CHAPTER 4

"This is really it then." Cade murmured. "I never thought it would actually get this far."

"Why not?" Aunt Morgan asked, "I always knew everything would work out splendidly."

Cade shook his head, "Just…people talk." He could rehash each and every one of the coarse, snide comments made to him by the council in the past month. All were effectively the same thing; This is a waste of time and money.

Perhaps they were right, but even if they were, there was little that the council could do now. The selected were inside the confines of the palace, the nation was waiting for a marriage. All that was left for the council to do was whine to themselves.

"I don't think I'm going to eliminate anyone after the first meeting. I know that's what I'm supposed to do, but it just feels cruel." Cade said, changing the subject quickly. He ran a hand through his dark blond hair, uncomfortably aware of how that action would ruin his butler's work.

"Are you supposed to eliminate some?" Uncle Albert asked.

"I think so. That's what I read." Cade had leafed through a few magazines from his father's selection, and some of the earlier issues seemed to detail a mass elimination on the first day. Cade didn't know if it was a form of sensational headlines or if it was, in fact, true, but the actual substance of the articles suggested that several girls were eliminated after the first meetings. He rather hoped it wasn't true. Although, knowing his father, it very likely was. That seemed to be the type of thing the late King would take pleasure in.

"Huh. I don't remember that." Albert thought for a second, "I remember many crying girls on the first day, so maybe that did happen."

"I'm sure nobody cried," Cade said firmly, hoping the same would hold true for his selection.

"No. Several definitely did. Very loudly too. My tutor yelled at them for disrupting the lesson. I believe that just gave them cause to cry harder."

"Well, I'll just have to be nicer then. Not that I am eliminating anyone today. I don't want anyone to cry." Cade stated clearly

"Those poor girls," Aunt Morgan mused. "To think that you're going to be the Queen and then have it ripped away."

"I think it's a little early for anyone to assume that they're going to marry me."

"Oh, Cadence. Every girl here has already decided that they're going to marry you." Aunt Morgan told him, laughing slightly.

Cade faltered. "They…they did?"

"Of course. At the very least they want to be a Princess." Aunt Morgan said. That bolstered Cade's confidence a bit. For them to want to be a Princess, to want to be the Queen, and maybe to also want him would be the best result he could dare to hope for..

He needed someone capable, someone willing to take on the job. So, he had decided, this first introduction would be a good way to distinguish his actual possibilities. He had prepared several lists of questions, of things he needed to know before getting any further in a relationship. Most were basic things, making sure that the ladies were competent, that they were confident enough to survive a council meeting, that they could tell their right from their left.

Cade planned to discern anyone who couldn't, and although he wouldn't eliminate them now, he would know not to squander his precious few months on them. If he could find his potential Queens first, then he could choose his wife. It was better for him not to fall in love with someone incapable. It was better for them to not even be an option in the first place.

He knew that Aunt Morgan would be horrified if he shared this with her. That she would think he wasn't participating in his "fairytale". Uncle Albert would probably be equally wary. After all, he was the one who tried to talk Cade's sister out of a marriage mainly for an alliance. Of course, Julianna had done it anyway, but Cade knew that this plan he concocted would be only slightly more palatable to his Uncle.

His father always described them as soft. Too mild and sympathetic. Cade never minded that fact, but he didn't want to face their disappointed looks.

So no. Cade wasn't going to tell them of his scheme. He was going to tell them that he wanted desperately to fall in love, just as he would tell the rest of Illéa.

He did plan to fall in love after all. He just needed to fall in love with the right person.

Cade cleared his throat, "So, should I go introduce myself to them?"

"They should all be waiting for you in the sitting room." Aunt Morgan added "The chefs made the most darling little cookies with roses on them. Make sure to try one."

"I will," Cade nodded. He would, if only to appease her.

"Cade," Uncle Albert said, stopping him. "I wish I could give you some fatherly sort of advice, but I've never been in a selection. I don't know what to tell you, or even what you should know. This whole process has always been very vague, there's nothing but traditions to dictate it, but, just, try your best. That's all anyone's asking of you."

Cade nodded, "I will. Don't worry about me."

And then he set off to meet his future bride.

