I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS HOMOPHOBIC REMARKS. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Sacremento. Province Of Angeles. 3 days before the selection begins.
Romeo Monroe sat quietly as the limo that he was riding in took him to the palace. He was trying to be calm, but he was filled with nerves. 9 times out of 10, when the King requested an audience with someone alone, it meant that person was in some serious shit. Romeo had remembered the day after the announcement. Everyone in his family had been pleased that he had been selected to represent the province of Angeles in the selection of Crown Princess Melody Schreave. This was an even bigger deal than usually because Romeo's father was Fulgencio Monroe: the governor of Angeles.
The next day while everyone was still celebrating the good news, Governor Monroe had received a call from Benvolio Jackson: King Maxon II's personal secretary. He told the governor that Romeo was requested and required to present himself before his king. No reason was given and Romeo was a little nervous.
"Did his majesty say why he wanted to see me?" Romeo inquired once his father got off the phone.
"No, and I did not ask." Fulgencio remarked. "When his majesty requests an audience, you do not question it."
"Yes father." Romeo replied, still feeling nervous.
"Perhaps his majesty is merely sending for you so that he can congratulate you on being selected?" His mother: Gloria Monroe offered.
"Your mother is right, just show his majesty the respect he is owed and you will be all right." Romeo's father insisted. The young man took comfort in that and prepared himself be congratulated, although he would soon learn that was not the purpose for which he was being called.
When Romeo arrived at the palace, he was driven around and let out on the south side where he was met by a sharply dressed, but scruffy looking man.
"I am Benvolio Jackson, personal secretary to his majesty: King Maxon Schreave, second of his name." The man introduced. "Follow me."
"Yes sir." Romeo nodded as Benvolio led him through a side door marked as Servant's Entrance. Romeo wondered why he was being led through back passageways like a commons thief, but held his tongue. Benvolio took him through a tunnel system which led to a hidden door. Jackson opened a key pad and pushed a series of buttons as a piece of the wall opened and the two men were shown a magnificent room which Romeo learned was the King's private office. The king was already there and Benvolio took his place next to him.
"You are in the presence of Maxon Schreave: second of his name; champion of the patriarchy and the one true king of Illéa!" Benvolio announced as Romeo bowed his head in respect.
"Your majesty."
"You may rise. I apologize for the measures taken" Romeo rose the king came around to shake his hand.
"I am honored to be presented before you." he insisted as Maxon smiled.
"I suppose you are wondering why I summoned you."
"I assumed you wish to congratulate me."
"Indeed I am, congratulations Romeo Monroe...you won." The King stated as Romeo's eyes went wide.
"I don't understand..." Monroe said after a few moments.
"You will be the next king of Illéa." Maxon expanded as Romeo was stunned.
"But...what about the Selection?" he asked as the King scoffed.
"I care nothing for that ancient ritual." Schreave insisted. "I picked you personally out of several viable candidates. The only reason we have it is to give those peasants some hope that they can climb above their station, it is a pipe dream."
"And yet you are having one?" Romeo pointed out as Maxon turned to him.
"This selection is for show only, I have decided that you shall win and marry my daughter." he commanded.
"But the rules say that..." Romeo tried to point out before the King slammed his fist.
"Damn the rules!" he exclaimed. "The crown created the rules for the selection, I decide what is right and what is wrong. I am offering you the chance to become King of this country and to have a princess as your wife, are you with me or not?" Romeo didn't feel right about violating such a time honored Illéan tradition, but becoming Prince consort would please his family immensely and he could surely do a lot worse than Melody Schreave for his wife. Besides, if it wasn't a happy marriage...he could always get some action on the side, he wouldn't be the first to do so.
"All right..I accept, but what about her majesty the Queen, will she not succeed you?" Romeo replied as Maxon smirked wickedly.
"I promise you that she'll be dead before I am, I promise."
"Yes majesty." Romeo muttered uncomfortably.
"You already have been acquainted with my personal secretary: Benvolio Jackson." he said as Benvolio nodded. "He is at your disposal. He will do what he can to give you an advantage over the other selected. Just keep yourself in my daughter's good graces and we shall do the rest."
"Yes my king." young Romeo agreed.
"Speak to no one of this plan and when you come in 3 days time, act as though this never happened...you are dismissed." The king replied as Romeo bowed his head and stepped back into the secret passageway.
"Are you sure this will work, my king?" Jackson asked.
"Romeo will win my daughter's heart and ensure that the patriarchy survives." Schreve insisted. "While Melody floods the airwaves with romance, I will get those damned councilmen in line."
"If it was discovered that a royal selection was rigged, it would be the greatest scandal in Illéan history." Benvolio remarked. "I fear nothing short of your majesty's abdication would pacify the peasants." Maxon had a stone cold glare as he looked at his personal secretary.
"I do not fear a mob of angry peasants...that is what the military is for." he replied nonchalantly.
KING MAXON II HAS RIGGED THE SELECTION AND ROMEO MONROE IS IN ON IT! WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE SELECTED? REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.