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CHAPTER 1

TWO WEEKS IN, AND THIS waslike that to the prince? As if it wasn’t bad enough that nearly every girl left was a Two As ifaway to fix my weathered hands At some point I would have to tell hi Well, if he ever noticed me

Queen Abby sat at the opposite end of the Wo herself froht chill that see that eren’t exactly welcome as far as she was concerned

She extended her hand to a maid, who in turn filed her nails to perfection But even in thepampered, the queen seee Maybe a corner of my heart would be hardened, too, if I’d lost a husband so young It was lucky that Porter Schreave, her late husband’s cousin, took her as his own, allowing her to keep the crown

I surveyed the rooirls Gillian was a Four like me, but a proper one Her parents were both chefs, and, based on her descriptions of our h and Madison were studying to be veterinarians and visited the stables as often as they were pers of adoring fans willing her onto the throne Uraceful, even in stillness Several of the Twos here hadn’t even chosen a profession yet I guessed if someone paid my bills, fed me, and kept a roof over my head, I wouldn’t worry about it either

I rubbedacross my forehead I stopped and stared down atmy eyes, I pictured the first ti of his strong hand as he shook loves for ht have been sent hoent All the things a prince should be

I had realized over the past teeks that he didn’t sed for finding huoodness, how his eyes lit up when he did The dirty-blond hair, the faded blue eyes, the way he carried hithhe was perfect

Sadly, I was not But there had to be a way to get Prince Clarkson to notice me

Dear Adele

I held the pen in the air for ain very well at the palace It’s pretty It’s bigger and better than pretty, but I don’t know if I have the right words to describe it It’s a different kind of wareles than it is at home, too, but I don’t kno to tell you about that either Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could co for yourself? And, yes, there’s plenty to soes, I haven’t spent a single second alone with the prince

My head throbbed I closedslowly I ordered myself to focus

I’m sure you’ve seen on TV that Prince Clarkson has sent hoirls, all of them Fours and Fives and that one Six There are two other Fours left, and a handful of Threes I wonder if he’s expected to choose a Two I think that wouldfor me

Could you do me a favor? Will you ask Mama and Papa if there’s maybe a cousin or someone else in the family who’s in the upper castes? I should have asked before I left I think infor that nauseated feeling that so on I’ll send another letter soon

Love you forever,

Amberly

I felt faint I folded my letter and sealed it in the already-addressed envelope I rubbed ive ht, Amberly?" Danica asked