Adam

Another ball, another set of girls demanding my attention, demanding I choose them. Sometimes, I wish it was like when my father was having his selection. After attending balls in thirty-three other provinces in the past two months a random lottery to pick the thirty-five girls didn't seem so bad.

There were so many changes to the country it was clear that how we picked the next princess would need to change as well. The country seemed to be thriving under my parents rule but the people seemed to be losing hope that there was an end to the suffering. Their support of the royal family appeared to be plateauing, so my selection and all these tedious balls were a means to reinstate their faith in my mother and father. A means to remind the people of their promise to bring the country out of the darkness and into a brighter future. A better future, not only for them but for their children, and soon that responsibility would rest on my shoulders.

It was still a selection of sorts but instead the prince needed to travel around the country and meet as many girls as possible before he chose one from each province to return to the palace with him. At the end of each ball I had given my candidate in and once we returned to the palace they would be announced and join the official Selection to become my wife. This was the beginning of my selection and I was dreading every moment after this.

My mother and my youngest sister Harmonia had come along with me but it hasn't made the task any less stressful. There were just so many girls, it was hard to distinguish one from another. Once or twice one had stood out among the rest but often at the end of the night I would find myself looking over their application forms they had submitted before they were invited to the ball and then made my choice based on how beneficial a marriage might be for the future of the country. I was also well aware of the need to pick a wide ranging set of candidates. Despite the castes being abolished and a new regime in place it was evident to me that there were still clear social divides among the people. I needed to be certain I picked a girl from every demographic so it didn't appear as if I was playing favourites.

The pressure was so immense it caused me to stay awake most nights fretting over my previous choices and terrified of the ones I would make at the next ball.

After all, when this was all over I needed to choose a wife, a woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, a woman who would need to help me lead after my father passed the crown to me. I was not naive, I knew it would be almost impossible to find my true love but at least my chances were higher than my father's. He got lucky in his Selection that he found my mother but I wasn't counting on the love they had.

'Adam?' Harmonia called from my doorway.

'Nia, I don't think I'm ready yet.' I answered, fiddling with my tie for the hundredth time. Tonight the ball was in my mother's home province, Carolina, which meant our grandparents and our aunts and uncles would be in attendance as well. Not to mention my mother and Harmonia had a special performance planned to honour the trip. However, that meant maybe some of the attention would be off me so I was grateful for the change of pace.

'You look fine Adam.' She replied, bouncing into the room, her strawberry blond curls bobbing with her movements. Harmonia was the perfect blend of both our parents. Her hair a mix between my mother and my father's. Her eyes were as warm and brown as dad's and her complexion as pale as mom's. She was small just like mom but had the personality of our father. She was calm and calculating but I knew never to cross her because when she was angry our mother and our father compete to shine through. A temper as volatile as that should never be invoked, something Marinda learned the hard way.

Marinda was part of a dangerous partnership with her twin brother Michael who somehow always found himself roped into one of her schemes. More often than not he would also find himself with all the blame, after Marinda had somehow snaked her way out of trouble. The two couldn't be more opposite but they were so close you could almost see their two minds working together, silently concocting their next scheme to cause mayhem in the palace. I had always been closest to my older sister, Amberly. I wished she could have been here with me now but she was back at the palace with father preparing for a trip of her own. I dreaded the day she left for England where her engagement to Prince Anthony would be announced. I couldn't imagine a world where I couldn't simply walk down the hall and ask my older sister's advice.

'I just want this all to be over. It's so tiring meeting all these girls night after night.' I whined as Nia tried to straighten my tie.

'I've noticed, maybe this time you could try not to yawn as much. It's insulting to the girls.' She scolded lightly turning from me.

'You saw that?'

'Everyone saw that, in fact Gavril mentioned it on the wrap of the night.' She answered as I followed her out of my hotel room. The greying announcer lived for times like this. Events filled with drama and the hint of romance and I knew he would love any chance to embarrass me in front of the nation.

'Oh no, did mom see?' I asked nervously.

'Yep, and she wasn't happy. I might steer clear of her tonight if you can.' She warned before stepping into the elevator, me close behind.

'I'm sure she'll be too wrapped up in her family and preparing for the performance to have time to reprimand me.' I said unconvincingly.

'Have you met mom?'

'I'm in trouble.'

'You have no idea.' My sister smiled knowingly and I immediately knew this was going to be a long night.

'Oh Adam, you've grown into such a handsome boy.' Grandma Magda gushed as I tried to duck out of her reach but it was too late, my cheeks were already in her grasp.

'Hey grandma,' I managed to get out between the cheek pinching.

'You're going to have all the girls here swooning at your feet.'

'I hope not.' I replied a little alarmed.

