Galena joined the rest of the Selected in the hallway outside of their rooms, where Estra was waiting. She hated Enforcers, and naturally hated Estra as well. Though her run-ins with Enforcers had been few and far in-between, she could never forget hearing about girls her age getting lashes for offenses done by men. Ever since then she had learned to keep her mouth shut and avoid men at all costs. Once all the girls were gathered Estra started the tour of the palace. Galena paid close attention, wanting to know her surroundings. Many of the rooms were off limits to the girls which didn't surprise Galena in the slightest, of course any room of interest would be off limits to her. She decided she would find a way to sneak into the one of the libraries, excited to get her hands on forbidden texts. Who knew what wonders the palace library held? The tour ended in the Women's Room, which Galena assumed that despite its name Niklaus would be welcomed there anytime he wanted. But still, she appreciated that there was at least one room in which it was understood that men were not to enter unless absolutely necessary. It gave some semblance of control back in her life.
"Niklaus will be joining us shortly," Estra said, which confirmed Galena's suspicions that Niklaus would be allowed in if he truly wanted to enter. "But for now I wanted to go over a few ground rules for this Selection."
More rules? Galena thought with a frown, as if there weren't enough of them in her life.
"As I have said before, I expect that there will be no foul play between the thirty-five of you," Estra said. "In addition, it is advised that you travel in pairs, very much like you would on the streets. Men cannot be expected to contain their desires, it is up to you not to tempt them with impure thoughts." She eyed the girls sitting on couches in front of her. "Going forward you are all considered part of the first family, which comes with certain expectations. You are to be the embodiment of the perfect ladies…"
Galena sighed as she tuned Estra out and started tapping the couch, creating a little rhythm in her head. Once Estra was finished talking Niklaus entered the room, as if on cue. He was good looking enough, tall with a lean, athletic build. His wavy brown hair was cut short and he had piercing blue eyes with a fair complexion. Everyone sat up a bit straighter as he gave them a sheepish smile.
"Good morning, ladies," Niklaus greeted. "I trust that my sister is helping you all get settled in nicely, I'm sure this is as overwhelming for you as it is for me. Before we have breakfast I would like to meet with you individually to give us a chance to get to know one another."
Estra gave him a look.
"Of course, my dear sister will be overseeing this," Niklaus added as an afterthought. A few of the girls giggled and Niklaus grinned. So he already wants us alone, Galena thought. Great.
"Start with Teresa." Estra said to Niklaus who nodded.
"Teresa, come with me please." Niklaus said with a smile. A petite, Hispanic girl with dark curly brown hair stood and followed Niklaus and Estra to a corner of the room where a few couches were set up. Niklaus and Estra sat beside each other while Teresa sat across from them, facing Niklaus. Galena watched as they talked, wondering how uncomfortable it would be having her first conversation with Niklaus while Estra watched. Would Estra accompany her brother on dates too? Just how often would she be around?
"He's cute," A voice said beside Galena.
"I guess so," Galena said then turned to face the girl. She looked no older than eighteen. Her wavy light brown hair was long and she had dark blue eyes. Her complexion was fair and she had a willowy figure. "I'm Gale." She glanced at the name tag on the girl's name and read the name Odessa. Although reading was technically forbidden Galena still knew how to, she snuck many books from her father's library and had them hidden throughout her room. She knew the basics from before the Salvatore Administration took over and taught herself the rest in the privacy of her room, it was hard but she managed and was now a proficient reader.
"Odessa, but you can call me Dess," The girl said.
"Nice to meet you, Dess," Galena said. She may hate being there but that didn't mean she should be mean to the other Selected. As far as Galena was concerned they were in it together. It would do her good to make some allies or even friends down the road.
"Nice to meet you too," Odessa said with a smile. She twirled her hair between her fingers.
"Nervous?" Galena asked.
"Kind of," Odessa confessed. "I just don't want to mess up my first meeting with him."
"I'm sure you'll do fine," Galena assured her. The girl beside Galena returned and she sighed, looks like it's my turn, she thought as she stood. Galena made her way across the room and sat on the couch across from Niklaus and Estra. Niklaus gave her a friendly smile while Estra watched her closely, analyzing her every move.
"Good morning." Niklaus greeted politely. "How are you doing today?"
"I'm fine." Galena said flatly.
Niklaus exchanged a look with his sister who shrugged one shoulder and gave Galena a warning look.
"I'm glad to hear it." Niklaus said as he shifted in his seat. "So why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?"
"Like what?" Galena asked as she crossed her arms. Does he actually care? Galena thought. Isn't he just going to marry whichever one of us is the prettiest and quietest?
"Well, what do you like to do in your free time?" Niklaus asked.
"I like going for walks, but you know I can't really do that anytime I want to given the current state of things," Galena said curtly.
Niklaus pursed his lips and glanced at his sister who narrowed her eyes at Galena.
"I must say, Galena-" Galena cut him off.
"Gale."
"Fine, Gale," Niklaus said, an edge of anger to his voice. "I don't appreciate your tone."
"And I don't appreciate being here," Galena shot back motioning with her hands. "Guess we can't always get what we want, huh?"
"Then perhaps I should send you home." Niklaus said angrily as he adjusted his tie.
"Klaus," Estra warned.
"Excuse me, wait here." Niklaus ordered as he stood. He strode away, assuring the other ladies in the room that he would be back shortly.
