Author's Note: This chapter is rather boring, I must admit. A new one is coming very soon! I won't make you wait as much as I have been. Sorry if it felt like a long time. Enjoy and thanks so much for your patience!

Guin starts flipping through pictures, occasionally holding one up for Andrew to see. He glances up for a moment to appease her, then returns to his matchbox cars on the table. Andrew moves them across the table and makes occasional "vroom" sounds in between bites of waffle. Watching him play is a favorite pastime of mine. He's so serene and peaceful.

I wish I could spend the day with my family. Meeting with diplomats can wait until tomorrow, right?

"Ooh!" Guin squeals in my ear. "Look at him! Owen Fields. He's adorable!"

I lean over her shoulder and see a boy who looks way too young for the Selection. His hair is a mix of blonde and red and hangs over his eyes. It looks like he has to swipe it out of his face all of the time.

"He's alright." I say, "But his form says he is a year younger than me."

"You're going to disregard him just because he's younger than you? You'll lose 20% of your candidates if you do that." Guin has always been a master at math, something I deeply envy about her. I can write a speech for any event posed, but as soon as someone mentionnumbers I can be found reaching for my calculator.

"I never said I was going to kick him out just because he is young, but I can't choose one based on looks either. He has to be-"

"Good for the country. I know, Ever. We all know how dedicated you are. Just promise me you will consider him." Guinevere looks at me with those eyes of hers.

"Yes, I will consider them all."

All around the table sit diplomats from the various countries around the world. We're discussing alliances today. Illea already has strong connections with Italy, France and Swendway. Most of the newer countries, however, are reluctant to adhere to any kind of agreement. My dad informs me it is because they haven't seen war the way the older countries have and aren't as reluctant to lose lives to it.

One of the diplomats, a man with a distinct German accent, insists that we give up some of the vast land of our country to them. He claims that Germany will support any of Illea's endeavors, given that we allow them to build a fort near Calgary. The King has warned me against any agreements like this. There is fear that they may go back on any promises the moment that they are established and attack.

"I'm sorry, but we simply cannot allow you to take that land," my father is deep in negotiation. "The citizens of Calgary, and any other provinces in the area, need to know that their government is protecting them. I cannot imagine that anything good could come from inserting foreign forces, good intentions aside." The German man begins rethinking his approach. He takes notes on a stack of paper in front of him.

A woman from Italy takes the opportunity to speak up.

"My country would like to know what you intend to do about the unrest in your country. More specifically, we have obtained the videos from your province. Kent, is it? It seems your people are no longer pleased with a monarchy. As we have one ourselves, we would like help you quell that in any we can, but should the unhappiness continue, we may need to close our borders to your country."

My father looks to me. It appears that unrest is now my domain.

"We understand your concern and the need to protect your country. Let me assure you, Adelina, that we are doing everything we can to put an end to this. The group's leader is in custody and is awaiting a trial. His assistants are being hunted for as we speak. We have made much progress and a week has not yet passed." I pause, watching her. She is analyzing me as well, sort of sizing me up. "On top of that, we have the Selection officially beginning four days from now. Old reports show boosts in morale during Selection times of the past. I don't think there is any need to isolate yourselves from us just yet, but we will respect any decisions made."

My father nods at me and smiles. "Princess Everleigh is correct. We don't anticipate further attacks, and we thank your for your continual support. Moving on to the matter of our alliance, I would like the terms to remain the same as before, if that works for your country."

Adelina smiles, "My King and Queen have advised me to make and decisions I see fit in regards to our alliance, and I see no reason to makes changes unless the circumstances change."

"Thank you, Adelina." My father stands and shakes her hand. He looks around the rest of the gathered emissaries. "Unless there are further questions, I ask that anyone that wishes for the terms of our alliance to remain the same take your leave at this time so that you can enjoy the rest of your time in Illea."

Four of the gathered politicians stand and shake hands with my father and myself. I settle in. Three more countries remain to be dealt with. This is when true skill comes into play.

The meeting ends three hours later. The German ambassador remains unsatisfied, but eventually agrees to keep our relationship the same. France simply requests more money in exchange for their military support because he heard Adelina speak of unrest, and the last country, one whose name I cannot pronounce no matter how much I try, hadn't been allied with us before today. Most of the time is spent drawing up the papers.

Eventually, I find myself back in the dining hall for dinner. My dad fills my mom in on the success of the meeting. His chipper attitude is a rarity. My dad nearly always has successful negotiations with the diplomats, but it isn't uncommon for them to begin in the morning and progress through the night.

Blissfully, the next couple days are average. I have to write up proposals and begin budgets, like always, but this last week has been so cutthroat that getting back to the mundane sounds lovely.

Most of the boys arrive Wednesday. When I think that, I cannot help but smile. I am not, by any means, off the hook when they arrive, but I plan to make them my distractions from it all. I still cannot imagine having 35 new people to meet and needing to get to know them well enough to find the one I love.

The Selection is famous for mass eliminations within the first couple days. How am I ever going talk to all of them properly before I am expected to cast them off? Despite my smile, my stomach knots a little at the thought.