I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. SHOUT OUT TO AVA NAVA AND NIKT WANZY FOR CREATING THESE CHARACTERS.
Schreave Palace. Province of Angeles. 3 months and 2 weeks into the selection.
To say that Lucrezia Bellincioni was beyond nervous would have been an understatement. When one of the ladies in waiting and told her that Queen Jessamine had requested a private audience, the actress could hardly believe it. She had not done anything wrong that she could remember. Maybe the Queen simply wished to acknowledge that she was a fan of her work? Lucrezia could only speculate as she was led into the Queen's receiving room.
"Miss Bellincioni, thank you for coming." Queen Jessamine said as the actress curtsied before her.
"I was honored to receive your invitation." Lucrezia replied with respect as she was motioned to take a seat.
"I'm a tad embarrassed to admit this, but I am a fan of your work." This caused Miss Bellincioni to jump and scream for joy on the inside as she tried to remain calm on the outside.
"Your Majesty is most kind to say such a thing." Lucrezia said as the ladies in waiting poured them each a cup of tea before being dismissed by their Queen.
"I suppose that you are wondering why I sent for you." Jessa remarked as she sipped her tea.
"It did cross my mind, your Majesty." Lucrezia admitted as also took a sip of the tea provided.
"The truth is that...out of my respect for you, I feel that I must inform you that his majesty the King has rigged the selection." the Queen admitted as Lucrezia's eyes grew as big as platters. Since she had been chosen in the selection, Lucrezia had genuinely wanted to win and take her rightful place as Melody's wife and future co-Queen of Illéa
"The selection is a valued tradition in Illéa, if people find out that his majesty rigged it...you can forget about the provinces, there will be riots in the damn capital!" Lucrezia exclaimed as she tried to keep composure, despite that the fact that her future was walking out the door.
"I understand that and that is why I decided that it was necessary to take you into my confidence." Queen Jessamine replied calmly. "This act of deception has made it abundantly clear to me that my husband can not be trusted with power and neither can Mr. Monroe. This country needs a strong female face of leadership now more than ever. My daughter needs a real partner, a real princess to stand by her and I think that strong female...should be you." Lucrezia was about ready to break out in tears of joy at what the Queen just said.
"You...you mean it?" Lucrezia asked as Jessa nodded. The actress stepped forward and curtsied. "I am so honored your majesty and I will help you."
"Thank you Lucrezia." the Queen said as she took her hands and squeezed them. "Together we will usher Illéa into a new and matriarchal age!"
While Queen Jessamine was plotting with the actress from Waverly, Crown Princess Melody Schreave was having a far less pleasant meeting in the royal garden with the photographer from Bonita.
"Hey Melody, what's up?" Lily said as she embraced Melody.
"Hi Lily, I was hoping I could talk to you." Melody said as she motioned Lily to sit down on the bench with her.
"Is something wrong?" the photographer asked as she started to notice the forlorn look on Melody's face.
"Lily...there is no easy way to say this, so I am just going to say it: I am eliminating you from the selection." the princess stated as Lily's face dropped like a rock.
"Why Melody...did I do something wrong?" Lily asked as she tried to keep calm.
"No Lily, you didn't do anything wrong." Melody insisted as she tried to reassure the girl. "You have to understand, it's not you; it's me. Dating for me isn't the same as it is for other people. I am not normal Lily. One day, I am going to be the Queen of Illéa. That means that whoever I take as a husband and wife can't just be about who I love, it also has to be about who would be the best choice for the country."
"So, what you're saying is that I am not good for Illéa?" Lily asked as Melody kissed her cheek.
"It's not because I think that you would be a bad Queen, it's because that you are such a free spirit...this life would kill you." Melody insisted as she frowned.
"Maybe you're right." Lily sighed as she stood up.
"You are a good person Lily and I know that you will find the perfect girl for you." Melody assured her as the two women hugged it out.
"Thanks for holding onto me for this long." the photographer replied as she gave the princes a gentle kiss on the lips. Melody returned the kiss as she smiled at Lily.
"At least I have your snapshots of me as a souvenir." the princess replied as she remembered how wonderful Lily had made her look.
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT TO GO AS THE FINAL FIVE COMPETE FOR MELODY'S HEART, HAND, AND THRONE? REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.