The sun is not shining today. Instead it's hiding behind clouds and peaking out every now and then. They say that the sun always shines in Angeles, but today it does not. Almost like the sky itself is foreshadowing today's events.
Tonight I am announcing my Selection. Right now, Illéa has no idea that the Selection is even a thought but after tonight my life will never be the same. And the next two weeks will be of getting the palace ready for thirty five ladies.
I took lunch in my room and am finishing up my chicken in the dining room that's in my room. My room is composed of three rooms, four of you count the closet. It is like an apartment which I very much enjoy. Some days I feel like a regular twenty year old in an apartment.
I hear the door in my living room open and the sound of heels clicking. My three sisters come into view. And stand in front of where I'm eating. I look up at them, even though the Report isn't until eight my sisters are already ready.
"We need to get you ready" Laurel tells me.
"It doesn't take me six hours to put on a suit, believe it or not." I remark at them.
"We need to talk about your image" Laurel tells me and sits down on the loveseat. My image . . . It is known across Illéa that I am a playboy. The Playboy Prince as the media calls me. Some girls have even gotten in magazines for sleeping with me (good reviews I might add) but all of Illéa know what I have done and what I like. It is a little embarrassing that all of Illéa knows that I can't keep it in my pants, but I've learned how to live with it.
"What about my image?" I ask annoyed. They know about my image as well as I do. What is there to talk about?
"All of Illéa thinks your a fuckboy" Paris says. Leave it to Paris to be blunt.
"I believe the media calls it playboy" I remark and her and she scowls.
"Chase this is serious!" Laurel exclaims "we need to change your
Image because a prince who is wild and out of control doesn't sell and it certainly won't make girls want to sign up."
"As long as they show my face I'm sure plenty will sign up" that was too cocky even for me and I instantly regretted saying it. Laurel is practically fuming out of her nose and mouth like a cartoon character.
"Can you take this seriously? This is your future!" She says slowly and deadly.
I sigh and look around "I am taking this seriously, but I'm just trying to cope with all of it. It's a lot to take in" I tell them honestly which they seem to appreciate. "So what's my new image going to be?"
"Sensitive" Paris tells me.
"What!" I stand up abruptly from my chair and it falls over. "I am not going to be the sensitive boy. Who would believe that? Ugh, that's so dumb!"
My sisters seemed to have guessed that I would react this way because they just let me rant for a little and listen patiently. "You done?" Laurel asks after a while.
I frown at her but wave for her to go on. "Girls are total suckers for sensitive boys. I don't know why but we just are. Tonight just admit that you are scared for the Selection."
"I am not scared for the Selection!" I protest and Paris is giving me a look like 'get real'. I am not afraid of anything, let alone some Selection. If anything I'm looking forward to it, thirty five girls coming for me go bang, sounds great.
"Oh please Chase" Paris waves her hand "you are too scared."
"What's to be scared of?" I challenge her.
"You actually liking someone. Admit it, you have all of those one night stand because you are scared of actually giving yourself to someone and being vulnerable. You are scared of letting someone see all of you. All of your quirks, flaws, hopes and dreams. Don't act like your not." She stands in front of me with her arms crossed and her eyes staring me down. Something bubbles in my stomach and it makes me want to run and hide.
"You are one to talk. You flirt with every guy but you never go through with anyone. I bet you haven't even kissed a boy!" I fire at her, I'm ready for more. In fact I have a whole rant to go off on her but Laurel and Vee are trying to get us away from each other. But I don't miss the flash of hurt that goes over Paris's eyes.
"Stop it you two" Laurel barks and steps in between us. Paris takes a couple steps farther away and it makes me regretful. I shouldn't have said that.
"Okay" Vee starts " I don't think Chase should have to have to change who he is. I mean, they are competing for him. He should be happy too and not have to be fake."
"Thank you!" I exclaim and Laurel eyes me.
"Okay, fine." She agrees "be yourself. But more respectful" I nod. That's fair. "So tonight we are announcing that you are holding a Selection. And in two weeks we will be announcing your girls. In those two weeks it's going to be crazy. But you can choose the way that you want to meet the girls. I'm past they have met them during breakfast and had one on ones. Or like a lunch in where everyone can walk around and snack. Once they even met them though a ball."
"A ball!" Paris exclaims "do that one!"
"I don't want to scare them. What if some are shy?" I bring up a good point. Thirty five girls are coming and at least one is bound to be shy. I don't want to make any of them uncomfortable, let alone on the first day.
"Good point. But we are going to have a party at some point in this" Paris tells me and I nod at her in agreement. I bet she's already planning what kind of party it is going to be.
"Do you know how to dance?" Vee asks me.
"Yes."
"Dance. Not grind" Laurel specifies.
I lower my head "no- at least not that well." I can't bear to look at their faces.
"Well come on then" Paris tells me "no time like the present." I look up at my sisters are already on their feet. Paris grabs my arm to get me to stay and up and I follow them to the great ballroom.
