The Princess

"Why hello, Prince Fisher, you look dashing, I must say."

Massie Block

-::-

The Prince

"Your beauty is stunning, Princess Massie."

Cameron Fisher

-::-

The Duke's Son

"She mustn't betrothed Cameron, for I am the one who truly loves her."

Derrick Harrington

-::-

The Best Friend

"I say this as a close friend: Remain with Prince Cameron, he has a definite future as a ruler."

Claire Lyons

-::-

The Rival

"I will destroy Massie Elizabeth Block."

Depnia Stafford

-::-

Supporting Characters

Kristen Gregory

Alicia Rivera

Dylan Marvil

Kemp Hurley

Chris Plovert

Josh Hotz

"Ella," Massie gasped. "You pull my corset much too-tight," she squeaked, as her maid jerked her once more. "Please remember, I do need have the capability to speak and breathe tonight." Tonight was the Prime Ball when the top 15 of 16-year-old eligible daughters of royalty in England came together with the eligible sons of royalty, creating the Prime 30. Massie was on a mission to make the best catch of the night. After all, Massie was the complete package.

She was beautiful, her hair glossy brown pulled back into an elegant chignon with curly tendrils around her sun-kissed skin. Her skinny figure was also laden with curves, and her amber eyes shone brightly while her pink lips were always kissable. When Massie and her friends, who called themselves Royally Cherished, entered on the arms of their male escorts, Derrick Harrington, Josh Hotz, Chris Plovert, Kemp Hurley, and Cameron Fisher, men will argue and jostle for their attention, affection, and eventually, hand in marriage after the girl of their choosing 17th birthday.

"I understand completely, Princess," Ella replied calmly, twisting Massie again before finally tying the strings.

"How," Massie asked, turning slowly, as to not disturb the corset restricting her lungs. "Will you be attending the ball also?"

"No. It is only for the rich and royal, if I recall correctly," Ella murmured. Massie, you are going to be joining the Prime 30. If you want to be number one, you can't say dumb things like that, Massie thought to herself.

The Prime 30 was determined on status and wealth. But when courting season began, so would competition. Girls will be competing for a rank in the top 30. A secretive few of the former top 30's will be judging and giving ranks. At the end of the year, which would come in four months, a special five boys and five girls would be named the Prime Five. Massie was intent on making sure every member of Royally Cherished was in the female Prime. To do that, conversations needed to be witty and charming.

"Yes, well, you are dismissed, Ella. I must take time to relax before the soirée. Please come for me when it is time to prepare."

"As you wish, my lady." Ella backed out the room and Massie reclined in a velvet red chaise by her window, drifting off to sleep.

Two hours later, Massie stood behind a heavy white curtain in the Worthington Inn ballroom waiting for her title to be named. Her lavender gown had a lacy bodice that showed the top of her cleavage, which was covered by silk shrug, and was covered with crystals. It then poofed out into a full dress to the ground, giving her the illusion of gliding. Woven in her dark-brown hair was a small diamond tiara, and she her amber eyes shone with excitement.

"Presenting Princess Massie Elizabeth Block, daughter of Queen Kenda Flora Block, daughter of the King William Nathaniel Block." Massie stepped out, giving the retired Prime a good look at her attire. She sashayed to the top staircase top, her dress swishing around her. She stood, her right hand on the left and set them on the front of her dress, waiting for her escort to be called.

"And also presenting, Prince-" an old man said to the crowd at the foot of the stairs. Just a moment. Prince? But Derrick is a Marquess! It can't possibly be-

"Cameron Fisher, son of Queen Illiana Ophelia Fisher and King Richard Stranloe Fisher." Cam entered to the staircase, a wide grin on his face, his eyes mischevious.

Massie looped her arm through his, muttering out the side of her mouth, "Where is Derrick? He was supposed to be my escort for the evening." When had they done the switch and why didn't Derrick tell her?

Yes, Cam was a prince, and gorgeous without a single doubt. Wavy, inky-black short hair, one blue and one green eye, and crooked smile that made girls swoon when seeing him in the courtyard of the carriage park. But Massie didn't see him in that way.

She and Cam have been best friends since play pen years, but since Massie's sixteenth birthday two months ago, he had been acting differently, strangely even. He'd been doing things like opening doors, complimenting her, and calling her by titles like, "Lady" and "Princess". She wasn't sure what was going on and felt slightly awkward with him around lately, so she asked another good friend, Derrick Harrington, to be her escort.

She looked out at the crowd of adults, Massie's mother standing with her father, both of them giving her proud looks. Other ex-members of the Prime gave approving nods at the match up. "Then he can have you next time, regrettably. And anyway, it doesn't look like anyone minds our being paired together," Cam said out the corner of his mouth, keeping a smile on his face.

They began to descend down the wide, smooth, white, stone steps. "But-," Massie began to say, but they were now at the bottom of the stairway. Cam took his arm back, shooting Massie a grin and they separated to different sides, settling in chairs placed aside for each fifteen members of the Prime genders.

Massie huffed and sat, crossing legs daintily at the ankle, glaring at Cam who was silently laughing at her.

