Hi everyone! I'm so incredibly sorry about the immense hiatus this story has had! I'm not even going to go into excuses, I'll just tell you that I plan on updating this story regularly again. I hope you enjoy this long overdue chapter!

I'm currently in a conference room, watching

King Salvadore's face on a wide screen. This is our second conference with Italy since the Russian/German alliance announcement. Italy has sent advisors into Germany, and we've requested a team to come from Germany. We're all trying to piece together what exactly has happened so suddenly. So far all we've gotten is that the German Federation wants to be prepared in case of any future attacks on their government from New Asia- not that there have been any in decades.

"There is still no news on whether my advocates and advisors have gotten into the Federation at this time, it seems the Germans are keeping to themselves. We have spoken to France, and they will be sending their people through, but corresponding closely with us. Swendway has reached out for contact, but nothing beyond that. It's all very disconnected at the moment which is unsettling. It's been four days since the news, and nothing since then. I'm sorry for not giving any real news." King Salvatore rubs his eyes, and I see my mother do the same thing in this very room. Papa shakes his head and thanks the Italians for their communication, before hanging up. Another useless effort. The secrecy overseas is certainly worrying.

"We can do nothing right now, Emelie, so don't worry too much about it. Your brother's Draft drafts are coming into place," my papa nudges me and winks, "see what I did there?" He chuckles. "And we've done everything we can do at this moment."

I look at him and sigh. "So now it's just a waiting game."

"That it is, rakkaani." My mum walks over to us as a maid tells us our car is ready.

I now stand behind a painted yellow line upon dark asphalt with my family, awaiting the arrival of Verity, Uncle Osten, and Aunt Beatrice. They are the only extended family my mother decided to bring in for Lucas's birthday, seeing as though Uncle Kaden's children are too young, Uncle Ahren's too far, and my father has no brothers or sisters. It's a pity Uncle Ahren and Aunt Camille didn't come, because their eldest son, Prince Nichol, is one of Lucas's closest friends. He won't really be surrounded by any one close to him except regular palace acquaintances, which does make me feel guilty. It is my Selected stopping Nichol from coming. Lucas seems to be taking in his share of unfairness these days.

I sigh, and look up into the sky, squinting to spot a plane. I guess I would hear it before I saw it though, being right on the runway. I ask my guard, Reid, for the time. "11:34, my lady."

"Thank you." I sigh again, unsettled to hear that the plane definitely is late, and wonder what the hold up was. It's a beautiful, clear day- one that would be perfect for a date outside with one of my Selected, I think, wincing at my decision to come meet the plane instead of going on my first one-on-one. I'll have to squeeze it in this evening. It's been a week since my Selection started, and eight have been sent home. I had a group date the other day, just a little picnic in the courtyard, and eliminated Zachary Mullins of Belcourt. He simply did nothing for me, and- I know this is shallow, but it does matter- he was the most unattractive of all the Selected. I couldn't get over his wide-set eyes.

I hear a distant rumble and look up, hoping it's not just a cargo truck on the roads, and see a silver dot moving slowly towards us.

"I see it! It's coming! Look, there it is everyone!" Ben's improper words and little voice yells up at us happily, confirming my view. Maja takes my hands and spins me around, and my mum hugs papa. I smile; this is the most informal I've seen my family in a while. We wait five more minutes and watch the landing, which is my favourite part of flying. After being completely separated from the earth, away from everything you know, you're finally touching back down into reality. It's reassuring.

The plane taxis, and a staircase is rolled up to is side, just before the door opens. A guard's uniform, followed by a dark head, and two golden-blondes cause another surge of joy inside me. Finally, some familiar faces- and my best friend!- to have around the palace. I start to calmly walk towards the figures, always following etiquette, and finally Verity breaks code and skips into a run to meet me. I go to hug her but she stops, gabbing my shoulders.

"Guess what?" She exclaims, her brown eyes shining- she's the first royal since Grandfather Maxon to have brown eyes, all the other Schreave's- even the Schreave de Sauveterrre's, over in France, have differently shaded blue eyes.

"Verity! What?" What could she want to tell me? She doesn't look concerned so it must be good news.

"I'm engaged! Marc just proposed an hour ago!" Verity screams in my ear as she finally embraces me, and I scream back, bewildered as I am.

"You're getting married?" Maja jumps excitedly into the conversation as I see my parents talking to Uncle Osten and Aunt Beatrice.

"What's all this fuss?" Lucas hugs Verity and kisses her on the cheek. "I've got some pretty thrilling new myself." His voice is laced with laughing sarcasm, and I frown at him.

