Hi dear readers,

I split the previous chapter, which is Chapter 1: Angeles, in two because I thought it was a bit too long. I also edited both chapters, but only a few sentences' frames. It should be more readable now haha

Also, I can't help but picturing Cecil as Ceasar Flickerman, the Hunger Games host x)

When Saturday arrived, our weekly meeting consists of watching the Report Show hosted by Cecil, Gavril's grandson, with a dinner at Eddy's. The bar is crowded, more than usual since Cecil teaser announced a super-special guest. It was the perfect place to meet, not only because it was located a few streets away from the Palace, and a few more from my place, but because it was an expat bar called the 'Little Hestéi', our home country.

Eddy, the owner, a tall, bald, and bearded man, saved our table. He is always happy and ready to tell old but funny jokes. He served us the usual - the burger of the week for me, and avocado toasts for my mother - and asked the crowd to be a little bit quieter as Cecil's Report was about to begin.

As always, our favorite host arrives with his dancing moves, sits at his desk, and greets the audience. His smile melted more than one heart over the years. Cecil looked just like his grandfather with his gray suit. He always managed to get the best out of the shiest guest. There was something about him that puts anyone he interviews at ease. His sparkling personality only equals his colorful hairs: dark pink this season.

As he reached the end of this week's news summary, the camera showed a larger view of the stage. Cecil finally asked for the crowd to loudly applause tonight's guest as he appears on stage.

I almost choked when I saw Prince Henry, walked up to Cecil, and shook hands like they were old friends.

"Welcome, Your Highness," said Cecil through the roar of the audience.

"Thank you, Cecil. It's good to see you again," said the Prince while they both sat down.

The audience finally became silent when Cecil asked: "How is it going lately at the Palace?"

"It's busy, as always. We will receive the Italian delegation for a couple of days," the Prince politely answered.

"Good, good..." said Cecil, playing with his notes and pretending to be indifferent.

"Oh, let's skip to the main reason for your presence here, I can't wait any longer Your Highness," he said in a haste. "What is this big announcement you told me about?! I want to know! You didn't even give me a cluuuue," he whined. "How am I supposed to prepare a decent show if I don't even know what my guest wants to talk about?!" he said very fast, putting on a show of despair, a hand on his forehead.

Prince Henry laughed in front of this overplayed reaction and answered: "Well, I do understand that you are eager to know Cecil -"

"Stop teasing, spit it out!"

"I had to keep it a secret to avoid any rumor to spread." He said, smiling at Cecil's childish behavior. He took a deep breath and continued: "It was not my idea, and I admit that at first, I was completely against it. It was unbelievable to me. But as we talked it through with my family and closest friends, ..."

Friends, I thought, how could he have friends? He only goes to the royal family charity events because it's his duty, and except his family, the staff, and the member of the government, he must not see a lot of people.

"... we came up to the same conclusion."

He stopped again and I could guess he was a little nervous behind his apparent calm... or maybe he liked to keep us in suspense. He looked straight at the camera and declared:

"It is with great pleasure that I, Prince Henry, heir to the throne of Illéa, am hoping to find my Love and Queen, amongst the beloved daughters of Illéa."

The atmosphere suddenly changed, as the silent crowd shivered of excitement.

"As my grandmother and her parents before her, will follow the path that led them to their lover and partner, by opening, next summer, a new Selection."

The audience immediately burst into screams and shouts of surprise. The crowd is so loud that I barely hear my mother:

"This is the most unexpected thing I was ever prepared to hear from him! I can't believe it!" she gasped, grabbing my arms.

"It's indeed quite a surprise," I said, more astonished by my mother's surrealistic excitement than the Prince announcement.

Cecil is as excited as the audience and had his mouth open for the last two minutes. I couldn't swear it, but, for a second, the Prince looked a little bit... embarrassed? He quickly put on a poker face that all people used to the media know.

Cecil peppered him with questions for the next fifteen minutes before the Prince's royal duties saved him from this interrogation.

I did not really listen to the show or Cecil's questions to the Prince. Our favorite host was crazy about it and the Prince gave him the amazing role his grandfather held before him as host to the Selection's Report. I heard something about how this not very official announcement was about to change his life and many young women's lives forever.

All the girls in the bar who were around twenty-something years old were already planning on what to wear for the famous Selection picture, and what to write on their form.

All I knew was that I could never submit my application to the Selection because it would mean that I have at least the slightest interest in the Prince or the Crown, which I don't - and also because sending my application is giving me a chance to be selected, and, in my case, it could put me and many people's lives in danger if my secret was ever revealed...