Iko was proud to say that she had found the Selected Parlor all by herself.

It wasn't that she didn't want to get acquainted with the Lunars, now that she had to stay with them for a few months, just that she would've felt awfully silly asking for directions. She'd received a comm a few minutes after leaving the guards' secret passageways - from Levana! How weird was that? - informing her that she had been hired for the time being. She'd been sent a list of rules to go over with the Selected, but Iko had long since decided that the tiresome regulations would not be the main event of the day.

The most important thing right now was makeovers.

This string of events was what had led her through winding corridor and staircase to the parlor door, which was rather underdecorated compared to everything else in the palace. Nonetheless, Iko was certain this was the right location. She'd found it. All without assistance.

Strictly speaking, she had pulled up a blueprint of the palace and sought out the parlor with its computerized guidance, but that was technically her own intelligence, however artificial.

Iko pulled open the door and was met with a couple dozen sights at once. She had to pace herself, taking in the room section by section.

The farthest wall was adorned with a spinning portrait of the royal family. Iko's fan sputtered as it always did when she saw Prince Obsidian, even in a still replica. He had Kai's eyes, sort of a coppery-brown, a dashing smile and auburn hair akin to his mother's. Iko could tell, just from looking, that the trio of royals were not smiling out of genuine happiness, but just because it was needed. She could tell by the way the faint traces of merriment on their lips didn't reach quite to their eyes.

Iko looked away, finding it too painful to see Kai beside Levana. It was so unbelievably wrong that it made her wires twist.

Noticing that there were a few eyes on her, Iko hurriedly continued her analysis. On the other wall was a netscreen, devoid of any life. The girls were probably more interested in her or each other to pay it any mind. The ceiling was, unsurprisingly, vaulting like a hurdler above the rest of the room, though it boasted no decoration. In fact, the whole area seemed... almost normal.

As far as Iko could tell, there were no shining crystals or spiraling table legs. No overstuffed cushions or frilly umbrellas in the provided hors d'oeuvres. Just a bright, comforting room with soft chairs and tables full of various methods of entertainment - nail polish and holographic games and cupcakes galore.

It was wonderful.

Iko smiled, twirling to meet the Selected. They were fairly spread out across the room, apparently preferring to keep their distance, but Iko managed to pinpoint her sensor on the largest group.

"Hello, everyone! How are you?"

The response was nonexistent. As she took each Selected in, Iko noticed the considerable amount of tension in the room, thick and barbed. Well, she'd just have to find a way to break it.

"Oh, come on, one of you has to be having a good time, right?"

Silence.

"Not even the Artemisians?"

Total, unwavering quiet.

"Alright, fine. I'm Andrina, I'll be handling your lessons, helping you with your style, planning events and basically fulfilling all your Selection needs. I know it's a lot to handle, but I'm very organized, so we should be good! First, I'll be handling the rules."

A groan escaped a corner of the room that was unpopulated but for a pink-haired girl in a dress that seemed to be entirely made of silk. The only things made out of a different material were her zipper and collar, but the rest was a lustrous waterfall of material, cascading down her figure and pooling around her feet. There was so much of it, Iko thought that if she stood, she might fall over and go sliding across the floor because of how sheer the fabric was. As she took the girl in, her ID and information surfaced as Iko's processor connected her attributes to the database.

Apparently, her name was Asteria Luster, and she was an Artemisian. "We know them already," said Asteria.

"Well, we're going over them again. I think you of all people need to know them. So!" She clapped her hands. "Rule number one: any manipulation of another's bioelectricity is strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule will result in banishment from Luna. Good?"

"Terrific," came a voice from among the Selected. After Iko had to crane her neck to find the speaker and locate her name (Pangea Probert), she decided it might be best just to learn everyone's identity right now to save later trouble. Her attention glided from one spot to another as she stored each name in her memory.

