Adam

This was it. In a few minutes the nation would know my choices. In a few minutes thirty-five girls lives would change forever. In a few minutes so would mine.

Harmonia wriggled beside me in her chair and Michael sat completely still on my opposite side. Marinda was trying to get his attention from the other side of Harmonia but he wasn't paying her any attention. He was obviously angry after her latest plan had once again gotten him in trouble. This time she had released all the seafood in the kitchen's into the fountain out the front of the palace. It took the staff two hours to capture all the fish and lobsters again. Yet somehow she managed to escape punishment with Michael being forced to face our parents alone.

I know my parents found Marinda's tricks amusing and I also knew my father didn't buy her excuses for a minute but every time he let her off. For some reason he would let Michael take the fall for his sister, I just didn't know why. Mom tended to find Marinda's tricks too funny to be angry so she usually left the disciplining of the twins up to dad. I knew if she was there to witness the sea life set free she wouldn't have been able to hide her amusement. Dad had always been better at hiding his emotions. It was a trait he must have learnt of grandfather and he had passed down to Amberly. You could hardly ever tell what those two were thinking. I had never been able to do that.

We were all sat on dad's left and mom on his right. One chair was missing tonight and it was Amberly's she left that morning to go to England. I had gone with mom and dad to the airport, along with grandfather. It was almost impossible to tear the two apart. I had never been close with our grandfather, I always felt like he was hiding something from me and it was obvious he adored my older sister. I think she reminded him of our grandmother but I knew my sister was just like him and maybe that's why they got on so well.

I missed Amberly already. I wish she could have been here tonight and for the entire selection. I just hoped that prince over in England treated her well because if he didn't and we heard about it there might not be any of him left to marry off. That was if he was still around after Amberly got through with him. I prayed that he never met grandfather if he behaved poorly to Amberly.

There was a flurry of activity all around us, camera's moving into place, Gavril getting last touch ups and final set arrangements before they began to count us in. I straightened my tie and readjusted my suit jacket nervously. After this report there would be thirty-five girls coming to my home, fighting for my attention, trying to prove to me that they were the one. However, there was already one in my heart and I wasn't even sure of who she was anymore. I kept her bracelet in my jacket pocket and had been holding it almost all day hoping it might give me some answers about its owner but surprisingly the inanimate object didn't speak.

'Good evening Illea!' The greying announcer boomed. I had no idea how old Gavril was but he had been there for my parent's selection so he was old, but it didn't show. He was as young and enthusiastic as ever, bursting with excitement to announce the next round of girls to fight for a prince, to fight for me.

'First before we get onto the exciting part of the evening the king has a few announcements to make.' He beamed to my father who got to his feet and walked over to stand beside Gavril with a comforting smile on his face.

'Thank you Gavril,' my father began before talking about the state of the many programs which were working to increase the wellbeing of all Illean's. However, all I could think about was the announcement.

Finally, my father sat down and it was time for me to announce my choices. He squeezed my shoulder on the way passed for support and then I was standing beside Gavril staring at the camera with trepidation. What if I chose wrong? How could I know if I had chosen wrong if I didn't even remember who I had chosen?

'Are you ready Prince Adam, to reveal your choices to the country,' Gavril asked with a wide smile.

'I hope so.' I laughed nervously, looking at the screen waiting for their names to appear. They would be announced in the order the balls were held, so I knew Medea Linh would be first.

'Lets get started then and put all the girls around the country out of their misery. Ladies and gentlemen prepare to be introduced to your Daughter's of Illea.' He announced and I felt the sweat gather on my hands causing me to drop Flora's bracelet in my pocket. I quickly linked my hands behind my back and prepared to read the names of the girls I had chosen.


'Josette Maryland of Bonita.' I read and watched as her photo appeared on the screen. I didn't remember her at all, like most of the previous girls. Why did I choose her? She was pretty with brown eyes and dark black hair but what made me choose her over the other girls at the ball?

