The Selected were gathered in the banquet room which had been converted into a classroom of sorts for their history lesson. It had gone well enough, most of the girls knew their basic history and Avery corrected when needed. When the lesson was complete Avery left the girls to their own devices, having other matters to attend to.

"It feels like I'm back in school." Irradia complained as she leaned back in her chair.

"And here I thought I was getting a break from school," June pipped in. At least it was something that she already knew from high school. But still, she thought the Selection would be all about spending time with the Prince, not relearning basic history.

"Can you believe that ten girls are gone already?" Arya asked. She had been surprised that Sawyer had cut so many on the first day there. What could they have possibly said or done to make him sure they didn't have a future together?

"Hardly," a red-haired girl by the name of Lauren, spoke up. "I mean, it had to happen eventually. Those poor suckers never stood a chance. And to frank, neither do any of you." She sneered as she stood and smoothed out her dress. "I mean, sure the make overs made you look decent, I suppose, but you're not queen material. My father's the premier of Allens, I already know how to handle the limelight and you quite frankly do not."

"Oh, wow, your father runs a province, good for you," Irrada said sarcastically. "I think you're forgetting that some of us here have actual careers and the public actually knows who we are."

"Right, because writing a song called "Fag" is something a queen would do," Lauren retorted. "I'm surprised they even allowed you in here, what given your less than stellar reputation and all. You're a terrible influence on children and your songs are just downright tacky."

"Well, my tacky songs are why I have millions of fans all over the world, you're just some pampered little princess who needs to get her head out of her ass." Irradia snapped as she stood up. "You're not special just because your daddy runs a province."

"At least I know my basic history," Lauren shot back. "I didn't see you raise your hand once. Sawyer wants someone with a half a brain, your only talent is writing sad songs for freaks. Anyways, I have had enough of you have beens, ta-ta!" She flipped her long, wavy hair over her shoulder and strode from the room.

"Don't listen to her, Irradia, she's probably just jealous of you," Arya said as the doors to the room closed. She hated girls like Lauren, who put others down to get their way. They reminded her of her mother.

"I don't care what that bitch thinks of me," Irradia said indifferently. But still, from the angry look on her face it was clear that Lauren had succeeded in getting under her skin. Irradia left the room without another word.

"I can't believe it's the second day and we're already fighting." Solea said as she stood and shook her head. "I don't think Sawyer would like that."

"I don't think it's really our place to tell him." June said with a sigh. "If Irradia wants to tell him then it's up to her, I don't want to go behind her back or anything."

"I guess Lauren's just going to get away with it," Arya said.

"There's only so long she can keep up that act before Sawyer or his family figures her out, she'll ruin herself, we just need to wait her out," June said.

Arya sighed, "I guess you're right." She just hated that Lauren was getting away with belittling Irradia but June had a point, she didn't want to go crying to Sawyer already and look weak, especially since it wasn't her problem to deal with. Arya decided to steer clear of Lauren, she didn't seem like the type of girl she wanted to get involved with.

Everleigh glanced up when the door to the Women's Room opened. She smiled and waved at the Selected as they made their way inside. There goes my privacy, she thought. She sat on a couch with a table in front of her that was filled with letters and documents for her to sort through. Her father hadn't lessened her workload upon her return and she still had everything that had piled up from when she was gone to sort through. She sighed as she pushed her hair out of her face, this was ridiculous, she was never going to catch up. Everleigh listened to the Selected talk amongst themselves and felt slightly jealous, they got to enjoy life in the palace without any work, their only job was impressing her brother, which wasn't exactly hard to do. Everleigh glanced up and was surprised when one of the girls approached her.

"Hello, Your Highness, I just wanted to introduce myself to you, my name's June," the girl said. Her blonde hair was cut into a long wavy bob and she had chestnut brown eyes.

"It's very nice to meet you, June. And please, you don't have to call me 'your highness'." Everleigh said with a smile. She wasn't really in the mood to talk to people, but she supposed it was her own fault for setting up in the Women's Room in the midst of her brother's Selection.

"I hope I'm not bothering you, Everleigh," June said. She smiled to herself when she saw the look of envy on Lauren's face. Guess she wished she had of thought of that first, June thought. Though she did genuinely want to meet and get to know the princess, it wasn't a play on her end. It just happened to work out in her favour.

