The Princess Game: Glitter and Gold by Vincent Lyra

Author:Vincent, Lyra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

“Oh you both look stunning!” Gigi exclaims as she walks up to Lina and me in the ballroom on Saturday night. For the queen’s opal-themed ball, our designers have dressed us all in gowns of the same silvery white hue with subtle shimmering highlights of blue-green and pinky peach. The designs are all different, though, and I enjoy looking around at the varying styles while we wait for the evening’s proceedings to begin.

“Thank you,” I say with a smile, looking down as I turn gently from side to side. I love the deliciously soft feel of the cool fabric swishing around my ankles and across my legs. “I thought at first it might be too revealing, but I think it’s okay.”

Finneas was more daring with the front of the dress than I usually allow him to be, designing a neckline that plunges in a narrow V all the way down to my waist. A piece of sheer fabric holds the two sides together. I was mildly horrified when he presented it to me, but he told me to reserve my judgment until the dress was on. As usual, he was right. And he at least followed my usual instructions regarding the back of the dress, keeping it at a fairly decent height.

“No way, it’s gorgeous,” Gigi says. “Did you see what Natalya wore last weekend for the golden unicorn cocktail event? That dress was almost transparent and she was not wearing underwear. I’m surprised she wasn’t asked to change.”

Lina laughs. “And my designer went in the opposite direction tonight and made me look like a Disney princess.”

“I keep telling you that’s not a bad thing,” I say to her. “Your dress is literally magical. Look at how it sparkles!”

“Avery’s right,” Gigi agrees. “You look gorgeous, Lina.”

“Well, thank you. So do you, Gigi.”

They smile politely at each other. Then Gigi smiles politely at me. A moment of awkward silence passes. Then we all look around, still saying nothing. Things are fine between Lina and me—we both know we’re not here to win—but when anyone else is around, the atmosphere is a little … tense. After four dismissal dinners, there are only twelve of us left. Only two to go until we reach the Top 10. It’s gone a lot faster than anyone expected. I imagine the producers of The Princess Game aren’t pleased. There was never any guarantee of a particular number of episodes, but I’m sure they hoped Kieren would use the maximum amount of time offered to him, thereby providing material for the maximum number of episodes.

“My goodness, isn’t everyone looking lovely tonight.”

I almost roll my eyes at the sound of Natalya’s voice behind me. Here comes the drama, I think as I turn toward her, imagining every camera in the room zooming in on us. “Good evening to you too, Na—” My words end on a startled gasp as Natalya and her glass of pink punch walk straight into me.

“Oh!” Her eyes are wide, her lips a perfect, painted ring as I stand there completely frozen, not wanting to look down.

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