The Last Date
A/N: It’s ten o clock where I am, and I finally finished Holly’s last fic. This has been a really fun/crazy/dramatic experience, and I’m so glad Livi and Alex made it all possible! Thanks to @ladyalizemabo and @ashtonschreave for the rps, and enjoy Holly’s last submission :)
The final four. It’s finally here.
I was lying on my bed, eyes closed, simply resting for a little while after lunch. Just yesterday the Selected had been cut down to Alizé, Yanely, Piper and myself, sending Gracebella and Roxana home. Although Winter had been eliminated, what with her relationship reveal at the family ball, being with Cody had secured her place at the palace. What had shocked me the most was the fact that Gracebella was sent home, of all people. I wished her well though, hearing rumors that she hadn’t had the best past before coming to the palace. Every one of these girls deserved the best future they possibly could, Gracebella included.
Soon, Ashton would pick his wife and future queen after we each had one last date with him. I was nervous, of course, but also strangely calm. Like I was ready for whatever could happen.
“Holly?” a voice said, and I opened my eyes to see Elle standing above me, one of my dresses hanging over her arm. She smiled as I stared at her, honey brown eyes bemused.
“Everything alright?” she asked as I sat up, moving to sit cross-legged.
I nodded, still thoughtful. “Elle, can I ask you something about Nolan?” I asked, remembering her telling me and the rest of my maids the heartfelt story of how she had met her fiancé here in the palace.
“Anything,” she answered, setting my dress down near the edge of the bed. I motioned for her to sit, and she plopped herself down with ease, adjusting the black skirt of her maid’s uniform. Out of the three of my maids, she had become the closest with me, losing the stiff formality that we had when I first came to the palace. I was still good friends with Jenna and Sophia, but Elle and I had found a special friendship with one another.
“How did you first know that he loved you?” I asked, jumping straight to the point. She paused for a moment, looking pensive. I knew without a doubt that I loved Ashton, nothing had ever been clearer to me, but knowing if he loved me? I was clueless.
“Asking the easy questions,” she said with a laugh while I smiled.
She brushed a tendril of her pretty red hair away from her face as it fell out of her bun, looking at me thoughtfully. “Of course when he told me was a definite indicator, but I think I suspected long before he actually said the words.”
“How?” I asked, incredibly curious.
Her eyes seemed to wander for a moment, as if lost in a memory. “It was the way he looked at me as we passed each other in the halls, like I was the only thing that mattered. Or the way he took care of me after a hard work day, making me laugh even when I was exhausted. The little things,” she said with a fond smile. I nodded, somewhat expecting her answer, while I toyed with the ends of my hair.
She reached over and gently grabbed one of my hands, looking at me pointedly. “Holly, your situation is completely different. I never had to worry about Nolan picking between me and three other girls. I know you just want to know what Ashton wants, but at this point, I don’t think you can tell until he tells you for sure. Just… enjoy what’s left of the competition and your last date with him. Promise me you won’t stress about it?” she urged, giving my hand a squeeze.
I smiled at her imploring expression, laughing slightly. “I promise, Elle. And thank you,” I answered, truly meaning my words. If I spent the rest of my time holed up in my room wondering if he loved me, I would regret it later on.
She nodded her head once, smiling with satisfaction. “Good. Now why don’t you get out of this room and enjoy yourself,” she suggested, sliding off my bed.
“Alright, alright. I can tell when I’m not wanted,” I joked, laughing when I saw her roll her eyes.
She lightly slapped my shoulder as I hopped off my bed and slid past her, shaking her head with amusement. I slipped on my flats and straightened my dress, waving goodbye to Elle on my way out.
Once I was in the hallway, I didn’t really know where to go, so I walked aimlessly until I found myself in front of the Women’s Room. I decided to go in, thinking the brightness and comfort of the room would calm my anxious mind. Once I was inside I noticed Alizé sitting on a couch with her back turned towards me. I thought about letting her be, but in the end found myself approaching her.
I felt that I should continue our somewhat tentative friendship considering everything was so close to ending. A few times I had heard some girls talking about me saying that I was just too nice, as if I had some ulterior motives. It was something I heard often while growing up and it still bothered me.
You’re too nice, Holly. People will take advantage of you, Holly. You need to speak your mind more, Holly.
I had always been raised to treat others with kindness, even if I didn’t like them. I didn’t know how else to be with people other than genuinely kind. I knew this competition was hard enough, but how could I possibly be cruel to others no matter how I felt about Ashton? They deserved every bit of happiness they could get.
