p class="MsoNormal"Lettice Protheroe's POVbr style="mso-special-character: line-break;" / !- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" / !-[endif]-/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIn the days leading up to the selection, my mind got the better of me. Mother always said I had my head in the clouds and right now she was right. I couldn't help but let my imagination run wild./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI dreamed it up in my head. They would announce the winners on the Report and my name would be called. Prince James' face would light up when he saw my picture – it would be love at first sight. When I got to the palace he'd kiss my hand and we'd stare into one another's eyes for far too long. We'd both know that I was the one right then. The Selection would continue, but just like his father, Prince James knew what he wanted – em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"who/em he wanted. It would barely be a month in before Prince James would be announcing our engagement. Then we'd live happily ever after, just like in all the fairytales./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt was a fairytale in and of itself. I knew that. It was doubtful I'd even get selected, let alone that Prince James would fall in love at first sight. But a girl could dream. After all, that's probably all I had./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanOn the day of the Selection, we decided to make a whole celebration of it. Mother and I decorated the house with streamers and balloons. We baked a cake and even made icing for it. We'd invited our friends and neighbors over to watch the television together. My older sister was even coming in with her husband and new baby./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanOur house was merry that night. Everyone was crowded around the living room, taking up every available seat and sitting on the floor when none were left. I was sitting as close to the television as I could get. I didn't want to miss a single second./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I remember when Queen June was chosen." Mother was telling me and my younger cousins. "We were all shocked! There were still a dozen women left, but King Callen was in love. Everyone had known she was going to win, they just didn't expect him to propose so soon!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Lettice is gonna' win just like that!" Little Henry exclaimed, sending a beaming smile my way./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI laughed and gave him a hug. "I hope so."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You'll be chosen." My sister assured me. "Why wouldn't they pick you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"There's thousands of girls out there. I don't want to get my hopes up." I lied. My hopes were already up./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It's starting!" Our neighbor Anne cried./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA hush fell over the room as the national anthem played out and the screen went from our national symbol to the Royal Family. The three were sitting on thrones in the Report room, all looking very at ease. The Master of Events read off some announcements and then King Callen was standing to announce the selection./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"As you all known, twenty five years ago I found my wife through the Selection." He said. "I hope for my son to find love as true as ours through this process, and I'm sure he will. For the lives of twenty young women, this will be their chance to become a Daughter of Ethrill and a chance for a better future."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith that Gavril Faday took over as host. "Indeed, who could forget your memorable proposal, your majesty?" He asked the king./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe King smiled and sent his wife a loving look. My heart clenched. I wanted love like that. Love that was clear even from miles away./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Now, onto the man of the hour. Prince James!" Gavril went to the prince and my heart skipped a beat at his smile. "How are you feeling, your highness?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"To be honest I'm nervous." He said with an easygoing smile. "This is my future we're talking about."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Are you excited about the Selection?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I am. My future wife could be among tonight's ladies. I'm thrilled to start this journey."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well then, we won't delay any further! Let's bring out the Selected Ladies!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe screen changed to our national symbol with a small inset box that showed a close up of the prince's face. I stared at his face as the pictures came across the screen, analyzing every twitch of his lips and the light in his eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"In no particular order, we have Nova Bansol, 5. Maria Farsetti, 2. Liberty Hendricks, 2. Lettice Protheroe…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe houses exploded into cheers. I let out a high pitched squeal and jumped to my feet. I'd won? I'd won! I was in the Selection! This was a dream come true. This was my chance at happily ever after./p
h1Kate Moore/h1
