Syden enters her uncle's office and curtsies towards her uncle and aunt, who are sitting on a sofa talking.
"Syden, there you are, come on in, dear." Aeress greets her niece with a warm smile.
Syden nods and approaches her relatives, taking a seat in the cushioned chair in front of them. It had been two months since the announcement of her Selection, and aside from the fulfilment of her royal duties, Syden had made her presence scarce, spending most of her time in her room.
"We have a few matters we'd like to discuss with you," Bolton says.
"If it's about the Selection I already know that they're arriving today." Syden says, hoping to end the conversation early. She had already been briefed on which rooms and hallways to stay out of for the day, so as not to prematurely run into any contestants.
"That's not what we called you in to discuss, darling." Aeress says. "Would like something to drink? Some tea perhaps?"
Syden shakes her head, wondering what was going on, "No, thank you."
"As you know, your Selection officially starts tomorrow." Bolton says in a business like tone. "However, there are some ground rules that you will be expected to follow. Your time with the contestants will be scheduled for you. Outside of the scheduled time you may approach them if you wish, however, you are not to interrupt their lessons nor may you skip your's. You will show up to dates when expected, and before you will be given instructions on how to prepare. Traditionally the host of the Selection takes responsibility for the planning of dates, but since you are a young woman we felt it best to allow the gentlemen vying for your hand to take that initiative."
So basically nothing's going to change, Syden thinks, smiling at her uncle, "That doesn't sound like a problem, I've grown quite accustomed to being shown off like a trophy."
In the two months that had passed Syden had continually been shown off at various social events, rather than growing accustomed to it, Syden was getting tired of it.
Bolton and Aeress exchange looks, and Aeress places a hand on her husband's leg while Syden shifts in her seat. She knew she was on thin ice, but she couldn't bring herself to care.
"We're glad that you understand your role in all of this, Syden. After all, thirty-five men are coming to win your hand in marriage. I commend you on your amiable attitude throughout this process, and encourage you to continue to be cooperative throughout the course of your Selection." Aeress says, giving Syden a smile while narrowing her eyes on the girl.
Syden nods and gives the Queen a small smile, "Of course, I'll do my best. I'd hate for anything to go wrong withthe Selection."
I hate them, Syden thinks as she crosses her arms. I'm tired of being their pawn, I need to find a way out of this.
"I'm sure you will, you're such a good girl," Aeress says. "Now, I'm sure you'll be quite pleased with this, but we have decided to enhance the prize of the Selection."
"What do you mean?" Syden asks, confused.
"The man who wins your Selection will not only win your hand in marriage, but will become the Crowned Prince through his marriage to you, and will be named my heir." Bolton replies. "As such your aunt and I expect to have a considerable say in who you keep and who you eliminate in your Selection, as this is no longer about merely finding you a suitable husband but finding Illéa a suitable ruler."
"But not to worry, dear, your opinion will still be taken into consideration. We just want to guide you throughout the process, to ensure that you make the right decision." Aeress adds with a reassuring smile.
Syden nods, I guess making a baby takes too long, and then there's always the risk of it being female, she thinks bitterly, wondering if she would have been named her uncle's heir had she been born male.
"I'll be sure to listen to your advice, after all I would hate for you to be unhappy with the results of your Selection." Syden says, knowing that her uncle's advice would in actuality be his demands and that she would have little choice but to do as he instructed.
"My first piece of advice would be to watch what you say, niece, you never know who could be listening, and we would like to ensure that your image as a respectable, polite young lady is maintained." Bolton says in a stern tone, as he hands Syden a yellow envelope sealed with a metal clasp. "Your aunt and I have gone through the applications quite thoroughly, and have decided that these gentlemen are the weakest candidates for the Selection and should be eliminated at the first opportunity."
Syden takes the envelope, giving her uncle a half smile. I guess it doesn't matter whether or not I wanted to keep them, she thinks.
"You'll have some opportunities to meet them tomorrow, but we think it's best for you to dismiss them rather quickly. We wouldn't want you to get too attached to someone who won't work out," Aeress suggests. "Perhaps you could do it before breakfast?"
"Before breakfast it is then," Syden says, sighing slightly as she glances at the envelope in her hands, wondering whose names were on it and what grounds her relatives used to dismiss them so easily.
"I admire you, my dear niece, I truly do. There's been so many changes in these past two months, and you've been taking them exceptionally well. You're so young, yet strong and loyal," Aeress says with a glint in her eyes. "The next few weeks are going to be stressful on us all, but I'm sure in the end you will find someone perfectly suited for you and just as loyal."
Loyal to you, you mean, Syden thinks, as she forces a smile, "Thank you, I'm sure with your guidance I'll find the perfect candidate for the throne, since that is what my Selection is all about, isn't it?"
"Of course not dear, we want you to be happy with the choice as well, but we do appreciate your selflessness in this matter, it is truly inspiring." Aeress says.
"That will be all for now, Syden." Bolton says, dismissing the girl before she has a chance to reply.
Syden sits at a table in her room, tapping her fingers idly as she reads through her uncle's list.
Ten eliminated already? That's bold, She thinks, though she can't remember any of the names from the grand reveal of her Selected that was the feature of last week's Report.
Oh well, she shrugs, sighing as there's a knock on her door. A moment later the door opens and Syden rolls her eyes as Haight steps into the room.
"Is there something that you wanted?" Syden asks, narrowing her gaze on Haight.
"You can't spend all day inside, Syden." Haight says. "It's a nice day out, we could go for a walk in the gardens or something."
In the two months that had passed between her birthday Syden had spent most of her time outside of her lessons in her room, shutting everyone out. After a week of this Haight forced her outside, mostly for walks in the garden, but on rare occasions she would take her out to the city, either to see the sights or to go shopping. After a while Syden got used to the forced excursions and grew to like them, though she'd never tell Haight that.