Although I knew I could share my opinions more, not let others believe that I was just the sweet girl someone could manipulate. I was more than what people thought, and I so desperately wanted others to see that. Maybe it was too late to show the girls here at the palace, but I wasn’t going to change who I was to make myself seem less suspicious, of all things.
Shaking my head at my wandering thoughts, I walked around the couch and sat down next to Alizé, noting her startled gaze as I interrupted whatever she was reading.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just thought I’d come over to talk for a bit,” I said, a bit sheepishly. But she smiled with warmth, waving her hand.
“No worries. So, what’s up?” she asked, setting her book aside.
I lifted a shoulder. “Nothing much. It’s so quiet around the palace now, huh?” I remarked, noting the palace seemed almost empty without so many girls or their families around.
“True, all the guests are gone, and only four of us left…” she trailed off, no doubt wondering how the end of the Selection would play out.
“I still can’t believe it. And the fact that it’s going to end so soon!” I exclaimed.
“It all went by so fast it seems impossible,” she added, just as surprised as me.
“I know. So,” I hesitated, not quite sure how I wanted to phrase the question, “How are you feeling about everything?” I asked.
She let out a breath before she answered. “I feel like it kind of overwhelmed me if I’m being honest. But as it all got quiet, and after talking to my family, I feel reassured about… well everything,” she confessed.
“I can understand that. I think I felt that way for a while, and even though I’m nervous for what’s going to happen, I feel weirdly calm at the same time,” I explained with a small laugh.
She nodded. “I get that. At the moment it feels less like a competition somehow, yet you still try interpreting every word he says. I’m sure he’s already chosen somehow, but honestly I’m so lost as to say how this will end.” She was completely right, none of us had an inkling to who Ashton was going to propose. It was maddening.
“Exactly!” I agreed. Suddenly a question popped into my mind that I had been pondering over for a while. I debated on asking Liz, but in the end I knew I had to know.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked, albeit a little hesitantly. I knew she could sense from my tone I sounded serious enough, so she looked up at me curiously, responding with a simple “sure.”
Even before I asked, I felt like I already knew what her answer would be. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but… do you love him?” I questioned.
She closed her eyes for a moment, the expression on her face and the look in her eyes as she opened them confirming how she felt even without answering.
“Yes,” she admitted, her tone unwavering. She looked so elegant and poised sitting in front of me, one of the many things I admired about her, especially since admitting your love for another man couldn’t be the easiest thing in the world. Liz certainly didn’t show it.
I smiled gently at her as she looked earnestly at me. “Then if he chooses you, I wish the both of you every happiness. I hope you know that, I want him to be happy no matter what happens,” I declared, meaning every word. Of course I wanted Ashton to be happy, but the thought of him kissing her, holding her, loving her… I could already feel my heart break slightly at the idea. Nevertheless, I would put on a brave face. It was all I could do, really, if Liz was the one he chose.
“Do you… do you love him?” she asked tentatively. “Because if you do, then I wish the same for you.” Her sincere words only surprised me slightly, but I didn’t doubt them, knowing she had been one of the few genuine girls involved in the Selection.
My voice was soft with conviction as I answered, “With all my heart. And thank you, Alizé, that means a lot.” I couldn’t tell how she felt about my answer, but I’m sure it wasn’t the easiest thing to hear.
“Thank you too, Holly.”
“Of course,” I responded with a smile.
She easily returned my smile. “I wish it didn’t have to end like this”
I sighed, thinking along the same lines. “Me either. It feels so bittersweet. This competition was never easy to begin with and I can’t believe how much this whole experience has changed me. I mean I still feel like me, but also different.” I said, her expression turning thoughtfully curious at my answer.
“I haven’t really thought about that, but you’re probably right. It definitely helped me to realize that love was a bad thing.” Her answer confused me, so I inquired about it and she ended up telling me about her ex-boyfriend and the unfortunate outcome. It saddened me a little to know that she had gone through something so painful that it could warp her opinion on love. I never had experience with love, at all really, except I always believed that love could only be good, no matter the obstacles or hard times.
I was glad, though, that she felt she could confide in me. Even though we were in love with the same man, I wanted to be good friends with Alizé. It was probably a foolish notion, but I hoped nonetheless.
Eventually I left after talking a bit more with her, somehow feeling less anxious than I did when I first arrived in the Women’s Room. I knew that Ashton would be happy with Alizé if he chose her, and that comforted in an odd way. I wandered around the grounds of the palace the rest of the day, wondering what events the rest of the week would bring, knowing they would be nothing less than eventful.
Three days had passed and I hadn’t seen much of Ashton, only hearing about his dates with the other girls and seeing him at meals. But this afternoon was my turn, and I was simultaneously eager and nervous to see how our date would pan out.
