Told you it would be soon. Hopefully you like this one. Enjoy!

The letter was burning a hole in the pocket of my nightgown. My grandmother's wishes rang clear in my mind. And though my love for her wished me forward, everything else I knew told me to go back to my room. That I shouldn't be here. That I shouldn't even consider talking to the King of Illea. I stared at the old King, who was currently staring at the sky almost wistfully. As if he was searching.

My fingers grazed the edge of the letter. I wasn't afraid of anything, especially old Kings. And from the stories of how the country used to be, and all the history lessons, he was a kind person. I had no reason to be afraid, not that I was. I wasn't afraid of Old Kings. So I stormed into the garden, holding the letter delicately, but tightly with my fingers. I was only halfway there when he turned.

" Lady Singer," the King called. Crinkles framed his old brown eyes, he had a kind smile. His face was worn, his hair slightly graying. I froze, a slight grimace forming on my face. This man had broken my Gran's heart. And yet, she had never said a bad word about him. He patted the seat next to him, moving over. " Come sit."

I shuffled over to him, sitting carefully, wary of the man next to me. He seemed to notice because his smile widened slightly.

" Lady Singer…"

" Evelyn," I cut in. " I go by Evelyn." He chuckled.

" I suppose hatred of titles runs in your blood." I was silent, but I didn't look down. That would make me seem weak, and I was not weak. The King looked up at the sky. " I was looking at some old books once. I found a picture, it was a photograph of the stars. It wasn't like here, there were millions of them. Like a path of little pinholes. I want to see that one day. That's what I would choose. Where would you go?"

I was surprised by the question, it seemed so out of the blue. " I would go to Amazon. There are more animals there than anywhere else. It's almost gone, I don't want that to happen, it looks beautiful."

The King nodded thoughtfully. " Evelyn, I don't know what you think of us. I know Singer blood runs through your veins, and I know very well how Singers act. I just hope, I just hope you'll give Holden a chance." I didn't answer that either. The King sighed next to me and pushed off the bench, standing. He had begun to walk away when I felt the burning paper in my hand.

" Wait," I called. He turned, one hand pressed into his back. " My Gran wanted you to have this." I shoved the letter into his hand, and with a quick goodbye, I was gone. Rushing past the guards and into the safety of my room. My job was done. I hoped King James wouldn't find out I had disobeyed his orders. I hadn' been so careful on the way back. I sighed, pressing my forehead into my pillow. This was the most comfortable bed I had ever been in and yet, I didn't think I was going to sleep well.

oooOOOooo

I walked to my room as fast as I could. My old legs couldn't handle speed anymore, but in my hands, I held something that gave me youth. I waved off the guards and entered my room. The same room I had shown my America so many years ago. I pulled out my seat and sat, my knees popping painfully. Hastily opening the letter, I feared its contents.

Dear Maxon,

It has been many years. In so many of those years, I was angry. Angry about what happened to us. Angry at you for not stopping it. Angry at myself for letting you end it. I don't know if I'm still angry, but I have come to terms with it.

Tears brimmed in my eyes, I ran my fingers over the words. I could almost hear her musical life. She had made me happy. How I wished to hear her laugh.

I have a feeling that our end was not only caused by my mistakes, but your father as well. Though I will never know I can only hope that you still loved me and I did you. Even after you choose Kriss.

If only she knew the truth.

But I haven't written this letter to discuss our relationship, but something new that might form. Evelyn is much like me. Almost too much. I see in her many of the angers I had, the rebellion and impatience. But through all that, I know she is a brave girl who unlike me, is smart enough to know when to hide her feelings.

I also feel that Holden and Evelyn might have something similar to what we had so long ago. I am writing this before the results come out because for some odd reason, one I am sure will be true, I know Evelyn will be among the Selected.

My true intention for this letter was to make a wish, one I hope you'll grant. If they do fall in love, I beg of you to not let them make the same mistakes we made. Do not let history repeat itself, do not let another story end in ruins. I pray that you'll read these words and grant my wish. I do believe that something big is to happen. Until we meet again.