The Women's room was surprisingly loud. No one heard the door open over the din of voices. The girls, in their vibrant dresses and intricate hairstyles, were chatting animatedly. It was a reassuring sight, but Cade had enough experience in his life to know that most were just trying to work off the nerves of meeting him. It was a bit flattering.

"Ladies," Cade said, raising his voice a little to be heard. His deeper tone cut through the room, and almost at once, the every girl dropped into a curtsy. He assumed that Vivienne had made it clear that was what they were supposed to do, which though technically correct, was not something that Cade necessarily wanted. Besides, Vivienne clearly didn't have time to teach them how to curtsy properly, so most looked like they were about to topple over. Only one or two really managed it correctly.

"It's a pleasure to see all of you here. I trust that you were all well taken care of last night, but if anything was amiss, feel free to come speak to me. I'm very excited to meet all of you today. There's no particular order, so a maid will come get you when it is your turn. In the meantime, feel free to continue chatting, and help yourself to any of the refreshments."

All of this came out rather stiffly, worse than Cade had intended. The words he had pondered over the night before sounded crudely harsh now. He had wanted to seem polished, presentable, but he knew that he had miscalculated terribly.

In an effort to seem more like a person rather than a portrait, Cade tried a kind smile.

He had no idea if it worked.

The drawing room, repurposed into the introductory room, contained two couches. One for Cade, and one for his selected, or so he reasoned. There were various snacks placed on the table, though despite his Aunt's insistence, Cade didn't think he could stomach any of the cookies. If he was lucky, maybe some of the selected would take them, he would hate for her to think that nobody enjoyed them.

The first girl brought to meet him was practically bouncing with excitement. She had dark hair cut into some sort of bob, a bow affixed to her head that matched the delicate pink of her dress. The only thing that disrupted the image was the pair of heavy boots she wore.

She curtsied. It was somewhat mediocre. Certainly not the worst, but she would not be introduced to any foreign dignitaries anytime soon, unless they happened to have a sense of humor. Which they usually didn't.

"Your Highness, I'm Nora Louise Lexington," The girl said, holding her hand out for Cade to shake.

"Miss Lexington," Cade answered, shaking her hand. "Where are you from?" He asked as she settled into the second seat.

"I'm from Allens. By the beach. It's really nice there," Nora Louise answered, smiling genuinely as she spoke.

"I've heard that. I haven't been to Allens in years, but even then, we just toured the capital city." Cade told her. He had been twice in his life, once when he was seven, and once when he was twelve. Both were in the very distant past for him. He would be hard pressed to remember much about the topography of the province

"I live sort of far away from the city. Allens isn't that big a province, but it's about an hour drive."

"Ah. So, what do you do for a living?" Cade questioned, mentally ticking off checkmark one on his list of qualifications.

"Well, I graduated from high school last spring," Nora Louise started, "So, I'm going to spend the summer here, and if it doesn't work out, you know, with you," she giggled a little at this, her cheeks going a bright shade of red, " then I'm enrolled in the University of Allens for English starting next fall."

Cade realized what she was implying, and as it was far too early to dissuade someone who potentially would be able to handle herself in a meeting, he gave her a smile, "I don't know about you, but personally, I think it's going rather well so far."

Nora Louise giggled again, her face growing redder, "That's really nice of you to say."

Cade nodded, choosing to move on, "And, just out of question, how proficient are you in history?" He made sure to make his tone casual, knowing that the stark contrast of this question against the others would probably concern the poor girl.

"History? Well, if you mean, Illéan history, then I think I'm pretty good. I hope that doesn't come off as self-centered, but I wrote a very good essay about the golden age of Illéan reforms for my final project."

"No, not at all," Cade assured her. "That's very good to know."

The selection was certainly off to a good start. Nora Louise seemed smart enough and comfortable with herself, at least to the extent that he didn't have to immediately count her out in his search for a wife. Besides, her matching bow was adorable. She actually seemed very sweet.

In an effort to make the meeting seem more of a true introduction rather than an interview, Cade cleared his throat, "So, is there anything you want me to know?"

"Anything I…I don't think so? Am I in trouble?" Nora Louise asked, looking slightly spooked.

