A/N: You all have yet to meet the royal family, so I wrote a chapter from the prince's POV. I hope you enjoy it! Please review! I know the previous chapters were kind of short, this one will be too, but at the moment I'm just letting you get to know the characters. The chapters will get longer further into the story, I promise. Please continue creating characters and don't be scared to review.

-M

Ethan had been pacing for a good 15 minutes, completely lost in thought, before anyone thought to say anything- unhelpful as it was.

"I'm glad I don't have to go through the whole Selection process," Aaron said. "I mean, can you imagine?" Ethan could imagine it, actually. That was all he had been doing since his father had brought it up. "35 girls all competing for someone they don't even know," Aaron continued. "The whole thing is ridiculous! They'll all probably be horrible, as well. Probably why Jaxon worked so hard to worm his way out of it. It's really stupid to think-"

Will shoots his brother a warning look before Ethan explodes. "I already know that, Aaron! Now would you please stop ranting about my how stupid and ridiculous my situation is and just let me think?!" He fully intended to worm his way out of as well, but he didn't know how his brother managed it, as he refused to talk. And so here he was: pacing back and forth and waiting for an idea to dawn on him.

It wasn't like he had anything against the girls, but he just wasn't ready to get married. Or take the throne, for that matter. He found himself selfishly wishing for the millionth time that Jaxon hadn't stepped down.

He hardly ever saw his older brother any more. Ever since he stepped down from the throne, Jaxon had been avoiding the palace- and everyone in it. Jaxon had never explained his reasoning for stepping down from the throne to Ethan, but it wasn't difficult to imagine; he'd always been envious of the other princes, wishing he had their freedom. But why did he have to up and leave after that?

Ethan could still remember that day he lost not only his freedom but also his older brother vividly. Jaxon never even said goodbye. His parents had given him the news, his father looking pleased with the few extra years on the throne he had gained from Jax's cowardice. When Ethan ran out of his father's office, he found out that Jax was already gone.

He'd tried for several weeks afterwards to communicate with his brother. Sent him more letters than he could count. Tried to meet him even more often. But nothing. It was like Jax had ceased to exist.

And now he was back. Back to stay at the palace for the Selection. Maybe the wretched tradition had brought some good after all. But, really, Ethan couldn't decide if it was a good thing that Jaxon was back. His emotions were a mess, and with his other problems pressing on him, he really didn't have the time or energy to sort them all out. Fortunately, he didn't have to; despite the fact that he was back at the palace, Jaxon was continuing to pretend he didn't exist. Ethan hadn't managed to muster up the courage to go find him, either.

Sighing, he collapsed into the nearest chair and risked a glance up at Aaron and Will. Will's brow was furrowed in concern and Aaron still looked shocked that his brother had yelled at him. Ethan always tried to keep a calm demeanor around his brothers; just because Jaxon thought it was okay to fail horribly as a brother didn't mean he felt the same way.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you," he whispered, so quietly that he was certain that Aaron hadn't heard. He was about to repeat himself when Aaron grinned at him.

"Ah, it's fine. Not your fault you've suddenly got all this stress." His brother's smile turned softer. "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have said all those things about the Selection." Though Aaron was boisterous and liked to tease, he was probably the most sensitive out of all of the princes.

Ethan nods his head, but he doesn't miss that Aaron doesn't take back what he said. If the Selection was half as bad as he had suggested, Ethan was in for one hell of a nightmare.

Banishing thoughts of the Selection, Ethan turned his attention to Will. "And you," he said, standing up and walking across the room to ruffle his youngest brother's hair, "need to stop being so worried about me."

Will scowled at him and patted down his hair. Ethan laughed went back to his seat. "I'll be fine. Maybe the Selection won't be so bad after all." He looked down so he wouldn't have to see the doubting looks on his brother's faces. His head snapped up when a servant entered the room, announcing that the forms of the girls in the Selection had arrived. Well, then. Time to see what- or rather whom- fate had in store for Prince Ethan.

A/N: So now you've met the princes. Or, most of them, anyway. Jaxon will be in it more when the actual Selection starts. Tell me what you thought of the latest chapter. Don't be shy, review away! I remind you all, this is an SYOC story. Don't be afraid to create a character. Please review!

-M