8| Choice

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Choice

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Chapter 8: Choice (Spencer's POV)

Delilah- who I've simply started calling Daisy, at this point- has come up to the castle and delivered a bouquet without fail every single day. What I did not expect was her to demand I come collect it myself. Every single day.

I wanted her to deliver bouquets every day because I wanted her to come up to the castle. I know that my father always has someone keeping an eye on me, and if I plan to choose her to marry me at the ball tonight, then I need to make it look at least a little convincing. It would be awful if I were to choose a girl I've never even met or spoken to. Which is probably most of the girls attending tonight, considering I've isolated myself from society for the past three years.

The only girl I've interacted with recently is her. So it has to be her. The shoe may not fit because she is not cut out to be a wife to someone like me. I don't think she can even tolerate my indifferent behavior for more than a few minutes. I don't feel great about making her a pawn in my game, but I've got no other choice. I have everything on the line here.

"Hello, are you listening?" Ms. Sunny laughed.

I looked up from the closet where I was trying to choose a suit for tonight. "Sorry, what?"

"Your flower girl is here."

"Oh, right." I hung the suit that was in my hand back up and grabbed my wallet, heading downstairs.

"Why did you ask for flowers every single day, Spencer?" Ms. Sunny knows the rules. She can call me by my name when nobody's around but otherwise, she needs to address me differently.

I don't like being called 'sir' or 'Prince Spencer', especially by older people. I feel like I should respect them more but instead it's the other way around. "I like flowers," I shrugged, walking downstairs while she followed me.

"Do you like flowers? Or do you like the girl?"

I stopped in the middle of the stairs, spinning around to her. "Why would you say such a stupid thing, Ms. Sunny?"

"Well, you've never filled the castle with flowers before. Take a look around."

I did. And she's right, the entire place is full of flowers. Every vase on every little table has a different bouquet in it. Six bouquets. For the six days, she's been doing this. "I like the flowers," I scoffed and then continued downstairs and outside. I went outside and saw her talking with the new security guards, smiling.

She nodded and then they broke off into their own conversation while she stood there. She adjusted the flowers in the bouquet as I walked over. She was leaning against the gate and stood upright when she saw me. "Hello," she sighed, thrusting the bouquet forward. "Tulips for you today. Pink only," she smiled. She doesn't demand the money first anymore.

"Why the tulips, Daisy?" I questioned, opening my wallet and taking out the money.

"They're my favorite."

I stilled, blinking twice before lifting my head and meeting her eyes.

"What?" She frowned in confusion.

I shook my head slowly, holding the money out before taking the bouquet but she took the money, counted it, and then gave me 200 nova back. "Why?" I asked.

"It's my favorite flower, so no delivery charges today," she chuckled. She pocketed the money. She's wearing different clothes than normal today. Normally she wears a dress, today she's wearing a black t-shirt with a pair of jeans. "I'll leave now. I have to head home," she said while tipping her head over and gathering her hair into a ponytail.

"You're not working tonight?" I asked, lifting a brow sharply.

She looked at me with amusement before shaking her head. "No, not working."

I stared at her, biting back a sigh of relief. I need her to be here tonight, thank god she will be. "Are you coming to the ball?"

"Should I?" She smiled, climbing onto her bike. You can't miss her bike with the color it is. It's a soft, pastel yellow with a woven basket. It's impossible to ignore.

"If you wish to," I replied.

"Joseph! Casey!" Ms. Sunny called out from the main doors of the castle, calling the two new guards. "Come get your lunch!"

"Coming, Sunny! Excuse us, sir." They bowed a little before heading inside to get their food.

"I have to come. Auntie's orders," she smiled fakely.

"Hmm," I nodded while walking over, standing right next to her. "If you say so."

We stared at each other silently for a minute before she kicked the stand up and put her foot on the pedal. "Bye, Prince Spencer," she sang softly.

I stepped aside while she rode away. I looked down at the tulips.

I have a handful of tattoos already and one of them includes a tulip, which was the first tattoo I ever got done, and I only got the tulip because they were always my mum's favorite. But I didn't expect her favorite to be tulips too. I glanced down at my watch, reading the time. The ball starts at 7:30 PM sharp and it's only 5 PM right now. I have plenty of time. I walked back inside as the guards came back out with their food in their plates. I got back inside and stopped in front of Ms. Sunny. "Place these in a vase, please," I said, holding out the bouquet.

