Notes:

mr black cat - Moon still has potential to be redeemed, but in my opinion River has taken it too far and cannot be redeemed for his actions. There is no excuse for child abuse.

An unimpressive name - very impressive name :) , here's more!

Feakiu - Yeah I wanted someone to be there, I left Moon as an enigma for so long because I had wanted to setup the rest of the family first.

2 things: 1) I have no plan for this story, I had one to get going... But, I am literally making it up as I go xD of course there are some plot points and twists that I have. Just finding a place to put them in is hard.

2) This was... Difficult to write, that's why it was so late. I simply had no ideas where to take it, I knew other things I want in it, but it wasn't time to put them in yet. Any suggestions please do leave them because I might just add them in :)

The early morning feast was finished, the servants began to clear things away and the Chosen were informed that the next 5 days would consist of wooing the princess by whatever means they saw fit. The other week would be spent doing activities which may consist of 'Horse Riding', 'Swimming', 'Martial Arts' etc.

After this announcement was made, most of the candidates broke off into their own teams. Marco, Alfonzo and Matthew gathered in a group just outside the hall, you could see an exit to the garden just a little bit away from them, the warmth of the sun was more prominent now that it had passed 10 O'clock. The walls of the lowest part of the castle, where the dining hall was were made out of stone rocks, the Diaz was leaning against one with his arms crossed. Alfonzo was standing to the left of him and Matthew on the right.

"What's your plan to woo the princess?" Marco asked the two, who looked at each other for some guidance before both of them flat out confessed that they had no idea.

Mr Dolittle reversed the question on to Marco, "How are you going to woo the princess?"

"I don't know…" He paused, taking in a deep breath, "It feels like she already has an eye on me…" He proceeded to tell them about the incident in the garden, leaving out any specific details that he deemed to be a little invasive. And then about the stares he was receiving at breakfast.

"Well done man!" Matthew cried, he raised his hand for a high five but Marco didn't respond to it.

"I don't like her though. I think she's playing me for some reason but I don't know why, she said she hadn't a clue as to who I was."

"Marco!" Matt cut him off, "It doesn't matter why she's doing it, you're getting her attention! If you don't like the kingdom now just think what you could do if you were king. Right Al?" He looked to Dolittle for any confidence, it took the boy a moment before realising what Matt was after when he asked him.

"Yeah…"

"But?" Matthew asked.

"But, what if he already likes someone else? He's throwing his entire life away for the good of the kingdom and that's not even scratching the surface of what he'll have to endure. You two do realise that she's a bit of nut-case? Right?" It was a tough call, Marco could be a semi-slave to a woman who is as fickle as the Autumn wind and maybe change the kingdom's rules. Or he could just leave it all behind, find a home far away from all this, meet someone he loves and will love till the end and live a happy life.

"Yes I'm well aware." Marco stated. "But I can't just throw away a chance to change my mother's life, forever. Start anew, conquer the divide between high and low class. That's not just a once-in-a-lifetime choice - this is history we could make."

"Do what you want Marco," Al replied with a defeated sigh, "but you don't owe this country a damn thing. You've suffered long enough to have a good life." At hearing Matt's words, Al stared into the ground. Still contemplating within himself as to whether he should back up Marco not being with Ophelia, or say that he should to save the working-class.

"Thanks guys… I'm gonna think it over, who knows maybe she'll move on to someone else before this is all finished."

"Take all the time you need bud." Alfonzo said before Marco walked off to the stairs, there was only one other person he knew in this castle which could give him some advice.

…

*Knock Knock*

The door unlocked, Star stood on the opposing side, she hadn't opened the door completely. Leaving a chain between the door and wall, probably to stop anyone intruding on her doing whatever. Or to keep her father out, every time Marco was here he couldn't help but let his mind flash back to that day. When he met her crying on the floor, tears streaming into nothingness.

"Hey Star!" He chirped, "Can I come in?" Motioning to the lock with his eyes.

"Oh yeah, no problem." She replied, closing the door, moments later Marco could hear the *clink* that the metal made as it swung against the mahogany. The door swung open again, this time making way for Marco's frame to enter.