'Belle Adrian of Sonage,' I continued as her face appeared on the screen replacing the other. I remembered her. She at first seemed quiet and reserved but when you got her talking about anything related to travel it was almost impossible to keep her quiet. I could see the desire for adventure dance in her eyes and it had intrigued me. I felt relief in remembering at least one of the girls and the reason for my choice. I was halfway through already but all I wanted to do was get to the end. Flora was last.

'Janice Fine of Panema,' I think I may have chosen her because her voice amused me, however, thinking about it now I realised it was probably going to get old pretty quickly. She was also very clumsy and uncoordinated, it had made dancing almost impossible. I guess I knew who was going to be leaving first.
'Rai Johnston of Carolina,' this was the last girl before her and I quickly looked over at my family wanting to know their reactions to my last choice. I looked back at the screen and saw her name before quickly darting my eyes back to my parents.

'Flora Avery of Likely,' their reactions were not what I was expecting. They all looked shocked, even Harmonia who had seen her that night. I quickly turned back to the monitor and saw the last glimpse of her before the image disappeared. Black hair? As black as a raven's feathers and eyes the colour brown not green. Who was that? It couldn't have been Flora, could it?

'Prince Adam?' Gavril prompted beside me and I looked over at his calm face with one of disbelief. What had just happened?

'Did you have something to say to the selected girls?' He was just going to glaze over it as if my world hadn't just shattered and all my worst fears hadn't just been realised.

'I-I…' Looking over at my father he nodded for me to continue with an impassive look on his face. What was happening?

'I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better when you arrive at the palace in a weeks time.' I stammered not hiding my shock over the situation.

'I'm sure they are very excited as well Prince Adam.' Gavril smiled at me and then turned back to the camera preparing to sign off for the night.

'And we're out.' Someone yelled but I was non-responsive.

'Adam?' Slowly, I turned my head and found Harmonia beside me, a concerned look on her face. Marinda and Michael were still in shock and mother and father were arguing about something, but it was as if the world was moving and I was stuck, simply watching it pass me by.

'Who was that girl?' She asked cautiously.

'I don't know.' I answered in disbelief.

'Adam, are you going to be okay?' She asked quietly, taking my hand in hers and giving it a little squeeze.

'I don't know.' I repeated in a daze.

'Adam, I need to see you in my office,' my father called. 'Now.' I nodded numbly before letting go of Harmonia's hand and walking woodenly in the direction of father's office. Who was that girl?


When I walked into father's office I slumped in the closest chair and waited for him to arrive. How could I have not checked the application form before I submitted it? How was I to know she was lying about her identity?

'Adam, what happened in there?' Dad demanded slamming the door behind him and locking it.

'I don't know, it's not her.' I admitted in despair.

'That much was clear. Didn't you check before you submitted her form? Didn't you notice that it wasn't her when you saw the photo?'

'No,' I confessed in a small voice not able to bring my eyes to meet my father's.

'Adam,' he sighed sinking into his chair across from me, his hands running through his hair in frustration.

'I just assumed she was telling me the truth. How was I to know she gave me a false name?'

'Who is this other girl? The people were expecting the green eyed girl you disappeared with not this one.' He said placing her application form on his desk. I quickly picked it up looking at the photo attached to it in confusion.

'She-' I was cut of by a loud banging on the door and then my mother's voice cut through dad's office.

'Maxon Calix Schreave, you open this door right now.' She demanded angrily and I shot a look at dad whose face was resting in his hands.

'Go away America. I'm handling it.' He replied weakly.

'Maxon, do not ignore me.' She warned trying to twist the door handle.

'America, I said I'm handling it.' He repeated a little firmer at the closed door as I looked between him and the door in confusion. Then there was silence.

'Dad?' I asked when I thought mom had finally given up.

'We need to act as if this is the girl you have chosen.' He said reluctantly.

'What?' I asked outraged. 'I won't do that.'

'You have to Adam, we don't make mistakes. We don't get fooled.'