She sighed, taking it and then walking over to an empty vase which she had already filled with water. She took the bouquet out of its wrapping and placed it in the vase as I headed upstairs. I should choose a suit quickly.

♡♡♡

I stood at the top of the staircase, resting my arms on the railing and watching as Ms. Sunny made sure all the decorations were looking perfect and right where they were meant to be.

"Perfect, out you all go now! You'll be paid later, yes, yes! Go, now!" She ushered all the people out and then looked up at me. "I'll be gone for a little while. I'm going to get ready. So, don't call me if you need my help!" She left quickly after that, going to freshen up and get ready for the ball tonight.

I fixed my watch and the cuff links before heading downstairs. I took a look around and double-checked to make sure everything was good enough for the guests.

A little while later, Ms. Sunny came back and we opened the main gates to let cars in, and then the castle gates.

"Please show them to the ballroom when they arrive. I'll be there," I said to Ms. Sunny, who nodded in understanding as I left. I walked into the ballroom and started taking rounds there and making sure everything was set as the doors opened and in walked the first guests.

My brother and father. How unfortunate. "The morbid castle looks good tonight, Spencer. I'm glad you could decorate for once." My father smirked.

"I did it for my guests, that doesn't include either of you," I replied.

"Have you gone through the guest list we gave to Ms. Sunny?" Nico asked. "Anybody, you're looking out for tonight?"

"Somebody, yes."

Somebody who can help me absolutely ruin you. Maybe even kill you.

"Who could it be?" he questioned.

"I think that's for me to worry about," I retorted.

"It's very kind of us to invite some families from the common folk, don't you think?" My father lifted a brow at me.

"If you thought it was a kind thing to do, you wouldn't point it out," I scoffed.

He rolled his eyes as a few families walked in together, arriving at the same time.

I was greeting guests half-heartedly with a distracted mind. My eyes were constantly on the door, just waiting for her to walk in with uncle and aunt. She has to be here tonight, I'm counting on it. I heard the doors open and looked over, spotting Ms. Sunny holding it open for the next group of guests. There were a few families from the common folk, as my father likes to say. And the last one was hers. Ms. Sunny recognized her immediately.

Her aunt and uncle had their arms linked but while her aunt was gushing over the castle's interior, her uncle didn't look too happy with his wife. They must have had another argument.

She was simply looking around with her arms behind her back. She looked at the paintings, the wallpaper, the black diamond chandeliers, three placed across the ceiling. She looked around at the people and then her eyes landed on me. She offered me a small smile and I excused myself from the guests I was speaking to.

"Excuse me for just a moment," I mumbled, walking away and over to the doors. I greeted the other two families who walked in before her and then I had to deal with her uncle, who seemed like a nice man, and her aunt. Who seemed the complete opposite. "Hello," I smiled, extending my hand. "I'm—"

"Can we meet the prince, please?" her aunt asked while still looking around.

I looked over at Delilah who sighed and pulled her lips together as if she was biting back a laugh. I cleared my throat, "I am the prince."

Her uncle and aunt stared at me in shock.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Spencer."

Her aunt shook my hand quickly. "Rosy."

I nodded with a smile, then shook her uncle's hand. "I'm Felix, it's great to meet you."

"And you," I offered, looking over at her.

"Ah, this is my niece, Delilah." They stepped aside and he pulled her forward.

She stared at me.

"Oh, I know," I chuckled.

"You do?" Her aunt's eyes widened.

"He's come to Mirage a few times. Isn't that right, Prince Spencer?"

"Yes, and she also—"

"I am a great waitress, we know," she grinned, giving me a hard look.

Oh. Okay. I turned to her uncle and aunt. "Please enjoy yourselves and chat with some guests. Drinks and snacks are being served already, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me or Ms. Sunny. She's the housekeeper at the entrance," I explained.

"Thank you," her uncle replied before walking away, scolding his wife in hushed whispers.

"Hello then, great waitress," I snickered.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "They don't know about the day job."

"I see." We stood in awkward silence for a beat. Then two. "Let me introduce you to some guests." I offered my arm.

She stared at me, blinking in surprise. "Me?"

"Yes, you." I stepped closer.

"Um, okay. Sure," she breathed out, linking her arm with mine.

I was counting on her. And here she is.

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Chapter 8

Also, I forgot to put up a picture of her bike, so here it is now:

And I'll put up a picture of his tattoos when we focus more on them :)

next chapter: trouble