"Sienna!"

Snapping my eyes away from the window I turned to see Savannah White looking down at me, a small smile lighting up her face.

Savannah was pleasant enough, she often clashed with the other girls when Prince Kit was mentioned, but then again, we were all technically competitors. Aside from that I quite enjoyed her company, she had some amazing stories from her time with the Illéan Space Program that often helped me escape my thoughts when Prince Kit was on dates with the other girls.

"What are you looking at?" the brunette took a seat on the armrest of my chair.

I drew her attention to my point of interest; the royal family was all gathered outside and they appeared to be having a heated discussion. "They got back around twenty minutes ago. Princess Liv greeted them and then she got into an argument with Jules." I paused for a moment as Queen Amberly arrived on the scene. "Princess Liv started questioning Penelope and then Gwen left; when she came back she had Prince Kit with her."

"Why would they be questioning Penny?" Savannah cut in.

I shrugged, "that's what I want to find out."

Savannah let out a playful laugh, "you do realize this window opens, don't you?" Getting up she pulled on a latch I hadn't noticed before and slowly began to crank the window open, so as not to draw too much attention to us.

I slid down onto the floor to get closer and once my dress stopped rustling I could just barely make out what the royals were saying.

"I'm sorry Your Majesty, but there is nothing else I know," Penelope was clearly exasperated.

"A whole car ride and she said nothing? I've never known Ella to be a quiet girl."

Savannah and I locked eyes when we heard the queen's words. Whatever this was about it had something to do with Princess Ella.

"Where do you think she is?" Savannah whispered as Penelope responded to the queen.

"England?" I replied jokingly.

The sound of an engine quickly filled our ears as a car pulled up the drive. "Just act like we're here to greet her," Liv said, looking suddenly more nervous.

The Carrington sisters, along with their dad, and a woman I didn't recognize, came out of the car to the fabricated glee of the royals. Within moments Jules had ushered everyone inside leaving me with no one to eavesdrop on.

Savannah slowly shut the window, pursing her lips. "Well, that was something."

"Something doesn't even begin to cover it," I thought to myself. Penelope was lying; she had to be. There was no way Princess Ella left without saying anything to anyone.

"They're back," Katie Parker unceremoniously sat down on the floor next to us without question. I hadn't even heard her come in the room.

Nodding, Savannah gestured to the window. "We just saw them walk in."

Katie turned a bit red at knowing her information had been useless to us. I gave her a smile of reassurance in return. I liked Katie; I mean besides wearing too much eyeliner, she was the type of person I would've been friends with at home.

"Anyway," Katie said moving on, "a few of the girls are playing Truth or Dare in Celine's room. Do you two want to come play?"

Savannah's face lit up immediately and she was off the floor a second after that. She looked at me expectantly, and sadly, I had no excuse. "Sure, we'll play."

When we arrived the game had clearly already started. Julia Saunders brushed past us on her way out, her cheeks deathly pale, no doubt having just been dared to do something.

Claire Darrion gave a big wave and then patted on the empty chair next to her. "Come join us! Molly is just about to take her turn."

The second I sat down Molly and I locked eyes. "Truth or dare, Sienna?" The redhead took a foreboding tone but had a small smile dancing across her lips.

"Truth."

Molly's smile deepened at my quick response. I didn't know much about her, but I could tell that she was impressed. After a few moments she came up with a satisfactory question, her smile disappeared and everyone absentmindedly leaned in to hear.

"Are you in love with Prince Kit?"

I stayed calm while the other girls–especially Savannah–looked very uncomfortable, but it was just a question, and one I could answer honestly.

"No," I said without a doubt. Trying to ignore the gasps I continued, "not yet. We barely know him. If any of you reckon you do, you're fooling yourselves." I knew for certain I was falling dangerously in love with him, but that was not something I wished to share with anyone.

"Régine," now that it was my turn I looked to the intimidating girl sat next to Molly. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," she purred, taking arguably even less time than me to respond.

