DiSClAiMER: I do not own The Selection. All rights go to Kiera Cass.
Chapter One
Looking out at the gardens made me feel calmer. Almost like everything was at peace, but it always seemed to hit me once I looked at the roses that circled the fountain, that not everything is peaceful at all. Everything was actually unpredictable. I hated change and I hated probably having to share my life with someone that I don't even know. My father had a bunch of nations wanting me as their new princess and soon to be queen. He also still had alliances to hold and other kings that could call war on our nation at any moment. Princes in other nations needed a royal wife, I unfortunately did not want to be someone's princess because our fathers made an agreement. I wanted to fall in love and go on dates. I wanted a relationship with someone who wanted me as much as I wanted them. That's when I realized maybe I could do something about it. I had to calm down before I came to my dad with the idea; I mean he was the King of Illea. My mom tried to make a change and she wasn't even queen yet at the time. I had to be able to be the princess that my mom had become or at how she tried to become. Everyone knew that my mom, Queen America, was definitely not like any other winner of the Selection. She was one of the lower castes before the Selection, so she didn't really have a royal background. She still wore jeans around the palace when we weren't expecting anyone and she acted like she didn't need help as if she wasn't the new queen.
I needed to be the royal Princess Isabel Schreave that everyone knew and loved. This is what I was going to do. I wanted to have my own Selection like my dad did. I mean he didn't have to get married to some person he didn't know. Even though he was probably forced to have his own Selection just like grandfather did. I turned away from the window and looked at the door. It was just a big white door with gold outlines around it. It didn't move, it wasn't going to attack me but it still felt like an enemy waiting to attack. Slowly, I walked toward the door. Thank goodness today we weren't expecting anyone. My mother said that sometimes I should just have a relaxing day too where I didn't have to wear frilly dresses all time. So, I was jeans and a white tee shirt. My hair wasn't done all up pretty and I had no make-up on either, which was a relief since I hated make-up the most. When I had finally gotten to the door I held the handle for a moment. I rethought what I was going to say. Should I be like every other princess and marry off into another royal family who I haven't met or find a guy who I truly love? I shoved open the door and pushed myself to walk down the hallway as fast as I could so I had a less of a chance to turn back. When I reached my parents door, usually I would've sent someone to notify my parents that I would be seeing them but this was urgent. I knocked on their door. My mother had answered with her wild red hair a mess and her shirt wrinkled, she must've been sleeping. Then my father came into view with his hair also a mess.
"Hi honey, is something wrong?" Queen America said.
"No mom, it's just that I have something I've been wanting to ask you both so I thought maybe right now would be a great time." I said while my hands still shook at my sides.
"Of course. Come in, sit down." My mom told me. My dad had kept shooting my mother glances. My dad never wanted to be interrupted when he slept, but he was also very understanding so it didn't matter at this point. I walked in and looked around at their room. It still looked that same with red wallpaper and silver cushions. I sat down at a chair facing them. They looked concerned. I didn't really barge into places. I'm mostly quiet and conservative.
"I've been thinking a lot about marriage and how I will probably be forced into marrying someone I have no interest in and I wanted know if maybe instead of me being married off into another family, if I could have a Selection?" I had tried to say it as quickly as possible so I didn't chicken out but I also tried to sound as confident as I could so they knew I was serious. It was a lot harder telling that to my parents then I thought. My father's reaction went from being concerned to being surprised. I was more nervous than I have ever been.
"Well, I think that maybe we could do that. Right honey?" My mom asked my dad. She was using her pretty please face that she used from time to time so that he could never say no.
"I suppose so. Even though that would break tradition and probably get other nations to be furious, but of course Isabel. Whatever would make you happy." He said to me with a smile. He helped me out of my chair and hugged me. My mother soon joined the hug. I laughed into my dad's shirt and he squeezed me tightly. When we all finally pulled away, my dad kissed me on the forehead.
"We will talk about the details tomorrow, so get a good night sleep dearest." My father said. My mother and I exchanged goodbyes and I left their room closing their door shut. I now was too exhausted to even sleep so I decided not to go to my room and instead go to the garden where I could finally be at peace.