Helloooo I know I haven't posted in a long time but I'm changing up this story a little bit. I'll update soon, don't have much do to anyway lol. Hope you like it.

When I hear my name called, my stomach drops. I don't know how to feel. I can't help but let my eyes wander across the room, taking in the faces of my family. My two older sisters are ecstatic, dazed by the idea of the royal family. My older brother is stone-faced. My older brother who has never stopped protecting us. My father has that look on his face that told me he was less than excited about letting his youngest daughter go to the palace. And my mother, she looked both angry and frustrated. And finally, my eyes landed on my grandmother. Her head was bent forward, her shoulders hunched. I could practically see the memories forming in her mind, playing behind her closed eyelids.

I rose slowly, the eyes of my family following me, gauging my reaction. I showed nothing of what I felt inside. The nerves, the fear, the anger, and the excitement. That was me, the strong one. I knelt in front of my grandmother, placing my hands gently in her lap.

" Gran, are you alright," I whispered softly. She looked up, smiling lightly. Gran lifted her frail hands to my face. She brushed a strand of red-brown hair away from my face.

" My sweet little Eve, I need to tell you something," Gran stood, gripping the handles of the chair. She began striding towards her room, her stride still true after so many years. I glanced back at my family, who had gone back to watching the Report before following.

Gran pulled a small brown box from her cupboard. She flicked open the golden lock and opened the box. I peered over her shoulder, observing what was in the box. I had to admit I was a bit disappointed at the contents. Inside was a small, leather book. And an old, wrinkled envelope. She pulled out the envelope and closed the box. I didn't bother asking about the book. If it was something from her past she would only tell me if she wanted. It was what she always did. Anything we wanted to know, she told us only if she wanted too. Whether it was her childhood, the Selection, or what happened after. Gran sat onto the bed and placed the envelope in my hands. She closed her hand over mine.

" My dear Eve, keep this with you. Do you remember what I told you about true love?"

" Of course, Gran," I rolled my eyes, " You've told me almost a million times." Gran laughed, removing her hands from mine.

" Yes, well," her voice softened. It was the voice she always reverted to when she talked about her past. A voice full of remembrance and regret of what could've been. " I made many mistakes during my Selection. And I know this is a...special selection, but it will be very similar. You'll have friends and enemies. And you mustn't make the same mistakes that I did."

My smile dropped, " Did the Prince break your heart?" She sighed heavily, her eyes dropped down for a moment before rising again.

" Yes, in a way. But I suppose I broke his heart, too."

" I'm sorry, Gran."

" My past must remain where it belongs, in the past. But you, my sweet Eve, are much too similar to me. But you must promise me," she pointed to the letter with a thin finger, " That you will deliver this letter to King Maxon. You have to promise me." I wrapped my hands around my Gran.

" I promise."

I left my Gran in her room. Later, I pressed the letter to my chest as I watched my grandmother sleep. I sang the song she always sang to me when I couldn't sleep. And as she drifted off to sleep I could hear the words of Harper from the Report.

" Miss. Evelyn Singer. Caste Three."

My goodbye past in a dull blur. Everyone from Carolina seemed to be there but I could only focus on one face: Gran. She has a strange sort of smile on her face, both mischievous and sad. It scared me a little. Worse, she refused to tell me why she was smiling. She could be annoying like that sometimes. She would always tell me I reminded her of herself back in the 'old days'. But when I asked her if that was a good thing she simply responded, " That's for you to find out, my dear."

Soon, I was on a plane, flying to an unknown future, biting my nails furiously.

The palace was harder to miss. It was grander than anything I had imagined. And despite myself, I was excited. I hadn't met any of the other girls yet. On the TV, most of them seemed nice. The minute I entered I have rushed away to a room lined with mirrors and crowded with people. People running with hair extensions and people holding makeup brushes. There were other girls there but before I could get a good look a man with vibrant red hair pushed me into a plush chair.

" What to do," he mused. Tapping his chin lightly.

" I usually keep it light," I responded. He shook his head, clicking his tongue.

" No, no, no. Light does not astound princes," he tilted his head farther. I was beginning to think he had a neck problem. " But I won't touch too much."

By dinner time my mousy brown hair was glossy and voluminous. After I had been primped up I was ushered into my room. A room that was twice the size of the one I had at home with a plush white bed and two beige sofas. This room was bigger than the one Gran described. I was still in awe when a knock sounded at my door. Two girls, who looked a bit older than I, stepped into the room and bowed.

" Hello, Lady Singer."

" Evelyn, who are you?" I corrected them almost instantly. I certainly did not exude the required elements of a Lady Singer. They nodded.

" My name is Cora," the girl with light blonde hair responded. Her eyes were chocolate brown and she stood so straight that she seemed taller than she actually was.

" And I'm Aurora." The other girl was shorter. She shifted on her feet a lot. I did realize her eyes were hazel until she moved her stringy black hair. She looked like a doll.

" It's wonderful to meet you." Aurora left the room, entering again with a covered plate.

" We came to deliver your dinner. Tomorrow will be the day you meet the Prince. Until then, the King requires that you stay in this room." I rolled my eyes at the name of the King. Cora raised an eyebrow.

" Lady, I must remind you that young women should not roll their eyes." I glared at her. I don't think Cora and I were going to get along very well. Aurora ignored Cora and set down the plate on a nearby table.

" We will wake you at 7 am sharp." And with that. She left. Aurora stopped hesitantly in front of me.

" I'm sorry about her Lady. She really is a kind-hearted soul."

" Oh, it's fine. And call me Evelyn." Smiling, she left. I stared at the door for a moment. I had wanted to visit the gardens before the sun dropped below the horizon. But now it seemed I'd have to go later.

I ate dinner slowly. Then unpacked and took a nap. By the time I woke up it was 11:00. It seemed alright. There would be less people. And Gran had helped me engrain the route into my mind. Just so I wouldn't get lost. Stuffing Gran's letter into my pocket I slipped into the grand hall. The marble felt cold against my bare feet. Sticking to the shadows, I slinked down the hall. Keeping my breaths slow. Suddenly I heard voices. I pressed myself farther into the wall.

" The King is an asshole." I held my breath. I agreed.

" I can't believe he did that again. I'm sick of cleaning up his mess."

" Give him a break. His wife died."

" Ten years ago. The Prince and Princess…." Their voices faded and I let out a breath. What mess? Part of me wanted to snoop but I had a strong feeling that wasn't going to be smart. So I scuttled down the halls the rest of the way. Smiling, I finally reached the gate to the garden. It was beautiful. I took a step forward and then I froze. Because there, a mere meter ahead of me was the man himself: King Maxon.

What's going to happen now? trust me the story gets better. Plz comment if you liked it. Thank youuu!

- Fae