"Oh, no, nothing like that. I just meant if you have any hobbies or anything you want to share?" Cade added quickly, mentally cursing himself for his vague phrasing. That type of thing would never survive in a national broadcast or a meeting with the council. He needed to work on that. He would add it to the long list of other things about himself that he needed to work on.

Nora Louise beamed, "I make very good chocolate chip cookies. They're a secret recipe, I came up with it myself."

"Cookies? Between you and me, that sounds much more useful than any other hobby here," Cade laughed at his own joke. "You should bake them one time, I think everyone would like that."

"Of course." Nora Louise agreed, "That's the best part about making them, getting to watch other people eat them. They always say it's the best cookie they've ever tasted," The pride was clear in her voice.

"Well, I would like to try them one time."

"I think I can work something out."

Cade stood, "I believe our time is up, Miss Lexington, but it was very nice getting to know you. There should be a maid waiting outside to take you back to the Women's room, or if you want you could return to your room."

"I think I'm going to go back to the Women's room. It's really nice getting to talk to everyone." Nora Louise blushed, "And it was nice meeting you, Your Highness."

Cade nodded, "You too."

The next girl had curly blond hair, cut short. It barely reached her shoulders. Still, despite the hair change and her altered wardrobe, Cade knew who this girl was.

Finley Ariss.

The teenage pop star turned fever dream with her disappearance from the spotlight. For a four year period, everyone knew who Finley was, even Cade who never particularly liked the fast-paced pop genre. Then, seemingly overnight, she canceled all her tours and left the music industry altogether.

Cade certainly understood. It was a hard thing to have your life path altered so drastically in such little time. He just hoped that her change was by choice.

"Your Highness," she greeted, curtsying like Nora Louise had. "My name is Finley Ariss. I'm from Likely,"

"Miss Ariss," Cade nodded, "It's very nice to meet you."

Finley ducked her head, "You don't need to call me that. Miss, I mean. You can just call me Finley."

That wasn't Finley's decision to make, but Cade could tell that she sincerely didn't know. It might have been a breach of proper etiquette, but there would be nobody around to document it. Besides, he was sure it would be far worse decorum to point out Finley's misstep.

"Of course, Finley it is then. How has your day been so far?"

"It's been good. A little scary, with how big the palace is, but everyone has been very kind." Finley told him. "How about you?"

"My day?" Cade sighed, "So far it's been good. I have a meeting later this afternoon, but I'm sure that will be fine." Cade wasn't sure of that, actually. He didn't have high hopes for this council meeting, just like he never had high hopes for any of the prior ones. But he had met Finley about forty-five seconds ago, he wasn't quite sure she was ready to hear about that.

Finley looked at him, smiling sympathetically, "That's good. It must be a lot of work to be the next King, and all."

Cade nodded, "It is, it's hard, but I'm sure…I'm sure we have more interesting things to talk about, so, Finley, what would you say is your, uh, greatest strength?" Maybe not his smoothest segue, or most inconspicuous question, but Finley probably wouldn't discuss it with anyone.

"That sounds like an interview question," Finley answered, smiling quietly. "I like to think that I'm friendly. I guess that's sort of a boring one, but I don't…I'm not like an Olympian or anything."

Cade shook his head, "No, that's wonderful. I'm not an Olympian either, by any means."

"Do you play sports?" Finley questioned softly.

"Some. I play tennis occasionally, but I'm not very good. Anyone in my family could probably beat in less than five minutes." Cade admitted, aware that he was divulging a bit too much personal information for the first meetings.

"That's okay. I'm not great at athletics either. I never had time to play really. I took some dance lessons, but I never learned how to do the actual cool moves."

"You didn't?" Cade asked, "What did you learn?"

"Mostly just modern. Stuff that would look good on stage," Finley said, meeting his eyes shyly.

She was probably trying to see if he recognized her. Cade didn't know if she'd rather he did or not. He didn't want to hurt her feelings either way. So, like he always did when faced with an awkward dilemma, he ignored it.

Cade nodded. "I just realized, I forgot to ask what you do for work. I guess that should have been my first question," Cade said, chuckling at himself.

"I'm a waitress." Finley answered quickly. "Just a waitress."

Ah. She was now a six then.

Cade could tell it was a somewhat sensitive subject for her, probably tied in with her quittance from her fame as a pop star. He didn't want to push her too far in this meeting.

