The next day came in a blur, and so the photographers.

Silvia had changed the whole look of the Grand Hall for today's events. Couches and recliners. A huge golden tapestry hung from the ceiling, against a wall, and spilled on the floor like waves. Another lounge was placed on a side of the tapestry, and the Illéan emblem was drawn and stuck in the middle of the golden tapestry. A pillar was placed on a side, whereas we all sat on the couch for the photos.

All the Selected were to walk the golden sheet as a model in their swishing and sighing dresses and then click some photos with me.

Even we three were dressed in our best. Dad and I on our royal dress, with medals on our chest and shoulders, sword at our hips, and Mom in a royal red dress with a sash of royal emblem across her chest.

First came the photoshoot of the king and queen, then of the three of us. Dad and I were still not on talking terms, but the whole thing passed without a hitch.

And then started the actual mayhem.

The photoshoot.

Mom and Dad left as soon as their part was over. No sooner did they leave than the girls giggled and whispered, and the whole hall filled with voices.

And the flashes as the camera clicked.

Silvia arranged quite a way of calling these girls. By picking their names from a bowl herself.

First was Kriss, her orange gown matching the golden of the tapestry.

She smiled broadly at me and took my arm. "Good morning, Prince."

"Morning, my dear."

"I didn't expect to see you in your royal dress."

"Oh?"

"Yes. It all looks so formal, and we've been nothing but informal over here." She chuckled. "Sometimes it feels like I fell in a hole like Alice." She chuckled and I did too. The cameras flashed capturing the moment.

"I'm sorry to not deliver to your imagination."

She laughed and posed when the photographer called. "Oh, I forgive you. But only if you give me anytime allowance in the library. There are so many books, it feels like I'm living in a story world. I've never seen these many books even in my dad's university."

"Consider it done."

She put a hand in my chest as the photographer called for and posed as instructed.

"Thank you."

We posed for a few more times, both at the pillar and on the couch.

After a few minutes, Kriss was finished and Natalie came. Photos with her weren't quite fun, but they looked all the same. After a few photos with her, Celeste's name was announced.

"Be aware, prince Maxon. Here comes your competition. I'm not sure who looks more beautiful now." I chuckled at her exaggeration for Celeste, and her praise for me. She wasn't good at flirting and I thanked God for that. At least there was someone who was as bad as me.

"Wanna bet in how minutes she finishes?" I said in the same tone as hers.

"Against her, no."

I shared a laugh with her as we watched Celeste walk down the made aisle.

She walked down in her pink gown, a figure of confidence and elegance. She'd tried to redeem herself in the past two days, and seeing her regret, I'd finally forgiven her.

She smiled as she stepped in front of me. I grinned back.

As soon as she reached me, after walking the aisle like a princess already, she whispered in my ear, "Is this also part of the duty you mentioned or you're willing to flirt with everyone of us?" There was some mischief sparkling in her eyes, even though her battling the lashes at me said she was very much good at flirting.

Whatever it was, I tipped my head back and laughed, agreeing with both. She smiled back. "Good to know I'm back in your good graces. Else I would've missed the chance of you flirting with me."

"My dear, I'm very much bad at flirting. But photos..."

This time she smiled.

The photographer called us for posing, and being an expert model as she is, her whole demeanour changed. She put a hand on my chest, tilted her head down and blushed, and I looked at her. We clicked the same pose at different angles—she knew much better than me how to play with angles and lights—and within a couple minutes we were done.

Before leaving, she murmured, running her hand up and down my arm, "It was a good thing Natalie refused to bet against me. Because I hate losing."

Oh. She was definitely into the competition. And much more fiery than the others.

She squeezed my forearm one, winking, and left, her hips swinging.

She was definitely after the crown! I could feel it. The greediness dripped off her in waves. But when she said things like this...

But before I could think more, America stepped in front of me, her face turned in horror as if she was walking down a cliff. Her cheeks were pale, and her hands clenching and unclenching continually. Even her sash was wrinkled and crooked.

"Hello, my dear." I teased.

"Don't even start." Even her warning sounded pale.