The two sat down, Marco was on a pillow on the floor, Star sat on her bed. The two felt like they knew an abnormal amount about each other despite their short conversation time, yet every time it came to speaking they both fell silent. Unable to think of a way to crack open one another's outer shell. "What'd you eat for breakfast?" Marco asked, wondering what kind of food she'd be given.

"Nothing, I'm not locked up in here or anything, I can roam the castle but I was told to stay away from the Chosen. River and Ophelia didn't want me to intervene with the service, afraid I'll 'taint' people or something. Bullcrap if you ask me but that's the way the cookie crumbles."

"That's no good!" Marco said, resolution filled his voice as he grabbed her hand. To which a small blush formed on her cheeks and she couldn't help but stare at it, hearing only parts of his next sentence. "You're coming down with me right now, we're gonna get you food and talk." He pulled her off his bed, she hadn't much control of her body right now and just followed along behind.

Today Star was wearing a light blue dress, a yellow waste strap held it tight to her abdomen. Two more yellow clips held her hair in place. The two danced down the corridor, being sure not to let her be seen by River or Ophelia, those two would surely cause Star a lot of grief given the chance. Moon would've been awkward – to say the least if ran into, but right now he wanted to try and avoid any person at all.

They had made it to the lowest level where the hall was, two guards stood at post at the entrance which was located about 14m in front of the hall's entrance. Marco was sure that he'd be able to get to the hall without making any noise, Star didn't have time to get shoes so she just stood in socks. "Psst Star," she leaned in closer. "we're going to tip toe to the hall entrance, then I'm going to quickly open the door and you dart in, the guards won't see you enter only me. Sound good?"

"But what i—"

He was already going, after being taken by surprise she quickly but silently moved behind him. 'MARCO!' her face screamed, not as if he could even see her, too focused on getting to the door.

Which they did, he looked to her before nodding his head and mouthing, '3' '2' '1' 'Go' – he immediately pulled the door with as much effort as he could muster. The door was awfully large, therefore heavy, but he managed to get it open enough for Star to quickly squeeze in.

The guards turned around, Marco simply looked at them and smiled sheepishly. The defenders accepted it and turned back to their regular watch and started to chat again. Satisfied with the plan Marco entered casually after. "Hey Star I think it—" noticing that Matthew was standing in the middle of the room headed for the door. He stopped in his tracks after seeing Star rush in, followed by Marco a moment later. "Hi Matt! Matt, hi – hey how – what are you doing buddy?"

The higher class man raised one eyebrow and had his mouth slightly open. "I think I should be the one to ask you that."

"Well you see, this is… Starrrrr *Gazing around the room* rrr Appleeeewater… Star Applewater." Even Star gave a 'What the f***?' look to Marco after this, before turning back to Matthew and greeting him.

"Star Butterfly." His jaw dropped slightly while his mind pieced things together.

"Like-"

"Like royal family, Butterfly yes."

"Oh…" He said, left speechless he said the only thing he could think of. "So… You and Marco huh, you guys a thing?" Both coughed harshly at his question, neither one comfortable to talk about that kind of thing.

"No!" They both cried in unison, making them look at each other, uncertainty clouded both their eyes.

"No, we just came her to get here some food - I mean her some food here." Marco stammered out.

"Sure you did. Well, allow me to introduce myself: I'm Matthew Timmings, son of Harold Timmings and heir to Harold's Foot Emporium."

"Pleasure." Star mumbled, her face was looking down – an obvious blush to Matt, he chuckled at it and asked the two if they'd like to grab a seat, they both followed him in silence.

Once sat down, Marco called for a chef to prepare some food, the server happily obliged and walked into the back to tell the chef. "So tell me, you two." Star and Marco looked at Matthew, hoping for not another awkward question: It was. "Where did you two meet? I mean, we've only been here for one, singular, independent day." A lot of emphasis was placed on the last four words, he also looked at Marco when saying them.

"We met…" the Diaz looked to the Butterfly.

"In a bedroom!" She blurted out, not thinking of the implications until it already escaped her lips. Marco had wide eyes and could feel blood starting to rush to his head.

"Oh wow, Star sure doesn't like to mince words does she?" His cocky attitude started to appear at this, eyebrows wriggling suggestively at the two.

"Enough! Let's stop it now." Marco suggested, the first word coming out much more aggressively than before.