"Not now! Verity has news!" I interrupt him, not wanting to ruin the mood.

"Marc and I are getting married! He asked just before we boarded the plane- sorry, that's what the hold up was. My mum is not happy." Verity makes a face as she finishes and leans down to pick up Ben. "Hi buddy!"

"Hi buddy back!" Verity is Ben's idol.

"You've grown so much! You were just a tiny shrimp at Christmas! Soon you'll be as tall as Lucas, I'll bet." Verity smiles at Ben, and loops her arm through mine. "Sorry, hun, I have to put you down- I'm not strong enough to carry you anymore!"

"It's okay, I can walk. I'm strong!" Ben smiles to himself and dawdles behind us with Maja.

"Oh my god. The drama on that plane. I'm so glad to be off! And I'm so glad to see you, my love! I've missed you so much! We need to call each other more often. Actually, maybe I should just move go Angeles to be closer to you- and further away from mum." Verity shakes her head at me as we hop into our car.

"Was she really that bad? You know what? That can come later, I want to know everything about Marc and how it happened. This is a huge announcement- the first Ilean royal wedding in almost 25 years!" I feel I'm about to burst with energy, feeling excitement, nerves, jealousy- Verity has already found her true love.

"Well, you know we've been together since I was 17, so almost four years, and this time, before I left he said 'Every time you leave, no matter how long for, my heart breaks a little. I don't want to have to be separated from you anymore. So, will you do me the honour of being my wife?' I wrote it down and memorised it all on the plane. Oh my gosh did I almost die. My parents were standing no less than 10 feet away when it happened, the were guards, maids, workers- oh, it was just so real. So, of course I said yes, gave him a smooch and practically floated onto the plane, no idea of the wrath that awaited me. Oh, Emelie. How badly I want you to be able to feel this way with me, you need to get a move on with your selection so you can find the person of your dreams. We could have a joint wedding!" Verity ends her story dreamily, squeezing my hands as I watch the palace come into view through the window.

"I highly doubt they would let two royals and two soon-to-be royals all get married at once- much too high-risk. But what a thought. Verity, my future partner is in the palace right now. Who knows what they're doing? What the look like? What their voice sounds like? What their favourite family recipe is? There are so many possibilities, all condensed in 28 near-strangers inside my home at this minute. However much you want me to find my true love, I want it ten times more. And I'm so overjoyed that you have found yours. You're sleeping in my room tonight, we need to discuss this more, especially everything that's going on with your mother. Let's go." I let out a big breath of air, and we walk through the palace doors, Verity beaming with happiness at the future she sees, and myself, smiling at all the possibilities I see in mine.

I slow my walk, and stop right in front of Lady Nessa Matolo's room. My first one-on-one. Ever. This is my first real date. Goodness gracious, am I nervous. Verity helped me choose the lucky girl- not that we planned for it to be a girl, that's just how it ended up- and we sent a note ahead to let her know. I run through everything I can remember about Lady Nessa before I knock. Blonde, curly hair, blue eyes, not tall, but also not short. From Panama, despite her colouring. I think I'm ready.

I knock, and am greeted almost instantly by a maid. She curtseys, and ushers me in while calling out to Lady Nessa. I walk in, and try not to look invasive or nosy as I gaze around the room, trying to pick up personal markers or anything that might give me a future topic of coversation. All I find is a brightly patterned tea cup on her vanity.

"Your Highness, Princess Emelie. So nice to see you!" Lady Nessa also curtseys perfectly, and I'm glad to see Lady Sassur's work got through to someone so quickly.

"You as well, Lady Nessa. For the future though, you needn't use both 'your highness' and 'princess Emelie'. Just one or the other will usually do. But, seeing as though you and I are going to be further acquainted, please call me Emelie." I smile and then gesture back towards the door, and we begin to walk.

"Of course, Emelie. Please just call me Nessa, then. I'm not really a lady." She smiles, and fiddled with the sleeve of her rose-pink day dress.

"You definitely are, Nessa. I've seen you curtesy now, and no one who isn't at least a lady can do it that well!" I laugh and tell her the story of my late curtseying abilities, as we reach the west gardens. We wander past my great grandmother's fountain, and sit on a shaded bench. I can tell we'd both burn quickly in the sun.

"So, can I ask how long you've lived in Panama? Your looks don't really match that of someone from the most southern province." I question. I also give myself a mental high-five for making regular conversation and not having thrown up from nerves yet. There hasn't even been word vomit yet!