My maids had just left my room when I heard a knock, already knowing it was him. I hopped up from my window seat and slipped on my flats, straightening out my skirt before opening the door. He smiled a dazzling grin when he saw me which I eagerly returned.
“Hey,” I said simply.
His eyes sparkled as he returned my greeting. “Hey.”
“Feel like doing anything specific on our date?” I asked, stepping out of my room and closing the door behind me.
He shook his head and held out a hand. “All on you.” I gladly took it, enjoying the warmth it offered my cold one. I smiled at his answer, noting how the Selected’s dates all had one thing in common: he always let us choose.
“Well walking around the gardens seems good to me,” I offered, wanting some semblance of privacy for the rest of our date.
“Alright then,” he agreed, squeezing my hand slightly and leading us down the hallway towards the direction of the gardens. I looked up at him as we walked and spotted the dark circles under his eyes, the telltale sign of his stress. The thought of him tossing and turning all night because of us girls and his other duties worried me. You do so much for everyone when all everyone does is ask the world of you.
“How are you doing with just us four left?” I inquired with a gentle tone.
He looked down at me with a sigh. “Nervous,” was all he offered.
I nodded. “I get that. I’m nervous too, to be honest,” I admitted.
He looked down at me once again as we made our way out of the palace and into the palace. “Not the easiest thing in the world is it?”
“Definitely not,” I agreed with a sigh.
He smiled at my response before turning away to lead us through the well-worn path of the gardens. It reminded me of our first date, the day just as sunny and beautiful as it had been then. I realized that this large, grand palace had begun to feel like home and I felt sad at the thought that it could all end soon.
“You know, I’ve really loved being here at the palace,” I admitted.
“I’ve loved having you here,” he answered, looking pleased at my words.
“Good,” I replied with a grin, earning a chuckle from him. We walked in comfortable silence for a few moments while I stared him every so often, feeling my pulse quicken. This prince, this man, had snuck his way into my heart, and I knew without a doubt that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.
I just hope you want to spend the rest of your life with me.
Shortly before the families had left, we had been talking in my room about nothing and everything when I finally told him that I loved him. I thought it would have been hard to confess my feelings, but I found it strangely exhilarating. Now, looking at him walking with me, gently holding my hand, I felt compelled to tell him how I felt again. Not that he needed a reminder, but I just had this need to tell him that I wasn’t quite sure where it came from.
I tugged his hand, pulling the both of us to a stop and he looked at me curiously, confused by my actions. “I feel like I should… I don’t know, be clear with you,” I began. “How much I want to be here, I want it so much more than I ever thought I did.”
At my words, the smile I adored fell upon his lips. “I… that… makes me very happy,” he managed to get out.
I gladly returned the smile, squeezing his hand slightly as I continued with my words, “I want you to know that I want you and everything else. I want to help your people, make a difference, and I never knew I wanted that before I came here.” I had come to this realization after our service projects and program proposals. Seeing what I could do to help the women and their children, it only fueled the sudden need to help as many people as I could.
“More than that, I want you. You make me feel bold, like I can do anything. No one else has been able to do that for me before. You make me happy, Ashton, and I want to make you happy too. I love you, your smirks, the way you care about to people, your honesty… I hope you choose me. That you choose to love me the way I love you. Even if you don’t… I know you’ll be happy with one of the other girls and that’s what matters. I just want you to know how much I want you.” When I finished, a look I couldn’t decipher entered his bright blue eyes and he stepped closer to me, using his other hand to lightly brush my cheek. I leaned into him, closing my eyes for a second, reveling in his touch.
His voice was incredibly gentle when he finally spoke. “Thank you,” he said.
I opened my eyes only to see him leaning down, pressing his lips to mine as softly as possible. My eyes fell shut again as I kissed him back, feeling so many different emotions coming from him as he kissed me. He let go of my hand to wrap his arm around my waist, lifting my short frame slightly. I let one hand grasp his neck, the other burying itself in his hair. Although other times our kisses had left me burning with want for him, this one felt so tender. How his lips moved against mine, the way he held me to him… I could feel hope blooming in my heart wondering if he actually felt the same way I did.
He pulled back, kissing my nose before leaning his forehead against mine. I smiled at his actions, trying to memorize everything about him and this moment.
“I think I should be the one thanking you,” I uttered quietly.
He kissed my cheek before leaning back to look at me. “You don’t have to.”
“I’m just.. very grateful for my time here,” I said with a shrug.
“Me too,” he agreed. I was still in his arms, not planning on moving any time soon, when I came up with an idea.
“Alright, let’s do something you feel like doing. As much as I like picking out our dates, let’s see what you can come up with for a change,” I suggested with a grin.
