So I had intended to update this past Friday, but then got crazy sick and wasn't up to writing until today. So here this is.
Before I let you go there are a couple things I'd like to cover.
First of all, I am so absolutely and horrifically sorry for accidentally leaving RedQueen517's character Larxin Clarke out of the poll this past week. I had made the list and thought I had checked it twice but I was wrong. Again, I am so sorry!
My next order of business is addressing the Illéan government. While it is slightly similar to the UK it also differs. In this government, the prime minister serves more as the head advisor and the monarch has a bit more power than them. I know it seems crazy, but after having over an hour-long conversation with my friend who is majoring in government we were able to work out the kinks and create a functional and feasible system.
Next, I received a question about the caste systems being abolished. Yes, they were. However, it's going to be mentioned and eventually you'll have the whole story as to why they came back. There are even brief mentions of it in this chapter.
My fourth thing has to do with the prime minister. I need help finding someone you think would fit his personality. He's handsome, mid-thirties, and you get to meet him in this chapter, so let the suggestions pour in.
Fifth on my list is my own personal question. Do you guys think I should have a beta? Yay? Nay? Any opinions in between?
Next order of business is the countries of the world. If you said your girl was from a certain country I automatically replace what you told me with my country map of everything post WWIII. That being said, not all countries have names. So if you'd like to help name countries here are the regions missing names:
-Arabian region
-Bottom portion of Africa
-Greenland
-Hawaii
-Lower portion of South America
Countries I already have:
-Illéa
-Brazilia-upper South America
-Ísafold-Iceland
-Swendway
-France
-The German Federation
-Russia
-New Asia
-New Oceana-Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea
-Zaire-Middle Africa to part of southern portion
-Britannia- UK and Ireland (sorry Ireland)
And lastly, a poll similar to last week's is up on my page. The questions are:
Who are your favorites? Who would you like to see more of? And who do you think should have the first date?
Vote for any and all that apply! And remember to leave names in reviews!
It was a chaotic miracle that everything was finished in time for the girls to arrive. Until two days prior Everett wasn't sure that they were going to finish in time, yet the feat had been accomplished.
Up to that morning, he had kept up his usual daily routine. He continued to read his reports and attend to his official correspondences prior to his morning meeting with his mother. He'd even maintained and his Monday and Wednesday meetings with the prime minister. But with the Selection he knew that his schedule would become lighter for its duration.
"Please tell the prime minister that I've already gone to the library and that I'm waiting for him there," Everett told his assistant as they were making their way down from the second floor.
"Yes, Your Highness," Harris replied, hastily scribbling the note down into his planner.
Everett continued on without his assistant and went to wait in the library, taking a seat. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and the prime minister entered. Everett stood and shook the prime minister's hand.
"How are you this morning, Your Highness?"
"I'm doing well," he smiled, as he sat back down in one of the reading chairs. "How are you, Mr. Elston?"
The prime minister sat down in the chair across from him.
McCord Elston was the second youngest prime minister in Illéa's history, after Lady Brice Mannor. She had beaten him by assuming the role when she was a full four years younger than McCord, at age twenty-eight. She'd also been the first prime minister to boot.
Everett had enjoyed the prime minister being relatively close to his age. The one before him hadn't quite been as agreeable. He could still vividly remember the former prime minister's reaction when he was informed that the heir to the throne was "throwing her life away for a four turned two". His attitude towards lower castes was the main source of Everett's dislike. The former prime minister's opinions on castes were outdated and would have been better suited for the original caste system, which was rigid and harsh. He'd been known to have had terrible fights with the queen on more than one occasion.
"I'm well, thank you."
They spent the following hour discussing various matters of state. They first covered Queen Emily's trip to the German Federation for the French-Illéan peace talks, before moving on to the recent spike in attacks on citizens with French heritage or ties.
"The advisors told me that until the Selection is over we should meet only once a week," Everett told Elston as they were drawing their meeting to a close.
McCord let out a laugh and shook his head from to side to side.
"It wasn't my idea, but majority wins and Her Majesty backed the idea."
"What about while she's away?" Everett asked.
The prime minister thought for a moment before answering.
