July 9th, Twenty-Three years before the events of this story.
She was in Love.
Juliete paced back and forth in her room, desperately awaiting the news. It was down to the last three Selected of the Selection, and she was one of them.
Her nerves were exploding. Who knew only three months ago that she would have found the love of her life.
He might not even choose her in the end!
The other girls were so much better than her in every way.
Carya was smart and intelligent, a born and raised three with everything going for her in life. She could easily win as she was the most stable choice Ayrion could make.
Syrin was beautiful. The right amount of sexy and hot to catch anyone's eyes. She was a model, came from a very wealthy family, and also knew Ayrion before the Selection. She had him wrapped around her witchy finger.
There was no way Juliete, an average girl from Hansport, a Six working two jobs to provide for her family, could ever win the heart of The Prince.
Scratch that, the King. He had just been crowned a week ago, on his 23rd birthday since his father passed (God bless his heart).
Juliete desperately wanted it to be her. For Ayrion to knock on her door and announce that she has won his Selection.
She was in too deep. She had never felt any kind of love like this before. She had a few boyfriends before sure, but Ayrion made her heart swell in a way she didn't know was possible.
A soft knock on her door alerted her out of her daze. She took a quick breath in before running to her mirror.
Running a comb through her brown hair once more, and applying a fresh coat of lipstick was all she needed before she called to the person outside her door.
"Come in!" She said as her voice shook, her throat suddenly becoming dry. She swallowed as the door handle softly turned.
Ayrion's head poked through the crack, smiling as he saw her.
It made Juliete's heart jump.
"You look lovely." Action said as he closed the door behind him, "You always do, what am I saying."
Juliete flushed and she grabbed her hair and twirled it, "It was only something simple that my maids put together for me."
"Everything you wear is perfect, trust me. Your maids did an excellent job." Action promised, his hands in his pockets. His feet nervously tapped the ground as he looked around her room.
He had been in her room multiple times, it was simple, something all of the Selected had gotten. Juliete couldn't decorate it since she didn't take much from home. Still, the palace rooms all had the air of luxury and expense.
"You're the last one I'm visiting. Honestly a breath of fresh air." Ayrion smiled as he looked back at Juliete.
"Why's that?" Juliete asked, tilting her head.
"Well, Syrin didn't take the news too well, she called me selfish and arrogant for not choosing her." Ayrion explained.
"You eliminated Syrin?" Juliete asked breathlessly. Ayrion nodded and took Juliete's hands softly. Juliete felt as if she could melt into the floor as her heartbeat raced a million miles per hour.
"And Carya, though she took it much better. She's been wanting to go home for a while, she missed her family and friends." Ayrion explained.
"Does that mean…" Juliete asked, almost afraid of finishing her sentence.
"Yes. You're the one, Juliete. You're the love of my life." Ayrion explained, taking out a small box.
Juliete felt weak as she let go of Ayrion's hands and held them up to her mouth.
"I promise to love you forever, Juliete. You want to raise a family, and i'll give you so much more. You will never suffer again around me, and I promise to cherish you. I love you, Juliete." Ayreon said as he got down on one knee, opening the tiny box to show a gorgeous Sapphire ring.
"With that being said… will you marry me, Juliete?" Ayrion asked, a sheepish smile on his face as he looked up at her.
All of the world's troubles disappeared when Ayrion smiled at her. She couldn't think of anything more romantic than this moment right here. Not the small dates that she and him had, nor the dancing or songs they sang.
So, with her heart full of love, she smiled back at her love, her fiance, and said two simple words.
"Of course."
~0~0~
October 17th, Present.
Love was overrated.
Xarina knew that from the moment she had her first heart broken when she was just twelve years old.
Now, ten years later, she has broken many more hearts. It's just nature for her, just as much as breathing or blinking.
Sometimes, she won't even realize she broke a heart until someone tells her.
It's better than having her own heart broken multiple times.
Partying was a good way to pass time, except her mother would never agree on the type of partying she did.
She normally took a private jet to any place that had a celebrity party. She was known to arrive uninvited to parties. Of course, the host had to let her in, since she was The Crown Princess.
So pretty much every other day, Xarina would wake up hungover and sick.
Today was just like those other days.
Xarina knew that she had partied hard last night, taking a Private jet to Carolina (where the DJ VanTheMan was hosting a rocking birthday party). She was already scrolling through Instagram, seeing all of the photos of her dancing, singing and even a bit of grinding the mansion.
Another good party.
A knock from her door startled her from her phone.
"Coming!" She yelled, pulling up her covers. She didn't realize how trashed she got until she saw the state of last night's dress.
It was a lovely baby blue color, long sleeved with rhinestones. Now, down the front was a wine stain and on her sleeve was a substance that Xarina did not want to know.
She sighed and scratched her head as she swung her legs off of her bed and got up in a swift motion.