After each member of the new Prime was called, dinner began and Massie was placed in between Derrick Harrington and Depnia Stafford, who Massie despised. Depnia had always hated Massie for not including her in Royally Cherished. Whenever they ran into each other, they constantly butted heads. "So where's your little group, Royally Tarnished," she sneered, still managing to keep a smile in case any ex-Prime members nearby judging. Massie ignored her.

"Royally Cherished has been separated into different seating spots, I'm afraid. We don't need each other to live, breathe, and think." Massie was referring to Depnia's sidekick, Gorgina Ferro, or parasite, as Massie and her friends called her.

Gorgina was merely a Baron's daughters, and this ball was reserved for kings, queens, princesses, dukes, duchesses, Marquesses,and Marchionnesses. Anything less was not permitted. "So where is your friend," Massie smirked. Depnia sniffed.

"You very well know that she doesn't meet the standards to attend." Then Depnia grinned wolfishly and leaned past Massie. "Why, hello Lord Derrick." She batted her thick lashes. Derrick flashed her a smile.

"Hello, Princess Depnia. You look beautiful, as usual." Massie pursed her lips. Depnia was a viper and she knew how to strike.

"Aw, you flatter me!" They continued their flirtatious banter, as if Massie weren't in between them. Finally, dinner was over and resting hour had come upon them. Everyone retreated to their rooms. Massie gave her friends a look and gestured for them to follow her. Kristen, Claire, Massie, Dylan, and Alicia went to a private room.

Massie quickly closed the door and settled in a love chair next to Alicia. "So what was so important that we had to rush here in silence," Claire asked. Massie rolled her eyes.

"I was placed next to Devious Depnia for evening meal." Her friends gasped.

"Oh no, not that leeching-," Dylan began.

Claire calmed her down. "Sh! We don't want any problems do we?" Dylan shook her head. "Please, continue Massie," Claire encouraged her. I leaned in closer.

"And the worst part is, I was also next to Derrick." Kristen was confused.

"But, aren't you good friends with him? Have you engaged in an argument?"

"No, no. Nothing like that." Massie waved away the notion. "But he was flirting with Depnia all through dinner. It was all I could do to keep my stomach from giving my chicken breast back to the plate!" She paused. "You don't think he's planning to court her, do you?"

Alicia sat up. "Why would he," she scoffed. "You're so much prettier than her, and more popular. There's no competition."

"I don't want him to court me," Massie replied indignantly. "I just want to see him off with a nicer, and less poisonous choice. And besides," she added, "he ignored me in favor of Depina."

"But he knows you both are just friends. He's just getting to the whole purpose of the Prime 30: to find a fitting wife or husband," Claire reasoned. "I suppose. "I may go for that handsome fellow though. Lord James Versnen. His blue eyes are just mesmerizing," Claire swooned.

"Yes," Dylan chimed in enthusiastically. "I-," she started, but then the door swung open and six girls with fans walked in, followed by non-other than...

Don't worry! I won't leave you with a cliff hanger this time! :) Keep reading!

"Hello, darlings. I thought we should cool off together, get to know one another perhaps?" Depina.

"Mm." Alicia immaturely crossed her eyes at Massie, who giggled silently.

"So," Kristen said, trying to get conversation rolling in the awkward silence surrounding the girls as they were fanned. "Who have you got your eye on, Depina," Kristen asked, her eyes shining with a mischievous glint, giving Massie a wink.

"I'm considering Prince Cameron Fisher. We had a nice chat today at dinner," Depina responded, smiling over at Massie. Massie smiled back, mentally gritting her teeth.

"Pardon my interruption, but resting period has ended," the girl fanning Massie said.

The girls removed their shrugs, wraps, and jackets, now allowed to show more skin. Massie's dress had no shoulders but had straps the went right across her chest to her arms, leaving her shoulder bare and no sleeves. The top of her cleavage was pushed up nicely, giving her more of a chest. The rest of Royally Cherished's dresses were similar to hers, but Depnia's orange dress was strapless, leaving more skin showing. Her blond hair came down in soft curls, her ice-blue eyes bright and conniving.

"You look nice, Depnia," Dylan said, exchanging looks with her friends. "Who made that dress for you? Seamstress Callinea doesn't make attire like what you're wearing."

"I know she doesn't but I designed it myself. I knew most girls would try to be innocent, but I'm not afraid to be daring, so I omitted the straps. And, I know I look stunning. I can't wait for Cameron to see me. He'll be asking me to marry him on the spot." Depnia shot Massie another smirk and exited the room.

Why didn't I think of a strapless dress, Massie thought angrily. "We're going to have to be two steps ahead of Depnia. She can't be in the Prime 30, and with that dress, she'll certainly be ranked in the top five tomorrow, knocking one of us out for this week. But that doesn't mean we won't be in the final top five at the end of the season." Massie then stalked out the room, her friends following her silently.

So there you go! I think I may focus just on this story. I have at least six other that I start but don't finish. I really like the idea for this. I also may make this a collaboration with someone else, but it's hard if the person doesn't come on as often as I do and I have to wait for responses. And I think I want to keep this to myself J. But read and review please! I will start chapter two, but I won't post until I have AT LEAST 3-5 reviews!

Apples and Bananas,

Shai :)