DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES, WRITTENETH BY KIERA CASS. SHE IS QUEEN WHEREAS I AM JUST A LITTLE PEASANT WHO WISHES THEY COULD HAVE HER SWAG. Also thanks so much for the reviews! I was actually planning to do flashbacks of her memories but a little later on, as I wanted to get started on the relationships in the castle first. I really love all the feedback so try and tell me if there is anything I could do better. Thanks!

The report started off with some news about a riot in Likely. I could feel the excited mood dampen until the silence had filled the room with tension you couldn't cut with a knife. Marisol, my corridor neighbor, had family there as well as two other girls. One of them burst out crying and had to be ushered out of the room. I bit my lip, an old habit, feeling bad for her. Was she going to be sent home? I frowned at the report as the newsman went on to explain that it was a band of sixes and sevens who had joined together to protest the unfairness of the caste system. I felt a pang in my chest. Was it really that bad that they'd go to jail just to protest? What would I do to change that if I won? I mentally slapped myself. Me, Queen? I didn't come here for a romance, I came here to start living a real life.

Maria started shepherding us towards the dining hall and I thought about who would be in there. The king would be busy with the riot and Prince Kyron would be officially meeting us tomorrow. That leaves The Queen, Princess Brianna, Princess Isabelle and the young Prince Dylan. I doubted Princess Isabelle would be there, as she'd been seen sneaking off with a mysterious guard from early in the morning 'til late in the evening. Prince Dylan eats dinner before because he needs to go to bed earlier, which means we'd probably be having an all girls dinner with The Queen and Princess Brianna. In the magazines I'd hear about the twin princesses. Isabelle was the epitome of a princess: Kind, poised, pretty and intelligent. She was lovable and funny as well and made friends wherever she went. I'd heard she'd been the reason for a few alliances. Then there was princess Brianna. She loved sports and video games and could speak 4 languages as well as English: Chinese, French, Italian and Swendish. She is loyal, mischievous and sassy, not taking anything from anyone. Both princesses were a split between Queen Juliette. She'd been quite rebel in her days in the selection. Up front she was always graceful and caring but I'd heard she could be mischievous and even a bit manipulative. The king was a mystery. nobody knows much about him, he is very reserved and closed-off.

We stepped through the doors and sat down in our assigned seats. None of the royals were here yet. "I wonder where they are?" Lucine mouthed at me. I shrugged back and just then three royals walked in: Queen Juliette, Princess Isabelle and Princess Brianne. We all stood up and curtsied to them until they sat in their seats. Princess Brianne sat there looking bored while Queen Juliette spoke with Princess Isabelle in heated whispers. The starters came and the Queen gave Isabelle a stern look before she was served. she stood up holding her glass. "A toast," She started "To having 35 more daughters. I will try and support you any way I can and if you ever need help come to me." She beams "To us." we all held up our glasses and copied her. Then we started on the food; The only word to describe it is divine. The starter was leek and potato soup, followed by beef stew and then vanilla and cranberry cheesecake. By the end I felt like I'd died and gone to heaven. Everyone had to wait for people to finish before we could leave.

We were told we had to go straight to bed once we got into our rooms. I walked with Lucine on the way back. We didn't even try speaking, we were both so worn out from the first day.

She smiled as we got to the hall that split into two corridors, one that went my way and one that went hers. "Bye." I made my way down my corridor backwards, smiling at her. She walks off down hers and I turn back around. I step into my room and close the doors, and my maids instantly jump on me. "Hello!" I laugh as they pull off my dress and start undoing my hair. I start to object "I can do this my-"

"It is our job, please let us do it." Katie says calmly, taking me over to the vanity table and brushing out my hair. I sigh but let her do it. They take off all my jewellery and wash off my makeup. Then they lay down a pale pink nightdress with a rose pattern on my bed for me to change into.

I change and get in my bed ready to sleep. I look up again feeling a presence and realise Katie is still here, sitting on a chair. "Katie why didn't you go with the others?" I ask.

"One of us is meant to stay with you Miss." She says

I frown. "Is there any way I can convince you to leave?"

"No miss." She replies stubbornly.

"Okay, but I won't let you sit there all night." I put a pillow and a thick cover on the large sofa that sits at the foot of the bed. "There you go. I will ask for a mattress tomorrow."

"Thank you Lady Lilah." she comes and lays down on it. I put my head back on my pillow and fall asleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow.