April 28th, 2065
Royal Dining Room, Illea Palace.
Sythe tapped his foot rapidly as the silence filled the room. Allure was still at the bar, holding another bottle in her hand, yet this time not drinking. Looking at the screen, the next girl had black hair that faded into purple, brown eyes and a scar that was ever so slightly still on her cheek.
Galia Masucci, Midston, Sound Manipulation
The door opened ever so slowly, and in walked Gaila, slowly closing the door behind her and immediately turning to the prince and curtsying.
"Good mornin', Your Majesty. It's most wonderful to meet you." Galia spoke as she sat down, almost inviting herself to sit. At least she didn't wait for Sythe to give her instructions. She had a slight smile on her face, yet Sythe could tell there was a bit of hesitation from her.
"Good Morning, Lady Galia. Would you like anything to drink?" Sythe asked, gesturing for Allure to focus (she had just been looking up at the ceiling, perhaps the effects of the alcohol).
Galia smiled, "Do you have any tea?" She asked, looking hopefully at Allure.
"We have green tea, black tea, and lavender tea." Allure spoke, "Though it might take a couple of minutes to make."
"Take your time, I appreciate you, Miss…" Galia paused, trying to learn Allure's name. Sythe had to smile at her refreshing demeanor, Most of the girls here seemed fake, almost putting on a show. Galia did not feel that way.
Allure smiled as well, "It's Allure, I'm Sythe's bodyguard."
"Lovely to meet you." Galia spoke, before clearing her throat, "Your Majesty, what's one thing you couldn't live without?" Galia said, carrying on the conversation better than Sythe ever had.
Sythe thought for a moment, before chuckling slightly, "Would it be wrong to say books? I quite enjoy a good story that takes you places. I couldn't live without them, this world seems dreadfully boring compared to them." Sythe paused before clearing his throat, "Not that this is boring, right now, I just meant…"
Sythe tried to back track, but Galia was already laughing, a contagious laugh. It felt as if Sythe could only hear her laugh in the moment.
"I do agree, this world can be quite, uneventful at times. Yet life is beautiful, do you not agree?" Galia asked, tilting her head slightly.
Sythe hesitated before nodding, "Yes it is quite beautiful." He simply said.
Thankfully Allure walked over with Galia's tea in hand, Galia took it graciously, and sipped on it before taking a deep breath, her smile fading ever so slightly.
"Thank you again, Miss Allure." Galia spoke, soft and gentle before looking back and Sythe, "Your Majesty, may I ask you something?"
Sythe nodded, tapping his leg again, anxiety building up in his stomach. He might vomit out all the alcohol at this pace.
"Do you enjoy where you are right now?" Galia questioned, yet it didn't feel like an interrogation. It felt as if a friend was asking him if he liked the weather. Such a simple question, yet the answer couldn't leave Sythe's lips.
"I do, yes." Sythe stated, as Galia's eyes narrowed slightly, her smile now all gone.
"Well yes, I would see has you are a Prince, it would be a nice life." Galia spoke, as she looked at the time, "I've taken up a lot of your time, Your Majesty. I will hopefully speak to you again. Thank you for the tea, Miss Allure." Galia said as she set down her cup and stood up from her chair.
"Please, take it with you, Lady Galia." Allure insisted, smiling towards Galia.
Galia smiled slightly before picking up the cup again, curtsying and making her exit quickly, leaving Sythe sitting there, unsure what to think of her.
"She's quite nice, I like her Sythe." Allure spoke after the door closed.
Sythe cleared his throat, "Yes, she is quite nice." He fixed his posture as he chuckled, "I thought that black tea was for Rune."
"Well as long as we don't tell her, She won't know the difference." Allure shrugged. Sythe chuckled ever so slightly as he pressed the button.
Libby Watkins, Ottaro, Weather Control.
As Sythe talked to Libby, she was the complete opposite of Galia. Very cold and very short with the Prince. He could barely get a sentence out before he felt the piercing eyes of Libby judging him every word he said. By the time she had left, Sythe felt completely drained.
"God i know who's leaving first." Allure spoke, sipping some water.
"You finally got rid of the alcohol?" Sythe asked, holding his head in his hand, wanting to fall asleep immediately.
"Not got rid of, just temporarily on hiatus." Allure joked, sipping more water, "Look at the next girl."
Sythe turned his attention towards the screen, a beautiful girl with long brown hair and hazel eyes, stared back at him with a wide smile.
Soledad Dredd, Paloma, Dream Walker.