"That's a good point," Elston admitted. "I'll make sure to bring it up to them in our next meeting."
"Is there anything else you would like to go over?" Everett asked, glancing down at his watch.
He was scheduled to meet with his mother in five minutes.
"That's all, Your Highness."
Excellent, he thought.
"Oh, before I forget, congratulations on your engagement," Everett said, standing up. "It seems like she's a good match, with her being the daughter of the former prime minister."
Elston had a perplexed look on his face.
"Engagement?" He asked, extending his hand.
Everett took it and gave it a firm shake.
"I was told this morning," Everett said.
Elston shook his head.
"She's definitely pushing me in that direction and we've talked about it, but we aren't there yet. Though maybe soon."
Everett nodded. He realized it was more than possible that she was the one responsible for the rumors. It did seem like a near sure way to make her opinion clear.
"My apologies for the mistake. Give her my best."
Before the prime minister could respond Harris burst into the library.
"Your Highness," he gasped out of breath. "Advisor Setala's secretary is here. He said it's urgent and won't wait."
"Send him in," Everett sighed.
Without waiting for the official all clear from Harris the secretary barged in, pushing past Everett's assistant without a care.
"Prince Everett, it's come to the advisor's attention that one of the Selected is disabled."
Good morning to you too, Everett thought. He had always hated rude interruptions but with things being as they were and him being who he was he had learned to grin and bear in.
"How do you mean?" Everett asked.
"She's in a wheelchair."
It took every ounce of manners he had to not roll his eyes.
"And?" He replied, instead of going with any number of other sarcastic things he could have said.
"Her fitness to compete has been brought into question by the advisors."
Of course, it was. Because apparently, they had nothing more important than meddling with his Selection.
"Is she the proper age?" Everett inquired.
"Yes." The secretary nodded.
"Is she a daughter of Illéa?"
Everett could see the secretary's face fall ever so slightly. He had clearly not anticipated Everett's response. It seemed silly that someone who so obviously knew little about the prince should be working for an advisor. And even if Everett had magically said all things they had wanted him to it didn't solve the problem of being down by one girl.
"Of course."
That's what he thought. It amazed him that the advisors would throw such a fit over something as simple as a wheelchair.
"Then I don't see why it's an issue."
"It's just that there's no protocol for this type of situation," the secretary argued.
It became clear to him by that point that perhaps the secretary might be better suited for a position elsewhere. He seemed to take little into consideration, other than what his superior told him, which annoyed Everett.
"There's also was no protocol for the heir to the throne to abdicate, yet here we are."
Everett could feel the prime minister's eyes on him, which is when he realized that it was moments like those that defined who he was. A monarch was supposed to make heat of the moment decisions while remaining level-headed and composed.
"They shouldn't be asking me to not let her compete. She deserves to be here just as much as any of the other Selected."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll go let the advisors known what your decision was," the secretary answered, hastily dashing from the library,
"It seems I've become popular," Everett said, turning to Elston who was smiling by that point.
"Let the games begin," Elston laughed as he exited the library.
"Is there anything else?" Everett asked. "I'm late for my meeting with Queen Emily."
"Yes," Harris nodded, flipping his planner open. "I was instructed to tell you that the ladies northeeast provinces have all taken off and are on three different planes that will arrive by two o'clock. The ladies of the sountheast will be making their way to Paloma, where they will be boarding Lady Adelaide's flight. The ladies from the north will be here within the hour. And last but not least, the ladies in the general region have all arrived and are in the Women's Room with the styling staff and camera crew."
Everett's eyes widened for a moment before he quickly recomposed himself. He wasn't used to having so much information thrown at him at once. But he was going to have to get used to it. Instead of just him, his mother, younger sister and grandmother it was going to be him, his mother, younger sister, grandmother and thirty-five young women.
"Thank you, Harris," Everett said, walking towards the door. "I appreciate the update. If you'll excuse me, I'm late for my meeting with the queen. Please let me know if anything urgent come up."
Harris nodded and jotted a few notes down into his planner.
"Oh, and can I give Lady Raylee's plane the all clear?" Harris asked as Everett was halfway out of the library.
