Jame's POV

"Marissa!" I called her name as the palace doors opened. Hopping down the steps two at a time I jogged my way to her arriving car. It had barely stopped before she was opening the door and bustling out. I ran over to her and caught her up under her arms and lifted her high in the air. She gave a shriek of laughter before I put her back down. "You came!"

"Of course I came." Marissa chuckled. She absently fixed the collar of my shirt. "You begged me to after all."

"I don't know if beg was the right word…"

"Uh huh." She didn't look convinced.

I hesitated a moment before letting my shoulders drop. "Ok, you caught me. I'm terrified."

Marissa beamed. "I knew it."

I rolled my eyes and swatted her. "Yeah, yeah. Are you going to help me or what?"

"Of course." She said again. "Just let me get settled and then we can talk."

"Great."

"Your Highness," Elias, Marissa's personal guard, bowed to me as he took his place beside the princess. I nodded back to him. Elias had been protecting Marissa for almost five years now and I knew him well. Elias turned to Marissa, "Your luggage is being moved inside."

"Thank you Elias. I'll be fine. I think James and I will take a walk."

Elias bowed again and backed off. It was saying something that he trusted us to be together. Usually he wouldn't leave the princess alone. Then again, we'd been friends since childhood so it wasn't like he didn't know and trust me.

I offered Marissa my arm and she took it. Then I led her off in the direction of the gardens, already unloading on her.

"So the forms went out last week. They have a week to send them in, so they'll all be in by tomorrow. Then there's the sorting process which takes another week. And finally after that is when the first Selection names will be announced." I was saying.

"It's moving quickly." Marissa said, her eyes widening.

"I know. It's overwhelming." I admitted. "I knew my whole life that this would happen, but now that it's here it feels too fast."

"You'll be fine." Marissa said, patting my hand.

"You say that but I doubt it. I don't know how to act around girls!"

"You know what to be like around me."

"Well yes but you're not-" I quickly cut off.

"I'm not what?" Marissa's voice had gone carefully neutral as it always did when she was upset.

I cleared my throat nervously. I hadn't meant to hurt her yet I always managed to say the wrong thing. "I just meant that I know you. You're different."

"Hmm." She said absently, obviously still trying to unpack my statement.

I groaned. "See? This is why I need you! Imagine how bad I'll be with girls I don't know."

Finally she cracked a little smile. "You'd never find a wife then."

"Exactly!" I was glad she had forgiven me for my slight. Then again, she always had.

Marissa gave a little sigh and continued walking. "So what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Get to know the girls and see what they're really like. Mother told me horror stories about the Selected ladies in her group. I want to know who these girls are behind my back."

"Makes sense." Marissa agreed.

I nodded, feeling relieved that she agreed with me. This was yet another thing that I would be doing differently about my selection. I was glad Marissa hadn't told me it was a stupid idea. I'd been going back and forth on it myself.

"I figured you could also help me when I mess up too." I added.

Marissa chuckled, shaking her head. "As you will no doubt inevitably do."

"Hey!" She laughed, brighter already. I couldn't help but smile back. "Ok, you're probably right."

"I always am."

It was my turn to roll my eyes. "Anyway, what I need is a confidant."

Marissa let out a little breath before stopping and turning to face me. "I'll do everything I can to help you find true love." She promised. Her tone was serious, all playfulness vanishing. Marissa squeezed my hands in hers and just looked me in the eyes, unwavering.

What did I do to get a friend like her?

"Thank you." I murmured, feeling embarrassed.

After a long few moments, Marissa dropped my hands and tilted her head, accessing me.

"But tell me, what do you really think about the selection?" She asked.

I hesitated. The thing was, I didn't really know myself. It was something I'd known was going to happen. I wouldn't say I was ever looking forward to it, it was just something that was predestined. I didn't have a say in the matter. It was all supposed to be my choice but really I couldn't help but think how limiting it was.

I had twenty girls from which to choose a future bride. And yes, my parents had promised they wouldn't make me marry anyone I didn't love, but it still scared me. What if I fell in love with a maid who wasn't part of the selection? Then what happened?

Still, it was unlikely that would happen. I'd be focusing on my girls in the selection. They were here for me so I would be there for them.

My thoughts on the Selection varied from hopeful excitement to dread. It was a constantly shifting emotional turmoil that made me feel completely unprepared.

I managed to say this to Marissa through stilted sentences, but she seemed to understand if the look of pity on her face was anything to go by. "Your parents love you, James. They'll make sure you end up with someone you love."

"You think so?"

"No matter who that person was," She stressed, "They'd stand beside your decision."

I nodded. She was probably right. I had some of the best parents in the world. They were loving and kind and gave me everything I could possibly ask for. Why would my love life be any different?

Marissa gave me a fond smile. "Now, why don't we go plan strategies?"

"Strategies?" I asked.

"What dates are you going to take them on? What activities will there be? How do you decide to eliminate them?" She pressed.

I gulped. I honestly hadn't thought through it that much. I was much more of a play it by ear person. But perhaps this wouldn't be the best way to play the Selection.

"I suppose you'll help me?"

Marissa shook her head. "No James, I'm just here to watch you suffer."

I laughed and held my hands in mock surrender. "Ok, ok. I concede your point." I took her arm again. "To the library?"

Marissa nodded. "To the library."