Chapter 3
Meanwhile over in Angeles, the whole court was full of gossip, they were all wondering weather prince James would be betrothed or if he would have a selection.
A middle-aged man walked down the hall of the palace to the throne room. He had straight silver hair and wore an auburn colored frock. He walked up to king Taylor and his wife queen Dinette.
King Taylor had dark brown hair, amber eyes and wore a black tunic and a red cape. Queen Dinette had beautiful blond hair, violet eyes and wore a periwinkle gown.
"Good evening your highness," said the man.
"Good evening count Nielson" said king Taylor kindly at seeing his chief advisor.
"My how beautiful you look Dinette," said count Nielson humbly. "It's hard to believe you were once an eight, anybody would think you've been a one your whole life."
Dinette giggled; "Thanks Asbjorn" she said.
Queen Dinette served as an inspiration to all of Illea, she was the first eight to enter the selection. When she was an eight her maiden name was Dinette Leird, she would make a living by playing her flute in the streets and people would give her coins. She would also do small chores in the homes of twos and threes to make some money. She once came to a family of threes, to thank her for her work a young girl gave Dinette her form for the selection saying that she didn't really want to be a one and that someone with a heart like hers deserved to be a one.
She chosen to represent Waverly in the selection. When she met Taylor it was love at first sight for both of them. And as Taylor's selection had progressed it became clear who'd be the one.
Everyone in Illea loved Dinette, she was kind, loving, generous, selfless, beautiful and strong voice. She was like the 24th century princess Diana and also had the strength of Daenerys Targaryen. In face that was her middle name Dinette Daenerys Schreave.
"If I may say, your son James has grown up into a fine young man," said count Nielson. "But I feel it's time for him to get a bride. Because his time to inherit the throne isn't far away you know since he's come of age, he'll need a queen to rule with him."
"It is getting closer," said Dinette. "He's already shown what a true king is made of, he has a big heart, intelligent beyond his age and a skilled fighter."
"If you've given it some thought…" said count Nielson. A beautiful young girl then came walking into the room. She had beautiful golden hair with a silver glittered headband and wore an ivory gown.
"You remember my daughter lady Giselle, don't you?" he said.
"Pleasured to be here this even your highnesses" said Giselle warmly.
"Ahh Giselle," said Taylor. "It's so lovely to see you again, it's been years. Just as beautiful as you're mother was. You remember Giselle James?"
James was standing right by his father's throne. He was nineteen years old. He had dark brown hair just like his father and violet eyes just like his mother.
"How could I not forget" said James.
"I think it'd be a great consideration to betroth James to Giselle here, after all they used to play together when they were kids and you've already betrothed Marcella to the royal family of Italy's son have you not?"
"I do have tremendous respect for you Asbjorn," said Taylor humbled. "And I do appreciate your help in helping my son find a queen."
James didn't seem very interested in Giselle he only saw her as a friend. "Mom, Dad, can I have a talk with you alone?"
"Sure James" said Dinette.
The three walked out into the hall.
"Giselle's nice," explained James. "But I will only marry out of love just like you and dad did mom."
Taylor and Dinette looked at each other. They wondered what they were going to do to find a girl to marry their son.
"I've got it," said Taylor. "James is nineteen now, so he's old enough to have his selection, and the selective will marry James."
"Yes," agreed Dinette. "There'll be 35 girls in the selection after all, surely one of them will be your queen."
"I will agree on one condition" said James.
"Speck son" questioned Taylor.
"The choice is mine and mine alone," he said firmly. "I don't want the court getting involved in my business with the girls."
"Agreed!" cried out Dinette excitedly. She wrapped her hand around her son's arm. "But surely you'll agree to my condition to accepting a few eights into the selection would you?"
When Taylor and Dinette married they added a rule that eights were now allowed to enter the selection.
James smirked at his mother. "Of course," he humored. "I wouldn't want to make it look like I don't love my mother by excluding her original caste in the selection."
With that James walked away.
Count Nielson entered the hall, he had heard everything.
"Excuse me your highnesses," he said. "But I could not help but listen to your idea of a selection. If I may I think it would be a good idea to have Giselle represent Angeles in the selection, in case James changes his mind about her."
Taylor and Dinette looked at each other.
"I guess your daughter does deserve a fair chance, so it's agreed to have Giselle in the selection" said Taylor.
He turned to an officer in the hall.
"Make sure this is announced on the news tomorrow and to get forms for the selection sent out to every family in Illea with unmarried girls between 16 and 20." He declared.
"Yes your highness" said the officer.
Meanwhile James was walking down the hall thinking about the selection.
"What's going on?" asked a voice.
James looked and saw his twelve-year-old sister Marcella coming out of her room. She had her mother's gold hair and violet eyes. She was described by the court as sweet and innocent.
"You remember Giselle Nielson?" asked James. Marcella nodded, "An old friend from childhood?" she said.
"Yeah," said James. "But I want to marry out of love like they did, so they suggested a selection."
"Well it looks like with 35 girls it'd be easy to chose a wife" joked Marcella.
James looked up at the ceiling. "I don't think I'll ever find that girl out there" he sighed.
"I think you will," said Marcella. "You don't even know those girls after all."
"You're lucky to be betrothed to prince Daniele of Italy, then you won't have to worry about 35 men trying to win your heart" James joked.
"I do keep telling mom and dad that we're just friends" huffed Marcella.
"You two have been betrothed since you were eight," teased James. "I can see you two are in love."
"No we're not," huffed Marcella. "Not now, not ever!"
With that marcella ran back to her room and shut the door.
James chuckled and then thought about what she said about 35 girls.
A selection? Why not?
Author's note; I got inspired for Dinette being an eight in the selection by another fanfiction called A New Selection by ArmaduraStar7, where there was an eight in the selection named Rose Maynard so I thought why not make a queen who's caste was an eight. I'd like to thank ArmaduraStar7 for the inspiration.
