Author's Note:

Hey, y'all, I'm back!

So I don't really have much to say about my story other than a warning that I want to give you. I am literally just making this up as I go along so what happens next will be a surprise even to me... so let's hope this turns out good.

With that out of the way, I wanted to mention something that I think is really important. I don't know if any of you follow Adam Lambert on Instagram and he recently posted about how the country of Brunei has started stoning gay people to death. That makes me absolutely sick. I know if you're reading this it's probably just for fun so you may be surprised by me bringing this up but I think it's very important for people to be aware so I want to spread that awareness in any way I can. I recommend you go look at his post.

That being said, I hope you enjoy the story!

Chapter Two

Blaine, being the dapper young man that he is, jogged to town square as soon as all the named were announced to buy a flower for Marley. He didn't make much money as a waiter, but he was able to buy a beautiful (and not at all a play on her last name) rose.

Once he knocked, it didn't take long for Millie, otherwise known as Mrs. Rose, to answer the door.

"Blaine!" she exclaimed with obvious pride and excitement, "Did you hear? My Marley is going to the palace!" She was absolutely beaming.

The young man mirrored her smile and gave her a one-armed hug. "I did hear. That's why I brought these." He presented two roses, which he had previously been hiding behind his back. "One for you, and one for Marley."

"Blaine, you didn't have to."

"I wanted to." Millie pulled him into another bone-crushing hug.

Then Marley called from the kitchen, "Blaine? Is that you?" A second later she appeared out from behind the wall that isolated the kitchen.

"Congratulations," he cheered and held out the remaining flower.

"Blaine-"

"I know I didn't have to. It was my pleasure." He stuck his gift behind her ear and wrapped her in a hug. "You're just like your mother. Can't a guy buy flowers for someone anymore without being scolded?"

She pulled away and held him at arm's length. "Blaine.." she repeated.

"Hey," he looked directly into her eyes, 'it's fine, really."

Sighing, she pulled him close again. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything."

Kurt stood at his closet when a knock came at his door. "Kurt?"

Without asking who was there or turning around he called, "Come in, dad."

"Hey, kid," the king strode into his son's bedroom and looked out at the gardens through the glass doors which opened onto a balcony. "You know, tomorrow the girls will be arriving." Kurt's answer was muffled by the stacks of clothes he was rummaging through. Burt continued anyway. "Listen… uh, Kurt? Why don't you come sit on the bed with me?" After setting a few shirts aside for later he obliged.

"What exactly- nevermind. I've learned it's best to not get involved when it comes to you and fashion. Bad things happen."

"Oh, come on," Kurt said, "I'm not that bad."

"You threatened to disown me after I suggested you wear flannel."

"Is this what you came in here to talk about?"

Burt laughed. "No, no it's not." He put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I just wanted to talk to you before all the craziness starts. I'm really proud of you, Kurt. You're going to make an excellent king. And I'll be there to help you if you need it."

Kurt wiped at his eyes and wrapped his arms around his father's neck. "Thank you. I love you, dad."

"I love you too."

Marley was the first to arrive at the airport. She would be traveling to the palace with three of the other selected girls and she was waiting for them to get there.

"Hello!" a cheery voice half-shouted from behind her, causing her to jump and spin around. A girl who she recognized as Rachel Berry, a two, stood behind her. She opened her mouth to greet her but Rachel seemingly never ran out of words.

"I'm Rachel Berry as I'm sure you already know. I want to wish you good luck in the competition, I mean, not to be prideful or anything, but I think I was pretty much destined to be a queen. I have all the right qualifications. I'm a leader, I know how to take charge but not in a bossy way. I am not bossy, no matter what anyone tells you, I'm just assertive which is very important when you're running a country. It creates stability, don't you think?"

Marley blinked. "Uh…"

"You see? That's what I'm talking about right there. I'm sure you're a great person and all, but you don't seem to have a way with words. Well I do. Anyways, I didn't catch your name. I was planning on learning all I could about the other selected girls but seeing as my name was the first one called, I was too busy celebrating."

"Marley," said Marley. "My name is Marley."

"Well, Marley," Rachel said without missing a beat, "I think you and I are going to be good friends. You're a great listener."

The other two girls, Lauren Zizes who was a five and Santana Lopez, a two, appeared a short time later and they all boarded the plane. Rachel talked to Marley the entire time and Santana looked like she wanted to hit her with the bottle of champagne she took from a cart full of refreshments while Lauren sat by herself with her earbuds in.

Upon arrival, all four girls got off the plane and climbed into a car. On the drive up to the palace, the road was lined with ecstatic fans, most of which holding up signs encouraging their favorite contestant.

"Isn't that kind weird?" Marley asked to no one in particular.

Rachel - Of course - was the one to answer. "What's weird?"

"All these people," Marley responded, gesturing out the window, "here with posters supporting one of the selected girls. They hardly know anything about us and they've already chosen a favorite."

"That's because they're shallow," Lauren said. It was the first time the other girls had heard her talk. "They already have favorites because they already know our castes. Those in a lower caste will adore the lower caste girls because they see them as an inspiration. And those who are closer to the top will praise two's and three's because they think having five or a seven on the throne would be disgraceful."

For the rest of the car ride, everyone was silent.

Kurt watched from his balcony, which allowed him to see the whole palace grounds, as a group of cars pulled up. This is it, he thought, spread throughout those cars are fifteen girls, one of which I will choose to be my bride.