'No, I need to find her, please dad.'

'I know this is hard and illogical but if we reveal to the people that you were deceived they will loose faith in this competition and by association they loose faith in us.' He sighed leaning back in his chair.

'Dad, I need to find her. If this is my one chance at love I want her here.' I answered angrily getting to my feet.

'No, you've already wasted enough time with these balls-'

'You made me have those balls.' I shot back defensively.

'I know but you need to start taking on more responsibility and you can't do it if you're off looking for a girl that by all accounts has just vanished.'

'What would you have done if mom went missing?' I demanded desperately clutching her bracelet in my hand. I didn't even have a name anymore.

'She lied to you Adam, how can you be sure of anything she told you that night? How can you be sure she is worth all of this?' He asked quietly. I didn't get a chance to answer before the lock clicked open and the door of my father's office slammed against the wall. My mother stood in the doorway glaring down at my father. I stepped out of the way in alarm, afraid of the look on my mother's face.

'Maxon,' she growled and I heard my father get to his feet behind me.

'America, we need to be-'

'No, you will listen to me Maxon.' She hissed before turning to me and I stiffened under her harsh glare. 'Adam, can you give your father and I a few minutes.'

'No, Adam stay,' Dad instructed as I tried to take a step towards the door. I had never seen my parent's like this before.

'Adam, go.' Mom repeated glaring at dad challengingly and I quickly got out before dad could call me back. As soon as I was outside the door slammed loudly behind me and I was left staring blankly at my father's door, dumbfounded. What had just happened? Yesterday my father had been telling me the most important thing was for me to have a healthy heart but now he was telling me I couldn't go after the one person I thought might be able to give it to me. I didn't understand anymore.

'Adam,' someone whispered from beside me and I looked down to find Marinda bent down beside a vent.

'What are you doing?' I asked tiredly.

'You can hear everything they're saying from here.' She explained pointing towards the vent she had her ear pressed against.

'This is why you know so much.' I sighed making my way over to Marinda and crouching beside her.

'I have my secrets and you have yours.' She shrugged.

'I don't have secrets.' I mumbled but she quickly shushed me and I leant closer so I could hear what my parents were saying.

'Maxon, you locked me out.' My mother screeched.

'Yet here you are.' Dad answered flatly.

'I have the key to your office Maxon.'

'I should never have given it to you.'

'I'm your wife and Adam is my child too. We both make the decisions. Why are you acting this way?' She demanded furiously. I don't even remember the last time my parent's fought like this. If they ever did it was never around us.

'America, we can't let Adam go looking for a girl who might not want to be found. The girls will be arriving in a week and he needs to be here when they do, not off looking for some mystery girl.' Dad answered calmly and I could feel my blood boiling.

'What about the people? They have fallen in love with this girl. How do we explain this to them?'

'Once the selection truly begins they will forget all about the girl in the green dress, as should Adam.' Dad sighed sadly but I could barely hear him over the blood pumping through my ears. How could he say that?

'What if it was me Maxon?' My mother asked in a small voice.

'It's not you America.'

'What if it was? Would you have let your father keep you from me?' She demanded and I could hear the emotion in her voice. I always knew there was something from the past between mother and grandfather but they never answered us when we asked. It was something dark, something I'm not sure my father has ever truly forgiven him for and if he did he still doesn't trust him.

'America, I would have turned the world upside down looking for you.' My dad said in a voice I almost missed it was so quiet.

'Then why won't you let Adam do the same?' My mother whispered.

'We can't America, no matter how much we want him to find her he can't disappear looking for this girl.'

'What if this could be the girl he loves?' She asked desperately.

'You know the situation America. We can't show weakness and right now we can't admit a mistake.'

'I know.' My mother breathed and I felt my heart stop. They weren't going to let me go. How would I ever find her?

'Adam?' Marinda asked as I got to my feet and walked purposely for the closed door. I had heard enough.

