Two years ago…

Prince Cedric was ecstatic to say the least. Today would be the happiest day of his life, the day he was unsure would ever come, the day he proposed to the winner of his Selection. He hadn't told her yet, why ruin the surprise? He had told the runner up; Rachel, and she was a little saddened by the news but took it with grace. Cedric smiled as he entered the parlor. Cameras had been set up to capture this moment, and he couldn't wait to propose. He approached the round table where his last remaining Selected sat opposite each other. He smiled at both of them.

"I have thought long and hard about this decision, and I think the winner is pretty clear to me. I care about both of you very deeply, but unfortunately only one of you can become my wife and the future Queen of Illéa." He said as he got down on one knee. Cedric pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a stunning diamond engagement ring. He took a breath and turned his attention to Helene, the beautiful black haired woman who had stolen his heart. "Helene, will you marry me?"

Helene stood and glanced towards the camera, a conflicted look on her face. She was surprised that she had lasted this long, and didn't know what to say, "I…" she trailed off.

"Helene?" Cedric asked, confused.

"I'm sorry… I can't." Helene said as she rose to her feet. She turned and rushed out of the room, the skirts of her dress flying out from behind her.

Cedric was confused, then crestfallen. How could she turn him down? He vaguely heard his father call for the cameras to be turned off, then stunned silence filled the room.

"Helene!" Cedric called after her as he stood. He ran from the room, chasing after her. But she had a head start and he didn't know where in the palace she had gone. Cedric ran to her room and knocked on the door, he tried to open it, but it was locked.

"Helene!" Cedric called out. "Helene, open up, please!" He begged, tears in his eyes. How could she do this to him? How could she just reject him in front of everyone? He didn't understand, didn't she love him the way he loved her? He sat on the floor in front of her door, tears rolling down his face. He glanced at the box in his hand, he thought she would love the ring, would love him. Cedric threw the box at the wall. How long had she been leading him on for? What was the point? Why did she even apply if she couldn't at least imagine a future with him? Footsteps could be heard down the hall, and he glanced up to see his father, King Regan. Regan extended his hand and helped his son to his feet.

"I just….I don't understand…" Cedric said as he swiped at his eyes. "How could she do this to me?"

"Now is not the time for explanations, talk to her tomorrow before she leaves, when everyone's feeling a little more level." Regan said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

Cedric nodded, "I guess you're right."

"Come on, let's take a walk." Regan said, wrapping an arm around the eighteen-year-old.

Cedric nodded again and walked with his father; his eyes glued to the floor.

Present Day

Cedric entered his father's office, prepared for a regular day of work. Little did he know his father had other plans for him. Regan glanced up from the Report that he was reading and smiled at his son.

"Cedric, we need to have a talk," the blonde-haired man said, motioning for his son to sit.

"What is it?" Cedric asked as he took a seat, it sounded serious.

"It's been a while since your last Selection…" Regan trailed off and Cedric felt a feeling of dread creep in. His father couldn't seriously expect him to hold another one, could he? Helene had destroyed him, after getting an explanation from her he didn't leave his room for days.

"Dad, you can't be serious!" Cedric exclaimed. "Helene humiliated me! On national television."

Regan said and ran a hand through his stubble, "Just hear me out," he said. "You're twenty years old now, it's about time you settled down. What happened with Helene was a setback, yes, but you need to move on."

"I have moved on," Cedric insisted. He had moved on her after a couple of months of wallowing around in self pity, but he wasn't sure that he was ready to host another Selection. He ran his hands through his short blonde hair.

"Then having another Selection shouldn't be a problem for you," Regan countered. "Look, I know this will be difficult for you, but the fact of the matter is that you need to marry. I've been patient with you, but I think that the time is right."

Cedric sighed, "And you're set on this?" He questioned. He really didn't want to host another Selection, but if his father wanted him to, then he must.

"I'm afraid I am," Regan said.

"I guess you're right, I should probably try to find someone else," Cedric agreed, after some thought.

"I'm sure this one will go better than the last," Regan said.

