CHAPTER 24 Aug 13, 2025 The throne room was quiet when we entered. Too quiet. I followed behind the others, steps light, throat dry. Clarissa walked beside Alexander, her arm looped through his like she'd been born there. She looked flawless, as always. Hair smooth, lips just glossed enough to shine under the chandeliers. Her gown draped like liquid gold. Like she'd won. Which I guess she did. The Queen stood waiting at the far end, stone-faced, her hands resting gently atop the hilt of a ceremonial staff she never used-except when something final was about to be declared. Five of us remained in the Choice. No more trials. No more performances. Just this. Alexander stopped before his mother. His voice didn't tremble. "I've made my decision," he said. The Queen gave a faint nod. "We are listening." Clarissa's grip on his arm tightened, possessive, practiced. She tilted her head toward the remaining girls with a pitying smile that made my stomach twist. "I'd like to thank the remaining candidates," Alexander said, tone cool. "Your time here has been appreciated. But as of today, the Choice is concluded." Gasps. Murmurs. A ripple of confusion through the court. Dismissed. Just like that. I felt Sarah shift beside me, tense and rigid. Clarissa spoke then, sweet and false. "We're so grateful for everything. The care, the support. And now we're ready to begin the next step." "The wedding," she added, like she was announcing a luncheon. The Queen glanced between them, but said nothing. Then Sarah's voice cut across the stillness. "I thought you loved Marianne." The words were blunt, honest-and they landed like a stone dropped in still water. Clarissa didn't flinch. She turned, slow and precise, her smile sharpening as her eyes met mine. "Oh, sweetheart," she said to Sarah, syrupy and cruel. "You're sweet to think he did. But it was never real. Just a distraction." Her gaze dragged over me, deliberate. "He came to his senses. That's all." I stayed quiet. My hands were clenched at my sides, but I didn't move. Sarah turned to Alexander. "Is that true?" He didn't answer. He couldn't look at me. "I'm happy to be chosen," Clarissa continued, stepping forward, voice light and echoing through the vaulted chamber. "I know how badly some of us wanted it. But only one of us was ever going to fit the crown." The other girls began backing away, uncertainty in their eyes. No one had expected a public choice. No one had expected this. I hadn't either. "Marianne," the Queen said suddenly. Her voice snapped like a whip. I looked up. "You are dismissed," she said. "Your presence here is no longer required." A clean break. No kindness. I nodded once. My throat burned, but I swallowed it. "I'll pack my things," I said. Clarissa turned back to Alexander, brushing nonexistent lint from his shoulder. "You'll get used to seeing her fade." He didn't respond. His jaw was tight, but he said nothing. He didn't look at me. That was the part that hurt the most. Sarah moved to follow me. I shook my head. "Stay," I whispered. "Please." I didn't want her to see me cry. I made it to the hall before the tears came-silent, furious, and fast. Not because he didn't love me. But because he did. And I still had to let him go. For our own good.