Chapter 2- Isadora Spritz and Alexandra Redmond

Isadora POV

"You don't have to do this." Isadora sighed as heard her Mom trail after her as she looked around her room for certain things she wanted to bring with her to the Palace.

Isadora turned to look at her Mom, who was almost the exact same spitting image as her, she had straight black hair, but instead of dark gray eyes, she had dark brown eyes and her skin was a bit paler than her own.

"It can't be helped now can it Mom?" Isadora said, meeting her Mom's dark eyes. "I mean, Prince Payton announced my name for his Selection and there is no way to pull out. Not that I'd want to."

"But Isadora," Her Mom, or rather Pauline said, "You could try to get eliminated early on. The house won't be the same without you."

"It will be. You still have Stephanie and the boys to keep you company. Besides, we need the money don't we?" Isadora pointed out, giving her Mom a kind smile.

Ever since her Dad had died of cancer last year, it was harder to keep the household afloat an even if her Mom didn't want to admit it, the family was barely pulling through the cost of living. How could they? True, they were a four family, so they were a bit better off in the caste system of Illéa, but losing half of the income wasn't easy, even for them.

"We can still pull through." Pauline insisted, watching as her eldest daughter searched her room for some things. "You shouldn't give up on the chance of love for the Prince."

"I'm not. I'm entering his Selection, that doesn't mean that I'll be selected as the next Queen of Illéa." Actually, it was the opposite, Isadora thought to herself. She always considered herself to be practical and not a romantic like some other girls; she knew that there was little chance that Prince Payton would choose her in the end. She wasn't overly pretty and she didn't know if the Prince would appreciate a girl who would rather spend all day outside instead of sipping tea or chatting with other girls.

The most important thing about the Selection was that her family would be given money as long as she was in the competition, so that would be a large benefit. And if there was the off-chance that the Prince and she did hit it off... well... she wouldn't say no to truly falling in love with him. From what she'd seen of him on the report, he seemed genuinely kind and he didn't look too bad. For the most part, she'd save her judgments until she met him face to face.

"I just don't want you to get heart broken Isadora," Pauline said, to her daughter. "I also don't want you to lose yourself."

Isadora paused at that, "What do you mean Mom?"

"Well, I don't want you to feel as if you have to compete with those other girls. You're beautiful and if the Prince can't see it, don't change yourself for him. Also, if they treat you horribly or try to put you down, don't retaliate, it will only make it worse. And, it's not like you too, so don't change who you are to get even." Pauline said.

"I won't Mom," Isadora said, turning to fully look at her Mom. "I won't change, I promise."

After a moment of staring into her daughter's dark gray eyes, Pauline finally smiled. "I trust you to keep that promise."

"I will," Isadora said reassuringly. She watched as her Mom left her room, closing the door quietly behind her. She meant it too, the people at the Palace would have to move heaven and Earth to get her to change.

Alexandra POV

"Don't do that color. It looks bad on you." Alexandra Madison Redmond turned to look up at the voice behind her, her dark brown eyes narrowing slightly as she turned to look at her Sister-in-law.

Hadley Burke was the daughter of a famous actor and she was also married to her brother, Jacob. In truth, she wasn't a horrible or mean person, but growing up the daughter of a famous actor definitely made her a know-it-all when it came to fashion and make-up. It also didn't help that Hadley was model gorgeous with thick, waves of auburn hair and beautiful blue eyes the color of a clear sky in summer; she was also pretty considerate and kind to the lower caste despite her richer upbringing; it was no wonder that her brother loved her.

"You don't think it goes with me?" Alexandra asked looking at the older girl in disbelief. She had been trying to see what colors went good with her complexion. It hadn't been as important to her in the past but now she had to win over the Prince, so she wanted the maids that she would be given to make the most beautiful dresses that would accent her features and coloring.

Hadley gave her a gentle smile as she joined her at her dressing drawer, dozens of colored fabric squares laid out in front of her.

"That shade of yellow is too bright, at least, I think for the Palace." Hadley began looking over at the different cuts of color. "You are very fair in hair and skin tone, so go for shades of blue or green, maybe purple. If you want drastic, maybe even red."

"Okay." Alexandra nodded, knowing that the tips Hadley were giving would only work on her favor. "Anything else I should do?"

"For make-up, try to go for natural colors, blue eye-liner would really bring out those dark eyes of yours. And..." Hadley hesitated, looking over at Alexandra's body and she just knew what was going to come next.

Alexandra sighed, rolling her dark eyes. "Go on. I know what you want to say."

Hadley gave her an apologetic look as she continued. "When your maids make your dresses, make sure that there is no cut at the waist and that the dress flows straight. It won't accent your... curves too much."

"Please." Alexandra said, "I know that I've always been on the chubby side and that I don't have real curves like some other girls. But, I finally get to meet the Prince after all these years of only seeing him on the report! Maybe I'll even be the next Queen!"

