Ch 10

Daria

I walked through the garden, arm in arm with Lyonal. It was sunny, and peaceful, and I was quite content just being here. I tried to focus on Lyonal, but my thoughts always strayed back to Salen.

We walked, until we heard two voices arguing, I was convinced it was a maid and a guard arguing, until I saw the two people. King Maxon and Queen America. The fight looked pretty heated, but Maxon stopped yelling when he saw us.

Maxon stared, gaping, "Lyonal, Lady Daria, I'm sorry, we didn't know you were out here."

"No, we're sorry. We'll go." Lyonal said, pulling me gently with him.

I stared back at the King and Queen. I had heard their story was like a fairytale. If their amazing Selection fell into a bitter marriage, how do the bad Selections end? How would this one end?

I glanced up at Lyonal, whose face was set into grim worry. Was this a regular occurence? If so they've done well to keep it hidden from the public. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize we had already walked into the castle.

Lyonal stopped, glancing at me, "We can do something else if you like." He offered.

I shook my head, "No, thank you. I'm sure you have other girls to sweep off their feet. But thank you for the lovely walk."

Lyonal nodded sadly, but walked away. I watched him turn the corner, then ran upstairs. I was practically sprinting, until I ran into someone. It was a servant, and he quickly apologized, scurrying off.

I continued on to my room, shutting myself in. God...if I didn't find out what I wanted out of this Selection and soon, this whole thing would just be a mess.

Did I want Lyonal? He was so sweet, dedicated, honest. He had had the throne, that was a plus, but was a Six like me cut out for the throne?

Or did I want Salen? He was smart, understanding, and he clearly is infatuated with me. He doesn't have a throne, but he has personality to make up for it. But we could be tried for treason if we were caught.

I sighed, slumping onto my bed. Both princes seemed fit for me, but the big question was...am I fit for them? I was yanked out of my thoughts as my maids rushed in, pushing me out of the door.

"Hurry Miss, we don't have much time." One of them said.

"Why? What's going on?" I asked.

"Rebels in the castle. They somehow got in." Another said.

I tried to stay calm, but I was freaking out. What if they find us? What if we don't get to the safe room fast enough? I ran with them, and we made it to the safe room, sprinting down the stairs.

They left, going for their own safe rooms. I made it to the bottom, where guards were waiting by the doors. They let me pass, and I stumbled over the doorway, entering the room.

"Lady Daria!" Lyonal exclaimed, eyes brightening. I felt bad, but my gaze found Salen's. He looked beyond relieved, and his body relaxed. Was all of the tension because of me?

One more girl came into the room, and they shut the door, locking us inside.

It was silent for a long time, before Queen America spoke. "Girls, you should relax, get some rest. We'll need it later."

Half the girls immediately made their way to cots that were set up in the back. The other half were talking, trying to calm one another. I went to a cot, and lay down. It was surprisingly comfortable, but after sleeping in the palace beds, this was like sleeping on the floor.

I lay down, and shockingly enough, I fell asleep right away. I must have been more tired than I thought, or more stressed, and this was my brain telling me to take a break from it all.

I should have stayed awake, but I couldn't stand to look at all of the royals when they were in the same room, and what a mess this family was, without my interfering.