"As much as I'd like to, well, actually we both know that I wouldn't, my Selected arrive tomorrow and there's a lot of preparations to be done. So, if you'll see yourself out." Syden says as she turns her attention back to the list.
"We both know you're not going to help prepare anything," Haight says as she walks across the room and sits in the seat opposite Syden, then glances at the piece of paper on the table. "What's this?"
Before Syden has a chance to respond, Haight slides the paper towards her and reads it over, a confused expression on her face.
"What are the names for?" Haight asks.
"It's none of your business," Syden says, reaching for the paper, which Haight holds just of the girls' reach. "Give it back."
"Then tell me why the names of ten of your Selected are on this piece of paper." Haight says, giving Syden a look. "It looks like royal letter head."
Syden crosses her arms and narrows her eyes on Haight, "It's just a list of contestants my aunt and uncle think I should get rid of, since they won't make suitable kings there's no point in keeping them around."
"Kings?" Haight asks, confused. Although the exact prize of Syden's Selection, other than her marriage hadn't been announced, Haight assumed the young man would be given a position as a royal adviser or as a mayor, not this.
Syden scoffs, "Don't act like you didn't know, I'm sure my aunt and uncle told you all about the real reason behind my Selection. Illéa needs a king, after all. Besides, did you really think they would have gotten you to keep an eye on me if my marriage was the only thing on the line? Don't be so naïve."
"So you're okay with this?" Haight asks, raising an eyebrow.
Syden shrugs with one arm as she leans back in her chair, "I always knew my marriage would be a political one, at least this way I get to be Queen."
Haight watches Syden closely, unsure whether or not the teen was being truthful with her, "Whatever makes you happy, Princess. But I have some advice for you, don't go through your Selection looking for the perfect King to please your aunt and uncle, choose someone that you love. You'll be spending the rest of your life with them, Syden, and that's a decision that shouldn't be made with a political mind, it should be made with your heart."
"Why are you telling me this? Shouldn't you be pushing me to do what they want?" Syden asks, giving Haight a skeptical look.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, Syden, I'm here to help you. You're just a kid, it's crazy that they're making you do this, so if you ever need to talk to anyone, I'm here." Haight says, offering Syden a smile.
"I don't need your help, besides, even if I were to talk to you, which I wouldn't, I'm sure you'd go off running to my aunt and tell her everything that I said," Syden says with a glare. "That is your job, isn't it?"
Haight sighs, "I wouldn't tell her what you said."
Syden shrugs, "And why should I trust you? She's paying you to spy on me, which means you're on her side whether you like it or not, because at the end of the day you're her little pet and you're going to do exactly what she says or you'll suffer some unsavoury consequences. I know how these games are played, Haight. You can go now."
"Syden-"
"I said you can go, so leave." Syden snaps, glaring at Haight. "You're a two and I'm a one, which in case you've forgotten means you have to do what I say. I may have to tolerate your presence in the palace, but I don't have to tolerate your presence in my room. Get out."
"Syden, I'm just trying to help and I don't appreciate you blowing it back in my face." Haight says sternly but calmly, giving the teen a look. "And I may be a two, but I'm much more than that, and I think it's about time you stop seeing castes and start seeing people for who they truly are. That doesn't just go for me, it goes for your Selection as well. If you keep up this snobby attitude of yours the only people you're going to be left with are the ones using you for your title, Princess. So don't come crying to me when you're left with someone who makes you miserable because you'll only have yourself to blame."
"I don't recall asking for your help, but since you've been so generous with your advice, allow me to return the favour," Syden says, leaning back in her chair. "I'm not some naïve little girl, I know exactly what's going on here and I don't need or want your help. I would also like to remind you that although you're spying for my aunt, you won't always be in this position or have her protection, but no matter how this ends I'll still be a Princess and later I'll become Queen. Which means in the not so far future I won't have to tolerate your presence, and I'll be able to do just about whatever I want to. Don't overstep your boundaries again, Haight. Now get out of my room."
"You're not as powerful as you think you are, Syden, once you get married your husband will be the one with the power, you'll just be his trophy wife." Haight says as she stands, narrowing her gaze on the girl. "Enjoy your Selection, Princess."
Without another word Haight leaves the room, closing the door softly behind her. Syden glares after her and crosses her arms once she's out of the room. My husband will hold the power, she's right about that, but who says he can't be convinced to do what I want? Either way, it won't take much to knock her down a peg or two, she thinks as she slides the list towards herself and reads it over again. I wonder what would happen if I "forget" to eliminate a contestant or two.
First of all, I am SO sorry that that took so long! The delay was a combination of me starting physio therapy, work, and getting ready for the beginning of school (yay!). This chapter also isn't exactly how I thought it would turn out, and honestly was supposed to be longer, but I decided that what I had planned wouldn't quite fit into it. A lot of the delay was writer's block, this chapter was ridiculously hard to write for some reason, it was like pulling teeth. I'm still not 100% happy with it, so please be nice.
Important!
Next chapter will begin the introduction of the contestants in the Selection. I am considering (not necessarily next chapter) but at some point switching POV to a Selected to show more of the competition side. I will be picking the character of an author who has been more involved with the story (ie reviewing, sending ideas, etc), but also a character who will be a main character. You know?
Also, I still haven't received the royal planner, and I need them for the next chapter. So, until I have them I can't really start. If no one offers them in a day or two I'll just make them myself, I'm not going to hold your next chapter hostage until I get a character, that's just petty.
So, review and let me know what you think. I'll try to update at least biweekly, but we'll see, anything can happen and it typically does.