The Selection (1x1 with AnnaCat17)

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Karter gently wrapped his arms around him, hugging him close. "Are you going to be able to go back home once this is over if you don't get chosen?" he asked worriedly, gently stroking Gabel's cheek. "You could always stay with my family and I. We're going to have this new house to live in, and you'd be welcome to stay with us."

"I did." Eleanor wasn't so certain now that she wanted to meet them. She glanced over at him, her expression softening a bit as he complimented it. "Thank you." She looked back at the drawing with a sigh. "I'm sorry for earlier," she murmured, though she didn't really want to bring it up. "I shouldn't have done anything. I should have just left it to Matteo to give you gifts. It was silly of me."

[AnnaCat17]

Gabel sniffed sadly and hugged him back tightly. He buried his face in his chest and released a shaky breath. 'Thank you, but I'll figure something out. I have a feeling you will still be here at the castle long after I've been dismissed."

Vice looked up at her face confused. "Did?" Fear gripped his chest but he tried to not let it show. "Nora, it's fine. Let's just forget about it. It doesn't matter and it's really not worth fighting over." he studied her expression as one of his hands gripped the couch tightly. "Are you wanting to break up?"

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Karter gently rubbed his back, holding him close. "Even if I am still here, you could always stay at my place, at least until you figure something out."

Eleanor flinched a bit. "No! No, I just...I thought you did." She glanced up at him worriedly, questioning whether she should reach out to him or not. "I don't. I really don't. I.." She shivered, and got up, climbing into his lap and wrapping her arms around him, burying her head in his shoulder and hoping he wouldn't push her away. "I was worried we were finished."

[AnnaCat17]

"Thank you Karter" Gabel forced himself to pull away from him before things got awkward. "The prince is lucky to have you. I hope at the end he picks you." He said, trying to sound sincere.

Vice couldn't hide the annoyance from his face. He wanted to push her off of him but he couldn't. He knew she was delicate and feared upsetting her. "Its fine. It was just an argument." He gently rubbed her back for a moment and forced himself to kiss the side of her head. "I need to get back to my family."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Karter smiled faintly. "I doubt he will, but thank you." He glanced down at his feet shyly, feeling a bit awkward.

"Okay." Eleanor relaxed, oblivious to his annoyance. "Would you like me to come with you to meet them?" she asked, feeling a bit hopeful that he did.

[AnnaCat17]

Gabel watched sadly as Karter looked down at the ground. What had he done wrong? He took a step back from him and rubbed the back of his neck, looking back at the castle. "We should probably get to the lunch before everything gets eaten without us." he wanted to apologize to Karter, but he didn't really know what for and knew he wouldn't accept it. He began to walk back to the castle, hoping that the prince would just send him away soon.

"No. Its ok. It's probably best that you don't." He pulled away from her and stood up. "I'll just talk to you later. I hope you have a good Christmas." He turned and left the room, eager to get back to his family he hadn't seen in several months.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Alright." Karter followed him back into the castle, eager to see his family again. He took a seat beside him, nearly falling over when they surrounded him with hugs. He smiled happily, taking food onto his plate and starting to eat.

Eleanor nodded, looking down as she took a seat. She felt like there was something between them, even though Vice had said they were fine. He didn't want her meeting his family and the way he spoke was like he wasn't going to be seeing her until after Christmas. It looked like she'd be sleeping in her own room at the palace or at home. Probably at the palace, she guessed that Romeo would be having Elliott over again. She sighed, getting up and bringing her things into her room and sending a maid to bring food to her room so she could eat lunch in there. She didn't want to pretend to be happy for anyone.

[AnnaCat17]

Gabel got his food and sat down at the end of the table away from everyone. Despite the sudden influx of guests, they still didn't have as many people there as they did at the start of the selection so there was enough room to sit with space between him and the happy families. He didn't want to see their love for one another, have it press in on him from all sides until he couldn't breathe anymore. He just wanted to be alone and pretend that it was just a normal day.

Vice joined his grandparents at the table and began to eat. He didn't try to start up any conversations, rather just allowing them to talk to the people around them so they could get the news they wanted and he could get the quiet he needed.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Eventually Eleanor decided to go to the dinning room, if only to check on Romeo. She didn't look at the table filled with the Selected and their families, walking past to the royalty table. She kissed Romeo on the cheek, making sure he was fine before stealing food off his plate and making her way out, feeling a bit better.

[AnnaCat17]

-next day-

Pavel woke up in bed beside Abril, smiling as he saw snow falling outside of their window. It was early, even too early for their kids to be up and screaming for their presents. He shifted closer to Abril and kissed her tenderly to wake her up, smiling lovingly at her in his arms. "Good morning my love. It's Christmas."

Vice knocked on Ellie's bedroom door. Matteo had had the final gift for each of the selected left in their rooms for them to find and as soon as Vice opened his and saw the camera he had mentioned he wanted inside of the box he knew something was wrong. If all of the selected were getting golden watches, the chance to spend a week with their family, and a personal gift, then the prince was hiding something he was trying to butter them up for. He hoped Ellie would answer. He knew things were rough between them at the moment, but this seemed too serious to just ignore.

Dacey worked in the kitchen to get everyone's breakfast on trays to bring up to their rooms. Most of the other workers were either with their families, still asleep, or celebrating with their friends but she had been put on the morning shift so had to work. She didn't mind too much. She didn't have anyone to celebrate with and it would be nice to see everyone's happy faces. The selected and their families would be getting to mingle with the royal family that day and so she knew it would be sending an excited buzz through all of the guests that she couldn't wait to be witness to.