Matt chuckled at it even more, he loved seeing these two fumble around trying their best to not admit what they feel. 'I use to think love at first sight was complete crap… Now I'm not too sure.' He silently thought to himself while looking at the two.

Eventually, the food came. Star immediately began to chow down, Marco and Matt ordered a glass of water, they had their fill during breakfast. "Oh Marco, have you decided on what you'll do about Ophelia yet?" This had peeked Star's interest too, she hadn't even noticed that Ophelia had taken an interest in the Diaz.

"Ats dish avoot obelea?" Star tried to say, her mouth full of meat at the time. Matt couldn't help but strangely look at her, how could a princess eat so disgracefully?

"She took an interest in me and I think if I wanted to… I could win this thing, maybe change the kingdom for the better if I become king. Or, I can leave it all to fall into an uprising. And I don't know what to do, Ophelia's not a nice person but at the same time maybe I can fix her. Fix this. I don't know."

The other Butterfly took a deep breath, she had spent so long caught up in her own thoughts she forgot about the Choosing. Someone had to be picked, and it was the princess' choice. If she wanted him she could have him, it'd be undisputed.

5 Minutes Later

Star had wolfed down her food, Marco and Matt talked about the upcoming challenges.

Marco needed to prepare for the afternoon, he completely forgot to get a wash after he finished his morning venture so he was becoming a little bit smelly now, he bid the other two adieu and left for his room.

5 Minutes Later

"Hey… Is that Marco's watch?" Matt said as he pointed to a spot on the table that held a gold, diamond encrusted time keeper.

"Oh crap it is, I'll take it to him, can you put my dish away?" She was already out her seat and walking.

"No problem!" He shouted back to her, a smile was plastered on the boy's face.

Marco's Room

When Marco entered, the curtains were closed, it was dark in the room and he remembered how he left Emilia in charge of it when he ran off. However, once he made a step into his room they drew back, overpowering his eyes with the sudden increase in brightness – it took him a moment to see clearly.

When his eyes came to, there was a figure laying down on his bed. More casual clothes were worn by the intruder, however, his eyes were still a little bit out of focus and couldn't make much else out. Alfonzo? No… Things eventually became clearer, O…phelia? His throat seized out once he had realised who was there.

"Welcome home dear." She said, legs bent upwards on his bed, bare leg skin glistening against the warm sun rays. Her front was facing towards his pillow, head turned around. Her brown hair fell crazily around her face contours. She wore a green tank top, a white leaf painted on the front which Marco couldn't see due to her composure. In addition she had abnormally short, navy shorts on.

"We doing this again?" He asked, slightly more annoyed at her second attempt to woo him today.

"Doing what?" She said, putting on her sweet voice again.

"God you are such a-"

"A what? A dirty bitch? A beast in need of taming? What are you gonna do about it?" Her game had evolved from the last time, she was definitely trying to be more seductive here, her language took a far more brute force method, instead of playing coy and using euphemisms. She was going straight for the big guns. However, he had also learned from their last encounter.

"I'm done with your mind games, what do you want? I refuse to believe you're going through all this just to get me. What's underneath I wonder? A girl with a silly little superiority complex?" He had made his way to the end of the bed, she was adjusting her body upright now, slowly climbing off his bed. A slight pissed off look flashed across her face at the mention of her complex.

"I do just want you silly, like you want me. Right now." A sigh escaped his lips, she was slowly making her way over, like a viper – closing in on prey.

"Except I don't want you… Listen, I just want to get washed, you need to leave. Now." His tone was stern, bold like a rock. Unmoving: She loved it.

"I can wash you. I wonder, what are you hiding Marco?" Arms were behind his neck now, dragging his head down to meet hers in an intense battle of who would blink first.

He let out a small chuckle, "Lea-"
"Marco, I brought your wa-"
Star…
'No…'

Notes: Star just walked in on Marco and Ophelia being awfully close, how will it turn out? Find out next time on The Choosing.

Anyway, sorry - I want to progress but I don't know if I have enough material to continue doing 2-3 chapters per day right now, if you want more chapters, gimme suggestions in reviews or on my twitter - type in 'vKAtFanfic_Net' to find it.

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Peace~