'All A results!' Ellen and I squealed in unison, skipping around the school hall. It was filled with students collecting their exam results, but this day was big in more than just one way for the girls in our country; yes, exam results were out, but it was also the day we would find out who had made it into the Royal Selection process. I'd not told Ellen I had entered as she was so excited about the whole thing and I knew just how unlikely it was that she or I would be chosen anyway. It was bound to be filled with Goldlyn girls and maybe even a handful of girls from Belham too. Why would you choose a princess from the lower classes?

'I can't believe it!' I said, my mind returning to our excellent results, although part of me felt sad; if we were from Goldlyn or Belham then we could have gone on to university, but that was out of reach for us.

'We worked hard so I knew we'd get there.' She beamed, pulling me in for a hug. She ran off to her parents, waving her results in the air and I smiled as I watched her. I slipped my own envelope into my bag and watched at the other students hugging family and friends. Sally and Simon weren't there to celebrate with and nor would they be there when I got home that evening either. Instead they were working longer shifts and the conversation from a week ago swum around in my head, a constant reminder that we were having money problems. I pulled the application forms out of my bag and left school, delivering application forms for market stall work and to any other businesses on my way home, desperately seeking a way to help out my family.

The house was dark when I finally got home and I knew I was cutting things fine. The Royal Review would soon be starting and I knew Sally and Simon wouldn't be home in time to watch it, so I chopped the vegetables, put them on the stove and sat down in the dimly-lit kitchen, looking at the small box. The title sequence came up and I sipped at my glass of water as my heart thudded in my chest; I was surprisingly nervous.

My mind drifted to Ellen and I wondered if maybe I should have taken her up on her offer to watch the Royal Review with her this evening. It seemed awful lonely watching it in the dark by myself, even Ms Creedy's company would have been welcome but she was staying with her son for a few days.

'Good evening.' King Saul was stood in his usual kingly attire, his wife at his side as routine. 'Firstly, I'd like to thank all of the girls in our country who took the time to fill in an application form for our first ever Royal Selection. We received an incredible amount of applications and narrowing them down to just twenty was a very difficult decision.' He smiled a dazzling smile but his nerves were still visible. Prince Zed walked to stand alongside his parents, still not looking particularly pleased about the whole situation. There was something almost funny about his uncomfortableness as he fiddled with the black velvet jacket, decorated with whorls of embroidery. 'Prince Zed has not yet seen the applications so he will also be hearing these names and seeing the faces of the girls for the first time.' He took a deep breath and held up the cards he was holding. 'The first girl is Tina Monterey from Belham.' A picture came onto the screen to show a girl with wild red hair with a lovely smile. She looked friendly, but her firey hair suggested to me that she had a temper. 'The next girl is Caitlyn Grispino, also from Belham…'

I sat in silence as the places left became fewer and fewer and Ellen's name was not called. There was only one girl from Lowstoft and just two from Whitebridge when it came to the final name.

'Please be Ellen.' I whispered under my breath. She deserved it more than anyone else. She had spent the time since the announcement reading up on etiquette and learning everything she could about Prince Zed. And she had courage and a kind heart, two things I thought would make an excellent princess.

'And our final participant is Sky Bright from Whitebridge.'

I knocked my water glass over, sending water over my notebook. I cursed as I looked at the picture on the screen. I had no make-up on and my blonde curls were frizzy and untamed. My eyes looked tired and I cringed at how awful I looked. Then it sunk in; I'd been chosen to live in the palace.

Ellen was going to hate me. My stomach was already twisting and turning as bile rose in my throat. I was going to be sick.

'The twenty chosen girls will be arriving at the palace on Friday.' Prince Zed spoke, his voice more velvety than I remembered it. His eyes looked into the camera and I felt like he was looking right into my soul. I swallowed. 'A carriage will be sent to the houses of the winning applicants around 9am and will bring them to the palace. I look forward to meeting them all.'

He gave a small smile, one which didn't meet his eyes, and then the broadcast was cut off. Dinner suddenly didn't seem too appetising.

Sally and Simon weren't home too long after that and they found me sat in the kitchen, playing with my guitar. 'You didn't tell us you applied.' Simon said, his voice stern.

'I didn't think I'd be chosen.' I replied, simply. 'Now Ellen is going to kill me.'

