Prince Ben was well and truly mad as he read the morning newspaper. Last night he had just filmed what he considered a decent Report, and yet the public still had complaints.

"'Why do we have him ruling our country? Marinette would be so much better?'" he quoted, reading the article. "Why are they even allowed to publish these things? If I was king, I'd behead them."

"Judging by how much the public hate you and how likely they are to assassinate you, you won't ever be king," said a voice, and Ben's twin sister Marinette popped her head into the door which he had apparently left open. "You've read the article?"

"Considering a certain someone left it by my room this morning, yes, I have," Ben grumbled, but grudgingly allowed her to come in and sit next to him.

She stayed silent for a few minutes, then sighed. "Ben, you know as well as I do that these people are probably never going to stop spreading the rumours."

When Ben and Marinette had been 5 years old, some ridiculous person had started the rumour that Marinette was the rightful heir to the throne. It made sense to the rest of Illea because Marinette had been half a head taller than Ben, their parents appreciated the old customs, and Ben had not been a very sensible baby. However, instead of fading away over the years, the rumour had gotten worse, and now more than half the country believed that Ben was not fit to rule.

"That helps," Ben grumbled.

Marinette groaned. "I know, I know, it's really stupid! I don't want to be queen either. But there's no way that anything I'll say that will stop all the rebels out there."

"Hold on, there are rebels?" Ben asked, suddenly alarmed. "Southern or Northern? Since when? How many? Will they attack?" Then he saw Marinette's annoyed expression and relaxed. "Oh. You mean people who don't think I should be king."

"So, I've been thinking these past few days," Marinette began, and Ben braced himself for the horrible suggestion that was to come.

"And I've decided that the best way for the people to start getting used to you is to have a selection!"

"WHAT?" Ben demanded, standing up and glaring at her. "Mar, are you insane? Me, have a selection?"

"It's the perfect solution!" she insisted, her eyes gleaming. "You're 18 now, and the public still sees you as unfit to rule. You're of age to have a selection. They'll start accepting that you're their ruler and will get to watch their future queen too! It'll also keep their minds off all your mistakes, and more on all the girls!

Ben loved Marinette, he really did, but sometimes he wished she wasn't so self-assured and goddamn smart.

"Oh, and I've already suggested it to Mom," Marinette added, smiling. "She should have everything up and running by the end of the week."

"Do you know how much I want to chuck this pillow at you right now?" Ben snapped. He had just woken up and read yet another negative article about him, and then his lovely sister had come in and announced to him the worst news ever. His morning was going great.

As if his sister could read his thoughts, Marinette frowned. "You… Really don't like the idea of a selection?"

"The only experience I've had with girls is the princess of Italy," Ben said flatly. "And look how well that turned out."

Well, that was a lie, but he was most certainly not going into details with Marinette about his previous affairs.

Marinette raised an eyebrow at his statement, seeming to sense the lie, but shrugged. "Come on, Ben, you have to try. For our country."

Ben groaned and leaned back on his bed. "Fine. Now go away."

She rolled her eyes, which Ben figured she'd done about 50 times in the last few minutes. "By the way, you're 20 minutes late for breakfast. I thought I'd let you know before Mom decides to add five more girls per province to your selection."

And that was how Prince Ben's morning went.

A/N: Hey guys, so this is my first SYOC! This is just a little bit of insight into Ben and Marinette. How do you like them? Reviews are much appreciated!

Currently there are 30 spots available, seeing as 5 will be random made-up fillers. The form and list of girls will be on my profile! If you're a guest, submit your form through review, but if you have an account please send it through private message!

Please try and make diverse characters, from all different castes and maybe even a few different countries? I would really love a Swendish, Italian or Asian girl! (Just please don't make all of them have translators). Maybe also some mean girls, because we can never have enough drama, or some girls who are there just for the money? It's all up to you, but I'm expecting a lot from you! ;)

Remember, the more detail your character has, the better chance of your character making it to the Elite! DETAIL IS KEY.

Until next time!

~rysa