He strode into the room in a dark suit, a gold crown sat atop his tousled dark hair. He looked nothing like his father or grandfather, instead, he was a striking resemblance of the late Queen. But damn. I was no fan of the Royal Family but this man was truly gorgeous. The cameras hadn't lied. He had an easy smile and eyes that crinkled when he smiled. I let out a breath and averted my gaze, gripping my glass of orange juice tighter. When I looked up again he was gone, disappeared into an adjoining room.

" He is really hot, though," Kaya smirked.

" I don't know."

Kaya snorted, " You don't know? I saw you ogling." I rolled my eyes. Deny, deny, deny.

" What does it matter? He's probably a jerk like his dad."

Kaya shook his head, " Definitely not."

" Bet on it?"

" I get your dessert. I love that cake."

" Deal."

Another voice rang through the hall, " Lady Evelyn Singer." I was first? I hadn't gotten to eat yet. Kaya shot me a thumbs-up as I strode towards the adjoining room. I bit my lip then stopped, remembering how pissed Cora was when I ruined it the first time. The guard opened the door and I stepped in. On the walls hung massive portraits of the royal family. The most recent one was right in front. King James and Queen Angela stood side by side. King James was smiling like a little boy and it was a strange sight to see, it was most likely right after his selection. My mother had told me she won a lot of money from that Selection, she just knew Angela would win. With her ebony skin, sharp features, and fierce personality she outshined the competition. When she died, King James seemed to die with her.

" Lady Singer," a voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned, my metallic dress turning with me and fluttering around my legs. Prince Holden. Two guards stood a slight ways behind him, their faces stoic. I extended my hand to shake his, instead, his bowed, taking my hand and placing a gentle kiss. His green eyes never leave mine. For a moment, I couldn't speak. I quickly composed myself, remembering who I am.

" Am I supposed to bow?" I ask, sounding a little ruder than I meant to. He chuckled. His teeth were so white.

" Only in front of my father and ste...mother." I raised an eyebrow at his mistake but he had already turned toward the couch. We sat. From this close he looked different. Still breathtakingly gorgeous but it almost looked like he was wearing makeup. He looked more...tired.

" My name is Evelyn Singer.

" Holden Schreave."

" You know, I think I recognize you from somewhere."

He grinned a little wider, " Good sense of humor I see."

" I try."

" I saw that you are a writer as well. Professor or author?"

" I've been working on some poetry."

" Anything you'd be willing to show me," he asked excitedly. I couldn't help but laugh.

" Depends."

" On?"

" What I think of you." He raised an eyebrow.

" And, have I met your expectations yet?"

" To be determined."

He smirked, " Guess I have to try harder." He shot me a wink and I almost gasped.

" Time is up, Prince," one of the guards said stoically. We rose.

" Good my de...Lady Evelyn." I nodded, trying to hide my grin. I turned to leave the room, moving as gracefully as possible. Well, there went my dessert.

Kaya was standing in a large group when I went out again. I hurried to the buffet table hoping the girls hadn't eaten everything. The food looked almost untouched. I shrugged. Their loss. I wasn't about to go on any diet. I grabbed one of the small, delicate plates and started piling up: scrambled eggs, sausage, chocolate croissants, and two strawberries. I joined Kaya, placing my food on the tiny table the four girls were gathered around. I hadn't even gotten to touch my food before they began to barrage me with questions.

" What was he like?" A short girl with a brown fishtail braid and big brown eyes.

" Was he hotter than on TV? Was King James there?"

" How tall was he?"

" What did he ask you? Were you nervous?"

" Wait," Kaya exclaimed. " Let her breathe guys. Sorry about that Eve." I shrugged, my mouth full of scrambled eggs.

" Sorry, I'm Allya. Allya Dukes. " The girl with the fishtail braid said, smiling.

"Helia." Helia was a five, I remembered that from the TV. " I love your grandmother's work." I nodded, chewing on the croissant which to my pleasant surprise

" I'm Fen." A girl with a shock of white hair and dark blue eyes, she resembled an ice queen. Her gown was a light blue and she grinned wide when she introduced herself. "So, what was he like?"

" A jerk?" Kaya butt in, raising her eyebrow.

" No." Kaya grinned and I rolled my eyes. " He was sweet. What's been going on out here?"

Fen leaned forward, her smile dropping. " The 'Cats' have claimed him already."

" The Cats?"

" That's what we're calling them," Helia whispered. " Caterina Klin and Katerina Vae, Twos."