He turned back around and asked what Harris meant.
"It seems that once she arrived at the Denbeigh Airport the staff were uncertain what to do and contacted the advisors. They of course then grounded her flight indefinitely, claiming that they wanted to speak with you. And of course, you told them to proceed."
It was hard to make Everett mad, but what the advisors had done was nothing short of infuriating. It was also unacceptable.
"Yes, of course. Please do that before you do anything else."
"Thank goodness," Clara sighed as she sat down across from Everett at the dining table that evening. "I was worried that the Selection was going to mess up our meals."
She immediately dug into her mac and cheese, making an audible noise of satisfaction as she took the first bite.
It was their last night eating alone as a family. Everett was set to meet the girls the following morning and from there on it was strictly Selection dinners. Though conveniently for them the Selected were to be otherwise occupied while the family had dinner and would stay that way until the Report came on later that night, to thwart all possibilities of accidental meetings. After that, they would have dinner and be off to bed, at which point Everett and the rest of the family would be free to spend their last "normal evening" in peace.
"Unfortunately for you, tomorrow's dinner will be much like a state dinner," their mother said. "No macaroni from here on out. Tomorrow we'll be having lemon beurre blanc, with shrimp mousse and sautéed parsnips."Everett's mother said, replying to Clara.
"Oh, gross," Clara muttered.
She ate a few more bites of her macaroni.
"Please pick a girl quickly so we can get back to normal food," she pleaded, turning to her brother. "I don't know how long I can take five-course meals and dinner in the Great Room."
Having dinner in the Great Room was one of Clara's biggest pet peeves. For reasons she could never explain, she loathed it. When she'd been told that during the Selection all meals were no longer to be served in the Dining Hall she'd nearly pitched a fit. Eventually, they were able to come to a compromise and agree that once Everett had narrowed the Selected down to the Elite, that they would move meals back to the Dining Hall.
"I'll do my best," he promised.
"Thank you!" she chirped.
"As long as you don't mind me marrying a total stranger, basically making this no better than an arranged marriage," he sighed dramatically, turning his head towards his younger sister.
"Playing the role of Clara this evening will be Everett," Elisa smiled, glancing between the two.
"Let's have more than one your father said," their mother chimed in. "It'll be fun he said."
"That's not fair," Everett remarked, pointing at Elisa. "Because clearly you needed two since the first defaulted. If anyone was unnecessary here it was baby number three."
"I didn't default," Elisa argued.
Sure, Everett said with a single look.
"And I'm not unnecessary!" Clara corrected. "Because I don't recall either one of you ever naming the fashion icon of the century-no offense grandma- so obviously one of us had to pick up the slack."
Their grandmother said nothing as she watched them go back and forth, only smiled.
"Did we ever fight like this?" Emily asked her mother.
"No," Madeline laughed.
"See," Emily said, pointedly staring at each one of her children.
"You were much worse," their grandmother added. "Though usually you and your sister were in cahoots and weren't fighting with each other, but rather me and your father."
"Is that so?" Clara cackled, with her eyes lighting up and she turned towards Madeline. "Tell us more grandma. What else don't we know?"
"Or let's not!" Emily interjected
"For another time maybe?" Madeline suggested, with a small smirk.
"How about never?" their mother countered.
"Tell your sister that I'll tell her anything she wants to know," Madeline whispered into Everett's ear as she leaned over.
After dinner, Everett went to the Men's Room. As usual, he was alone. Though even after a year he wasn't used to not having someone else there with him. In the beginning that had been one of the hardest things after the accident and for the first few months he'd avoided the room altogether. But now it comforted to know that he had a place that he could go that he had only ever shared with his father.
"Good evening, Illéa," Graydon beamed, standing center stage. "Tonight I'm pleased to be bringing you this special edition Capital Report."
Everett yawned, leaning back into the sofa.
"Two weeks ago Prince Everett announced the thirty-five luck girls he has chosen to compete in his Selection, and tonight for the very first time we will have the opportunity to meet these lovely young ladies. You'll get to see their departures from their home provinces, their arrival here in Angeles and of course, their much-anticipated transformations from normal citizens to future princess hopefuls."
