This was the first time that Alexei had seen him confused.
Alexander was never confused. He was always so proud, so sure of himself. He never faltered in any step he took, even if it was the wrong step. But here he was, sprawled on his bed, not even dressed ten minutes before the proposals started. Not that his tardiness would matter. No one would dare question it.
"What do I do?!" he groaned. "Alexei, help me!"
Alexei appeared, bowing. "Yes, Your Highness?"
"I don't know who to choose," Alexander said, burying his head in one of his pillows so that his voice was muffled. "Eva is insufferable but the only noble here… Giavanna's lovely and rich but tiring, and Mary's a peasant but she's so…" He blushed. "Amazing?"
"Do you want me to choose a girl for you?" Alexei knew that Alexander wouldn't really care that much, anyway. He'd probably just get a few mistresses no matter who he chose.
"No! I want you to help me!" Alexander turned towards him, his bright brown eyes staring up at him. Alexei felt a pang in his chest. He trusted him completely. He had no idea what Alexei had been thinking mere seconds before. "Let's do the process of elimination! Who do you think I should not choose?"
"To be honest?" Alexei said. "Eva. You clearly hate her. No matter her blood, your life will be worse if you get with her."
Alexander nodded, contemplating what he had said. An awkward silence ensued.
"So… Giavanna or Mary?"
"Is that even a question?"
Alexander frowned. "What?"
"They're both commoners," Alexei said. "But you like one more than the other."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Alexander said, sighing.
"Marriage isn't just political, Alex." Alexei kneeled next to his bed. "It's emotional, too. A good wife could get you through hard times."
The Crown Prince stopped.
"Whatever you choose… just follow your heart. That's all the advice I can give you."
Alexander smiled. "Is that what you did with Elaina?"
Alexei burst into laughter. "Oh- she told you?"
"That you were dating? Yeah."
Alexei couldn't stop laughing. It was like something had snapped inside of him, in a good way. "Y-yeah, I guess.
He was really going to regret what was going to happen tonight, was he?
"Hey, Alexei?"
"Yeah?" He looked up at him.
Alexander sighed, sitting up, wiping his bright brown hair from his eyes. "I… I think I went a little overboard the other day. I was mad, and… you were right to try and stop me." He eyed him. "For that one time, of course."
From Alexander, that was more than enough. "Alex…"
He grinned. "Alright, alright. I know. I'm amazing. Now get back and pretend not to be here, I need to get dressed."
Alexander strolled into his closet and Alexei sighed, following closely behind him, his heart filled with both joy and dread.
He had already made his decision. And he was regretting it more and more with each moment.
The Selected sat on a huge, candle-lit stage, next to towering thrones that sent chills down Mary's spine. The Prince was about… twenty minutes late by now, which was nerve-wracking for everyone. Giavanna waved smugly at the adoring crowd around them, showing off her exquisite jewelry and skirt that extended several feet both in front and behind her, layers and layers of green fabric puffing it up. Her black hair was done in rich waves, several sparkling pins decorating the sides and a bright green diadem decorating her head.
And Mercedes… her simple skirt stood out amongst the pompous dresses of the others. She smiled at the audience but soon trained her eyes on the other girls. Mary merely wore a simple brown skirt that reached below her knees and a white top with long, bell-shaped sleeves. The only adornment on her outfit was a neat bow attaching the skirt and the top. Her similarly black hair was done in a lovely bun, a princess braid laid on top and a pretty white bow to finish it off.
Eva, on the other hand… might as well have had a panic attack. Her lavender dress and elegant white gloves were lovely, of course, but she clearly wanted to cry. Whether from happiness or anguish, no one knew.
Paliz was more energetic than ever, and who could blame him? This was the day that Ethica's beloved Crown Prince would be engaged. This was the day that they would know who their future queen would be.
"Giavanna, can you tell us why you think you will win?" Paliz asked. There were about twenty more scribes than ever before.