Pangea's dry response seemed to loosen the vice of tension, brightening the room with a few chuckles from the non-Artemisians. Sadly, any further reaction was drowned out by a dissatisfied huff.

"We can't even use our glamours? That's completely unfair."

Iko scanned the long list of rules before looking back at Crystal Ond, the girl who had spoken. "No, you can. But only to a degree. You can only use it to enhance your beauty, and you always have to be identifiable. Did that answer your question?" Iko found it impossible to keep the bite from her tone, so she opted to let it bleed into her voice without restraint.

Crystal sighed. "You're a shell? Who let a shell take a position such as yours?"

"That's right, I am a shell, which means I can't be your puppet, unfortunately. As for your second question, no one else wanted to apply. Probably to avoid people like you. Can I continue now?"

Crystal lifted her chin in a queenly manner, elevating her gaze to the ceiling. Iko ignored her, eager to finish the rules and get on with it.

"Rule number two: any harmful action toward the royal family will result in immediate banishment from Luna, or execution, depending on the crime." Iko sighed, already bored. "The rest is common knowledge; no vandalism, serve the queen forever, don't speak out of turn, blah blah blah. Oh, and absolutely no mirrors. Is anyone surprised?"

A general murmur rose up from the group of Selected like a plume of dust - amusement, mostly - and Iko smiled broadly.

"Perfect! Let's get on with the fun stuff, then, shall we? I'm going to be giving everyone-" Iko's gaze met Crystal's and she pinched her lips together, "-almost everyone a makeover. I'll be calling you over by groups. So, group number one!"

"Wait."

Iko searched for the source of the voice in the dense crowd. It took her a moment, but she found the dark-skinned Selected who had spoken; Zaire Princew, who looked, unlike Asteria, curious without malice.

"Yes?"

"Why do you have a veil?" Was that distrust in her voice? Well, Iko couldn't quite blame her - she was posing as a Lunar which automatically made her suspicious.

"Because..." Iko trailed off, staring down at her battered flats. Her photo had decreased in commonality over the years, but even so, she still saw it sometimes, plastered across the netscreen on a wanted poster. She was a criminal.

"Because I don't know you all very well yet, and my appearance is..." She paused, wishing desperately that she could blush to further sell her ploy. But even if she could, she was still in disguise, "sub par, compared to all of yours. So for now, you won't get to see the genius behind your success."

Iko allowed herself a dramatic pose as Zaire nodded, an uncertain smile spanning her lips. Iko thought she could still see traces of the aforementioned wariness in her eyes, but she let it slide for now, continuing with her speech.

"Group number one!" She panned the room, picking five Selected at random. "I need Alaïs, Lán, Ilyzaelle, Ariella and Snezhana first." Iko walked over to a table full of makeup, jewelry, hair ties and other items of accessory and beckoned to the five girls.

There was a shuffle as the quintet emerged from the crowd and drifted over. Iko appraised her first Selected, five canvases just waiting to be made into masterpieces. She was giddy with the notion of a fashion show on the horizon, and she could barely contain her excitement. She hadn't been able to put her keen eye to use for the longest time, but now here was her chance.

"Alright..." Iko's processor hummed as she examined the Selected, and she hoped it wasn't audible. Each of the girls were adorned in matching dresses, probably given to them by their servants. Pale pink, knee-length, with puffy sleeves and the royal insignia on the bodice.

They were incredibly boring.

"Can I have Alaïs first?" she asked, and the doll-like young woman sat down on the designated spinny chair. "Perfect! Let's see..."

She surveyed the young woman before her. Alaïs looked fragile but very pretty with her rosy cheeks, big blue eyes and wavy blonde hair. Iko absentmindedly twisted a lock around her finger.

"Excuse me," said the girl, her voice warmed but polite, tinted with a British accent. "If we are playing dress-up, I have a few conditions."

Her sculpted face broke into a smile, sparkling in her eyes and displaying a dimple in her cheek. Iko laughed. "Of course!"

