This story belongs to the wonderful Kiera Cass!
Mary twists my hair into an elaborate bun on top of my head. She pulls a sea-foam green dress over my head, and prims the ruffles until they fall around me like waves. The sleeves are elegant and short and the v-neck neckline accents my oceanic appearance. I have only glanced in the mirror once, and the image of myself will forever be implanted in my mind. I look innocent and charming on the outside, but fierce and untamed on the inside.
The Selected boys are arriving at the palace today. Actually, they're already here, and are currently being dressed by their maids. We don't get to see them until dinner, though. The boys are like ghosts, implied but never there. It seems like nothing could pop our perfect families' bubble, except one of those boys.
Maxon, Ahren, Kaden, of course, Eadlyn, and I all gathered in the Women's Room to watch the boy's province's farewell. Out of all the Selected boys, Edwin Bishop of Denbeigh's farewell was the grandest, while Fox Wesley of Clermont's farewell was the most sincere. We all took turns deciding who would win Eadlyn's heart (Eadlyn was silent with a scowl on her face for most of that conversation) and who Eadlyn was sending home first (she got a huge grin when Ahren mentioned Kile).
When Mary came in to remind us all that it was time to get ready for dinner, I pulled Eadlyn aside. I took a deep breath, and looked into her eyes, expecting to find anger or hurt swirling amongst their pits. Instead, I found confusion, to my immense surprise. "What is it, mom?" Eadlyn asks impatiently. "I have to get ready to have dinner with the boys."
I blink, shocked that I have been lost in my thoughts for so long that it annoyed my daughter. I felt a flash of anger, and then regret. She's giving up so much for my happy ending, and I'm mad at her? My poor daughter...the burning sensation begins again, this time stronger and more consuming. I have to take a breath and calm down to put the fire out...still, it's not completely out...
"Mom? Are you alright? This isn't even your Selection, why are you frozen?" Eadlyn stares at me with concern. I shrug the burning into a tiny compartment in the corner of my brain. It's still there, but not front and center. "Mom? Do you want me to get Dad?" Eadlyn shakes me from my thoughts.
Finally, I clear my throat, "Sorry, sweetie, I was lost in my own thoughts for a second, please don't worry about me!" I mentally cringe at what Maxon would do if he found out. "I wanted to talk to you about Kile, Eadlyn. The Selection means so much to Mrs. Marlee. Seeing Kile with you, it's like our Selection all over again. This time, though, she wants to win."
Eadlyn starts to protest, but I continue, "Mrs. Marlee has also been feeling very guilty about staying in the palace when they aren't royals or part of the guard. By Kile being in the Selection, Mrs. Marlee feels that she deserves to stay in the palace, and that she isn't a burden."
Before I can continue, Eadlyn interrupts, "But Mrs. Marlee is practically a mother to me. She isn't a burden! Whenever I need help with budget cuts or had a question and Dad and you were busy, I went to her. When I couldn't figure out how to ride a horse with a skirt or scrapped my knee, I went to her. She took care of us for as long as I remember!"
It's my turn to interrupt. "I know Eadlyn, believe me, I know. But Mrs. Marlee still feels that way, and the only way to make her feel like she actually belongs at the palace is,"
"To keep Kile in the Selection as long as possible," Eadlyn matters under her breath, finishing my thought.
"Exactly!" I say pleased that she gave in so quickly. "But Eadlyn, pick who your heart is calling you to, not just Kile because I asked to, or Edwin because he has the people's hearts, or Ean because he has allies. The people aren't picking just anything, they're picking your future. They're picking who you will wake up next to each morning, the person who will help support the strain of running the country, the person who will give you a shoulder to cry on."
She nods once. "I understand, Mom. I'll try to get along with Kile, I promise."
"Thanks Eadlyn. Now, let's get ready for dinner before Mary calls the royal guards to force us to our rooms," I say with a small smile. She offers me one in return and walks out of the Women's Room.
Warning! Long notice!
Welcome back readers!
I have decided to put the author's notice at the end of the story, instead of the beginning like I usually do.
Today's shout-out goes to the newest member of our small family: SNS! (Sorry I can't put your name in, it keeps autocorrecting ;p). When I received a notification that someone new I had decided to favorite Forgotten, I rushed to finish this chapter so that I could thank them. SNS, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the small amount of support you have shown for this story!
I would also like to quickly thank AnaDressedInBlood for her comments on each chapter. They really help me feel motivated in writing another one!
One last thing, I'd like to apologize for the shortness of this chapter, I'm writing it at 9:30 at night, and I'm very tired. But as a reward, the next chapter will include the Selected boys and some interactions between them and America! (I know I said in the beginning that the Selected boys would appear soon an they didn't, but that was because I wanted a good buildup to when the Selected boys appear).
Keep reading!
XXX—HHL