"Alexander and I have amazing chemistry," Giavanna chirped. Eva rolled her eyes. "We've kissed each other a few hundred times, used the 'L' word about thrice, and I've even slept with him!"
This was old news, but having it said alongside all of Giavanna's other accomplishments made several people gasp.
"You certainly are a strong contender," Paliz said. "Speaking of strong contenders… Mercedes Lopez-Kim! No one expected you to get so far, but you defied all expectations. What's your secret?"
Mary opened her mouth, closed it, then blushed. "I just… followed my heart."
Paliz nodded, though his expression turned slightly dark. "Hopefully our Prince is wise enough to make the right choice." What was that supposed to mean? "Eva! Why do you think you deserve to win?"
Eva smirked, despite the fact that her face was beet red mere seconds before. "Because I've worked the hardest."
"She has!" Giavanna said. Everyone turned to her. "She hasn't kissed Alex once and she's still in the competition! That's hard work."
Even though her tone was light and sweet, there was something in her eyes that told Mary that she had a trick up her sleeve.
"Really?" Paliz challenged, raising an eyebrow. "What about Mercedes?"
"Oh, she kissed him. Today, actually. A last-minute attempt to sway Alex-baby's vote."
Mary clenched her fists.
She had sent Ashley and Queenie, hadn't she?
There were several murmurs in the audience, all looking at her.
Before Mary could respond, though, trumpets blared behind her.
"Oh, great," Eva said. "If this is another repeat of the funeral, I'm going to burn this palace to the ground."
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"I think it is," Mary said, sighing.
BA BA BA BAAAAAA
"... Actually nevermind."
BA BAAAAAAAAAAAAA
"Welcome His Royal Highness, Prince Alexander!"
Alexander strolled in, though his usual smile was absent, and took his throne. It was conveniently lined next to the girls.
"Yes, yes, cut it out," Alexander snapped. "Shut up! Actually! It's hurting my ears!"
The trumpets looked confused, but rushed away.
"Your Highness." Paliz stood up, bowed, then sat back down again. "We are eternally grateful to have you here."
Mary saw a hint of a smile on Paliz's face. Huh.
"Of course, I know, I KNOW!" Alexander slammed his hand down on one of the armrests. Everyone went completely silent. "I want to do something, so I would rather tell you all instead of wasting time!"
She grimaced. Alexander seemed… less than happy.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Paliz said respectfully. "So… which girl has captured your heart?"
Annalisa wanted to attend the proposals.
She had been so keen on watching every minute, every happening in the Selection. She couldn't just miss the grand finale, the biggest thing that had happened since… her birth!
But Luke's warning stuck in her mind.
Don't go to the throne room when Prince Alexander announces his wife, he had said.
Annalisa didn't know why he had said something like that. Was something going to happen? Was it a game? What did he mean?
She wished that Luke could be here to tell her.
So Annalisa, instead of being in the throne room, decided to be out of the throne room. She opened a side door slightly ajar, peeking into the huge room. Ha! He never said that she couldn't be outside of the throne room. If it was, indeed, a game, Annalisa knew she had won.
She had been in the throne room many times, mostly to sit for paintings. She remembered asking for candy when she was five, and so she had been painted eating a nice lop of licorice. Good times.
"So…" Paliz said. Annalisa's heart raced. Was this the moment? Was she witnessing history, right here, right now? "Which girl has captured your heart?"
Alexander paused, looking over all three of the girls. Annalisa was rooting for Mary, of course, Giavanna was mean, and Eva had ignored her when she approached her a few days ago. But Mary was nice and sweet, so Annalisa wouldn't mind her being her sister-in-law.
He cleared his throat. "Actually, I'd like to change it up a bit."
Annalisa's jaw dropped. OhmigoshOhmigoshOhmigosh…
"Yes?"
"Bring me the rings," Alexander ordered. "I want to see them. As a… last form of judgement."
Annalisa squealed with the sheer amount of excitement that coursed through her body, hoping that the person who sat a few feet away from the door she was standing at couldn't hear her.
