Summary: It’s the first elimination ceremony. Will Liam keep Riley around?
Riley took a nap and got some reading in before showering and getting ready for the cocktail party. The day and had been long and tiring. Hopefully the next date would be somewhere relaxing, like a spa or something. She was little nervous that she could be eliminated, but after the date she and Liam had, she thought her odds of staying were pretty good.
Riley perused her closet full of Ana de Luca couture for the right dress for the occasion. She chose a slim fitted black keyhole halter gown with an embellished neckline. It was floor length with a slit on one side to mid thigh. Simple, yet elegant and sexy at the same time. She was thankful she didn’t even have to think about shoes, because Ana had paired each dress with it’s own pair of heels to match. The women were all on their own for hair and makeup tonight, but Riley’s long wavy locks were behaving, and she was pleased with her final results.
Riley heard a knock on the door just before 8pm. She knew it was Drake, so she didn’t think to check before opening it.
“Bennett, what –
~~~~~
Drake was kind of dreading this evening. He already knew Liam was keeping Riley, so it would likely mean just standing around the perimeter outside the pool and back garden area where filming would take place for hours making sure there was no suspicious activity going on. All of the crew for the show had security clearance, but with so many people running around the palace filming and working on the show, it would be easy for someone with nefarious purposes to blend in with the crowd. Drake still thought it was unlikely, but he had to follow orders nevertheless. He walked up to Riley’s door and knocked. Just like the day before, she opened the door much too quickly without checking to see who was there.
“Bennett what-” Fuck, she looks hot, Drake thought, momentarily forgetting he was about to reprimand her for not looking through the peephole. It wasn’t just that the dress highlighted her best assets–he’d seen her in a nice dress before–but her hair and makeup were more natural, more her, and everything put together just made him speechless. “uh…that’s a nice dress.”
Riley laughed. “Drake Walker, is that the second compliment you have given me today? Maybe you were in the sun too long this afternoon. Should we get you checked out for heat stroke?
“Ha ha Bennett, very funny.”
You calling me Bennett all the time seems very informal for a guard. Shouldn’t you be calling me Lady Riley or something?
Drake thought she was just giving him a hard time but he wasn’t cetrain. “Well then Lady Riley, you seem to have forgotten what we discussed yesterday about looking before answering the door.
“But I knew it was you. You told me what time you were coming,” Riley protested. “And I just started getting used to you calling me Bennett. Now anything else sounds weird. Just go back to Bennett.
God she could be difficult. This is why Drake was definitely not into her. She would bug the shit out of him. “Okay Lady Riley, Bennett, or whatever you want to be called, what if I was late and it was someone else? Just put your stubbornness aside and do what I ask when it relates to your safety, okay?”
“Fine Mr. Doom and Gloom. Anything else you need to scold me on before we leave?”
Drake knew it wasn’t his place to say anything, but Riley seemed naively sure of herself, and for some reason that bugged him. Maybe it was his own experience, or things that happened with his sister Savannah. Riley didn’t know how bad other nobles could be. She wasn’t a commoner like him, but she grew up as one. If things got hard, she might just run back home and leave Liam heartbroken. And he would have to be a real jerk not to care at all about her feelings either, even if only because he could relate to being an outsider like her.
“More of a warning than anything. This may all seem like a fairy tale right now, but real fairy tales don’t exist. This life is probably not as great as you think it is. Can you really see yourself being the Queen of Cordonia, dealing with all the political obligations, backstabbing nobles, and assassination attempts? If you think there’s any chance you can’t handle it, you might want to just bow out right now and let Liam be with someone who wants all of it.” Drake realized it came out harsher than he meant it to when he saw the hurt look in Riley’s eyes, but he didn’t know how else to say it. “I just mean-”
Riley didn’t give him a chance to explain. “I heard exactly what you meant, Drake. Thanks for your concern, but I think I can decide for myself if this is what I want. Didn’t you say you were just getting paid to ensure my safety? You can save your advice next time. Let’s just get going”
~~~~~
Riley was fuming on the way to the cocktail party. Who did Drake think he was and why did he care so much? Was it really just that he was worried about her hurting Liam? She just couldn’t figure Drake out. He was so hot and cold. One minute he’s joking around with her, the next minute he acts like he can’t stand her. But whatever, she was going to hopefully spend some time with Liam tonight, so it was time to forget about whatever stick was up Drake’s ass.