The query had taken her by surprise, but it wasn't unreasonable, not really. If an Artemisian had asked, she'd have probably rejected her, but this was a different person entirely.

"While the dress is nice, it doesn't have a spot of blue on it, and that's my favorite color, you see," Alaïs said, a faraway glaze frosting her eyes.

"Oh, I agree. That crest wouldn't work on anybody, and no way are you all wearing matching dresses." Iko shuddered, already imagining how tacky it would be.

"Wait," said Lán, observing the scene with an unreadable expression. Iko trained her sensor on the rest of the Selected. Her group was waiting nearby, all looking at her, while the rest of the girls were going about their activities peacefully.

Iko smiled, even though no one could see it. Stars, she hated this veil. "What?"

"Why do we have to do makeovers, anyway? Why can't we choose what we wear?"

Iko was perplexed. She hadn't foreseen a reaction like this. Everyone loved a little polish to their appearance once in a while... right? She emerged from her thoughts, examining Lán as if for the first time. It felt as if a knife had severed her processor, stabbing her with a bitter reminder. Lán was angular, thin as a pin with no curves, just like Cinder. She had a spark of defiance in her eyes, just like Cinder. And just like Cinder, she had cyborg parts, though she displayed them so clearly it was blinding.

Iko wanted to hug her and run away from her all at once.

"You... don't have to have one, if you don't want to," said Iko quickly. "I just - I thought everyone would... but no worries, you look fabulous either way."

Iko thought she saw the barest of smiles crossing Lán's otherwise icy features. "Thank you."

Iko nodded, still a little dazed from the resemblance. "My pleasure. See you soon."

Lán waved with her metal hand, almost careless in the way she displayed it, and walked off with a kind of understated confidence to confer with the other Selected.

Iko laughed softly, almost glad to have the girl gone but wanting her to return all at once. She missed her closest friend, the only person that really understood her. She didn't think any human could feel the pain she was feeling now.

Shaking off Lán's presence, Iko returned her attention to Alaïs, only to be stopped by another voice.

"She's funny, isn't she?"

This time, it was Ariella who spoke. Very unlike the delicate Alaïs and the reminiscent Lán, Ariella was statuesque, almost aristocratic with her high cheekbones and cool complexion. But she was half-smiling now.

"Something about the way you said that sounds like an insult."

Ariella laughed. "I'm just saying."

"I'd say she was the opposite of funny, but I like her. Now. Onto the makeover."

Alaïs let Iko play with her hair for a while, braiding the bangs or curling it fully, before they finally decided to let it be free in its natural wavy style, a ribbon its only adornment. Iko asked the servants to bring in a variety of dresses to try on, but Alaïs just smiled and proclaimed that she would be right back.

"This is my very favorite dress," she said dreamily upon returning. "I'd like to wear it once a week, if that's alright with you."

Iko had been bracing for the worst, but the dress wasn't all that horrible; just a light blue thing with a velvet collar and quaint flower and bird designs. The black, doll-esque shoes Alaïs had chosen along with the puffy sleeves only furthered the vintage princess look.

Iko grinned. "You look darling! Do a twirl."

Alaïs laughed and it made Iko smile even wider. She looked prettier still with her arms out and her skirt swishing, but Iko couldn't help but notice that her eyes seemed to be far away, like she was swept up in a daydream.

"Oooh, I love that look!" said Iko, clapping her hands. "I'm done for now. Have a great day!"

Alaïs grinned, easily playing along with Iko's energy. "It was lovely meeting you. Goodbye!"

She bounced away with her sugary smile firmly in place, and Iko gazed after her. She was certainly an interesting one. She'd been willing to play dress-up, even if she did have terms that needed met, and that alone got her on Iko's good side.

