“Please sit. Rubare Virgina is honored to be your host. The prize you’re competing for has been provided by my family, and I can already tell our choice will be a difficult one to make. Each of you has been given a dossier with the history of our island, but for those who have not yet had time to read it, we are a country that produces cutting-edge technology but remains grounded in our traditions. You may be more familiar with our sister island, Rubare Collina. We are more private, but like them, we believe in helping those beyond our borders. We appreciate that many of you stepped away from businesses to come here and that is why, regardless of how long you stay, we will be awarding smaller prizes to a good number of you. We hope you use them to create a better future for yourselves and remember that you are the planet’s true precious resource.”
Several expressed excitement at the announcement. Jessica wasn’t sure she liked being called a resource, but she exchanged smiles with the women at her table. I’m overthinking this. The additional prizes were a generous and thoughtful gesture. She guessed she wasn’t the only one feeling a little overwhelmed by the volume of competitors. Two hundred ninety-nine people I need to beat to leave with the prize. Why is that so hard for me?
She remembered an instructor at one of her gifted programs lecturing her about her desire for everyone to receive awards. He’d said it was a female flaw that held women back from winning.
Another flaw. Something else to loathe about myself if I let others tell me who I should be. I don’t want to leave everyone else behind. I like to get along and belong. I like making people feel good about themselves. Does everything that makes up me have to be wrong? Or could it simply be who I am?
The prince continued, “In your initial contract, you agreed to limited communication during the conference, so we hope you made proper arrangements. We request that you now place your cellphone in the box in the middle of the table. Rubare Virgina has remained closed to the influences of social media and the Internet. Your computers, if you brought them, are being removed from your rooms. Everything will be returned to you when you leave our island, but the nondisclosure agreement you signed prohibits you from discussing anything you see or hear during your stay. You may retain your phone, of course, but doing so will end your time with us.”
Some women immediately relinquished their cell phones, a few stood and walked out, while others expressed concern or displeasure. The volume of resistance rose, but it quelled instantly when the prince began to speak again. “There is no debate. The decision is yours to make. I will not force you, nor will I ask you again. You know what to do if you wish to remain a participant in the conference. Trust is a key element in any relationship. If you do not trust us enough to part with your technology temporarily, there is nothing here for you.”
Yeesch, that’s a hard line to draw on day one.
Trust should be earned, not commanded.
Still, I don’t want to leave. I signed on for a week of challenges—perhaps this is the first one. Is it a test to see who really wants to be here? She placed her phone in the box. Well, I do and I intend to win—so take my phone. Let the weeding begin. I’m not afraid.
Once the room settled again, the prince said, “Good. I have one more announcement. Theo said we removed all distractions from the hotel so you could better concentrate on the workshops and challenges, but I insisted on being part of the process. I will be with you, each step of the way, guiding you, assessing your performance. Mine will be the deciding vote in each case.” He smiled as if coaxing them to agree. “Think of me as your coach.” He flashed them a sensual smile that would have charmed the habit off a nun then winked. There wasn’t a complaint voiced. “I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you.”
Jessica bit her bottom lip as desire flooded through her. He hadn’t been looking at her but it felt as if he had. His wink was meant for everyone, but her heart raced and her stomach clenched as she imagined those full lips kissing their way down to do what she still only dreamed of.
I bet he knows what to do with a woman. Imagine if my first time had been with someone like him? Yeowza. I might have blogged about that.
She smiled and he seemed to smile right back. Even if it were imagined, the connection felt intimate. She normally would have blushed and looked away, but safely hidden in the crowd she let herself enjoy the moment.
Forget the prize, how do I offer myself up for royal consumption? The idea of being that brazen widened her smile. As if.
But a little fantasizing never hurt anyone. Wow.
Just wow.
“Is everything to your pleasure, Your Highness?”
“As always, Theo,” Prince Ballasare said as he walked out of the conference room with the royal advisor. The image of only one woman remained with him: the dark-eyed brunette with laughter in her eyes and a face that lit up when she smiled. He’d been unable to look away.
Although he’d designed the conference himself, his expectations of quick results were low. As next in line to rule a wealthy country, beautiful women had always been in surplus. He had yet to meet one he wanted to marry, though, and if he didn’t before the age of thirty he would lose his right to the crown. Something that will not happen.
“Your father has the final say, but so far he has been agreeable with the process you’ve laid out.”
“He has no reason to doubt my judgment. I have always honored him as well as my duty to my country.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“In my way.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Despite the agreeable and respectful responses, Ballasare sensed the man who had been a constant part of his life for as long as he could remember was not pleased. “Something is troubling you.”
They entered a private elevator that led to a suite encompassing the entire top floor of the hotel. “If you are happy, Your Highness, then I am as well.”
