A/N: Aaahhh! So excited for the Report, which is included in this chapter. Ready to see all the lovely Daughters of Illea?
*DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION*
Ryder's POV:
I felt like I was about to vomit.
As I sat up in my plush bed and stretched, everything came flooding back. Today the Selected would be broadcasted on The Report. But I didn't want this; any of this! I didn't want to be the King with all the burdens of Illea on my shoulders. I did't want to marry a stranger who only met me out of luck. I didn't want to be a constant target for the rebels. I didn't-
"Ryder!" Father came bursting into my room without even knocking. I groaned; how could he be that enthusiastic this early in the morning? "I thought you might want to see the Selected girls before the Report, just so you aren't so shocked then. When I held my Selection, I almost threw up on national television. I don't want that happening to you. Here, look at them." He shoved a familiar off-white folder into my hands. A sudden realization hit me.
"Dad..." I said slowly, "Where do you draw the girls from the lottery?" I could see the panic in his eyes as he opened and closed his mouth, no sound coming out."Uh..." he stuttered. I narrowed my eyes. Finally, he sighed. "All right, you got me. Your mother and I have chosen these girls for your Selection. There is no lottery," he confessed, then quickly added, "It's for your own good. We're just making sure that the girls that you may marry aren't secret rebels, or someone who you might detest. We're just trying to give you a few good options for marriage." I scoffed. "Don't you think that's wrong? You're lying to the people of Illea! Why don't you just hang up a poster saying: 'Enter the Selection! Only the best, prettiest, and most impressive girls will get in, and then you'll suck up to the royal family for a little while!'" Father winced. "You don't understand, Ryder," he said passionately. I felt my face flush with anger; I have my mother's fiery temper, not my father's even, calm demeanor. "No, father, you don't understand! This is my life you're toying with! Heck, this is our country you're risking. If this news leaked, what do you think will happen? Even our guards cannot hold off hundreds of rioting lower-caste people!" I snapped, then stalked over to my bathroom door and slammed it behind me.
After taking a relaxing bath and pulling on a crisp navy suit jacket and matching starched pants, I calmed down a bit. I combed my short blonde hair back and quietly exited the bathroom, hoping my father had left. He had, and had taken the folder with him. I sighed and sat down at my mahogany desk, starting on some tedious paperwork. That's just another negative about being King; each day brings in stacks and stacks of paperwork. I hated it. All of it.
1 Hour until the Report...
Princess Celeste's POV:
Ryder was pacing like a maniac! I felt bad for the poor hairdressers and makeup crew who had to work on him; he looked like a wreck and wouldn't stay still. I don't get why they couldn't let him get some alone time to think. I mean, does it really take an hour to comb hair and smother makeup onto a guy's face? Gosh.
Mom was looking at me with a look of amusement and curiosity. Then, she spoke up. "Celeste, do you think we'll have to pay the makeup and hair crew more today because of what a hard time Ryder's giving them?" Her eyes were dancing with humor. I giggled. "Yes, I do think that they may be close to calling it quits right now," I joked back. Mom smiled, tucking a wild lock of my auburn hair behind my ear. "Remember, Ryder's going through a lot right now. Please be nice to him and behave around the Selected girls." she reminded me. I rolled my hazel eyes. "I know, I know. I'm not a little kid, Mom." She grinned.
"Alright-y, folks! Time to get this show on the road!" Gavril Fadaye, our show host for 30 years, exclaimed. The room burst into a frenzy. Ties were straightened, hair was smoothed, and dress bodices were pulled up. It was time for the Report. Gavril winked at me as I passed. "Put this next to His Royal Nervousness just in case." He handed me a tiny garbage bin. I laughed and took the bin, doing as I was told. Though he meant it as a joke, I think we all knew that there was a high chance it was necessary.
The Report
Prince Ryder's POV:
My hands were clammy, and I was sweating under the heat of the spotlights. To viewers, I looked clam, pristine, and excited on the televisions. In reality, I was on the verge of tears. But, princes do not cry. Princes set an example. Princes stay calm. Princes-
"And, now, introducing to all of Illea: The new, lovely Daughters of Illea!"
Oh, god no.
Gavril smiled wide and gave me a swift wink before cuing the control room. This was it. One of these girls would be my wife.
"Lady Kathleen Marie Chase from Allens, 5!" A picture of a freckled blonde with wide blue eyes flashed on the screen. I grinned. Mom tilted her head, as if she could find out her whole life story from just a picture.
" Lady Fauve Beverly Allison from Angeles, 2!" This girl was another blonde with bright aqua eyes. I beamed. Celeste was mockingly making kissy faces at me. Mom quickly and silently scolded her, but she kept smiling smugly. I love my sister, but she could be annoying as heck at times.