He pouted at my words and I suddenly got an image of what he must have looked like as a little boy. “But I’m bad at that,” he protested, letting go of me only to take my hand again, leading us through the gardens once again.
“Aw come on,” I said, squeezing his hand. “I bet you can come up with something.”
His smile was playful as he answered. “Nope.”
I shook my head at this difficult royal. “Well then I guess you’re stuck with me talking your ear off.”
“I like that,” he declared, a happy expression on his face.
I smiled at his words. “You’re too charming for your own good,” I said, knowing full well he already knew how charming he could be.
“Maybe a bit,” he supposed with a grin. As we approached a nearby gazebo, rose vines entwined throughout the white posts of the picturesque structure, he led us to it. We sat down on a bench, his leg pressed against mine with our joined hands resting on his thigh.
“Can I ask you something?” I began.
“You always can, you don’t have to ask first,” he pointed out, but with a kind tone.
I felt my cheeks warm. “I guess it’s just habit. But I’ve been wondering… are you choosing one of us based on who you love, or as a duty to your people on who you think would make the best queen?” I questioned. Part of me hoped he would set aside all reservations and follow his heart, but I knew it wasn’t that easy.
His smile was sad as he gazed down at me. “Both I guess.”
I nodded at his words and let my free hand softly cup his cheek. “I hope you follow your heart, whether for love or duty.
“Thanks, Hol,” he said with a smile.
“Anytime,” I assured, returning his grin.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to my cheek, making my heart flutter. “You look very pretty today, just so you know.”
My eyes averted for a moment, my cheeks warming again at his compliment. “There’s that charm,” I muttered with a small smile.
I brought my eyes back to his, only to look his slender but muscular frame up and down. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He let go of my hand to pop his collar jokingly. “I just threw this on.” I laughed freely at his actions, loving this side of him.
“Oh definitely, so suave of you,” I teased. Suddenly he grabbed my hand and stood up, taking me with him, before wrapping an arm around my shoulders to lead us out of the gazebo and back towards the palace.
“I’m glad you noticed,” he said.
I slid an arm around his waist before answering. “Hard not to.”
He peered down at me with an amused stare. “Getting a little flirty, I like it.”
“What can I say, you make me want to flirt all day long,” I said with a smirk, internally cringing at my corny words.
“Little cheesy, but okay okay,” he assured me with a laugh.
I giggled, knowing I had absolutely zero experience with flirting besides when I was with Ashton. “Yeah I’m a little rusty.”
“I’d say just perfect but… semantics,” he stated, making me smile at his sweet words.
“I wouldn’t mind practicing though,” I suggested as we found ourselves walking back into the palace once again.
I could hear the amusement in his voice when he spoke. “Practice away.”
“Any tips?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Nothing I can put into words.”
I nodded. “Well let’s see. There’s probably too many things about you that I love, I couldn’t possibly name just one.”
“Good start, good start,” he encouraged with a laugh.
“Why don’t you show me how it’s done.” He stopped abruptly, looking deeply into my eyes as he spoke.
“I would, but I’m just a little lost in your eyes,” he countered, that playful gleam in his eyes once again.
“Very smooth, your highness,” I said, taking his hand once again as we walked up the stairs towards my room. He responded to my words with a simple wink, making me smile as I felt a fluttery feeling in my stomach.
We didn’t say anything until we reached the door of my room, and I felt a pang in my chest knowing our date had come to an end.
“Thank you for this.. lovely last date,” I uttered softly with a smile. “Good luck with your choice, Ashton,” I said, truly wishing him the best.
“Thank you, Holly,” he answered, tucking a piece my hair behind my ear.
“Of course.” I was going to turn around and go into my room, but when I looked into his eyes, I knew I had to kiss him just one last time, knowing it could be the last time I would ever be able to.
I stepped up on my tiptoes and grasped the back of his neck, bringing his lips down to mine. He responded instantly, grasping my waist as he kissed me back. I poured everything I felt into this kiss, hoping he could feel it too. I love you, Ashton Schreave.
I pulled back before I could get lost in his lips, giving him a tender smile before I turned and opened the door to my room. I looked at him once more with a simple “goodbye.”
“Bye, Hol,” he uttered, his eyes the last thing I saw before I shut the door to my room.
Suddenly exhausted, I made my way over to my bed and plopped myself down, staring up at the ceiling. I had no idea how this competition was going to end, but I knew no matter what happened, I would try to be ready for it. No, I would be ready for it. I would pull myself together if he chose someone else. I would put my heart back together piece by piece, knowing full well that someday, I would be okay.
You will be okay. In the end, you will be okay.
