It was Sunday and I was nervous. Really nervous. It's okay to be nervous right? I mean, I have to choose between 35 suitors to spend the rest of my life with. There were so many things that could go wrong. I looked at James standing near the camera with a glass in his hand, sipping red wine. He seemed to be nervous too. I walked up to him.
"How are you doing for your first selection?" I asked him.
"Nervous. A lot," he replied.
"Just take a few deep breaths. You're going to do amazing, royal announcer." I nudged him. "I have a feeling you inherited your traits from your grandfather," I said trying to comfort him.
"Really? Not my dad? Everyone says I get my personality from my dad. Even if he was a scientist." he chuckled. "And aren't you the one that's supposed to be nervous?"
"You don't have to worry about me. I'm more nervous than you can imagine!" I shivered.
"Well, you do a great job of hiding it. Unlike me."
"Mmmhmmm!"
"Hey, it's not my fault my hands tremble when I'm nervous!"
"Deep breaths. It works for anger too, you know." I advised jokingly.
"Haha, very funny," he said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes. "I wonder how Grandpa was during his first selection," he said looking up at the ceiling.
"My great-grandmother, Magda, said he was really awkward and uncomfortable…"
"That doesn't sound like him at all! Wait, your great-grandma is still alive?!"
"Ummm, yeah. She's only like, 84 years old. And I doubt she'll die anytime soon"
"Oh, okay."
"She's a fighter!"
"I'll be sure to watch out."
"You know you better!" we laughed.
A girl wearing headphones told us to go on set. "You're on in 5.
"That's our cue," I said feeling not at all ready.
"Indeed. Shall we?" James said as he held out his arm for me.
"We shall." I took it willingly and sat down on the couch across from him. A few people came and did their corrections on my face as the director began counting down on his fingers. Five. Five seconds until I pick my husband. Four. Three. Two. And one. He gave a thumbs up to us.
James started. "Hello, Your Highness. Any feelings before you pick the love of your life?" I didn't see that question coming. It's a good thing I got my stage presence genes from my mom and not my dad. I would speak the truth.
"For one, nervous. And two, I'm kind of excited. I know I'll pick the right choice." James nodded.
"A lot of confidence. A good start," he said to the camera. The director mentioned for me to start reading the letters. I stood up, a little dizzy and my hands trembling. I can do this. I took the first envelope and started to read aloud.
"Jett Aiden Tanner, Columbia." His photo was cute. He looked so happy. I pulled out the next envelope. "Augustus Thomas, Waverly." I pulled out the third envelope. I was already bored. "Archer Flynn Knight, Likely." I stopped and stared at his picture. He looked awfully familiar, and I knew I've seen him before. I just couldn't place where. The list went on and on until I finally got to our province. I carefully opened the envelope, eager to see who our contestant was. "Ashton Sawyer." I mentally shrugged. I've never seen or heard of him before. Then, I heard James speak up.
"There you have it, folks!" I could see the crew and cameramen getting ready to shut everything down once we're finished. "Come back every Friday for our weekly Reports and updates on the Selection!" They finally shut the camera down. James walked up to me feeling proud of himself. "Great job Kerttu. To be honest, I would have dozed off by the time I got to the fifth contestant." I giggled.
"It wasn't any easier for me. The faster you work the faster it's over."
"True. Well, have a nice day, Kerttu." he bowed and made his way to the door.
"Lily?" I called.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Please give me all the applications of the selected men."
"Right away."
"Thank you," I said with a smile. I needed to memorize all the selected men. Well, that's going to be a challenge. Let's make it most of the selected men.
I went to my room and Lily handed me 35 applications. I studied long and hard for how long? I can't even remember. There weren't any standouts, I don't know why I wanted to do this. I guess I was happy when I was a giddy, dumb girl. But I'm not dumb anymore—or giddy. I feel like having the selection-life introduced to me has changed me. I'm only starting to think about what'll happen to me once the selection actually starts. Shivers went down my spine. Will I be myself anymore? What if I don't like anyone? Mom said during her selection, Grandma Mer and Grandpa Max gave her the option to quit after three months of trying. Am I allowed that alternative too? Probably not. Mom must've spent months setting this up for me. I can't just quit. I'll have to choose a partner, whether I like it or not. Okay! No pressure there.
I groaned. This was supposed to be easy. I've heard that before. Why does this always happen to me?
I put the applications down. Maybe I'd have better luck if I took a break and came back later.
Someone knocked on the door. It was most likely Niko needing help, again. I opened the door. "You know what happened the last time I tried to hel—" I stopped. I didn't expect to see who I was looking at. Tall, dirty blond hair, grey-blue eyes, perfect smile. Features I thought I'd never see again.
