Hello, once again, I'm sorry for having this up late. I actually planned on updating earlier this week but I totally forgot. It's also because well duh, I'm a very busy ARMY that chooses to spend her time fangirling over BTS. Important notes at the end. Enjoy!
p.s- this is my longest chapter yet, over 5,300 words!
The black tailored suit Connor was inside of was not comforting. Both physically and mentally that was. He was sure that either Matt had horrible measuring skills or he grew another inch of muscle at his forearm in the past week. Connor went with the latter.
It was exactly noon and the girls would be appearing at the front steps of the palace any moment now. He was not permitted to meet them until dinner but peering over the balcony was allowed, right?
It was then that Connor decided to take another look at their files in hopes of memorizing another name than that of Lady Aurora or Lady Giselle or Lady Jade. Their names stuck from surprise or astonishment. Of course he would admit that he stole a couple of glimpses the faces of the ladies after the Report last week.
A round of shouts and cheers erupted from the balcony and he got up to take a look. Paparazzi had gathered by the palace gates, cameras clicking away. The girls must be rounding the last of the paths to the palace. From the view of the generous size of the third floor balcony, it was clear to Connor what he saw. The first black limousine pulled up as the tall metal gates opened to reveal the front of the palace.
The palace was an off white, somewhat cream colored that had intricate designs everywhere, from roof to roof and window to window. Each floor more than fifty feet, the palace had five floors. Dozens of steps down from the grand castle doors with no less than two guards stationed was a large fountain. The one fountain that Magda (Queen America's mother) was remembered for dancing in on New Years.
Five girls emerged from the limousine in white and black uniform, heading towards the steps of the palace. The photographers were snapping photos crazily at this, some girls waving at them. There would be many, many more photos today as more of the ladies arrive. Connor chose to leave his chambers and spy on them by the spiraling stairs. He walked down one flight of stairs to the second floor and then halfway on the second to spot the girls secretly. A woman he had grown to know as Krystal was by the five women, guiding them to the direction of either the Great Room or Women's Room. Just as he believed his temporary mission was a success, one of the ladies whom were to follow Krystal to ready themselves sighted Connor on the stairs. Her light colored brown hair was styled in a ponytail, and her eyes glistened at Connor. She left him with a tilted bright smile and walked over to the other girls.
It was an impression all right. He made a note of it to find out who she was. And so he retreated back to his balcony for furthering his observations. The royal blue carpet stairs were soft beneath his feet as he treaded up to his room. The door was open and he found his father sitting on the rail, peering over it.
"Mother won't be happy to know you're one step away from falling off the balcony," he said, stopping to rest his head on the side of the door frame.
His father turned around, wearing his 'special occassion' glasses at the tip of his nose. Connor had always thought they made him seem even more handsome than usual. He also knew his mother liked it as well.
"Hey, good afternoon to you too," Eikko replied, a smile adorned. The man slipped off the rail and made to lean on it instead. Connor made to his father's side, leaning against the rail yet head slightly turned to the view.
"Are you happy?" His father wore a soft expression, eyes crinkling at the sides despite the young age.
With a huff, Connor told him, "I'm not sure. I mean I think it will be fun and all but the results? Not so sure about that. And I know, I know, I'm totally going to find the most perfect person to be my wife and the most suitable person to be princess." He began making hand movements and moving his head emphasizing his sarcasm. His father broke a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
He continued, "Of course I will, well somehow but how will I know? What if she was there all along and I eliminate her? What if I choose someone else that's not her? How will I know who's the One?" It was a major confession Connor was making, allowing his vulnerable side exposed. It was still true, he had no idea how he would be going about this.
"Listen, I know I was not the one doing the choosing for the previous Selection but I do know that your heart knows. Your head may say one thing but your heart knows it all," he pressed a hand to the area of where his heart would be. "Your mother wanted to choose someone else even when she knew it was me all along and in the end she had to, she had to put all the other people away who saw that I was not right. She looked only at me and said that I was the One despite the fact that I had no real participation in her Selection. However, I think you should talk to your grandfather about this part. He knows more."