Our ballroom is huge. It seems like it could hold five full football teams with extra space. Paris does a little twirl and turns around smiling. She has a long sparkly black dress with a high slit on her right leg. She left her long dark hair down and it falls in loose waves. And of course red lipstick. The only thing that she is missing is a tiara, but my sisters don't wear their tiaras until the Report.
Vee is wearing an off the shoulder light pink silk dress, she looks adorable and elegant at the same time.
"I had Elodie Rumas teach me how to dance" Paris says as she puts my hand where they should be- on the waist and hold the other hand. Elodie Rumas is a world famous dance teacher, she teaches France's finest ballerinas and Paris prides herself on being a good dancer all because of Elodie Rumas.
She guides me in the steps, but I keep on stepping on her feet. Thankfully, she pretends like she doesn't notice to make me feel better. "Now twirl me" she instructs and I oblige. It actually turns out really well. Each time I step on her toes less which is better for the both of us.
"You got it Chase!" Vee exclaims after what feels like forever. I look over at the grand and see that we've been doing this for an hour. At least I'll be a good dancer.
"Time to get you in your suit!" Paris exclaims.
"You should wear the maroon one, it makes you look regal" Laurel instructs.
"No, I think he should wear his white one it makes him look smarter" Vee quietly argues.
"He should definitely wear the black and white one, it's a classic" Paris adds in her two cents. I already know that don't have a say in this so I just listen. But then they come up with the grand idea that I should try them all on.
The white suit that Vee suggested made me look a lot tanner than I am, but Paris and Laurel vetoed it. Even Vee said she imagined it would look better than it actually did.
Paris insisted I tried hers on next and it actually looked really nice. Paris does know her fashion and what look good on everyone.
"You have to try on the maroon one!" Laurel insists.
"No, because then we would be twinning!" Laurel looks down at her dress and remembers that she is wearing a lace maroon dress. "Fair point" she mumbles.
Vee ties my tie and I put on my shoes. "Now your hair" Paris says and tries to touch it which i dodge her attempt and she tries again.
"Chase!" Laurel exclaims. No one touches my hair except me. Not even my butler. I pride myself on my ultra soft dirty blond hair. It's shorter on the sides but longer on top- parted on the left and has the a little bit of mess but cute look. Paris, or any of my sisters are not going near it.
"Your such so dramatic" Vee says while giggling and punches me in the shoulder lightly.
"Okay, okay fine. We won't touch your hair" Laurel is trying not to smile.
"Shit! Guys we have fifteen minutes! And we don't have our tiaras!" Paris gets up abruptly. I go over and put on my crown and look in the mirror. Is it self centered if I said that I like what I see?
"Chase, lets go!" Laurel tugs on my arm and we are running through the hallways. Gold accents on the walls- the palace is modeled after part old French palaces- something called the palace of Versailles. And part Elizabethan age. With all the modern technology.
We get to my sisters tiara room. They each have a wall full of their own tiaras. Vee and Laurel don't really care, so sometimes they'll share tiara's. But Paris is very particular about her tiaras and very protective.
The room is solidly white with white chandeliers. And shelfs with black velvet cushions sit their tiaras. Laurel grabs a gold olive branch tiara, it makes her look absolutely serene. Bee chose a small diamond tiara with little flowers that match her dress. Paris takes the longest time picking out her tiara but finally decided on a medium sized diamond tiara.
We are racing to the report set so we won't be late. We arrive exactly on time. Thankfully my parents are too busy talking to Flynn Galver, the Report host.
My sisters are already off and talking to people who work on the set. So I make my way to the refreshment table and get some water.
"Looking good, your highness" the smooth voice belongs to our royal planner, Collette. She places her smooth hand on my shoulder and smiles flirtatiously. She's only twenty five and I'll admit we do have a flirty relationship. She is beautiful, jet black hair and big brown eyes, which she's usually batting at me.
"Hey Collette" I say emotionless. I bet she knows about the Selection but is just trying to get in my bed before I find a wife. She may be many things but an adulteress is not one.
"Too bad about the Selection we could have been great together" she says sadly. In our many times of flirting or sometimes waking up besides each other I have said that we could be amazing together. Guys say stuff like that all the time to get what they want with girls and I am guilty of that. But now I can see how I was leading her on for something that I knew in my heart wasn't going to happen. I can see how cruel I was to her and many girls.
"I'm sorry Collette. Truly. For everything." I smile tightly before walking away. I hope that sounded right. I hope that she won't be sad.
I go over to the stage and start talking with Flynn "so after your parents give the updates and go over what they have planned" he explains "you will get up and walk to the center and give your announcement. Congrats anyway on the Selection!" He gives a huge smile.
"Thanks" I return his smile "to be honest I have no idea how this thing is going to work out."
