Hey guys so this chapter will be the interviews! Yay! Connor will get to know the girls a little more and he will also make the first elimination. Dun dun duhhhhh… Ok then let's get on with it lol!

Chapter 26: Connors pov

After dinner that night I announced to the girls that tomorrow we would be having interviews so that I could get to know them better. I didn't mention the elimination because I wanted them to be themselves during the interviews. However I'm sure some girls must of guessed it because they tensed up.

I still wanted to fit in a date with lady Haven before the interviews tomorrow so I asked her after dinner if she would care to join me for some star gazing in the observatory. She accepted shyly and I let her go back to her room for a while to prepare. After a half an hour it was completely dark out so I went to her room to get her.

Once I figured out which room was hers by process of elimination (I purposely put all the "elite girls" rooms next to each other so I could find them easier) I knocked and waited for her to answer. She came out wearing a stunning yellow dress that was long to the floor and she had sleeves that fell off her shoulder like gold. Her brownish blonde hair was pulled into an elaborate crown braid on top of her head and she looked very natural and beautiful.

After we started walking I noticed she was sorta nervous and tense so I tried to lighten the mood. "So have you made many friends here?" I asked. She didn't seem as lighthearted as I first thought when I tripped in front of her. But I suppose if a prince trips in front of you, you kinda break your shell for a moment to laugh at him. I know I would do that. "All the girls are nice, especially lady Midna I like her quite a lot." She said quietly. I nodded she was indeed kind and sweet.

Once we arrived at the observatory we sat down on a blanket and looked at the stars. They were gorgeous. "You look lovely tonight lady Haven." I said and she grinned "but I don't any other night?" I just kinda froze that took me by surprise for sure. "Well uh of course you do what I meant was uh more lovely tonight?" I said stuttering. She laughed and I joined in nervously. I was glad she was getting more comfortable though.

Then we looked up at the stars and I remembered what drew me to her in the first place. "Where did you get that scar lady Haven?" I asked. She looked kind of defensive but replied "I was in a car accident when I was younger, it took my father life but I managed to escape with a couple of scars. I don't like to talk about it though so may we please change the subject?" She asked and I nodded "I'm so sorry." I said and she nodded.

Just then a shooting star shot across the sky and she whispered "make a wish." We both clamped our eyes shut and thought for a moment. When I opened my eyes she was starring at me so I asked "what did you wish for?" She grinned mischievously and said "if I tell its sure not to come true." I nodded, that was how the legend went.

I noticed she had lightened up and she was indeed the person I met the first day. It just took a while to crack her shell maybe if I tripped again it would of gone faster. Ha I'm so glad I haven't tripped yet, but as they say the night is still young.

We were silent as we watched the stars and at some she laid her head on my chest as we sat there. It was a comfortable time and I enjoyed just being near her. At some point she must off fallen asleep because when I looked down at her, her face was in a peaceful resting position. She was breathing steadily and it was nice just to sit there while I watched the stars.

Soon a guard came and told us that it was past midnight so we should probably go to bed. I nodded and then I woke up Haven. She looked startled by this then said "are we still on our date?" Very sleepily. "Yes" I said and she laughed "wow you bored me to sleep!" And I laughed as well. I helped her get up and we walked back to her room. Once I we made it there I kissed her head and told her to get some rest. Then she said goodnight and I walked back to my room.

I dosed off thinking about what she had wished for. I myself had wished for the night to last forever but seeing as I'm here in bed that obviously didn't happen. I also thought of how the interviews would go, I hoped they went well.

I woke up with a twist in my stomach that I couldn't place. Then I remembered the interviews and I groaned. After I was up I couldn't fall back asleep so even though it was 6:00 in the morning I got dressed and decided to see where the interviews were set up and try and think of some things to get the ball rolling because lord knows I can't do that on the spot.

I wandered down to the room where the report was because it would be set up a temporary interview station so that I could have some privacy with the girls. The sound room was set up with a couch and all the gadgets was moved out. This way the girls were right outside in the report area so we could be fast about switching them out but the sound room was sound proof so the other girls couldn't hear our conversation. It was perfect.

