The amount of reporters that surrounded me when I got into the Women's Room was shocking. Camera flashes blinded me and microphones were shoved into my face. The other Selected had a few reporters in their bubbles too, but not as many as mine. I was a mystery to the world, having been in hiding for a while. Everyone was curious about me, and they hadn't gotten to know me yet like they had the other candidates.

"Miss Mallory, what made you think robbing a bank was such a good idea? And how has the prince responded to such foul actions?"

My head turned towards a petite woman with a pinched face. She held a microphone so close to my mouth I was sure every breath I took could be heard in it.

I sat up taller in my chair and cleared my throat. "I didn't rob a bank for shits and giggles if that's what you all think." I thought I had spoken poorly when I heard all the gasps, but when the entire room went silent and all eyes were on me, I knew I had to continue. "I look after a young girl who has no family and no one who loves her. She is quite literally the only thing I care about in this unfair world. I wanted her to have a better life and no one would hire me, so making honest money was out of the picture. I couldn't stand to see her shiver on the streets anymore with not a breadcrumb to nibble on." Cameras clicked and flashed. "Call me what you will, but my conscience is clear about what I tried to do."

The reporter swallowed hard and shifted her weight to her other foot. "Where is this child now?"

"Her name is Lil and if I am being honest I don't know where she is. We got separated when I was arrested and I just hope that she is safe wherever she is."

A lot of people put on fake sympathetic looks and patted my back to comfort me. I didn't want them to do this, but I took it anyway. I didn't think it would be pleasing for me to snap at them when they were really trying to help me.

"Ladies! Make your way to the Great Room, please!"

A voice yelled out over the reporters and the thundering sound of heels made their way down the wide hallway. I couldn't help but notice all the glares I was getting and all the bony shoulders that were "accidentally" ramming into me.

We entered the Great Room and upon seeing it I knew it had been appropriately named. The ceilings stretched on forever and massive chandeliers swung over the polished table that was set up for us. We crowded into the velvet chairs and I gawked at the windows that opened up over the gardens.

The food on the table gave off such an aroma that I wanted to open up the cloche and eat whatever was hiding underneath it. My stomach gurgled and begged me to eat, but I wanted to watch the other girls.

Everyone sat down with their hands in their laps. I noticed four chairs were empty and I immediately assumed we were waiting for the royal family to arrive.

One girl with shoulder length brown hair and tanned skin broke the uncomfortable silence between us. "I hope the prince is just as dreamy as he is on television."

I suddenly realized that I had been the only girl that had met the prince yet, which was another reason for the girls to hate me.

"I bet his eyes are even more charming," another girl squealed.

"Aubrey," said the girl next to me to the first girl who had spoken, "Don't you care about his personality? Or is it okay with you if he's a prick?"

Aubrey flipped her hair over her shoulder and glared at the girl. "Sweet Meghan. He is a prince I have no doubt he is perfectly proper."

I rolled my eyes. From the small exchange I had already had, he was no charmer at all.

Aubrey turned on me. "Okay Little Miss Prison Break, we all know you've already met him so don't rub it in."

Meghan leaned over me toward Aubrey and spoke up before I got the chance to defend myself. "She met him through prison bars because she was put there for being a moral person and helping her starving child friend. I don't think the circumstances were very romantic."

I looked over at Meghan and she offered me a slight grin before she went back to glaring at Aubrey.

Our discussion was put to a stop when in walked Prince Alexandr, followed by his younger brother Prince Luca. Alexandr was more proper looking and tidy. Lucas looked slightly dishevel with his hair unbrushed and his shoulders relaxed. Alexandr was uptight and his broad shoulders were tense as he led the way to his chair. The brothers varied in height, but they had the exact same shinning blue eyes.

Next walked in Queen Amberley. Her head was held just as high as Alexandr's and I got the feeling that they both saw everyone in the room as beneath them. She peered down at us from over her large pointed nose and her hair was done up so tightly so as not to take away from the shining crown she wore.

Finally was King Clarke. It was obvious that the boys got their looks from him. He was the kind of man who got hotter as he aged. His stubble on his chin was no longer black but turning a light grey color. His hair was perfectly combed and he looked friendly and inviting when he smiled at us. I noted that he was the only one of the family that did look kindly upon us.

"Ladies," began Prince Alexandr with his arms outstretched. "Sorry to keep you all waiting. Before we eat I will be meeting with you all individually."

That was all the information he gave to us before he got distracted by the many girls in short and skimpy dresses. The one girl he was particularly distracted with was a blonde bitch named Cambria.