"Lady Yasmin Miri from Atlin, 3!" A girl with dark brown, wavy hair appeared. Her eyes were green with brown rings around the pupils. Strange, but uniquely beautiful.
"Lady Theodosia Marina Crowley from Baffin, 2!" I liked this girl's name. It was foreign to me, and exotically pretty. She had almost black, frizzy hair and inviting grey eyes. Her grin was sly.
"Lady Coral Dunklee from Bankston, 7!" I drew in a sharp breath and eyed Father. This pale blonde girl was only a step up from, well, dirt. I couldn't imagine why father would drag her away from her work and family to the palace, but she was nonetheless attractive and serene.
"Lady Winter Elodie Mayhem from Belcourt, 6!" Again, 6 is quite a low caste. What was my father playing at? I couldn't help but notice this girl's striking looks. She had thick, wavy light blonde hair coupled with mysterious grey eyes, high cheekbones, and a thoughtful look in her eyes. Strange.
"Lady Irisveil Vesta from Bonita, 6!" What was with all the low castes? I side-eyed Father. His face was unreadable; nonchalant. I turned back to the picture. Her oval face was cute with her short chocolate brown hair. I smiled, anxious to meet her and the rest of the girls.
"Lady Aeluna Volkova from Calgary, 4!" Aeluna. A whimsical name for a whimsical-looking girl. She has a jet-black braid slung across one shoulder, and her eyes were seemingly purple, at first glance. I could see Mom squinting at the screen too, trying to identify the color.
"Lady Scarlett Minder from Carolina, 3!" Mom smiled, hearing her home province's name. This girl had brown hair with reddish highlights and sparkling green eyes. I grinned at this sweet-looking girl.
"Lady Juliette Rose from Clermont, 6!" Another 6? I focused on the picture instead of on my father. She had dark brown hair that hung in a long braid. Her deep green eyes were intense. I tilted my head in thought. What must she be like?
"Lady Avalon Rose Shade from Columbia, 2!" This girl had brown hair with caramel-colored streaks, and piercing, icy green eyes. I shivered. Her gaze made me feel like an ant about to be stepped on. Even Celeste looked scared and wary. I shook my head. I shouldn't judge these girls by their looks.
"Lady Hazel Destiny White from Dakota, 4!" She had straight brown hair and innocent hazel eyes. I felt the need to protect her. She looked so fragile, and I wanted to shield her from the world's realities.
"Lady Ebonee Allison Wilson from St. George, 4!" The picture showed a young girl with smooth ashy-brown hair and blue-grey eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked excited.
"Lady Madonna Bautista from Honduragua, 6!" She had tanned skin and thick caramel hair. She had narrow eyes and was smiling widely. She seemed like a cheerful person. I smiled as well.
"Lady Madelyn Lockhart from Likely, 5!" I stared at this strikingly attractive girl. Her side-parted hair was a deep brown, framing her face. The thing I grinned at, however, was her smoldering chocolate brown eyes. Most of the others had blue or green eyes, and this girl added a little something to the mix.
"And those, ladies and gentlemen, are the new lovely Daughters of Illea!" Gavril announced, beaming. "Tune in next week on The Report to catch an interview with each of these charming ladies. Good night!" The moment the ON AIR sign clicked off, I relaxed and sighed, running a hand through my hair. How was I supposed to narrow all those great girls down to just one woman? It was impossible.
"Ryder, what did you think of the girls?" Father inquired. I glanced at him, hesitated, then responded, "If you don't mind me asking, Father, why were most of them lower-caste women?" Father thought for a moment. He finally said, "Ryder, The Selection was made to stop riots with the lower castes and please the citizens for a while. Now, the novelty has worn off, and riots are starting to pick up speed. Your mother and I thought that putting more lower-caste girls in the running would hold them off, just for a while, so that we have time to figure out a solution." I took a moment to take all the new information in, and scoffed. "That's kind of shallow and manipulative, don't you think?" Father's voice was passionate. "Ryder, I'm willing to risk my reputation for peace. I'm not being manipulative; all those girls seemed great. But, the lower caste was just... a perk, for lack of other words." I sighed.
"Whatever you say, Father. I need some time to think. I'll be in my room. Goodnight, father, Mother, Celeste, Gavril." I gave my mom a quick kiss on the cheek and tiredly climbed the cold marble stairs, engulfed in my swarm of thoughts. However, one thought plagued me for the rest of the night: What do I do now?
A/N: Annnndddd... there you go! The AMAZING selected girls! I honestly loved each and every one of them. It was such fun to write about Ryder, who's just a guy who needs to figure out his feelings and find himself a bit more. Maybe on of the girls could help him with that...? (Hint, hint) Sorry this took so long, but homework has been serious TORTURE! I hope to be posting Chapter 4 sometime soon. BYE FOR NOW! ;)