"What type of restaurant do you work at?"

"A diner. It's sort of small, and between you and me, the food isn't great, but I like it there. The owners are very nice."

"I'm happy to hear that. I've heard that the service industry can be difficult sometimes."

"It can be," Finley agreed, "But, I don't have a lot of experience in it. I don't think I'm the best person to ask about it."

"Now, what would you say your weakness is?"

"My weakness? In a Superman way or in a metaphorical sense?" Finley asked.

"I meant metaphorically, but if you explode if you come near Kryptonite, that might be good to know."

"Well, I never really thought about that. I don't like loud spaces though. I can't focus in them." Finley answered honestly. It wasn't exactly what Cade was hoping for, but he knew that the question was pretty deep for a first meeting. Besides, he appreciated the honest answer. Far too many people liked to respond that they were perfectionists or workaholics.

At least Finley was being truthful.

That was the three questions he had decided to ask each selected then, Cade supposed. He didn't intend on doing much more, lest the introductions drag on for hours. Though it felt like they were in the middle of a discussion, Cade figured he had to end it. What type of leader would he be if he couldn't even stick to a simple plan he had come up with merely an hour ago?

"Finley, I apologize, but I believe our time is up. There should be someone outside to direct you," Cade said, standing to walk her to the door.

"Oh, yes. I didn't realize... It was nice to meet you." Finley answered standing, she smiled again, waving as she left the room

"It was nice to meet you too," Cade answered, returning her wave. She laughed as the door slammed behind her.

Then came a selected with dark hair tied back in a simple bun. There were no adornments, no small braids or tiny curls. It was one of the least extravagant styles Cade had seen yet today.

She curtsied, sitting on the overstuffed couch without waiting for an invitation. "I'm Penelope, Penelope Darnley, Your Highness."

"Miss Darnley, where are you from?"

The girl smoothed her skirt before answering, "Carolina, Your Highness."

"And do you like it there?" Cade inquired.

Penelope took a deep breath before answering, "It's a place to live. It's not… I'm sorry, that came out wrong. I don't have anything against it. Really, I don't. "

Cade didn't know quite what to make of the bizarre sentence in front of him, so he merely smiled, "Of course, I understand how this can be very nerve wracking. I know what you meant."

Penelope nodded, "That's good."

"So, Miss Darnley, what is your job?" Cade asked, as he asked every girl before him.

Penelope's expression was one of barely hidden discontent. "I'm a housekeeper, Your Highness."

Ah, that might explain her distaste for Carolina. Her distaste for any province in general. She must have been a six, which though Illéa had far progressed past the absolute poorness of the lower castes, meant that she was still far from well off. She was a housekeeper, which even in the terms of being a six, did not pay very much at all. Cade frowned momentarily before moving on, these questions clearly were not much to Penelope's liking.

"What do you believe is your passion in life?" Cade asked, plucking another question from his mental list.

Penelope was taken aback by the abrupt change. She coughed before answering, "I like to write. Mostly novels but I've been trying to expand to historical topics."

"Do you publish your stories?" Cade asked. Perhaps that was a part of the girl's gloomy atmosphere. She was clearly dissatisfied in life, so much so that she couldn't even pretend to be happy in a five minute meeting with the Crown Prince of Illéa.

"Oh goodness, no. I can't." Penelope said quickly.

"Nerves?" Cade asked politely.

"No. Nothing like that. I actually think my stories are very good, if I do say so myself. I just…I'm not in a place in life where I can have stories published." Her wording was vague but Cade understood the gist of it. She was a six. No publishing house would accept her, at least not without a glowing recommendation.

Still, she clearly had a strong opinion of herself, which was essential for him to have in a wife. He couldn't have a Queen who let herself be pushed around by the council. Cade already filled that position. One of the two needed to have confidence, so he reasoned.

"I'm sure they are," Cade answered. "I would like to read one of your novels one time."

"Do you like to read?"

"Well enough. I'm not an avid reader, but I enjoy it sometimes.

"I love to read." Penelope said, "It's my favorite pastime."

Cade nodded, "I understand that. It's just hard for me to become invested in fictional characters. Miss Darnley, before we leave today, might I ask you what your favorite color is?"