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Katla Montgomery, 2. Gloria Harper, 6. Jolie Corbin,6. Kate Moore, 5…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI gasped. Kate Moore? Me?/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy face was only on the screen for a split section before "Antonia Winston, 2." Was being announced. And then the next girl "Raveena Crowe, 3."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBut that had been me, right? It had been my face that had been on the television for the few seconds. My brown wavy hair that had been pulled into a messy braid. My teal dress, the fanciest I owned. My blue eyes staring out at the screen with a beaming smile./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanManuel had made me laugh at some stupid joke right before the camera had gone off. I looked radiant in my photo, so much more so than I would have thought. But there was mirth in my eyes and a wide open smile on my face. I must have seemed beautiful for them to have chosen me. Me, a five!/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sat in silence while the rest of the names were read, barely hearing anything else. My mind was blank. Over and over my mind just kept repeating "I'm one of the Selected" like a never ending chant./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt took fifteen minutes for there to be a pounding on my door. I jumped up, afraid my mother would hear. I ran down the flight up steps and flung open the door before the noise could wake her./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThere stood Manuel, my only friend. He had a mixed look of surprise and excitement on his face. "That was you?" He breathed out, panting from having run from the other side of the neighborhood. "I wasn't dreaming?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Not unless I was too."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ha!" Manuel let out a laugh and grabbed me by the waist, swinging me around. "Congratulations Katie! You did it!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Shhh, mom's sleeping." I hissed, but I couldn't help my beaming smile./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Who cares? You're in the selection!" Manuel cheered./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Are you more excited for me or for the money?" I asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanManuel's face fell. He dropped me to the floor and took a step back, his face anguished. "Katie, how could you think that of me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It… it was just a joke." I murmured awkwardly./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanManuel huffed. "I don't care about the money. This is a chance for you to really do something in life, Katie! You could be our next princess. Imagine, a five as the princess! You'd be in a position to do so much to help the people here. All the people!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWe had talked in length about what would happen if I'd won the selection. At first it had just been joking. I told Manuel that if I won I'd split the earning between him and my mom. After all, I only had one mouth to feed whereas he had six./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBut from there it had quickly branched off into serious questions. If I was selected I could become the princess, and even queen. What would that mean? It would mean I'd have fancy dresses and balls and be the most watched woman in Ethrill, but it would also mean power. I'd have the power to change things. I could do all the things we'd dreamed about – opening shelters and women's homes. Educating the children better. Even dismantling the caste system. It was all something that was possible now./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You can do it, Kate." Manuel had grabbed my shoulders, squeezing firmly. "I know you can. The prince will be blown away by you."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You think?" I whispered. Suddenly the weight of this was all falling on me. Oh god. I would have to compete. To date the prince. To be around royalty and actually be a lady. I was only a five. I was a good singer, not a stateswoman. Talking was one thing, but doing was another./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Definitely." Manuel said with a bright grin. He pulled me in for a hug and I sunk against him. I always felt safer with Manuel. "Don't you worry, Katie. This will be our chance to really make a change in the world."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
h2Anthea Regis – Winning/h2
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Daniella LeBlanc, 2. Arabella McCain, 3. May Adams, 6. Didee Vega, 5. Raechel Granger, 6. Rosemary Kentwell, 4. Kate Jakob, 3."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Anthea Regis, 3."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTwo heads whipped towards me. Jodah's mouth was open and his eyes were blown wide while dearest dad just looked constipated with anger./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFaintly I heard the television announce the last contestant, "Anna Lace, 6. And that's it folks, the new Daughters of Ethrill! Don't forget to tune in next time when we'll meet these ladies for the first time!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You entered the Selection?" Jodah accused, voice rising in pitch./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt took me a moment to protest, my mind still reeling. "I didn't think I'd win!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I thought we talked about this!" Jodah exclaimed. The shock was starting to fade and anger had taken over./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI held my hands up in defense. "I'm sorry, but seriously. I didn't think I'd win. Why would they choose me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Obviously it's some sort of mistake." Dad said in a growl./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Gee, thanks." I deadpanned, not that he cared./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"This is serious! This is the Prince we're talking about!" Jodah cried, throwing his hands in the air. "How could you do this?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Jodah…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Don't you 'Jodah' me, Anthea. I want an answer!"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ok, ok." I soothed./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sighed. When I'd entered the selection I never thought I'd actually get it. It was supposed to be a joke in a way – haha I entered the selection. It would be something Jodah would smile about after the fact./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAt the same time, the entry had been serious. I couldn't give two fucks about the Prince, but the prize money… We were threes but between slow business and dad's drinking habit we were living day to day. The money from being a selected could help the family greatly. If I managed to stay for more than a week we could even save up so my brother could become an apprentice to someone who made real money – like a jeweler./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanExplaining this to Jodah took a delicate touch, of which I had none. I was used to swinging a hammer at the forge, what could I say?