"One of the first of the Selected to arrive at the Palace was the lovely Larxin Clarke of Calgary who can be seen here leaving her home with her parents and two sisters," Graydon commented.
Everett watched as the footage showed her walking out the front door at home. She smiled and waved to the crowds of people who had come to see her off.
"You may recognize this young lady's name, as she is the daughter of Weston Clarke, CEO, and founder of the famous Clarke Hotels."
The footage then skipped ahead to her arrival at the Angeles airport, where she addressed the supporters who had come to wish her well.
"I'm overwhelmed by all the kindness I've received and I hope I can make Calgary proud."
"Spoken like a true Daughter of Illéa," Graydon said as the Report cut back to him, before switching to Larxin once more.
"Lady Clarke, can you tell us what style changes were made?" One of the cameramen asked.
She stood in a lovely blue gown that complemented her cinnamon colored hair, which fell to her waist.
"They gave my hair a bit of a trim and I'm wearing it down, which I don't normally do. They also painted my nails to match my dress," she told them, holding out a hand, which the camera zoomed in on. "And of course they put me into this beautiful gown."
She sure seemed nice, he'd give her that, but seeing someone on television was different than meeting them in person. Watching the footage only made him more anxious to meet the girls in person.
Graydon made a few more comments on her before moving onto the next onto the next girl.
"Lady Astoria was all smiles at her send-off earlier today. It seems that she's very popular with the people of Tammins."
Graydon narrated as she emerged from her home beaming. Her family were only steps behind her. The television then showed her boarding her flight and arriving.
"Lady Astoria, once at the Palace, was welcomed by the stylists. They cut her hair to a shoulder length, as well as dyed it from dark brown to a rich black," Graydon announced. "Here you can see what a fabulous job the staff has done."
"Everyone has been so nice. I'm so excited to be here," she gushed, reaching up to nervously twirl an earring. "My stylists were all so friendly and they picked out this beautiful dress."
The cameraman asked if Astoria could give them a twirl, which she happily did. As she spun the dress fanned out, causing the delicate embroidered flowers to catch the light.
"They stitched Yucca glaucas into the fabric," she blushed as she stopped spinning. "They're the official flower of Tammins."
"It seems that so far this Selection is filled with many shining examples of true Daughters of Illéa," Graydon boasted.
Everett hoped Graydon was right.
"Now here is Lady Isla Autumn of Likely," he continued, without skipping a beat. "While she is the official candidate for her province, it seems that she is a rarity, as she was born and spent part of her childhood in Britannia."
She gave a small smile as she emerged from her home. Only unlike the others, no one followed her. And after the mayor of Likely made her remarks she also surprised Everett by declining to make a statement, which Graydon made perplexed comments about.
It wasn't until after she arrived in Angeles and was being asked about her style changes that she spoke.
"They cut my hair into layers and did my make up?" She told them, sounding slightly unsure.
"And what can you tell us about your dress?" Someone asked.
He saw her glance down, seeming to contemplate how to tell them what they wanted to know. Everett had a small laugh. Her reaction was most definitely reasonable, especially since the dress was clearly a focal point of the shot.
"It's purple, with some black and it has flowers in it," she answered.
"It seems that Lady Autumn wastes no time on the frivolous," Graydon remarked. "Perhaps that's a quality our next princess would be well suited to have."
After her came the candidate from Sonage.
"Lady Luna didn't have to travel far as she is a neighbor to our beloved Angeles," Graydon began. "Though it seems that despite the short distance she will be no less homesick."
The scree shifted from Graydon to the shots of Luna leaving home. As she prepared to leave for the airport she appeared to have a tearful parting with her mother and a throng of children, as well as a young man with hair that Everett had no words to describe.
"After arriving in Angeles Lady Silverton was greeted by may well-wishers, many of which were children."
That had to be a good sign. Children were always the ultimate test. If they liked you then you were golden.
"At the Palace, her stylists went to work at once and gave Lady Luna a makeover fit for a queen, which I'm sure that Her Majesty would agree with me on."
She was all smiles as the Report went back to her.