'Magda, give the boy some room.' Grandpa Shalom laughed at his wife moving her aside so he stood in front of me instead. He used to be an advisor on my father's council but he was retired now so we never got to see him and Grandma Magda. However, none of us missed the cheek pinching.

'How you doing Adam? Any of the girls caught your attention yet?' He asked resting his hand heavily on my shoulder and I got the distinct smell of turpentine drifting around my nose. It was a smell that my grandfather always had clinging to him, even when he was in suits and working in the palace. It was impossible to keep him away from his painting for too long. It was comforting to know somethings never changed.

'A few.' I answered vaguely, looking listlessly around the room of gathering girls. Soon they would all be presented to me before the dancing could get underway and I then tried to weed through the ones which would not be the potential selection candidate.

'Looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you.' He laughed looking out at the hundreds of girls as well.

'It's going to be a very long night,' I muttered as my mother came over and I knew by the look on her face that I was not going to get away with my behaviour from the last ball.

'Adam Dale Schreave how could you be so disrespectful to the girls in Whites?' She demanded, stopping a few feet from me with a harsh glare on her face.

'I didn't mean-'

'No, you know what this trip is. Not only are you looking for your future wife but you're meant to be helping to remind the people that the royal family is still working tirelessly to bring a brighter future to Illea. How can we get that message across when you are yawning at one of the balls?'

'I know mother, I'm sorry. I was tired, it was a long flight.' I muttered sheepishly as my sister sniggered beside Uncle Gerad.

'You're just lucky your father isn't here.' She warned. Somehow, I wasn't seeing the luck, father was usually far more lenient than our mother, especially with me.

'I'm sorry mom, I won't let it happen again.' I tried to placate her and it seemed to work or maybe Aunt May was just a really good distraction.

'Ames!' She squealed, launching into her sister's arms, gleefully.

'Hey May, I've missed you.' Mom breathed and I left the two to catch up, quickly slipping away whilst my mother was distracted.

After being introduced to all the girls I was still no closer to choosing a candidate than when I first walked in here. I couldn't even remember their names let alone what they were like. I was currently dancing with a boisterous brunette who strangely had a streak of blue through her hair that matched her dress but I couldn't seem to get her to be quiet long enough to get a word in. I honestly didn't even know what she was talking about anymore. I tuned out about two seconds in when I heard the word nail polish.

Finally, the song ended and I could politely detach myself from the never-ending one sided conversation before turning around and coming face to face with another girl. She smiled at me sweetly dropping into a low curtsey, her soft brown hair falling into her face, covering her trusting blue eyes.

'Good evening, Prince Adam.' She greeted in a soft voice I almost missed over all the noise.

'Good evening…' I trailed off, not remembering her name from the endless introductions at the beginning of the night.

'Oh, I'm Rai Johnston.' She said as I stepped up closer to her offering my hand so we could start to dance with the first notes of a new song.

'Nice to meet you Rai.' I smiled as she timidly rested her hand in mine and allowed me to lead her around the dance floor.

The first thing I noticed was her grace. She had poise and was one of the first girls of the night who hadn't stomped on my feet. Either because they were terrible dancers or were nervous to be dancing with a prince.

'You too,' she smiled. 'How has your night been so far?' She asked, again another positive for her. All the other girls I had danced with tonight had immediately started off speaking a mile a minute about themselves. As if they were trying to sell themselves to me.

'Can I be honest?' I asked conspiratorially, feeling completely at ease in Rai's company.

'Of course, your highness.' She giggled demurely.

'There are a lot of faces and a lot of names that I can never hope to remember.' I mock whispered, to which she replied with another giggle.

'Rai, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?' I asked intrigued by the girl who didn't want to talk about herself.

'I'm in school and I hope that in the end I can be a teacher myself.'

'That's very ambitious. If you don't mind me asking what is it your parents do?' I asked hesitantly afraid to offend her.

'My mother is a maid and my father is a labourer. They work very hard to make sure I can continue my education.' She answered proudly.

'And what is it you intend to do with such an education?'

'I want to educate the next generation. I want to see Illea prosper more than anything and I know it all starts with removing the ignorance of the people.' She finished passionately. She is one of the people of Illea who has flourished under my parents rule. I knew during the time of the castes that she would never have been able to achieve such an education or have such ambitions. She was one of many who had bettered themselves under the new regime but I knew there were still people out there who were suffering and that was why I was here. To reassure them of our endeavours to better Illea and increase the happiness of its people.

'I agree, there have been many years of miscommunication and propaganda from my ancestors and it is time we give the power and knowledge back to the people.' I answered, surprised by the intelligence of the girl before me.

I guess I had just found my candidate from Carolina. At least the stress of that was gone for the rest of the night.