"I certainly hope so," Cedric said. He didn't think he had it in him for a third Selection, how would he live down two failed Selections?

"You'll announce your Selection on the Report tonight, go prepare a speech," Regan instructed his son.

Cedric nodded and left the room. How would he possibly announce this? Should he address his mishap with Helene? Or just stick to the new Selection without mentioning her? His heart ached at the thought of her, although he had moved on, he wasn't entirely over her.

Cedric sat in a stairwell window, a clipboard resting on his knees as he tried to think of what to say to his people. They would obviously still remember the crushing blow that had been Helene, what would they think of his new Selection? He sighed as he crossed out what he had written.

"What are you working on?" Came the soft voice of his younger sister Jacqueline. Jacqueline was a beautiful girl of fourteen, she had straight, long blonde hair that went to her mid back with bright blue eyes. Freckles lined her cheeks, and she had a fair complexion. Much to her chagrin she was wearing a day dress, at their mother's insistence.

"Just a speech," Cedric replied, wondering why he was concealing the truth from his sister, she'd find out eventually.

"For what?" Jacqueline asked, genuinely interested.

Cedric hesitated before answering, "For my Selection."

Jacqueline's eyebrows raised in shock, "You're hosting another Selection?"

"You think it's a bad idea, don't you?" Her brother asked.

Jacqueline pursed her lips in thought, "I don't know," She answered honestly. "Do you think you're ready for it?"

Cedric sighed, "Honestly? I'm not sure that I am, but dad's right, I'm twenty, I should be married by now." I was supposed to be married two years ago, he thought bitterly, trying to push the thought of Helene out of his mind.

Jacqueline thought for a moment, "I don't think it's a bad idea, you deserve to be happy. I hope you can find someone that truly loves you."

"Thanks." Cedric said with a smile. "Come on, let's go to lunch, I'm starving."

Jacqueline nodded and as Cedric hopped off of the window ledge. The pair walked down the stairs together and talked about the upcoming Selection. When they arrived at the dining hall, their parents and brother were already waiting for them.

"There you two are," Antoinette, their mother, said.

"Sorry, I was working on my speech." Cedric said, as he took his seat beside his younger brother Everett.

"Speech for what?" Everett asked, his curiosity piqued. Whereas Jacqueline and Cedric took after their father, with their light hair and blue eyes, Everett looked like their mother. Both had dark brown hair with matching brown eyes. Jaqueline took her seat across from her brothers as butlers served their food.

"Your brother will be hosting a Selection," Regan announced.

Everett smirked, "Yeah, cause the first one worked out so well for him." he teased.

A smile played at Jaqueline's lips and Antoinette swatted his arm.

"Be nice," Antoinette warned. "I'm sure this one will go better than the last."

"I sure hope so," Everett said. "How embarrassing would it be to be rejected twice?"

"Shut. Up." Cedric hissed while Jaqueline hid her smirk behind her glass of water.

Everett shot his brother a cheeky grin as he reached for his fork, "I'm just saying, you haven't had the best luck with women, who's to say this one will even work out for you?"

Cedric groaned and ran his hand through his hair, "There's no way I'm letting that happen again."

"Don't worry, I'm sure it won't," Antoinette assured her son.

"If it does, I'm not having a third," Cedric said, glancing at his father.

Everett burst out laughing at this and Regan shot him a warning look.

"There will be no need for a third, I'm sure this one will go off without a hitch," Regan assured his eldest son. "How is your speech coming along?"

"Not well, I'm not really sure what to say," Cedric admitted.

"I'll help you after lunch," Regan promised his son.

Cedric nodded as he turned his attention to his food. Now that thoughts of his new Selection were swirling in his mind, he couldn't help but think about Helene, he wondered what she was doing, and whether or not she had found someone new, someone better. He sighed, he still wasn't over her, but who could blame him? It wasn't like he could go out and start dating whoever, there were protocols in place for a reason. Besides, he couldn't set foot in public without being recognized. He sighed, hoping that he wouldn't be rejected for the second time. He didn't know what he'd do if he was.

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