'You didn't tell her either?' Sally's voice was soft.

'What was the point?' I put down my guitar and fidgeted in the chair. 'She would make a far better princess than me.'

'I'm not so sure about that. You're selfless, clever, hard-working.' She sat beside me and smiled. 'I guess we'll have to get packing tomorrow, huh? Only two days until you go.'

I gave a small smile. 'Only two days.'

Just two more days having to scrape by, I hoped. After that, Sally and Simon could afford to treat themselves. I hoped.

Ellen didn't answer the door to me the following evening. I'd spent the day having a clear out and I'd packed only a few outfits to take with me, the best ones I owned, and, other than some photoframes, a few books and my guitar, I'd decided to leave most things behind. I'd gone to her to apologise, but no one answered and the twitching curtain confirmed my fears; she didn't want to see me.

I hardly slept on Thursday night. The air was cold but what kept me up were the nerves that had been filling my stomach and were making it hard to eat. I tossed and turned and soon found myself emptying what little contents of my stomach there were. It wasn't until dawn that I finally got a little rest before my alarm went off. I showered quickly in the lukewarm water and then plaited my hair into a pristine braid before dressing in the baggy, floor-length black dress, the only dress I owned, and the scuffed boots.

'Let's add a little makeup.' Sally said with a nervous smile.

She was trying to help, so I let her do it, but I knew I would still look plain and scruffy next to the other girls. I'd decided I needed to somehow end up in the final ten, so that we could have a house in a better province. It meant we would then have access to more jobs and a better future for the three of us. But looking like this was not going to impress anyone.

There was a knock at the door and I heard Simon greeting someone and offering them a cup of tea, which was politely declined. Apparently we were on a tight schedule.

'Have you got everything?' Sally asked me, holding onto my arms as she inspected my hair and makeup.

'Yes.' I nodded, picking up my small bag. We walked down the stairs where a lady and a man were waiting for us.

'Miss Bright?' The woman said, looking up and down at my outfit choice. 'My name is Clarissa Kingsley and I'm here to escort you to the palace.' I looked at the man stood behind her, and he tipped his hat to me. 'This is our driver Alfred. Are you ready to go?'

I nodded and swallowed as tears threatened to escape. Sally and Simon had raised me and now I was going to be a two hour ride from them. And they didn't have a carriage or a horse. When would I see them again?

'Bye.' I said softly as Simon pulled me in for another hug.

'Take care of yourself kiddo.' He whispered. 'And if you need to come home…'

'I know.' I gave a small smile as he released me and I turned to Clarissa. She led us out of the house and I tried to ignore the stairs from my neighbours as I got into the shiny black carriage then the horse pulled us away, further away from home than I'd ever been before.

At some point I must have fallen asleep because I was woken up a couple of hours later by Clarissa. 'We'll be at the palace in ten.' She told me. 'There will be cameras on arrival so I thought you'd want to fix your hair before then.'

Fix my hair? I swallowed and took it out of its plait, replaiting it in an attempt to make it perfect and not dishevelled from sleep.

'When we arrive at the palace, you will be taken to one of the reception rooms and given a makeover.'

'A makeover?'

She gave a sharp nod. 'All girls will be receiving a makeover so that they look palace-ready. From now on, whether you are evicted from the process or not, you are Lady Sky Bright and that formal title requires you to look a certain way. You will receive a makeover from the best beauticians and stylist in the country before having formal photographs taken and then you will be taken to your room where you will wait until dinner. You will meet the Royal Family tomorrow.' She passed me a folder. 'This contains your schedule for today and tomorrow. I suggest you read it later. It also contains your contract and the rules for life in the palace.'

I held the file in my hand. It looked like something Ellen would own to aid her organisation, but the royal crest stood out on the front, reminding me of where I was going. I looked out of the window at the large properties of Goldlyn in awe. There were so many huge and beautiful buildings, most protected by large iron gates, and even the shops and restaurants looked expensive. The streets were all clean and lined with trees and flowers and people walked along them in classy fabrics.

