by Vivian Wood
What would I even say? Yes, I wanted him to pick me, but I wanted the games to be over already.
“I will be sending one woman home tonight,” Olivier told us in a solemn tone. “It has to be done. Let’s begin with the ceremony.”
He took the first stone and my heart pounded loudly in my chest.
“Amber,” he called out.
I stepped forward, feeling faint as I descended the stairs and joined him. His eyes glittered with unspoken words as they met mine, and he attached the aquamarine stone to my collar.
“Good girl,” he muttered loud enough for just me to hear. “You’ll be okay, chérie. Go stand to the side. I’ll find you after.”
I gave him a barely perceptible nod and stood to the side, where Bruno and the Queen were. Bruno’s eyes didn’t escape me, following my movements around the ballroom like a hawk.
“Zara,” Olivier called out next, and I smiled at my beaming friend who rushed down the stairs.
When I watched Olivier place the stone on her collar, a sliver of jealousy I couldn’t stop made me look away. I hated him being with other women. Hated it despite knowing the competition was just a charade, and I’d end up the winner.
Zara came to join me, her hand in mine and a happy smile on her face as Olivier called out the next few girls. Kendy, Monica, Eva and Camellia were all picked. The number of women on the staircase was dwindling until it finally came down to Asya, Freya and Safiya.
I was trembling for them, afraid for my friend. I wanted Freya to go home, but strangely, I didn’t want to be the reason for her elimination. She was only doing what the Queen told her to.
The loss of Safiya would be even worse. I knew I’d blame myself for it forever. After all, I was the one who’d unveiled her best-kept secret.
“Asya,” Olivier called out next. The Turkish beauty let out a huff of air before joining him at the foot of the stairs.
My eyes connected with Safiya’s while we waited. I mouthed a sorry, but she didn’t seem to care. Her mouth was set in a thin line and she refused to meet my eyes again after that. I looked at Freya next, and knew she was unable to stop her true emotions.
I noticed she was trembling, obviously terrified by the prospect of leaving the competition.
Now, Asya joined the rest of us. Olivier would make his final decision with the next name he called.
He looked up, took a deep breath and said, “Freya.”
A massive weight dropped on me, and I found it hard to breathe. Safiya kept her expression stoic as the Nordic princess took the stairs, a smile of relief making her look prettier than ever. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and neither could Olivier.
He placed the stone in Freya’s collar and she joined the rest of us, smirking at me as she made her way to stand front-and-center of the other girls. Then, Safiya descended the stairs to say her goodbyes. She held her head high, proud and not relenting as she looked Olivier in the eyes. He muttered something to her, and she nodded, agreeing with him. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, and my stomach knotted with worry.
Olivier brushed a kiss against my friend’s cheek, and she came to join the women to say goodbye.
Zara let go of my hand to comfort her, and Safiya still wouldn’t meet my eyes as they started talking. Shaking, I took a step forward, and her once warm eyes turned cool when they met mine.
“I’m so sorry, Safiya,” I managed in a small voice. I’d never felt more ashamed than at that moment. “I didn’t think what I said… what I did, would send you home. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry,” she replied with a prim smile. “I’m not going home just yet.”
“No?” Zara asked, her eyebrows knitting together. “Did you get a second chance? Is that what Olivier told you when you were standing up there?”
My heart slowed down, but Safiya shook her head, saying, “I’m staying in town. Remember that castle I told you about, and the stories surrounding it?”
“Yes,” Zara nodded.
“I’m going to try and get to the bottom of it,” Safiya told us. “I’m going to find out what’s really going on there, and I’m not going home until I unveil its secrets.”
“Good luck,” Zara said. “I hope we’ll stay in touch.”
They embraced, a moment of warmth I wasn’t privy to shared between them. I hated myself with a burning passion, knowing I’d played a part – the main role – in sending one of my best friends in the competition home. Shame threatened to swallow me whole.
