I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO KIERA CASS. IN THIS ALTERNATE UNIVERSE, ILLÈA IS A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY THAT IS BEING TORN BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND AUTOCRACY. IT IS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, EXCEPT THAT THE MONARCH HAS LEGITIMATE POLITICAL POWER. THIS STORY CONTAINS CHILD ABUSE AND MILD VIOLENCE. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Sacremento. Province of Angeles, Illèa.

If there was one thing that Princess Melody Schreave enjoyed doing, it was swimming. She could always be counted on to take a swim in the royal pool at least once a day. As she finished her fifth lap around the pool, she found her nanny waiting for her at the edge. Alma Madison had been appointed as the royal nanny a week before Melody was born. Alma had no children or spouse and as a result, her life dwelled on Melody. Even though she was too old for a nanny, Alma had been allowed to stay on to be an extra set of eyes on the princess because the Queen was far too busy with other matters to spend too much time with her daughter.

"Did you see me Nanny, I broke my record!" Melody exclaimed as Alma smiled.

"You were very fast my love, but your father needs to see you in his office; so let's get you dried off." Alma explained as Melody got out of the pool. She dried the princess off and got her changed back into her proper clothes. Melody was nervous because when her father wanted to see her, it was usually because she was in trouble.

Alma knocked on the door to the King's main office.

"Come!" A gruff voice exclaimed as the two women walked inside. It was a very beautiful office adorned with fine decor befitting a royal. At the far end of the room, sitting at his fine cherry wood desk was Maxon Schreave, second of his name, King of Illéa. Standing next to him was his faithful and somewhat unsettling servant: Benvolio Jackson. He had served the King for many years and had proven his loyalty, often through unscrupulous means. Melody approached the desk and curtsied.

"You wished to see me father?" She asked timidly as he looked up at her.

"I did, I have spoken with your mother and it has been two weeks since your eighteenth birthday and as such, we feel that it is time to take your next step as a royal." He explained.

"What do you mean father?" Melody asked nervously.

"You will have a selection." Maxon insisted. "It has been arranged and forms are being sent out to all the provinces so that each may send their best candidate to seek your hand in marriage." Melody was dumbfounded. In the back of her head, she had always known that this day would come; but she thought that she would have had a little more time.

"Does it have to happen so soon?" She asked as her father shot her a dirty look. "Every royal has found their spouse in a selection. Your grandmother had a selection, I had one, and you will have one as well."

"But father...I was hoping..." Melody started to say as the King stood up and glared at her.

"You do not contradict me!" He bellowed. "When you are Queen, you can do whatever you damn well please. As long as I wear the crown, you will do as I say, understand?"

"Yes father." Melody said softly as she retreated into submission.

"Good, a report from the Angeles Times will be here tomorrow to get your pre-selection interview and I expect you to behave accordingly. You are dismissed." Melody curtsied again as she made her way out of her father's office. Alma was waiting outside as the princess ran into her arms.

"It will be all right, baby girl." She said as she held Melody tightly and stroked her short blonde hair.

"Oh Nanny, I wish I didn't have to go through this!" Melody cried as she buried her face in Alma.

"I know, but maybe you will meet a nice boy...or girl?" She offered. When Princess Melody had realized she was pansexual, Alma had been the first person that she came out to. Alma had embraced her and assured Melody that her love was unconditional. The King and Queen had not been thrilled, but tolerated their daughter. When Melody came out to the country in an interview, the response was shelling my positive. Many Illéans were OK with having a queer Queen to be.

"I hope so Nanny." Melody said as Alma kissed her cheek.

"How bout, I make us some hot cocoa. Would you like that, my love?" She asked as the princess nodded. The Nanny took Melody's hand as they went off to the palace kitchen to drown her sorrows in hot chocolate.

WILL MELDOY BE ABLE TO FIND HER TRUE LOVE? THIS SYOC IS OPEN TO EVERYONE. HERE ARE THE RULES:

1. ALL GENDERS AND SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE

2. ALL RACES AND RELIGIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE

3. YOU MAY SUBMIT A MAXIMUM OF 2 OC'S

4. ONLY 1 OC PER PROVINCE

THE FORM AND BIOS FOR THE ROYALS ARE ON MY PROFILE. I HOPE YOU WILL PARTICIPATE. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.