I then wandered around and found Xander, Garvils son. He would be doing the report from here on because his dad retired the night after the selected girls were announced. We had grown up together and we were actually pretty close friends. We were about the same age with him being 20 and me being 19. I talked to him for a moment about life and he told me he found a girlfriend. It was rather weird to hear that from him. He had never been interested in anything other then work.

As it turns out him and Carla, Sylvia's daughter who was the etiquette teacher for my parents selection, were now dating! I never imagined in a million years! They were about the only kids in the palace my age so we had all grown up friends. I never thought they would ever be anything more then that though. After I wandered off from Xander I found my feet leading me to moms office.

When I got there I saw she was there planning the ball. She looked up for a moment and said "hi honey." Then she continued writing down stuff. After a moment she held up a piece of paper with a dark orange color that looked like the sunset and a shiny gold color and she said "do you like these colors?" I nodded and she said "what do you think of doing a gold kinda fall theme for your Halloween ball? Kind of like a tribute to your fathers selection?" I nodded then said "speaking of his selection I watched the old tapes of it." Mom froze and dropped her pen then said "oh really?" And I nodded "you were crazy mom." I told her and she laughed "that I was, indeed."

After that we planned out the rest of the ball well kinda. As it turns out it's a little more complex then I thought. "So what shall we serve, we must have some vegan foods because Nicoletta's daughters is trying to go vegan." I nodded.

I liked Nicoletta a lot however her children were a different story her eldest had gone missing about 15 years ago and they haven't seen her since. The second oldest is now heir to the throne and he is a royal pain in the butt. His name is Roman. He is so conceded and arrogant. He thinks he's such hot stuff. He literally flirts with everyone. It's disgusting and I really hope he turns it around before he becomes king or Italy is going way downhill. I believe he is about 17. The next oldest is a girl named Daliah, she's nice enough but she always seemed to ignore me when we were kids, like she was to good to play with a 6 year old me. She was just an odd duck. She's 15 now. Then there's the youngest who's named Carsten. He's a bookworm and the nicest of them all. He loves to study and he is a little twig I always got along with him the best though there was about a 6 year age gap because he's 13.

After we decided on a good menu we had to work out when everyone would arrive. I really wanted the royal family from Notenson to come early so I could catch up with my best friend. He's the heir to the throne and his name is Daniel. Ever since we were little he would come and visit a lot because our country's were very close allies. We always played army together and he was basically family by now. Literally mom sometimes slipped and called him son. I was often visiting him as well and I knew his family like the back of my hand.

I decided the Italian family would come 2 days before the ball so mom could catch up with Nicoletta and that the German federation would come a day before. There son was my age named Ricardo but I kinda despised him because like Roman he was a player who thought he was the greatest thing in existence. The only reason I suggested there family was because the second oldest was a girl named Ria and she was best friends with Aubrey. Plus they have a son that's Kamri and Noah's age and I thought it would be nice if they had another child they could play with.

After we got that all sorted out it was time for breakfast so I walked with mom down to the dining hall and we had delicious strawberry tarts. Then I grouped the girls into 7 groups each group has 5 girls except for one had 4 girls. That way 6 groups could be in the women's room waiting then when I got to the last girl of a group the next group could come down as I was in the interview with the last groups last girl. Did that make sense? That got kinda confusing for a minute there. Oh well. I thought it made sense when I thought of it I purposefully put the elite in the last two groups so that I wouldn't be bored at the end.

After I was already in the sound room they started sending in girls. Just after the first group I had 3 girls in mind that just couldn't stay here. They weren't even nice they were snarky and rude. I hope the rest go better. After the second group I was up to 5 girls that would leave 3 from the last group and 2 from this one.

After I was done with all the girls that weren't elite I had decided on 17 girls going home that left 17 girls. That was much better. Much less daunting. I kept a piece of paper hidden under my chair and after a girl that I wanted eliminated left I jotted down her name then quickly reset for the next girl.