Sythe pressed the button as he wondered what a dream walker is. He waited a beat before the door opened, Soledad entered, a warm smile on her face as she closed the door behind her and curtsy, a low curtsy that put the other girls to shame. She almost touched the floor.
"Lady Soledad, it's lovely to meet you." Sythe spoke, "Please, have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?"
Soledad sat down before nodding, "Yes can I please have a water?"
"One water coming up!" Allure said as she grabbed the glass bottle of water.
"Oh so fancy!" Soledad joked as Allure walked over to her and handed her the water. "Every thing here is so fancy, even the forks are covered in gold."
Sythe new he could thank Conji for that, but he held his tongue and smiled, "You like it here?" Sythe asked, putting his hands together and putting them in his lap.
"Yes I do, it's beautiful, all the decor… the atmosphere as well, I love it, and the girls here, well most of them are nice. There are a couple that are… well i wouldn't say scary, but they do give me chills if I look at them long enough." Soledad spoke, and it was the longest a girl has spoke to Sythe. She seemed to ramble more as Sythe smiled.
"Oh and the maids have adorable outfits, even the guards armor is a nice silvery gold, it's really fascinating." Soledad continued, "Oh i'm talking too much, when I do you must stop me if I talk too much, otherwise I'll keep going and talk your ear off!" Soledad laughed.
Sythe chuckled, "No it's quite alright, I don't mind. Its refreshing actually, Lady Soledad."
"Oh please call me Sol. Soledad is so formal." She made a face and shook her head, "It's nice and cool here too, back at home I would be sweating too much."
"Ah yes, Paloma, it's quite beautiful but hot." Sythe agreed, "When I went, I remember getting ice cream just for it to melt before i could taste it."
Sol seemed surprised at Sythe, "You've been to Paloma?"
Sythe had forgot to hold his tongue, the royal beach house was supposed to be a secret to only the royal family. It was a vacation home to get away from the duties of royalty for a while, and not many citizens knew about it.
"Oh forget I said that…" Sythe said, "That's supposed to be a secret."
"Don't worry," Sol smiled, "You have my word I will keep this secret. Nobody shall know!"
Sythe smiled slightly, "Thank you I appreciate it. It looks like our time is almost up."
Sol frowned slightly, "I'm sorry, I talk too much sometimes and I lose track of time." She waved her hands as she spoke, seemingly genuinely upset.
"It's quite alright, I enjoyed our conversation." Sythe smiled, "I look forward to speaking again."
"As do I, Your Highness." Sol spoke as she stood, curtsying again (another very low curtsy).
She walked out of the room, closing the door, and Sythe almost wanted to call her back in to continue the conversation. Allure smiled at Sythe, "It seems like most of these girls are very glad to be here, Your Highness."
"It would seem that way." Sythe agreed, "Give me a minute I need to use the restroom."
Allure chuckled, "Don't run away."
Sythe laughed, "Even if I wanted to, I could not."
After another dreadfully boring talk, the next girl was one Sythe was not excited for, just because the girl, Sythe had met before. She did not leave the best impression on him a year ago, and he was worried she wouldn't now.
Kiara Aston, Sonage, Appearance Shifter.
"Oh god I remember her." Allure spoke, "She was the one that Etheri wanted to continuously wanted to talk to her for her birthday.
Sythe pressed the button, "She gave me the creeps last year, and I stayed away from her. Well to be fair I have stayed away from everyone…"
"That's not your fault, Your Highness." Allure sighed, "Let just hope she's better than last year…"
"Lets hope." Sythe spoke as the door opened, and Kiara entered. She had definitely changed her appearance slightly. Her face was still the same, but now her hair was a light brown and her eyes a Hazel color. She wore a soft pastel dress with a black beanie in her hair. She smiled, another creepy grin that Sythe couldn't shake.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness." She spoke, curtsying ever so slightly, before sitting down, "Can I get a Dr Pepper?"
Allure raised her eyebrow before clearing her throat, "Of course, Lady Kiara."
"I like what you have done with your hair." Sythe said, a forced smile on his face. Kiara smiled before flipping her hair.
"You do? I wanted a look that screamed I'm here to win, how does it look?" Kiara asked, leaning in closer to Sythe.
Sythe had to stifle a shiver before he smiled, "It certainly looks nice."
"Thank you" Kiara said as she grabbed the Dr Pepper from Allure, "However I can look however you want so just give me the word and I can change."
"Thats… nice of you." Sythe spoke, "Do you remember when you were hear for my Sister's birthday?"
"Oh yes I do!" Kiara smiled, "It was so nice to be invited, and the Queen loved me so much. Where is the Queen, I would love to speak with her."