'Mother, father you do not get to decide whether I look for her or not.' I announced causing them both to turn and look at me, my father still holding my mother's hands tightly.

'Adam,' my father sighed, 'you don't even know her name.'

'I have her bracelet she left behind at the ball.' I said pulling it from my pocket and showing it to them.

'For all you know she stole that too, just like she stole the other girl's identity.' My father said sadly.

'She didn't steal anything.' I defended pushing the bracelet back in my jacket pocket roughly.

'Adam, we can't let you go.' My mother said in a small, reluctant voice.

'Mom, please.' I begged, I could see it in her eyes she wanted me to find this girl. She looked at me for a long time, sadness twisting her face until she turned to my father.

'Maxon,' she whispered.

'No America,' he said firmly. She looked at him, pleadingly before finally turing back to me.

'I'm sorry Adam.' She whispered not able to look me in the eyes.

'No,' I breathed in disbelief.

'There are thirty-five girls coming next week Adam, I'm sure you can find one you like, you may even love.' Mom's words barely reached my ears as I felt all the blood rush from my body. How could they be saying this?

'Mom?' I asked numbly but she still refused to meet my gaze. 'Dad?' He looked at the empty wall of his office with sad eyes.

'I deserved a chance at love, just like the two of you.' I mumbled bitterly storming from the silent room.


Amberly

I hated the waiting, not only for the plane to land but for the Report. I wouldn't be able to see it for hours. I knew something was wrong. This girl was too mysterious, there was something about her that just didn't sit right and who was Molly Zander? I looked out of the small window in frustration. How could our parents have planned it this way? Why did I need to leave when Adam was going to need me the most?

'Princess Amberly, we will be landing in an hour.' The attendant announced before he disappeared again leaving me to stare out at the night sky hopelessly. What if she wasn't who she said she was? Would our parents allow him to go and look for her? I doubted our father would after it was announced. They could cover it up easily enough and explain any differences between the girls until the people believed it had been her all along but Adam would know. What was he willing to do to find this girl? What was she worth to him? I huffed in frustration getting up from my chair, my mind too busy for my body to sit still.

However, despite focusing all my attention on Adam and his problems I knew the true reason for my nervous behaviour. In one hour I would meet the man who was to become my husband. In one hour I would come face to face with the person who was set to change my life forever. If all went well, I would move to London and within a year of the engagement's announcement I would no longer be a princess to Illea but a princess to England instead, married to Prince Anthony. My throat constricted just thinking about marrying a man I had only met when I was ten years old and once more when I was even younger.

Although I never admitted it to my family I was scared, my fear hidden away so they wouldn't worry. I was the eldest it was my job to be strong for my younger brothers and sisters. It was my job as the eldest to carry through with this wedding for their future and that of the nation's. Love was a luxury I wasn't going to be afforded. I just hoped this prince failed to live up to the stories and the memories in my head. I hoped I had exaggerated his behaviour in my memories. I hoped he had grown up.

Just one more hour and I would see him. One more hour and my fate would be sealed.


Anthony

She was here. I had been waiting in the castle foyer for three hours now alternating between nervously pacing and sitting anxiously on the stairs looking intently at the door hoping she would walk through.

Jared had been watching me from the hallway that led from the foyer with amusement. He never said anything just stood and watched as his older brother slowly lost his mind waiting for the only girl he had ever had eyes for. Now, she was here. Just a few more seconds and she would walk through those doors.

I stood beside my mother and father with Jared on my other side. Elliot had been allowed to stay up late to greet my future wife and he stood holding tightly to dad's hand looking excitedly at the doors waiting for her to enter.

Finally, they opened and there she was. She looked scared but when the light of the foyer hit her sandy blonde hair she hid her fear behind a mask and stood a little taller, her blue eyes taking us all in. She walked confidently across the hall in her deep blue dress until she stood before us all. Confident and serious, exactly how I remembered her from when we were younger. I smiled a little remembering the younger Amberly.