"It's not a problem, I honestly wanted a break from all of this anyway." Everleigh motioned to the stack of paperwork in front of her. Though she really should be focused on her work, she didn't want to get in trouble from her father for slacking off, but she also wanted to get to know her brother's Selected. If all went according to plan one of them would become her sister-in-law.

"And we thought the history lesson we just had was bad, that looks awful!" June exclaimed.

Everleigh laughed, "You had a history lesson? How did that go?"

June nodded with a smile, "It was fine, kind of boring. I think Avery just wanted to make sure we had our facts straight."

"Maybe," Everleigh agreed. "She's great though, I honestly don't know what I would do without her."

"I'm sure she's a big help to you, what are you working on? That's if you don't mind me asking."

"A lot." Everleigh said with a laugh. "I have some letters to answer and I'm trying to work on my mom's old charity project, the one with the hospitals but it's more work than I could have imagined."

June remembered it, providing funding to low-income families who needed treatment. It was ground-breaking in Illéa and had already helped countless families. "You sound busy, I couldn't imagine taking all of that on at your age."

"Well, someone has to do it, it's really not that bad I've just been away recently and well, there's a lot of catching up to do." Everleigh said with a shrug.

"I'm really sorry, about your mother. She was a wonderful queen." June had been devastated when the Queen died. Harlow had died suddenly from a brain aneurysm, shocking the nation. She couldn't imagine what poor Everleigh was going through. Publicly, she had handled it well but she remembered what her father had told her, appearances were one thing reality quite another.

Everleigh glanced down for a moment then looked back up at June, "Thanks, she left pretty big shoes to fill."

"I think you're doing a wonderful job, really," June said. "I know we just met, but if you ever need anything please let me know."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. The same goes for you, if you need help with anything, I would be more than willing to help you out. Everyone at the palace is at your disposal."

"Thank you, Everleigh. I hope I'll see you around, I should let you get back to your work."

Everleigh nodded, "It was nice talking to you."

"It was nice meeting you too." June said as she went back to the other Selected. She sat down on a couch beside Arya and glanced back at the Princess who was looking at the papers in front of her with a furrowed brow, deep in thought. She felt bad for Everleigh who didn't seem to get a chance to just be a teenager. It hardly seemed fair for her to be buried in work after losing her mother just three months ago, trying to continue her legacy. June wanted to do something to help her, but it hardly seemed like her place to get involved. She couldn't help but notice how Everleigh looked away at the mention of her mother and wonder if she struck a nerve with the Princess and made a mental note not to bring it up again.

That afternoon a maid entered the Women's Room with a note. She found Arya and handed it to her. All eyes in the room focused on her as she opened the envelope and read the note.

"Well, what does it say?" One of the girls whose name Arya couldn't quite remember asked. Everleigh's interest had piqued too and she glanced up from the paper she was writing on.

"It's from Sawyer…he wants to meet him outside." Arya said as she set the note down. The room broke out into excited chatter as Arya stood and made her way towards the door. Some girls wised her luck while others stared at her with looks of jealousy on their faces.

Sawyer was waiting outside, dressed in a suit as per usual. He smiled at Arya who curtsied to him, his smile widened as he bowed slightly with a laugh.

"You know, you don't have to do that." Sawyer said as he offered Arya his arm.

"I know, it just, felt appropriate." Arya said as she took his arm.

"I was thinking we could watch a movie," Sawyer said as he led her down the hall. "We have a theatre here and it's been a while since I've gotten a chance to use it."

"That sounds fun," Arya said.

"Perfect," Sawyer said. They made their way through the halls of the palace and downstairs towards the movie theatre. "Popcorn?" Sawyer offered as he approached the popcorn machine, where already made popcorn sat waiting for them. "It's fresh, I promise."

"I'd love some, extra butter please." Arya said she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Coming right up," Sawyer said. Arya watched with a smile as he scooped some popcorn into a bowl and slathered it with melted butter then shook the bowl to mix it around. When he was finished, he prepared his own bowl with a modest amount of butter then they took their seats in the theatre. Sawyer handed Ayra a remote, "You can pick out anything you want."

"Hmm, let's find something we both want to watch, I want you to enjoy it too." Arya said as she scrolled through the movies. "I doubt you like romance…maybe action?"

Sawyer nodded, "That sounds good."

