Hello all! Here is my first story. I hope you like it! You can find my Selection SYOC form on my profile page, go ahead and copy and paste it!

Summary: Prince Nikolas Woodwork-Schreave already had a Selection. Only, it had ended in disaster and his "One" had been cruelly taken away from him. Now, five years later, he's ready to have another Selection, whether he wants to or not. Add in two half-sisters who can't stand each other, political unrest, and a growing army of rebels who want to see his family dead and don't want him to be King. It's going to be a fun time.

Rules for SYOC Submissions:

**I am hoping to accept about 10-15 OCs**

1) Not a rule, but the provinces of Clermont and Waverly are not available

2) Only send me submissions through PMs

3) No mary-sue type characters. Make them complex, don't make them one-dimensional.

4) I will accept TWO submissions per submitter for now

Note: OC Submissions will be due by September 27, 2023


Chapter 1- Try Again

Present Day

Friday, July 7, 2137

Nikolas Woodwork-Schreave, son of Eadlyn Woodwork-Schreave and her "One" Kile Woodwork sat stiffly in his chair as he waited for the Report to start, fiddling with the cuffs on his sleeves now and again. It didn't feel right; his blonde hair felt combed too neatly, and his suit fit too perfectly to him. The studio where the Report was filmed felt hot and stuffy, the spotlights causing his eyes to water. Did he have to do this again? He felt sick.

"Kole," He blinked, looking up as his dad sat next to him, his hair combed neatly back. "Relax, everything is going to be fine."

"That's what you said last time," Kole said bitterly, meeting his dad's eye with his own. They weren't an exact match; his eyes were a shade darker than his dad's.

He had already had a Selection five years ago and it hadn't been "fine" at all. It had ended in absolute tragedy, at least for him:

Five Years Ago

Friday, April 16, 2132

It was the end of his Selection, and a nineteen-year-old Kole was kneeling in front of his "One" Evelyn Warren, in front of a large crowd of spectators, a stupidly large grin on his face which she matched, her crystal blue eyes glowing tears pricking at her eyes.

"Yes," She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck when he rose back up to his feet, her lips eagerly meeting his to the cheers and applause of the crowd.

He pulled back, feeling like a weight had lifted off his chest at her affirmation before he glanced at his parents, Eadlyn and Kile Woodwork-Schreave couldn't look prouder, he swore there were even tears in his dad's eyes as he clapped. His grandparents who sat next to them were also teary. His siblings, Bennett and Natalia were grinning up at him.

He then turned back to the crowd, pulling Evelyn to stand next to him, their fingers interlaced, "Illéa, let me be the first one to introduce you to the future Princess of Illéa." He felt her squeeze his hand once before letting go, a blush on her cheeks as she gave a curtsey to the crowd. "I promise to do my best for you," Evelyn said softly.

Those words had barely left her lips when an explosion rocked the palace and chaos exploded all around them. People tried to run for exits as the sounds of gunshots sounded through the hall, some of the guests falling to the floor with their clothes suddenly dyed red. People who were dressed in all black and wearing masks that concealed their faces rushed in, their guns aiming at the guests and royals. Rebels.

For the past fifteen years, the rebel movement had once again risen in Illéa, as it had during his grandpa's Selection. They no longer wanted the Schreaves on the throne and one of their goals was to have the caste system reinstalled, saying that the caste system had been better, and everyone knew their place. It was utterly ridiculous to him, how some people wanted that arcane and unjust system back.

Evelyn stared, clinging tightly to him. "Kole..." She said softly.

At her voice Kole jumped to action, jumping off the platform just as the guards reached them to lead them to safety.

Kole had kept Evelyn as close to him as possible as they ran after the guards, a day that was supposed to be with joy and laughter was now filled with screams of terror and blood.

They had almost reached the safe room when they heard shots behind them, many of their guards going down as the rebels gunned for the two of them.

He pushed Evelyn through the door before him, turning to watch the hall as one of the rebels raised his gun right at him, having a clear shot.