She had grown since then and now she was breathtaking, more beautiful than I remembered but still reserved, guarded. Her eyes rested on me and I felt my heart beat a little faster. She looked as if she was searching for something in mine. I just didn't know what it was, but I hoped she found what she was looking for. I knew I had.

'Princess Amberly,' my mother greeted. 'It's wonderful to have you here with us.'

'Thank you for having me.' She replied formally turning her gaze to my mother and father.

'How was your flight?' My father asked but I saw the glint in his eye, it was the same one I got when I had a plan which was already in motion. I quickly looked around the room searching for what he was planning but I couldn't find it. He must have hidden it well or he had the object he plans to use on him somewhere. I looked subtly behind his back as Amberly answered, trying not to be distracted by her musical voice. Then I saw it.

I remembered when my father and I had made that contraption. I thought we were geniuses, it was a gun that shot a green goo at whomever you fired it at. My eyes grew wide as he pulled his hand out from behind his back. Before I could even move to stop him it was too late. Amberly's beautiful face was covered in a green sludge as my mother looked on open mouthed, torn between wanting to help her or reprimand her husband. I was deciding whether to laugh or pretend to be outraged by my father's attack on my fiancé. In the end my father's humour won out.

Amberly stood frozen as the goo began to drip on the floor. She seemed uncertain of how to react, this was probably not how she had imagined meeting her future family.

'Amberly, I'm so sorry for my husbands behaviour.' Mother tried to soothe, shooting my father and I a look, as if this was my fault. I was still trying to get my laughter under control so I was no help trying to placate the princess.

'I-I…' Her inability to answer only made me laugh louder. Beside me Jared was quietly chuckling as well at the green princess. I looked over at Elliot and found that he wasn't laughing with the other men of his family instead he was looking at the princess strangely. However, I didn't have time to consider my younger brother's odd look because Amberly's blue eyes had just found me. My eye's quickly darted to hers and immediately my laughter was silenced. I watched as disappointment and regret crossed her face, causing fear to settle in my heart. She had only been here five minutes and I was already ruining my chances.

'If you don't mind I would like to go to my rooms and rest, it's been a long day.' She announced wiping some of the goo off her face not looking at any of us and I felt the absence of her eyes chill my body.

'I'll take you.' I announced quickly and I saw her shoot me a reproachful glance before looking at my mother.

'I was wondering if you would mind taking me queen Olivier?' She asked completely ignoring me. What was her problem? I didn't pull the prank.

'Of course I'll take you.' Mother agreed and I watched in annoyance as the two left the foyer together.

'I'm not sure she knows how to take a joke son.' My father chuckled turning to me.

'No, I don't think she does either.' I agreed looking absently at the hallway they had passed through.

'Maybe we should put aside our war for the moment and try and teach her how to have some fun?' He said offering me his hand. I thought about it for a moment, remembering the look of disbelief and then anger on Amberly's face.

'Agreed,' I answered taking his outstretched hand and giving it a firm shake. I bet she had a beautiful smile when she was truly enjoying herself. I grinned to myself as I released my father's hand and walked from the foyer thinking about a serious blonde who needed to learn to have a little fun. This was going to be entertaining.


Aisling

I was in the streets of Italy, basking in the beautiful sunlight and aroma's of the little restaurants that filled the narrow lane-ways. People were everywhere laughing and talking happily as if they didn't have a care in the world. I felt my heart soar seeing all the people living together, harmoniously. You would never see people interacting like this in the streets of Illea. Here the streets were bright and colourful whilst back in Illea they were dull and grey. There are buskers filling every street corner with beautiful music and children running happily between the crowds of people.

Here no one knew who I was and no one cared about numbers. Here I was free to be whoever I wanted to be, live however I wanted to live and no one called me worthless or inferior. Everyone was an equal.

