I woke up in my bed with a vague feeling that I dreamed last evening. I knew I didn't but I never felt this way before. I'd discovered a new feeling. It was normal for me to react this way. To fit the occasion I wore my bright yellow knee-length dress. I couldn't hide my smile and wasn't trying to. For once that disturbing feeling of loneliness wasn't present in my mind.

I sat down for breakfast. There was chocolate-chip pancakes, strawberry tarts, boiled eggs and much more. I reached for the strawberry tarts as they were my favorite. When Arrow came down for breakfast he was beaming. We glanced at one another and grinned.

Niko was sitting next to me. "About yesterday. I'm sorry. I just—"

"Don't worry about it," I said cutting him off.

"Are you sure? I—"

"I'm fine. Arrow and I are in a better place now. No need to fret." I assured him and ruffled his hair. He laughed.

"Okay, Tu." and all his focus was on the waffle before him.

Mom studied me if something was wrong…or right. "Kerttu darling, you look" she paused, "different today."

"Do I Mom? It might be my makeup." I knew that's not what she meant but she took that for an answer and resumed her breakfast.

I looked over my side and noticed Daddy frowning, reading the front cover of an Illéa Weekly magazine. "What is it?" I groaned. It was probably some fake scandal about the royal family.

"Oh, Tu. The people think that the only reason you're having a Selection is to distract them from the real problem at hand." He replied with a sigh and then quickly added, "Not that there is a problem…" I rolled my eyes.

"Daddy, you were always bad at lying. Spill." Daddy sighed again and continued, "The former northern rebels don't think you're worthy enough to have that crown present on your head."

"But wha—what have I done to prove I'm not worthy?" I asked perplexed. I hadn't done anything that the rebels should question right or wrong.

"That's the point. You haven't really done anything at all." I wanted to come back at Daddy saying, 'I've done many things in my life!' but he was right. He continued, "They only think this because your grandmother and grandfather were friends with the leaders of the northern rebels for a bit, but after a while, their friendship broke. And now... they resent every Schreave alive."

It was my turn to sigh. "Mom, is that why you thought a selection would be a good idea for me? So I can find a partner so everyone knows I can manage being the heir?"

Mom had a sorrowed look for me. "Well yes, but I also wanted you to have the opportunity to find a partner the way I did, through a Selection."

"You do realize you didn't even choose a contestant, right?"

"Yes, but we would've never met if it weren't for the selection." Daddy chuckled and then looked at Mom as if she were the most beautiful thing on the planet. Mom blushed. Dad leaned into Mom and gave her a passionate but loving kiss.

"Mom, Dad? Everyone can see you…" Niko said taking the words out of my mouth." Mom blushed even more fiercely and pulled apart from Dad.

Dad laughed and said, "As if you won't grow up to do this." This time Niko was the one to blush.

"Speaking of love," Grandma Mer started. "When are you going to announce the selected?"

Niko looked like he was happy to have had the subject changed. "I was thinking Sunday evening during the Report would be a good time. When everyone's waiting for work and school to come and wants to watch a little television."

"That sounds great, Niko! We'll have the announcement this Sunday, then." Dad replied. It took everything in me to suppress rolling my eyes. Niko was always such a know it all.

The rest of breakfast was a bore. I had nothing to do so I excused myself and went to my study.

I sat down on the teal colored loveseat with gold buttons. I propped my elbow up on the side of it and sighed. I'd have to announce the selected in 3 days. I couldn't help but wonder how the palace would change with 35 boys running around the place. I mean Colt and Arrow are already— Oh my god! Arrow! What am I going to do about him? I mean, we shared a kiss. That might mean something. I'm not sure about anything anymore. To relieve my mind of stress, I poured myself into my work again may I add. Most people would think I'm crazy but trust me, it works like a charm. After a while, the sound of footsteps broke my work-trance. I turned to the door and someone bowed. I squinted. James Fadaye. "Hello, Mr. Fadaye. What brings you to my study?" I asked confused. He and I never really interacted that much except for a few times during reports. He was 25, the new royal announcer after Liam Cohen and the famous Gavril Fadaye's grandson. The plan was Liam would host my selection and then James would take over.

"Hello, Your Highness," he said shifting a bit, uncomfortable.

"Please, call me Kerttu."