Everything slowed down at that moment, he watched the rebel press the trigger fully expecting to feel the impact of the bullet but before anything could happen, he felt small hands press against him, shoving him out of the way.

He could only watch, eyes wide as Evelyn took the bullet that was meant for him. It entered her back before exiting through her chest. The force of the shot caused her to tumble into him just as one of their remaining guards slammed the door to the safe room closed.

Kole caught Evelyn before she fell to the floor, cradling her to his chest as he desperately pressed his hand against her wound, causing her to cry out in pain, tears streaming down her cheeks.

He frantically looked around for help, but they were completely alone, the guards they had with them on the other side of the door, dead or fighting.

"...Kole," Evelyn muttered, gazing up at him with eyes filled with pain, blood starting to drip down her chin.

"Don't talk." He said desperately, "Help is coming," he said, but he didn't know if the reassurance was for her or more for himself. He pressed harder against the wound, and even though she was clearly in pain Evelyn gently put her hand on top of his.

"Kole... thank you for choosing me," she said weakly, her eyes never leaving his face. "I've been in love with you for so long and today..." She swallowed, coughing as blood got stuck in her throat, "Today made me so happy, I just regret it's only today." More tears flowed down her cheeks, and he shook his head.

"Don't talk like that," His voice cracked, tears sliding down his face. "We still have years together Evie. We'll get married, have kids, and live until we're both gray and wrinkled, just like you wanted." He said desperately. "So you can't leave me."

Evelyn blinked, giving him a sad smile, "I'm sure you'll have that... someday. I hope you do Kole." She reached for his cheek, and he held her palm against his face, not caring about the blood, her palm, was sickeningly cool against his skin.

"You can't leave me," he said brokenly, tears openly sliding down his face as he looked at her. She was chalk-white and her once beautiful gold dress was covered in blood.

"Be happy Kole. Live." She smiled gently at him, the light in her eyes dimming, "I love you." Those were her last words to him.

As the remaining warmth left her body, Kole cried, unable to let her go. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of his life. Instead, it had turned into his worst nightmare.


Present Day

Friday, July 7, 2137

"This is a horrible idea," Kole muttered as he watched as the techs did a final sound check before the Report went on.

"What is?" Eadlyn joined them, looking every inch of the perfectly put-together Queen that she was, her light olive skin seemed to glow and under the lights, her rich dark hair was pulled up into an elegant bun.

"The Selection," Kole said, he was still angry he had to do another one. "It's stupid and a horrible idea, especially with how the last one ended." He could still feel Evelyn's blood on his hands, even now. "I can be more useful running drills with the soldiers."

Eadlyn's warm hazel eyes narrowed on him, "You wanted to be an active soldier after Evelyn's death. I allowed it because I'd rather have you focused on our military than drinking yourself to death or entertaining yourself with hordes of women. Four years in the military then after, you'd focus on being my heir. That was our deal, Nikolas."

Her face then softened as she took her seat on his other side shifting from the role of a Queen to that of a mother, "I understand that another Selection wasn't part of the agreement, but the council was pushing for it. They're worried about the future of the Schreave line."

"Well, you have two other children. If I don't marry and have kids, then I can just take one of theirs as my heir." Kole argued. "I won't fall in love again."

Eadlyn sighed, "You might not, the love you felt for her was special," She agreed, looking down at her hands, "Evelyn was perfect for you. I could tell right away when you fell in love with her," She smiled gently at him, "She would have made a wonderful Queen, Kole."

"Then why don't you tell the council no? If you don't think I can love again?" He asked, seeing some hope. Maybe he could get out of this last minute.

"Because, as a mother, I want to believe that you can find that special connection again," Eadlyn said, meeting his eyes. "I want you to experience marriage and having kids. And I want you to have someone who will always support you and stay by your side. It's all I can ask for as a mother."

"That's all I can ask as your dad too," Kile spoke up, looking over his wife and son tenderly. "It can't hurt to try can it Kole?"

"Give it three months," Eadlyn said, "If you don't feel any connection to the girls send them all home."

Kole looked between his parents, considering... it still felt like he was betraying Evelyn in some way... but... "I'll try." He finally conceded.

