Cadence didn't think he was a particularly bad person.

He tried to see the good in everybody, and when he couldn't, because good is so hard to come by these days, he tried to ignore it.

He tried.

But sometimes, trying isn't enough

Sometimes, you have to do something.

Sometimes, the thing you have to do is awful.

But it has to be done.


"I wish you the best of luck tonight, Your Highness."

"Thank you."

The air was heavy with disapproval. Even those well wishes, delivered in a seemingly sincere fashion, couldn't hide the annoyance of the council member who said them. They were all tired, tired of him and his woefully mediocre leadership.

Luckily however, they didn't linger long. Each seemed more than ready to leave the board room.

Cade slouched in his seat, "You can say whatever it is you want to say now," he muttered.

"It's not my place to reprimand you," his Uncle said evenly. "Besides, in a few months you'll be running this country yourself. Then, will my opinion even really matter?"

"Probably," Cade answered. "You're probably going to have to still clean up the mess I make of everything."

Uncle Albert shook his head, "That's not true, Cade. You know what you're doing. This was just one…unfortunate meeting."

Cade tried to appreciate the sentiment, but it was far from the truth. Uncle Albert had attempted to have Cade run the meetings since he was eighteen years old, as there was much less leeway in terms of when Cade would inherit the crown. Cade had tried. He really had. He used to stay up the night before practicing in front of the mirror and planning what he was going to say. It never worked. Despite what Albert might have said, every meeting had been a varying form of a disaster.

Sometimes, he thought that it really wasn't his fault. No one listened to him. The council members all talked over him, trying to strong-arm him into policies or just ignoring his points, and in several cases had made it abundantly clear that they would prefer someone else to be the next king.

The worst part was, Cade couldn't even fire them. They were all democratically elected, which put them, though technically his future employees, in an untouchable position.

"I guess."

"Are you ready for tonight?" Uncle Albert asked, discreetly throwing one of the councilman's proposals into the trash.

"I think so," Cade said. "All I have to do is announce the selection. It's not exactly a challenge. The script doesn't look too long either."

"Yes, about that," Albert winced slightly, "some of the councilmen wanted to dedicate a part of the show to Andrew talking about being back from college, which is clearly ridiculous. My guess is he's going to refuse when they ask him in a few minutes, so the script might end up being longer."

"Oh. Okay." If this had been the first, the second, or even the sixth time the council had done this Cade probably would have been more hurt, but he was used to this. They always tried to make Cade seem as insignificant as possible, even when the point of the show was to be about him.

The only consolation was that his cousin generally said no.

It wasn't as if Andrew needed them to like him. Cade didn't even think that he knew most of their names. Andrew was probably going to have nothing to do with them. He didn't care what they thought.

And, it wasn't as if they could force him on to the set and make him talk.

It was a good thing Andrew had no desire to be King, because if the thought even passed through his head, that would be it. The council would find some loophole in the law, paint Cade as an unfit leader, probably submit several slanderous stories about him to the newspapers, and delight in their new, better, ruler.

"It shouldn't be too much more," Albert said, standing.

Cade followed him out of the room, knowing that his statement was probably false. If history was any indicator, the council probably wanted to spend the entire show on Andrew. Assuming someone in production disagreed, that left it at about twenty minutes.

Which meant that Cade had a lot more small talk to make.

"I guess I can always talk about my favorite ice cream flavor. That's usually a safe topic."

"That's certainly an idea."

"Is everything else ready for the selection? Besides the report that's probably about to get rewritten, I mean" Cade asked. He needed this to be perfect. If he could be married before his twenty-first birthday, get himself coronated that day, and sign his name on all the legal documents, he would never have to worry about the council attempting to remove him again.

"I think so. The lady who planned your father's selection is long gone, and Morgan and I don't know exactly what goes on in a selection, but I think it should work. If there's anything we missed it should be able to be addressed in time."

"Okay. I just want this to go well."

"I know you do."

"Do you think that anyone's going to sign up?" Cade asked, "Anyone who I can actually marry at least."

That had been a heavy concern in the board rooms, that perhaps anyone who signed up for the selection would be wholly unqualified to be in any proximity to the throne. Cade couldn't say that it was completely unfounded. He knew as well as anyone how the country seemed to divide. The aristocrats, the wealthy, those with influence, tended to hope for someone else on the throne. Cade didn't know how the rest of the country felt, as the farther down the social ladder one went, the less one seemed to care about politics in general.

