A/N: Hello Readers! Thank you for visiting my story. I recently finished The Elite and immediately became intrigued by the Marlee/Carter love story. However, I found that there is only one fanfic out there for them, so I decided to write my own! I am going to attempt to chronicle their relationship from their very first meeting until after the whipping (at what point, I'm not sure). This is just a quick intro to the story with their first meeting, so it's very short. I should be updating pretty frequently now that school is out for summer. I haven't written in quite a long time, so please excuse any errors or general suckiness in my writing. Constructive criticism is always welcome and greatly appreciated :) Thanks for reading guys!

"You really are lovely, Lady Marlee." Prince Maxon nuzzled up against my neck as we sat in the garden. "But I'm afraid I must return to work now. Shall I walk you to your room?"

Maxon was sweet to offer, but I wanted some time alone. "Thank you, your majesty, but I think I'll be okay."

Maxon kissed my cheek and hurried off in the other direction. I made my way over to the large double doors that lead me back inside. I left the rose-filled garden and entered the marble wonderland that was the great foyer of the palace. Two large staircases bordered the edges of the room, and I scurried up the leftmost one. Upon reaching the top, I turned left, then right, and then left again. I made another right before I realized I was nowhere near my room. I spun around only to find myself walking straight into a member of the guard and falling backwards before I even had time to comprehend what was happening.

"Oh, my Lady, I'm so sorry!" The guard guided me up slowly, making sure he hadn't damaged any property of Illea. "Did I hurt you?"

I brushed off my dress and smoothed my hair before looking up at the guard. "No, no I'm fine…Officer Woodwork. I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. I was…umm…"

Suddenly I was at a loss for words as I looked up at him. He was good looking and I immediately got nervous. Typical Marlee move. Freeze up and act like an idiot around gorgeous boys. I've done this at least a thousand times throughout my life.

"Lost?" He smiled down at me, showing off a single dimple on his left cheek. He looked young. He looked to be my age.

"Yeah, actually." I breathed out, sounding quite exasperated. "I've been here for weeks and still can't seem to find my way anywhere."

I twirled my fingers around and around. He was looking at me so intently that it made me nervous. On top of that, he was very good looking. Broad shoulders cropped blond hair, green eyes. Not that it should matter. He was just a member of the guard, and I was just a participant of the selection on my way back to my room after a date with the prince.

"Well, then allow me to escort you back to your room." He gave me another quick smile and started walking. "So, how has your time at the palace been so far?"

"Good. Prince Maxon has been wonderful to us all." It was true. He had been the perfect gentleman, but I just wasn't sure if he was what I was looking for. He was all I had imagined he would be, but still didn't make me feel…complete.

"Maxon is a good man. He cares about people." Officer Woodwork agreed with me. Officer Woodwork. Suddenly, I was desperate to know his first name, so I asked.

"Most members of the selection barely acknowledge the guards, and here you are, the most beautiful girl in the competition, asking my name." He laughed and continued on. "I'm Carter. Carter Woodwork. Formerly a four from St. George. And you are Marley Tames, a former four from Kent."

I looked at him, eyes wide, rosy color surfacing on my cheeks. I was somewhat confused yet oddly happy that he knew so much about me. Then I realized he probably knew about all the girls in the selection. It was part of his job.

"I am. I'm the only four left in the competition, actually. Celeste is a two, Kriss and Elise are threes, and America is a 5. It seems, though, that America is the favorite." I say, crossing my arms and pulling my sweater closer to my body.

"That's what I've heard. The king doesn't like her much though." Carter smirks as we approach my room.

I didn't know that. America is a lovely girl, and I have no idea why the king wouldn't adore her. When I told Carter this, he just laughed, saying something about keeping up appearances.

"Well, all the girls here are lovely, really. I mean, Celeste is just gorgeous, and Kriss is so classy, and Elise, well, she's so worldly." Carter glanced over at me as I spoke of all the girls. They really were all wonderful. No wonder Prince Maxon was having a tough time deciding.

We reach my room, and I thank Carter for the escort. Just as I'm about to shut my door, he calls out to me.

"Marlee? If I was Prince Maxon, I would have chosen you already." He says with a bashful smile. He mumbles a goodnight and heads down the hallway.

I close the door, goofy smile on my face, and try to ignore the butterflies flitting around in my stomach.