I shared one last dance with Rai before my mother took to the stage with Harmonia and prepared for their duet. I gratefully left the room for some time alone whilst the rest of the guests were focused on my mother and youngest sister. I had heard them practicing countless times on the way here I didn't need to hear it again. I would return when it was over and make my announcement to the people, thanking them for their hospitality and continued support of the royal family. Then finally my night would be done and there would only be one more ball before we could at long last return to the palace. However, I knew my time of peace would be short lived because after this they all return to my home to compete for real.

Aisling

'Ash!' Flora shouted up at me from the bottom of the tree.

'Come on Flora, just once.' I begged looking down at her with a smile on my face. I loved being amongst the treetops, the wind rushing through the leaves giving me an overwhelming sense of freedom.

'Mother, wants you. She needs you to help her pack.' Flora said sadly and I could already feel the dread pulling me down from my height.

'I'm coming.' I sighed leaping from branch to branch before landing softly beside my greatest friend, my only friend.

'Why do you insist on spending all your time up in the trees anyway? It's dangerous, you might fall one of these days.'

'But Flora, you know all of the best-'

'Dreams are up there, yeah I know.' She finished for me and I wrapped my arms around her frail form tightly.

'I wish you'd come up and join me. You'd love it.' I smiled as we walked back to the house. Flora's skirts were whispering across the green grass until we finally reached the four stone steps which led to the kitchen.

'I feel more comfortable with my two feet firmly on the ground. You've always been the one who wanted to fly.' She laughed taking my hand in hers and I helped her to climb the steps.

'I will one day, we both will.' I said firmly as the doubt crossed her face.

'You better hurry Aisling mother wasn't too happy when I left her.' She said, quickly changing the subject.

'Yeah, I'll talk to you later.' I said as the fear sat heavily in my heart. I managed to give her hand a tight squeeze before ducking out of the kitchen and racing up the stairs to Mrs Avery's room.

I had worked in this house since I could hold a broom and I have lived here longer. The cook told me Mr Avery came back with me one day and no one knew where he had found me or why he had brought me home. However, he took me to his office and when his wife Malvolia found me she started shrieking and demanded that I leave the house at once but Mr Avery was able to calm her and she agreed to let me stay with the kitchen staff. I don't know why he fought to keep me that day but sometimes I wonder why he didn't just leave me where I was. It couldn't be any worse than where I found myself now.

'Madam?' I asked hesitantly from Malvolia's doorway waiting for her to invite me in. I quickly readjusted my ratty maids uniform, hiding the holes I hadn't had the chance to mend yet and tightening the stained apron around my waist, no matter how many times to tried to get the stains out they remind trapped inside the fabric.

Once, I had entered her room without permission and she scolded me harshly. I left with a set of fingernail marks on my right cheek and unshed tears burning my eyes. I leant my lesson, one of many I have leant over the years.

'Hurry up you lazy girl. Mr Avery will be home soon and we are leaving as soon as he is.' She snapped and I quickly scurried into the room to find her lost in a pile of clothing.

'How can I help Madam?'

'Pack these things in that bag, neatly.' She emphasised and I knew there would be consequences if I didn't do as she asked.

'Yes madam.' I muttered crossing to her and starting to fold all the garments carefully, placing them delicately in the bag, under her watchful eye.

'Will there be anything else?' I asked standing beside the door ready to make a quick escape. She was inspecting my packing closely looking for any reason to punish me but I knew she wouldn't find one because I packed it perfectly.

'No, that will be all. Why don't you go and help Flora with her dress for tomorrow night?' She dismissed and I almost ran from the room in my haste to get away from her. Thankfully, this time she didn't lash out.

'Flora?' I asked stepping into her room far less hesitantly than her mother's. Flora and I had grown up together. She was the only child of the Avery's and she was very sick. A cancer she had since birth had slowly been eating away at her health making most days a challenge. Sometimes just getting out of bed was too much for her. However, through it all she still maintained her kind heart and always tried to shield me from her mother but it was hard and often no one could stop Malvolia when she was in a bad mood.

I was a few months older than her but she had all the wisdom in our friendship. She was the only person who had never treated me like a maid or an orphan. Even on the streets when I needed to go out and get supplies for the kitchen the other children would torment me calling me a 'filthy eight.'

The first trip I made I brushed off their insults because I was born after the caste system was abolished so I didn't know how vicious their insults were. The only indication that I should be insulted was the tone they used. However, when I got home and told Flora she looked at me sadly before telling me,

'Before Queen America, there were castes that divided the people of Illea based on the jobs they could carry out.' She had explained before looking at me reluctantly.

'Tell me Flora, why do they call me an eight?' I asked with dread filling my little heart.

