JAZMYN HOWARD

Anna, our matron or whatever, was prepping us for dinner, which was not an easy task, considering that we were all so thrilled by our recent makeovers and the whole glamour of the palace and the Selection itself that we couldn't stop talking to anyone about anything.

"Ladies, please, quiet down," Anna called for what must have been the fifth time. The chattering decreased in volume, and Anna continued her lesson.

"As I was saying, it is imperative that you are aware which fork, knife, and spoon is used for which part of the meal, and that you use your silverware as such. Does anyone know what this spoon is for?" Anna held one of three spoons above her head. It had a large, domed ladle and a curved handle with intricate carvings around the base. To my surprise, one of the Sevens - well, former Sevens - raised her hands.

"Yes, Lady Caitlin?" Anna called, and Caitlin answered, "It's a soup spoon, that's why the ladle is so big. I used to help my friends serve in a mansion, they taught me." I was amazed. Looks like caste wasn't actually everything here, coming from a former Two. Being downgraded a caste wasn't that big of a deal to me, because even if I didn't win the Selection, I'd be so famous that I'd still get to do magazine spreads and photoshoots and endorse people's products because, I mean, who didn't want to be able to say that one of the Daughters of Illeá drinks their brand of expensive water? Not to sound cocky, but I would be more popular after the Selection than I was before, which was fine with me.

We were drilled about silverware and proper table etiquette for forty-five more minutes until one of the maids came to fetch us, and Anna hurriedly pushed us into a single-file line and explained that we would each walk in one at a time when our name was announced and curtsey to the Prince and the royal family, then we would be escorted to our assigned seats for dinner.

"Lady Brianna Chase," was the first name announced, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't them. I was somewhere towards the middle of the group, which was fine with me. At least I wasn't last, or first.

"Lady Jazmyn Howard," they called when it was my turn, and I strode confidently up to the spot, dropped into my best curtsey, and, feeling bold, flashed Prince Asher a sly little smile. He didn't respond but instead continued to stare, stony-faced, at the next girl in line. I was a little disappointed, but I was expecting as much. One of these girls, he was going to marry! I'd be a little stressed out if I were him! I was led to my seat, between Roselyn and Jillian, and I sat down and held my posture as best I could. As I watched, Prince Asher didn't really react to any of the other girls, but his family did. Occasionally, the King would lean in to the Queen and whisper something, or the twin princesses would exchange unreadable looks. The whole process, done in complete silence save for the announcing of the girls, was eerie.

PRINCE ASHER SHALOM MAXON SCHREAVE

Another beautiful girl walked in and curtseyed. She was Lady Alexandra, I believe. I stopped trying to interact with the girls after the first few. My stomach was full of butterflies, and moths, and other crawly bugs, and I was sure the entire hall could hear my heart pounding in my chest. It didn't help that every so often, one of my family members would glance at me to see how I was reacting to a certain girl, or how I was holding up. I just wanted to stand up and walk right out and go for a walk.

Before I knew it, the last girl was announced and seated, and it was my turn to say a few words. I managed to force my face into what I hoped was a pleasant grimace, and I pushed myself to my feet in order to give my speech.

"Ladies, welcome to the Palace. It's an honor to meet you all, and I'm sure that it will be just as wonderful getting to know you. Please enjoy your dinner, and best of luck to all of you." Three sentences. I actually spoke three sentences in front of the girls. Public speaking had always been a fear of mine, and now to have to do it in front of thirty-five beautiful girls was a nightmare. My father stood and said a few words to the Selected, and then it was time to eat. Dinner was a wonderful occasion in the palace, and even I recognized it, although I was born and raised with such spectacular meals. Now, however, with thirty-five more people at the table, dinner was a bit of a different occasion.

PRINCESS NEVAEH MAY AMBERLY SCHREAVE

"Which one do you think is the prettiest?" whispered Natalie. I fingered the sleeve of my long-sleeved lavender and gold gown, which cascaded down to my feet in waves of silky fabric. Scanning the Selected, I picked out gorgeous brunette with startlingly blue eyes and grey streaks in her hair.

"That one," I decided, casting a meaningful glance in her direction. It was rude to point, we were taught, but no one ever said anything about meaningful glances.

"Oh, that's the Seven, Lady Laila," Natalie answered immediately. Of course she knew who that was. She had a photographic memory, so naturally she'd memorized the Selected as soon as she saw their photos. Natalie was the smartest person I knew, and in my fifteen years of life, I'd never met anyone whose intelligence could even come close to rivaling that of my twin sister.

"I bet that Ash's going to ask Lady Sarah on a date first," Natalie whispered under her breath.

"Gimmie a day or so to get to know the girls and you're on. How much?" I inquired, taking another bite of the delicious roast beef. I don't know how Nat could stand to be a vegetarian when the palace chefs can make such good meat. That girl was crazy.

"If I win, I get to wear that blue dress that you have for a day, and if you win…"

"You have to do all of my homework for me for a day," I finished. This was a common bet of ours; Natalie would wear one of my dresses or some of my jewelry if she won, and if I won, she'd do my homework for me. It usually worked out fine, except for the time when she spilled soup all over my favorite dress. That was not pretty.

Soon, dinner was over, and the girls were all led to their rooms and our maids not-so-subtly shooed Nat and I out of the dining room so that Asher could talk to Mom and Dad alone. Naturally, we decided to listen in.

"Asher, you know you have a difficult journey ahead of you." That was my mother.

"If you ever have any trouble with the Selection for some reason, we're always here to help, you know," my father offered. "Most of those girls seem like lovely young ladies, but I have a bad feeling about a few of them."

"I know, and I won't hesitate to ask for your advice on anyone or anything that happens. Promise," Asher vowed, always the diplomat. Natalie and I scurried quickly away from the door when we heard the clicking of Mom's heels heading toward the door, and we sprinted all the way back to our room. We had a lot to discuss tonight.

HEAD MAID MORWENNA LOCKE

"My lady, are you sure you want to do this?" I asked, holding the candle higher up as it burned down to its last bits. The distraught woman in front of me nodded resolutely.

"I'm sure," she asserted. I bit my lip. What we were doing was highly illegal, and if we got caught, I don't know who the consequences would be worse for.

"Alright, I know just the right person. Come with me," I whispered, leading the way down the servant's hall to go speak to Eleanor.

AN:

Many things to discuss.

Sorry the update was so funky. Two chapters in one day! Mostly because I thought I'd posted Chapter 3 on Wednesday, but I guess I didn't, because I had a basketball game (for marching band, so I was playing music, not basketball. What do you think I am, an athlete?!). So, as a consequence, I posted Chapters 3 and 4 at the same time apparently. Sorry.

Remember to check out my blog and my Polyvore. The Polyvore actually has to do with Chapter 3, so if I didn't feature your character for a POV or a mention, and you want to know what her outfit looked like, click the link in my bio to go to my Polyvore profile and either scroll through all of the outfits and find your character's, or you can search the hashtags #syocselectionmeettheroyals or #syocselectionlady_ and insert your OC's name.

Next chapter will be mostly another filler, where the Selected are shown to their rooms and they meet their maids. No outfits for that, but I'll be posting some new stuff on the blog. HINT HINT.

Much love, ~margidee

Questions:

How do you like having the Prince's POV in there, as well as the other Royals or maids?

Which characters should I do POV's for next?

What do you think the Head Maid and the mysterious Selected are doing?