Connor was confused, his brows knitted together. "Wait what? Grandpa woke up?" His excitement was rising, he'd missed his best buddy for the entire time he was gone. And perfect time as well.
The prince consort nodded his head as confirmation to the inquiry. "He just woke up, being transferred to his room now. I came here to tell you."
"Thanks," Connor shouted over his shoulder as he raced down the hall to find his grandfather. He reached his room only to find his mother there, sitting on his bed.
"Where's Grandpa?" he asked, in no mood to start a real conversation.
"I'm pretty sure you'll find him on the second floor. The rooms of the Selected." Turns out she wasn't in one either.
"But why?" The queen waved him off, telling him to go already. And so he went, down another flight of stairs to the second floor. He knew that maids were scurrying around to finish last minute tasks before the girls would enter their rooms for the first time and prepare them for dinner. Down the hall, the last room to the right, tucked in the corner was his grandfather. He entered slowly to and watched as his grandfather sat at the edge of the plush bed, a hand brushing over the white linen sheets.
It was him who spoke first, "It was her room, you know?" There was no thinking needed to guess who the 'her' was–America. "I remember the first time her heart attack happened, your mother was in the middle of her Selection, stubborn as ever. And when she found out her eldest son had fled the country and eloped with your aunt, it hit her. I hated that sight, I knew I had done something so terribly wrong that Fate had decided to take her away from me as punishment. I knew that if she wasn't here, there was no point in me being here alone. I was so sure she was going to leave me, too sure but I still held onto that hope, that love that would bring her back. She couldn't leave me, not yet. And she didn't.
"I also remember the day I chose her. I can remember it as if it was only yesterday. It was earlier that morning and I knew she had an ex-lover. She told me how he broke her heart and left her right before she arrived at the palace. That morning I saw her with him, he was the guard I had subconsciously arranged to guard her door. I was mad, so mad. Furious at her and myself as well for not realizing until that moment and choosing to trust her at all costs. She tried explaining to me and telling me that there was nothing between them and that she loved only me. I didn't listen to her, refused to because I was blinded by the anger and hatred because I loved her and she chose someone else.
"I remember the words I told her in the Great Room just as I was about to propose to her friend. I remember her tears most of all, her face when I reminded her that she was never the One. Blamed her and told her I never wanted to see her again, that I hated her. But when I heard the screaming and the firing of a gun, I knew it. I had known from the moment I laid my eyes on her that night. I knew it was her and no one in this entire universe could replace someone so special like her. When the man held his gun directed towards her, I hated myself, hated everything I told her that morning. Hated that I made her cry. Made her hurt. I finally knew and understood the true meaning of fear at that time. But when I was shot instead, I felt as though it was all right to die, just as long as she were happy, alive, living, breathing. All those things I couldn't do with America. I tried telling her how I-I felt in those few minutes but not even a thousand years would be enough to describe my feelings. And it never will be." The old man's voice had cracked just as he began recounting that morning. Tears were streaming down his face at a controllable pace though Connor knew there was an entire ocean to them. He only nodded in response to his grandfather's speech, silently hoping for more and praying to that his grandmother would come back, if only just for her husband.
"Connor, I know you think the Selection is foolish, but trust me. It is unexpected and the feeling hits you hard, unless you're the type to fall in love slowly. Like sleeping. Even my father who was fairly nasty and grouchy found someone he loved dearly, underneath all his dreaded layers. America is my world, everything and anything is for her. I know you know that and I also know you will find the person that you feel is more than what you deserve. More than what you are worth but never deny that love you have for her. Never let her hand slip from yours. Learn that from me. Do not doubt yourself. Do not let others choose for you. The Selection may be a game but it is also your life. Choose someone you knows is all the good things in one, someone who is the light in a storm, the hope in despair. The whole to your half. Find her and never let go." He whispered the next part, "She's also waiting for you as well, my prince."