" Cats. Oh, I get it," I nodded.

" For a Three, you're not too smart," Kaya giggled. I glared at her, elbowing her gently. The others all started laughing. And I couldn't help but laugh along. " But really though. They don't seem very nice." She pointed to two girls across the room. One was platinum blonde, her hair done up and intricate manner and her shiny red dress clung to her. The other was red-haired, wearing a white gown whose trail was almost as long as she was tall. Already, they had captured the attention of most of the other girls.

" Well," I shrugged, " Well I don't plan on talking to jerks." I sipped my orange juice. "Now, anyone wanna come with me to get seconds?"

By the time brunch was over I had spoken to all the girls but the Cats. Allya, Helia, Fen, Kaya, and I had gossiped and chatted for an entire hour. I was glad to have some friends. Gran had said she met her closest friends in the Selection. Aunt Marlee lived down the street. Kaya and I walked out together, the guards were waiting outside. Jake bowed as he saw me when he rose his eyes widened.

" Kaya," he whispered. Kaya froze. Her smile dropped and her back stiffened.

" Jake?" My gaze passed between them and I stepped forward. Kaya snapped out of her daze and with a quick goodbye rushed off. Jake turned fast and began walking, a hurried walk. I had to jog a little to catch up to him.

" What happened?" He didn't respond, his gaze set on the walls in front of us. I was walking fast, gripping my dress in my hands so I wouldn't trip.

" How do you know Kaya?"

" Are you always this annoying?"

" Yes. Usually more so. It's called being persistent." He humphed. "You didn't answer my question." We reached my door and he glared at me, his eyebrows pulled over his icy blue eyes.

" And I never will." He opened the door and begrudgingly I walked inside.

" Well, that's what you think," I smirked.

The afternoon came with an outdoor garden party. The sun was high and the sky and the temperature had gone up eight degrees since the morning. I was wearing a long black floral dress and wedge heels. I begged Cora to let me wear sneakers but she demanded I wear the heels if I wanted to look 'respectable'. The dress had a slit that went up to my mid-thigh and was strapless up top. Aurora put a small gold chain around my neck and then I was off. Jake didn't bring me to the garden party. I wonder if I had scared him off. It didn't matter, I'd get my answer.

Most of the girls were already there, milling about and chatting. I spotted Kaya, Allya, and Helia by the far side of the garden by a rose bush. I walked slowly to the lunch table, teetering a bit on my heels. It was worse on the grass. I had grabbed my plate when I heard a voice behind me.

" Lady Singer." I turned. King Maxon's brown eyes met my own and I smiled lightly. "How are you this fine day?"

" I'm wonderful. Who wouldn't be about this much food? Gran always raved about the food."

" I'm sure she did," he said in an almost whisper. His smile seemed sadder. And for a moment I felt bad for bringing up Gran. " Has Holden been treating the girls well? You know he's a bit on the flirty side."

" Pop I thought you were supposed to help me." Prince Holden walked toward us. He was wearing a baby blue suit today. The top button of his dress shirt was undone, so his chocolate brown skin showed in the crisp air. He walked so elegantly it almost seemed like he was floating. King Maxon laughed.

" I hope he's been kind to you."

" Very much, sir."

" Oh, none of that. It's Maxon for you." I nodded, smiling widely.

" Now, is there anything you require? Holden can get wrapped up sometimes" Holden rubbed his neck, awkwardly standing beside us.

" Actually yes. I was wondering if there is somewhere I could train. At home, I used to train to join the Protectors." Holden's eyes widened a bit. It was certainly a touchy subject. The Protectors was an organization that used the Northern Rebellion. King James hated them but that had used to work alongside King Maxon. Now, they helped defend the defenseless, in and out of Illea. Lawyers, martial artists, doctors. I was a Three but I always wanted to help fight.

" Holden knows a place. You know Holden hasn't had much time to work out, you should train together. Tomorrow, at 10 am. It's a date." And with that, King Maxon walked off. A large grin plastered on his face. I laughed as we watched him go.

" Do you usually get your grandfather to ask girls out for you?"

" No, I actually told him not to interfere. Don't think he got the message." He leaned closer to me. " So you'll train with me then?"

" I don't know. Can you keep up?" He raised an eyebrow.

" Guess I'll show you tomorrow," he took my hand in his and kissed it gently. " I'll see you then, Evelyn."

Hope you liked it. I know I haven't gotten much about Evelyn's character but that will change in the next chapter. Comment and favorite if you liked it. Thanksss

Fae