She wished she didn't get up so fast as static crossed her vision. Curse her low iron.
It took a few seconds to recover, but as soon as she did she walked to the door and swung it open.
Her brother, Xavier, immediately looked her up and down and scrunched his nose.
"What do you want?" Xarina asked, signing and speaking at the same time.
"Breakfast time." Xavier signed, raising his eyebrows, "We always walk together."
"Shit, you're right." Xarina sighed, "Raincheck?"
Xavier shook his head, crossing his arms in disappointment.
"Listen, Xavier, I had a long night and I just want my beauty rest." Xarina complained, rubbing her eyes after she finished signing.
"Yes, a long night of drinking." Xavier signed, a deadpan look on his face.
"Shut up." Xarina rolled her eyes as she signed.
Xavier just shrugged his shoulders, then zipped his lips with his fingers.
"I didn't mean literally!" Xarina signed and spoke at the same time.
"I know you didn't mean literally, I'm mute and deaf." Xavier smirked as he signed.
"I'll be ready in five minutes." Xarina signed, "don't wait up."
"I will wait outside for you." Xavier signed back, going next to the door and leaning on the wall.
Xarina nodded and shut her door softly before sighing, looking around her room once more.
She decorated it herself when she was Sixteen, a light sky blue room with silver accents. Roses in every vase and a chandelier from the ceiling that she could change the color of if she wanted to. Her King sized bed is draped in silks and her sheets are lavender.
By all means, a teenager's room.
Xarina strode to her closet, which was a walk-in closet that held all of her shirts, pants, dresses, tiaras, and of course her shoes (a necessity of any wardrobe).
Today was a Saturday, meaning she wanted something comfortable but also something that screamed 'I don't have a hangover'.
So, a simple red blouse and black dress pants would do, yet she wore black high stilettos that had a simple bow at the ankle.
Running a brush through her hair and tossing it into a high ponytail was all she could do in the short amount of time, yet she was able to grab some silver hoop earrings and put them in before rushing out of the door.
"Finished!" Xarina signed to her brother as she left her room.
"I like that blouse." Xavier smiled as he started walking.
"Want to borrow it?" Xarina asked, smirking slightly.
"I'll take you up on that one day." Xavier joked back, smiling and fixing his hair.
Xavier was not like Xarina in multiple ways. Firstly, he was actually a happy person. Xarina could be happy, but she was a pessimist. Xavier was an optimist, seeing the best in situations and people. Always smiling and always reassuring.
Secondly, Xavier was exactly like their father. He was artistic and charming, something that Xarina didn't excel at. She was more into sports and dancing than music and art. Her father could bond with Xavier more than he could with her. She wished she could have a taste for music, but notes and songs never really appealed to her.
Finally, Xavier didn't have any burden of ruling.
Xarina was the oldest, meaning she would be Queen one day. Meaning she couldn't keep being the Party Princess she wanted to be. Xavier didn't need to have so much pressure on him to be perfect, but he always was.
Xarina just… couldn't do what he did.
Xavier tapped on Xarina's shoulder, snapping her out of her daze. She turned to him, seeing his concerned look.
"Are you okay?" He asked, tilting his head.
"Perfectly fine." Xarina signed, putting on a fake smile before looking away from her brother to the dining room door.
She could hear her mothers laugh ring through the halls. Her mothers voice sounded like chiming bells. Xarina adored her mothers laugh, but she didn't. Her laugh was a snorting, horrible mess that Xarina tried to avoid.
Xarina sighed and opened the double doors to the dining room. Her mother sat by her fathers side, holding her hand up to her face while laughing. Her father had a big smile on his face as he held his wife's other hand.
"Xarina! Xavier, perfect timing!" Juliete called, moving her hands to sign to Xavier, "Your father just said the funniest joke!"
"What is it?" Xavier asked, walking over to his seat next to his mother and sitting down for breakfast.
Xarina walked over to her seat quietly and sat down, fixing her shirt and hair slightly.
"Let your father tell it, it's funnier when he says it." Juliete said, a wide smile on her face.
"Well, a guy was at a funeral staring out of a window. The widow came up to the guy asking how he was. The guy said 'mind if I say a word?'" Ayrion started, smirking slightly as he signed, "the widow says 'of course'. The man took a deep breath and said 'Plethora.'"
Juliete laughed again, "it gets better!"
"The widow…" Ayrion continued, "Teared up and said 'Thank you, that means a lot.'"
Xarina stared at her mother as she laughed loudly again, and then to her brother who smiled.
"I don't get it." Xarina shrugged, "Why would the guy just say a single word?"
"Because he asked to say a word" Xavier explained, "He didn't ask for multiple words."
Xarina shrugged, picking up her fork and spinning it. Her mother stopped laughing and shrugged.
"Oh well, not everyone has to get it!" Juliete said before turning to Xarina, "How was the party last night, Ari?"
