Hello beloved readers! I've decided that I'll be posting every other day instead of daily, just because school is getting busier and if you are following along, I understand you might not have time to read every day. Big thank you if you have been reading this whole time! See you in the next chapter!

Apollo –

I wake up early and check my watch. It's 4:37 am. Usually, I wouldn't be awake at this time, and especially not on a day like this. Austin and I stayed up talking in the astronomy tower until well after midnight, so I've gotten roughly four hours of sleep. After a few minutes of tossing and turning and readjusting my sheets, I accept that I'm not getting any more sleep and throw the covers down. Turning on my side lamp, I grab a book from the small case next to the bed and open it. Illéa: From a Crumbling Government to a Strong Monarchy. I found it in the secret library. There are so many books in there, including volumes of Gregory Illéa's handwritten diaries. I've read enough to know that man was seriously messed up. It talks about the politics of how Gregory was able to get enough supporters behind him to overthrow the government and turn Illéa into a monarchy. Feeling sick, I close the book and check the time again. It's only been half an hour, so I roll over in bed and try to fall asleep again. I think it works because when I open my eyes again, it's past six. Standing up, I decide to walk around a bit. I know none of the selected will be awake right now, so it's the perfect time before the bustle of the palace starts up again.

Once I'm dressed, I close the door to my room and walk out of the Princes suite, straightening my tie. After Mom and Dad got married, there were a lot of renovations to the palace, including to the Princes and Princesses suite. Two more rooms were added to each, since Austin and I are twins, and Amber was expected to be a boy. She stayed in the Princesses suite until June was born, then stayed in the extra room in the Princes suite while the Princesses suite was being renovated. Mom and Dad also added two more rooms to the Princesses suite just to be on the safe side, and that's where Austin's wife will be once the selection is over. It's connected to Austin's room by a secret passageway we used to hide from rebel attacks before they were defeated. Usually, my path is around the second floor and then to the palace gardens. Right now, the second floor isn't an option, so I decide to limit my wandering to the top floor, where all the royal family's rooms are. Mom and Dad have their own rooms on the other side of the hall. I'm grateful for that, because it meant Austin and I didn't have to hear when Amber and June were being conceived. I find myself walking into the Princesses suite, even though I know neither of my sisters will be awake right now. Eventually, I wind up in the empty room and sit on the bed. It's so empty and the last person to stay in it was Grandma Amberly because Mom became the queen as soon as she married Dad. I wonder what Austin's wife will be like. I hope for all I'm worth she's the right person for him because I can't think of anything my brother deserves more. A soft knock at the door interrupts my thoughts, and I stand up and open the door. It's Amber. "Amber?" I ask. She nods meekly, not a look I see on her often. "What are you doing awake?" She rubs her eyes a little, then hugs me. I stagger back, not expecting it. When she looks up, tears are in her eyes. I don't think I've ever seen Amber like this. I want to kill the person that hurt her like this. Placing my hands on her arms, I kneel so I'm closer to her height. She's a few inches taller than me when I'm kneeling, so she looks down at me. "It hurts..." She trails off. Standing again, I wrap my arms around her and carry her to her room. I lay her gently on the bed and put the back of my hand on her forehead. "Amber, you're burning up!" I exclaim, quickly ringing the bell for a maid. She just coughs in response. Shit. "Somebody!" I yell, hoping someone will hear. June. June will come. As much as I don't want to leave Amber like this by herself, I know bringing June will make things infinitely better. "June!" I call loudly, but it's no use. These walls are solid. I unlock Amber's door and pound on June's but she doesn't come out. I try the knob, but it's locked. Shit shit shit. The word echoes in my head, but what good does it do. Finally, the knob jiggles, and June opens the door, looking totally awake. "Where were you?" I demand. She purses her lips, then says, "It's not important, Apollo. Why are you screaming at seven am?" "Shit, June. It's Amber." Her eyes widen, and she follows me to Amber's room. Beads of sweat have started to line Amber's forehead, and her skin looks pale. Her icy blue eyes are closed, and for a moment I think she's sleeping, but then they flutter open. "June." She says. I can tell she's better with June near her. June gasps. "Amber, what's happening?" She asks. Amber shoos me away, and it's clear she doesn't want me here. Where is that maid? I step out of the room and close the door, but I can't shake the thought that something horrible has happened.

Thanks again for reading this chapter! It means a lot to me to see the views on these stories and see that not everyone is just reading the first chapter and stopping there! It truly makes my day, and I hope you continue to read this story. Also, if any of you were wondering, my name is Silver (so you can put a name to the account instead of RomanceIsBeautiful). Bye loveliess!