“Bullshit,” Ballasare said, and Theo’s eyes widened in surprise. Having studied for two years in the United States, Ballasare enjoyed using some of their terminology even now. Especially for the shock value. They didn’t dance around topics as people in his circle tended to do. Americans could be vulgar and raw, but that was part of what he admired about them. They said what they thought, like children invited to the adult table for the first time. Etiquette was important, yes, but not if it stood in the way of honesty. “One day soon, Theo, I will rule Rubare Virgina. I need you to continue to be frank with me.”
“I have already shared my concerns with you.”
“Regarding the Charmagne sisters?”
Theo lowered his head in agreement. “They should not be here, Your Highness. They do wish to marry you, but are only here as a way of returning the resources of the island to their family.”
“I’m well aware of that, Theo.”
“They are the only ones who seem to know why they’re here, although we don’t know how. We must consider the possibility that someone in the castle is feeding them information.”
“Keep your friends close—”
“And your enemies closer,” Theo said with a sigh.
“What better way to reveal the mole than to let the sisters participate in the conference and test which information finds its way to them?”
“This is a dangerous time for such a game. It might be wiser to give the complication over to those charged with weeding out such problems. It would return confidence in a time of uncertainty. Rubare Collina has disavowed their Arcano, essentially going to war with them. They are shedding old traditions and challenging all who uphold them. There is a fear that we will follow suit.”
“For what purpose? Change does not require war. The Arcano has kept our royal line stable for hundreds of years. Our Collina cousins may share our blood, but they have always been barbaric. My father blames the pirates they mixed with when they first received their island. Violence is woven into their history. The Arcano should not be shocked that their evolution involves it as well.
”
“So, you agree with your father in not supporting King Xander’s hunt for their remaining Arcano?”
“Why should we join a dispute that is not ours? We are at peace and Virgina has never been more prosperous. It is as my father said, ‘Rubare Collina made their own bed of problems, they must now wash their own dirty linens.’”
Theo nodded. “Our Arcano council is watching how you handle the Charmagne sisters. If you fail to contain the threat, they will act.”
“It will not come to that. My father agrees.”
“Your father has never challenged the Arcano.”
“As I said, there is no need to. My way falls within our laws,” Ballasare said impatiently.
“Perhaps,” Theo said and adjusted the sleeves of his jacket, a tell that he was uncomfortable with the conversation. “You are more progressive than you think. Your mock conference—three hundred women—there is no precedence for anything like this.”
Ballasare smiled. “I’m choosing a wife. Now is not a time to be conservative with my options.”
“How will you possibly get to know that many women in one week?”
Ballasare raised and lowered a shoulder. “Several are already being escorted to the airport for not relinquishing their phones. After my team reviews the video of the conference room about half of them will also be sent back.”
“Anyone who did not bow their heads?”
“Absolutely.”
“Three hundred women, though, all over the age of twenty and not one of them was raised for the role as your mother was.”
“I adore my mother, but everything makes her nervous: large crowds, hosting dignitaries, making public appearances. She is fragile and frightened when our people most need us to inspire confidence. The world is changing. We need to remain strong. Otherwise, we’ll discover that our allies are just as greedy for Virgina’s resources as our enemies.”
“But can you be certain of their chasteness?”
“If there is any question, I’ll verify it myself,” Ballasare said, and an image of the brunette leaped back to his mind. It would be my pleasure and hers as well.
Theo shook his head, not looking at all amused. “Any consummation before the ceremony would nullify the woman as an option. The law is clear. She must be a virgin on your wedding night.”
“Confirmation of which is by my word.”
“Yes, but you are under great scrutiny, Your Highness. I’m not sure you realize how much of our country’s stability relies on this going smoothly. If done well, the Arcano will be reassured. If not—”
“Theo, you worry over nothing.”
“It is not too late to choose from one of our women. The ones you have invited here were raised outside our culture. What if one refuses the honor you offer her? So far that has only happened on Rubare Collina, and the Arcano put them to death until recently.”
“Have you known any woman to refuse me?”
“No, Your Highness.”
“Then this is another non-issue.”
“What if none of the three hundred suit you?”
“Then we gather another three hundred. And another.”
“Your thirtieth birthday approaches. If you have not chosen by then, the council has the right to choose for you.”
“It is a good thing, then, that I have designed a process that allows me to assess a woman’s honor and suitability in seven days’ time.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“My father has expressed a wish to attend the conference, but he is to do so in a low-profile manner. Perhaps as a member of the staff.”
“Your father? Low profile?”
“He is not to interfere.”
Theo looked doubtful, but kept his thoughts on that matter to himself. “If I could be as impertinent as to voice a question merely out of curiosity.”
“Ask it.”
“Is it true that tomorrow you will ask each of the women to scale the side of the hotel?”
“Yes.”
“I understand why you’d want to know if they would follow our customs. It makes sense to limit their communication with outside influences, but is this purely for the amusement of seeing if they can do it?”
