I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. SHOUTOUT TO ABIZEAU AND AVA NAVA FOR CREATING THESE CHARACTERS.

Schreave Palace. Sacramento. Province of Angeles. 2 months and 1 week into the selection.

When Eva Sorensen finally got her chance for a solo date with the King, she elected for a simple candle light dinner. The kitchen staff had prepared a delicious dinner of Puttanesca sauce, along with French fries as an appetizer, and chocolate pudding for dessert. As for drinks, Peter opened a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc: one of the best white wines in the royal wine cellar.

"I really needed this, I haven't had such an awesome meal for a while now." Peter said as he chowed down on the delicious meal.

"Why not?" Eva asked as she too enjoyed the banquet set before them.

"When I'm not on solo dates, I have to spend every moment dealing with the Radical Right Rebellion." He explained as he took a sip of wine. "It doesn't really leave me with a whole lot of time for fancy dinners."

"That makes sense, I'm just glad that I get to be waited on during a meal for once." Eva replied with a soft chuckle as a servant refilled her glass. As she ate, she could not stop herself from noticing that officer Claude Eisenhower was looking at her. He was here as he always was to protect the King. Claude had become increasingly present around King Peter ever since the Radical Right Rebellion broke out. It had not left much time for the bodyguard to admire her from afar, which is what she was pretty sure was going on.

"Officer Eisenhower, are you sure we can't interest you in some Sauvignon Blanc?" Peter inquired as the bodyguard was seemingly snapped out of his romantic stupor.

"Excuse me your majesty, I didn't hear what you said." Claude admitted bashfully; earning a laugh from the King.

"Wine...do you want some?" Peter asked again in a louder and slower voice.

"No thank you, your majesty." Eisenhower insisted with a shake of his head. "I never drink while on duty."

"That is very responsible of you Claude." Peter said with a grin. "I suppose that a King shouldn't drink while on duty either...so don't look." This earned a giggle from Eva and a laugh from officer Eisenhower. Peter and Eva raised their glasses in a toast as they enjoyed a lovely dinner under the sober and watchful eye of officer Claude Eisenhower.


The following evening.

Seraphina Shepherd was dressed in a shining purple gown when her brother Kayden arrived at the palace to pick her up. Now that Peter had given them the green light to hang out together, the siblings intended to do so as much as possible. There was a posh nightclub in Sacramento that Kayden had heard about and he figured a night's worth of dancing might do his sister some good. As Phina waited in the main foyer, the King had come to see her off. His mouth was agape at the sight of her in the Violet gown.

"Fuck..." he whispered as he saw the vision of beauty that stood before him. At that moment, she turned around and couldn't help but be amused at seeing her King in such a state of shock. Phina grinned as she smooth out her dress.

"Hi." She said with a coy smile.

"Phina...you look...you're beautiful." He said softly as he inched his way over to her.

"Thank you." Phina said with a smile.

"Is this your first time clubbing?" Peter inquired.

"Is is that obvious?" Phina replied.

"You'll steal the show." Peter vowed as he gently took one of her hands in his.

"I highly doubt that...but thank you, you're too kind. I can't wait for you to meet my brother, but he may not be that receptive towards you." She said.

"May I assume that my predecessor gave him a bad impression of kings?" He asked with a sigh.

Phina nodded, "Maxon took custody of him after my father's execution, I'm not sure what transpired between them during that time, he won't tell me."

"Odds are…it wasn't good." Peter groaned.

"Considering what he's done to me, it probably wasn't." Phina said as she shook her head.

"I know that my word may not mean a pinch of shit to your brother…but I need you to believe that you are the last person I would ever want to hurt." The King said with sincerity in his eyes.

"I know that, but he doesn't." Phina said, giving his hand a little squeeze.

"Phina…would it be ok if I…if I kissed you?" Peter asked as nervous as a teenage.

Phina nodded and leaned in. "It would be more than okay." Peter took her in his arms and kissed her deeply on the lips. It was filled with passion as the two held each other close, enjoying the taste of each other. The moment came to a bitter end when Kayden Shepherd cleared his throat; announcing his presence.

"You must be Kayden, a pleasure to meet you." Peter said with a smile as he stepped away from Phina.