"Okay, Your High— I mean Kerttu. But if I'm calling you by your name then you're calling me James."

"Okay, Mr. Fad— I mean James." We laughed. I kind of liked him. He had a warming personality, similar to Aunt Alice.

"As I said earlier, what brings you here?" James thought for a moment as if reconsidering something.

"Umm, well. I don't know how to put this into words. Would you let me host your selection?" his eyes were a bit hoping and I could see they were also bracing themselves for rejection. To be honest, I was a bit taken aback. I mean, Liam could be the star of the show, he must have a lot of faith invested in James.

Before I could say anything else, I said, "Of course. It would be lovely." James's eyes lit up.

"Really? I have it all approved. Liam said it would be okay. I spoke to your parents and they told me it was up to you. I don't believe this!" his words came out in a fast, jumbled mess. I chuckled.

"Do I have to repeat it again?" I said, as queen-like as I could.

"No Kerttu! Thank you! Thank you so much!" his smile took up half of his face.

"You're welcome. Now get on with yourself before I change my mind."

"Goodbye!" he bowed again and exited the room.

I felt happy. I was trying to do things for other people and now I'd achieved that. It would be fun having James host the selection. Or should I say interesting because he's not that experienced? No. I convinced myself. It will be fun. I laughed nervously.

I looked at the clock on the light blue wall. 12:09. Okay. Wait! 12:09! I was late for lunch! I raced down the hallway and down the stairs. Mom would kill me. I didn't mind the bewildered expressions of all the maids passing by.

I was almost to the dining hall until a high pitched scream went off. I covered my ears and recognised it as the sound I was told to run to a safe room if I ever heard. I tried my best to run to the safe room in my heels and dress until I noticed something tugging my arm. I looked a little to my right and there was a guard. Not just any guard. A guard pointing his gun at me. I froze. "Come on Princess. You're coming with me," he said in a deep, dark voice. I couldn't see his face because he was covering it with his hat. I could only see his crooked half-smile I somehow recognized. His jaw was sharp. I'm sure if I could fully see his face he would look handsome but obviously, that wasn't happening as of now.

I didn't budge. "Come, or I will shoot," he said angrily. I started to walk but slowly. We ran into another guard which he tried to shoot down but failed as the idiotic guard started to run away. Ugg! I thought. A rebel attack? Now? I probably would just die before my selection even started. "Walk faster," he said. I didn't want my funeral to be anytime soon so I sped-walked.

We entered a safe-room. Isn't that ironic. I'm supposed to be safe in a safe room yet I'm with a guard, well a rebel who's about to kill me. I almost laughed. He shut the door. "Wh—who are y—you? And wha—at are y—you going t—to do to m—me?" I stuttered.

"Shut up." he paused. He seemed a bit nervous like he was regretting what he was doing. "Call me N.R."

"What does that stand for?" I asked intrigued.

"Are you stupid? Northern rebel." I gasped.

"I thought rebel activity stopped!" I blurted.

"I thought the future queen was supposed to be smart. Of course, we didn't just stop."

"You still didn't answer my question." I started. "What are you going to do to me? Kill me? Torture me?"

"No, I would—" he hesitated. "I just can't—" N.R.'s crooked smile had disappeared completely. "This is why I hate parents." N.R. somehow opened the safe room door and told me to go. "Go, before I change my mind," he mumbled. I ran as fast as I could. I heard the sound of guards opening all the safe rooms.

Then I saw her. "Mom!" I exclaimed. "I've never been so happy to see you!"

"Are you alright? When your father and I heard the rebel alarm we were so scared!" Mom asked worriedly.

"Wait...WHAT? That was the rebel alarm! No wonder I ran into…I mean…" I quickly cut myself off. I didn't want to worry mom. She already had so much weight on her shoulders.

"What happened darling?" she asked her eyes tearing up.

"Mom, I'm okay, you're okay, that's all that matters. A guard just took me to the safe room and let me out later." It was a half-truth.

"Who is this guard? I need to see him, he saved my baby!"

"Ummmm…that's not necessary. I was the one who did all the running and worrying. He simply opened the door."

"If you insist." Mom shrugged.

As mom and I walked to the royal safe-room I couldn't help but wonder, why did he let me go?


Hmmmm...why did he let her go? Hope you enjoyed this! I'm kind of sick right now but I couldn't keep you waiting! :D