"Is it too much to request to go first?" Cambria giggled and twisted her blonde curl around her finger.

Prince Alexandr stepped up to her and held out his hand. He was in a complete daze as she stood up and patted at her slim fitted pink dress.

"What a Barbie Doll," I muttered.

"Tell me about it," Meghan responded, trying to hide her smile with her hand.

I watched the Prince take Cambria to the back corner of the room where a couch was set up for them to chat at.

"You don't think he is actually fooled by her looks do you?"

I soffed. "I don't think he cares right now. We are here for him to play with a little before he actually weeds us down into potential life partners."

Meghan looked a little downhearted at my harsh answer. She and the girls listening in on our conversation, especially a slightly larger girl, hadn't met him yet, so they didn't know that he really was a prick.

I cleared my throat and tried again. "But give him a few weeks to warm up to us. I bet he'll sweep us right off of our aching feet."

Meghan smiled at me, and I thought I did good for the moment. I needed to get the attention off of me though. Should I ask Meghan about her hometown?

"So, Annal-"

"Anna is fine," I interrupted.

"Anna, I wanted to let you know that I think what you did was really honorable."

This was not getting the conversation away from me.

"I know that it must be hard knowing that Lil is out there and not knowing if she is safe," Meghan put a hand on my shoulder and I tensed up. "I am here if you ever need anything."

After all these years I had never been comforted or consulted, but Meghan putting a friendly hand on my shoulder melted my heart. I wanted to start balling my eyes out right there, but I couldn't. I couldn't because a pampered girl hobbled to her seat and told me that it was my turn to meet with Prince Alexandr.

Oh shit. My mind wasn't straight, but I managed to numbly stand up and make my way towards the couch he was sitting at. I needed to thank him for what he has done for me. He didn't have to let me continue in this competition, but he did. Sure it was only to benefit himself, but he deserved my gratitude. I also actually needed him to like me so I could stay in the palace longer and get my moneys worth. I needed to kiss ass.

"Good morning, Lady Mallory," Prince Alexandr cleared his throat and took my hand in his.

"Prince Alexandr," I greeted back and curtseyed.

He brought my hand up to his lips and I felt myself swoon. I hated that he was making me feel this way.

"You clean up nicely," he noted with a wink.

"Yes, I say you look better without bars in front of you too."

He chuckled and sat on the couch.

"Prince Alexandr, not to take the conversation to a dark place, but I need to know if you have any information on Lil."

He put his head down, and for a second I thought I saw anger pass over him. "Miss Mallory, I am sorry to say I have heard nothing from her. She is almost just as hard to find as you were."

I tried to smile at his attempt of a joke, but I felt sick again. Where could she be?

"We are doing our best to find her, I promise you."

"When you do find her," I started cautiously, "Where will she stay? We don't exactly have a house she can live in."

He nodded understandingly. "You are well aware for your purpose here." His tone was no longer friendly or inviting. "She can stay in a home with a friend of mine. A nice old lady who used to be my personal maid. She is a kind lady and Lil will do just fine in her care. However, you will not receive any other payment while you are here. Our hospitality is enough already."

"So we don't get compensation money like the other girls do?"

"That money goes to their families. You have no family. It makes sense to me."

I felt so angry I could've attacked him, but I would be kicked out in an instant. I felt unsure about everything he was saying. What if this lady isn't nice to Lil? Maybe it's a good thing they haven't found her yet.

"If there is anything you could tell us that would help in finding Lil, please share it now."

I could tell him about Dante. Dante was probably mixed up in illegal drug business, but they wouldn't arrest him for helping Lil, right? I hesitated, and Alexandr was clearly getting agitated with me.

"If that is all, Miss Mallory, please send over the next girl. I will not let you waist my time anymore."

My face felt red hot as I stood up and walked away from the couch. I realized later that I should've curtsied to him before I left, but I didn't care. My vision was blurred and I must've looked like a mess as I sat back down next to Meghan because she asked me what was wrong.

"You look like you could blow steam out of your ears," she said in a hushed tone.

I swallowed hard and blinked at her. "Don't worry about it." I kept my head down for the rest of the time. I could feel the stares and hear the snickering voices that gossiped about me. This place would be the death of me.

"Thank you for your patience," Prince Alexandr was back at his table with the rest of his family. He had taken his time with the other girls. People looked at him like a god as he spoke. "It is finally time to begin eating. Enjoy!"

Eating that food was the highlight of my life. I forgot about the prince and the snobby girls at the table with me. I am not proud but I even forgot about Lil. Every thought left my brain and the flavors of hot food filled me. I ate and ate and ate. I probably looked like a pig, now that I think of it, but I didn't care. I hadn't had a meal like that since... forever.