"That's all we're asking." Eadlyn smiled at him before looking up as the Report host approached.

Danae Fadaye was Gavril Fadaye's niece and had smooth olive skin, dark brown hair cut into a bob, and warm brown eyes. She was dressed in a stylish red dress, her heels clicking on the floor.

"Your Highness," Danae nodded, "We're ready to begin."

Eadlyn nodded, getting up from her seat. "You can do this Kole," She reassured before she followed Danae to the stage, the cameras focusing on them a few minutes later.

"Hello, Illéa! Welcome back to the weekly Report! We have exciting updates for you this week, but before that, I believe that the Queen has a few words for you." Demi said and Eadlyn immediately went on stage, graceful and flawless, back straight and looking in every way like a Queen should.

Kole zoned out his mom's segment on what was happening around Illéa, she covered how the nation was doing financially and how the Illéan military was dealing with the rebel threat, assuring the people of Illéa their safety before handing the floor back to Danae. It was Kole's turn much to his dismay. Could he make this announcement again?

Danae called him on stage and Kole plastered a large smile on his face, straightening his shoulders as he made his way towards her, standing straight and angling his body so that he was facing the camera as well as her.

"Now Prince Kole, I understand that you have some extremely exciting news to share with us," Danae said, looking up at him in anticipation, but there was no missing the sympathy in her eyes. She knew he wasn't entirely on board with this.

"Yes, I do," Kole said, giving her a small smile in turn before facing the camera. "As you know, five years ago, I held a Selection, and it ended in unfortunate circumstances, too many good people were lost that day," He winced as he said the words, and there was a moment of silence to honor the deceased.

"But I'll never forget the people we lost that day. I'll never forget the love Evelyn, and I shared, she made me into a better man and I'm thankful for that." As he spoke his smile became more genuine as he remembered her laughter, her kind blue eyes, and the last wishes she imparted to him.

He refocused, looking at the camera and imagining all the girls of age who were watching right now, "She wanted me to be happy, she wanted me to find someone I could love and cherish if she couldn't be with me," He paused, taking a deep breath, "That's why I'm announcing another Selection. I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I can find love again, but I'm hopeful that I will. Thank you." He finished.

The studio erupted into a round of applause as soon as he finished. He let out a long breath. Well, that was finished.

Danae then took a mic and made her way over to where his family sat, first going over to his mother. "What do you think of our Prince holding another Selection your Highness?"

"I think it's wonderful news," She said, giving Demi a warm smile before looking at the camera. "I think it's great that Kole is going to give love another chance after all he's been through."

"And you King Kile?" Danae asked next.

"I think it will be good for him," Kile grinned back at Demi, "I think this Selection will help him heal and if he gets a wife out of it, then that's even better,"

Kole zoned out the rest of his family interviews and before he knew it the Report was over with Danae cheerfully closing out the Report with a large smile and wave.

"Well done, Kole," Danae said, smiling at him. "I'm sure that the girls all over Illea are waiting to get their forms in the mail as we speak."

"I guess," Kole shrugged, still feeling a bit doubtful about the whole thing. "I wonder if anyone will send their form in after what happened last time."

"Oh Kole," Danae gave him a sympathetic smile. "Never doubt a woman's will for a Crown. I bet some of these women would gladly charge rebels if they had to."

"That's terrifying and doesn't make me want to do this Selection any more than before." Kole gave her a put-off look and she laughed. "You'll do fine." She said, leaving him alone.

He watched her walk off and sighed. He doubted it. If any of the selected could measure up to Evelyn, he'd be surprised.


Tuesday, July 11, 2137

Aria focused on tracing the bright yellow icing along the crust of the star-shaped sugar cookie, her dark brown hair pulled away from her face and her silvery-blue eyes focused on the tip of the pipe bag, making sure she didn't spill any of the frosting.

"Oh my god!" Aria jumped, the piping bag slipping from her hands and landing on the cookie, causing the thin snack to break in half. Some of the frosting also splashed onto her face since she hadn't closed the bag properly.