'And here we are: Ascot.' Clarissa said as we reached some large stone walls. We drove through a gate in the walls and along a long gravel driveway, past a handful of armed guards. The grounds were beautiful and seemed to go on forever; there were large trees, plenty of flowers and even a lake. Some parts were natural and other parts had been landscaped with sculptures and fountains. The carriage eventually pulled up outside the grand palace that I had seen on postcards and in newspapers. Except it looked bigger and more intimidating in person. Alfred opened the door and I stepped out, looking up at the building. The snapping of cameras distracted me and I blushed, looking down at the gravel as Clarissa passed me. 'Follow me, Lady Sky.' She said, leading the way up the stone steps and into the palace.

My breath caught in my throat as I looked at the entrance hall we'd walked into. There was a grand, sweeping staircase lined with red carpet leading upstairs. Three corridors led off in different directions, all with gold decorating the walls and ceilings and the occasional piece of artwork.

'Lady Sky.' Clarissa's voice was somewhat commanding and I realised I was holding up the schedule. 'This is the East Wing where you will be staying and using the dining room and reception rooms.' She said as I followed her along the corridor. 'The North and West Wings are out of bounds to candidates unless you are given permission by a member of the Royal family.' I walked quickly, trying to keep up, and I couldn't help but wonder how she could walk so fast in high heels. 'This is all stated in your rules in your pack.' We reached a door and she stopped outside. 'This is the Women's Room. You will be spending the majority of your time in here. Today this is where the makeovers will be taking place.' She smiled at the guard and he nodded, stepping aside and letting us in.

The room was a light, tasteful shade of pink and had gold flowers and vines decorating the walls and reaching up to the ceiling. There was a large golden-framed mirror above a pretty antique-looking fireplace and light was flooding through the windows. But the room was far from peaceful. Men and women buzzed around with files, hairbrushes and beauty products. In the chairs sat some of the girls I recognised from the photographs and others sat on sofas, talking to each other, all wearing white dresses.

'Lady Sky, welcome.' A woman came over to me and greeted me with a smile. 'Follow me please.' She led me to a free chair and I'd only just sat down when a glass of water and one of orange juice was placed on the dresser in front of me.

My hair was taken out of its braid and a stylist ran his hands through it, meeting my eyes in the mirror. 'You hair is naturally curly, yes?'

'Erm yes.' I said, trying not to squirm. I wasn't sure I liked someone touching my hair. Sally always cut my hair for me as we couldn't afford a hairdresser so this was a completely new experience.

He fiddled with my wild curls. 'We'll add some highlights, give you a good haircut and add some smoothing serum for the curls to make them sleek.'

'Absolutely.' A woman with a notepad said, scribbling things down.

Half an hour later and my hair was being lightened, a face mask was cleansing my skin and my nails had been smoothed, filed and painted a light shade of pink. I felt ridiculous.

'Sky, right?' The red head I recognised as Tina from Belham, spoke to me from her chair beside me.

'Yes, hi.' I gave a shy smile, aware that my face and hair currently looked ridiculous. Tina had highlights in her hair too and her face was blotchy from the eyebrow waxing we'd all been put through.

'I'm Tina.' She said. 'I'd hold my hand out right now, but I'm afraid the beauticians would probably kill us both if my nail varnish was smudged.' I laughed softly and she grinned at me. 'Please tell me you're feeling nervous too? Because some of the girls seem far too relaxed and confident about the whole thing.'

'I'm nervous too.' I admitted. 'Even just sitting in this chair is terrifying.'

She nodded in agreement and smiled. 'I wasn't expecting highlights today, but if it means we look glamorous then that's fine… I'd rather look the part especially as we're in the press.'

'Yeah I guess.' I sounded awkward and I felt it too. I was only here to help my family. I wasn't here for the fame or for the Prince's heart.

'This whole thing is pretty crazy.' Tina said. 'Apparently there was something like this in Spain a few years ago and it actually worked. There was some fairytale marriage and they're still together and with two kids.'

I wasn't sure that made me feel better.

'Okay, Sky, let's wipe off that face mask and wash out that colour.' One of the beauticians said and I was grateful for the intrusion.

