Baffin, Illéa

Rachel Danvers couldn't get her mind off of Friday's Report. It was currently Monday, and she was driving home from the bakery where she worked. She would never admit it, but she had the biggest crush on King Edward. She had almost applied for his first Selection, but had chickened out at the last moment. She had lived with that regret for the rest of her life. For all she knew, there was a possibility that she could have won, and married the man she had been crushing on for her entire life. And now she was getting a second chance, but she didn't know if she deserved to take it. She also felt bad, this second chance was only coming from tragedy, Freya was a beautiful Queen and wonderful person, perfect for King Edward. She sighed as she pulled into her apartment's parking lot. Rachel wanted to apply, but was nervous - what if King Edward hated her? Felt her baggage was too much? Felt she wasn't worthy enough? She entered her apartment building and checked the mail at the mailroom. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw a letter from the Illéa Royal Palace, addressed to her for the second time in her life. She ran a hand through her blonde hair that was layered around her shoulders. Poor King Edward, she thought, she wondered how the king was doing. Everything seemed fine on cameras, but she knew it must be hard on him, to have to raise his kids and run a country all by himself. She sighed as she walked up the stairs to her apartment. She unlocked the door and stepped inside.

"Mom?" Rachel asked, surprised to see her there. Rachel had nearly forgotten that she had given her a spare key.

"Oh there you are!" Judy, her mother, greeted her. Then, she saw the envelope in her daughter's hand. "Is that what I think it is?" She teased.

Rachel nodded simply and held the envelope out to her mother. "It is, but I'm not filling it out." She decided. There was no way King Edward would fall for her.

"And why on earth not?" Judy asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"Because!" Rachel exclaimed. "There's no way the King of Illéa is going to like someone like me!"

Judy furrowed her brows in confusion. "What are you talking about? What's not to like?"

"I mean, dad didn't even care about me, my own father didn't even like me, what's to say King Edward will?" Rachel sighed out as she dropped the letter on her kitchen table and sunk into her chair. "Besides, the chances of getting Selected are slim to none."

Judy frowned and sat beside her daughter at the table, taking the thirty-four-year-old's hand in her's. "Look, I know your relationship with your father wasn't the best, but listen to me, you are deserving of love, and any man would be silly not to see it. You're almost thirty-five, it's about time you start looking for the one, and who knows, you just might win." Judy said with a kind smile.

"I doubt it…" Rachel trailed off, frowning slightly as her mother passed her a pen. She took the pen and began to click it repeatedly.

"Listen, at least apply, if you don't, you'll always wonder what could have happened," Judy encouraged her daughter.

"Okay…" Rachel trailed off, as she tore open the envelope. She sighed as she skimmed over the instructions for the application. She knew she'd never win, but it was worth at least trying. Her mother was right, she'd always wonder what would have happened if she went through with it, she just hoped she didn't make a complete fool out of herself.


Bankston, Illéa

Summer Longchamp sighed as she finished yet another commission. It was a family portrait that some snooty family wanted painted from a photograph they sent her. She didn't mind doing portraits, but they weren't her favourite. She was thinking about how to package it, then her mind went to the Selection, realising that she could just drop off her form at the same time that she sent her client their portrait. Summer knew without a doubt that she would be applying, as soon as she saw the Report she knew it would be the adventure of a lifetime. She also wanted to know what it was like to be loved by a king, would it be different from the many lovers that the thirty-three-year-old had taken? Or would it be the same? Men were men afterall, and that didn't mean that the king would be any different. Summer couldn't help but feel a great sympathy for King Edward, being stuck with two kids and losing his wife. It must be hard on him, having so much on his plate. Summer's cell phone went off, pulling her from her thoughts. She grinned when she saw it was a text from her best friend Abby, inviting her out for coffee. Summer decided that she could use a break, so she grabbed her keys and left her studio apartment behind, deciding to fill out her application later.

Summer met Abby at a small café near her apartment. They ordered their coffees and sat down on the patio, it was almost summer time, and the air was growing warmer and warmer.

"So, what did you think of the Report last week?" Abby asked, then took a sip of her coffee.

Summer smiled. "I am so excited to apply for the Selection!"

Abby gave her friend a disgusted look. "Why the hell would you do that?"

Summer leaned back in her chair and raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I?" She retorted. "It's the adventure of a lifetime! Think of it, the parties, the dates, the expensive gifts! How could I say no?"

"That's if you even get in," Abby pointed out. "And the chances of that happening are slim to none."

Sumer scoffed and flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder. "They said I'd never make it as an artist, yet here I am. Besides, if I get in, my commissions would double just for being in the Selection."

"You'd hate it in the palace, you wouldn't be able to leave, plus he has kids." Abby said as she crossed her arms. "I just, don't think it's for you."

Summer shrugged. "They're his kids, his responsibility. Besides, it'll be fun!" she teased. "I'm applying, and that's that."

Abby rolled her eyes, glad she was wearing sunglasses so her friend wouldn't see it. "Don't say I didn't warn ya."

Summer scoffed and reached for her coffee. She was a little irked by Abby's lack of enthusiasm, but decided to brush it off. She thought it was stupid of her best friend not to apply to the Selection. But, nonetheless, knew it was the right decision for her. She wanted to see how the royals lived, and well, it seemed exciting to her. How often were commoners invited to the palace? Rarely, if ever, and she'd get to live there for as long as Edward would have her, and she intended to stay for a while.


Author's Note:

Thanks a lot for the person who guest reviewed a character - I however do not accept characters unless I can keep in touch, do you have a discord we could use to communicate? If you do, please review it to me and I'll add you so we can keep in touch, if not I will not accept your character. I just like to consult the creators of characters.

Thanks!