Deep within the depths of old pages is a rule that allows the king to enter one, new, girl into the competition. Determined to kick America out, he picks up a small, yellow file with the name: Delilah Wood, a quiet girl raised by gentle southern rebels. Upon a deal made with the Northern Rebels and the King, Delilah is thrust into The Selection world to compete for the crown.
During her time at the castle, Delilah, a hard-working girl unravels the mystery around her identity and struggles to clear the fog of lies around her life and the deal made by the Rebels and The King. Although, Delilah must also fit in with the jealous elite and somehow win Prince Maxon's heart, when she doesn't want to give him hers.
Chapter 1: The Deal
The room is dark, dusty with menacing, wooden walls and two, grime covered windows opposite each other. A denim clad man and woman approach the small shack cautiously while the others flank the right and left side, the safety of their guns off as they wait within the bushes. The leader approaches the guard outside of the tiny door. A quiet, small recognition passes between the two and no other form of communication is needed. Only the sound of the nightlife make a noise within the deep forest.
The guard nods his head as the leader and the man to her right take a hold of the small, metal doorknob and twist. The door squeaks and inside, sitting at the table is the most powerful man in all of Illea: The King.
"If I had known there would be two of you, I would have brought another chair." The king greets them, his voice clear, loud and regal. It is a sight to see when someone as royal, someone radiating with power sits in a shack as lowly as this one.
"No need," The woman speaks up. "I'd rather stand."
The king raises his eyebrow, not used to being spoken to with such disdain. Although, the man sits, greeting the king and claspes both of his hands together upon the table.
"What is the purpose of this meeting?" The king asks, leaning back within his chair.
"Oh Clarkeson, what's rush? We haven't seen you in a good twenty years." The man smiles, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Why don't we go on and catch up? How's our little Maxon doing?"
"Hush August." The woman barks to the man sitting in the chair. The leader, August looks back to the king, feeling the small window of opportunity teetering upon shutting and staying open. "Let me ask you a question. Do you want America Singer to win?"
"No." The King says simply with no hesitation. "Do you?"
"Yes, and no." August replies.
"How do you mean?"
"We like America, but me and Roland spoke to the Southern Rebels and they told us some very interesting things." The woman, Georgia, says.
"What would that be?" The King says, growing tired.
"The Southern Rebels have a plan that could go two ways. Except, they both end in death, anarchy and fear." The leader, August explains, a sad look falling upon his face.
"Well, go on! What is the plan?!"
"Not so fast there." Georgia says, amused, like a cat playing with a mouse. "First, we need something from you."
"Believe it or not, we need the monarchy to fulfil our goals. You seem to be backed up into a corner here. 1. You fulfil our wishes and compromise. Or, 2. You leave here with the promise of death of your people on your hands."
"What is it you wish of me?" The King asks, his contained annoyance slipping through his voice.
"As much good America Singer would do for us, she needs to lose for this one chance to hold off the Southern Rebels."
"You want her to lose? Wouldn't that cause my people to die, assuming my men couldn't hold them off of course." The King waves his hand dismissively.
"That's the thing here." Georgia walks to the edge of the table. "You couldn't hold them off. Not with what they're planning. If she loses, they will unleash a terror so big, it will wipe out so many people. If she wins, they will push her in ways that will make her cave, make her bring down the monarchy herself. Whether she wins or loses, it's a dead end anyway."
The King stands up, offended and his chair flies away from the table, toppling over. If the rebels could see outside, if they had known, they would have seen dozens of guards hiding within the trees up high and on the ground, tense and ready to attack if needed. They would see the eyes they have on the rebels stationed outside the shack and know of the single shot they would have to make. Except they don't, and they never will. All they see is an enraged King within those four, shabby walls.
"So she will either commit treason or they will kill everybody. Is that what you're trying to say? And how does this count as a compromise? What do you want?"
August brings his hand to his face and wipes away the sweat at his brow. "We want her to lose because we don't want to bring the Monarchy down. But we have a plan that the Southern Rebels won't say no to. We have a plan to keep her from winning, but keep them from attacking the people."
"We need the Monarchy. You need it. And this is why you are in a corner. You cannot have thousands of your people dying, but you cannot have the monarchy fall. All at the same time, you don't want to give us what we want."
"Tell me your plan and we shall see." The king huffs, bringing his chair back up and sitting.
August and Georgia make brief eye contact before Georgia brings out a thin, leather bound, worn out book from her satchel. Georgia hands it to August and he brings it to a bookmarked page. "The rules King Clarkeson."
He slides the book over to the King and he eyes it skeptically before sliding it before him. The rule is at the bottom of the aged page, circled with pencil.
Upon the King's command, one extra selected may join in on The Selection competition at any given moment if the King feels the current Selected are unsuitable or displays acts unruly to be fit for future Royalty. Only one other selected may join the competition and only if approved by the King.
"Where did you get this?" The King demands, outrageously flipping through the worn papers and inspecting the binding.
"It doesn't matter, all that matters is that we have it. If you agree, we can find a girl who will please the Southern Rebels, us and you. You can place her into the Selection, make it so that she wins . If she wins, the Southern Rebels won't attack, we will get what we need, and you will not have to face the death of your people, or your family."
The King is filled with outrage. What nerve these people had to threaten him. He could burn them to the ground. "And why would I do that? Bring a spy into my home to the likes of you and those dirty scum. I don't like America Singer and my son is an idiot for not kicking her out earlier. But I would never compromise something with you of all people just so you can get what you want! You hold the Illea name! How do I know you don't want my crown?!"
"I don't want to be King. I guess that's just something you'll have to trust me on. You wouldn't make a deal with us even if you're family and all of your people had their life on the line?"
"I. Am. The. King." He spits out, glowering menacingly. "I have power you will never dream of having."
"You have power, yes. Until you see what they have planned if you don't agree to this plan. We want the monarchy because it helps us. You want it because that's they way it's been all of Illea. The Southern Rebels will bring this country down. You cannot even begin to imagine...help us help you." August says firmly, leaning into the table and further into the circle of light being cast from the single hanging light bulb.
"And if I don't care for my people?" The Kings shrugs, leaning back in his chair.
"Oh you do," Georgia says. "That's why you are going to help us. You are going to select the girl we give you, help her win. This way, the Southern Rebels will think that they're in control, we will be able to stop them and they won't be waving their arms around waiting for war. We will be able to get what we need and for you, America Singer doesn't win, you will be in control of her, and Illea doesn't fall on her knees upon you."
Georgia and August know they've got the King. For even though the King does a good job at ruling, he has a greedy, power hungry side. The King smiles.
"I pick the girl you want, I have control over her and she wins?" He asks, bringing his hand up to his chin.
August nods. "You'll have some control-she'll still be able to make decisions on her own. But for the most part, you need to help her win."
"You have yourself a deal there then Mr. Illea. On one condition."
"What's that?" August asks slowly.
"I want to know what the Southern Rebels are planning."
It's quiet in the shack as August and the King lock eyes. "Deal."
"Now," The King stretches his arms, placing them behind his head. "Who is this girl?"
A/N: Hello! I hope this chapter isn't confusing, if it is, please just ask questions! I have a plot in mind and I really want to tell a good story here. Some questions can only be asked further into the story you may have to wait for answers. I want to upload as much as I can.
Please read and review!
x. L