Once I got to the elite I was much more comfortable. it started out with lady Millicent. She walked in in a beautiful yellow day dress that reached below her knees it was really cute and it complemented her dark skin perfectly. After we said out good mornings I only had about 5 minutes to learn as much about her as I could. "So lady Millicent, tell me a little about yourself. I would love to get to know you." She nodded then said "I love architecture and often get caught up in it, uh lets see. Oh I was born in Africa and I was brought here as a baby, my parents died the winter I came here though and I was put up for adoption. A wonderful family of 3s adopted me since the women, now my mother couldn't have kids." That was nice. She seemed so carefree now compared to the other encounters I had with her. It was wonderful. Then she started telling me about her adoptive family but our 5 minutes were up. I said goodbye and she smiled. That was wonderful.

Next to come in was Rowan. She was wearing a beautiful purple gown. She smiled and I couldn't help but smile as well. We started out talking about her sister and how she was jealous she got in to the selection instead of her. Then she told me about her mother and father they sounded wonderful. She also told me about her job as a live theater actress. She was so bubbly it didn't matter what she was saying you wanted to smile and jump into the conversations. She also told me that she loves music and I told her that we should play together sometime. All to soon the timer went off and she had to go.

The next girl to come in was Celia. She wore a glittery silver dress that sparkled like the moon. We talked about her foster father a little but I tried to sway passed that because it made me angry. She told me about her adorable foster sister Lena. I couldn't wait to meet her. She also told me about what she loved to do like photography and playing piano. She also told me a story about how she dared her sister to climb a tree so she did then they had to call the fire department to get her sister down! That must have been a sight. The timer went off and I said my goodbyes. I had a lot of fun talking to her.

The next girl to walk in was diamond. She wore a black dress that was fitted close to her, in fact she looked as though she couldn't breath. It had a small slight up to her knee and it was sorta to low cut for my taste but oh well. She told me about her family and how they were before they died. She really loved them it sounded like. She also told me about when she found out she was selected and how happy she was. When I asked her why she kinda looked unhappy in her picture she told me it was because something smelled in the room she getting her picture taken in. That made me laugh and it also explained it because that frown didn't match her personality at all she was way to fun and bubbly. The timer went off and I said goodbye quickly before the next girl walked in.

The girl that came on next was Midna. We talked about how I had visited her families restaurant before and we both shared our memories of it. She said she was so nervous she almost threw up! It was odd to think people were nervous to meet me. Then she told me funny stories from when she was cooking like this one time when she couldn't figure out why but there was a German guy that walked in and started yelling in French? Not even German! Ha. Then the timer went off and she walked out with a smile on her face. I was smiling too this was much more enjoyable then I expected.

I was halfway through the elite by now. Emmalee walked in with wearing a beautiful shade of mint green. It was a shorter dress only barley going past her knees and it had lace on it. She looked very upset wearing it though. "Listen, I love being here and all but what does a girl have to do to get some pants around here?" She said and I laughed. It was nice to hear her say she loved being here though. "Would you like for me to request your maids to get you some pants, but only if you wear them while you in your room or by yourself, other times I'm sorry but you gotta wear dresses." She smiled and said "that would be great I really hate dresses." And I nodded. The rest of the time she told me about her hobbies. The time flew by way to fast and soon she had to leave.

Autumn quickly walked in. She was wearing a pretty royal blue dress the reached down to her feet. She was muttering something I couldn't catch then she sat down next to me. She didn't seem to be amused at the moment. "So Autumn, what would you like, to talk about?" She thought for a moment then said "are you eliminating me?" With a furrowed brow deep in thought. She really did confuse me. "No, why?" I asked and she thought for a moment before replying "oh one of the girls said you were that's all." This really ticked me off. Why would someone say that. I hadn't so much as mentioned elimination to any of the girls I saw all day. "Who told you that?" I asked and she debated saying anything before replying "I don't feel comfortable sharing this information, I really don't want to bad mouth anyone. I'm not sinking to her level." She said proudly. I nodded. I understood where she was coming from but any girl saying things like that should be eliminated immediately I am not going to marry some jerk that bad mouths other people. "Ok fine I get it but don't worry I want to keep you around for a while if you'll stay." I told her and she nodded. By this point time was up and she walked out obviously more happy then when she entered.