He hoped that those councilmen, with their statistics and polls, were wrong.

"I do. People have a lot to say, but when it comes to being the Queen, no one is going to turn it down."

"Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll be all the daughters of governors and politicians."

His uncle laughed, "I think if that happens I'll need to fire whoever was in charge of organizing the envelopes."

"Right. I guess that's the proper thing to do." Cade sighed, "I should go see if the script got updated yet."

"I'll see you later."


The lights were stifling.

Cade had been on the report since before he could walk, but he had never truly gotten used to the heavy glare of the stage lights. They always caused him to squint and to lose his place when speaking, which never looked good in the photos the next morning.

This time, he was sure, there would be no exception.

The Report host was a somber man who got his start reporting on natural disasters. Porter Weld, with his gray hair, gray suits, and slightly gray tinged skin always made sure that the Report was never too fun. Cade had heard that in decades past, the report was a much more lighthearted affair. Almost akin to a morning talk show. Cade's grandfather had done away with that, making it serious and boring for nearly everyone involved. Cade's father had continued the tradition.

Albert hadn't wanted to change it when he became regent, figuring it was both an insult to his late brother and slightly outside the scope of his power, though the council probably would have let it through.

Cade however, already planned how it would look like if he became king.

"Your Highness," Porter, the very man Cade was plotting to fire, greeted.

"Oh, yes, what can I do for you?" Cade asked, startled.

"I wanted to confirm with you that the Report will be happening in a traditional fashion. You will be required to speak for about fifteen minutes," Porter said in his monotone voice

"Oh, okay."

"Several requirements for the selected candidates should be addressed on television. This is the list," Porter handed him the paper.

Cade scanned it quickly. It was things he already knew, the age range…one from each province…must live in the palace…. Nothing seemed too out of the ordinary, at least from what he had heard about selections prior.

"Thank you, I'm going to.-"

"I would ask Your Highness to try and refrain from revealing any private information. The Report is meant for public information, not to further any personal agendas."

"I would never do that."

"The council wants your assurance that you will not say anything concerning your personal beliefs or policies, especially if they are in contradiction with those of current political parties. They believe that the place for that is not on a widely-viewed broadcast."

"I don't even know how that would come," Cade chuckled nervously, "I.."

"I wasn't aware they were allowed to request such things," his Aunt said, placing her arm in Cade's. "You learn something new every day."

Cade had thought the same thing, but he was in no position to say it.

"Your Highness, I am simply passing along a message."

Aunt Morgan smiled at him, "Well then, if you would be a dear and tell whomever told you this that they are grossly misusing their position, I would appreciate that."

Porter hesitated, probably considering who he had more loyalty to, "Of course." He finally said, shaking his head as he walked away.

Aunt Morgan didn't look like the rest of the family much. Her hair was much darker, almost verging on black and her skin was much fairer than the rest of the Schreaves. When people stopped to listen to Cade it was because they had to, when people listened to Morgan, it was more because they were interested. Now, Cade wasn't sure if they were interested in the topic so much as the way Aunt Morgan spoke. English wasn't her first language, and as a result, she used what Cade liked to call, rare words. Those usually caught people's interest.

Cade thought he had never been more grateful for that in his life.

"These councilmen have gotten much more pesky in the past few years. When I first married in they just sat there for the most part," Morgan told Cade. "I do wish we could go back to those times."

"Yeah. They sounded a lot nicer back then."

Morgan took the paper from Cade's hands, reading it over. "I am absolutely ecstatic for your selection Cade, have I told you that already?"

"Several times."

"Well, I am beyond excited. I remember making my mother buy me magazines from Illéa during your father's selection. The companies were shipping them all over the world, it was so popular. I wanted one so badly, but my mother said I had a better chance of being struck by lightning than getting my grandfather to agree."

"Other countries hear about this? I didn't know it would be international news." Cade said nervously, "I thought only Illéans cared."

"It's more of a…reality television show? Is that the right word for those programs?" Cade nodded. "Yes, in Austria the recaps would be on after those little documentary shows. It was very entertaining."

"I guess that's cool."

"Have you thought of any spots for dates yet? I made a list of several charming little parks and restaurants. The photos would be lovely. You're very lucky Cade."

He didn't feel particularly lucky, but Cade didn't want to ruin whatever fantasy his aunt had been building up in her head about this.

"I haven't really thought about that. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

"You haven't thought about it? Oh, but it seems so fun! I can send you the list if you'd like, just in case you want some ideas."

"Thanks."