Never Your Dear,

America Singer

And he knew then and there. That if they were to fall in love. History must never be repeated. And her wish would be granted.

oooOOOooo

I woke to a loud horn. Cora stood above me, her arms folded and a small foghorn in her hand. I glared at her rubbing the sleep from my eyes. That girl had a death wish if she blew that foghorn again. Luckily, she didn't.

" You might be in the running for Princess but you aren't Sleeping Beauty. Time to get ready." I groaned.

" Ready for what."

" To meet the Prince of course." Of course.

An hour later I was in a long metallic gray dress that hugged my waist tightly. It was strapless and part of me fretted it would fall. Cora stood back, admiring her handiwork. I hadn't seen myself yet. Aurora was grinning like a child with a lollipop.

" Turn around" she whispered excitedly. I did.

I was beautiful. My hair was half up and half down. Two sides pulled back and the rest elegantly curled. Cora really hadn't gone heavy on the makeup and my features were highlighted. And the dress. It was beautiful. A metallic sort of armor.

" Cora picked it." I glanced back at Cora, who had a bit of a smirk on her face.

" Thank you, Cora," I said begrudgingly. She nodded in reply and busied herself in cleaning up the makeup. I smoothed my dress. I rose my hand to my neck, brushing over the gold E Gran had given me. I'll do my best, Gran. But if he's an asshole I will punch him.

I stepped out of my room and almost smack into a tall, blond-haired guard. He watched me amused, his blue eyes sizing me up. He bowed.

" I'm here to deliver you to the Great Room." He walked stoically in front of me. I walked faster so that I was walking next to him. He was quite a bit taller than I was so his strides covered more. I was struggling a bit to keep up.

" You mind walking a little slower," I asked him. He glanced down at him, a smile pulling at his lips. He didn't say a word but slowed his pace.

" So what's your name," I asked.

" Jake."

" Evelyn."

" I know."

" Well, that's wonderful. Where are we going anyway?"

" Great Room."

" For what?"

" The Prince."

" I have a feeling you know how to string together more than two words at a time," I remarked. He slowed further, I could see he was fighting a smile.

" You're different than the other girls aren't you."

" That's true, Jake. You're quite a skilled observer."

" You should walk behind me, the other girls might think that you're already cheating on the Prince."

" It'd be stupid to think that. I'm just trying to make a friend in this place." He laughed.

" I doubted the King would be happy with that."

" The King shouldn't be worrying about the friendships of a simple girl. He has much worse things to worry about." Jake snickered again. We reached a set of grand doors.

" You're more than a simple girl now, Lady Evelyn." He opened the door, bowing like a perfect gentleman.

" My name is just Evelyn," I glared at him, " Don't dare call me anything else." I heard him laugh lightly as I entered the only one glance around the room I had decided.

This was not a room full of girls in dresses and pearls. They were girls who were competing for a Crown and a King. I expected nothing less. But I had a feeling, that to survive here, was to fight a battle. And though I wasn't sure the reason I was still here. I knew I had to find out. But I had a strange feeling that whatever it was it would be worth it. And I had promised Gran I would try.

I walked through the room slowly, feeling the gazes of the girls on my back. I walked with my chin up, I wasn't afraid. I scanned the room, my eyes finding a raven-haired girl with a pleasant smile and waving hand. I strode towards her, the gazes finally moving off me. No sooner had I reached her, the doors at the opposite side of the room opened. The whispers began even before the announcement. I leaned toward the girl.

" My name is Evelyn. Evelyn Singer."

" Kaya Normas. Allens. "

" I like your dress."

" It's a little more than I like. I'm a sweatpants kinda girl."

" I... "

" Announcing, Prince Holden of Illea." Kaya turned excitedly to the door. The girls watched the Prince, some eyes filled with longing, some with lust, and others looked at him as if he was a trophy they just had to have. The Selection had begun.

It has startedddd. What do you think of Evelyn so far? And Jake? Hope you guys are all well. Thanks for reading !

- Fae