I wished she had said dare, but instead I found myself scrambling for something to ask her. I had to quell the urge to say the vicious question that I really wanted an answer to. Instead I settled on the first thing that came to mind. "Did you really go to French boarding school?"

The girls looked let down at my question, but Régine smirked, she knew she had bested me. "It's true. Celine," she moved on without a second thought and now the pressure was on another. Celine chose truth and Régine didn't wait a moment before asking, "would you sleep with the prince?"

The girls in their fancy dresses with their hair pinned perfectly and their makeup done exactly how they wanted it, looked curious. No one said a word about how personal a question it was. I had expected they'd at least have some respect and dignity. Who was I kidding though? At the end of the day no matter what they wore they were still only girls, not women. Maybe I was a bit of a prude, or maybe I was just an optimist. I had wanted the selected to be different than the girls I had gone to school with, but they were all the same.

Celine gave a girly laugh, "of course."

Instead of the gasps that had met my answer of love, Celine received giggles. If she knew what was good for her she would've stopped there, but of course, she didn't.

"I mean it's not like it would be my first time."

While the giggling became even louder with Celine's confession, Régine and I locked eyes. We both knew how serious the consequences would be for Celine if this got out. The only difference being, Régine was out for blood, so I'd have to act first.

"Okay, my turn," Celine clearly loved the attention but she was eager to get more dirt on her competition. "Truth or dare, Claire?"

I watched as Claire bit her lip weighing her options. Finally she decided on "dare."

"I dare you to," Celine began slowly still deciding on what to say. It was clear the moment she decided because her face lit up brighter than any Christmas tree I'd ever seen. "Kiss Prince Kit."

All eyes turned to Claire as she got up without another word and walked out the door. Chaos ensued in a matter of moments.

"You realize you just gave her the upper hand, don't you?" Everyone quieted at Amelia's words. They wanted to hear what Celine would say in response.

Celine actually laughed. "You're all ridiculous," she could barely contain herself. "Do you actually think Prince Kit will be okay with her throwing herself at him?" We stayed silent forcing her to continue, rolling her eyes. "She'll try to kiss him and even if he lets her, he'll think she's too forward. A queen needs to know when to hold her tongue." She let out a giggle, "or at least when to keep it in her own mouth."

I couldn't take it any longer, the personalities of these girls made me sick. "I'm going to go look for Roseanna," I whispered to Savannah.

Before I was out the door I heard Régine mutter "wimp" but I didn't let it get to me. I couldn't let her get to me if I wanted any chance of staying in the Selection.

While I had said I was looking for Roseanna, she wasn't the one I really needed to talk to. Lucky for me, I found Sage Hart after only five minutes of wandering throughout the palace.

It was clear her head was somewhere else, no doubt thinking about Princess Ella. There must not have been any developments in the time since I'd been eavesdropping.

"Sage, I need a favour."

My words didn't startle her, she just nodded, as if she'd expected I'd come and ask something of her. "What is it?"

"One of the girls," I began shakily. While I didn't particularly like Celine, no one deserved the fate that would befall her if the wrong person found out. "Celine, she's not a virgin."

"I'll take care of it."

A/N

Hey guys, so I got back home earlier this week and honestly I've never been more inspired. I had the time of my life, but I'm also so excited to be home (although I'm super sick) because now I have so much more time to write.

Now enough about me, let's talk about the chapter. My first selected POV! While I did try to include some of the other girls, don't trust everything that was said about them. Not that I'm saying Sienna was telling lies, but all the selected look at each other critically because at the end of the day, they are competitors.

While things in Illéa have changed, it is still expected that the selected are all virgins. If Celine's past were to get out she would be shamed by the public and no doubt have to flee the country to find work. Yes she wouldn't face a physical punishment but her whole life would be destroyed. Although, side note, the only involvement of the monarchy in this is that they made the rule. They don't intend to bring shame to anyone because they don't expect to find anyone breaking the rule.

As always, I'd love to hear your opinions, thoughts, and questions on the chapter.

Shaelynn