I chuckled and gave her my hand to take it. She took it, and I could feel how clammy her palms were.

"Hold on a moment. Your sash is crooked."

"Not surprised."

"I suppose that'll do." I joked.

"In the meantime, they ought to hang you up with the chandeliers." She chided back, poking at the many medals hanging from my chest plate.

I smiled a little, but she didn't. Instead her eyes were roaming all over the Grand Room, taking in the formality. When the photographer called to pose, she pressed her lips together and tried to run her hands over her dress. Which in turn again twisted the sash a little.

"Don't be nervous." I whispered.

"I don't like everyone looking at me."

I pulled her close to me, and wrapped my hand over her waist. She had to look up to glare at me.

My heart started pounding at her closeness.

This close, I could also smell her rich fragrance. Soil and almond, mixed with the perfume of vanilla. Together she smelled like winters.

"Just look at me like you can't stand me." I pouted mockingly, trying to hide my surprise at such a reaction from her closeness, I wondered if she could hear it or feel it as well.

She cracked a laugh.

I laughed, too, and the flashed announced this moment was captured.

"See, it's not that bad." I whispered.

"I guess." She muttered.

The photographer instructed many things and we changed our positions accordingly. From a close embrace to a loose one, with she pressed against my chest, once her chest and once her back. In one she held my arm tightly, and in the other she blushed.

All were quite distracting.

Why was it that the only girl who made my heart pound was the one who didn't act like others, didn't reciprocate my feelings.

To distract myself, I focused on her. And it turned it was the worst distraction ever. At least I was of little help to her. Every time her nerves returned, I tickled or poked us, eliciting a laugh from her.

Even her laugh was a melody.

And the photographer captured each and every moment, every laugh, her every blush.

"Excellent," the photographer said. "Could we get a few on the lounge?"

"I guess." She muttered, to which I tickled her in her ribs and she tried her best not to cry, she laughed so loud.

As we sat, I noticed a guard waving a hand to grab my attention. Justin. I turned and nodded. He motioned with his eyes to America.

I contemplated for a second, but nodded. She already knew a few secrets of mine.

He nodded curtly, once, and approached. "She's fine." I said as he was still unsure, but then agreed as well.

The photographer turned away, clicking random photos of everyone else as Justin kneeled down.

"Rebel attack in Midston, Your Majesty."

Such timing. I sighed, deflated.

These rebels knew each and every doing of the palace. They knew we'd be focusing now more on the palace after the recent attacks, and so they focused on the point where we didn't have any eyes.

"They burned acres of crops and killed about a dozen people." Justin continued.

How much worse it would be the next time?

"Where in Midston?"

"The west, sir, near the border."

So close. It was just a few towns away. And with our current situation with New Asia, they knew we'd not concentrate on the smaller areas of Illéa.

"What does my father say?"

"Actually, Your Majesty, he wanted your thoughts."

What? How?

He never asked for my thoughts! Then suddenly now...

At least I knew now he took me seriously for a while the last time I spoke to him.

I don't want to disappoint him, but I can make the right decisions as well, I thought I want him to know I'm ready for these decisions.

I thought about the best approach. The best way to stop hem without thinning our troops.

"Localize troops in the southeast of Sota and all along Tammins. Don't go as far south as Midston, it'd be a waste. See if we can intercept them."

"Excellent, sir." Justin remarked and went, taking my suggestion to the king.

I wondered if father just asked my suggestion for appearance's sake, or was he really going to consider my opinion.

"Are you all right?" America whispered.

I nodded, because I had to. But... "Just all those people." I said, noticing my voice was as small as hers.

I had, again, no idea why I have her even this piece of information, but it felt good to share the simple things, the hard things, the burden and the work the crown and my job demanded of me.

"Maybe we should stop." She suggested.

I shook my head and straightened up, wearing my best smile, taking her hand.

"One thing you must master in this profession is the ability to appear calm when you feel anything but." Just like my mother. And father. The photographer came back to resume our photoshoot. "Please smile, America."

While the picture was being shot, I squeezed her hand. Just a reflex action. And she squeezed back.

