Free The Heir by Kiera Cass

off.
    “How are we supposed to get to know each other?”
    The translator turned to Henri. “ Miten saat tuntemaan toisensa ?”
    Henri pointed to the translator, who answered, “Through me, it seems.”
    “Okay. Well. Umm.” I wasn’t prepared for this. Was it rude for me to dismiss him? Interacting with these people one-on-one was going to be awkward enough. I wasn’t prepared for a third person.
    In that instant Henri’s application popped back into my mind. That was why some of the words were spelled wrong. He was guessing at them.
    “Thank you. It’s very nice to meet you, too, Henri.”
    He smiled at his name, and I got the feeling the rest of the words didn’t even matter. I couldn’t send him away.
    “The Men’s Parlor is over here.”
    Henri bowed as his translator mumbled the instructions, and they walked away together.
    “General Leger,” I called, burying my face in my hands.
    “Yes, Your Highness.”
    “Tell Dad I’ll update him in an hour. I need to take a walk.”

CHAPTER 10
    W E MADE IT THROUGH THE first day, the first dinner, and the first evening without further incident. As the cameras circled the dining hall, I could hear the men working them sigh in boredom. I didn’t address anyone in the group, and the boys themselves seemed too nervous even to speak to one another.
    I could hear Dad’s thoughts as clearly as if they were my own.
    This is dull! No one will want to see this! How will this buy us a single second let alone three months?
    He glanced over at me a few times, begging me with his eyes to do something, anything, to make this worth enduring. I was at war with myself. I didn’t want to fail him, but any warmth on my part today would set a bad precedent. They needed to know that I wasn’t going to fawn over them.
    I told myself not to worry. In the morning everything would change.
    The following day the boys were dressed in their best, ready for the parade. An army of people swarmed on the front lawn, ready to prep us to go beyond the gates.
    Dad was proud of this idea, my biggest contribution to the Selection so far. I thought it would be exciting to have a short parade, something never done before. I felt certain this would give everyone something to talk about.
    “Good morning, Your Highness,” one of the boys greeted. I remembered Ean in an instant, and after yesterday it was no surprise he was the first one to speak to me.
    “And to you.” I walked on, not slowing, though many of the others bowed or called my name. I only stopped to be briefed by one of the guards heading up the process.
    “It’s a short loop, Your Highness. At under ten miles an hour, it should take twenty to thirty minutes to make our way around. Guards are lining the route for good measure, but everyone is so excited, it should be a very fun event.”
    I clasped my hands calmly in front of me. “Thank you, officer. I appreciate your work to make this happen.”
    He pressed his lips together, attempting to hide his proud smile. “Anything for you, Your Highness.”
    He went to walk away, but I called him back. The officer puffed out his chest, so pleased to be needed again. I looked around at the swarm of young men, dazed by their number, trying to make the smartest choice.
    I saw Henri’s wild hair blowing in the wind and smiled to myself. He stood on the outside of a group, listening to what they were saying and nodding, though I was sure he couldn’t understand anything going on around him. I didn’t see his translator and wondered if Henri had banished him for the day.
    I searched again, hunting . . . and found one boy who really knew how to wear a suit. It wasn’t that he looked like a model but more like he understood the fine art of tailoring and had set his butler to work immediately on his choice for the day. Also, I couldn’t get over his two-toned shoes. Thank goodness I remembered his name.
    “When I’m up there, I’d like Mr. Garner on one side and Mr. Jaakoppi on the