"They tried their best to straighten my hair," she giggled. "They put makeup on me, which I normally don't wear and they put me into this outfit, which they called a day dress."
"Lady Silverton seems to possess a soothing nature that has the potential to lead her straight to the top, as she already seems to be a crowd favorite so early on in the Selection."
Graydon spoke about a few more girls, all of which seemed nice.
"Now here is Lady Colette of Belcourt at her send-off, to which she was accompanied by her parents and younger sister. She then went on to give a heartwarming speech, which we will play some of for you."
"For most of my life, I have made it my mission to make Belcourt and Illéa proud. I'm certain that I will fulfill this dream and help to bring us together in this joyous occasion. I sincerely believe that when we are united we are stronger."
"What an exceptional young lady," Graydon said enthusiastically, nearly tripping over his words. "Regardless of caste or province, I'm sure we can all agree that such grace would be a welcome trait for our new princess and future queen."
Clips from her makeover came next.
She glittered from head to toe as she displayed the changes that had been made. Everett couldn't help but find her stunning.
"Can you believe that they hand made these gowns for all of us?" She raved. "The staff have really outdone themselves."
After a few more remarks about the staff and her impressions of the other girls, she went on to discuss the changes.
"They put me in this beautiful dress," she said, while the camera focused on the blue knee length gown she was in. "They cut my hair a bit and put it up into this bun. Did you know that there was such a thing as braided buns? Oh, and they also put the most wonderful makeup on me."
"Ladies, look out," Graydon announced in a singsong voice. "It looks like this may be a bigger competition than we previously anticipated.
Everett had to admit that Graydon was right. He had underestimated just how many girls he would be taken aback by.
"And here is Angel Clayton of Dakota, a face I'm sure you all know and love."
After showing her farewells the Report moved onto the footage after her makeover.
"They cut my hair and decided to change up my look by having me wear red lipstick, but other than that every thing else is the same," she shrugged with a small smile.
Her brown hair came to just above her shoulders, which Everett thought suited her. It gave her a mature and regal appearance.
"What can you tell us about the dress you're wearing?" A voice came from behind the camera.
"It's a floral day dress, that was paired with red heels to go with the dress and my lipstick. They also complimented the outfit with a ruby earring a necklace set, as well as a cuff bracelet. I think the colors are perfect for fall."
Graydon appeared back on the screen.
"Well, it seems that Lady Clayton is certain to be one of the most fashionable this Selection," Graydon smiled. "And perhaps it would be beneficial to have our future princess be a name that everyone already adores.
After her came more girls. It was becoming more and more difficult for Everett to keep track of them all.
"Next we have Lady Genesis of Dominica, who escorted herself from home. The people of Dominica gave her a send off fit for a princess," Graydon proclaimed, winking at the camera.
Unfortunately, the Report editors had apparently felt that the said send off didn't deserve proper coverage, which greatly disappointed Everett, and they skipped to her post-makeover interview.
"Highlights were added to my hair, which they also layered. After that, they curled it and then gave me this dress. They also put a ton of makeup on my face."
"Can you show us the dress?"
She obligingly nodded and made a few comments about its length and color, using big dressy words, all of which confused Everett. All he was able to catch were the words lacey, blue and matching shoes, and that was only because Clara was so into fashion and could go on and on about it for hours.
"Being economic with words while in the spotlight is something considered as a plus, especially in the royal household. Perhaps the prince will take note of this."
After her came a few more and then was the girl from Paloma.
"Lady Adelaide is certainly a diamond in the rough, as Paloma has been known to be a difficult place to live in due to the unpredictable land. But none of that is evident here. The Celestinos already have a son that has risen to stardom. Does their second child have what it takes to rise to queendom? "
Everett watched as her mother, father, and brother accompanied her from their home. The well-wishers seemed to go wild as they passed, as they did in the footage of her arriving at the airport.
The Report then skipped to her interview.
"They did my nails and trimmed my hair. Other than that everything is pretty much the same," she said, pausing for a moment to bite her lip. "And then they put me in this dress."
"I have to say, all of these girls take impressive to the next level. How will Prince Everett ever choose?"
He made a few notes and then the Report was onto the next girl.