Here we sat, squeezing each others hand. I, to swallow up the news. And her, to give me comfort.

In that moment, I didn't puzzle over why this small gesture mattered. I just focused on her hand in mine, glad that there was someone with whom I can share. Someone with whom I felt a connection. Dark and sweet. An unexplainable bond. An unlikely friendship in the middle of chaos.

Even when I stood, I didn't let go of that comfort.

"Please don't say anything. It's imperative you're discreet."

"Of course."

When she looked in my eyes, I forgot everything.

There was just her and me. Nobody else.

I noticed how her skin glowed in her blue dress. A dress so blue, like the water of the Caribbean. A complete contrast to the lightness of her eyes. I wondered if I should ask why she always wore blue.

How her lips parted a little, shaded in the softest pink, and so beautiful. I'd to refuse the urge to run my fingers over her lips. And her hair... she'd claimed her hair was always covered in pins, but today they fell down her shoulder. I noticed her hair catch the light, shining like a living flame.

There was no other word for my friend.

She was mesmerizing. The epitome of beautiful.

The clicking of the heels brought me back to the surroundings.

America have me a small smile, sliding her hand from mine.

My fingers ached for hers. It felt incomplete without her fingers lacing with mine.

I wanted her to stay. With me.

Always.

I shook my head as I saw Jenelle appear.

Oh, right. The Selection.

And America was off limits because she can't like me back.

"Janelle, my dear." I greeted her. She smiled and took my arm. "Before I forget, are you free this afternoon?"

"Sure." She replied, eager. "Can I ask one thing of you, though, if you don't mind, Your Majesty."

"Yes."

"You told me about your love for horse riding." I nodded. I'd taken her on a walk and we'd reached the stables. She'd patted a brown horse, and I told her about my liking for them. "I'd love to share our common interest. Other common interest. Hunting."

"You didn't tell me you liked hunting, too." I had no idea girls liked it. It was always Vs boys' sport for me.

She blushed. "If I'd told you that day itself, you'd have taken it for me agreeing with you."

I chuckled. "Sure. I'll see you at, say four, at the backyard itself."

She beamed up, and posed when the photographer called for attention. "I think I'll beat you." She mused, and this time I laughed.

.

.

.

Sitting at the meeting with the advisors', we discussed the issue of the new attack.

"Thinning the troops isn't an option." I argued back. "We can't give them any other opening. Already we're stretched out by the current event of Selection."

"But we can't just overlook Midston, or the neighbouring towns." Mr. Windsman countered looking at father. "What if they're making that place as their camp. We ought to look."

"And what if they are. They aren't fools to come with a small mass." Mr. Lidson shot back, siding with me.

"We can't overlook the fact that we're already exhausting the number of soldiers with New Asia." I said. "If you can come up with a better advice, then you'll find me at the stables. Excuse me."

Father nodded in approval and I went out.

It was sometimes confusion with him. My Dad. There were times when he was so harsh with me, condescending, that I couldn't hate him more. Than there were times like these: when he approved of my decisions; when he beamed up when I acted with authority.

These times, I always debated about my love-hate relationship with him.

I shook my head, going to the stables to meet Jenelle.

I was late for a few minutes, but she didn't seem to mind. Or she didn't speak afraid of my prince persona.

"Jenelle, I'm so sorry I'm late, my dear."

She laughed instead, waving her hand at me "Are you going to actually hunt in the suit? Shouldn't you be wearing looked pants or something like that?"

Oh. I noticed she was wearing black pants herself with knee high boots and a black tunic on a white shirt.

"I just came from a meeting. I'll change if you want..."

"No. It's fine. So... Which one you like the most?" she pointed towards the tools stationed on the platform. Arrows, guns, rifles, spears.

"I'm good at archery, but spears are my weak point. For hunting, I always rely on my guns."

She looked amused. "I have no idea with guns." She admitted with a shrug. "But I think I'll manage the bow and arrows."

I nodded and collected the items.

Then, I went to Thunder, my horse, tied on to the backyard. He had black colour with brown spots on his skin. And he ran like a thunderstorm. Swift and fast.

My companion since I was eleven.