His grandfather left him in the room alone, staring blankly at the bed sheet. It was much to comprehend, all the guidance and reminders of what it was he needed to complete. But he understood that he would find someone in the batch of thirty-five girls, written in the stars as his other half.
(later that day)
Connor walked slowly down the stairs of the palace, still on the staircase to the second floor. He was required to be there exactly after all the girls had arrived and seated before entering. The royal family would be along with him, though he bet his sister went as fast as she could. The sound of rushed whispers became louder as he approached the dining room. One pair of green eyes met his and the rest turned as well. The whispers became silent in a matter of seconds as he made his way across the marble floors towards his seat beside his sister. The Selected table was attached to that of his, reached to almost half the length of the dining table itself, which was much large to begin with.
He stood at in front of his seat and declared, "Good evening ladies, I assume your experience of the palace so far is surely positive."A series of giggles sounded, but died quickly. It was nervousness that built up the tension in the room, not an ounce of silliness available.
"Dinner shall be served soon and afterwards I will be meeting with each one of you lovely ladies for a brief conversation. Enjoy," he said, hoping he sounded as calm as he could manage. There was talk from his parents that there was an elimination the first day round and the last time his mother did it, it was eleven men gone. He felt reluctant to let these ladies go maybe after a conversation, he would have a better idea of their intentions.
Dinner was a three-course meal, avgolemono as their appetizer, smoked salmon as the main course and creme caramels for dessert. Connor chose to take his time with his dessert, dreading the moment he had to talk with the girls.
Eventually, after a shove from his mother, he got up and announced, "I hope you have enjoyed dinner and the greetings will now begin. The king, queen and princess will not be present for his. I will be calling you up depending on your seats so feel free to converse with one another. If I call your name, you will walk towards the guard by that door and turn to your left. If somehow, though I do not know how, get lost, you may ask the guards around the palace."
His family left the room and made way to their own businesses. The first person closest to his family's table was Lady Aria.
"Lady Aria, my dear, have a seat." He was lucky enough that last night he was able to catch a lesson with his sister regarding name learning. However, Aria's eyes were enough to set her apart from the rest. She curtsied before taking a seat, slightly wobbling to the left. They were in a spare room, paintings adorning the cream colored walls.
"Good evening, Your Highness." She fiddled with the front of her dress, hands crossed in her lap.
"Good evening as well Lady Aria. May I ask which province are you from?" Connor tried sparking up a conversation and so far, this was not how he hoped the rest would be, awkward and uncomfortable.
"Clermont. I love it there. I love my life there. It's so sunny there and I would always get sunburns whenever I thought it wasn't 'that' sunny." She smiled at the memory and gave a small chuckle at the end.
He smiled at her and replied, "Well you're in much luck today Lady Aria, this is Angeles after all."
Aria started, "Aria. Not 'lady'," she paused, "It's too formal for me."
"I'm only agreeing if you also call me 'Connor'."
"Of course, Connor," she replied, almost as if she was testing the name out.
He glancled at the watch on his hand and frowned at the time. It already took them more time than he had expected.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you around here, Aria. I'm afraid that this is all the time we have left. I can escort you back to the dining room if you'd like." She nodded in confirmation and curtsied once more before taking his arm back to the dining room. Connor was intrigued by her eyes once again, it was a typical irresistible feature of Aria. In person, the green was even more bright, but adored it was. The next lady on his list was Lady Stephanie. He placed a light tap on her shoulder, smiling brightly at her.
"Lady Stephanie, am I correct?"
She smiled and he recognized it immediately as the girl from before. The same uplifting smile, the same hair. "Yes, Your Highness."
He held his arm out for her and she quickly caught onto the instruction. He whispered in her ear, "I saw you earlier, my dear."
