Disclaimer: I don't own the Selection series, all rights go to Kiera Cass.

PROLOGUE

Prince Royce

When he was asked for a meeting in his father's office he knew that it wasn't going to be about birthday presents. No one has mentioned the term Selection since he was fifteen, but it was always hanging in the air and it was on his mind. With every passing day and with every birthday the tension grew stronger and stronger. Sometimes he wished his parents would just talk about it, but he never felt himself brave enough to ask.

No, he knew that it was coming and he would be told when the time has come, he decided. And the day before his nineteenth birthday celebration he knew that it was time. So, when he passed the guard who was stationed before the King's office and he was announced he wasn't surprised to see not only his father, but his mother in the room as well.

His father's expression was grim and his mother's solemn. There was obvious tension in the room, his parents must have been fighting just before he arrived. His mother, Queen Grace gave him a soft small smile while his father just nodded in acknowledgement and gestured to him to sit down in front of him.

"Yes, father," he did what was asked of him. He felt uncomfortable, especially as his mother was standing looking down at him.

"Roy," his mother, the Queen started, which just showed how serious the situation was. It was during that last conversation about the Selection when he was fifteen when she last called him that. Ever since then he was only referred as Royce, as his parents said a future king must not be nicknamed and that he was already too old for babying.

"Mother," he exhaled and turned towards the Queen who was leaning against the table. Her red hair was in a tight bun and her lips were pressed together. She seemed stern, unapproachable, and in her perfect dress, immaculately done make up and nails she had the look of royalty, but not much of a mother. Beautiful, but cold.

"Nineteen," she exhaled, stretching the word," old enough to be married, don't you think?" she leaned closer to him while her expression remained calm and collected, she showed no emotion.

"Yes, mother," he stated calmly, but inside he was anything but calm. He didn't feel himself old enough that was for sure, but he had no choice. This was always the plan, and if the country needed a princess, a future queen then he would do his part. Duty always came first – duty to his country, to his people and to his family. Why any of them needed a girl beside him, he didn't quite understand, but he knew not to ask questions. (He got that he would need an heir once, but he was nineteen as of now, he had plenty of time for that.)

"Tomorrow during your birthday celebration we will announce your Selection. You will be smiling and you will tell everyone how excited you are to meet thirty-five amazing young ladies and to choose your future bride from them," his father stated, though he didn't seem especially excited either. No, he seemed rather tired and worn out and Royce suspected that his father hasn't told him something important. While his parents were going on how he was old enough to marry, his father still treated him like a child when it came to official business. It was quite ironic – his parents wanted him to marry and have a child when they thought of him as a child as well.

"As you wish, sir," he said with a small nod. He supposed it was better to be over with. A year or two wouldn't make a huge difference anyway – sooner or later it would happen, so why not now? Though at the thought of more than thirty girls invading his home and his privacy he did twitch a bit. He only had a younger brother and while he had a female cousin Antonella, the future queen of Swendway, he never thought of her as a girl. Yes, she was a cousin, not a girl – not the way these girls were at least. No, these girls would all come here to get him and his crown. Ally wasn't like that, she was family.

"Good, I see that you know your place, son. Our people seem to love the idea of their future queen coming from their circles. But do not forget that you are choosing the future queen, a no one wouldn't do," his father continued. Royce didn't let his mask drop, he listened to every word without any emotion presented on his face. He didn't know what to think – he has always known that he needed to find a special girl, but he wasn't sure that his and his father's idea of the perfect future wife was quite the same.

"I understand, sir," he said solemnly.

"You know that your grandfather chose your mother for me. Don't forget who the king is during the Selection. We need someone from the first circles, someone who wouldn't feel foreign in this world. I am here for you son, and I will help in any ways possible." Right. So, his father wanted to play matchmaker and it seemed that he wasn't going to have much choice in selecting his own wife. Somehow he expected it, but it didn't make the situation less awkward. Spending the rest of his life with a fine woman sounded kind of sad.

He looked at his parents as he has done many times over the years. There was no love lost between them, that much he always knew, though he wasn't even sure what love meant – no, no one in his environment was in love or simply got married for it. He thought of his Aunt Kat who was shipped off to another country to marry a king, or how if he had a sister the same would have happened to her. His younger brother, Justin was probably going to have a Selection himself, though if he fell in love with someone until then he might have a choice as he was only the spare to the heir. Or maybe not, and he would be shipped off as well to marry a princess who was to become Queen and be her Prince Consort.

Love. Now that he thought of it, maybe it wasn't really needed for a marriage – everyone surrounding him coped somehow without it after all. Yes, he was sure that he would be able to live with a sensible woman no matter his feelings for her. He guessed it was all about decisions. If he decided to make a smart choice not one based on emotions he will find someone suitable, for both his father and himself. He would close down his heart and look at the girls as paper forms filled with the required information. First circles, good family, spotless reputation, beauty, political influence, health and so on.

"Don't forget either who you are, Royce. Just think about the meaning of your name, it will always remind you of your position. Son of the king." Oh, yes, what a fine name it was. As his grandfather was the first king, their entire family had some serious issues – they were obsessed with trying to consolidate the monarchy.

"I know my place, father," he stated and he was telling the truth. He knew exactly what he had to do. He was the next king and he would do what was needed to be done. He was an Illéa and they made history, he was a piece of history itself.

Author's note:

This is a SYOC, so you will be able to send in characters, the girls who will be competing for the Crown. Also, this story takes place before the Selection series. If you are very good in the Schreave family tree and you don't recognize the name Royce, you are correct. But this story will fit into canon, how that is possible will come up during the story!

UPDATE (21th March, 2016): SYOC is closed for newcomers. However, those who have already started on a character/discussed it with me before are more than welcome to work on them. I've taken down the form from my profile, but if you need it, just PM me.

I hope you will like the story and that you submit many interesting characters!

If you have any questions just PM/review.

Olivia :)