/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We need the money." I said bluntly. I saw dad perk up at the mention of money. Of course. "Even if I just spend a day there, we'd get the money for the first week! And imagine if I stayed longer!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJodah shook his head. "So you're going to sell your body to the prince to do so? You read the rules. You know what they said."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh come on, Jodah. Like the Prince would want anything to do with me." I waved away his worries. Besides, if worst came to worst I knew how to protect myself./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJodah shook his head. "I don't like this."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Noted."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"How much money are we talking about?" Dad asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sighed./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLater the night Jodah came to visit me in my room. He was pacing the length of the carpet, obviously agitated./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We are fine on our own. We don't need their money." He said. "This is prostitution!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm not sleeping with him, Jodah." I snapped. "I'm just there to flirt and say hi. Who knows, maybe I'll fall in love."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"With the prince?" He asked in a 'really?' tone of voice. He raised a brow at me./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI shrugged. "Weirder things have happened."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Anthea, are you even taking this seriously?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Or maybe I'll fall in love with a guard. Or another contestant. Or the queen. Let's be wild."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're not." He said dully./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI rolled my eyes and waved him over. He sat on the bed next to me and I slung an arm around my little brother's shoulders. "I know you're worried, but I can take care of myself. I won't let anything happen to me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"But what about me?" He asked in a small voice. "I'll be here. Alone." em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"With dad/em went unspoken./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You'll be fine." I promised. "Dad won't even be home I bet, not after he has more drinking money. Between that and the publicity the shop will get, you'll both be too busy to miss me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe snorted. "You really think so?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I do."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJodah eyed me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Alright, you win. But you've got to be careful. I didn't like those rules."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I understand." I said and squeezed him into a hug. "I promise, everything will be fine."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIn the days leading up to the selection, my mind got the better of me. Mother always said I had my head in the clouds and right now she was right. I couldn't help but let my imagination run wild./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI dreamed it up in my head. They would announce the winners on the Report and my name would be called. Prince James' face would light up when he saw my picture – it would be love at first sight. When I got to the palace he'd kiss my hand and we'd stare into one another's eyes for far too long. We'd both know that I was the one right then. The Selection would continue, but just like his father, Prince James knew what he wanted – em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"who/em he wanted. It would barely be a month in before Prince James would be announcing our engagement. Then we'd live happily ever after, just like in all the fairytales./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt was a fairytale in and of itself. I knew that. It was doubtful I'd even get selected, let alone that Prince James would fall in love at first sight. But a girl could dream. After all, that's probably all I had./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanOn the day of the Selection, we decided to make a whole celebration of it. Mother and I decorated the house with streamers and balloons. We baked a cake and even made icing for it. We'd invited our friends and neighbors over to watch the television together. My older sister was even coming in with her husband and new baby./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanOur house was merry that night. Everyone was crowded around the living room, taking up every available seat and sitting on the floor when none were left. I was sitting as close to the television as I could get. I didn't want to miss a single second./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I remember when Queen June was chosen." Mother was telling me and my younger cousins. "We were all shocked! There were still a dozen women left, but King Callen was in love. Everyone had known she was going to win, they just didn't expect him to propose so soon!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Lettice is gonna' win just like that!" Little Henry exclaimed, sending a beaming smile my way./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI laughed and gave him a hug. "I hope so."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You'll be chosen." My sister assured me. "Why wouldn't they pick you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"There's thousands of girls out there. I don't want to get my hopes up." I lied. My hopes were already up./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It's starting!" Our neighbor Anne cried./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA hush fell over the room as the national anthem played out and the screen went from our national symbol to the Royal Family. The three were sitting on thrones in the Report room, all looking very at ease. The Master of Events read off some announcements and then King Callen was standing to announce the selection./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"As you all known, twenty five years ago I found my wife through the Selection." He said. "I hope for my son to find love as true as ours through this process, and I'm sure he will. For the lives of twenty young women, this will be their chance to become a Daughter of Ethrill and a chance for a better future."