She let out a soft giggle, music to his ears. "Yes, that was me, Prince Connor."
Connor shook his head in disbelief at the formality of these conversations. "I already getting tired of all the 'Prince Connor' and 'Your Highness' titles. I'll have to be correcting all of you to call me 'Connor' when we're speaking privately."
Once again, it was her charming smile that won him over yet again.
"Well then, Prince Connor," she emphasized his name, "How was your day?"
"Slightly intimidating by the sudden increase of females in my home. But overall, I am by far delighted by the events I have planned."
"And do you think that I qualify for a hint of those 'events' you have planned?"
He looked at her as they walked through the halls, him having already decided rather than conversing in the library. She was a charmer indeed, and she was most certainly beautiful.
"Maybe, maybe not," he said smiling.
"Please? With a really really really plump cherry on top?," Stephanie jutted her bottom lip out mocking a pout.
Connor outright laughed and reluctantly gave in, "I'll give you a hint: it involves water."
At this her eyes widened, "A pool party?"
"Gosh dang it, how'd you guess it so fast?"
"Simple, water means ocean and ocean means beach and beach means pool." He shook his head at her reasoning.
"I'm sorry but I think this is all the time we have today, Stephanie."
"It's fine, thank you anyways." Connor held his arm out for her to take and made a turn back to the dining room but not before saying, "Don't tell anyone about the pool party, got it?"
"Pinky promise."
They reached the dining room and Connor walked her to her seat, pulling the cream chair out. She curtsied before accepting the seat.
"Lady Hailey," he called, ready to get this over with. She got up from her seat next to Aria and joined Connor but not before making a low curtsy.
"Good evening, Your Highness,"
"So Lady Hailey, how has your stay at the palace been so far?"
"It's been delightful, your home is very beautiful." The conversation continued, ending with Connor learning how her parents were divorced and how she is far more comfortable living with her mother. When they reach the dining room once again, Connor calls for Lady Aurora.
"Lady Aurora, such a pleasure to meet you," he said after they exited the eating room.
She smiled brightly and smoothly replied, "It should be the other way around Your Highness, I am very excited for the weeks to come. Well, I hope I'll even make it that far in the competition."
"I can assure you that you'll be in for the ride for a while, my dear." She blushed at the remark and seemingly wringed her hands.
"What's your favorite thing about the palace?" she asked, seeming genuinely curious.
"Let me think about it, maybe the… gardens? Or maybe the pool. I'm not sure, it's too difficult to choose."
"Wait, you have slides here? You absolutely cannot have a pool without water slides. This IS the palace."
"Are you trying to say the palace is not the best? And of course we have water slides. I'm offended you with think otherwise."
"Good," it was definitely easy to talk with Aurora.
Connor complimented, "I love your hair, you know?"
"Really? I'm not a big fan of it. I'd go for a light brown if I could."
"No, don't. It looks great. Like not red yet but not blonde."
"Thank you." The two retreated back to the dining room once again and Connor took in the thought of having to walk back and forth from the dining room another thirty-one girls. His feet would be begging for mercy by the tenth girl.
The next person on his never-ending list was Lady Cora. Her hair was pulled back from her face, brown hair cascading down her back. By the way she squinted during the meal, he could already tell her eyesight was not the best. It did not affect the beauty of her dark green eyes however.
When they left the room, conversation started once again.
"Lady Cora, is it?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I hope you understand that all these 'getting to know talks' are stressing. Especially when it comes to starting a conversation."
Cora smiled shyly and responded, "I'm sorry if this is difficult but I'm not the most talkative person you'll meet."
"It's fine but how about you tell me something about yourself Cora."
She thought for a second before saying contently, "Well I love cooking, baking mostly. And I was a chemistry professor before the Selection."
He was surprised though Connor was not sure as to why, she did have the looks of being a teacher. "Wow, a chemistry professor. I never took those type of classes here at the palace."