Arya picked out a title that looked promising, with Sawyer's approval, and the pair watched the movie together, both engrossed in the film. Sawyer made comments and predictions every now and again, and Arya found that she didn't mind him talking during the movie which she would have if it was anyone else. When the movie ended the pair stood and Sawyer held out his hand for the popcorn bowl. He left the bowls on a counter for the palace staff, then turned his attention back to Arya.

"Thank you, this was fun, even if you guessed the ending," She teased.

Sawyer smiled, "It was kind of predictable."

"Oh, they all are," Arya agreed. "But the effects were amazing!"

"Especially the explosion at the end, it was very well done." Sawyer agreed. "So, you're a model?" He asked, remembering that from her form.

Arya nodded, "I am, it keeps me very busy, it's a lot more work than you think."

"I know a bit about it, from the photo shoots we have at the palace. I dread them, they're exhausting." Sawyer said as he offered her his arm.

Arya took it with a smile, "Now imagine that but it being your job."

"I don't know how you do it, honestly," Sawyer said. "It doesn't sound like you enjoy it, though."

"I don't mind it, but I think I'd rather be a teacher, or work at a daycare, I think I'd enjoy working with kids." Arya replied as they walked out of the theatre.

"That sounds very rewarding," Sawyer said as they walked down the hall. "I don't know what I would do if I wasn't next in line to be king."

"I guess you're lucky that you don't have to think about it," Arya said.

"I guess so, but still, it's fun to think about." Sawyer said as they reached the second floor of the palace. "Thanks for spending the afternoon with me, I really enjoyed our time together."

"So did I."

Sawyer smiled as he took Arya's hand and kissed it softly, "Until next time, Lady Arya." He said, then made his way towards the stairwell. Arya watched him leave with a smile, blushing slightly. The Prince of Illéa had just kissed her. Sure, it was just her hand, but still it was something. She walked towards her room as she rubbed the top of her hand, hoping to have some more alone time with Sawyer soon.

That evening Sawyer knocked, then entered Everleigh's room. She had been rather quiet at dinner and he was worried about her. He found her sitting up in bed with a photo album resting on her lap. He walked over to her and frowned when he sat that it was full of family photos.

"You okay?" Sawyer asked as he climbed onto the bed and settled in beside her.

Everleigh shook her head, "Not really." She admitted as she flipped a page. "I miss mom."

"So do I." Sawyer said as he wrapped an arm around his sister. She rested her head against him as she stared at the photos, tears in her eyes. "Did something happen today to make you think about her?" He asked.

Everleigh nodded, "I tried to carry on with her charity work, but it just had her written all over it."

"You know, you don't have to, Leigh. You could just leave it." Sawyer said as he rubbed her shoulder. He wished his sister wouldn't take on more work than she needed to, she had enough on her plate as it was.

"And just let it die? She wouldn't have wanted that," Everleigh said.

"I know, but aren't you taking on too much? You have your own projects to do too, and honestly it's not the responsibility of the crown to pay for the people's medical expenses. They have to take personal responsibility at some point," Sawyer said.

Everleigh sighed, "You sound like dad. He hated this project."

"I mean, it's a nice gesture but it's expensive," Sawyer said. "It's the most expensive project we have, Leigh."

"I don't really want to talk logistics." Everleigh said with a sigh. This wasn't helping and she really didn't want to rehash the arguments their parents had over this. It was important to her mother, so it was important to her.

"Sorry, we kind of got off track," Sawyer said.

"Kind of." Everleigh agreed as she reached for her rubber band, which she snapped against her wrist absentmindedly.

"Is there anything you want to talk about?" Sawyer asked as we watched her snap the elastic against her wrist again. At least she's not cutting herself, he thought. But she was supposed to come and get him when she felt like this.

Everleigh shook her head, "Can you just stay with me?"

Sawyer nodded and placed a kiss on his sister's head, "Anything for you, sis."

"Thanks," Everleigh said. The two spent the rest of the evening together, looking at pictures of their mother, talking about how much they missed her, and remembering funny stories. When Sawyer eventually retired to his room Everleigh found that she felt a little bit better. But she still had the urge to hurt herself, so she did. She felt guilty about it, but as long as she kept it hidden from her maids then it was fine, no one had to know. When she calmed down Everleigh took her sleeping pill and got settled into bed. She sighed as she closed her eyes and hoped that tomorrow would be easier.