They arrived at the back of the palace, and it was absolutely gorgeous at night. There were lights strung all around the garden and pool areas, a stone fire pit, ample seating areas with plush cushions.The french doors opened up to a 3 seasons room with a bar and another sitting area.
Most of the women were there already and they all looked amazing. Riley started to get a little nervous again, but then Liam walked in. He locked eyes with her and smiled before acknowledging anyone else, and her nerves melted away.
The host Chad gathered everyone to explain the plan for the evening. “Good evening ladies. You will hopefully all get some time to spend with Liam, and then in a couple hours, the Apple Blossom Ceremony will commence. Hana already has a corsage from her date, and there are 15 additional corsages to give out, meaning 4 of you will be eliminated tonight. But as is customary during the social season, this doesn’t mean you have to go home. You are welcome to stay at court and see if you can make a connection with any of the other noble bachelors that will be attending the social events. You just won’t be part of the show anymore. Good luck to you all, and have a fabulous time.”
Riley was surprised to hear that last bit. She wasn’t aware that other noble men hung around court waiting to scoop up Liam’s leftovers. She really hoped Maxwell and Bertrand didn’t expect her to marry some other random noble man if she didn’t Marry Liam. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to find out.
As soon as Chad dismissed the women, Madeleine grabbed Liam and pulled him to a secluded seating area. Riley decided to head to the bar and grab a glass of pinot grigio. She would probably need a few drinks to make it through this evening. Hana, Olivia, Penelope, Kiara, and a few the other women were in there already lounging on the couches. Penelope started talking about her poodles and went on for at least 10 minutes. Riley had hardly heard a say a word up to this point, but apparently the key was to get her talking about her poodles.
Riley tired of the conversation inside before long and headed out to the pool area to see what was going on.
“Riley, I’ve been looking for you!” She turned and saw Kat standing next to her.
“Oh, hey Kat, what’s up?”
“I need you to go interrupt Liam and Medeleine. She’s been talking to him for too long already.”
Of all the people Kat could ask Riley to do this to, Madeleine was the worst. “Are you serious? I think Madeleine hates me already. This isn’t going to help.”
“Well you could just let them talk all night and give them ample time to get closer. I hear King Constantine and Queen Regina are really encouraging Liam to pick Madeleine at the end.”
She was pretty sure Kat was trying to get under her skin to get her to do it, and Riley was mad that it was working. “Fine. But what should I say?”
“Just politely ask for a turn to speak with Liam. Madeleine is concerned enough with her public image that she will politely step aside,” Kat encouraged.
Riley walked around the corner to the semi-private alcove where Liam and Madeleine were seated. She had her hand on Liam’s thigh and was talking intently while Liam listened. The whole scene made her stomach churn a little.
“Hey Madeleine, can I steal Liam from you for a bit?”
“Riley!” Liam beemed. “I was just thinking of getting up to stretch my legs. Would you walk with me?”
Madeline didn’t say anything, but rolled her eyes and walked back to the party.
Liam placed his hand in Riley’s and led her further away from the party through the garden. Riley continued to marvel at how stunning everything looked all lit up at now. “These gardens are beautiful. I could spend every night out here.”
“These gardens were my mother’s vision. I often come here and think of her.” Liam paused, looking lost in thought. “You know, Drake and I have had a lot of fun out here too. We used to sneak out here when we were kids and make up games like maze-tag in that hedge maze over there.”