"My favorite color?" Penelope shook her head, "I was expecting some grand question about my future life plans."

"I thought it might be nice to end on a lighter note. Besides, I have you pegged as a blue person."

Penelope gave him a small smile. "No. I like gray."

Cade resisted the urge to frown at his (somewhat educated) guess having been proved false. He certainly shouldn't become a psychic anytime soon. "Well, so much for that. Thank you for coming in today, Miss Darnley. There should be a maid outside to escort you either to the Women's room or to your room."

"Thank you as well, Your Highness."

The next selected wore a light pink dress, with some sort of shimmering fabric over the top. It was actually very striking with her dark hair and blue eyes. "I'm Irina Lenka, Your Highness," she said as a way of introduction.

"Miss Lenka," Cade nodded, "I hope you're having a good day so far."

"You..You do?"

Cade's smile faltered, "Of course. I don't want anyone to have a bad day. That wouldn't be very nice, you all came here, after all. I think that would make me the world's worst host." He was rambling and he knew it. Cade had gotten better at maintaining a professional demeanor over the years, but it was still too easy to trip him up.

An odd question. An inquiry he didn't know the answer to. A mildly insulting comment. They all came as a part of his life, but despite his attempts he still couldn't handle them very well.

Irina laughed, smiling in some form of relief. "No, no. I didn't think that. Yes, I'm having a good day, thank you for asking."

"Okay. So, Miss Lenka, where are you from?"

"I'm from Waverly." Irina answered.

"And what do you do?"

"I work as a dancer. Not with a company or anything, just independently." Irina said. "Can I take one of these?"

"The cookies?" Cade asked. "Please do. No one's taken any so far, I'm a bit worried about hurt feelings if they're all left by the end of the day."

"Oh. Well, I'll take two then." Irina decided, lifting a gold-edged plate and tilting it precariously on her lap.

"Miss Lenka, do you think you're a risk-taker?" Cade asked, selecting another one of his interview questions.

"A risk-taker? I guess it depends on the situation. I'm not going to jump out of an airplane or go parasailing, but I guess I take some risks." Irina explained, taking a bite of her cookie.

"What type of risks?"

Irina thought for a second, "I'm not exactly a passive person. You know, I say when something bothers me, and that's not always the best thing to do, especially when you're a five, so in that sense I guess I take risks."

Cade nodded. That was a very good quality to have in a Queen. "And, how would your friends describe you?"

"I don't have many friends, actually, I only have one," Irina admitted. "I'd like to think that she'd say I was very loyal. We've been friends since we were six years old."

"That's very nice." Cade answered, "It sounds like you two are very close."

Irina nodded, "We are. We're actually roommates. So I guess both of us got lucky with the selection. I get to come to the palace, and she gets the apartment to herself, except for my sister."

Cade had never shared a room in his life. The closest he had ever come was on an airplane when there were only two bedrooms, meaning he and his sister had to nap in the same room. He knew that finally getting your own apartment though, even if it was only temporary, must be a happy occurrence.

"Good. I know it can be difficult for many girls to be away from their families." Cade said. " Do you have any questions for me, as long as we're here?"

Irina thought for a few moments, "I just…yesterday, I was pretty tired after traveling and everything, and I wasn't myself."

Cade crinkled his eyebrows, "Okay…?"

"Just, if you hear anything or anyone says anything, I was having a bad day."

To say the least, Cade was intrigued. He would have asked her what had happened, but that probably was exactly what she was hoping he didn't do. So instead, pushing his own curiosity aside, he smiled. "Of course, I understand."

"Good."

"Thank you for coming in today, there should be a maid outside to accompany you back to the Women's Room, or to your own room if you'd like." Cade said, reciting the spiel. Irina left, bobbing a quick curtsy before letting the door slam behind her.

Then came a woman who might be even more famous than Cade himself. Blythe Cecilia has been in everything. Daytime soap operas, broadway shows, academy award winning movies, if it existed in the world of television then Blythe had been in it.

Cade had seen a few of the movies and heard about some of the other shows, and suffice to say, he definitely wasn't her biggest fan in the selection, if he could be counted as a fan at all. Still, he knew that many many people, probably even some of the selected, were even more giddy at the prospect of seeing Blythe than at seeing Cade himself.

