Rebecca entered before us and announced our arrival. We could hear their gasps from the hallway. When we entered, all the girls looked shocked to see me still holding Ethan's hand. "You're still with him Lilly? After what he did to you?" Heather asked me from her seat. "That's enough." Ethan said, shutting her right up. "I have tried to be nice to all of you. I even felt bad for falling for Lilly so fast becase of how it might make the rest of you feel." Ethan said, looking at me for a moment, squeezing my hand, and then looking back at them. "That was before some of you, or maybe all of you, decided to hurt her for no good reason." He said, venom laced in his voice. "Only the worst kind of people would take pleasure in hurting someone else, simply because they have something you want. I would never marry someone like that. Never." Ethan said. "We only did it so you could pay more attention to us." Olivia whined. "Yeah we want you to tickle us too! We're ticklish!" Heather added desperately. I couldn't help but giggle at that part. 

They can't be serious.

 "What are you laughing at?" Olivia growled at me. "Don't talk to her that way!" Ethan yelled at her, starting to approach her but I pulled him back. "Don't worry. I've got this." I told him, squeezing his hand for comfort before facing Olivia and the others. "You did all of this because you want Ethan to tickle you? Are you serious?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. "Isn't that why you have so much fun with him?" Heather asked. "Of course not!" I exclaimed and Ethan frowned at me. "What's that supposed to mean?" Ethan exclaimed, pouting at me and I laughed before continuing. "I have fun with Ethan because of who he is. He's kind, loving, extremely extremely playful, hilarious, and adorable. He's the sweetest guy I've ever met. He always showers me with compliments and knows the right time to tease me and the right time to comfort me. Play fighting with him is hilarious and fun but not because he tickles me. It's because I know it's coming from someone who truly cares about me and likes me for me. He intentionally makes me laugh and smile and looks at me like I'm the most beautiful girl in the world, even though he's literally the most beautiful guy in the world. He's amazing." I said, trying extremely hard not to look at Ethan while I said this. 

He then wraps his arms around me from behind me and nuzzles his face into my neck, making me smile and bit my lip to conceal the giggles. "Ethan, let go." I whispered and he shook his head no. "That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said about me." He whispered into my neck, almost making me giggle out loud. 

"Anyways," I said, trying to focus my attention on the girls and not Ethan's ticklish nose. "That's just some of the reasons why I like Ethan. I got to know him for who he is as a person, not just a prince. You guys are basing your impression of him off of what you see from the outside and the fact that he's a prince. So do you even like him?" I asked them, making Ethan raise his head up and look at them. The girls were fuming looking at us and it made me wish Viví was here. "I'm going to give all of you an option right now." Ethan said. "Standing here and expressing how disappointed I am in you is an understatement and a waste of time." He added. "For the girls that played this horrible prank on Lilly, I no longer want to have anything to do with you. While I can't force you to leave, after this meeting I never want to see any of you ever again. So you can either leave or you can stay and not come to any of the selection activities." Ethan announced and all of the girls involved started to panic. "Please don't do this! We're sorry Lilly! Please!" They begged but Ethan ignored them and spoke over them. "As for the other girls, I understand you weren't expecting to come and see me get so close to one girl." Ethan said. "So, you also have an option. If you no longer feel comfortable staying or if seeing Lilly and I together makes you uncomfortable, you may leave." Ethan announced and everyone gasped and started talking amongst themselves. "For the girls who were not involved, you have until dinner to make your final decision." Ethan said before letting go of my waist and taking my hand in his to walk us out. "What happens if they decide to leave?" I asked Ethan, still shocked by his announcement. He smirked and said 

"Then it's just me and you."