"Yes." A deep voice interrupted their conversation and both women turned to see Alexandra's Father, George and her brother Jacob standing at the entrance of her room. "If you play your cards right, Alexandra, you will become a Queen and our family's standing will go even higher. Do not lose to anyone."

Alexandra met her Dad's dark eyes and gulped. He was always a strict man in his upbringing. He could even be frightening at times, and the two of them shared too many characteristics that she would have liked. She definitely got her dark eyes and fair skin from him. Her blonde hair, she'd gotten from her Mom; a woman who had left their family when Alexandra herself was only five.

"I would never lose," Alexandra said calmly, being Queen would be very nice. But she'd get to meet Payton, it was her dream after all. She also didn't plan to lose to those other girls, she'd snatch up Prince Payton's affection and become his Queen and just maybe... she could finally learn why her Mom left. Maybe, her Mom would even reach out to her if she was Queen.

"Do you think Mom will talk to me if I become Queen?" She vocalized her question as she looked up at her Dad.

Immediately, her Dad's eyes darkened in anger as he glared at her. "That woman has been out of our lives for fourteen years. There is no need to bring up the past Alexandra, as I've always said." His whole body seemed to tense as if he were trying to control his anger at the mention of his former wife. "The fact that she left you and your brother should be enough for you to not want anything to do with her." With that, her Dad stormed away from the rest of the family, leaving them to stare silently after him.

"Now you've done it." Alexandra turned to look at her brother, he didn't really look like her. He had dark brown hair and light brown eyes, and he had a lean, but muscular built. "You know that Dad always throws a fit when you mention Mom, I don't even know why you still try."

"Do you know why Mom left Jacob?" Alexandra asked. She had tried asking her brother a few times and the answer was always the same. No.

Jacob sighed, settling beside Hadley who had become silent. She didn't really like their Dad either. "You know I don't. And I don't agree with a lot of things Dad says but maybe you should let go of Mom, Alex."

Alex. Only Jacob ever called her Alex and she loved it. It was their special thing between siblings.

Maybe she should, but she just couldn't. "Are you excited for me to become Queen?" She asked her brother instead.

Jacob hesitated for a moment before sighing. "If that's what you want, Alex, I am behind you all the way."

Alexandra smiled in relief if her brother didn't support her, she didn't know what she would do. Her brother was her one constant shoulder to cry on.

"I just want you to be happy," Jacob said.

"I will be," Alexandra promised her brother. She talked a bit longer with both her brother and Hadley before they both left too and she was left to her thoughts.

She couldn't wait to meet the Prince and she knew that she'd try to do everything in her power to win him over. She didn't know if it should have been possible to fall in love without meeting someone but she had. All she had to do was win.

Isadora Spritz Character Sheet:

First and Last Name: Isadora Maria Spritz

Caste: 4

Age: 18

Province: Hansport

Personality: She is very competitive and athletic. She also cares a lot about her family and is willing to do anything for them. She is not so much a romantic but is willing to give love a try. She's level-headed and while not competitive, she is extremely friendly and open. Willing to try to make friends with the other Selected girls.

Hobbies: She likes sports, especially soccer and volleyball. She also likes to go out and run.

History: Her Mom is Pauline and her sister is Stephanie. She also has two younger brothers named Henry and William. She also had a Dad whose name was Gregory. Her family used to be a very happy one with all they needed in the world. However, that happiness crumbled when her Dad died of cancer the year before the selection and her family started to struggle because they had lost a main part of their family and money came by harder.

Motivation: She wants to join the selection to help her family because of their financial situation. She wants to get some money from the Selection to help the family.

Job(s): None

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Dark gray

Skin Color: Fair but tanned by the sun

Height: 5'7

Other Information: None

Alexandra Redmond SYOC Sheet:

First and Last name (Middle name optional): Alexandra Madison Redmond

Caste: 2

Age: 19

Province: Fennely

Personality: Alexandra has never been described as a quitter. When she sets her mind to something she gets what she wants. Even if she has to take somewhat drastic measures, and she can turn very nasty very quickly when you get in her way. Alexandra makes friends, and she is fun to be around, but she will throw someone under the bus to help her get ahead. She likes pop music, and loves candy.

Hobbies (Optional): she likes to paint and play with her cat, Jelly bean

History (At least a slight background): Alexandra's mother, Calliope, left her dad, George, and brother, Jacob who is 6 years older than Alexandra, when Alexandra was 5. Alexandra doesn't know why and her father has always been dismissive of her questions. Alexandra got her cat when she was 15 after annoying her dad about it for 2 years. She was her class president 3 times. Her brother Jacob is married to Hadley Burke, the daughter of a famous actor.

Job (Optional): Alexandra is in Billington university, an Ivy League school.

Hair color: she has extremely pale blonde hair that reaches the middle of her shoulder blades

Skin Color: extremely pale, and very fair

Eye Color: she has dark brown eyes

Height: 5'4

Any Other information (Optional): she is a bit in the chubby side and weighs 143 pounds. She is extremely allergic to bee stings and shellfish.