A servant held out two small boxes, his expression listless.
But… where was the third ring?
Alexander seemed to think the same thing too. Sibling telepathy! "Where is the third ring?"
"It is coming, Your Highness," said the servant in a clearly angered voice. Alexander raised his eyebrows. Annalisa saw, in the corner of her eye, Paliz glaring at the servant, who gulped.
Why would the servant be more scared of Paliz than Alexander?
Two servants hauled an object the size of a wheel onto the stage and placed it on the floor with great difficulty. Alexander stood, looking as elegant as ever with his princely posture and beautiful robe. Annalisa giggled. If he weren't her brother, she'd totally have a crush on him. Too bad Julia couldn't marry him for her, like she had originally planned.
A deep frown appeared on his face. "Reveal them."
The first servant opened one of the boxes. Annalisa squinted. It was hard to see from so far away, but it looked so… shiny. Emeralds casted a green light over the throne room. The audience oohed and ahhed.
"MY RING!" Giavanna shrieked. "YOU SEE? I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU LIKE, MY LOVE!"
Annalisa scrunched up her pretty little nose. Giavanna seemed a little… cuckoo.
"Uh… it is certainly beautiful," Alexander said, giving Giavanna a side glance. "Next?"
The same servant closed the box and opened the other one.
Annalisa couldn't even see it. The servant's hand blocked her view. Hmph! She wanted to storm in there right now and take her rightful place next to Alexandra! Err… Alexandra wasn't here. She wanted to take her rightful place next to her mom!
"A silver ring?" Queen Elaina scoffed. Giavanna and Eva began laughing too. Soon, even the scribes were chuckling.
"Is this a joke?" King Eadger glared at Mary, who flinched. "You think my son deserves such a dismal ring? That is fit for a commoner!"
"There aren't even jewels on it!" Giavanna said in between her uncontrollable laughter. Annalisa worried about her oxygen. She should really catch her breath and breathe.
"Oh," Mary seemed to crawl in on herself. King Eadger looked away, his eyebrows scrunched together.
"I like it."
Everyone stopped laughing at that, surprised that he had said such a thing.
Annalisa was surprised, too. Alexander only liked the best of the best! It was so unlike him to say that. This had to be a joke.
He turned to Mary, smiling. "It's sweet and refreshing. Thank you."
Eva and Giavanna's jaws dropped open.
Mary blinked. And again. And again. "Really?"
"Yeah," he said.
"Oh." A very obvious blush emerged on Mary's cheeks. Awww, Annalisa definitely shipped it now! "Thank you."
His smile communicated all the your welcome's that he needed.
"It's just a silver ring!" Giavanna yelled, pointing to it with her long nails. "How does it beat mine?"
"Gia-"
"Don't 'Gia' me!" Giavanna screamed at the top of her lungs, standing up. "I hate you!"
She stomped away. A servant, presumably Giavanna's, ran after her.
The scribes were as busy as ever.
"Whatever. And the last one?"
One of the two servants that had brought the huge wheel-thing whisked the cover off, revealing a foot-long golden wheel, shimmering in the candlelight.
Eva's smug smile told it all.
"What is this?" Alexander demanded, turning to her. Eva's smile dropped. "This isn't even a ring!"
"It is, Your Highness!" Eva said quickly. "I melted all of the golden rings that you provided us into that! I knew you'd like it!"
"No, it's not!" Alexander said, his hands on his hips. "Can I put that on my finger?"
Eva gulped. "... No?"
"Then it's not a ring!"
He marched forward and whispered something to the guard next to him. The guard nodded and unsheathed his sword, raising it above the 'ring'.
"WAIT!" Eva's voice was lined with desperation. She sprung up from her seat, collapsing in front of Alexander. "Your Highness, let me explain! I thought you were a deity that could transform the ring to one fitting your size! Please don't punish me for overestimating you!"
That was the most ridiculous thing Annalisa had heard, and that was saying something, considering that most of the most ridiculous things she had heard had come from herself.