And he was the Crown Prince of Illéa.

She curtsied, the best one that Cade had seen so far, before addressing him. "I'm Blythe Cecilia, Your Highness," she said simply.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Cecilia. How is your time in the palace so far?" Cade asked.

Blythe nodded enthusiastically, "It's been wonderful, Your Highness. It's very kind of you and your family to let us all stay here. The decor is beautiful," she said, sounding like she did in every interview. Cade wasn't sure if it was a force of habit or truly how she spoke, but either way the words were kind and her tone was sincere.

"It's tradition," Cade answered, "I didn't pick out the decor, but I'll take that as a compliment anyway."

"There's a vase I really like near my room," Blythe added quietly.

Cade just shrugged. He didn't know what to say to that. There were many vases in the palace, all of them equally well designed and expensive. Instead, he offered up a question, "So Miss Cecilia, can I ask you about why you joined the selection? You do have a very cool career."

Blythe swallowed a little, "Why I joined?" she asked, her voice growing a few decibels higher.

Cade nodded in response.

"I…I don't know. I just felt like doing it. I like acting and all, but I just wanted to try something different," Blythe finished lamely, looking down.

Cade understood that to some extent. She wanted a change. Andrew was always telling him roughly the same thing whenever Cade asked about why he went to college or what he was going to do with his degree. There was something sweet about it, for Blythe, a girl who was already so famous, to be willing to enter the selection.

Cade wasn't naive enough to believe that every, if not most, of the girls had joined the selection for love, but he didn't mind pretending to think it for a few minutes.

"That makes sense. I was worried this was going to be your grand withdrawal from acting. Can I ask you another question?"

Blythe nodded, "Of course."

"How are you in geography?"

Blythe managed to keep her smile intact this time, obviously anticipating a jarring question. "I can place all the provinces on a map if that's what you mean?"

Cade smiled, "How about in terms of population. Concentrations of certain castes and things like that?" It was nothing that couldn't be taught, but he was curious.

Blythe shook her head, "I'm sorry. I don't know much about that, other than what I learned in high school."

"I expected that. It's complicated. Most people don't know much. I don't think half the council even could answer that question." Cade said, trying to make her feel better. He wasn't sure if she was even that upset, her face still looked calm and she was still smiling, but it was better to frontline just in case.

"That does make me feel better. I studied pretty hard in school, I think if my teacher went over it I would know." Blythe said, blushing a little.

Cade smiled a little at that. He asked her the questions though, and his list was running very low. He might have to start reusing some of them soon. Besides there would be plenty of time for getting to know the girls better after he got through the first meetings sorting them.

"Before we go, is there anything else you want to talk about?" Cade asked.

Blythe looked down, "I was just wondering what the…If I was allowed to…I wanted to post some photos on my social media, and I didn't know what the policy on that was? I just don't want to let people down."

That was a very good question. Cade hadn't been told of any restrictions the selected had, though he assumed they had all been forced to sign strict contracts. "I don't know, I'm sorry. You might want to ask my Aunt about that, if you see her. I think she should know."

"I should ask Princess Morgan?" Blythe clarified, seeming a little scared.

Cade softened his tone, "She's a huge fan of yours, she'll be delighted you talked to her."

That seemed to reassure Blythe enough so that she nodded, promising to follow through on Cade's suggestion.

Cade stood, offering her his arm, "Thank you Miss Cecilia, It was very nice to meet you today, I assume by this point enough girls returned to the Women's room that you know what to do?"

"I do. Someone will be waiting outside. They all told us." Blythe informed him.

Cade walked her out of the room. He waited exactly seven seconds before sighing, loosening his tie from around his neck.

If his approximation was correct he had met maybe only about a quarter of the selected. He checked his watch quickly. He had to be in a meeting in exactly five hours and thirty-seven minutes, which meant that he would be cutting it very close if he didn't stop for lunch.

God Damn the council and their ridiculous disregard for his schedule.

Hellooooo everyone. So, in this chapter Cade meets the first batch of his selected. So, next chapter hopefully we'll get to all of them :) Thank you so much to everyone who sent in a form, I absolutely love all of the characters. My exams went very weel, and now minus finals in a few weeks, I'm free so I'm hoping to update once a week or so. We'll see.