Enola observed. It was one of the things she did best, after all. And right now, the recipient of her observation was Prince Reese's mother, Queen Athena. She had just joined her and the rest of the selected in the great room, and for what? Enola had yet to figure out. To be fair, she had just gotten there. But this was all Enola knew of her.

The Queen was generally beloved by the people. Warm but reserved. She was the epitome of grace, composure, and regality. She said plenty with few words. And she was a traditionalist who was sometimes willing to bend for modernity's (her son's) sake. Enola had seen her for the first time today, and she politely greeted the selected as she sat down with a book. She had looked slightly guarded, but that was a mystery Enola would try to refrain from cracking.

The girls around her had been practically gawking and attempting to make themselves presentable to who may become their future mother-in-law. And the thought made her realize something. She had read somewhere that Queen Athena had had trouble conceiving in the past. And that Reese was nothing short of a miracle baby. So Enola was beginning to understand why she looked so guarded. The daughter she never had may have been in this room, and she didn't want to be disappointed or show favoritism in case the one she would have wanted wasn't her son's choice. And so, in such little time, Enola had started to view her with new eyes. Because another thing Enola can now add to her personal knowledge of her majesty was the fact that she was also a tender, wise soul. And she hadn't even said a word to her yet. So much for that refrain earlier.

The near-silence didn't last long as one of the girls, January, decided that she wanted to spark a conversation with the Queen. January was the type that naturally loved to hear herself speak. An ambitious girl, of course, but one who was so self-interested that she was oblivious to how negatively she was perceived. She was beautiful, so at least there was that. But so was just about every other selected girl that surrounded Enola. And Enola was willing to bet that January would be one of the first to go. Queen Athena was really an expert on exercising patience and maintaining a pleasant face because she listened to January with little to no input other than a polite response here and there. However, Enola could acknowledge that though January was many things, she also sort of got the conversation ball rolling. The others were starting to formulate ways to involve themselves in the growing talk, and not long after, they gathered on the floor in a semi-circle at the foot of the Queen's chair.

Enola kept a small distance, but even she was invested in what the Queen had to say. And she had to admit, it was nice to just be a girl and listen to advise that by her standards was shocking when it came from someone like a Queen. But then she had to remind herself that Queen Athena came from relative poverty until she had won the selection and married the then Prince Dixon. She wasn't a stranger to the experience of being underprivileged and so her advice mirrored that of a person who has seen the world in a multitude of ways. Enola could admire that.

After a period of comfortable discussion (and more reading on Enola's part), she had heard an audible chorus of gasps and felt a shift in the air. Excitement spiked it now. She looked up to see the girls facing someone, and following their vision, she spotted a well-dressed Reese by the massive frame doors. He greeted the selected and kissed his grinning mother on the cheek with a pleasant and urbane smile.

"So sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to stop by and say hello to you lovely ladies before you all begin to get ready for the interviews that will introduce you to the rest of the country and subsequently the world. No pressure, by the way,"

He was met with light giggling in response. He surveyed the room subtly with a small smile and momentarily locked eyes with a smirking Enola. She could've sworn she saw his smile stretch just a little as he looked at her. And he continued,

"Well, that was just about all I have time to do for now. Forgive me for being so brief."

January had other plans, though, and with a flirtatious simper, she retorted

"So soon? We've only just gotten to see you. Stay with us a little longer; what's the harm?"

See? Ambitious.

And January had inadvertently reminded Enola that she had a point. This was actually the first time that the rest of the selected had gotten to meet the prince. Enola had to remember that though she and Reese were already acquainted, that wasn't the same for everyone else. Reese glanced at his amused mother and then at Enola briefly and took January's slight eagerness in stride. Looking into her eyes and making his way towards her, he sweetly responded

"No harm at all, in fact, it would be my pleasure. But unfortunately, we have a very tight schedule to keep. I can promise you that we shall meet again and soon." He sealed his promise with a delicate kiss on her hand.

Huh . So Reese could flirt. And well too, apparently (what? Enola could give credit where it was due).

And she could see that the rest of the girls were now covertly staring daggers behind their books and fans at January, who was too intoxicated by her good fortune to care. Enola found it all rather amusing, to be honest.

And if she had been paying less attention, she may have missed the slight but subtle tug Reese gave his ear as he smiled and glanced at her before making his exit.