The next girl to receive her treatment was Ilyzaelle Helianthas, and she didn't seem to possess any of Alaïs's bubbly spirit. In fact, she was quite the opposite - though she was not outwardly icy, Iko could tell right off the bat that she was reserved, bordering on standoffish. But she tried not to mind. This girl was a shell according to her information. She was probably just cautious to put herself out there in an environment such as this.

Even though Iko suspected there was something more behind Ilyzaelle's extforior, she was surprised when the girl spoke up while her makeup was being done.

"You don't have to do this," she said, a kind of respect lacing her voice.

Iko slapped the brush on the table so she'd be free to throw up her hands. "Don't tell me you hate fashion too?"

"Oh, oh no, I just... it must be hard having to do this with thirty-five Selected. And I really don't need it-"

"Oh, nonsense," said Iko, retrieving the brush and continuing with vigor. "You want to look fabulous for the prince, right?"

A blush spread across Ilyzaelle's cheeks and she nodded uncertainly.

Iko beamed. "Good. Now be quiet and let me work. Please." She finished with the light makeup and moved on to brushing Ilyzaelle's fair hair.

The completed product of Ilyzaelle was a true work of genius, in Iko's most humble opinion. Her glittering blue eyes were especially popping combined with her lovely green dress. A trail of snowflakes shimmered down the skirt, and her flowing hair was the perfect finishing touch.

"Well, you look amazing!" sang Iko. "I'll see you soon, Ilyzaelle..

The faintest of smiles crossed her lips. "Thank you, Andrina. You can call me Lyza, if you want."

"I think I will! Good luck, Lyza." Iko watched her go before turning back to her remaining girls. "Two to go!"

Ariella's makeover didn't last more than a few minutes. She knew her way so well around the makeup case that Iko ended up observing more than actually doing, occasionally popping in with a bit of advice or a suggestion. But most of the work was done by the vivacious Selected. She did let Iko pick the dress, however, and the fitted silk gown looked stunning.

"I wish there were mirrors here," said Ariella, blending her lipstick with an annoyed smack of her lips.

Iko sighed, dropping her voice. "I know. Lunars."

Ariella laughed. "What's wrong with them?"

"What isn't wrong with them?"

Ariella raised her eyebrows, seeming to really ponder the question, but Iko shook her head.

"Don't answer that. But take it from me - you look wonderful. You're going to blow them all out of the water."

Ariella smiled, a touch of playful arrogance in er eyes. "Thanks." She stood, looking even more elegant in her stylish dress with her winged eyeliner tastefully done. "I'd better go meet more of the Selected."

Iko nodded. "Be careful with those Lunars."

Ariella grinned. "I will."

Iko pivoted on her heel to face her last 'client' of the group; Snezhana Sokolova. She was so glad she'd been fully charged before arriving at the palace - she couldn't imagine having to deal with fatigue the way humans did.

"You're Lunar, right?" said Iko, taking in her newest Selected. She, like Alaïs, was small and looked very sweet with her petite build, warm eyes, button nose and rounded face. Her whole innocent appearance almost drew attention away from her tattoos... but not quite.

"That's right," said Snezhana, her face breaking out into a wide smile. "Why?"

"Just making sure. And you use glamour, correct? I can't see it, so I hope you didn't change the color of your hair or something. That would be a lot harder for me."

"No, I just use it to hide my tattoos," she said simply.

"Oh. Sorry, but why'd you get them if you were going to hide them? That seems a little bit of a waste. They're lovely, by the way." Iko leaned forward to examine the tattoos, cleverly placed on Snezhana's ear and across her hands, and probably more hiding behind the fabric of her dress. The designs were not ordinary, either. In fact, many of them seemed entirely random, but Iko was sure they had some symbolism.

"Well, I got my tattoos before I met the old ladies," said Snezhana, as though it was the most normal thing in the world.

Iko blinked. "I don't compute."

Snezhana winked. "I work at a nursing home."

"And that clears things up how?"

Snezhana laughed. "Aren't you supposed to be helping me with my style?"