I introduced her to Jenelle and she stroked his ears. "That's quite a name. Back at home, I've named my mare 'Stella'. 'Cause she was my only friend in the starting."

"I can understand." I muttered, so that no one heard. Then aloud, "Do you want help getting up in the saddle?" we were to go in the forest for some game. On our horses.

"No." She went to a horse with light brown skin, who was already saddled, and patted her. When she liked him and learnt that he'd have her as his rider, she climbed on him, patting him. Then tied the quiver across her back and the bow to the saddlebag.

There was something seeing her like this. I've not known many girls who liked horses, much ride them. Not only she liked them but also rode them, with quite a charm.

Being a Three, she'd got the privilege to experience the riches, but she liked being in the backyard, noticing others rather than being in the spotlight. Sure that was a quality to admire.

In no time, we were strolling through the forest's front line, talking and laughing, looking for a good hunt.

"Can I ask you something, Your Majesty?"

"I'm not sure I can tell you anything about horses that you don't know yourself." I teased, admiring her ability to ride them so well. I've never been with a girl who ride a horse without any qualms. Even Daphne.

She chuckled but sighed. "I was thinking of America."

Even when I wasn't with her, her name jolted something deep in me, stirring a string.

"What about her?"

"I think she's playing with you."

What is she upto? I didn't think Jenelle would be one trying to degrade others.

"You like her, and clearly she's your favourite." Did I just assume the accusatory tone? "But we all girls talk. And it feels like she's playing with you." She started ticking on her fingers. "Capturing your attention, not letting you talk with others, acting as if always aloof. Even today, she tried her best to make sure her photoshoot was longer. Trying to look nervous and play it down." She sighed, shaking her head. "What a trick! And coming to you everytime, walking with you in the evening when you should be resting."

It took every ounce of my patience to not leave her here and go back.

"I also heard that she's after the crown. And money. She wants to make sure you hate everyone else and she wins in the end. That's the only reason she's the only Five still present..."

"And she does a great task of wearing a mask. For showing the world that she's just here for the sake of the circumstances and then she's running plotting around how to eliminate others and keep the crown for herself. I'm quite sure she doesn't love you. I can even bet she doesn't like you either."

Of all the things she said in her monologue, one thing hurt the most because it was the truth. She doesn't like me. She doesn't love me.

But I tried to explain myself . She is still crying over her lost love. The one who cheated on her. She needs time. And we both are friends. Stop thinking her like anything else.

Coming back to the situation at hand, I stopped Thunder and turned a little, stopping Jenelle in her tracks as well. We weren't far away from the palace. From here, the palace walls were clearly visible, looking just like a pretty cage.

The sun would set in an hour, and already twilight had appeared. Even the slightly warm breeze was cooler now. Carrying the different fragrances of the forest which weren't noticeable from the palace.

"Lady Jenelle, thank you very much." She smiled, pleased with herself. "For showing me that I was very wrong in considering you as a strong candidate."

"What?" she stammered.

"Being a lady means not blaming other without knowing the whole truth. And being a queen means hundred times that. You can't make a good queen if you're willing to judge a person on a particular incident, and you refuse to learn anything about it, not learning about the depths."

"Yes. Lady America is the only Five present, but that isn't because she's trying to manipulate me or something. We're friends and I don't like hearing anything wrong about the people I like."

"And I'd really appreciate if you leave the palace. After dinner. Unlike you, I tend to pass the generosity to others. A car would be waiting for you by nine. Thank you for participating."

She starred crying in earnest. "No. You can't."

"Are you trying to say I can't do that, Lady Jenelle?"

"You gave Celeste a chance! And she's such a bitch. You have to give me one, too."

"Lady Celeste was given a chance because she wasn't at guilty. If she was, she'd be not here right now. And if you're trying to prove you're good, you aren't doing any good job at that, too." I gave Thunder a small kick and he started his way back to the stables. "I have a meeting. Thank you for your time."

"And if I were you," I called over my shoulder, "I wouldn't talk about this to anyone and disgrace myself over more."

.

.

.

That night, after dinner, everybody was confused why one more was eliminated, and without much information.