I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. SHOUTOUT TO AVA NAVA FOR MAKING THIS CHARACTER.

University of Angeles at Sacramento. 5 weeks into the selection.

She knew that it was against the rules, but Seraphina Shepherd didn't care. She had managed to sneak out of the palace and was hitchhiking to the college where her brother Kayden was attending classes. Normally, Phina wasn't the kind of girl to thumb rides; but seeing as she was strapped for cash, she made an exception. Luckily, she was picked up by a decent looking dude who didn't recognize her as a selected. Even better, U of A at Sacramento wasn't that far from the palace; just about 5 miles or so. Finally, they arrived at the sprawling campus.

"Thanks for the ride." Phina said as she got out.

"No problem, good luck with your brother." The guy said as he drove off. Phina had no idea where to start looking for Kayden, so she decided to head to the campus cafeteria. Common sense dictated that he might show up there at some point. She found a table and sat for what felt like hours. Finally, when she was ready to give up, she saw him. It had been years since she saw Kayden, but she recognized him instantly. Phina got up and ran over to him.

"Kayden!" She exclaimed as he turned to look at her. He didn't recognize her at first, but as he kept looking, he realized who she was.

"Seraphina..." he muttered the siblings ran and embraced each other.

"I can't believe it, it's been so long." She said as she gazed at her brother.

"I saw that you were selected, I thought that you weren't allowed to leave the palace." Kayden said.

"I snuck out." Phina confessed as the 2 sat down at a table.

"How have you been?" He asked as he held her hand.

"I've been ok...it's surreal to be living in the place again." She admitted.

"Has anyone been giving you Hell about what dad did?" Kayden inquired.

"I don't think anyone knows, Maxon II tried to cover it up. It would ruin his image if one of his close associates fucked him over." Seraphina replied.

"You know that if anyone finds out, the King will probably eliminate you." Kayden replied.

"I don't care, the only reason that I even applied was so that if I got selected, I could be close to you." Phina insisted as her brother smiled at his sister.

"Whatever happens, I'm really glad that you're here now." He said as both Shepherds got a little teary eyed in the campus cafeteria.


Schreave Palace. Later That Day.

After visiting with Kayden for a couple hours, Seraphina managed to thumb another ride back to the palace. As she made her way through the halls, she believed that she had gotten away with it. However, a cough behind her disproved that theory. Phina turned around and saw none other than King Peter, first of his name, behind her.

"Glad to see you got back OK." Peter said with a smirk as Seraphina was flustered at the sight of the sovereign.

"Damn, I didn't think that anyone would notice..." Phina replied as Peter shook his head.

"I won't tell anyone if you won't." he said as he sat down on a bench and heaved a sigh. Seraphina could sense that something was wrong as she sat next to him.

"Are you ok?" she inquired.

"Not really." he admitted. "Prime minister Quince Bush had me sign some bills that...probably weren't done in the best interest of the country. Now, protests have broken out in several provinces and I don't know what to do. Bush says that they'll calm down eventually...but what if they don't."

"I'm sure that they will, you seem like a decent King. Maybe you just made a mistake and you can repeal those bad bills." Seraphina offered.

"If I do, Quince will be pissed." Peter replied.

"You are the King, you have to do what is right for Illèa. Not what is right for your prime minister." Phina shot back as Peter looked at her with a grateful smile.

"I needed to hear that Phina...thank you." He said as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"You're welcome." she said with a small smile as Peter got up and moved to leave.

"By the way...if you want to go visit your brother...all you have to do is ask." he said with a wink as he made his way back to the office to deal with the coming crisis.

NEXT TIME, SHIT HITS THE FAN. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.