An hour later and my 'new look' was ready. I stood back and looked at myself in the mirror, finding it hard to believe I was the same girl from the passport photos or the photos on the mantelpiece at my home. My wild blonde curls looked sunkissed with the highlights and were looser and sleeker and completely frizz-free. They'd been layered to frame my face and were slightly shorter, just passing my breasts. My dry, rough hands were soft and smooth with stylist-looking nail polish. My face looked clean and slightly sunkissed from the days outside, but somehow the mask and make-up had made it look brighter. My eyebrows were under control and the make-up chosen was classy and highlighted my eyes. Then there was the dress; it was white, like we'd all been dressed in, but it had short mesh sleeves covered with beautiful embroidered flowers in lilac and shades of blue. The embroidered flowers were wrapped around the waist too and fell out gently across the silk skirt. It was paired with nude-coloured shoes, and I had matching purple flower earrings in ears.

'Your dress is gorgeous.' Tina gushed, looking in the mirror at her white lace strapless dress beside me. She had a red sash around her waist, matching her hair.

'So is yours.' I replied. My dress was lovely, but it just didn't feel like me. It was too girly, but I kept that to myself.

'A perfect princess dress.' She twirled on the spot, cooing at how her skirt moved when she spun. And then she made me do the same and I couldn't help but smile.

'Lady Sky, we're ready for your photographs.' A man with a camera said. I followed him to the light pink plush chair in front of the gold backdrop and he called out directions, asking me to pose in different ways. He snapped away happily and then I was moved to a waiting area where the other girls were. A few of them sat quietly reading their information packs and some of the others were chatting to each other about celebrity gossip. I sat myself down next to an Asian girl and she looked across at me with a smile from under her long eyelashes.

'I'm Zoe.' She said, holding out her hand for a handshake.

'Sky.' She shook my hand and then I remembered she was from Belham, just like Tina. 'Do you know Tina?'

'Yes.' She grinned. 'We go to school together.'

She seemed pleased they were there together and I wondered if Ellen would have felt the same if she'd been here with me. I'd have hoped so.

'Well that's good.' I replied. I opened my pack and took out my schedule. 'I thought we were going up to our rooms now?'

'We have a group photoshoot to wait for.' Zoe replied. 'This is all new to you, isn't it? Weren't you from Whitebridge?'

'Erm yes.' I nodded.

'Tina, over here!' Zoe called, waving at her friend, and I took the opportunity to read through the rules of the process.

All candidates are to stay in the East Wing at all times. Candidates are not to enter the West or North Wings without permission from the Royal family.

Candidates are not to pressurise Prince Zed. He will be choosing girls for dates and to spend one-to-one time with. He will also be evicting candidates he feels are unsuitable.

Candidates are not to gossip or fight with each other. If they do, they will immediately be removed from the palace.

Candidates are to be in their own bedrooms by midnight unless a special event is taking place. The bedrooms can be decorated to feel more homely and the maids assigned to each candidate will be able to help with this.

Candidates are to be suitably dressed for all events and occasions. All clothing is provided by the palace and picked out by the stylists assigned to each candidate.

Did that mean no more ripped leggings?

I wasn't prepared for what I would find in my room. It was about four by the time we'd had an afternoon tea and the photoshoot was finished and I was more than happy to be sneaking off to our rooms for a few hours. I'd spent the afternoon with nineteen other girls in the same situation as me but with one noticeable difference; they wanted to be here. Now I was exhausted and my face, legs and other parts of skin stung from being waxed, smoothed and moisturised and my mouth hurt from all of the smiling I'd been doing every time a camera had looked my way.

My bedroom was on the first floor, as were the rooms of ten of the other girls. There were another ten bedrooms on the floor above and it amazed me how this was only one wing of the palace. And why could they possibly have needed this many bedrooms? Each bedroom door was white was intricate detailing carved into the wood. Mine was the furthest from the stairs, tucked right at the end of the corridor and I was stationed opposite Tina and Zoe. They were in their rooms faster than I was, squealing with excitement. I was more hesitant. And completely unprepared.

My room looked like something out of a fairytale movie. There was a white iron-framed bed, the iron twisted into a heart on the headboard. The duvet was a light shade of blue with a flowers embroidered to it and it was piled with cushions of different sizes in other shades of blue and silver. Above the bed was a light blue canopy attached to the wall and falling each side of the headboard. The furniture all matched perfectly; antique, girly white wood making up a dressing table with mirror, a chest of drawers and then the biggest wardrobe I'd ever seen. I walked across the plush cream carpet and reached up to the velvet curtains, running my hand along the luxurious fabric.