"Here is Lady Igna of Clermont being led from her home by her parents. At her send off she was the picture of happiness, stopping multiple times to hug those who had come to see her off. And after an almost tearful goodbye with her father she made her way to the airport, before arriving at the Palace and being sent to the stylists."
Everett felt his heart ache as he watched her hug her father. What he would have given to have had the chance to do the same thing.
"They cut a few inches off my hair and curled in and painted my nails white," she giggled. "And now I'm wearing the most beautiful dress I've ever seen. And the best part is how poufy it is."
"It seems that the Selection will benefit more than one member of the royal household," Graydon laughed. "It's possible we just found Princess Clara's new best friend, as she is widely known to be fond of anything ball gown related."
After her came the girl from Panama.
"Ah and one of the moments I'm certain you've all been anticipating. Here is Lady Melee, who was notably also Selected with her twin sister, who is the candidate for Honduragua. But for now, let's focus on this young lady."
The clips showed her leaving home with a man who appeared to be too old to be her father, causing Everett to assume he was her grandfather. It seemed like she had a difficult time saying her goodbyes, but eventually they were broken apart when she was ushered away.
She seemed to be much happier during the highlights of her makeover.
"They brushed my hair and painted my nails with a clear topcoat and did my makeup," she smiled, before being asked about what she was wearing. "My dress? It's blue with spiked sleeves and a belt."
"It seems that Honduragua has once again been blessed with a lovely competitor. With a game-changing Selection one must ask: can this province achieve what no other has been able to and produce two Selection winners?"
"Now here is Lady Melee's sister, Lady Savate, leaving her home in Panama. As you see, they may be twins, but their differences are striking."
Everett could see what Graydon meant. She dressed and acted like a model, which was different from her sister. Even their hair and eyes weren't the same. While Lady Melee had dark brown hair and lilac eyes Lady Savate had bright blonde hair and blue eyes. He wondered if their personalities were as different as their appearances.
Graydon made similar comments, before moving on to the footage of Lady Savate after her styling.
"They didn't change much," she admitted. "But I did get to have a really great manicure and they put me in this nice dress."
She happily gave the camera crew a spin, showing just how perfect the choice of a gold dress had been.
"It seems that there's to be double trouble at the Palace. Or should I say double the fun?"
More girls came after but it was so hard to follow.
"Now here is Lady Vienna of Bonita. As you can see, she's already won the hearts of all those in Illéa. Bookies are betting that she'll become a fan favorite. But they aren't stopping just yet. Bets have also been placed on Lady Vienna and Lady Astoria becoming fast friends, given their similar professions. There are also similar odd for Lady Vienna and Lady Manderley."
Everett laughed knowing that chances were Graydon was getting in on some of the aforementioned betting action.
The clips of her leaving home with her mother, father and sister came next. Her arrival at the airport came next, with her interview following.
"What can you tell us about the changes that were made, Lady Vienna?"
"I'm wearing this lovely dress that one of my maids hand sewed," she answered, "They lightened my hair up a tad, then put it into an up do and gave me a French manicure. I think they did a fantastic job."
"She has beauty, she has grace, could she be the next Mrs. Schreave? Only time will tell. But don't forget to place those bets."
Then came the candidate from Bankston.
"Lady Eriko was on the tail end to those arriving today, but she is no less notable. As a Three, she has all the ambitions of a queen. While she's majoring in computer science, our sources tell us that Bankston's darling has her heart set on being an ambassador."
Everett smiled. It was nice to see that she had political aspirations, but not necessarily royal ones.
"They changed everything," she Lady Eriko said, somewhere between a laugh and a sigh of exasperation. "My hair is up, but at least they put flowers in it and I have makeup on. They also have me wearing a dress, which I never do at home."
"How do you feel about the dress?"
"It's beautiful," she answered, looking down at the pale pink dress, with a sense of satisfaction.
"A lady that is honest," Graydon said, with the admiration clear in his voice. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, this Selection is going to be a rough one. With so many fantastic choices how will the prince ever pick just one? Or should I say the One?"
