Hey! This is my first attempt at a Selection Fanfiction! Hope you enjoy!

Rivalry: A Selection Story

Chapter 1

"Prince Damon, the queen wanted me to remind you that you are needed in the Great Room in fifteen minutes," said the voice of the butler from outside my door.

"Be there shortly," I groaned as a worked on tying my tie.

Today was my older brother Caleb's nineteenth birthday party and I was not looking forward to it. Not only was the castle atmosphere frantic because of Caleb's Selection in two weeks, but now there was his surprise birthday party. Everything just always seemed to be about Caleb and my little sister Cadence.

I sighed as I looked at my reflection in the mirror and ran a hand through my dark curls. I didn't look much like my brother and sister, both of whom had dirty blonde hair. My mom says I must have gotten my dark hair and curls from her side of the family. The one thing we did all have in common was our blue eyes.

"Here we go," I said. I took a deep breath and walked down the stairs to the Great Room only to find my mother running around in a panic.

"Is Maxon sure he will be back with Caleb in twenty minutes?" She asked one of the advisers as I approached. "Damon, thank goodness you're here!"

"Yes, my Queen," he replied before turning to leave. "I will go double check with the stable to make sure."

"Where did they go?

"Your father thought it would be a good idea to take your brother on a ride around the grounds. Last I heard, they were still in the back wood. I told him it wasn't a good idea, but you know your father!" My mother laughed at her last remark. I could see the small glint in her eyes as she remembered some memory from the past. It was easy to see that my mother and father were very much still in love.

"I'm sure they will return promptly," I reassured her with a smile. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Could you go keep watch for them? I have to finish helping setting up and greet the guest," she replied with a small smile. I knew how hard she had been working to make sure my brother had a blast before he entered his selection. He was after all the crowned prince of Illea.

I took my time as I walked from the Great Room out to the gardens. It was spring and the warm air tingled my nostrils as I stepped out onto the plush lawn. I could remember casing Caleb around the lawn as my mother and father laughed. Life seemed so easy and carefree back then with no long meetings or studying. I also didn't have to worry about being married to the daughter of another country to help our country's relations. As much as I liked the idea about getting away from the castle, I wasn't ready to have a wife, particularly someone I hardly knew.

Ever since the war with New Asia ended a few months ago, Illea's relations had been steadily growing and the rebel attacks had been dwindling. My mother and father had implemented a caste exchange program a couple of years ago which seemed to be helping the uneasiness of the country. However, it didn't seem to appease everyone. The rebels still wanted the caste system eliminated and the monarchy to die out. What if they succeeded in their attempts? What would happen to my family and Illea?

"Damon!"

I looked up from my thoughts to see Caleb and my father walking toward me. Caleb wore a smug smile as my father patted him on the back, no doubt having done something that had impressed him. Caleb always seemed to be saying or doing the right things to impress father.

I frowned slightly at the thought. I loved my brother and he was one of my best friends, but I just wished that he wasn't so perfect.

"Happy Birthday, Cal, hope you can keep all the ladies at bay with your new found maturity," I joked, once again pushing my thoughts aside. I wondered what it would be like to have 35 girls fighting for me. I would take one at the moment, just as long as I didn't have to get married right away.

"Wouldn't you like to know," he teased and ruffled my hair. "You've got a long way to go kid!"

"I'm only a year younger than you," I said giving him a playful shove. "You've got some competition, don't be to jealous!" I laughed.

"Yeah, right, Damon, we'll see about that!" Before I could brace myself, Caleb had tackled me to the ground. It was a ritual for my brother and I to wrestle while teasing each other.

"Boys! You're mother is going to kill me if you come in covered in grass stains," my father laughed. I immediately froze and glared at him, knowing his comment would tip my brother off. Caleb was smart and hard to fool. He knew what he wanted and how to get it.

"Why what's going on?" Caleb asked, sitting on his knees. "You're not throwing me a party, are you?" He raised his brow, throwing a suspicious look between my father and me.

"Um-uh…no not at all! I think she just wanted to have a nice family dinner," he lied, trying to cover his tracks. My father never was a good liar.

"Good going, Dad," I muttered under my breath. I knew I would have to think fast before all my mother's planning went to nothing. "She actually wanted to take a family portrait and we are late. The photographer is here and waiting in the Great Room."

"Well why didn't you say so!" Caleb laughed, seeming to buy my story. "I will never give up the opportunity to smile for the camera," he teased with his attempt at a charming smile. I knew the women of the selection would fall for it without a hitch. I had no doubt in my mind that he would make every girl swoon with one look in their direction. I had seen how he affected the young maids in the castle.

I followed Caleb and my father to the Great Room, readying myself for the onset of people and mingling that I was required to do. While it was sometimes fun to be the prince of Illea, I found myself wishing for just a moment that I could have a normal life. At this moment, I would give anything to be up in my room practicing my guitar without having to live up to my social and royal duty. But that wasn't a choice, I had an obligation. I was the prince of Illea.

" SURPRISE!"