She huffed, looking up in annoyance as her half-sister barged into the bakery, dropping her bag and sunglasses carelessly onto the countertop as if she owned the bakery. When matching silvery-blue eyes landed on her and the mess she had made due to the sudden interruption her nose wrinkled in disgust.

"There's crap on your face." Her sister said.

"No thanks to you," She snapped back, wiping the broken cookie off the counter and into the trash before wiping her face with a cloth. "Why are you even here, Viola?" It was no secret that her sister hated the bakery. It was also no secret that they hated- no, strongly disliked each other. They had ever since they'd been children.

Their father, Atticus had been married to Aria's mother, Annelise at first, but when Annelise was four months pregnant, Atticus started an affair with another woman named Monique, Viola's mother, and also caused her to become pregnant soon after.

Atticus the Jackass then divorced Aria's mother and married Viola's mother instead, abandoning his first wife and elder child without blinking an eyelid and leaving them to fend for themselves. Annelise had struggled when Aria had been young, the two of them would have probably fallen into poverty if Annelise hadn't met and married her current husband, Stephen. He had saved the both of them, allowing them into his life and home with kindness and love... if only he had been her real father.

Things had been going well until Atticus re-entered their lives when Aria was ten, wanting to get to know Aria suddenly and wanting his daughters to have a sibling bond. Ha! The joke was on him, the two girls hated each other. But through the years, Atticus constantly brought his family from Waverly to visit Annelise, Aria, and their new family in Clermont; ignoring the fact that the girls tried to make each other miserable on each visit.

One time, Viola had taken all the baking sheets in the bakery and replaced them with literal cardboard that was sprayed with metallic paint.

In retaliation, Aria had taken all of Viola's clothes that she was going to wear for her first photoshoot and dyed them all black, Viola's least favorite color.

And so on and so on. Some of the pranks were innocent while others were worse depending on what they had done to each other. In short, the two had never gotten along.

"My dad," Viola began, emphasizing her claim on the shitty dad, "Wants to eat dinner as a family, and today I guess that includes you. Though I don't get why he wants to eat with a charity case, sob story."

Aria rolled her eyes, "We aren't kids anymore. He can't force us to eat dinner together, so why don't you scurry on home? I'm not interested in eating dinner with you, that homewrecker, or my sperm donor. You can leave Henry and Jasmine if you want, I don't mind them." She said after a pause, referring to her younger half-siblings. Unlike Viola, she got along with them.

Viola gritted her teeth, her eyes narrowing into slits. "I don't care if you come. It's better if you don't. Mother and I want to discuss my application for the Selection after all, and it will be better without you there."

Aria blinked, that was a surprise, "The Selection? You're entering?"

"Of course," She sniffed, looking at her as if she was beneath her, "Illéa still needs a Queen after all. And with my status, there's no doubt I'll be the Queen."

And the nation will burn... Aria thought dully. "Well.. have fun. Now please leave." She went back to her cookies, leaving Viola blinking in shock.

"That's it?" Viola asked, surprised. "Not going to say something? We both know you'll never get in, but I thought you'd at least argue."

Aria shrugged. "I can get in as easily as you can. But I don't see the point. I'm not interested in being a Queen."

"Prove it," Viola said.

"Excuse me?" Aria looked back up at her, frowning when she saw the smug look on her sister's face, but there was something else."

"Prove that you can get in, send in a form. I will." Viola smirked, "If you don't, then you're just proving that you won't get in."

Aria rolled her eyes. "I can get in. You're on Viola. I'll get in and you won't." She couldn't believe she was going along with her sister's taunting, but she also knew that Viola wouldn't stop until she did. As much as she hated her, she'd rather give in than have Viola nag her over her shoulder for days.

Viola looked thrilled at Aria's consent. I'll grab your form. You can fill it out before not going to family dinner."

She hurried out of the bakery before Aria could protest and she sighed, shoulders sagging. What had she just agreed to?


And that's the end of the first chapter! Please let me know what you think in the reviews!

Yes, in this AU world, Eadlyn married Kile instead of Eikko. And yes, the rebels will exist in this world.