"Yeah, I'm not from Panama originally. My father and mum were both from Baffins, but I never knew my father and my mum moved to Panama when I was five because it was cheaper to live there." She gives me a smile, showing she's not ashamed of her financial situation. "And my mum then moved to Sota when I was 16 and had a job. That was just last year, actually." She offers me a small smile as I take in everything.

"Wow. So you've been supporting yourself for the past year? That's admirable." I say. I can't even imagine a life like that.

"Yes, but I've had to work three jobs to do it. Luckily, the Selection had helped me out a little. That's not why I'm here, though," she adds quickly, "I really did come to find love. I was shocked to find I'd have the chance with you, though. I though maybe Lucas, but... yeah." She trails off and fiddles with her dress again. She seems nervous. How awkward to bring up th possibility of her dating Lucas on our first date! I let it slide though, I'm nervous too, and really can't afford to send many more people home during the very first week.

"I think everyone was shocked. I'd been thinking about my Selection since I was 12, though, and who I would want in it. It wasn't an easy choice, though." I don't know why, but I blush a little, and feel exposed saying these words to someone who would still be a stranger to me in any other situation. I've got to be open if I want this to work, though. I feel sweat on my neck, underneath my hair. I should've worn it up. Goodness knows thick, brown hair and July temperatures don't mix well. Nessa's voice breaks my trance.

"I'm sure it was. I can't imagine having to come out on live television. I've only told my roommates. And now the whole of Illéa, but it was easier because there are others doing it with me. And it's for you." She blushes this time, the awkward moments consistent. Still, it's been enjoyable, and much better than I could have hoped for.

"Would you like to go back inside? It's far too hot out here, and dinner will be ready soon." I ask. She nods, the freckles covering her face, and running from her shoulders to her hands shining in the sunlight as she stands, and I rack my brain for further conversation. Oh!

"So, I saw a very pretty tea cup in your room earlier. That doesn't belong to the palace, is it something from home?" I begin for her.

"Well, it's from an... antique shop near my home. It reminds me of Panama. I don't know if I'll go back if I get sent home, so I wanted to bring that with." She looks up at the sky, waiting for my reply.

"Where will you go?" Really all I could think of.

"Somewhere I can do more with my life. I didn't get a lot of schooling and I don't want to work three low-paying jobs for the rest of my life." She looks at me when she finishes this time.

I nod, "That seems incredibly reasonable and brave. You should talk to Lady Sassur about research on economics so you can choose somewhere suitable." I open her door for her and she walks past me. Wow that sounded like a topic no one talks about on a first date. Oh goodness. And now, the end of my first date. What do I do? Hug? Shake hands? Kiss her hand? Is it different for boys and girls? Before I can decide, she takes my hand and holds it while she curtseys, which I think is simple yet charming.

"Thank you for today, Emelie." She smiles widely at me, and tucks a curl behind her shoulder.

"You as well. I had fun! See you at dinner!" I smile and shut her door, ready to crumple to the ground. My nervous energy falls apart, and I feel the urge to run to my room. I manage the picture of royal-ness until I close my own bedroom door and immediately sink onto my bed. I close my eyes for a moment before hearing laughter coming from my balcony. I cautiously walk out, and am greeted by my grinning maids, and Verity.

"How was it? Did you send her home, or like her?" Verity asks enthusiatically. Angelina, Farah, and Marianne look up expectantly, eyes bright, and I sit down, knowing I'll have to talk about this stuff to them at some point.

"It was surprisingly good! I didn't die of anxiousness, or behave ridiculously, and she was a perfectly lovely human being. I'm glad it's over, though. It was too much- my hands are still shaking!" I giggle, the nervous energy isn't gone yet, and slump back in my chair. Thank gosh my mum isn't here to see.

"Congratulations! We decided we're giving you one of our special baths tonight, just so you know. You deserve it!" Angelina beams at me and I thank her.

"Emelie we've got to start getting you ready for dinner! Gosh, look at the time. Continue filling us in, though!" Marianne checks her watch, Farah packs away their teacups, Angelina readies the vanity, and Verity mumbles something about borrowing one of my dresses. It's business as usual. I guess the world doesn't stop when you're trying to fall in love.

There. I did it. Thank the lords. I'm so relieved. I hope you liked it! Sorry for the weird ending, I really had to wrap it up, and I haven't proofread because it is 2AM and I need to sleep. Also!!! I have several pinterest boards up for my Selection, which can be found on my Pinterest account: Jade Maulana (same as this), and they have all the Selected entrants, as well as many members of the royal family, in case you want a bit of information for them, and a face for your mind Thank you so much for reading! Next chapter coming soon!

~Jade Maulana