So, here's Chapter 1, with some changes:
"Mom, look what just came in the post!" Sofia, my little sister exclaimed, jumping up and down in the living room. Mom hurried down, scared that Sofia might just break something, to see a letter with the royal seal in her hand. I followed my mother and saw her take the letter from my 10 year old sister. She opened it and read the contents before handing it to me.
"It is with great pleasure that we announce that our beloved Prince Edward, who is just about to turn nineteen, will be holding a selection. According to the recent census, a young female between the ages of 16 and 21 resides in your house. If your daughter/sister/charge is interested in competing for the hand of our beloved prince, fill in the attached form and submit it to the nearest Provincial Service building. You have two weeks to decide, after that the selection will be made. Thank you," I read out loud for my sister to hear.
"That's you," she started jumping again. "Fill the form," she pleaded. Even mom was looking happy and I had always wanted to take part in the selection. So I started filling the form.
Name: Rowena Kiara Sofiana Russell
Age: 21
Province: Calgary
Education: Completed studies till MBBS
Title (if any): Doctor
Languages: 5; English, Italian, Spanish, French, Finnish
Special Talents/Hobbies: Archery, Music, Singing, Martial Arts (black belt), swimming
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Weight: 46 kg
Favorite color: Red, gold, pink, green, light blue
Favorite food: pasta, fries, cupcakes, strawberry tarts
Eye color: Pinkish Red
Hair color: Reddish gold
Evening came and father arrived home with Derek, my younger brother. Mom told him about the letter and he was pleased that I was entering. He started telling us that he remembered the current queen struggling for approval and managed to do well.
"That reminds me," Derek spoke. "I've got to go for a meeting to the palace next week. All new members are invited," he explained. At 18, he had already joined the parliament and worked along with our father.
A knock disturbed our talk. Sofia went to see who it was and returned with a smile. Following her was Robin, my twin brother, who had been drafted for the army at the age of 18. Now, he was a senior guard at the palace. It seemed that he had managed to get a few days off to visit us. At dinner, we talked and he was happy to hear that I was entering the selection. After dinner, we sat on the couch and started catching each other up on the news.
"What's going on?" I asked. "With preparations going on how are you free?"
"I've got a month off. It was due," he replied. "The Queen had promised this after what happened." I remembered exactly what had happened. A few weeks ago, Princess Nazia, Prince Edward's younger sister, had been kidnapped and Robin had been the one to find her.
"How's cousin Rosetta?" I asked. " And the whole royal family?"
"They're well," he said. "I've got to go back a day before the selection starts though," he admitted.
"Well, at least you're here," I said.
The next day, I got up early and got dressed. I left with mom to go to submit the form. When I arrived, no one was there, so I handed the form and had my picture taken. By the time I got out, a line had formed. Returning home, I told Robin about it and he laughed. We had expected a huge line since the beginning.
"At least you did not have to wait sis," he said. "Want to play a game?"
"Fine, but my turn comes first," I said, going to my room to bring a pack of cards. I always enjoyed playing with my twin. We started playing and soon Sofia joined us, wanting to play too. The day passed in a blur of happiness.
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Special thanks to Michelle the Editor for his reviews. SYOC is still open, please submit your characters and thank you to those who have already submitted theirs. There is an update of SYOC, if you have already submitted a character, please add the new details as well.
Rowena