AN: A bit of a shorter chapter, but it's helping me bridge between events and has healthy conversations for once in this fic lmao. anyways, enjoy!


Chapter Thirty-Six

Monday, November Twenty-Fifth

The sun rises on Angeles as the plane starts to land. Louis is up already, silently planning the final family visit with Maria. Briar sleeps soundly. Louis had fun in Carolina with Briar, but he knows that they're better off as friends. He couldn't imagine marrying Rosie even if she wanted to stay in the selection.

Louis looks out the window. He sees the clouds, lightly illuminated by the blue, peach, and pink sunrise. He'll be spending a lot of time flying around once he's married and has a child. The thought crosses his mind that whoever wins will be the mother of his children. She will have the next King or Queen of Illéa after him.

Louis sets down the pencil. He doesn't want to bring a child into a world with the rebels; where there are supposedly hundreds of thousands of people ready to fight, to kill him and his family.

These once pleasant thoughts make Louis sick to his stomach. He needs to end the selection and dedicate his time towards fixing this. He's going to be the next King. The rebels flourished under his father's rule, but they'll die under his.

"Louis." His plans for vengeance are stopped by a guard calling his name out, "The plane has stopped."

Louis grabs his bag. Briar left her bag at home, knowing she'd return in due time. Only things she has now is her phone and a couple of outfits, a far cry to what she originally had when she came.

The two of them are escorted to a car, driven by the palace's personal driver. The car isn't new, but he can tell that the windows are. They've been bulletproofed.

"Thanks for letting me stay." Briar replies as she steps into the car, "I want to see the outcome in person."

"I actually need you to be on the Report," Louis sits down beside her, his bag on the floor below, "I need to have you there for when I announce the winner."

"So you need to reject me on live television?"

"Yes." Louis answers, "but you asked not be picked. So it's not really a rejection if we've already split."

Briar laughs, "I was just joking, Louis. I don't like you like that nor want any part of politics."

"Yeah." Louis laughs, "But thank you for staying."

"No problem." Briar replies, "Though, who do you think you'll pick."

"I don't know." Louis admits.

"All three of the other girls have good intentions."

"Two." Louis corrects, "The other two."

"Who left?"

"Mare."

"When?"

"Saturday morning." Louis answers, "She left quietly."

"Well, both Madison and Maria have pure intentions and would be good for you." Rosie comments, "and they've both been the hardest workers in our classes."

Louis nods along, he didn't know this.

Briar continues, "They always worked twice as hard, catching up and going beyond most of your former selected. And, both of them genuinely like you."

He knows that. Louis breathes in, then breathes out.

"Thank you, Briar."

"No problem, bro." Briar cracks a smile, "This'll be all over soon."


When Louis walks in the palace, he heads straight to his father's office. He's calm, determined but calm. A lack of anger and a willingness together are a first for Louis. He walks confidently in his boots up the stairs to his father's office.

King Jonothan will listen to him. There is no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Louis doesn't look at the ancestors on the wall, ignoring them entirely. He heads straight to the wooden door, firmly knocking on it.

His mother opens the door, not smelling like alcohol for once since he's started the family trips. Louis savors the moment.

"Good," He steps in, "I won't have to make this announcement twice."

"What announcement?" His mother closes the door back, standing in front of it.

"I shall be announcing the future Queen of Illéa on Friday's Report." Louis tells them, " Then, we will be focusing all of our attention onto rescuing Charlie and eradicating the rebels."

"Nice to see that you're taking initiative in this country." His father stands, handing him files, "We have figured out how they hacked the Report, but we are unsure from where."

"Find it, and we find where they're keeping Charlie."

"Yes, but we must proceed with caution," his mother interjects, "they have my baby."

"Please find out all you can dad." Louis turns towards the door, "and mom, please bring out the jewelry from the Royal Vault. I'm not officially proposing, but I want something to show that I've decided."

"Alright, Louis." His mother smiles, looking up at her son, "Who are you picking."

"I'm not certain." Louis replies, "but, I'll know by the time I get back from this trip."

"Alright." His mother and father reply together as he leaves. Louis steps into the hallway once more, and heads to his room.