"Maybe we could try something like that one day, it's actually really fun."
"I agree, I'll make a note of it in my mental reminders." He looked up in mock thinking.
Cora giggled and said, "I could bake you something too. I love making different desserts, especially now that I'm at the palace where I'm pretty sure the kitchens are the size of my house."
"I'm not sure about it being equal to the sizing of your home but I would have to admit that they are quite spacious. And I'd love to try some of your cooking."
It wasn't long until their time limit was reached and Connor had to escort her back to the dining room. It seemed like hours that he had been talking but it was barely even half an hour. After going through over twelve more girls, Lady Vivian who was a political figure, Lady Sophie a animal lover whose altruistic self was already visible, Lady Rosie whose face was absolutely terrifying to Connor from the layered makeup, Lady Daniella a fashion designer who no doubt had a great sense of fashion, a beautiful and talented Lady Jade, Lady Saffron and her fit body, Lady Leah accompanied by her wide range of vocabulary, an orange haired Lady Estelle (her hair color was a complete match for her perky personality), Lady Sierra who was stiff in every way possible, Lady Bella who seemed to have no interest at all for her position, Lady Isabell that proved her musical background true the second she exited the dining hall, and Lady Mariel whose conversation with him made absolutely no sense.
"So, Lady Giselle, tell me a little about yourself," Connor mused, finding this conversation starting thing far too complicated than it should be.
Inhaling Giselle said, "Well I grew up as an only child with my mother who's a talk show host. And now I'm a model."
Connor was still slightly dazzled by Giselle's beauty and height which was very much close to his by a mere three inches shorter. "How do like modeling?"
"It's fun I guess, much of my time is taken up by it anyways. I remember my favorite shows were when my friends and I would play board games backstage. I would win every chess game we played." She smiled fondly at the memory, happily recalling her time before this.
"Really huh? I bet you I would beat you in a game of chess. I'm the best in the palace," Connor had a grin spreading from ear to ear at the sound of a competition.
Giselle looked up at him and replied, "You wish. I'm here now which means that you're second best–no third best in the palace. And if you're asking for a chess contest, you are one-hundred percent on." Her enthusiasm for the sport was very visibly showing.
"What makes you say third?"
"Well you haven't met Tiffany yet and she is such a handful." Lady Giselle shook her head in disbelief, raising her eyebrows.
"Did you guys meet before the competition or…"
"Not necessarily, but I'm not sure how we ended up on the same flight from our provinces to the palace. And may I tell you, staying in the same plane with her for those hours was enough. She might be cold at first but she has a reason. Plus, she great at chess though I can beat her."
"Doesn't sound like someone I'd take a liking to."
She shrugged her shoulders naturally and continued their stroll down the halls. Eventually it was time for them to return and he checked to see who was next on his list of never ending girls–Lady Janice.
He called her to the door of the dining hall and snuck a glance at the large grandfather clock on the wall before escorting her.
"Lady Janice, right?"
"Yes, Prince Connor." Her height he realized, was shorter than all the girls he'd spoken to. Her frame was different, a much more wide and curvy figure. Talking began, taking on the topic of her cafe back in Bonita. He noticed how whenever she spoke, she used her hands to tell her story. Connor found the habit adorable.
When the two came back to the dining room once again for the millionth time that evening, he saw how Lady Brooke was practically jumping from her seat out of excitement of some sort. Before Janice sat down, she got up slightly from her seat but realized he hadn't called for her yet.
"Lady Brooke please," he called from the entrance of the dining room, too tired to walk all the way to her seat and back.
"Yes, Your Highness," she spoke merrily, their excitement levels far from being equivalent.
As they rounded the corner of the dining halls to the path to the library, she spoke first, "How was your day, Prince Connor?"
Being moderately shocked by her engaging in conversation first, he stuttered as he said, "Great actually and I do look forward for the next couple of weeks. And I would take it that you call me Connor, titles are too much."
