Sorry, everyone! I'm soooo sorry I haven't updated in forever, but seriously, school and teachers seem determined not to let me access fanfiction! Here is the next chapter, featuring Prince Daniel and Remy Harlow, from Thedaffodilqueen! Enjoy, and review your comments and ideas! The next chapter may be out a month or two later, although there is no guarantee this time!

Prince Daniel

"My Lord."

"Have my orders been carried out?"

"Yes. To the letter."

"Very well. Let us see the results." I pressed a button on the armrest and started the plasma screen TV.

A commercial advertising toothpaste came on. I frowned.

"My Lord, do you want that toothpaste company to file for bankruptcy? We have..."

"No need. I am in a good mood today." I smiled when the commercial ended and The Report came on.

"In the latest news, Lord Burton Rolle, Chairman of Rolle Industries, have been discovered to have been testing his products on primates and is currently under fire from animal rights activist groups. More than 300 people sporting banners and calling slogans stormed the administrative centre of Rolle Industries today. Lord Rolle himself is currently under home arrest and awaiting trial. Terrie Jo has the whole story..."

I turned the TV off and looked at the man currently trembling at my feet. "Explain your actions."

"We went through the whole file and only this can cause enough uproar to grab the headlines over your father's written guideline to have the news about your Highness' Selection at the top."

"My father..." I chuckled. "I don't blame you, but stop the people before they wreck our greatest ally. And have Rolle released on Cruelty to Animals for Human Safety."

Alvin looked up, confused. I smiled before explaining. "I think his product contains some innovative but previously unknown and untested substance..."

"Yes, my Lord." Alvin disappeared.

I put my hands behind my back and waited. 5...4...3...2...1...

A maid hurried in and showed me a bird-shaped pass. I nodded and she scurried off. A minute later a man in smart casual came in. "You called, my Lord?"

I eyed him. "Is there any news about that interesting applicant from Paloma?"

"Yes. We have collected extensive information on her and we think she can serve as the distraction. We have already arranged for her to win a lucky draw to the Capital."

"And the rightful winner? Did the person get adequate compensation?"

"He knows nothing about his winning, as per your instructions. He is a civil servant. After he won, his hidden talent came out and he was promoted. He is now under a very heavy workload with a very high wage." The man, who was a member of Daniel's personal bodyguard, smiled a little as he remembered how the prince had planned it. And not even his father knew about his involvement. All he knew was that anything given to that guy was suddenly done much better and much faster.

Another maid came in. "Your Highness, your cousin is outside and wishes to see you."

"Let him in." The maid nodded, bowed and exited. The guard disappeared.

Five minutes later, Sir Victor Stone stood leaning against the balcony rails. "I've heard that Prince Rei of New Asia himself is going to visit Illea soon with some lucrative treaties. And he's bringing his sister with him." Victor fixed the Prince with an amused look, waiting for his response to this bomb.

Prince Daniel, true to his reputation of being a smiling piece of jade, just smiled. "Well, if they're bringing new opportunities to Illea, we should welcome them. After all, our trading ties have been severely damaged by the foolish old King and the parallel importing of tea has put a bad dent in their finances and it is no wonder Rei is coming to us for help on this matter. In any case, the Illean tea trade has been an oligopoly for far too long and I think we've let the fat tea traders and their corporations make enough profit. As for the New Asian Princess...she's certainly welcome as a guest. I'll arrange a tour of the capital city for her."

"So you plan on letting them down like that? She's probably here to..."

"Too little to do recently, Victor? The rebels in Dominica are acting up again. I was thinking of sending you to..."

"Ahem. It's okay, cousin Daniel. Ah...I think I left the oven on." No way he was going to that hellhole. Victor turned tail and ran, breaking the record for the best reason to run from someone as fast as possible as far as possible.

Daniel watched the trail of dust Victor left in his wake fade and settle. Chuckling, he went to make his plans. Prince Rei...he hadn't met his old friend in a long time. The fact that they lost to each other where they've never lost before made them the best rivals and frenemies.

A long shadow caught Daniel's eye. Creeping along the wall with so little stealth...the palace guards really need some polishing. Daniel sat down and began his bedtime reading. The assassin was creeping toward him. Okay, so his feet didn't make any noise on the marble ground. If Daniel hadn't seen him then he wouldn't know he was being crept up on.

The assassin, not knowing that he had just redeemed his reputation as an assassin in his victim's mind, struck out, and cut thin air. The warm, friendly voice of Prince Daniel spoke behind him. "Perhaps, dear sir, you should think of pursuing another career before you return to this life." Those words were accompanied with a palm at his back and a powerful surge of chi. His internal organs and blood bubbled, boiled and burst. The assassin fell, writhing in extreme agony. Five guards entered before blood came spurting out of his body and made the floor dirty.

Prince Daniel watched, smile never wavering, as his personal bodyguard took the body away and the guards on duty prepared to be punished.

"Who?" Daniel asked the night outside.

"Investigating." Alvin answered.

"I'll give you a week. 168 hours, starting now."

"Yes, my Lord." Alvin shuddered a little before retreating back into the shadows.

"So you want to play games, huh? Very well...I'll oblige." Daniel's smile turned cold before he walked back to his table and continued his reading.

Remy Harlow

Remy fidgeted. This was not her to be so agitated about something. Then again, it wasn't every day you got your father to smuggle your form for the Selection to the Post Office while your mother was dead against it, either.

"Remy, letter for you!" Her mother called.

Remy ran out, and read the letter, shock growing on her face. "I won the lucky draw!"

"What is it about? What is the prize?" Remy rolled her eyes. Her mother was always so practical Remy sometimes wondered if some weird mutation had taken away her mother's ability to imagine stuff.

"Mind your manners, young lady!"

"Sorry, mother. Well, it's a financial package, with trust funds that pay out monthly, and a free trip to the Capital."

"Very well. You may take the trip, and I'll allow you some funds for your trip. And you should thank me for not telling you off about how you shouldn't gamble..."

"I'm back! Um...what is it you two are brewing again?" Her father looked a little confused. After all, he knew his wife just like he knew the sun rose from the east every morning. Her smiling outside their bedroom was something unheard of yet.

"She just won financial security for all of us and a trip to the Capital for herself. Weren't you talking about her entering the Selection? Well, she has my blessing now."

"Good. I've submitted her form already."

"What! Without my permission?"

"Katrina, Remy has her own life to live. It's not like you or I can stop her footsteps. And you were right about her having virtually no chance as a Seven. So why not let her take this chance?"

"Remy, answer me. Are you ready to take responsibility for your own actions? Are you ready for any consequences if you do get selected?"

"I...I am, mother."

Her mother sighed, but Remy thought she saw a glint of pride in her eyes. "All right. You've made your choice. Good luck, and happy traveling, Remy. If you fall on any misfortune..." Her mother beamed at her. At that moment, Remy knew that her mother had loved her just as much as her father did. It was just that...their love took on different guises. "...we are family, and a family supports any and all members."

"Thanks, mother." Remy blinked the tears out of her eyes and went to her room to pack.

So that was the first chapter? How was it? Tell me in a review! And remember: Submissions are open until the end of April! Send in your beautiful (okay, maybe not) OCs!

1) What do you think about Prince Daniel?

2) What do you think Prince Rei is really here for? (Oh, please. You're not that naive, are you?!)

Prize: anyone who answers question 2 correctly and has submitted a character gets an instant pass! One slot only!