Sythe held back a grimace before clearing his throat, "I'm not quite sure of that, but you will definitely see her around."
"That's fantastic." Kiara smiled, "I hope we can be best of friends!"
That would have to depend on if the Queen would even look Kiara's way. Sythe fidgeted with his hands slightly, unsure of how to continue the conversation.
"I hope we can be friends too, Your Highness. I can really help you with this Selection, if you wanted it." Kiara spoke, and Sythe's eyebrows raised. She bit her lip slightly, "I can get you a lot of information on the girls, If you insist."
"I'll… keep that in mind, thank you, Lady Kiara. I'm pretty sure thats as much time as we have, thank you again." Sythe spoke, rather quickly.
"Thank you too." Kiara spoke as she stood up, curtsying slightly, before making her exit without another word.
Sythe finally shivered as the door closed, "She's… um."
"Creepy." Allure finished his sentence, "She's creepy with a capital C."
"The information could be useful, though." Sythe shrugged.
"Remember you have five people to eliminate after this whole interview thing, She could be on your list." Allure reminded.
"Thank you for the reminder." Sythe said, as he pressed the button again.
The next girls weren't remarkable, Lady Hazel was the most interesting out of the girls, but even then Sythe wanted to fall asleep.
"Oh my goodness, the next girl is the one with the crown on her head. I so want to meet her." Allure spoke.
As Sythe looked at the screen, he remembered the girl who didn't smile in her photo. She had a metal crown over her head.
Scarlett Morun, Tammins, Metal Manipulation.
Sythe pressed the button, and almost immediately the door opened rather quickly, Scarlett entered the room, sitting down on the couch immediately. She had a blouse and pants on, where as all the other girls wore dresses or even a long flowy skirt.
"Good morning, Prince Sythe." Scarlett spoke, a hint of metallic in her voice. That made sense with her power but it still made Sythe shift in his seat slightly.
"Good morning, Lady Scarlett… would you like a drink?" Sythe asked, and Scarlett seemed to perk up a bit at the word drink.
"Would it be impolite to ask for a shot?" Scarlett asked.
"Not at all," Allure chipped in, "We have an assortment of vodka, what would you like?"
"Gray Goose, please." Scarlett said, before leaning back in her chair, "Prince Sythe, If you think you can woo me with charms I'm afraid you are sorely mistaken."
Sythe had to laugh at the ridiculousness of her statement, "I would assume it would be the other way…"
Scarlett raised her eyebrow before taking the shot and leaning her head back quickly before gulping the whole shot down, slamming the shot glass down. "I am not here to win your affections, It was a bet with friends for me to enter."
"How unlucky… would you," Sythe hesitated, "Would you like to go home? I can send you home now, if that's what you prefer."
Scarlett seemed to hesitate before clearing her throat, "May i be honest?" Sythe nodded before Scarlett continued, "I would have taken you up on that offer yesterday… but now i learned about the money and…"
"You wish to stay for the money?" Sythe asked.
"Yes. It would help me and my family." Scarlett said honestly, and it felt like she was being truthful.
"Then you can stay." Sythe smiled, "I won't try to charm you, and we wouldn't have to go on dates. You could make it to the Elite, but just say the word whenever and you can be sent home."
"That sounds delightful, Your Highness. May we shake on it?" Scarlett asked.
Sythe smiled and held out his hand. Scarlett took it, and shook. Rather hard, and Sythe was afraid she might rip out his arm from his socket.
"Thank you, Lady Scarlett." Sythe spoke. Scarlett stood up, before bowing slightly.
"The pleasure is all mine, thank you again. Have a wonderful day." Scarlett spoke before she left the room, leaving Allure and Sythe looking at each other.
"Oh I like her. She knows what she wants. A lady after my own taste." Allure chuckled, before pouring herself a shot.
"Are you sure you should be drinking?" Sythe asked, tilting his head.
"Oh look you only have four girls left!" Allure said, trying to distract Sythe. It worked.
Persephone Albright, Waverly, Human Charger.
"You ready?" Allure asked, taking her shot and placing it on the table.
"As I'll ever be." Sythe said as he pressed the button, and a couple of seconds later, Persephone walked in. Her hair was a beautiful black and it was up in a braided bun. Her stylist clearly took a lot of time on Persephone.
As she entered, She curtsied and sat down on the chair across from Sythe silently. Not even a single word between them.
"Good morning, Lady Persephone, It's a pleasure." Sythe started, his hands resting on his lap, "Would you like a drink?"
Persephone thought for a second before saying, "Do you have any Sun Tea?"