Annie came walking in next. She was wearing a gorgeous white dress with small detailing of black beads in the shape of flowers. It was incredibly strange for us because of out parents so I told her "I really don't want who our parents are to effect our relationship because I really like you." She smiled and said "me too" quietly. She told me about her mom and how when she found out she was in she spilled soup all over herself. That sounded pretty funny. She also told me about her job as a maid and how just being in the selection sends home lots of money to her mom and it abled her to become a 3. The timer went off way to fast it seemed and we said our goodbyes fast so I could have enough time to fit in the next 2 girls.

I was starting to get tried by the time Haven walked in. She was wearing a pretty emerald green dress and for the first time I noticed her eyes were sorta shiny like there was something in them. When I inquired about them she told me they were contacts and that she usually had glasses but when she came to the palace they made her wear the contacts instead. "You should wear your glasses I'm sure you look just fine with them on if not better." I told her and she blushed. She told me she liked running a lot since she couldn't do any other sports because she bruises to easily. It was interesting I learned a lot about her in this short 5 minute period. The timer beeped way to soon and to felt like she had just arrived. I said goodbye and kissed her hand before she left.

The last girl was Kayleigh which was ironic because she was my first date. Get it first date last interview… Ok. She was wearing a pretty pale pink dress that had daisies sewn on it and she had on high heels that looks taller then a giraffes neck. When she walked in she was walking very wobbly. "Would you like help?" I asked and she nodded. I got up rather fast and gave her my arm to steady herself. "I wore these to make a point you say you're the clumsiest person ever but I walk in these." She pointed down to her shoes then continued "all day" I laughed and replied "well wouldn't that make you the most balanced since you live while walking in them?" She thought for a moment then called out "shoot didn't think about that. Touché point for you but I will avail!" She said shaking her hand in the air pretending she was angry. After I helped her sit down she unbuckled her heels and threw them off. We spent the rest of the time laughing about things we had done. Then the timer went off and I helped her put her shoes back on.

When we walked out all the girls were the waiting for us. I walked with Kayleigh back to the women's room because she really needed the help. The other girls walked beside us. Kayleigh kept them cracking up with jokes and it was very enjoyable.

After all the girls were in the women's room and I was allowed in I pulled out the elimination list and asked the girls on it to step out with me. They didn't know if they were staying or leaving be in it was split exactly. I led them down a hallway to a private room, an office that wasn't used.

I said "I'm terribly sorry ladies it was wonderful meeting you all" That wasn't true for some of them but I was trying to be nice. I continued with "but I felt no connection with you, you are all now 3s unless you were already a 2 or 3 then your caste will not change. I wish you all happiness and I'm sure you are all lovely but your just not for me." I finished.

A few girls started crying and a couple complained that it was because I was shallow or something like that. The rest of them stood there dumbfounded. "please go back your bags and you will be escorted home, goodbye." I said finishing up. They all left immediately and I felt so bad.

I knew they would be upset but I wasn't expecting that! It was frightening. I quickly walked back to the women's room and requested admittance again. I was accepted and I walked in smiling. They all looked nervous. "Hello ladies you are the 17 left the others were eliminated, I felt no connection with them and I did not want to string them along." Most the girls nodded understandably but some looked shocked at me. It felt much emptier now because half the girls were gone. I said goodbye then walked to my room.

Once I made it to my room I found mom waiting on my bed. She looked up nervously when I walked in and said "how did it go?" I shook my head and sat down next to her. "I eliminated 17 mom, they were so upset it was so torturous." She looked shocked then said "you eliminated half of them?" I nodded in reply. That was probably the hardest thing I had ever done but I think I handled it well. I hope.

I requested to a my maid that we could have lunch in my room so me and mom could talk.

Ok guys so this was the interviews! Yay! I know it was long but I didn't want to cut in the middle of a girls interview so I crammed them all into one chapter hope that's ok! Next chapter will be another elimination I think not quite sure yet but the ball is coming up! Now the questions!

1.) who's interview did you enjoy the most

2.) are you surprised by the amount of the elimination?

3.) Did Connor handle the elimination well?

Ok thanks for reading I feel to lazy to reply to reviews from last chapter but thanks to anyone who did review! Bye! Also sorry about in mistakes in advance I'm really tired and don't feel like reading through again to correct them that's why this chapter is so sloppy as well. I hope you understand thanks!