Chapter 4

Ray's POV

Ray woke to a knock an urgent knock on his bedroom door, "Yes?"

"So sorry Your Highness, but the King requests your presence immediately." A servant said from outside the door.

Ray grimaced, this couldn't be good, "I'll be right down."

Ray got out of bed, and quickly dressed, unaware of the mismatched socks he slid on. He grabbed his blazer off of a nearby chair, and raced out his bedroom, not bothering to lock it.

Ray made his way downstairs to his father's study. He didn't bother knocking as he rushed into the room. Ray's entire family was in the study, which surprised Ray. This must be really important if everyone was here.

Everyone turned to face him, and the king nodded at him. "Ray, excellent, now we can begin." His father took a deep breath, "This morning, some disturbing news was brought to us."

Ray waited for his father to continue, but he was hesitating. Ray glanced at the rest of his family. Endra was staring at Ray's socks, with a confused look on her face, and when Ray glanced down, he realized why. A blush spread across his face as he saw he had one red sock, and one purple sock.

Christian was simply staring at their father, and Ray's mother seemed anxious, fiddling with her skirt, Ray look back to his father, who took a deep breath, and finally continued. "We'll need extra security for a few days, while we figure this out."

"Why? What happened?" Ray asked.

His father glanced everywhere but at his family. "Darling?" His mother urged.

The king sighed, "We have received a threatening note. It gave a warning to stop the Selection."

Ray's brow rose, "Oh? Why? Did they say?"

The king shook his head, "No, they didn't give reasons, but they made it quite clear if we didn't nothing good would come of it."

Ray thought for a moment, "But- but are you going to cancel it?"

The king shook his head, "No. The Selection will still be held, we will just need some extra security."

Ray's siblings shared uneasy looks, and the queen seemed to match their sentiments. "Okay then, will we inform the Selected's family of the threat once they're announced?" Ray asked.

The king shook his head, "Absolutely not. That would ruin everything, people would pull out, they wouldn't want to come to the castle."

Ray was shocked at his father, "But- but it's not right! We have to tell them." He insisted. "If someone doesn't want to come because they don't feel safe that's their right!"

"Ray-" His mother began, but Ray shook his head.

"Why can't we tell them?" Ray asked.

Christian and Endra watched the interaction with wide eyes, waiting to see what their father would say.

"Ray, you don't understand. If we told everyone of the threat, they'll think we're not capable of handling it. We will find whoever did this, and take care of them. Don't worry, there's no need to frighten the Selected and their families of something that we can take care of in a few days."

Ray shook his head, not being able to help the feeling of dread that settled in his stomach. There was no way this could end well, for anyone. Ray cleared his throat, "All right then, now, if you would excuse me, I have paperwork I need to catch up on."

The king nodded, and Ray bid everyone goodbye as he made his way to his own study. Ray felt guilty, he didn't like lying, especially about something this serious, especially when it involved the Selection.

Ray's head was in his hands, when he heard his study door open. Ray sighed as he looked up, knowing who it was before he even looked at her. Endra grinned at him as she shoved a hairpin back into her hair.

Ray shook his head at her, "Honestly, once I get married you're going to have to stop doing that. You never know what you could be walking into."

Endra shrugged, "That's a risk I'm willing to take." She smirked.

Ray rolled his eyes, "What do you want?"

Endra's expression sobered, "What do you make of this whole threat situation?"

Ray stared at the desktop, thinking, "I think Dad needs to tell the public, or at least the people who end up getting Selected."

Endra nodded, "But you have to admit, he does have a point about the 'control' factor."

Ray sighed, "Yeah, but that doesn't make it right to put 35 people in danger because of your stupid pride."

Endra lowered her brow, "Woah, calm down Ray. Yes, it may not be what you want to do; but you're not King, so it's not your say. Plus, you could always just tell any number of the Selected once they get here. Maybe the threats will make choosing easier, since some might leave?"

Ray smiled slightly, when a knock on the door sounded. "Come in!" Ray called.

Christian poked his head in, and he walked in, quickly shutting the door behind him. Ray had to scoff at the differences between Endra and Christian, at least Christian had some form of human decency, where Endra treated the world like her personal space.

"What are we talking about?" Christian asked, taking a seat in a chair. Endra, apparently unaware she could have sat this whole time, huffed, and jumped on top of the desk, making Ray scoot his chair backwards, so he could look at both his siblings.

"We're talking about the threat." Endra offered.

Christian's eyes darkened, "It's a bit worrisome, don't you think?"

Endra shrugged, and Ray could only grimace. "At least nothing terrible has happened yet." Endra said.

Ray rapidly knocked on his desk. "Endra! Don't jinx it!" He scolded.

Endra shrugged. Christian rolled his eyes at Endra, and Ray couldn't help but chuckle. Endra started to giggle along, and even Christian couldn't help the small laugh that escaped his lips. Soon, the three of them were laughing. For no reason, yet at the same time, every reason. The Selection, the threats, their lives, how simple yet complicated it was, how complicated everything was, the stress, the worry, the fear.

Everything seemed funny in that moment.

Ray held his sides, gasping for breath, as they all finally calmed. "I love you guys, I hope you know that."

Endra smiled fondly, "I know."

Christian snorted, "Me too, Ray."

Ray smiled fondly at his siblings. After everything they've been through, and everything they would be through, he was glad that they were there. He couldn't imagine being an only child, or having different siblings. He was suddenly grateful for his siblings.

Ray glanced out the nearest window, lost in thought. How would the next few months play out? Who were going to be his Selected? How would he know who was the one for him? What if his family didn't like his choice? What if his choice didn't like his family? What if he chose wrong? What if he married someone, only for everything to go downhill a year or two after they got married? Could he handle it? Could they handle the stress of being royal?

Ray supposed it was just how things were. For now at least.

Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! We have some sibling time, and the threat! Oooh, I wonder what will happen with it? (laughs maniacally) Welp, I have no more female slots, only 3 male slots left! Then I'll draw names for my random people. Oh! And don't worry, none of my characters will be winning this Selection, it's all you guys! And I've certainly got some ideas for drama in this story. I can't wait! See you in the next chapter!