Then, Safiya turned to face me, offering me a placating smile.
“I’m not mad at you, Amber,” she told me. “I just… thought you were my friend.”
There were traces of pain in her words, enough to let me know the damage I’d done to our friendship. Anything I could have said would be too little too late, and I merely managed to nod, my eyes on hers, hoping I was conveying my deep regret over what had happened. What I’ve done.
“Thank you,” I managed to get out when I met Safiya’s eyes. She surprised me by giving me a bright look, one filled with excitement. Maybe this was what she wanted all along. Maybe the real reason she came to the castle was to discover the secrets of the hidden mystery in the woods.
Still, it didn’t change what I’d done. How much I’d hurt her, and how I’d betrayed her friendship.
Safiya was escorted out of the room and the Queen stepped front and center. Our attention shifted to her, and she smiled, saying, “Celebratory dinner will be had at Luxuria’s most beautiful restaurant tonight. I ask you all to go to your rooms to collect a present waiting for you, then meet Prince Olivier down here for dinner.”
Excitement flowed through my veins, instantly replaced my guilt and regret for what I’d done to Safiya. It wouldn’t be easy to move on from that.
But I decided to try and move on for the time being, and I followed the other girls to our rooms. What could the gift be? I wondered silently. Only one way to find out.
Chapter Seventeen
Amber
I arrived at my room a few moments later and found two beautiful packages waiting for me on the bed. One of them was a small light pink box, embossed with the court’s herald, and the other was a black matte box with a large pink satin bow.
I unwrapped the pink box first, gasping when I saw what was inside. I slipped the note out and started reading with my eyes glowing.
Enjoy your custom-made bottle of perfume, created just for you by his Highness Olivier Bellamy. Please wear it to dinner tonight, with the Prince’s compliments.
I unveiled the perfume from the box. It was a translucent bottle, the glass thick and heavy, with a golden topper. It was beautiful but simple, and the real treasure was the scent inside. I pulled the topper off, smelling the fragrance and letting it take over my senses.
It was perfect. As if Olivier had managed to bottle everything I loved, everything that felt beautifully familiar yet at the same time, daringly different. I grinned at the thought of him picking out the perfect scent and sprayed my pulse points with the stunning fragrance.
As I sprayed the scent, I was enveloped in a thick cloud of orange, vanilla, honey and jasmine. It was divine, the kind of perfume I wanted to wear every day for the rest of my life.
My expression darkened when I realized Olivier must have done this for the rest of the girls, too. Surely, they all had a custom perfume waiting for them. But what’s in the second box, then?
I put the perfume down, moving on to the little black box. Unwrapping the ribbon, the box fell open by itself and I stared in confusion at its contents. When I finally realized what it was, a blush crept over my cheeks.
It was a small fuchsia toy, and it took me a moment to realize it was supposed to be inserted between my legs, with the thinner end sticking outside. When I brushed my hands over its smooth surface, it vibrated, and I gasped at the feeling, a smile creeping onto my lips.
A look at the clock revealed I had mere minutes left before I had to be in the main hall
to leave for the restaurant. I bit my bottom lip tentatively, then, before giving it too much thought, pushed my black lace panties off my ass and spat on my palm. I spread my own juices over my pussy, letting out the smallest of moans when I realized how aroused the package had made me.
My hands trembled as I held the toy, gently forcing it into my cunt and gasping when it found its sweet spot. It was rubbing a tender spot deep inside me, and I just hoped it wouldn’t vibrate during dinner. I was already turned on. How the hell would I be able to hide my arousal from the other girls?
Then again, if this was a gift from the Prince, the other girls must have gotten one too…
I knitted my brows together in worry, but I didn’t have a moment left to think. I pulled my panties up over the curve of my ass and smoothed my dress into place, then left the room with my heart pounding.