"Oh, yes, that!" Iko's brain was still trying to puzzle through Snezhana's earlier words, but she began to assemble the supplies she thought would work best. "Before we start, is there a certain color you prefer over another? A default hairstyle? Anything?"

"Nothing, really. I would prefer, though, for all the dresses I wear to be black. But that's all."

...

Melolina Sethuraman was not a very social person. Sure, she was comfortable with family and friends. In fact, she was a whole other person around the people she loved. But in public... well. That was another story.

She wasn't hostile by any means, and she knew it wouldn't kill her to talk to someone. But if, say, she'd entered the Selection and was now sitting in a crowded parlor with the order to socialize with her competitors? A far cry from her dream come true.

Even so, she was trying to come out of her shell, much as it pained her. She'd entered this Selection not only because of Sid, but also to socialize. But now that she was here in real life, watching all those girls that were probably watching her back, pegging her as a throwaway just because she was from the sectors, whispering to their allies about her... it made her want to squirm out of her skin.

No. Even if it would probably benefit her, she couldn't bring herself to stand up from her very safe and comfy chair and take the initiative. If someone wanted to come and talk to her, they could, but Mel just didn't have the courage.

And come they did.

Mel had only just cemented her resolve, leaning back in her chair and gazing at the floor in an attempt to seem invisible when a soft voice alerted her.

"Could I sit here?"

Mel looked up to see, to her dismay, another Selected, evidently fresh out of the makeover station. She was cute as a button with her rosy cheeks, green eyes and short blonde hair combed silky-smooth and framing her face. She looked hesitant and unsure, shuffling on her feet with her eyes dancing from place to place.

"There... wasn't really another place to sit, and you were alone, so I figured..."

"Oh." Mel drew in a breath, steeling herself. "Yeah, you can. That's fine."

The girl smiled shyly. "Thanks," she said, plopping onto the couch beside Mel. "What's your name?"

"I'm Melolina, but you can call me Mel."

"I'm Adalyn, but just Ada is fine. Nice to meet you," said Adalyn, her smile widening.

"You too."

Mel glanced at Adalyn, and it suddenly hit her how weird this whole thing was. She would even go so far as to call it corrupt, though that might be too strong of a word. Something about bringing thirty-five girls together all dating the same guy at once... it just seemed as though an arranged marriage might've been less hassle for everyone.

But Mel didn't regret entering - not yet, at least. She was eager to meet Sid, and the prospect of winning did fill her with a sort of exhilaration. But if last night's episode with the spoon and the mirror was going to become a regularity, she might just be better off returning to the sectors.

Mel fell back into reality, peeking at Adalyn. She looked up at Mel and they both sat there for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Mel looked down at her dress, cracking her knuckles. It had become something of a nervous habit, and she knew it was obnoxious, but she hated situations such as these.

A sound brought Mel's eyes up from her dress. She was surprised to see that Adalyn's eyes were filled with humor and her hands were uncurling, apparently in fists just a second before.

"You crack your knuckles too?" said Adalyn, looking surprised.

Mel blushed. "Sorry. I'm working on it."

"I thought it was just something I did," she said, looking completely unfazed. "But at least I know I'm not entirely cra-"

"Do you mind if I..."

Both Selected looked up, surprised to see that another girl had approached them. Mel had to notice that she was undeniably beautiful. She was almost positive the girl was using a glamour because her beauty seemed to shine from her like light reflecting off a jewel.

She had wavy chestnut hair, full pink lips and deep, bright eyes, as well as more curves than Mel could ever hope to have. She looked wary as if testing a very cold lake, and Mel thought her expression might've been akin to hers when she'd first seen Ada.

The girl gestured to the free spot on the couch. "Can I sit here?"

"Of course!" said Ada, smiling softly at the newcomer. Mel was starting to admire her fellow Selected for her warmth towards other people. It was a quality Mel was striving for, and the way it came so easily to Ada was mind-blowing.

