I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. SHOUTOUT TO AVA NAVA FOR CREATING THIS CHARACTER.
Nome. Province of Whites. 2 weeks later.
Seraphina Shepherd was looking out the window at the falling snowflakes. The snow had started to fall early in the year, but that was to be expected. The weather in Whites always tended to be a bit nippy, even during the summer months. She could hardly remember the days back in Angeles when she and Crown Princess Melody Schreave had snuck down to the royal family's private beach and spent their days playing volleyball and swimming and surfing; among other things. After all the time had passed, they seemed more like dreams then actual memories. Eventually, her mother: Ingrid Shepherd came into the room and turned on the TV.
"I still have no idea why you sent in an application." She said with a sigh. "You can't honestly think they will choose you after what your father did."
"I know mother...I just wanted to try." Phina muttered as her mother wrapped her arms around her daughter. Suddenly, the national anthem of Illèa played and King Peter, first of his name appeared on the screen.
"Good afternoon, my fellow Illèans." Peter said with a smile. "I am happy to announce that after going through thousands of applications, I have chosen the thirty five women who will participate in my selection. First, from the province of Allens, miss Hermia Nixon..."
"I wish I could be positive baby...but I can't." Mrs. Shepherd said as Phina kissed her cheek. It was a while before the king came to the bottom.
"From the province of Whites...Miss Seraphina Shepherd..." Peter said as both women's mouth's dropped.
"I can't believe it...he selected me?" Phina gasped in disbelief.
"Neither can I..." Ingrid agreed. Seraphina had mixed emotions, on the one hand, she was glad to be going to Angeles because it gave her a chance to see her brother again...but on the other hand, she would be returning to a place of horrible pain.
Schreave Palace. Sacramento. Province of Angeles. 5 years ago.
Seraphina walked through the halls of the palace with her father, Dakota, one of the king's closest advisors. She was on her way to the office of King Maxon , second of his name. He had taken a special interest in her ever since she was a child, though she wasn't entirely sure why. She assumed that it was because her father was one of his closest friends. She didn't mind her time with the king, when she was younger he would play games with her or spend a few hours colouring and drawing with her. As she got older he turned her attention to ensuring her studies were going well and she was maturing into a respectable young lady, which she was. He had made it clear to her that she was forbidden from dating, though she didn't quite understand why he should care about that. When they reached King Maxon's office, her father kissed her on the cheek and left her to see the monarch alone. Seraphina knocked on the door.
"Enter!" Maxon called.
Seraphina stepped into the room and curtsied to the king, "You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed I did, my sweet Phina...how does this day find you?" Maxon said with a smile as he put out the remainder of his Cuban cigar.
"Well, thank you, I just finished my Spanish lesson," Seraphina replied.
"Very...Bueno." Maxon gritted. He hated wasting his time with foreign things, but it was all in pursuit of power, so he toughed it out.
"Thank you," Seraphina said with a small smile. "My tutor says I should be fluent in a matter of months."
"I am pleased...and I think that you shall be as well when you hear the news that I have for you, my dear." the King promised.
"What news?" Seraphina asked, perking up at this.
"I have brokered a deal with his majesty, King Felipe, eighth of his name. He has agreed to forge an alliance between the kingdoms of Spain and Illéa." Maxon stated.
"That's excellent, well done, Your Majesty," Seraphina said.
"However...there is one condition to this alliance and I require your assistance." he said as he rose from his desk and made his way over to Seraphina.
Seraphina looked at him confused, what could he possibly need her help with? "What is it?"
"The King has a son: Crown Prince Carlos, heir apparent to the Spanish throne. He is currently...looking for a wife to be his Queen...I have offered him one." Maxon said as he looked directly at the young woman before him.
Seraphina blinked, surprised, "You mean me?" She asked, stunned.
"Yes Seraphina...you are my only hope." Maxon insisted. "I attempted to offer him my daughter, Princess Melody, but Crown Prince Carlos saw her for the undisciplined little brat that she is and refused to have anything to do with her." Melody had balked at the idea of marrying the Spanish Prince and he had seen through her fake smiles.
Seraphina looked away briefly, she should have known that all of his attention and praise would have come with a price, "Why would he want to marry me? I'm not a princess."
"You are as well mannered and as well educated as any Princess he could hope to find." the King insisted in an attempt to flatter her. "I sent him a picture of you and Prince Carlos was quite taken with you."
"That is very...flattering, but I'm not sure about all of this…" Seraphina trailed off, though she suspected she would have little say in the matter.
"Seraphina...you have a duty to your King and your country." Maxon snapped as he came closer. "Relations with New Asia are still chilly. They could attack at any time and any place. If we intend to subdue them, we shall need allies. Spain offers us economic benefits, military aid, and men to fight alongside us if need be. Melody...that stupid silly bitch had her chance to serve her country and she blew it as she always does. I need someone I can trust."
Seraphina bit her lip as she looked down, she didn't want to let down her king or her country, but she didn't want to marry a man she had never met, "Can I think it over?" Maxon leaned right into her face as his patience was at the breaking point.
"I had hoped that you would see reason, but if I have to play the sovereign card, I shall." he growled as he tried to intimidate her. "I am your King, if I order you to do something, then you damn well better do it! If I tell you to marry Prince Carlos, you will put on the best bridal gown in all of Illéa and skip down that aisle like a cheerful school girl...are we of a singular mind, my dear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Seraphina said quietly as she stared at the floor, forcing back tears.
"Good girl, tell your father that I wish to see him so that I may...inform him of your upcoming nuptials.." Maxon said as he kissed Seraphina on the head before returning to his desk.
Seraphina nodded and curtsied to the king before she quickly retreated from the room. She closed the door behind her and was met with the sight of her father.
"What's the matter?" Her father, Dakota Shepherd asked when he saw the unshed tears in her eyes.
"Nothing," Seraphina lied. "His Majesty wishes to see you."
Dakota nodded slowly, not quite believing his daughter, "Return to our rooms, I'll find you later." Seraphina left without another word.
THIS MIGHT NOT BE A PLEASANT HOMECOMING. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.