Sythe hesitated, "I don't think we have that… I don't know what it is. I'm sorry." He apologized, but Persephone shook her head.
"No it's quite already. It's a tea my Governess makes for me.." Persephone smiled, "I have yet to find any here, but that's alright."
"I'll have the maids find the ingredients to make for you for meals." Sythe suggested.
"That's a lot of effort, you do not have to do that." Persephone spoke politely, "I was just simply seeing if you had it here."
Sythe smiled, "Would you like anything else?"
Persephone shook her head, "I have water back at the table. I am quite alright. Thank you."
Sythe nodded before continuing, "How are you enjoying the castle? I hope everything is quite alright."
"It's beautiful, very nice. I would say my only grievance is with some of the girls…" Persephone spoke, but then held her tongue, "That's not any of my business though."
"That's quite alright, who do you have a grievance with?" Sythe asked. Persephone held her tongue as if she was trying to think if she should even tell him.
"Well, don't tell them I said this but… Callie Derem was saying some… nasty things towards Shana Thorne." Persephone spoke softly.
Sythe raised his eyebrow, "What kind of nasty things."
"You know Shana… right? She's very skinny and… Well Callie was making fun of her and her hair… You know all the curls. The girls stood up for Shana but… Callie seemed to hate her because of her curls and skin color."
Sythe bit the inside of his cheek, "Thank you for informing me, Lady Callie will get punished for sure."
Persephone nodded, "Oh but you didn't hear it from me. Callie can be very mean…"
"Of course, I need to eliminate five ladies anyway, She will be amongst them." Sythe spoke.
"Five ladies?" Persephone asked, "That's quite a lot for the first day."
"It helps even the odds." Sythe lied, he couldn't tell her that his mother is forcing him to, "I have to eliminate people by the end of this anyway."
"Well yes of course." Persephone nodded.
Sythe looked at the time, "I appreciate the information, Lady Persephone. I'm afraid our time is up. Thank you again, I enjoyed our time."
Persephone got up, curtsying slightly before smiling, "Have a great day, Your Highness." She spoke before softly making her way towards the exit.
When she left, Sythe sighed, "I can't believe people can be so cruel."
"You live in a family of cruel people." Allure stated, "It's good you're taking a stance to this, though."
"Right." Sythe said, "Let us continue."
"Congratulations girls! You got through the interviews!" The Queen announced, and Prince Sythe stood next to his mother. The interviews were finally over and he could go take a nap soon. He had been looking forwards to this nap.
"If Prince Sythe calls your name, You will stay in the Dining Hall for a minute, if he does not, We will go to the main hall after my announcement!" The Queen spoke, gesturing to Prince Sythe.
"After the Queen's announcement, May I please see, Lady Thea, Lady Mary-Anne, Lady Callie, Lady Libby, and Lady Alexandra in the Dining Hall?" Sythe asked as he smiled. The girls he called seemed to have a smug smile, or a shy nod before the Queen cleared her throat.
"Well, as I was saying, we have a surprise for the Ladies. We will be doing a game, a Scavenger hunt! You will split up into groups of Three or Four and compete to win the Scavenger hunts." The Queen smiled, "The reward for winning is a group date with the Prince! The first one!"
The girls cheered, a lot of them excited to see who will win.
"Alright, ladies, lets go to the Main Hall and find our groups." The Queen said, walking towards the door. The girls got up, except the five requested to stay.
As the dining hall cleared, Sythe held back a nervous laugh as he looked at the five, eager girls in front of him.
The door to the Dining hall closed, and Sythe sighed slightly, "It has been a pleasure having you here at the Royal Castle. Unfortunately, based on our interviews, I have decided that you five will not be apart of the Selection anymore. I appreciate you coming but-"
Sythe was cut off as three girls started yelling, and the other two started crying. Callie spoke up, "This is ridiculous! How dare you eliminate us already! This is absolutely ridiculous! I will not have this slander!"
"I'm sorry, my decision is final. You may go. Now." Sythe said, before immediately be-lining it to the exit. The girls continued to yell and cry as guards tried to calm the girls and get them to leave.
When he left, back in the room where the interviews were, he slumped on the couch, "Fantastic… just great."
"Hey you did well!" Allure spoke, "Real authoritative there!"
"I need a nap." Sythe sighed, before looking at the bar, "And a drink."
"One drink, coming right up!" Allure smiled, "Hey, this is only the start. It'll get better."
Sythe sighed, before closing his eyes, "Lets hope so."
Hey Guys! It's been a while! I'm glad to keep writing, and I hope you enjoy! I hope to get another new SYOC out there soon, so keep an eye out! Thanks again.
Logan