I was doing fine enjoying all the pleasures on my own until Aubrey decided to speak to me. "I know you didn't have food where you are from, but please try to keep your chomping down. It's embarrassing."

I stopped mid-bite and realized with a wave of shame that I really did look like a pig eating for the first time in its life. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and sat back in my chair. My apatite was gone in an instance.

I looked up to see that the Queen was glaring at me. The King and Prince Alexandr didn't seem to notice me, but Prince Lucas was snickering at me and trying to hide it. I felt like such a peasant at that time that I excused myself. I didn't care if I was allowed to leave or not, I did it anyway.

"Pardon me," I squeaked and I walked right out the door.

My throat seemed to be closing and I struggled to get air to my lungs.

"Miss Mallory," an officer offered me his arm for support. "Are you alight?"

I nodded. "Please show me my room."

I wanted more than anything to sleep and never wake up again. But the officer looked sorry for me. "I am sorry to say, but I was just coming to get you. You are needed to sign the paper work that you missed while you were...elsewhere."

I rolled my eyes. I had been warned about all the papers I still needed to sign. I wasn't sure what exactly they were for, but I didn't want to do it.

"Mr. Carier is waiting for you. He says he will get everything in order on the way to your room," the officer said and a skinny man with a pointed nose appeared beside me.

"Miss Annalise Mallory. I need you to sign a few things."

By a few he meant hundreds. The walk back to my room took at least an hour with all the stopping and signing. We made out way down the marble floors and I let him drone on about agreements while I gazed at me feet.

"I have a few more questions for you."We had stopped at a door. This must be my room. "I need you to confirm that you are, in fact, a virgin."

I coughed in surprise. "Excuse me?"

He looked up from the document and cocked at eyebrow at me.

"Y-yes," I stuttered. A part of me thought that was a joke.

"One more thing." He put the papers in a folder and looked me square in the face. "If Prince Alexandr is to ask you to do something, you do it. Anything. You also cannot have e any relations with anyone while you are a part of the Selection. Is this all clear?"

I swallowed. This was more serious than I had thought. What if Alexandr wanted to use me for more than ratings? What if he tried to-

My mind cut me off and I stuttered out an agreement as I opened my door and slammed it in the mans face.

I gasped for air, but my quick breaths weren't doing the trick. My vision blurred at the edges and I sank to the ground.

"She is having a panic attack," a high-pitched voice said and three girls ere by my side.

"Get her a wet cloth now," an older, wrinkled lady commanded. "Macie, help me get her out of this dress. She needs to be as comfortable as possible."

The tight dress was unlaced and taken off of me. Pins were taken out of my hair and a damp cloth was dabbed on my face. One shallow breath at a time I came back to earth and was able to think clearly again.

I sat in the floor with three maids around me. The older lady wore her grey hair in a tight bun on her head and I soon learned she was the boss of the two younger maids. The younger girls were named Macie and Maddie, and I soon forgot which one was which because of how similar the girls looked to each other.

"Rosalyn," Macie whispered, "Should we run a bath for her?"

The old maid, Rosalyn, stood up and dusted off her apron. "She needs rest. It has obviously been a long day for her and I will stay here until-"

"I'm fine, thank you." I stood up as well, followed by the other two girls. "I just had a bad first experience with the others is all. I got pretty shaken and I just-"

Maddie put a hand on my elbow. "No need to explain it to us, Miss Mallory. We understand you come from a hard life. Things are very different than you are used to."

"Please, call me Anna."

"With pleasure, Miss Anna."

The girls were gifts from God. They made sure everything was the way I needed it. I didn't get a good look at the room that night, but they told me I could have them rearrange anything to make it more suitable for me.

Rosalyn was the most difficult to get along with of the three. She refused to call me Anna, she was always fussing at Macie or Maddie, and she wanted to stay with me in my room while I slept.

"Rosalyn, I promise I will be fine without you here. If I'm not I will send a guard to find you for me. I need to be alone tonight."

She was very reluctant, but the girls finally left me alone.

And alone I cried, finally. I sobbed into my pillow until it was soaked with tears. There it was that I drifted into sleep.

HELLO! It me the author again! Sorry this took so long to get up. I lost this chapter and had to re-write it so I think it's a bit rushed and just bad but it is necessary so I apologize. I had a good chapter with jokes and stuff and it flowed nicely but it was deleted so I am sorry. Enjoy this one as best as you can lol. Bye!

xoxo

jeweleethegeek