"What?" Alexander's voice was so unbearably incredulous that Annalisa barely stifled a laugh.
"Please!" Eva raised her arms so that it looked like she was worshipping him. "I was wrong, Your Highness!"
"I'm flattered that you acknowledge me as a deity, Eva," Alexander said, tension straining his voice. "But please sit down."
Eva nodded eagerly and rushed back to her seat. Alexander sighed.
"This is a… lovely wheel nevertheless," he said. "I'll make sure to display it here in the throne room."
Eva almost exploded with excitement. Hey, that was Annalisa's thing!
"Can we please get Giavanna back?" Alexander snapped at a nearby servant. She nodded and rushed away in the direction where Giavanna had gone.
Alexander sat back down on his throne, waiting.
…
A second.
…
A minute.
…
Two minutes.
Annalisa was getting increasingly aware of the ache in her legs for standing so long.
…
Three minutes.
…
Five minutes.
Finally, Giavanna strutted in, wearing… questionable makeup. The two servants that had followed her flanked behind her, emotionless.
"Alright, get to your seat, I've had enough," Alexander complained. "I've made my decision!"
This was it! This was the moment they had all been waiting for! Annalisa opened the door slightly more, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Everyone in the room stared at him, their breath hitched in their throats, waiting.
He walked to the girls, examining all of their expressions. Mary's was breathless, scared, almost. Giavanna was one of irritation. Eva was grimacing from ear to ear.
"Eva." Eva screamed in surprise. Alexander cringed. "... Okay, relax. You're of noble blood, but your family is pretty minor anyway. And you're the most boring person I've ever seen. The dates with you were never fun, and I'm proud to say that I hate you quite much."
ROASTED! Annalisa jumped for joy.
He turned to Mary, whose face went pale. "Mary-"
"Call me Mercedes," she said quietly.
Alexander paused. "What?"
"Call me Mercedes," she said again, louder this time.
Alexander smiled. "Mercedes… You were funny and kind and… yeah. But then I realized that you were of common blood, and in poverty, so… I dismissed you." A beat. "But I was wrong to dismiss you, I admit it!" The audience laughed. "You're an amazing person, and I think I… I think I like you very much."
Mary gasped, tears in her eyes. Alexander turned to Giavanna as everyone else processed what he had just said.
"Giavanna, you…" He paused, thinking of a word. "Are a very interesting person. When I met you, I was instantly captivated by your… uh… lips. They were very… delicious, and you certainly didn't hold back. That's what I like about you. You're bold, brash, and…" He blushed. "Beautiful."
"Aww!" Giavanna cried. Apparently 'I hate you' had been thrown out of the window. "I love you too!"
He turned back towards the crowd, taking a breath. "And that's why I've chosen…"
Giavanna or Mercedes? Mercedes or Giavanna? To be fair, he had spoken about Giavanna last, so it was most likely her, right? Man, he was grinning as if he enjoyed playing with people's heads like this—which, to be fair, he probably was.
"Mercedes. Mercedes, you'll marry me, right?"
Apparently, Annalisa didn't get to hear Mary's response, as the entire throne room erupted into applause, drowning out all noise from the stage. Instead, Annalisa examined Mary's face. Her eyes were wide in shock, her mouth hanging open.
Yes! Annalisa's first pick had won! And she hadn't even meddled with the decision!
The clapping continued, segueing into a chrous of cheers. Annalisa cheered along with them, her heart light, watching as Alexander pulled Mary into a deep kiss. Giavanna stomped away from the stage for the second time. Eva merely watched, her shoulders slumped.
That was the end. Mary had won. It was over. Ethica had her new Princess.
After a few minutes of nonstop clapping and cheering, the audience settled again, staring at Mercedes and Alexander expectantly. Mercedes looked into his eyes, a wide smile on her face.
"Your Highness," she said, her voice cracking as tears slipped down her face. "I-"
At that moment, the front door slammed open.