Most of the girls were already in the hall, but I couldn’t see Zara. Fleur was there, though, and she divided us into groups for the ride to the restaurant. I was paired with Camellia, Monica and Eva, and I wasn’t close enough with any of them to ask if they’d gotten the same present as me.
They were all gushing about their custom perfumes though, and jealousy gripped its fingers around my heart as I realized each one of us got a different, custom-made scent. I could just imagine Olivier picking what would fit each girl, and it filled me with envy.
The three of us got into one of the lacquered Rolls Royces, just like the one that picked me up from the airport.
In the car, a mix of enticing, unique scents enveloped us, and the girls chatted about their perfumes created by Olivier. Once again, my jealousy got the better of me, eating away at me as we drove to the destination.
The sun was setting as we drove, and the picturesque landscape outside the window was bathed in gorgeous autumn colors. I gasped at the sight as we drove away from the castle. I hadn’t left the grounds in so long I’d nearly forgotten about the exquisite beauty of the property.
The drive didn’t take too long, and after driving up a long winding road, we got out of the car at our destination – Luxuria’s most famous restaurant, L’Étoile.
We were escorted out by suited-up drivers, and I marveled at the sights as we climbed the narrow stairs leading up to the restaurant. We were shown to a large room adorned with gilded decorations. I didn’t dare ask whether they were real gold. The room was embellished with fairy lights, the interior sparkling and the roof made completely of glass. Now, I understood where the restaurant’s name came from. Through the glass, we’d be able to see every star on the night sky soon enough.
Slowly, the other girls trickled in, and the room filled with beauties I knew I could never compare to. Self-doubt ate away with me. I’d nearly managed to forget about the toy between my legs until the smallest vibration made me jump.
“You okay?” Camellia asked me, her hand touching mine, worry etched on her face.
“Yes,” I replied with a blush creeping over my cheeks. “Sorry, just got a bit… Excited.”
My eyes scoured the people in the room, but I couldn’t see Olivier. Not all of the cars had arrived yet, but I assumed he would be there soon.
Will Bruno be here too? I found myself wondering, trying to force the thought out of my head. Why was I so fixated on the royal bastard? He’s an enigma. Unpredictable… and exciting.
“Amber?”
I turned in the direction of the voice, coming face to face with a beaming Zara. I smiled back, and we embraced before pulling apart and gushing about the beautiful restaurant. The whole time, I was aware of the toy between my legs, reminding me at whose mercy I was.
Moments later, we were ushered to stand on the sides as Olivier entered the room. I bowed my head in respect but couldn’t stop myself from glancing at him out of the corners of my eyes.
He was looking dashing in a custom-cut tux. That boyish charm he had was all man that night, filling me with desire I couldn’t put into words. And he was looking right at me, smirking when he caught me looking.
I was surprised to see the Queen wasn’t with him, but my heart jumped in my chest when Bruno walked in a moment later. He was wearing a matching tux, just like Olivier’s. Excitement flowed through my veins at the sight.
We were all shown to our places. I was sitting to Olivier’s right-hand side while Bruno was on the left. I knew it was a good seat, and if I hadn’t, the other women’s jealous looks would have told me as much.
I sat down on my chair when the toy vibrated faintly yet again, and I let out the smallest of moans. I glanced around the table, making sure no one had heard. Olivier gave me a knowing smile.
“Excited about tonight, chérie?” he asked in his deep voice, making a shiver go down my spine. “You look absolutely ravishing.”
“Thank you, I am looking forward to dinner,” I whispered in response, my eyes involuntarily going across the table to Bruno. He was looking at me too, eyes dark and filled with something inexplicable.
Sometimes I wondered whether he hated me. There was something about his heated gaze that made me sure he did. But his actions spoke otherwise.
As the waiters brought out caviar appetizers, I felt the toy start its slow vibrations, gently massaging a spot within me that needed to be touched so badly I wanted to beg for someone to do it. I shifted in my seat, trying to be discreet and hoping nobody noticed what was going on with me. Over the chatter of the other girls, at least nobody could hear the vibrations.