“Wait, are you telling me Drake knows how to have fun? I just can’t picture it.”
“Heh. It’s true,” Liam laughed. “I owe most of my fun childhood adventures to him. One time we stole a bunch of chocolates from the kitchen and ran around in the maze until we tired ourselves out. We didn’t want to go back, so we climbed up that tree in the middle of the maze and fell asleep. It didn’t end well. I fell out of the tree and landed flat on my back…But honestly, Drake is great. He’s the most loyal friend I’ve ever had. He’s been through a lot. He can be hard to get to know, but once you do, he would do anything for you.”
They walked into the maze and continued towards the center. “You better be careful talking him up so much to me. I actually might start liking him more than you,” Riley teased.
Liam smirked. “Oh you are right, he’s grumpy, sarcastic, and complains all the time. Not even worth getting to know…but in all seriousness, I hope he does find someone as amazing as you some day. He deserves to be happy.”
“So are you telling me you are saving me for yourself?”
Liam wrapped his arm around Riley’s waist and pulled her close. “I know we don’t know each other well yet Riley, but I already like where this is headed, and I’m excited to continue on this journey with you.”
Riley couldn’t resist the expectant look in Liam’s eyes. She brought her lips to his in a searing kiss.
“Ahem! I hate to interrupt this disgusting display of affection, but I would like some time with Liam now.”
Riley turned and saw Olivia standing there with a a look of contempt. “Uh, sure, he’s all yours. Thanks for the tour Liam.”
Riley went back to the party and had a few more glasses of wine. She knew she wouldn’t get any more time with Liam, as orchestrated as everything was, so she figured she might as well just try to have fun. Hana even had a few drinks and they were having fun watching a few of the women make fools of themselves. Charlotte was crying because she hadn’t gotten any one on one time with Liam. Isabelle was so drunk she was tripping over her feet.
Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Chad came back. “If I may all have your attention. It is time for Liam to decide who is going home tonight.” Liam stepped up to Chad’s side next to a table of apple blossom corsages. Chad continued. “As you recall, Hana already has her corsage. Liam, when you are ready…”
Liam began to call names one by one: Penelope, Kiara, Madeleine, Olivia, Lydia, Sophia, Grace, Charlotte, Diana, Victoria, Louisa, Amelia, Catherine, Anna.
Riley knew she couldn’t be going home, but there was only one corsage left, so she was starting to panic.
Chad spoke up again. “Liam, ladies, this is the last corsage.
Liam’s eyes met hers and he smiled. “Riley, would you please accept this corsage?”
She walked up to Liam, and he slipped on the corsage. He hugged her and she whispered in his ear. “Were you trying to make me sweat up there?”
Liam whispered back. “I was just saving the best for last. Also, I didn’t get to chose the order, the producers did.”
Chad addressed the rest of the woman. “Isabelle, Emma, Flora, and Ingrid, I’m sorry but you are not the Queen of Liam’s heart. I wish you the best of luck finding another suitor at court. Please say your goodbye’s to Liam.
Riley didn’t get another chance to speak with Liam before they were all ushered back to their rooms. Riley was still a little mad at Drake, but after her discussion with Liam, she understood that he was guarded and complex. She was more determined than ever to break down his walls, if only to get to know Liam’s best friend better. Plus after 4 glasses of wine, she wasn’t in the mood to hold back.
“I still don’t like what you said to me earlier…but I talked with Liam tonight and he says you are a good guy, so maybe your intentions were in the right place. I’m going to make you like me Drake Walker, just wait and see. Everyone likes me, it’s my thing. And I’m going to make you show me the side of you that Liam sees. He says it’s in there somewhere. Just wait, I’ll get it out of you.”
“Heh, is that a challenge? Good luck with that. I can be very stubborn.”
“Challenge accepted.”
“Okay Bennett, we’ll see about that…but we are back at your room now, and you seem like you need some sleep, and I certainly do. Goodnight.”