"This whole thing just seems so romantic, oh, Albert!" Morgan waved her husband over, "Doesn't the selection seem so romantic and…like a dream?"

"It's supposed to be romantic. I hope it works out, I wasn't sure exactly how to plan one."

Morgan swatted his arm, "Don't be ridiculous, of course it will work out! Everything always does. Ah, Cade, I'm so happy for you."

"I'm happy too," Cade answered, though he was pretty sure he was happy for reasons that differed from Morgan's. "I want it to work out really badly."

"It will," Morgan assured him. "Now, go wow us."

Cade nodded, walking towards his place on set. One of the set managers was motioning for him to get in front of the camera. It would be best to listen. It was always best to listen.

"Where's Andrew?" He heard Albert quietly ask his aunt.

"He said he was going to a friend's house."

Lucky him, Cade thought bitterly.

The Report moved as it usually did. Several of the council members spoke, then his Uncle gave a brief update on the state of the country, and then, Cade was called to make his special announcement. There was no banter, no coaxing of information. The host didn't even smile as Cade shook his hand.

"Good evening, Illéa. As you all know, my twenty-first birthday is in several months. This is a momentous occasion, not just for me, but for the rest of the country as well. As I move towards this new part in my life, I would like to have someone to do it with me. Someone to be by my side. So to follow in my father, and his father, and his father before that's footsteps, I will be hosting a selection."

There was no surprise in the audience. Everyone knew it was coming. Morgan was the only one who looked even a little excited, which was ironic considering that the burden of planning it fell mostly on her shoulders.

"Applications have been sent out to eligible households and I encourage every young lady between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two to apply." Cade continued, "The ladies will be picked live on the report in two weeks time. I'm beyond excited to meet all of you," he finished, borrowing his Aunt's word choice.

With that, the host walked back on stage to ask Cade a few simple questions. He explained how the selected would live at the palace and the basic format, as it had been so many years since the last selection.

When the cameras cut, the only smiles Cade received were from his Aunt and Uncle. Everyone else on set, from the woman controlling the sound system to George Hyde, the head of the council, looked almost bitter that it had worked out, that a meteor hadn't landed stopping Cade from finishing his speech.

Maybe things would change with the selection. Maybe they would witness love, or whatever resemblance Cade got of it, and they would see that he could be a good King.

Hopefully things would change.

It took ten minutes for Cade to excuse himself from his persistent aunt.

It took another fifteen for him to get out of the Report studio without having to pass any of the councilmen.

Once the room had cleared out and the only people left were a few burly men taking apart the cameras, Cade left as well. He knew he was supposed to go to dinner, and usually he would have gone if only to avoid the questions tomorrow.

Tonight though, he was confident that the questions in the morning would be restricted as to what to serve to the selected and what color he wanted to paint their bedrooms. Those he could probably stomach and would definitely happen if he showed up to dinner or not.

So Cade allowed himself to go back to his room, where maybe he could get back to the book he had been reading.


"Prince Cadence just fell in love, or at least, that's what half of Illéa is hoping tonight," Andrew read, holding the magazine he had purchased a few inches from his face.

Cade turned around startled, "You scared me. You could have knocked." He closed his book quickly, folding down the page where he had stopped.

Andrew ignored him. "With the announcement of his selection, many would say that Prince Cadence had just promised to become their husband,"

"Can you stop?" Cade asked, flushing. He knew that it was going to be a big story, but it was three hours later. He didn't understand how there were already magazines being printed about it nor how Andrew managed to get his hands on one.

"Wait, this part's really good." Andrew cleared his throat, "If his Highness is looking for only one bride instead of several thousand, he might be searching in the wrong place."

"Where did you get that?" Cade asked, standing up from his desk.

"At a grocery store. There were five to choose from, but apparently this one came with free perfume samples so I guess I have my Christmas gifts covered."

"Oh. Already?"

"I'm sure there'll be more tomorrow." Andrew said, folding the magazines closed. He was half a foot taller than Cade, and according to almost everyone Cade had ever met, far more attractive. The daughter of a German diplomat had once described Andrew as everything Cade was not. He had been insulted at the time, but to be honest, she wasn't entirely wrong.

She had meant it purely in terms of appearances, but it was true in almost every way. Andrew had always been better than him in everything. He was older, more likable, more charismatic, a better public speaker, a better athlete, and had scores at least ten points higher than Cade on every single calculus test.