Bruno and Olivier didn’t say a word to each other, but Olivier tried on numerous occasions to speak to me. I felt wooden though, so scared I’d betray what was going on I couldn’t focus on the words coming out of my mouth.
How many of us had he sent the toy to? Were all the other girls wearing one? Was it making them feel like this, too? Uncomfortable and yet so very eager for that sweet release that never seemed to come…
Those questions popped up in my head as I struggled to keep it together. Was I imagining it or were the vibrations really getting stronger and stronger? I couldn’t take it. If it didn’t stop, I wasn’t going to be able to hide it anymore. I needed this. I deserved the release.
My hand touched Olivier’s on the table, and he turned toward me with a surprised glance.
“Olivier,” I whispered, the desperation obvious in my voice. “I can’t take it. Please.”
As soon as I uttered the words, the toy started vibrating even harder. I felt it massaging the most sensitive spot inside me, threatening to make me orgasm any second.
I got up on shaking legs, the eyes of the whole table on me.
“I… Excuse me,” I managed in a weak voice. “I have to… I need to powder my nose.”
The toy was relentless, picking up speed as I stumbled out of the room. I was shaking, trembling like a leaf. I nearly fell to my knees in the hallway where a uniformed waiter kindly pointed me to the restroom.
I opened the door to a beautiful, exquisite room and gawked at the sight of it. It was pretty in pink, with translucent shell-shaped sinks with gold pipes. It was made for a princess. The area with sinks was decked out with pretty, velvet pink chairs and loveseats, with complimentary products placed by the shell-shaped sinks.
I sank into one of the chairs, the insistent vibrations of the toy making me lose my mind. A part of me wanted to take it out, but another part was desperate for more.
The lights above me flickered on and off and I glanced upward. A moment later, I heard steps on the hallway behind the door, and managed to get up, running to one of the doors and closing it firmly behind me. Behind the door, there were two adjoining rooms, one with the toilet, and the other a smaller replica of the main room of the restroom.
I was grateful for the other loveseat, but before I could sink my weight into it, I heard the door of the bathroom opening and froze in fear.
The door knob rattled, sending shivers down my spine.
It’s just one of the other women, I tried to tell myself. They’re not going to come in he
re.
Suddenly, I was enveloped in complete darkness. The lights went out with a flicker and all my other senses heightened as the darkness swallowed me up.
I turned my head to the door. I became aware of another presence in the room, someone’s eyes on me in the dark. I felt it before his hand wrapped around my forearm, before he pressed me against the wall, holding me in place while I squirmed to get away.
“Olivier,” I breathed. “Stop, please.”
My helpless fingers brushed the expensive material of his tux and a moan escaped my lips as he reached for me, slapping my thighs apart.
He didn’t say a word. My breaths were coming in heavy as I followed his silent instructions, my legs parting for him eagerly.
He found the toy in seconds, knowing it was there. He pushed and pulled on it, making me moan out loud in ecstasy. I wanted more. I needed more. The ghost of my orgasm reminded me what was so close yet so out of reach.
“Please,” I begged, my voice hoarse. “Don’t torture me. Just let me have it. Let me have one.”
He grunted at the sounds I was making, and the toy sped up, the vibrations so intense I thought I’d fall apart in his arms. He masked my moans with his own grunts, one hand holding the small of my back and the other finding my clit, stroking in sweet, persistent motions that made my knees buckle. But he was there to hold me, to keep me upright, to bring more exquisite madness to my body.
I was right on the edge, so fucking close I could feel my body holding that release captive, not willing to let go until he let me. I succumbed to him, wanting him to have every bit of my vulnerability, every vestige of power channeled into holding my orgasm back.
“Please!” I cried out when the toy started up again. “Fuck, I can’t take it. Give me more. Please, I’ll do anything.”