"Now here is Lady Lystra of Labrador exiting her home with her parents and brother. It would appear that she has a bit of a local following, which can be attributed to her ice skating career. With Angeles not having much in the way of snow hopefully, she won't be too homesick."
Graydon continued by discussing skating outfits and how they might contribute to her fashion during the Selection.
"Let's see what Lady Hearth has to say."
"It's just your usual patterned dress and heels, but they but my hair into a bun and they let me pick out a headband to wear," she said running her fingers along the band.
"Succinct and straight to the point," Graydon smiled. "I don't know about you but Lady Lystra leaves me wanting to know more. Who is this blonde beauty?"
Everett chuckled. He could tell Graydon was beginning to get tired, but luckily for him, only one girl was left.
"And finally we have Lady Tressa of Hansport, who can be seen here leaving her home with her father, Father Madoc Parson, a well-known priest. Lady Parson sparked quite the controversy when her name was announced two weeks ago, as she is the first One to have ever been Selected."
Everett had honestly forgotten about her, though she seemed determined to be as memorable as possible.
"Here is some of the footage from her parting speech," Graydon announced.
"I remember playing with the prince as a young girl and hope that we can rekindle the friendship we had as children. It would make me so happy to know that the kind and generous boy I once knew has grown to be a kind and generous man."
Next came the footage of her at the Palace.
"Lady Tressa what can you tell us?"
"First, they did my nails," she smiled sweetly. "After that, they gave my hair a slight cut before putting it into my usual bun and now I'm wearing this dress."
She motioned to her modest pale blue ankle length dress.
"Could Lady Tressa be a shoe in?" Graydon wondered aloud as the Report cut back to him. "Could this be fate's way of pushing these two together? You'll have to stay tuned to find out."
Graydon stood and took a deep bow.
"Ladies and gentleman of Illéa, please join us this Friday evening at 8 P.M., when we will be returning to our normal broadcast time
Late after the Report had ended and the girls had gone to bed Everett left his room to go for a walk. When he arrived at his usual destination he was surprised to find his sister there.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
She jumped and gave him a startled look.
"I could ask you the same thing," she replied.
"Touché," he nodded.
She was silent for a few moments before speaking again.
"I come here sometimes to visit him," she said, motioning to the massive painting that hung in front of them. "None of the pictures do him justice, but this-"
"Capture him," Everett interrupted, finishing her sentence for her.
"Exactly," Clara agreed. "It's like I can still hear his laughter or the way he'd fix his glasses. I can even picture that stupid tie mom hated so much."
"The blue checkered one she was always fussing over?"
"Yeah," she laughed.
They spent a few minutes in silence starting at the painting.
"Do you ever think about how we're in history?" Everett asked with a glance over at his sister, finally breaking the silence.
She didn't look at him, keeping her eyes fixed on the portrait.
"What do you mean?"
"All our lives we've learned about these people and studied them," he told her, motioning to the portraits that lined the walls, "There was a time when they were real and not just figures in our text books.
He paused for a moment to look back up at the painting. Everett admired the way the brush strokes that were normally faintly visible were caught in the moonlight.
"Things like the third world war and the rise and fall of the northern rebels really happened. The same way King Maxon and Queen America abolished the caste system happened. It was all real. Just like this is real."
"But one day it will only be a page in a history book," Clara whispered, faintly.
"Exactly," he agreed.
Clara turned to face her brother, scrunching her noise a bit as she peered at him.
"Only I want my life to mean more than that," Clara confessed. "I don't want to just be the forgotten daughter of a monarch. I want to be remembered. I have a chance to do something."
Everett let out a small chuckle. For as long as he could remember he'd found it adorable when Clara become impassioned.
"What are you going to do?" Everett inquired.
"I don't know," she smiled.
As a summary of the AN at the top of the chapter:
-Illéa's government is not totally a constitutional monarchy
-Caste systems were abolished but came back-you'll find out more later
-I need help finding who the prime minister (McCord Elston) should look like
-Should I have a beta?
-Help name some countries!
-Vote in this week's poll!
Well, there you have it. I'm hoping to get into a regular updating schedule. But for now, please review and I'll see you soon!
(Side note: this was a 20-page word document! Not double spaced either! Oops, haha)