The Selection

(Rose)

Chapter 1:

Hey, my name is Rose. Rose Woodwork. My life's pretty good, I am the princess of Illea though. I'm the daughter of Queen Kenzie and King Dan. I usually agree with my parents except for the day I found out I was able to have my own Selection.

"Mom! This is so unfair!" I yelled. Really not wanting 35 teenage guys in the Palace.

"You are of age and you do need to find a husband." Mom reminded me.

"I guess it wouldn't be so bad."

That's how I ended up three weeks later trying not to puck while picking names out of a bowel.

"Ready Miss?" The director asked.

Was I ready to pick the 35 guys who would be trying to win my hand and the one that would soon be my husband? Sure why not.

"I'm ready." I say, trying not to throw up.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1."

"People of Illea, tonight I will be picking and reading the names of the lucky 35 young men who will be trying to win my hand. Congratulations to everyone who gets picked, I will be seeing you in a week, here in the Palace. Without further ado here they are. Jayson, Logan, David, Jacob, Josh, Wilson, Matt, Dakota, Blake, James, Nico, Michel, Grant, Jonah, Sammy, John, Nick, Coby, Koby, Jackson, Justin, Alex, Thomas, Jack, Cade, Jamison, Corwin, Brice, Ben, Adain, Zack, Jeremy, Brandon, Andrew, and Charles. Again Congratulations, and I can't wait to meet all of you!" I keep the smile on my face until the lights go down and I can go back to my room in peace. All the way there I get 'Are you excited?' and 'How amazing!' from the maids and the guards. As soon as I get in my room my head maid Megan helps me out of my dress and brushes my hair. Not saying a word. She knows more than anyone that I am truly against the Selection, but I guess traditions are traditions. Knock, Knock, Knock.

"Hey, Rose it's your mother. I think we should talk. Can I come in?"

"Of course." As my mom entered Megan immediately curtsied and shut the door as she left. I sat on the bed as my mom sat next to me.

"Are you okay?" She asked taking my hand. I thought about that. Was I okay that there would be 35 guys living in my house? Or that I would have to pick one of them as my husband? Other than that I was fantastic!

"Just a little nervous." I replied. She smiled at me and handed me a thick folder.

"What's this?" I asked taking it from her hand.

"All the boy's applications and photos. I thought you might want to take a look."

"Thanks mom!" I laughed as she hugged me.

"Of course! And don't forget you can also throw them out if you want to." We laughed as my mom got up and turned to the door.

"And just remember whoever you choose, me and your father will be happy with. Well, unless he's really awful then we might not. Anyways have a good night and start looking over those applications."

"Goodnight mom."

"Goodnight Rose." My mom said as she opened the door, walked out, and shut it. I sat on my bed and spread all the photos and applications out. I remembered some of the names. But I never knew what any of them looked like. I spent about an hour and a half looking at everything. As I placed all the photos and applications back in the folder I realized that by this time next year, I could be married and one of these guys would be my husband. Their fate rested in my hands.

The week past very quickly. Creating menu's, setting up rooms, and taking to the press. Finally the day came where all the guys were sent up to Palace. They would have the whole day to settle in, then I would meet them all the next day. So I stayed in my room most of the day. Reviewing things and making sure I knew every name and every face. It was around 10 pm and I was heading to the garden. It always made me feel relaxed. As I got closer I saw someone out there. At first I thought it might be a guard doing his rounds, but as I got closer I realized it was a few of the Selected. About four of them talking. Be cool. I told myself. There trying to impress you not the other way around. Relax, act confident, and of course be charming.

"Hey." I say as I walk up to them, stopping all conversation. At first they were frozen in place, but of course they all bowed to me, saying hello your highness. As they all straiten I give one of my award winning smiles. I see some of their faces soften and can finally see their faces. I recognized them it was Jayson, Matt, Logan, and Nick.

"So do you guys all know each other?" I remembered they all lived close to each other.

"Kind of, we all flew on the same plane coming over here." Logan, he was a Five.

"Cool! So, do you guys like the gardens?" I asked, batting my eyes.

"There beautiful! I always love watching the stars come out." Jayson, he was a Four. He was one of the only ones I actually had things in common with.

"Ya, they really are pretty. Especially here over the beautiful gardens." I looked up and realized I wasn't really supposed to talk to them.

"Well I hope you all get a good night's sleep and I will see you a breakfast tomorrow morning." They all bowed and I walked up to my room, actually excited for the morning.

As I woke up in the morning I felt my heart trying to beat out of my chest.

"Time for breakfast, your highness!" Megan calls helping me out of bed and into the bathroom. After I take a bath I put on the perfect gown. A blue, lacey, dress that fans out at the bottom and has sleeves going to my wrists. Putting my hair into a braid that rested over my shoulders. Ready to meet the Selected.

Hope you all liked the first chapter! I love reviews and I would love to know who you think Rose will choose. Thanks for reading!