ok. I'm sorry. I'm soooooo late. My only excuse is that exams are coming up, and I have to study ASAP. Please don't chastise me!

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Victoria's POV:

The wind battered the carriage as they rode to the lesser palace. It was still cold and humid, yet nature still managed to send deadly winds to earth. Victoria was spraying snot Everytime she breathed, and was praying the carriage won't tip over from the wind.

"Not a very good day for your birthday, huh?" James said as they got out of the carriage.

"It's fine. I'll survive." Today was Victoria's birthday, she was turning 18, but her birthday ball wasn't until tommorow. Thank goodness!

The carriage pulled to a stop and they stepped outside. Almost immediately, Victoria's hat blew off her head, and it flew to nowhere.

"Oh great, I lost my hat." Victoria groaned."well, bye."

James nodded, heaving a large sigh as they stumbled, fighting the wind, inside the doors.

a little while later...

Victoria had it! No! She nearly yelled at Daniel for stepping on her foot again.

"STOP!" Victoria yelled," can you just be a competent dancer?!"

Daniel ran back to his seat.

"Next... Miguel?" Miguel? Wasn't that the boy Joseph had told her was a thief, killer, and a liar?

A Spanish boy stepped up. Victoria gulped. Why wasn't he out yet? She was honestly scared.

They danced, Victoria tensing up and being nervous the whole time. Would he dare to hurt her right now? Luckily, she made It through without a scratch.

"Next is Joseph!" Victoria let a sigh in relief.

Joseph came up, grinning,"hello, my princess."

Victoria laughed,"hello, my honorable comrade."

And they danced. It was the most glorious moment of Victoria's life. It was like she was heaven... Dancing across the stars with him, never having pain... That was beautiful.

She was so sad to leave him.

But then...

he kissed her.

That was the most glorious part of it all.

But the aftermath was the worst of it.

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James's POV:

"Where's Jessie?"

"I heard she's off with her boyfriend, your highness." Maid Ariana said,"don't worry, she'll come back soon."

Don't worry? James had to worry. He needed her, right now, this instant. Why?

"Err... Thank you, Ariana." James nodded to her and rushed off.

Now what to do? James dreaded meeting the selected, not after... Admitting it. He had held it off for a hour already, but the urge was coming harder and harder.

He just wanted Jessie to escort him home, right now. She was the only person he could trust not to blab to mom.

But you can't get everything, right?

The best he could do was speak to Coco, apologize, and be done with it.

James was so lost.

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Victoria's POV:

"So what you're saying is I can't kiss you in public anymore?" Joseph snorted, like he didn't care.

"You think that's allowed? " Victoria growled.

"Look at the papers! You look so... Sexy and romantic."

"Don't you dare say another taboo word again!" Victoria shouted.

The papers... Victoria hadn't looked at them for ages! Something tempted her to read it.

THE ROYAL HEADLINES. BREAKING NEWS! PRINCESS VICTORIA JUST KISSED SIR JOSEPH! the royal family has always been romantic, but Victoria catches our hearts. Just this morning her royal highness kissed sir Joseph of Whites. "It was the most glorious moment." Says sir Tino, another selected,"even though we are competing, we couldn't deny that Victoria and Joseph fit together perfectly." stay tuned for more selection news! ANGELES CITIZENS DISCUSS PRINCE JAMES'S RECENT PROPOSAL have you seen the crown prince's recent proposal on his crush, the lady Coco? Sure! Everyone in Illea has seen it. Here's what we think of it. "A proposal so fast completely interrupts the whole selection process." Says one person,"it brings the fun out of watching." Most people agree. Someone even said,"Coconut must have hypnotized the prince into liking her! We don't want to have another Elizabeth!"(more about that on the next article) But few people adore his actions,"that was so brave to admit it! I... Absolutely agree on his part. Lady Cosette is beautiful, intelligent, and amazing." Will James marry her, even after this? Stay tuned to find out! QUEEN ELIZABETH: TYRANT OR FULL BLOWN MONSTER? we all know the infamous incident about the tragic story of the late king Jason. How our queen had tricked and deceived him in every turn. Her cruelty is also shown by her balls. On ball, she had even killed 17 people! Many people had tried to revolt, but were put down. Many people say the only thing keeping them in obidiance is the hope of prince James fixing everything when he assumes the crown. "She is one of the most clever and devious people I've ever seen." Says Dr. Harold of the university of Waverly," her ability to expertly hypnotize everyone to do her bidding is phenomenal. It is not a surprise that she was able to turn the monarchy from constitutional to absolute again, and threw back the caste's. This kind of cleverness is dangerous." Now we come to a new question about the queen. We have thought her to be a tyrant since she had killed king Jason. But the recent proposal about the ball for her daughter and the reports of her abusing her own heir gives us a throwback. Not only is she a awful clever tyrant... But is she a full blown monster? New evidence has supported this theory. Many maids, chefs, and butlers had left the Queen's palace in only weeks of service. Simply 87% of the people had done this. With national morale hanging all time low, and with a uncaring queen who will throw her deadly ball tommorow night, who knows when Illea will strike back?

Victoria took a deep breath and sighed." Joseph, I..."

"Victoria..."

Suddenly the door burst open and Tino came in, shouting,"your highness! The date!"

"Of course!" Victoria gulped,"how did I not know?"

And suddenly she was swept up and taken to the forest.

"You know, I am from Angeles myself." Tino smiled," I'm always around this forest. Come, my sweetheart! Let me show you my favorite place in the wild!"

Victoria had never been outside to this level, and to see so many trees, rich soil...

They climbed up a rock next to a lake, and without warning, Tino jumped down.

"M'lady! Come! It's warm!"

"Tino!" Victoria gulped. Why?

"It's not even that far down!"

"I... I can't swim." Victoria admitted.

"I'll catch you."

It was with that Victoria fell down, into the shining lake, into Tino's arms.

"Don't... Let go!" Victoria screamed. The water was rushing, trying to pull her to her death.

"I won't, Vicky." Tino kissed her on the forehead,"I will never let go."

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James's POV

James stared at Vicky. She was so wet!

"How-"

"Long story. I heard Jessie's back though. We should look for her."

James shrugged,"sure."

James actually made it through without anyone noticing! He saw some of the selected walking down the halls, but they didn't see him.

So they walked down the dark halls, and Victoria told him of her adventure today.

"And he kissed me!" Victoria concluded.

"Seriously? I..." James trailed off when he saw a dark figure at the end of the hallway," Jessie!"

"Jessie, are you ok?" Victoria asked.

"Leave me alone!"

"Jessie, you know you can talk to us!"

"Go away! Please!"

Jessie seemingly had been here for a long time, crying.

"What happened?" Asked James softly.

"Stop!" Jessie stood up,"go away or I will hurt you!"

The look in her wet eyes told James that this was no joke.

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i know there's no James's selection stuff here, but I promise there will be. I'm so sorry!