I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. SHOUTOUT TO AVA NAVA AND LOGANPERDUE FOR CREATING THESE CHARACTERS.
Schreave Palace. Sacramento, province of Angeles. 4 months and 2 weeks into the selection.
As the European royals were on route to Illèa, Peter was getting in some last minute time with his 2 remaining elites. He went on a horse drawn carriage ride with Seraphina Shepherd across the property and he cooked a dinner of pasta & chocolate pudding that he shared with Savannah Burdne. Eventually, the day came for the festivities to commence. The King made sure that Sav and Phina were both present with him when he was set to receive the European royals. After all, one of them would eventually be the Queen of Illèa, so it was important that they have an idea about how to entertain visiting royalty. Phina was wearing a beautiful bronze dress while Sav was wearing a spectacular silver gown of her own. The third monarch to greet them was the English queen: Charlotte the second.
"Presenting, her majesty: Charlotte of the house of Windsor; second of her name. Queen of the United Queendom of England, Scotland, and Ireland!" The royal herald announced as the Queen walked into the foyer wearing a spectacular robin's egg blue dress.
"Your majesty." Peter said as he bowed his head and kissed the Queen's hand as the 2 elites curtsied before her.
"Majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you in person." Charlotte replied warmly as she curtsied to the Illèan king. "I was so sorry to hear about the uprising in the province of Midston."
"I appreciate your sympathies ma'am, but rest assured that the rebels have been dealt with and Illèa is as peaceful as ever." Peter replied awkwardly at being reminded of the Radical Right Rebellion. He then introduced the 2 elites and from the looks of it, Charlotte seemed quite taken with them both. She especially seemed impressed with Miss Burdne. After a couple minutes of small talk, Queen Charlotte II excused herself to go rub elbows with her European royal colleagues. After a couple more royals, the next head of state approached them.
"Presenting His imperial majesty: Benito of the house of Mattarella. Third of his name, emperor of the Italian empire!" The herald announced as a slimy looking middle aged man in military fatigues came up to the trio. All of the rumors about Benito III suggested that he was a dictator who ruled over Italy by the barrel of a gun.
"Well well, ciao your majesty." Benito said as he bowed his head to the Illèan monarch. Peter was put off by the man's voice which suggested that Emperor Benito III thought that he was God's gift to Italy and the rest of the world.
"Thank you for coming, your imperial majesty." King Peter said as he bowed his head to the Italian dictator. "May I introduce my remaining two elites in my selection: Miss Savannah Burdne from the province of Fennley and Miss Seraphina Shepherd from the province of Whites." Benito got a greedy look on his face when Peter presented Phina to him who gave him a curtsy in respect.
"So this is Signorina Shepherd?" The Italian tyrant remarked as he planted a big wet kiss upon her hand. "You are quite beautiful indeed." Phina was utterly creeped out by this public display of affection and the looks on the faces of Peter and Sav reflected her sentiment.
"Do you 2 know each other?" Peter asked hesitantly.
"We shall discuss it later." Benito replied as he bowed his head before King Peter and went to mingle with the other royals. This exchange gave the King of Illèa a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach and despite his best efforts, was messing up his night.
The rest of the night consisted of a large feast as the royals proceeded to dine on the absolute best cuisine that the Kingdom of Illèa had to offer. Then there was an elegant ball with fine music and dancing by everyone in attendance. It had been a enjoyable evening for almost everyone. The only thing that had been spoiling the evening was that Emperor Benito had kept making passes at Phina. All throughout dinner, he had been pawing at her and making vile comments. In a desperate attempt to keep her from his grasp, Peter ended up having to dance almost every dance with her so that Benito couldn't slobber all over her.
By the end of the evening, Peter was sick and tired of it and decided to confront Benito; royal to royal. He found his way to Benito's room and pounded on the door until it was opened. The Italian emperor had a slimy grin on his face as he motioned the Illèan king inside.
"I thought you would come eventually." Benito replied as Peter stared him down.
"Look Benito, I don't know what kind of Percy game you are playing here, but you need to stay away from Phina." Peter demanded angrily. "She is one of my elites; she is here for me not you."
"Actually, sua Maestà...I have a signed agreement from your predecessor that disputes your claim to that particular piece of female flesh." Emperor Benito insisted as he pulled out a folder and revealed an official looking document.
"What in the Hell is that?" King Peter asked in surprise.
"Before his untimely demise, His majesty, King Maxon, second of his name made a treaty that in exchange for an alliance with the Italian empire...I would take signorina Shepherd as my empress." Benito explained as Peter grabbed the document. To his horror, Maxon had indeed signed it; making it an official document.
"This is bullshit!" Peter exclaimed as he tossed the paper at the tyrant. "Maxon was overthrown by the people. All of his decrees were rendered null and void. I am not bound to enforce this piece of toilet paper."
"If you renege on this treaty, I will personally declare on you and your Kingdom." Benito warned angrily. "Italy is the fastest growing power in Europe and we have secured nuclear weapons, I will make you my cagna!" The thought of being Benito's bitch did not suit well with Peter at all.
"Damn you..." Peter whispered in fear.
"I will let you sleep on it, for I am very generous." Benito said as Peter left his room; feeling like he had just been gut punched.
CAN SERAPHINA BE SAVED FROM BENITO'S SLIMY CLUTCHES? REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED
