Welcome to How to Become Royal! This story is going to be about Prince Gabriel's selection, but some other important stuff is going to happen before that, so the selection part won't actually start until chapter 5 or 6. I will have a form for the SYOC up on my profile soon!

Prince Gabriel believed that he was entirely cut out to be a ruler. He was intelligent, responsible, extroverted, and could command a room with ease. Those were the four qualities his father, King Benjamin ranted about almost daily. Based on the royal family's high approval ratings, he was correct. His mother and father were the most well liked king and queen in the past few generations. After Gabe's 3rd or 4th great grandparents had brought back the castes, the country had become a very suppressed place for many citizens, and had stayed that way until King Benjamin and Queen Elaina began to pay attention to what the people wanted and made it possible for them to lead a successful life even in a low caste.

The country was happy and peaceful in general, and that's why Gabe was very surprised when he was called to his parents office at eight in the morning on a Sunday and told he had to have a selection. Gabe had paid attention in his history lessons, and he knew that whenever a selection happened it was because the country needed a distraction or a particularly unruly crown prince or princess needed to be reined in. Gabe certainly didn't need to be reined in, because he had the four qualities that were so important to his father, and the country was happy, so he didn't see a need for a distraction.

"Why do I need to have a selection?" Gabe demanded, crossing his arms.

"You're almost twenty, sweetheart," his mother said. "You need to find a wife."

"I can do that on my own," Gabe argued. He'd had several secret girlfriends throughout his teenage years, including his current one, who he had been dating for almost three months. His parents didn't know about any of this, of course, but he was confident in his own abilities to find someone to marry. He didn't need the help of a highly structured process.

"Gabriel, a selection would be a good way to excite the country," his father said. "If you just find a girl and marry her, they won't be as interested. It wouldn't be nearly as big a deal, even if it was someone important."

"Someone important? Like a princess?" Gabe raised his eyebrows. "Do you have someone in mind?" He'd dated several princesses from other countries, but long distances relationships hadn't worked very well for him so none of them had lasted more than a week or two.

"No. I told you, you're having a selection."

Gabe thought for a moment. "What if I date someone and you put it on the Report and stuff and then I marry her?"

Queen Elaina chuckled. "Who are you planning to date? It's not like you can just go out in Angeles and find someone."

Gabe's parents had no idea that he left the palace all the time. He took his guards with him, at least mostly, but he had sworn them to secrecy long ago. He supposed he would have to admit it eventually, especially if he wanted to marry a girl he found instead of one from the selection. His current girlfriend, Sophia, lived in downtown Angeles, which was very close to the palace, so he didn't really count going to see her as leaving. But he went much farther when he just needed to get out of the fancy prison the palace sometimes felt like.

Gabe needed some example, so he said, "The daughters of your advisors and some of the high ranking guards are in the palace all the time. I see lots of girls."

"You cannot marry a guard's daughter unless it happens through a selection," his father said. "The point of the selection is that everyone becomes a lady of the court and they are all seen as equals, no matter what their cast was. It wouldn't be seen the same way if you brought a random girl to the palace."

"That's not true," Gabe argued. "Well, maybe in Illea, but I know in other countries if the prince courts a commoner she automatically becomes a lady."

Understanding dawned on Queen Elaina's face. "You're saying you want to choose a commoner to court officially and make her a lady?" she asked.

Gabe nodded. "I don't want to have a selection. And I promise I won't do this casually. I'll find someone I actually want to marry."

King Benjamin had a concerned look on his face. "I will allow you to do this if you can start courting someone officially by the end of the month. If you do not, I will start a selection. Elaina, do you agree with that?"

Queen Elaina nodded. "Gabe, I don't want you to rush into this," she said. "This decision will affect your entire life. So don't rush to court someone because you don't want to have a selection. I promise it's better then it sounds. The selection changed my life, and it could make a huge difference for a lot of girls' futures. I will support you either way."

"Okay," Gabe said. "I'll find someone to court."

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I know it's super short, but I've already written the next couple of chapters and they are much longer!

I would really appreciate reviews, they are super motivational and helpful! Critique is also welcome! I will respond to all reviews through PM!

Also, please start submitting girls for the SYOC! You have a week probably before I really need them, and I will accept up to 30, but I need at least 15. Thank you for reading!