'This is insane.' I whispered to myself. Ellen would have jumped straight onto the bed, but I was too afraid to mess it up. Surely I'd walked into a showroom in a Goldlyn furniture store? I moved the net curtain back and looked out to see a perfectly landscaped part of the gardens in front of me, with beautiful hedgerows and flowers and a large fountain. I turned away from the view reluctantly and walked over to the wardrobe, opening it carefully. Inside were at least ten dresses, all floor-length and a fit and flair shape, most with lace and all different pastel shades. That was when I spotted the door tucked in the corner. I opened it and felt my head spin; a bathroom with marble tiles on the floor and walls, a grand golden mirror and a roll-top bath with a shower and toilet matching the sink. And fluffy white towels.

'I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore.' I murmured to myself and then I jumped at the knock on my bedroom door. 'Come in!' I called out in response.

Two girls walked in hesitantly and smiled nervous smiles. From their black dresses and white aprons, I gathered they were maids.

'Hello, Miss.' One of the girls, who looked about twenty years old, maybe a little older, said as they both curtsied. 'I'm Abby this is Chloe. We're your assigned maids. It's lovely to meet you.'

I tried to wipe away the 'o' shape from my mouth. 'It's nice to meet you too.' I gave a small smile. 'You really don't need to curtsy.'

'Sorry miss, it was in our training.' Chloe replied. She looked about my age and I wondered where she'd been living before moving to the palace. Her black hair was tied into a bun with perfectly intertwined plaits and I wondered if she'd done that herself.

'Do you like your room?' Abby asked me. A brunette curl fell from her bun and she tucked it behind her ear. 'Because we can change it if you're not happy. We chose blue as you wrote that blue was your favourite colour on your application form.'

'It is and I love it.' I smiled, looking back at the room. It was far too extravagant, but so was the dress I was wearing.

'Good.' Abby smiled, relief evident on her face. 'Can we get you some tea?' She offered.

'Tea would be lovely.' I fiddled with the hem of my dress, wondering what I should do. I'd never had maids before. What were we supposed to do to kill time? I walked over to the deep blue antique loveseat and sat in it as Chloe opened my wardrobe.

'What would you like to wear for dinner tonight, miss?' She asked when the door closed behind Abby.

'I'm not staying in this?' I traced a flower on my dress with my finger.

'Oh, no.' She smiled. 'That was just for the photoshoot.'

'Oh… right.' I stood up and walked over to the wardrobe. 'Well I'm not sure then. I only own one dress at home and we never dress up for dinner.'

'I'm from Whitebridge too.' She said with understanding. 'What about this for dinner tonight? The Royal family won't be joining you but it's still worth putting the effort in as the cameras are bound to be there.' She held up a long, silky baby blue dress with white flowers.

'Sounds good.' I replied. 'Who picked all of these?' Because they obviously didn't know I wasn't a girly-girl, not like Ellen.

'The stylists.' She hung up my dinner dress on a hook on the wall. 'They picked out fifteen dresses, ten day dresses and five formal, for each contestant to start with and the designers will send in more outfits as the competition continues.' She moved back to the wardrobe and opened a hatch at the bottom, revealing a selection of colour-coordinated heeled shoes.

'All heels?' I blinked.

'There are pumps and trainers for relaxed events.' She opened another wardrobe door. 'You have a sports tunic with leggings and nightgowns in here too.' Even the nightgowns were silk. It was going to feel nice and luxurious against my hair-free skin.

'Tunics and leggings for casual days?'

'I don't think princesses have casual days, miss.' She gave me a small smile.

'I think you're probably right.' I ran my fingers across the fabric of the dress she'd picked out for dinner. It felt soft and silky between my fingertips. 'Which shoes will I wear?'

'I think the navy heels would be best.' She pulled out the heeled court shoes.

'I am really not used to walking in heels.' And it was true. I'd almost slipped over on my way to the room.

She picked up my discarded silver heels from the corner of the room and placed them in my wardrobe. 'I suppose it just takes practise.' She gave me a friendly smile as Abby returned with the tea.

'Sit with me.' I told them both. 'I want to hear all about you. We're going to be spending a lot of time together.'