CHAPTER 1:

The Selection has started, and I'm standing outside of the palace.

Oh no, it's not what you think. I'm not in the stupid contest - I didn't even enter, though May practically begged me to. I received a job there as a maid, one that will pay much more than my random singing gigs. Though I hate to leave my music behind, as well as Aspen and my family, I know it's the right thing to do. My family won't have to spend money on me anymore; maybe they won't be hungry with one less mouth to feed.

The gates open wide and two guards escort me inside, flanking me on either side. One carries my small suitcase - full of the few clothes and belongings I own - and the other holds a rifle vertically. Though I haven't heard much, it seems as if the rebel attacks are becoming more frequent. By the looks of the stiff guard to my right, I can tell these rumors are true.

The palace is stunningly large, with extravagant windows and lovely carpets, golden frames and spotless floors. It's quite shocking, actually. Life as a Five has not prepared me for such luxuries.

Even though I'm serving as a maid, my room isn't horrible. There's a twin sized bed with a comfortable mattress, warm blankets and fluffy pillows. There's even a small desk and cushioned chair stuffed inside the room. It's not heaven, but it's much better than anything I had at home. I mean, the sheets are silk. Silk.

I fold what little clothes I have into the desk and find the closet stocked full with uniforms. Since I'm supposed to start today - as the contestants of the Selection are arriving this afternoon - I slip into one of the cotton dresses and twirl my hair into a bun. I take a look in the small mirror on the wall. I'm not exactly happy with my appearance as a maid, but it doesn't sadden me, either. It can't be that bad. At least the food will be good.

—

Hours later, I'm being initiated as maid by helping a skinny little brat into a red dress another maid - Lucy, I believe - made for her. I've been assigned to be this girl Celeste's maid for the whole of the contest. She's tall and beautiful, with gorgeous brown hair, and a whole library of magazine covers. Apparently she's a famous model, though I've never heard of her.

"What the hell?" she snaps, jumping away from my touch as I start to fix her hair.

"I'm sorry, miss, I was just trying to do your hair." I want to slap her, as she's been a complete bitch for the past few hours, but I hold it in. The last thing I need is to be fired on my first day. Think of your family. Think of the money.

"You don't touch me unless I give you permission to. Got it?" she snarls, flipping her hair over her shoulder as if to punctuate her point. Ugh. It makes me want to barf.

"Yes, miss." The sarcasm angers her, but she doesn't say anything. Instead, she finishes getting ready on her own, not desiring my help. She lets Lucy do her makeup, though. Anne fixes the fit on her dress. And I wait patiently near the door, watching and trying to learn.

When Celeste feels as if she looks like Prince Maxon's perfect wife, she heads downstairs. Not as if she'll meet him today. That won't come till tomorrow morning, I'm told. But she still is eager to impress - which apparently means showing as much cleavage as possible.

"America, why don't you go down the Prince's room?" Anne suggests after Celeste is long gone.

"What?" I ask, stunned. Why on earth would I, of all people, be sent to the Prince's room? He's important. I'm not. And I'm new. I barely know how to iron a shirt, let alone the prince's shirt.

"He will be gone for a few hours, attending dinner with his family and then business with his father. Usually the head maids take care of his room, but they're all busy with the Selection. And since you're just learning the ropes, you'll have at least 3 hours to get adjusted to the system."

"But, I can't do that alone. I … I don't know anything." Even if I had 3 hours to clean his chambers, it would be impossible without some guidance. I've cleaned at my house before, but those were basic chores. I've never had to dust silver vases and fold silk sheets. This is completely different.

"Don't worry, Lucy will come with you and show you the basics. You need to learn sometime. Might as well start when the whole castle is preoccupied."

It's not like I couldn't turn down the offer - Anne would understand my fearfulness. But I feel like doing so would be the wrong move. Besides, how bad can it be? It's just a bedroom. I've cleaned my own before. I can handle it, right? Right? "Fine."

"Come on, we don't want to waste time," Lucy chimes in, gesturing towards the door. Anne gives me a reassuring nod before Lucy pulls me out of the door and leads me to the Prince's room.

—-

We've been cleaning for two and a half hours when Lucy gets called on by Anne for help. I sigh, left alone in the Prince's large room, and continue my dusting. The place is nearly spotless by now, but I still feel worried the Prince will be angered with my job. It's not that I care about his opinion - he's nothing but a high-class spoiled jerk who's going to ruin 34 girls' lives. But if his opinion reaches the king, there goes my job.

I scrub furiously in an attempt to make the desk shinier.

I hear footsteps entering and figure it's just Lucy coming back. Or one of the other maids, volunteering to help. "Do you think you could pass me that rag?" I ask, not bothering to turn my head. A second later, a rag is dropped down beside me and I use it to finish off the job. "Thanks."

"Of course," someone replies, but it's definitely not Lucy. Or any of the other maids.

The voice is male.

I turn around and fight back a shriek when I realize how utterly and completely stupid I am. How idiotic and foolish I was to think it was Lucy. This is the Prince's chambers. Who else would be standing in front of me, handing me a washrag, but the Prince himself?

TBC