'An eight was the lowest caste. They were worthless, jobless and without dignity. Before Queen America and King Maxon removed the castes they were the homeless that roamed the streets doing anything just to get a scrap of food. They were orphans, runaways or lawbreakers. No one cared for the eights. They were a blight on society.' She said flinching as if she were driving the knife into my heart herself.

'I'm worthless?' I questioned in a small voice.

'No, Ash, you're perfect and you're the most valuable person to me.' She had said quickly pulling my numb body into her arms.

'I'm an eight.' I whispered as the tears streamed down my young face.

'No Ash, they don't exist anymore. You can be whatever you want to be.' She reassured running her boney fingers along my equally boney spine.

'Then why do people still call me an eight?' I wept clinging to her beautiful gown.

'People are stubborn. They still refuse to change and they enforce their backwards views on their children. The castes may no longer exist in Illea's law but the divisions still form in people's minds.' She explained but I was too lost in my misery. Was I truly worthless? Did no one care what happened to me? Why did my parents not want me? Mr Avery said my mother had died but what about my father? Why had he never come for me?

'Ash, you're special, never forget that, okay?' Flora implored me to believe her words so I nodded my head but the action was a lie. How could I not believe what everyone told me? How could I believe I was worth anything other than what I was? That was the day I resolved to leave Illea forever. At nine I knew I couldn't remain here where I didn't matter, I needed to be free. I needed to be more than a worthless eight.

'Aisling, are you all right?' Flora asked worriedly, crossing her room gingerly towards me.

'I'm fine, your mother sent me to help you with your dress for the ball tomorrow.' I smiled as she reached my side with a concerned look on her face.

'She didn't hurt you?' She asked quietly looking me over, but the only scars she had inflicted this time were the ones that lie beneath the surface.

'No, I'm fine.' I answered, trying to appear happier than I truly was.

'Are you sure?' She asked doubtfully and I nodded in reply.

'All right, enough of this lets get that dress ready so you can meet the prince tomorrow night and charm his heart right out of his chest.' I covered with a shaky smile, desperate to change the conversation.

'He's on the television right now.' Flora gushed, forgetting about the depressing conversation. She spun and turned the volume up and then sat lightly on her bed patting the spot beside her. Rolling my eyes I made my way to her side and sat down, my legs dangling over the side.

'Isn't he handsome?' She swooned causing me to roll my eyes again. However, looking at him there was no doubt that he was handsome as he led another girl expertly around the dance floor at the ball in Carolina. His sandy blond hair, clear blue eyes and muscular build gave good reason as to why all the girls in the country were flocking to the balls in the prince's honour.

'He is easy on the eyes.' I admitted as they cut to images of him at the ball is Whites from the previous night. Immediately, I bristled when they showed him yawning as he danced with the girls.

'How arrogant?' I muttered as the girls continued to swoon at his feet despite his disinterested attitude.

'I'm sure he's just tired.' Flora tried to defend him, looking at the television dreamily.

'Well, I'm just glad I didn't apply for an invitation to this ball.'

'Oh you should have Aisling we would have had so much fun together even if we didn't get to meet the prince.' Flora grabbed my hands and held them tightly in hers.

'You know I couldn't have gone.' I whispered. However, Flora didn't have time to respond before I was pulled from her roughly.

'What do you think you're doing?' Malvolia growled holding tightly to my upper arm and I knew I would find bruises there later.

'Nothing.' I muttered staring intently at the ground.

'Exactly, why don't you go do your job instead of disturbing my daughter you lazy, good for nothing, useless girl.' She hissed bending so her face was level with mine and I could feel her sticky breath on my skin. I struggled to suppress the shudder of fear, barely holding myself together.

'I'm sorry Madam.' I whispered, my body frozen in her hold.

'Get out.' She dismissed, pushing me roughly towards the door. I stumbled out hastily, looking back to see the pain on Flora's face but not stopping until I was safely out of her sight. I leant against the wall outside letting my body calm itself thinking of the only thing that would bring me happiness. One day I would be free of her, one day I would be free of all of this. I would fly from Illea like I've always dreamed with Flora by my side and we could both live in happiness away from this pain. One day I would finally be everything I've always dreamed of being.

Thank you all for reading, especially those who went back and read my previous story. You're all superstars :) I love that you guys were excited for the sequel because I'm kind of really excited to write it. Thank you to all those who reviewed, followed and favourited you're wonderful :)

A note for the story, just so you know Aisling is apparently pronounced Ashlin, just if you were wondering why her nickname is Ash because I didn't know when I chose the name and it was only when I was looking up meanings that I found out the true pronunciation.

Anyway I hoped you enjoyed meeting some of the new character's especially Aisling and Adam (I think I really like names starting with A, I seem to have a lot of them).