As the eldest son, Ballasare was expected to be serious. Even as a child his father had discouraged him from spending any time on anything merely for the pleasure of it. Theo’s question offended him. “Of course not. The task will shake them up and give me a glimpse of their true nature. I will be there under the guise of helping them, but in reality I do not care if they scale the hotel or not. Simply asking them to do so will reveal if any are overly nervous or dangerously reckless. Neither would suit me or our people. It’s a test of character, not of skill. Genius, don’t you think?”
“Genius, Your Highness,” Theo said, but his tone didn’t sound convincing.
CHAPTER TWO
“You just took my measurements, so we both know this isn’t my size.” Jessica held the dark blue spandex one piece in front of her in the mirror of a changing room. She regretted having already handed her clothing over the partitioned door. “At best it will fit my leg.”
“The material stretches,” Simone, the woman who had earlier that morning introduced herself as Jessica’s personal liaison for the duration of the conference, reassured her. Despite the fact that Simone looked like she was in her early sixties, she was thin and fit. Jessica doubted she understood her distress.
Is a million dollars worth dressing like a lumpy superhero for a day? Jessica was tempted to ask if refusing to wear it would get her sent home, but considering that attendance at breakfast that morning had been only a third of the number that had been at dinner, Jessica was pretty certain it would be. Gritting her teeth, she stepped into the outfit. It did stretch, but molded to her curves like a wetsuit. The bottoms ended mid-thigh and accentuated her wide hips. The tight tank top flattened her less-than-ample chest. She turned sideways and frowned at how it did not flatten her stomach. Doesn’t that figure?
She turned back and made a face at her reflection. I’m not perfect, but I don’t have to be. Beautiful. Ugly. Frigid virgin. Wanton slut. They’re all labels society wants to place on me, but I refuse to accept them. She raised her chin. And if His Royal “I’m a Prince and I’ll have the final say” eliminates me because my ass could be smaller and my breasts are real, there is nothing I can do about it. Beautiful doesn’t mean we’re all the same. She’d given a similar pep talk to many women over the past few years, but even a confident woman’s mettle could be tested by spandex.
“What’s the first challenge?” Jessica asked the silhouette of the woman on the other side of the door.
“It will be explained to you at the proper time.”
Trying to cheer herself up, she forced a smile. On the positive side, since no one has their phones, at least I know I won’t show up on YouTube.
With one final fortifying deep breath, she walked out of the changing room with her head held high. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” She looked around, half wishing she’d see some of the other women similarly dressed. She didn’t. Simone motioned for her to follow.
I never imagined I’d write a blog that anyone would want to read, but I did. I never thought I could make it profitable, but I did that, too. I can do this.
My body is beautiful and so am I.
As they walked through the hotel, Jessica noted the staff members who walked past them. “Is the entire hotel staff female?”
Without missing a step, Simone answered, “This week, yes.”
“Because of the conference?” Jessica asked, only half serious when she did.
“Yes.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Simone glanced over her shoulder with a serious expression. “There will only be three men at the hotel this week. Prince Ballasare, his advisor, and Heinrich.”
“Who is Heinrich?”
“Whoever he says he is, Miss Quincy.”
Jessica
laughed, but sobered when she realized Simone didn’t join in. “Is your country dangerous for women?”
“Dangerous?” Simone paused and looked momentarily confused.
It was a question that had plagued her as she’d lain awake staring at the ceiling the night before. She was trying to stay positive about the conference, but upon returning to her room she’d started to wonder if there was more going on than was being said.
When she’d checked into the hotel she’d been asked to leave her passport at the front desk. Jessica hadn’t traveled out of the United States before, but she was fairly certain that wasn’t normal. The phone in her room only worked for calls within the hotel, and relinquishing her own phone had been a condition of staying.
Why?
Two thirds of the women from the night before had been sent home, but there had been no announcement of who had gone or why. No proof that they had actually left the country. Now I sound paranoid. Of course they were sent home. Do I honestly think we were brought here as some kind of weird slave trade? Ridiculous. No one would invite Miss Universe if they were going to make us disappear. They would have chosen unknown women, without families.
Then why take our phones? And why remove all men from the hotel staff?
“It’s just that we aren’t allowed to leave the hotel unescorted, and now it seems like we’re being kept separate from the entire male population. I’m wondering why.”
“Most would not have an interest in meeting men beyond the prince.”
“I don’t. I’m here to win the million dollars.”
“And to improve your life.”
Isn’t that the same thing? “Yes.”
“Tell me, what did your parents think of you coming here without them?”
The mention of her parents brought a smile to Jessica’s face. “My father wanted to come, but my mother convinced him that having him hovering over me would not help me win.”
“He worries for you; that’s the sign of a good father.”
Jessica raised and lowered a shoulder. “He wasn’t always overprotective, but he feels guilty for sending me away to school when I was young. I didn’t do well on my own. I don’t blame him. He thought it was best for me and that I might thrive if surrounded by children who were more like me. I didn’t.”