I am so sorry for taking so long. I really did my best on writing a better announcement chapter, but a couple thousand words in I realized it was just going to be too difficult and I didn't think that anyone was going to want to read a 20,000+ word chapter, so I scraped it.

Something to note is that I've officially decided on a new name for Marielle. After a very big struggle and a whole lot of help I have settled on Elisa. So from here on out she is Lady Elisa.

Anyway, here is the final draft of the announcement chapter.

IMPORTANT- PLEASE READ

Next chapter the girls will arrive and the makeovers will happen. I've decided that only 15 girls will have their makeovers written about. So to kick this off I'm going to do it by popularity. How I determine who I write about will be based on the number of votes received. One review about the character and chapter will count as 1 vote, with a vote on the poll on my profile page also counting as 1 vote. I ask that in addition to voting for your own girl you also vote for one other. So just make notes of who you like and vote for them. On the poll you can cast up to 34 votes, so go nuts.

As he read off the first name he felt the first bit of relief since the Selection had been announced. It was only the beginning, but from what he'd been told, that was the hardest part.

"Miss Beatrice Harlequin of Whites, Five."

After taking a moment to look at her photograph he held it up for everyone to see, He knew he wasn't supposed to show any emotion so early on, but her warm smile and beautiful chocolate eyes drew him in.

The applause tapered off as he set the envelope into the empty bowl. He immediately picked up the next and broke it's seal. Like the girl before her she had blonde hair, but instead of brown eyes, she had blue.

"From Hudson, Miss Essie Maybury, Six."

Once again he held up the photo, before moving onto the next application. He had only announced two of the Selected, but he was finding it easier and easier as he went.

"Miss Alessandra Archer of Carolina, Four."

He laughed to himself. He was only a little less than a tenth of the way through the announcements and so far all of the Selected had been blondes.

"From Panama, Miss Melee Freesia, Two."

He paused for a moment to admire her. Unlike the previous girls, she had long brown hair and striking lilac eyes. He'd never seen eyes that color, they we awe-inspiring.

Everett followed the same pattern as before, holding up the picture while the crowd clapped and then moving on.

"Miss Larxin Clarke of Calgary, Four."

He smiled. From her name to her smile she could tell she was lively. Glancing over her application he saw that she was the same age as Clara. Though he hadn't told anyone, was not only excited for the Selection on his own account, but on his sister's as well. It had been so long since the palace had been full of life and Clara was certainly someone who had suffered.

The next girl looked as equally as charming. She had lovely brown hair and brown eyes.

"Miss Nekoda Alamai of Lakedon, Five."

After holding up the photograph he went onto the next envelope.

"From St. George, Miss Noel Zingen, Five.

Everett stopped for a moment when he opened the application that followed. As he stared at the girl's dark hair and eyes he couldn't help but think they were familiar. He shook off the feeling, and then proceeded to read her name.

"Miss Angel Clayton of Dakota, Two."

He held up the photograph as the room filled with applause once more. Everett could see Clara's face on the screen in front of him. Despite her being off camera they still showed her face lighting up. He tried to make a note to ask her about it later.

The next girl starkly contrasted all of the Selected before her. Her hair was wildly curly and her skin was a beautiful light chocolate color.

"Miss Solain Sommers of Baffin, Four."

The audience applauded once more. He showed her picture and then went on the next envelope. He glanced over at the bowl of the opened envelopes. While Everett hadn't been keeping track of how many he had announced, he figured he was only a little less than a third of the way there.

The next girl had similarly lovely dark hair and eyes, with fair skin instead.

"Miss Eriko Lashley of Bankston, Three."

The girl that followed was blonde with beautiful blue eyes. He only took a second to look over her application, before holding the picture up as he announced her name.

"From Clermont, Miss Igna Brandwond, Four."

They seemed to be flying by at that point. He did his best to make note of each girl, but found it difficult to do so. After that came a girl from Sonage, with similar blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Miss Luna Silverton of Sonage, Three."

The two girls after were just as impressive as all the others. One had lovely dark skin and hair and the other had nice brown hair with mildly tan skin.

"Miss Manderley Arbor of Fennley, Five."

"Miss Welsie Cotter of Kent, Six."

After that came a girl with dark eyes and stunning dark red hair. She reminded him of a portrait that was in the fourth-floor corridor, the one of Queen America.

"Miss Raylee Matson of Denbeigh, Three."

Everett glanced over her application before showing it to the camera.

"To whom I would like to wish a very happy birthday," he said, as he held up her photo.