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWith that Gavril Faday took over as host. "Indeed, who could forget your memorable proposal, your majesty?" He asked the king./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe King smiled and sent his wife a loving look. My heart clenched. I wanted love like that. Love that was clear even from miles away./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Now, onto the man of the hour. Prince James!" Gavril went to the prince and my heart skipped a beat at his smile. "How are you feeling, your highness?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"To be honest I'm nervous." He said with an easygoing smile. "This is my future we're talking about."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Are you excited about the Selection?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I am. My future wife could be among tonight's ladies. I'm thrilled to start this journey."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Well then, we won't delay any further! Let's bring out the Selected Ladies!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe screen changed to our national symbol with a small inset box that showed a close up of the prince's face. I stared at his face as the pictures came across the screen, analyzing every twitch of his lips and the light in his eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"In no particular order, we have Nova Bansol, 5. Maria Farsetti, 2. Liberty Hendricks, 2. Lettice Protheroe…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe houses exploded into cheers. I let out a high pitched squeal and jumped to my feet. I'd won? I'd won! I was in the Selection! This was a dream come true. This was my chance at happily ever after./p
h1Kate Moore/h1
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Katla Montgomery, 2. Gloria Harper, 6. Jolie Corbin,6. Kate Moore, 5…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI gasped. Kate Moore? Me?/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy face was only on the screen for a split section before "Antonia Winston, 2." Was being announced. And then the next girl "Raveena Crowe, 3."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBut that had been me, right? It had been my face that had been on the television for the few seconds. My brown wavy hair that had been pulled into a messy braid. My teal dress, the fanciest I owned. My blue eyes staring out at the screen with a beaming smile./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanManuel had made me laugh at some stupid joke right before the camera had gone off. I looked radiant in my photo, so much more so than I would have thought. But there was mirth in my eyes and a wide open smile on my face. I must have seemed beautiful for them to have chosen me. Me, a five!/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sat in silence while the rest of the names were read, barely hearing anything else. My mind was blank. Over and over my mind just kept repeating "I'm one of the Selected" like a never ending chant./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt took fifteen minutes for there to be a pounding on my door. I jumped up, afraid my mother would hear. I ran down the flight up steps and flung open the door before the noise could wake her./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThere stood Manuel, my only friend. He had a mixed look of surprise and excitement on his face. "That was you?" He breathed out, panting from having run from the other side of the neighborhood. "I wasn't dreaming?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Not unless I was too."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ha!" Manuel let out a laugh and grabbed me by the waist, swinging me around. "Congratulations Katie! You did it!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Shhh, mom's sleeping." I hissed, but I couldn't help my beaming smile./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Who cares? You're in the selection!" Manuel cheered./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Are you more excited for me or for the money?" I asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanManuel's face fell. He dropped me to the floor and took a step back, his face anguished. "Katie, how could you think that of me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It… it was just a joke." I murmured awkwardly./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanManuel huffed. "I don't care about the money. This is a chance for you to really do something in life, Katie! You could be our next princess. Imagine, a five as the princess! You'd be in a position to do so much to help the people here. All the people!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWe had talked in length about what would happen if I'd won the selection. At first it had just been joking. I told Manuel that if I won I'd split the earning between him and my mom. After all, I only had one mouth to feed whereas he had six./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBut from there it had quickly branched off into serious questions. If I was selected I could become the princess, and even queen. What would that mean? It would mean I'd have fancy dresses and balls and be the most watched woman in Ethrill, but it would also mean power. I'd have the power to change things. I could do all the things we'd dreamed about – opening shelters and women's homes. Educating the children better. Even dismantling the caste system. It was all something that was possible now./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You can do it, Kate." Manuel had grabbed my shoulders, squeezing firmly. "I know you can. The prince will be blown away by you."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You think?" I whispered. Suddenly the weight of this was all falling on me. Oh god. I would have to compete. To date the prince. To be around royalty and actually be a lady. I was only a five. I was a good singer, not a stateswoman. Talking was one thing, but doing was another./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Definitely." Manuel said with a bright grin. He pulled me in for a hug and I sunk against him. I always felt safer with Manuel. "Don't you worry, Katie. This will be our chance to really make a change in the world."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