"William. What are you doing here? I thought you were nev—"
"Since the trading system is reestablished between Illéa and England, my father wants me to spend some time here and get close to the royal family before Her royal highness Kerttu Catalina Koskinen marries a lucky, handsome young man. Well, he may never be as handsome as me but—" I swatted his arm.
"You haven't changed at all, Prince William Porter heir of the English throne," I said with a smile that I tried to get rid of but severely failed.
"Neither have you. Next time, don't mistake me for Niko. That little man is out of his head."
"As if you aren't. How did you know I thought you were Niko?"
"Ummm let's see." He started walking into my room as if it were his own. "Your hostile tone, bitter choice of words."
"I barely said anything!" I cried. Willian took me by the waist. We were so close our foreheads were touching.
"That's why I like you." he pecked my lips a little. "You only need a few words to get your point across." I giggled. Wait, did I just giggle?
"Ugg. How can you be so sweet? By the way, you know this" I pointed at him and me. "won't be able to last, right? I have to choose a husband. Not to mention we're both heirs to the throne, automatically making us unable to be together in any way." I said gradually coming back to reality.
"I know, I know. But can't a prince enjoy a moment while it lasts? I mean, I'm gone once the selections over." I gasped.
"You're staying for that long!" my happiness was too hard to contain.
"I thought you said not to get too excited…" he winked. I giggled. Again.
"I just wish things could go back to the way they used to be," I complained.
"Yeah, me too." he agreed.
William and I used to be really close and his family used to visit often as well as us. We were best friends growing up and it became something more as we grew into teenagers. It all stopped two years ago when Illéa and England had a conflict about the trading system. William and I said our goodbyes expecting to never see each other again. I was sad but okay with it because I knew nothing could happen anyway. I guess I was wrong.
"But, nothing's stopping us now," he murmured with a sly grin.
"Nothing's stopping us," I repeated with a grin identical to his. He dropped a kiss on my lips. Then my jaw. Then my neck. Reluctantly, I pushed his face away. "You know, if anyone walks in on us we'll be in big trouble."
"Genius. As if I didn't already know that." he seemed annoyed with my distance.
"Just checking." Before he could pull me back, the door swung open viewing Lily and a folder.
"Sorry to intrude Your Highnesses. Princess Kerttu, it seems I've forgotten to give you one more application." Oh, that. I think to myself. I completely forgot what I was doing before. I reckon William was that break I needed.
Lily handed me the folder. I looked inside. Archer Flynn Knight. He was the person who looked oddly familiar. I just couldn't place where. The only things I didn't know where his eyes, a light blue-violet color. I've never seen anything like them. "Thank you, Lily." I forced a smile. Lily curtsied and ran out the door in a ladylike fashion. "Ugg. I have so many people to memorize! I'll presumably forget everyone anyhow once I meet them."
"Not if I can help it." he gave me an encouraging smile. "You'll remember at least twenty of them, okay?"
"Twenty is my goal? Okay, not too bad." I sat down and he followed.
"Yup!" he said enthusiastically. I pecked his lips.
"Let's get started." he lifted me onto his lap. Not that I didn't mind.
William and I went over the entire 35 men twice. I thought I was going to die by the time we started to go over them the third time. "Easy, right? I mean you just have to remember what makes each and every one of them unique." I scoffed.
"Most of the men here are downright average. Nothing extraordinary regarding them." I explained rolling my eyes.
"Really, what about this young man here? Robert Lewis Avery…Clermont." he challenged.
"First of all why are you calling him young. He's literally two years older than you." He smirked. I tried to not notice. "And second, what makes him so special?"
"Look at this. 'Sibling - Sofia Avery/twin sister, 2 mins older'. He has a twin, just like your mom."
I glanced at the paper. Name: Robert Lewis Avery ~ Age: 20 ~ Province: Clermont ~ Languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French ~ Special skills: Black belt Martial arts, swimming ~ Height: 6 ft ~ Weight: 70 kg ~ Eye color: blue ~ Hair color: brown ~ Family: Mother - Margaret Avery, Father - John Avery, Sibling - Sofia Avery/twin sister, 2 mins older.
"I guess you're right. I have a feeling mom will like him."
"See? Not that hard. Nothing beats my Kerttu."
Hey guys! Sorry for taking so long to publish! Let's just say I had a bit of writer's block. OMG! It made me so happy to introduce William to the story (he's one of my favs)! Hope you liked this update! :)