He thought how exciting that must be. To be Selected on your birthday. He looked forward to picking out a gift for her. It only seemed fair.

The following girl had strawberry blonde hair with hazel eyes. Her photo was likely the most regal he had seen. She seemed to already hold herself like a princess.

"From Belcourt, Miss Colette McKenna, Five."

The girl from Sumner had short brown hair, with brown eyes.

"Miss Olive Annesley of Sumner, Five."

Then came the Selected from Sota, with her chocolate eyes, curly hair, and medium gold skin.

"From Sota, Miss Kress Cioban, Seven."

After her came a girl that he thought looked just like another one of the Selected. She had the same lilac eyes and brown hair. And when he read her name he knew he was right.

"Miss Savate Freesia of Honduragua, Two."

The thought of having twins in his Selection was a funny one. In over two centuries of Selections he had never heard of it happening. He would have to remember to have their rooms next to each other.

The girl from his home province was next. He'd been looking forward to her. Some of the girls were coming from as far as a few thousand miles away, so he thought it would be nice to have someone who was as familiar with Angeles as he was.

"From Angeles, Miss Kendella Hematoll, Two."

After Kendella came the girl from Allens. She had the same lovely brown hair as some of the previous Selected, but her eyes had a warmness to them that was special. They were somewhere in between green and blue.

"Miss Patra Sivertsen of Allens, Five."

Then was the Selected from Bonita. Her smile was enough to make anyone's heart melt. A quick look over her application told Everett that she came from a family of florists. She would likely love the gardens and the greenhouse.

"Miss Vienna Park of Bonita, Four."

The girl from Paloma was a brunette with green eyes and high cheekbones. With her caste, he thought she might be a model, but instead, her application told him that she was a dancer.

"Miss Adelaide Celestino of Paloma, Two."

After was a girl with richly warm almond skin and chestnut colored eyes.

"From Likely, Miss Isla Autumn, Three."

Her application told him that she was studying to become an environmental scientist, which he found impressive. It was a bold choice and a profession that had unfortunately suffered a lack of interest in the past century. Everett was eager to speak with her.

The next girl was from a family of florists, just like another one of the Selected. She was half New Asian with alluring dark hair and eyes.

"Miss Astoria Gardner of Tammins, Four."

Then came a girl with wavy dirty blonde hair. She had dimples in her cheeks and her brown eyes were lit up. She was radiant.

"From Labrador, Miss Lystra Hearth, Two."

Everett felt a pang of sadness for her. She was an ice skater who would soon be in Angeles where there was rarely snow and ice rinks were virtually nonexistent.

The next of the Selected was a girl that came from a family from New Oceana, though she had been born in Illéa. Her eyes and hair were a chocolate color, while her skin was a rich almond color.

"Miss Genesis Warm of Dominica, Three."

Everett paused the moment he opened the next application. He knew her. Or at least he had met her. He was surprised that she had entered, considering that she was already as close to being a princess as possible without actually being a member of the royal family.

"From Prince Consort Wells' home province, Miss Tressa Parson, One."

He could hear the murmurs from the audience as they hesitate a moment before finally clapping. There was no protocol for a One being Selected. It had never happened, as it was virtually impossible.

Once he had recovered from the momentary shock he placed the envelope with the others that had already been opened. The bowl was nearly full by that point, meaning that he likely had only about half a dozen remaining.

The girl that came after had gorgeous chestnut hair with blue-green eyes and a wide smile. He was pleasantly surprised that she was part of the guard. It was an admirable job, which he respected greatly, especially since so few women were in the guard. Everett was already impressed.

"Miss Calypso Foster of Yukon, Two."

Then came a Selected with slightly tanned skin and dark hair. She was from a family of fours.

"Miss Caradie Lander of Altin, Four."

Applause filled the room as he held up her photo. He then set the opened envelope with the others and reached into the now nearly empty bowl of applications. As Everett lifted it out he broke the seal and unfolded the application, then read.

"From Zuni, Miss Quinn Kartlo, Four."

She had tannish skin, dark hair and bright blue eyes with hints of brown, which contrasted the next girl who was pale with light hair and brown eyes. She came from a family of tailors and seamstresses.

"Miss Felicity Naess of Columbia, Six."

After her came a girl with grey eyes and light brown hair.

"Miss Aubrette Toft of Ottaro, Three."

The girl that followed had a warm smile that could light up an entire room. She came from a family of factory workers.

"From Waverly, Miss Henley Emerson, Four."