"Thanks," said the girl quietly, taking her seat.

"Hi," said Mel, trying her best to keep her voice steady. "I'm Mel. What's your name?"

"Danya," she said. "Nice to meet you."

"You too," said Ada.

"Where are you all from?" asked Ada. "I'm from the UK."

"America," said Danya. Mel noticed that she seemed to stiffen in her seat at the mention of her homeland.

"I'm from here," said Mel. "RD-1. Research and Development sector."

"Ah," said Danya.

The silence started to creep in again, and Mel was desperate to break it.

"What do you think of the prince?" she asked, pooling her courage.

Ada laughed. "What?"

"I just..." Mel had to resist the urge to sink into the cushions. "I was just wondering."

Ada blushed. "I haven't met him. Have you? I mean... you're from the sectors."

Mel chuckled. "Right. The sectors. We don't exactly interact with the royals. I haven't even seen him, apart from the pictures and yesterday." Mel drifted her attention to the portrait on the wall, feeling her heart skip just from looking at it. She had to admit that she had a huge crush on the prince, even if they hadn't met in person yet.

Danya pressed her lips together. "It's weird that he doesn't make many public appearances."

"Maybe he's just camera-shy," said Ada, grinning.

Mel laughed, feeling herself open up a little more in the light-hearted environment. "I just hope he's not anything like Levana."

Ada and Danya both shuddered. "He doesn't seem like a tyrant, but I guess there's no way to tell for sure," said Adalyn.

"I can't believe we're meeting him tomorrow," said Danya, her chocolate eyes also wandering to the royals' painting on the wall.

Ada nodded. "Me neither."

"Why did you two enter?" asked Danya. The question was light, but Mel felt as though there was another layer to Danya's words. She brushed it aside, though, realizing it was her turn to speak.

"The normal reason," said Mel. It was a half-truth. Mel had entered for Sid. But the other half of the reason she had entered was because, much as she hated the idea of it, she needed to be brave and put herself out there. She needed to make friends. She just couldn't admit it to anyone else.

Ada compressed her lips. "I don't know if I would want to become queen. Look what it did to Levana?"

Danya laughed derisively. "I think she was just born that way."

"Why did you enter?" asked Mel.

Danya dropped her head. "The same as you.," she said softly.

"Ah." That same emotion in Danya's tone. Mel couldn't quite place it. Distrust, worry, suspicion, she couldn't tell.

But she decided to ignore it for now. The most important thing was that she'd just made two acquaintances in the Selection, sooner than she'd hoped. Mel had been worried that every girl in the Selection would be shallow, hungry for the throne or completely against making friends, but Danya and Ada were kind, if not a little shy. That was something Mel was grateful for.

Actually, there was something else even more important on her mind, something that gave her a rush in her stomach, warm and cold at once.

Tomorrow, she was meeting the prince.

...

What up? It's your girl Miri, coming at you with a late chapter, which I'm very sorry about. But it's finished! Dreams do come true! This one was... definitely wild, but very fun to write. I made mention of almost every Selected, and introduced two new ones, so that was a party! I hope I portrayed everyone correctly. :) Mel doesn't have a fairytale inspiration, but Alaïs does...

Speaking of which, I'm very sorry about the lack of quotes. They'll be more present as the story progresses. Also, guess what's happening next chapter? The first batch of interviews with the prince! I can't believe it's here already! Which means that I need those forms in ASAP. If you can't submit, please let me know. You've still got a little more time since we're doing the intros in batches of five, but the sooner the better. Thanks a bunch!

Also, thank you so much for 51 reviews! I can't believe we're at chapter 10! This story has been super fun for me, and seeing everyone's reactions has been even better. You all have been amazing. But enough gushing for me. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and seeing some of our Selected. See you next week! :)

P.S. I'm so sorry about the misspelling of Alaïs's name. I write in Braille and the symbols I used looked very alike to the accent, but it's fixed now. So sorry!