"It was great!" Xarina smiled, "VanTheMan invited so many celebrities, and the music of course was amazing."
"How's your headache?" Ayrion asked, "It looks like you partied really hard."
"I've gone through worse headaches." Xarina shrugged.
"Did you read today's tabloid?" Juliete asked, "It blew up."
"No I haven't, what does it say?" Xarina asked as a maid set down a breakfast in front of her. Eggs and pancakes with bacon and a fresh cup of fruit. She loved the pancakes the chefs made, warm and light with maple syrup and blueberries.
Xavier got the same things except the bacon, since he was a vegetarian. Her mom had more fruit than eggs, since she didn't like eggs, and her father got more eggs than fruit, since fruit wasn't his favorite.
Juliete cleared her throat and pulled up her phone, sighing softly as she read, "Princess Xarina, age Twenty-Two since October 4th, was spotted at another party. This time, DJ VanTheMan hosted a party in Carolina. One of the biggest parties of the fall so far, over Three-hundred guest showed up, most of them being huge named Celebrities like Britney Lears, Kanye East, and Sam Kardashian."
"Kanye East was there?" Xarina complained, "I didn't get to meet him."
Her mother continued, "Crown Princess Xarina showed up to the party at around 10:30pm, and didn't leave the house until 3:10am. Those who were in attendance noticed throughout the night that she was with another woman, who remains unidentified as of now."
Xarina sheepishly smiled as she remembered the night. She did meet another girl, one she couldn't remember the name of. They hit it off, if she could recall correctly.
"Many people are starting to wonder if Princess Xarina could ever settle down and find a person to marry before she becomes Queen. Yesterday's poll shows an overwhelming vote for A selection, but would Princess Xarina ever agree to such a thing?"
"I hate tabloids." Xarina muttered, twirling her fork around her food. Suddenly, she didn't feel hungry.
Juliete sighed and put her phone down, "They do make a point, however. You're around the age where Ayrion had his Selection, Ari."
Xarina shrugged, taking her fork and stabbing an egg and putting it in her mouth.
She would like to say she didn't want a Selection, but that was the opposite. Xarina dreamed of a Selection since she was a young girl. When she was young, she was a hopeless romantic.
Nowadays, not so much.
Ayrion shrugged, "Besides, settling down would be good for you, Xarina. You're a beautiful woman and anyone would be lucky to marry you. Having an heir will help too…"
"I don't even need an heir. I'll adopt if I have to, but kids are gross." Xarina sighed, crossing her arms after she signed, "Hell, Xavier can have all the kids he wants!"
Xavier hesitated before simply holding up two fingers.
"See! Two kids, the perfect amount."
Juliete laughed slightly, "You can do whatever you want, Ari. We just want to see you happy."
Xarina sighed, looking down at her plate, playing with her fork some more. She tapped her foot against the floor. Her parents and brother went back to a conversation that Xarina didn't pay attention to. She couldn't get herself to listen into their conversation as she thought about a Selection.
Could she really find love when she didn't believe in it?
What the hell.
"I'll do it." Xarina blurted, not thinking about the consequences of her actions.
"Do what, sweetheart?" Juliete asked, still eating her fruit.
"Have a Selection. I'll have a Selection. To find my partner." Xarina said with determination.
"I'll help you with whatever you need, sweetheart." Ayrion said, not even hesitating, "A Selection is hard to plan, but we can do it together."
Xarina smiled slightly and nodded, "That would be amazing."
"Oh I cannot wait! It's going to be so fun!" Juliete clapped her hands together, "You're going to find true love just like me and your father!"
Xarina sheepishly smiled.
Yeah right, She thought to herself, but she bit her tongue. Who was she to say that her mother and father had a perfect marriage that Xarina would never have.
Besides, her mantra that she told herself every day told her differently.
She would never find love that was like her parents.
Love was just overrated, in every way.
~0~0~
I do this to myself…
WELCOME TO LOVE THAT LASTS!
This is a very different vibe from my other stories (an actual love story? That is a romantic comedy? Who would have guessed?) This story filled my mind for a past week so I had to write it.
This is a Male and Female SYOC (Xarina is the Pan icon she deserves to be.)
A few rules for your OC's:
No Mary Sues or Characters that are "perfect" in every way. I want diverse characters and backgrounds. You don't have to traumatize your characters this time (though trauma adds spice). Have fun with your characters, make them have flaws and goals and spice!
This world is very diverse and accepting, all gender and sexualities are welcomed and encouraged!
We will see how many characters I get, but I'm hoping for 10-12 (we can see how it goes LOL). You can submit more than one character (if you even have time for that in this day and age (and if you do I'm jealous)).
Everything else is up to you! Feel free to PM me or message me on Discord if you have any questions. Character profiles and the form are on my Profile. Please submit them on or Discord (I check both so you can submit to either!)
I cannot wait to see the amazing characters, and enjoy this first chapter!
