To anyone reading this story: Thank you. I know my updates are annoyingly irregular, and I apologize for that and thank you for continuing to read, review, and submit characters. It really means a lot to me. And to anyone who said I did well in portraying their character: I'm not sure you understand how happy hearing things like that make me. I work hard to get these characters right, and I love that y'all think I'm doing a good job at that.

The characters I've recieved so far: Albany Barnes, 4, from TieDieTruth; Luna Silverwood, 8, from Nithya; Amber Forrest, 3, from MysteryGal5; Floretta May Havynn, 6 (Palace maid, not Selected) from Fryllabrille201; Lydie Belle Pine (not Selected) from Booki; and Alison Sydney Jacobs from SorryI'mReading.

The SYOC is still open. Please submit a character, and if you do, could she be mean? Please? Every story needs a Celeste. (Or an Ember).

Alison's POV

The wait is killing me. It's still another week until the Selected are announced, and I think I might die of anticipation before that day arrives. A flutter of guilt kicks into my chest when I think about Miles, but I remind myself that he's just a crush, I never had a chance with him anyways, and he probably doesn't even know I exist.

I know it's unrealistic to think I'll be Selected, or that I could fall in love with a Prince (well, actually, the unrealistic part is the possibility of him falling in love with me), but I can still dream, right?

Sadly, dreaming is probably all I'll ever do.

Luna's POV

After applying for the Selection, life almost returns to normal. Maya comes to see me (and ask for chocolate) every day, I continue to make toys and fix things, and there are still games of Dare most nights.

Everything is so normal, I can almost forget I entered the Selection at all.

Almost, but not quite.

Albany's POV

I can feel guilt crushing me. I've never really kept any secrets from my family. I tell myself it's for the best that they don't know until the Selected are actually announced, but I still hate that I haven't told anyone. I feel like I'm lying to all the people I'm closest to, and that alone is enough to make me want to stand on a roof and shout to everyone that I entered the Selection.

But I know I won't do that. The best thing I can do for my family right now is let them think that everything is normal. Even if it's not, and never will be again.

Flo's POV

Everything in the Palace is centered around the upcoming Selection. "Only two weeks until the Selected arrive!" everyone is eager to remind everyone else. Rooms need to be prepared, windows cleaned, extra cooks hired. Everything is a blur of action, the word "Selection" impossible to escape from.

I am excited. No matter how I feel about the concept of the Selection, it's exciting to think of all these people coming to the Palace. It's something I'll only see once or twice in my lifetime. I don't want to waste what I'm sure will be an incredible experience.

Amber's POV

Everything moves slower as the Selection approaches. The ordinariness of daily life seems stifling after taking the huge leap of entering the Selection.

Time doesn't pass, it drags.

The only thing keeping me busy is my writing. I use it as an escape, until I realize that I end up writing about characters who do nothing but wait.

This one competition is taking over my thoughts, and I don't even know if I've been chosen yet. If this is what simply entering does to my mind, what will it be like if I'm Selected?

Lake's POV

I'm excited for my cousin. Really, I am. Who wouldn't want Freya as their Princess?

And I'll be fine without her. Really, I will. I'll miss her, of course, but I'll be fine. I'm the tough one, the happy one. the one who wouldn't be affected if the cousin she loves like a little sister was stolen away to go live like a royal.

I guess I'm thinking to far ahead. There's still a week until we find out who's been Selected. Freya might not even be picked.

But there's still the possibility that she will. And no matter how nonchalant I act, I know that I'll fall apart if she leaves.

Lydie's POV

I tug at my new maid's uniform uncomfortably. It's good quality fabric, even I know that, but it's heavy and uncomfortable compared to the denim and cotton I've been wearing my whole life.

In my head, I review what Mother told me.

My name is Belle Ceder (I'm sure she thought she was being clever with that one).

I am a new maid. I am to stay in the kitchens, the laundry rooms . . . anywhere where I won't draw attention.

I am to be quiet and obedient and not let anyone suspect that something is going on.

And I am to wait.

So, chapter 4. No dialogue, and a lot of very short POVs. What did you think?

The SYOC is still open, for both Selected and non-Selected characters. Mean characters, please? Please?