Here's the next chapter guys! and remember SYOC is OFFICIALLY closing on 7/12/19, so if you want to submit a character do it soon!

All the characters for this chapter were created by Fanficmonster123

Chapter 13- Charles, John, and Ben

Charles POV

Charles was calmly playing a game on his computer when he felt someone nudge his shoulder. "Give me a moment," Charles said, trying to finish his game and sighing when he saw the large, game-over words flash against his computer screen. "Yes?" He looked up to see his Mom standing over him, one of her brows raised as she looked at him with the blue-gray eyes that he had inherited.

"I hope you won't keep the Princess waiting." His Mom said, making a tsking sound with her tongue. "Are you excited to meet the Princess at all? You don't look all that happy."

Charles shrugged. "I don't know, she seems nice enough. "But honestly, I'll miss you guys and being an intern."

His Mom, Jenna sighed again, "You seem more interested in studying the economy and nature than learning about the Princess herself, so I want to ask you something."

"Yeah?" Charles asked, giving her his full attention. He recognized her tone of voice. It was the tone she used when she no longer had the patience to deal with his and his siblings' antics. But what did he do? He had been in his room or outside, gathering pine samples all of yesterday and today. He didn't remember doing something he wasn't supposed to do. Even if he had, he was pretty sure he was too old for a scolding from his Mom.

His Mom paused, considering her words before saying them. "You've never shown much interest in Princess Sara before, so why did you send in a Selection form?"

Charles bit his lip, blue-gray eyes shooting to his feet before looking back up at his Mom. "Some of my friends applied for the Selection so I thought that I would too, I was positive that I wouldn't get picked. But now that I have, I'm thinking that's it is an opprtunity to make ammends."

That made his Mom blink in surprise, "Ammends for what?"

"Well, we'll get some money from the Selection as long as I'm there so that should help us, even if our caste won't change," Selected were automatically given the caste of three since his family was already threes, that wouldn't change for them. "It also gives the family credit so I was thinking that maybe it will make your family recognize you again Mom."

"What?" His Mom asked, unable to say anything else. "It's stupid that they disowned you for marrying Dad. He was only a caste below you. You married him because you loved him so they shouldn't punish you for it."

"Oh, Honey," His Mom pulled him up and hugged him, emotions clouding her voice, "You don't have to worry about me. The day I married your Father was the happiest day of my life and I've never looked back."

Charles pulled away, a smile forming on his face when she ruffled his light brown hair. "But you'll be happier with them back in it. I know you will Mom."

His Mom ruffled his hair again and turned to start leaving, "Just make sure that you're happy too." She left him to his game then, but he didn't feel like playing anymore.

He meant everything he said, he hoped now that he was a Selected man, his Mom's family would come around and accept her and her choices again.

John POV

"Mom, you really didn't have to do this," John said, feeling extremely guilty as he looked at the food that was laid out on the table for him and his family for dinner that night. It was much more than they usually cooked. Too much. His Mom was splurging at a horrible rate.

"Yes. I did." His Mom, Sasha said, happiness dancing in her eyes even if she was scolding him somewhat. "It's not every day that you're Selected to be in a Princess' Selection. You may very well be a Prince in a couple of months. And don't forget, as long as you're in the Selection, your family will be getting money, so this feast is fine."

John sighed, knowing that there was nothing he could say. His Mom had already cooked all the food, so there was no going back. Still, it bugged him. His family were sixes, so they didn't have much money to spend at any given moment so it made him uncomfortable to see how his Mom was making something special.

"And," His oldest Sister, Abby said looking excited, "Even if you don't win Princess Sara's Selection, our caste will become threes instead of sixes. In either situation, it would be better for us."

John shook his head, pushing his dark brown hair out of his hazel eyes wincing. "There is no way that the Princess will keep me for a long time. I'm a six and I'm sure that she has an image to uphold. She'll probably end up choosing a two as her husband." Not someone who spends his days cleaning houses, who live in a small apartment with his Mom and seven siblings trying to make ends meet.

"Don't be so sure," Abby shot back an intense look in her own eyes. This was practically a dream come true for her. She had always wanted to climb the caste system. The only thing that would have been better for her was if she had been chosen for Prince Payton's Selection. "The Princess has a few humanitarian projects each year, I don't think she'll focus on caste too much."

John nodded, that at least was true. "The most important thing is money though. With it, the family should be able to get food and maybe even some new clothes. You'll be able to stay fed and warm that's what's important. I promise that if the Princess doesn't send me away by the first day, I'll try to stay as long as possible."

The food and money was actually the main reason why he had applied for the Selection, in the off-chance he would get in. The money would go to his family and take them out of their dire situation. If his Mom saved correctly, maybe they would even be able to afford a slightly bigger place so that they weren't all cramped like they were now.

"Make sure that you're happy too." His Mom said, "I really believe that the Princess won't send you away immediately, get to know her."

"Okay," John said, he wasn't a romantic in the least, so he didn't hold out hope that there would be a spark between them, but he'd try.

"Mom. John." His youngest brother Jeremy said, looking at the food as he interrupted thier conversation. "The food is getting cold."

That drew a few laughs from John and his older brothers, "Then let us eat before it does." His Mom said, dishing out helpings of food for all of her children.

As they ate, John once again made a vow to himself that he would help his family's situation, no matter what. After the Selection, things would be looking up for them.