It wasn't as if all that made Andrew a particularly awful person. Cade used to dislike him when they were younger, but after Cade had no choice but to live with him, Cade realized that maybe Andrew wasn't that bad.

It also helped that around that time, Andrew decided that he should be nicer to Cade on account of his parents recent demise.

"What does the rest of it say?" Cade asked, trying to grab the magazine from his cousin.

Andrew hesitated, before crumpling it. "Nothing, don't worry about it. It's just one of those trashy tabloids."

"It has to say something."

"It just mentions something about how everyone who was disappointed when I got engaged might be slightly happier now. It's really just pure garbage," Andrew insisted.

"Sure. yeah, I know." Cade looked down, "Where were you anyway."

"I went out."

"Out where?"

"Just…out. I didn't really feel like having the council try to make me go on the Report."

"They did seem pretty upset about something," Cade said.

"Aren't they always? Anyway, Cade, as your favorite and only cousin, I have a favor to ask you."

"What is it?" Cade asked, suspicious that Andrew would ask for his approval. Usually, Andrew didn't ask for anyone's permission, and in the rare cases he did, he went to his dad who always said yes, because Uncle Albert was a complete pushover. Cade was jealous of that sometimes. His father believed in an authoritarian parenting style before he died. Cade was never truly that close with him.

"Vivienne watched the announcement for your selection, she's very happy for you by the way," Andrew said.

Vivienne was his fiancée. His perfect fiancée. The crown Princess of France who everyone simply adored. Sometimes, Cade wished that they would hurry up and get married. If Andrew married her, he would have to sign away his rights to the Illéan throne, just like Cade's sister did. Then, the council wouldn't even have anyone to replace him with.

He wasn't one to wish unhappiness upon his cousin, but if Andrew was planning to marry her anyway, Cade didn't understand why they wanted to wait for a December wedding so badly. It would have been a much better metaphor to have married in June if that's what they were going for.

"Tell her I will say thank you."

"Maybe you can tell her yourself?" Cade gave him a questioning glance. Andrew sighed, explaining, "She's very curious about the whole selection thing and she wants to come for it. She said she could help plan it, if you want."

"That's nice of her."

"Come on Cade, what's it to you?"

"Nothing. Yeah, she can come. I guess I should get to know her better anyway." Cade conceded.

Andrew gave him a funny look, "Did you two not have time to chat when you were going to marry her?"

Cade hated when he brought that time up. Andrew knew he did. But that was the thing with Andrew. He was nice until he wasn't. He could take a joke until he couldn't. He had an edge, and Cade generally tried not to push him over it.

"I was a little preoccupied with abdicating," Cade muttered. "And she was a little preoccupied with you."

"Sometimes I forget you abdicated the throne for like three months. Those were good times," Andrew joked.

"Not for me."

"Well, is anything a good time for you?"

"I want the selection to be. I want a wife." Cade said clearly.

Andrew scoffed, "No, you don't. You want to be King."

"I don't think those are exclusive things."

"I never said they were."

"I just want it to work out. I would like to get married," Cade stammered.

"Of course you do. It's your selection after all. It would be poor form for you to not want to get married. But really Cade, do you think I'm an idiot?"

"Of course not."

"You don't need to pretend Cade. We all know why you're having a selection." Andrew said as he gave Cade a sympathetic smile."If that's what you want to do, then I'm not going to stop you. But maybe you should make sure everyone else is okay with it too. I'd hate for you to have to abdicate for a second time."

Hi everyone, thank you so much for reading my story!

So, this is your pretty basic SYOC, so I'm going to try and keep the rules brief because I know that we already know them, and I'm sure no one really reads this anyway.

1. Please make some varying personalities. Sure, everyone likes shy, quiet characters, but mean ones or ambitious ones or ones who are addicted to caffeine with pet tarantulas are also super fun! I know everyone is super creative so I think it'll be fun to get some interesting personalities.

2. The age range is from 18 to 22.

3. The caste system still exists, so keep that in mind. It doesn't need to be like a huge huge thing in your form, but just know if you want them to be a street sweeper that would be a 6, or if they're a law student they should be a 3

4. Also be realistic. I think it's always fun to have some super famous characters with super interesting backstories about murder and betrayal and love and a talking tree that throws apples at you, but there are going to be some middle class characters, there are going to be some lower class ones.

5. Not really a rule, but if you have a province that you super duper want to reserve, lmk. If you don't care that much you can just put it on your form.

For a deadline I'm thinking of May 10th, but of course that's flexible and also kinda depends on my mood :)