Austin -

I'm sick of being in the spotlight. All I want is one day of peace, one day when I don't open the newspapers and see new gossip about me, or articles about how I "Smolder quietly whenever I'm within a five-foot radius of Princess Ginevra of Italy." I'm not even attracted to her. It's not that she isn't pretty, but I'm technically not allowed to feel attracted to anyone until the Selection to ensure my wife will be one of the girls in it. I don't even know what love feels like.

Honestly, I'm not looking for love. I'm looking for the least annoying girl to marry, so we can co-exist as friends who have just been forced into a marital bond. Even as I'm thinking it, I groan, dragging a hand down my face. Any girl who enters the Selection is probably hoping for some epic romance. Why would I think any of them would be able to co-exist with me as friends? It's hopeless. I'd trade places with Apollo in a heartbeat, but I'm almost certain this is the one part of being in my place he doesn't want.

"Your Highness, can I help you?"

I look up to see a maid standing in front of me. I curse inside my head; that's what I get for having an existential crisis sitting on a lounge in one of the palace's many hallways.

"No, that's okay." I say.

The maid turns crimson, then curtsies and rushes away, no doubt to tell her friends about whatever story she'll make up. Then I instantly feel bad. The maids may gossip, but they'd never go so far as to tell untruths. At least, I don't think so. I stand up, intending to go to Apollo's room and talk to him, but my twin has been acting strange ever since Mom and Dad officially announced The Selection. We always knew it was coming, but now it feels real.

Lunch is quieter than usual. I can feel the tension buzzing in the air. I know Mom and Dad have the perfect love story; I can see it every time they look at each other. Plus, they have four children. Amber understands me the best out of everyone, but I know Mom tries. She's always been closer to June and especially Amber though.

Amber's a spitting image of Mom, with the same flaming red hair and ice blue eyes. Not to mention all their other facial features and skin are the same. They have the same delicate frame, same grace, same musical talent. They're practically the same person, except their personalities are completely different. June looks more like our grandma, Queen Amberly. It's kind of funny since Amber is the one named after her.

Dad clears his throat, so I look up at him while shoveling food into my mouth. Amber's plate is still untouched. I can see Mom place a hand on his shoulder, his rock even when typhoons are surrounding him.

"Austin, I know how difficult this must be for you." Dad begins, and I know a lecture is starting.

To my right, Apollo's face darkens. I look to him quickly, giving him an apologetic glance, then listen to what Dad has to say.

"No kidding." I try to joke.

Dad looks like he's bordering on a laugh but manages to keep a straight face.

"Believe it or not, I was once in your place. You should be hopeful, looking for your soulmate. Trust the process. If I hadn't, I'd never have met your mother."

They glance lovingly at each other.

"Yeah, ok." I say, not meaning it.

I'm not going into The Selection looking for love. I know I'm not going to find that with any of the thirty-five girls that signed up for the crown, not a husband. Dad looks disappointed, but he doesn't push it and returns to his meal. I can feel Amber's sadness too, because I know she's always wanted an older sister. But this isn't about them. It's my life.

Dawn -

The applications are excruciatingly difficult to fill out. Dusk and I sit side by side, writing down countless facts about ourselves. What languages we speak (English, Italian, French), what skills we have (singing for me, dancing for Dusk), etc. If the whole process was random, why would they need to know all this stuff about us? For the prince to study after the drawing, I guess. But it's still stupid.

"This is so dumb." I mumble.

Dusk glances at me.

"Tell me about it." She agrees.

She's usually soft and demure, but this whole thing has her on edge and rightfully so. I know she can't afford to leave Brandon behind. I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry. I'm sure neither of us will be drawn. It'll be some rich Two and we'll stay here in our little bubble." I say.

She smiles but doesn't look convinced.

The line of girls at the Province Services Office makes me want to gag. A lot of them are wearing makeup, but I don't understand why until we get closer to the front of the queue. They're taking pictures to go with the applications.

I spot Madison standing with her gaggle of friends, but she doesn't see me. I roll my eyes. She may not outright bully the lower castes anymore, but I know she still thinks she's better than us.

"Next!" The photographer calls.

I step forward, leaving Dusk at the front of the line. Suddenly I see Brandon with his sister, Beatrix over the photographer's shoulder. He and Dusk are talking, and they could not be more obviously in love.

"Next!" The photographer says, handing the picture to me. She took it already? I take the picture and look down at it. In the picture, I'm smiling, and it kind of looks like I'm in love. What? I was smiling because the person I love most in the world is happy. Now some fool is going to think I'm smiling for the prince.

I walk to stand on the other side of the line and Dusk walks up to the photographer.

"Smile!" She instructs, but she doesn't have to because Dusk is already smiling so beautifully, she's practically glowing.

I just know it's because of Brandon, and when she comes to stand beside me, I prod her and smirk. She just rolls her eyes at me and we drop our applications in the bin along with our photos stapled at the window. We walk away in silence, our moods suddenly heavier.