"It won't be the end of the world, that I can promise. But I feel like this is going to be the best thing for you. It's no secret about your reputation." I lower my head at that. Is there any way I can get away from that reputation?
"Thanks Flynn"
"Five minutes!" Collette called. That was cue to go on stage.
I walked onto the set of the Report. It's fairly big and to the left of the stage was Flynn's big grey seat. Not too far from it was the long table that sat us, the royals. It was a clear glass table that had led lights at the bottom that shined up enough to add a soft glow on the table.
The seat order was King, Queen, and the eldest child to the younger child. I wonder how range setup will be for the Selection?
Vee already sat on her chair, and a makeup lady was fixing her tiara and adding final touches to her makeup. I sat down in my red velvet chair and twiddled with my fingers until mom sat down next to me.
"Two minutes!" Collette called, and this is when my heartbeat started racing. I tried to keep a stone face but underneath the table my hands were shaking.
"Your gonna be great" Laurel whispered to me she sat down. I really appreciated that. If Laurel says that I'm gonna do good then she means it.
All of us now sat in our seats and Collette started the one minute countdown. "5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . .1!" The cameras panned to Flynn. Who is sitting perfectly in his chair.
"Good evening Illéa!" Flynn announces excitedly while flashing a golden smile "I'm your host Flynn Galver and tonight we have a very special announcement, but first a few updates from your King Hugo!"
The camera pans over to my dad who looks comfortable in the spotlight, thankfully something we all inherited from him. Mom sits beside him and me looking poised as ever.
"Good evening Illéa, I have updates for you from Scotland! Prince James has been recently engaged to the lovely Princess Noelle of France, we wish them a happy marriage and all the good fortune. We will keep you updated as we we learn more but we are thrilled for them." Oh yeah, I had heard that earlier. It made me happy that at least one of the princes got married so my sisters didn't have to marry him. And Princess Noelle is probably the nicest girl I have ever met, her and Paris are pretty good friends. And that means only two Princes are looking for wives now.
"Also" mom starts her announcement "thanks to the generous donations of Twos and Threes I am proud to announce we have created many more universities in every province and the rate of students attending universities has increased by ten percent" she smiles grandly. Mom always wanted more universities in Illéa and in her time she has helped the fund and the building of them and now she's happy that her dream has came true. Some universities are even named after her.
"That's great Queen Rosalind!" Flynn exclaims. He talks more about economics and rates, which I kind of tune out and wait for my que. "Now I believe that Prince Chase has a special announcement?"
I smirk, something that drives girls crazy "that's right" I get up from my chair and walk to in front of the table like I was told too. I make sure my steps are steady because my heart is racing so fast I'm afraid I might actually fall over.
Do I follow Laurels notes? "Good evening Illéa." I pause, I'm gonna wing it "as you know I have recently turned twenty and someday soon I will be king" I look to my dad and wiggle my eyebrows.
"Not too soon!" He calls, I chuckle.
"Well" I take a deep breathe "I am going to hold a Selection." I pause for a moment to let it sink it, and let it sink in for me as well.
"Applications have been sent out for every eligible lady age sixteen through twenty one. And we will be announcing the Selected two weeks from today. I am eagerly awaiting to see who my Selected are and which one will be my future wife" I wink and then grin. Not too cocky, at least I hope not.
I go back to my seat and my sisters rise up and walk in front. "Since our big brother is holding his Selection, we wanted to be apart of it and being the generous big brother he is he let us" Laurel says, I know she's trying to hype me up and make people forget the playboy side of me. But she is such a good public speaker I even believe her. "We will explain more as we get closer to the Selection." Laurel smiles grandly.
Our parents and Flynn wish everyone good luck and with that the Report is finished for this week. We all sit there for a second after it's over. My life will never be the same.
It's Flynn who moves first and my parents after him. But my sisters and I sit there for a second before Laurel speaks up "I'm proud of you Chasey" she puts her hand on top of mine and squeezes "even if you strayed from my index cards!"
"Thanks Laur." I nod. I see my sisters start to get up so I follow behind them and go to the refreshment table again and get water. My hands are shaking. I'm the future King, I shouldn't be scared of some Selection. I'm not. I'm a man now and men don't get scared, especially over girls.
I am about to leave when father places a hand on my shoulder and looks straight into my eyes and says "we have work to do."
Hello! Thank you so much for all the girls you've sent in and all the amazing reviews! It is making me so happy and I have big plans for this SYOC. There is only two spots left so spread the word! Also go check out Clara Margaux's story, it is really good!
One more thing that I forgot to put in the form is please put a dialogue example with Chase, Laurel, Paris and Vee. I'm sorry for this inconvenience but it would help a lot! I'm probably not gonna go word for word, but it will help me get a better understanding of your character and if there is a scene you really want to happen this could also help with that!
I'm planning on announcing the Selected chapter Five! So if you haven't submitted your girl yet, please get her in! Thank you so much! XOXO