"Let me give you a word of warning, Miss Galena." Estra practically hissed as she leaned forward in her seat. "There is a reason an Enforcer is overseeing this process instead of my Aunt Cara. Your behavior will be reported and kept in your permanent file, meaning that when it comes time for you to marry, which will no doubt be very shortly after your time here, your future husband will have access to the way that you behaved. So I suggest you clean up your act. I dare say this could impede your ability to find a suitable husband afterwards."
"Who says I want to marry?" Galena asked, an edge of anger to her voice.
"Trust me when I say that you will not like the alternative to marriage, but it can be arranged." Estra seethed as she sat up straight again. Niklaus returned and sat across from Galena, an annoyed look on his face.
"That will be all for now, Gale." He said and rested his hands on his lap. "Please send over the next girl."
Galena stood without another word and made her way back to the other Selected. Odessa didn't need any prompting to take her turn with Niklaus and she looked almost excited by it. Galena couldn't help but think about Estra's thinly veiled threat, what could possibly be worse than marriage to someone she didn't love or even know? Estra couldn't possibly be referring to work camps, could she? She had heard rumors about them, and shuddered at the thought of being sent to one. From what she heard they were horrid places, was that really the only alternative to marriage? She sighed, maybe she should be nicer to Niklaus, unless she wanted to end up as slave labor.
After meeting with Niklaus the remaining of the Selected made their way to the dining room, which surprisingly included Galena. Niklaus entered the dining room last and joined his family at the head table after bidding farewell to his and his father's picks to be eliminated. He smiled at Freya then took his seat beside his father who glanced up from his newspaper at his son's arrival.
"I wish you had let me send her home, sir," Niklaus said to his father, obviously referring to Galena. "She was downright rude, I don't want her here and she made it abundantly clear that she doesn't want to be here either."
"Her father is the governor of Midston, she stays." Daniel said as he reached for his glass of orange juice.
"I agree with Klaus, her behavior was simply unacceptable," Estra piped in.
Daniel sighed, irritated, "My decision is final, I don't want to hear anymore arguing."
Niklaus made a face but nodded, what did it matter if her father was a governor? His father was the president as he would be one day. They answered to him, not the other way around.
"How did you find the rest of the ladies?" Daniel asked as he took a bite of his waffles.
"They were perfectly pleasant, there's some I like more than the others already," Niklaus replied. He smiled as he saw Freya shoot curious glances towards the Selected who were eating their breakfast, having quiet conversations amongst themselves.
"You don't eliminate anyone without my approval," Daniel reminded his son sternly.
"Of course, sir," Niklaus said, then turned his attention to his younger sister. "What about you, Freya, are you excited to meet the Selected?"
Freya shrugged, "A little. I don't like that I have to spy on them."
"Don't think of it as spying, think of it as helping your brother make an informed decision," Daniel said.
Freya nodded and tucked her hair behind her ears, "Yes, sir."
"We need to keep in mind that some of them are here just to use us to advance their families or for the power. If they win they'll have a life of privilege and luxury, we need to make sure that we make the right decision." Daniel reminded his children, then glanced at Estra and Freya. "You two play an important role in all of this, I hope you understand that."
"We understand, sir," Estra answered for them, unsure whether or not Freya truly understood her role in all of this. Freya wasn't the best judge of character, and why would she be? She had never been around anyone other than family.
Freya simply nodded as she picked at her food.
"What's the matter, Freya?" Niklaus asked.
"Nothing, I'm just not very hungry," Freya said quietly.
"You may be excused then," Daniel said.
"I'll go with her." Niklaus said as he stood. Freya left the room and Niklaus followed after her, knowing that she needed to be accompanied by a family member everywhere she went, he didn't necessarily agree with the measure but he knew she would be safer with him around.
"What's wrong?" Niklaus asked again, once they were alone in the hallway.
"I don't want to spy on them." Freya said as she scratched her arm.
Niklaus sighed, of course she didn't want to. It was the first time she would be around other people and their father was asking them to report back their every move. It was hardly fair. "I know it's hard, but if you don't father will get mad, you don't want that now do you?"
Freya shook her head, "No…"
"Then you'll just have to do it, don't think about it as spying, but think of it as helping me get to know them. I need to truly know these girls so that I can decide on a good sister-in-law for you." Niklaus said as he bent down to her level. Niklaus wondered just how useful Freya would be in that regard, how would she discern what was important and what wasn't?
"Okay," Freya agreed with a small smile, glad that she could be helpful.
Niklaus smiled at his sister, "When do you meet the girls?"
"Tomorrow, Estra doesn't want me meeting them quite yet," Freya replied.
"I'm sure they'll all love you," Niklaus assured her.
"What about the rude one?" Freya asked nervously.
Niklaus chuckled, "I have no doubt she'll be nice to you too."
"I hope so," Freya said. "Can we go to the gardens?"
Niklaus nodded, "Of course."
Freya smiled and led the way, while Niklaus followed behind her. He was a little bit nervous about how Freya would get along with the Selected, they might not appreciate her questions as much as he did. She had also barely been around people her own age, let alone five years older than her as some of the girls were and was greatly lacking in the social skills department. He hoped that she would get along well with whoever he and his father decided to win, if not he wasn't sure he wanted to marry them.