Ben POV

Ben fidgeted in his seat uncomfortably as the rest of his family sat around him, all giving him different levels of judgemental looks. "Is there something on my face?" He finally asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Shush Benjamin." His Mom, Lucia said harshly, she was looking at him as a piece of meat and it was making him uncomfortable. "This is an opportunity for you. We knew that you would be chosen for Princess Sara's Selection."

"Really? How? Did you take out your crystal ball to see into the future or something?" Ben asked, rolling his eyes. His family had been twos since the creation of Illéa and were extremely stuck up people. They looked down at all the lower caste and treated them horribly. He was the only one that seemed to notice that the lower caste were humans just like them.

Not to mention that his family had practically forced him to apply for the Selection. He had honestly not been that interested to sign up, but since his family was determined to caste climb, they had forced him to send his application in. They were determined to become ones just like the Schreave family. He was certain that they could taste the title.

"Don't make any of your jokes to the Princess." His Sister, Brie said, a slightly bitter look on her face. She had sent in a Selection form for Prince Payton's Selection but hadn't been chosen, now she was being jealous. "The palace isn't your game show and I doubt the Princess wants a Comedian for a husband."

Ben smiled, shrugging, "You never know. She may just need a man who can make her laugh. Half the time, the Princess looks like she has a chip on her shoulder."

"Talking about a chip on her shoulder," His Dad, Gregory cut in suddenly, his brows furrowed. "Did you know that your cousin was selected for Prince Payton's Selection?"

There was an irritated his at that and Ben remembered another reason for his Sister's jealousy and bitterness. "You mean Dyllan? I can't believe that she even sent in a form." But it was true. His cousin, Dyllan Taylor had sent in a form and was the female Selected for Bankston for Prince Payton's Selection. It was even more surprising because his Aunt and Uncle were not the same as his parents at all, so Dyllan should have had no pressure to apply so the fact that she did had shocked his parents but thrilled them at the same time.

"Just imagine if your cousin becomes Prince Payton's chosen and you become Princess Sara's Prince." His Mom said gleefully. "Our family would prove that they are the most superior."

"That's a big if," Ben muttered, feeling that Dyllan would quickly tire of the competition and ask to leave. "For me too." He was certain he'd get bored before a week had passed in the palace.

"You had better practice a nobler stance, Benjamin," His Dad said, pretending not to hear him, "Because you'll be the next Prince of Illéa."

Charles Brown Character Sheet:

Name: Charles Brown

Age: 21

Caste: 3

Province: Waverly

Personality: He is a very outgoing and friendly person. He loves nature and technology. He talks a lot and often doesn't know when to stop. He is also the daredevil in his group of friends and usually does anything he is dared to do.

Hobbies: nature, computers, and gaming.

History: Charles lives in a suburban community in Waverly. He has two older brothers named David and Bill. They are a pretty normal family except for the fact that his mom's side of the family shamed her for marrying down a caste.

Job: he works as an intern at a science lab for an ecologist.

Hair color: light brown with a bit blonde

Eye color: blue-grey

Skin Color: fair

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 158 lbs (72 kg)

Fluent in English and German

Nicknames: Charlie (by his family and friends)

Jonathon Bradley Character Sheet:

Name: Jonathan Bradley

Age: 19

Caste: 6

Province: Dakota

Personality: Very quiet and shy but productive and knows how to get things done. He has a big family and is often overlooked because everybody is trying to make a living and enough money for food and other needs.

Hobbies: Organizing, cooking, and watching movies

History: Since castes became a thing in Illea, Jonathan's family has always married 6's. His dad died in a car accident when he was 15 and because of that, it has been even harder to make a living. He lives in a small apartment with his mom, 2 older brothers named Henry and Sean, an older sister named Abby, a younger brother named Jeremy, and younger triplet sisters named Laura, Penny, and Emma.

Job: He cleans houses in Dakota with his brother Jeremy.

Hair color: dark brown

Eye color: hazel

Skin color: Espresso

Height: 5' 10"

Weight: 150 lbs (70 kg)

Fluent in English and Spanish

Nicknames: John (by his older brothers) and Johnny (by Jeremy)

Benjamin Taylor Character Sheet:

Name: Benjamin Taylor

Age: 21

Caste: 2

Province: Angeles

Personality: He is a very outgoing, creative, athletic, and confident young man. He doesn't know much about the lower castes but is always looking for knowledge about them.

Hobbies: Comedy, football, and swimming.

History: His family has been twos since the castes were created. He grew up with his parents mistreating their servants and being rude to the artists or singers that sang at their parties. They pressured him into the selection as they are ambitious caste climbers. His dad is a member of one of the most famous bands in Illea "Choosing Yesterday". His mom is a famous actress and pop star who often collaborates with Tessa Tamble, Kirstie Summers, and Celeste Newsome. His sister is a model and has always taken their status as a two for granted. This has made Benjamin motivated to help the lower castes of Illea as he understands they're humans too and knows that he is just lucky to be alive, healthy, and have a stable life. He has dated many girls over the years but has never stayed with them for more than a year because they were all snobby two's who made fun of lower caste citizens.

Job: Benjamin is the host of one of Illea's most famous game shows and is known as a famous comedian to most of Illea.

Hair color: Dirty blonde

Eye color: blue

Skin color: sand with a bit of a golden tan

Fluent in English, French, and Spanish

Nicknames: Ben (by his family) and Ben Bradley (known as on his game show to the Illea citizens)

Thanks again and please review!

SYOC closes on 7/12/19