After her came the most difficult one to announce. Everett already knew which province would be last. While all the other provinces had been announced at random, this one wasn't. The previous Selection winner always had their home province conclude the announcements.

As he picked up the envelope he faltered for a moment, before putting on his best smile as he broke the seal. His hands shook slightly as he unfolded the application.

"From Prince Consort Alexander's home province of Midston, Miss Calianne McKlein, Two."

The room filled with the sound of joyous clapping, as Graydon Novak said some closing remarks, which made the audience laugh. Everett returned to his seat and for the next few hours paid very little attention to the rest of the Report. He was too caught up in thinking about the Selection and his father.

He was beyond relieved once the Report had concluded. It was only just past 10 in the evening, but he was exhausted. Everett had been intent on looking over all of the applications that night, but he didn't feel up to it.

Clara was beside him the moment they were given the all clear.

"I can't believe this!" She exclaimed.

He gave her an inquisitive glance.

"I take it you're excited," he laughed as he pushed away his thoughts.

She bounced up and down.

"I've never been surrounded by so many girls my own age. And I've certainly never had the chance to meet any celebrities."

"Celebrities?" He asked.

She looked at him dumb struck.

"You know, sometimes I honestly wonder if we're even related at all." Clara rolled her eyes as she took her brother's arm. "Anyway, Angel Clayton is all over the media. She's even had a few magazine features."

"I thought she looked familiar," Everett admitted.

"Well, she should."

They were walking off the stage as they're older sister approached them.

"Congratulations, Rhett," Elisa smiled, "I'm sure they're all wonderful."

"Thanks."

Elisa gave him a lingering hug, and by the time she let go one of the staff was standing behind her with an armful of the applications.

"Queen Emily instructed me to give these to you, Your Highness."

"Thank you," he said taking them.

He briefly leafed through them for a moment, but decided it was best to wait for another time. After excusing himself and telling his sisters goodnight, he made his way up to his office on the third floor.

Everett was locking the applications in his desk drawer to go over in the morning when his phone began to ring. He hesitated for a moment as he debated whether or not to answer it. In the end he figure he may as way, as it was the polite thing to do.

"Everett Schreave," he answered, picking up the line.

"Evey?" Came the voice from the other end.

His eyes widened in surprise.

"Di?" He asked. "What are you doing up?"

"I was watching the Report."

He smiled. Of course, she had been watching. Why would he expect her to do anything else?

"Only you would be up five in the morning to watch the Report."

"As a soon to be leader of one of your allies you should know that I take such matters of state very seriously."

He could hear her holding back her laughter on the other end.

"Are you sure that you didn't just want to watch so you could place your bets on who you'll be seated next to at the next state dinner?"

"Perhaps," she admitted.

There was a knock at his door, which caused him to look up, just as she launched into a story about her favorite state dinner memory. Without waiting for an answer his mother entered a few moments later. She cocked her head to the side in surprise when she saw that he was on the phone.

"Who is it?" She mouthed.

"Idaia," he whispered back.

She smiled and motioned for him to hand her the phone.

"Di?" Everett interrupted. "My mother would like to speak with you."

"Oh? Well, put her on."

He handed the phone over to Emily.

"Idaia, I hope my son didn't wake you up."

Everett smiled as he listened to his mother continue to talk. Emily was like a second mother to Idaia, who had lost her own mother a decade before. As the Crown Princess of The German Federation and one of their oldest allies, Everett and Idaia had always been on good terms. Of course being close in age helped.

His mother spoke with Idaia for a few more minutes, before handing the phone back.

"I'll call you back in the morning, how does that sound?" He asked.

She laughed and he knew why. When it was morning for him it would be nearing dinner time for her. But regardless, she agreed and they wished each other goodnight.

"You should invite her for a visit once things have settled down," Emily said.

"I'm sure Clara would love that," he yawned.

It was true that Clara would love to have Idaia stay, but not as much as he would. She was one of his best friends.

"Sorry if I'm keeping you from going to bed, but you ran off before I could tell you goodnight," his mother said coming around to the other side of the desk.

"It's fine," he told her as he placed the applications in the drawer and locked it.

Emily wrapped her arms around he son and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She then told him goodnight and mad her way back towards the door.

"Everett?"

She turned around to face him from across the room.

"Yeah?"

"Your father would be proud."

Emily turned away again and before he could answer, she had slipped into the hall.

So not a lot happened, but now all of the Selected have officially been announced. Please tell me what you think! Remember to vote! And I will see you soon.