h2Anthea Regis – Winning/h2
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Daniella LeBlanc, 2. Arabella McCain, 3. May Adams, 6. Didee Vega, 5. Raechel Granger, 6. Rosemary Kentwell, 4. Kate Jakob, 3."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Anthea Regis, 3."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanTwo heads whipped towards me. Jodah's mouth was open and his eyes were blown wide while dearest dad just looked constipated with anger./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFaintly I heard the television announce the last contestant, "Anna Lace, 6. And that's it folks, the new Daughters of Ethrill! Don't forget to tune in next time when we'll meet these ladies for the first time!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You entered the Selection?" Jodah accused, voice rising in pitch./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt took me a moment to protest, my mind still reeling. "I didn't think I'd win!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I thought we talked about this!" Jodah exclaimed. The shock was starting to fade and anger had taken over./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI held my hands up in defense. "I'm sorry, but seriously. I didn't think I'd win. Why would they choose me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Obviously it's some sort of mistake." Dad said in a growl./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Gee, thanks." I deadpanned, not that he cared./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"This is serious! This is the Prince we're talking about!" Jodah cried, throwing his hands in the air. "How could you do this?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Jodah…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Don't you 'Jodah' me, Anthea. I want an answer!"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Ok, ok." I soothed./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sighed. When I'd entered the selection I never thought I'd actually get it. It was supposed to be a joke in a way – haha I entered the selection. It would be something Jodah would smile about after the fact./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAt the same time, the entry had been serious. I couldn't give two fucks about the Prince, but the prize money… We were threes but between slow business and dad's drinking habit we were living day to day. The money from being a selected could help the family greatly. If I managed to stay for more than a week we could even save up so my brother could become an apprentice to someone who made real money – like a jeweler./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanExplaining this to Jodah took a delicate touch, of which I had none. I was used to swinging a hammer at the forge, what could I say?/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We need the money." I said bluntly. I saw dad perk up at the mention of money. Of course. "Even if I just spend a day there, we'd get the money for the first week! And imagine if I stayed longer!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJodah shook his head. "So you're going to sell your body to the prince to do so? You read the rules. You know what they said."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh come on, Jodah. Like the Prince would want anything to do with me." I waved away his worries. Besides, if worst came to worst I knew how to protect myself./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJodah shook his head. "I don't like this."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Noted."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"How much money are we talking about?" Dad asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sighed./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLater the night Jodah came to visit me in my room. He was pacing the length of the carpet, obviously agitated./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"We are fine on our own. We don't need their money." He said. "This is prostitution!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm not sleeping with him, Jodah." I snapped. "I'm just there to flirt and say hi. Who knows, maybe I'll fall in love."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"With the prince?" He asked in a 'really?' tone of voice. He raised a brow at me./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI shrugged. "Weirder things have happened."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Anthea, are you even taking this seriously?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Or maybe I'll fall in love with a guard. Or another contestant. Or the queen. Let's be wild."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're not." He said dully./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI rolled my eyes and waved him over. He sat on the bed next to me and I slung an arm around my little brother's shoulders. "I know you're worried, but I can take care of myself. I won't let anything happen to me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"But what about me?" He asked in a small voice. "I'll be here. Alone." em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"With dad/em went unspoken./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You'll be fine." I promised. "Dad won't even be home I bet, not after he has more drinking money. Between that and the publicity the shop will get, you'll both be too busy to miss me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe snorted. "You really think so?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I do."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJodah eyed me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Alright, you win. But you've got to be careful. I didn't like those rules."/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I understand." I said and squeezed him into a hug. "I promise, everything will be fine."/p