"What do you mean weeks?"
"The Selection will be going on for hopefully another couple of weeks and months if I see fit. I wouldn't want it to be that long though, I really do wish that whoever is meant to be my wife sends me a message with rainbow lights and a big poster saying so." He chuckled at the thought and shook his head of such things before glancing over at Lady Brooke. "Tell me about yourself," he inquired.
She took a deep breath before announcing, "Well I lived with my mother, older brother and younger brother before being part of the Selected. My father passed away from lung cancer when I was young and we had nothing. I'm now an elementary school teacher in a small city in Ottaro."
"I'm sorry for your lost, Brooke."
"Thank you but I'm fine–we're all fine. My job has been able to keep my family stable with just enough that we need, the money, food, everything. Sometimes I think it was a good thing that happened to us, we were able to see what we had to do, how we would end up if we ever ended up in that situation."
Connor nodded his head in agreement, though mostly because he didn't know what else to do. Their talking ended on a happy note of him complimenting her on her blazing blue eyes.
Connor checked off thirty-four girls on his mental list and grew anxious to see who was the last person he had to talk to before being released back to his chambers. He entered the dining room once again with Lady Brooke on his arm.
Vaguely dreading who the last person was on his list, he slowly made his way to seat before seeing to it that she come to him.
He called out, "Lady Tiffany." She turned her head of almost white hair towards him, staring him dead in the eye. She got up from her seat and carefully but swiftly walked up to Connor and curtsied. He saw how tall she was in heels, the tip of her head reaching up to his ear.
"Your Highness."
"Lady Tiffany, what a sight." He regretted what he said the moment it left his lips and pursed them remorsefully. There was no going back.
"Excuse me?"
"I...I meant what I said, Lady Tiffany." Wanting to back up his case somehow, he stopped abruptly and turned to face her. His shoulders were pushed back, chin held high. Tiffany moved her head to face him, coldly staring back at Connor. She made him feel small somehow.
"I would rather you insult me first, through your own observations, Prince," she spat out his title as if it were poison, "second, using my name without the useless 'Lady' attached and third, without stuttering." She continued, "I will accept an apology if you are willing to put aside that so called pride of yours and say one. You could really do better though, I can already tell your feet are dying for a break. Take this as my generosity–I am done with this conversation and I hope you are. I will be returning to my room, alone. Good night."
Without waiting for a response, she spun around on her velvet heels in the direction of the stairs. Her footsteps sounded on the marble tiles of the palace as she walked. Connor could only stand there frozen, dumbfounded at a girl and whatever it was she said.
That night, Connor excused all thirty-four ladies and himself after Tiffany walked up. He could charge her for saying such things to a prince but mentally decided against it. It was a mess he had to sort out before breakfast. Wanting some fresh air at the moment, he got up from his lounging chair and opened the doors to his balcony. The night was inviting, perfectly breezy yet warm. He gazed at the gardens and what lay beyond it as he rested his arms on the railing. It was then he noticed…
First, sorry for the cliffhanger.
Second, I have a list for you guys of the girls that actually matter. I have also already decided with my friends that after a couple more chapters (at least two) I will be writing from the perspectives of two or three girls that are the top competitors. There were some provinces that I skipped out because it was so much work to come up with over twenty girls, with their entire background story, matching photo appearances, names and other things I'm forgetting. Therefore, I have also cut down the number of girls that Connor met today. Here is the list:
- Aurora
- Giselle
- Janice
- Vivian
- Hailey
- Jade
- Brooke
- Tiffany
- Aria
- Stephanie
- Daniella
- Leah
- Saffron
- Cora
Third, I have checked the traffic stats of this story and I already have over 150 views. Of course, I am super happy and thankful to all those reading. Anyways, I just would like to ask for you to review, favorite, follow, whatever for me to know that you are actually enjoying. Thank you!
- Lexi