I weaved my way between the crowds, a huge smile covering my face as people greeted me in the streets as if I was a long lost friend. I was almost to the end of the street when the scene began to change. I looked up and at the end of the lane way I saw a tall blond man with his back to me. He seemed so familiar I couldn't help but walk towards him. The people and the street began to fall away until all I could see was the back of the man's head. I broke out into a run desperate to get to him.

Just as I was about to reach him he turned to face me and I stopped in shock. What was he doing here? He shouldn't be here. This was my freedom why was he in it? In his hand he held a beautiful white flower and his face broke out into a breathtaking smile. His eyes were on mine as he began to take a few steps closer. All I could do was stand frozen watching his slow, deliberate approach.

'Aisling, come back to me.' He whispered but I was still confused. What was he doing here? He was never part of my dream before so why was he here now?

'Please Aisling, promise me you'll return.' He implored offering me the white flower. Slowly, reluctantly I felt myself nodding my head and as soon as my hands touched the flower I was ripped from the world.

'Adam,' I breathed my eyes shooting open in alarm. I was immediately met with darkness and I knew I was back in the cellar of Avery Manor. I wasn't sure how long I had been out this time but finally it seemed as if the pain was subsiding.

Thankfully, this time nothing had broken when she had thrown me down the stairs but bruises covered most of my body and the burn was still hot on my skin. Flora had bandaged it for me, covering it with a soothing ointment and brought me food whenever she could but I didn't know how I was going to recover from this. How could I continue to work here? I wish I had the money to leave for Italy now. I wanted to feel the sun on my skin and learn to live a life free from pain and torment. I wanted to be free, like a bird flying high among the treetops.

Then Adam appeared in my mind again. What was he doing in my dream? He didn't belong there. He was never part of the plan. I could still see his warm face when I closed my eyes and it scared me. I couldn't give time to these ridiculous dreams when the one I wanted I now needed more than ever. I needed to escape before one day she eventually killed me and all I would have known in life was suffering. I needed to get out of here and Adam wasn't going to help me do that. The only way I was leaving was if I made it happen.

I pushed off from the bed feeling a dull pain shoot through my body but I ignored it. If I wasn't up today Malvolia would come looking for me. I straightened my tattered dress before shuffling for the stairs. This was going to be a very long day.


When I reached the kitchen the staff were abuzz. All the maids were speaking excitedly about something, but I was too tired from just walking up the stairs to pay much attention. I hobbled over to the sink and started to wash the dishes that were piling up from breakfast as the other's continued to talk excitedly behind me. I was content to ignore them until someone came up behind me.

'Aisling?' I turned to face a hesitant Jenna, confused she was even speaking to me. 'They announced who the Prince picked last night.'

'That's nice,' I muttered turning back to the dishes.

'They picked Flora.' She said quietly and I dropped the dish I had been holding and it shattered against the floor.

'W-What?' I stuttered not turning back to face her.

'The prince chose Flora.' She repeated slowly.

'But…' I didn't even know how to form a sentence anymore. How could he have chosen Flora she wasn't even there?

'He chose you Aisling. You were Flora that night.' She explained but I couldn't believe it.

'No, this can't be right.' I whispered.

'Flora's going to the palace Aisling, the king isn't changing the decision. The girls that were announced last night will stand.'

'She should go, she deserves this.' I said firmly returning to washing the dishes.

'He wants you Aisling, not Flora.'

'It doesn't matter now. I don't want to go to the palace.' I answered softly.

'He'll come for you Aisling.' She announced with certainty.

'No, he won't.' I whispered so she couldn't hear. No one would come for me, I was nothing but a worthless maid. Why would a prince want anything to do with me?


Thank you everyone who has been reading, reviewing, favouriting and following this story. I'm glad you like the new characters, if there's anyone you want to hear more from just let me know, even ones whose point of view I haven't written from yet. I will be writing from a few different people including Frederick, Olivier, more Maxon and some America soon but not consistently. Maxon's Rose I promise there will be more from Maxon soon especially when the selection begins and Adam starts to ask for his advice more. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, let me know your thoughts. Otherwise, until next time beautiful people :)