"Wish I could say the same, you ready to go?" Kayden shot back with his arms folded. Phina nodded as she gave Peter a cheek kiss and headed for the car.

"Have fun." Peter said as Kayden shook his head.

"I'm sure you will be with all the girls at your disposal." He remarked as he followed his sister out the door.

"Mouthy little shit." Peter muttered to himself.


Club Infinity. Later that night.

On the ride to the club, Kayden hadn't been in much of a talking mood. A royal guard was accompanying them on Peter's orders due to fear of rebel attacks. Phina could tell he was not too pleased with what he saw and by the time they were inside, it was at boiling point.

"I'm begging you Phina…please tell me you haven't been sleeping with that douche!" Kayden begged.

Phina shot her brother a warning look, "One, even if I was, it's none of your business, two, he's not a douche."

"He's related to Maxon II, the douche Gene is in there, I took a course on genetics, so I know what I'm talking about." Kayden replied.

"You don't know him, Kayden. Just give him a chance." Phina pleaded. Before her brother could retort, a large man who was clearly plowed came up and brought his hand down hard on Phina's ass with a smack that could be heard throughout the club.

"What up jugs?" He asked with a shit eating grin. Phina gasped as she bitch slapped the drunk.

"Asshole!" She yelled as Kayden got in his face.

"You don't touch my sister, you bastard!" He exclaimed as he punched the man in the gut. The man came back and decked Kayden across the face. Kayden went over a table and down to the floor as the perv started to pound his face.

"Get off him!" Phina yelled as she started hitting the man, only to be shoved away. The perv got a few more punches in before he was teased by the royal guard. Phina pulled her brother off who had a bloody nose & a black eye to go with it.

"Shit..." Phina muttered as she reached for a drink to calm her nerves.


Schreave Palace. Later that evening.

After the police had come and arrested the ass slapped, the royal guard escorted the Shepherd siblings back to the palace. By this time, Phina had consumed quite a few drinks and was considerably drunk.

"That guy...was an ass..." she slurred as she was helped inside by a couple guards along with her brother.

"What in God's name happened?" Peter asked as he came to the foyer.

"There was an incident at Club Infinity." One of the guards reported. "A patron was sexually harassing Miss Shepherd and a fight broke out."

"What happened to him?" The King asked.

"He's been arrested."

"I want him to be publicly whipped, let it be a lesson to other perverts." Peter was furious at the idea of someone putting their grubby hands on Phina. He calmed when he saw Kayden's busted face.

"I punched the bastard." Kayden insisted as Peter grinned.

"Take him to the infirmary, he'll probably need some ice, possibly some pain meds." Peter ordered.

"Thanks." Kayden replied as he was led away. Meanwhile, a drunken Phina was stumbling around.

"Tend to Kayden, I'll take Miss Shepherd to her room." Peter replied as the guard scurried away.

"Yay..." Phina said as she fell into the arms of her sovereign.

"Phina…I'm gonna take you to your room ok?" Peter asked as he tried to steady her.

"I like my room, my old one was bigger though but this one is nice."

"I'm glad." Peter said as he scooped her up and carried her bridal style back to her room. He wasn't sure that undressing her would be appropriate and figured that sleeping in the dress couldn't really hurt her too much as he laid her gently on the bed and removed her heels.

"I love...this bed..." Phina slurred as she got comfortable in it. Peter sighed as he knelt next to the bed and admired Phina. She had been through so much and was still a wonderful person. He was thankful that she had been selected.

"Phina…if I tell you something, do you promise to forget?" Peter asked softly as he caressed her cheek.

"What if I don't wanna forget?" Phina asked as she leaned in.

Peter sighed as he leaned in. "Phina…I'm falling for you." He whispered in her ear, feeling vulnerable about expressing his feelings for any woman. She said nothing as she leaned in and kissed him. It was sloppy, but a kiss all the same. She tried to go further, but he stopped.

"I hope I can tell you when you're sober, but there are a couple other girls that I really like too." Peter sighed. "I just wanted to practice."

"Let's go for a walk!" Phina exclaimed, as if out of nowhere.

"Maybe tomorrow." Peter replied with a chuckle as he stood up and kissed her forehead before turning off the light.

"But I wanna go for a walk…" she trailed off with a yawn.

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