evelyn couldn't decide whether she wanted to step closer or walk away. But before she could act on either impulse, a knock at the door interrupted the moment.

Prince Alexander straightened, his expression hardening again. "I'll leave you to it," he said, his tone shifting back to the prince's aloofness. Without another word, he turned and exited the room, leaving Evelyn standing there, her mind racing.

She opened the door to find Lady Beatrice standing on the other side, her eyes scanning Evelyn with a careful expression

"You're needed in the drawing room," Lady Beatrice said, her voice as cool and efficient as ever. "The first of the tasks is about to begin."

Evelyn nodded, her mind still swirling with thoughts of the conversation that had just taken place. She wasn't sure where things stood with Alexander, but one thing was certain—things were only getting more complicated from here.