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arin-schreave · 4 years ago

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the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise

before you read i just wanted to say thank you soooooo much to bri for being the most amazing cohost and my voice of reason these past 6+ months and putting up with me (y’all seriously have no idea lol). thank you to everyone who participated in oc6 and for helping make it the fun mess it was with your amazing characters. this fic is is trash but it’s what i’ve got. thank you to bri and ester for editing. my watch has ended.

-anna🙃

HELLO OC6ERS. this has been quite an interesting selection, hasn’t it? and yes. i did put up with anna but it was fun most of the time :) i can’t believe y’all roped me into this hosting thing a second time around, but it’s been a hoot. i hope you enjoyed safiya, wylan, jackson, and my evil villains as much as i did. and to bertha and myr!!!! y’all!!!!!!! idk how your characters have managed to make arin fairly decent in my eyes but you have. quite the feat. many thanks to anna for listening to my screeching advice most of the time, to anya for making the loveliest lady for jackson, and to ester, my homie, for making idalia--the most perfect match for wylan that could ever exist. it’s been WONDERFUL. see you guys next round!!!

-bri <3

You can click here for the Google doc or keep reading below. If you go to the doc please note there are some edits at the bottom of the fic so you may want to come back when you’re done reading and scroll down to the bottom to see them.

October was the hardest before Arin had readjusted to the silence. Everything had gone from chaos to calm in an instant and he hadn’t realized the ways he’d gotten used to it. He’d look for the familiar faces of the Selected only to be disappointed when he remembered that everyone had gone home.

He often wondered what Clemence and Jen would think of the choice he’d made to send them home, followed by too much silence on his part. Arin felt selfish because of the regret he felt for missing them both but he still knew it was the break they all needed. He’d put their lives on hold for months and hadn’t given them as much as he could have during that time. So he was trying to give them the space and time they needed to heal from the damage of the Selection.

Then came November with its highs and lows. Arin spent so many sleepless nights alone in his bed staring up at the ceiling thinking about his mistakes. He thought of how controlling he’d been with Felicity and what it had done to her, how devastated Jen had been when she thought he was eliminating her, the way Clem had been heartbroken when they’d said goodbye… But he was trying to be better. He’d gotten back into running, he’d finally started seeing a therapist again, he cooked for himself. Some days he’d go to the library on campus and spend a few hours doing his work in one of the study rooms before returning to the palace. Others he’d spend in back to back meetings with advisors discussing Illéa’s transition into a casteless society. Still, there was always a lingering empty feeling inside him. Then a call came.

---

It was the quietest Christmastime that Arin could remember there ever being in his home. Servants were still rushing around as they tried to put the final touches on the decorations. The majority of palace staff would soon go on vacation through the beginning of the new year and it would only grow quieter. There wasn't the same level of excitement there usually was during the holiday season.

There was a soft knock at the door and he straightened in his chair while he set aside what he was working on. He glanced down at his watch as he called for her to enter. She was early but only by a few minutes. When she slipped inside the office he noticed she'd kept her jacket on, which meant she didn’t plan on staying long.

He took a deep breath as she walked towards the desk, trying not to think about the last time she'd been in his office. When she’d kissed him in front of Clem. That hurt to think about but for different reasons than it had at the time. When she reached the desk she didn’t sit. Felicity merely raised her eyebrows at him in anticipation.

“Thanks for coming.” He gave her a nervous smile. “It means a lot to me.”

There was some skepticism in the look she gave him when he motioned for her to sit. She even glanced around the office to see if they were alone as if it was all a trick. Then her eyes met his again but still, she remained standing. It gave him somewhat of an uneasy feeling but he ignored it since she was likely uncomfortable as well.

“I know Christmas is over a week away but I wanted to give you your gift early since we won’t be doing things the usual way this year.”

Some of the awkwardness slipped away and Arin could feel the hint of the friendship they’d once had. He’d forgotten how good that felt. For a moment they were who they’d been before they’d ever been Arin & Felicity. They were two childhood friends sharing a moment that was nothing but platonic. He’d missed the sense of ease between them.

He thought about the way things usually were on Christmas. Every year his parent’s friends would come over at some point for a few hours to visit and they’d exchange gifts. When they'd been younger all the kids would play and Felicity had been among them. With everything that had happened they had decided it would be for the best to skip the year’s celebration.

This year the Schreaves would likely attend the Christmas Eve service at church before returning home for a somber meal. Then afterward they would gather in the family room for an hour or two before they all went their separate ways. As for Christmas morning… Well, that was one big question mark. So many things were those days. It was all one day at a time.

“I didn’t get you anything.” She gave him an apologetic look which he waved off.

“Well, I didn’t either.”

Arin glanced over at his desk drawer, taking a moment for himself before he reached down to open it. This moment had been such a long time coming and he was ready. He pulled the little velvet box from where it had been sitting for almost a year and set it on the desk. Felicity’s eyes widened with recognition as he slid the small box towards her. She swallowed hard, one hand going up to cover her lips as she only stared at it. He couldn’t help but smile a bit at the reaction, knowing her well enough that he was able to tell she was far from upset.

“Lis, I’ll always love you no matter where we are or who we’re with, you know that.” It felt good for him to say what he knew he’d been feeling the last couple of months. “But only as a friend. I’ve known you longer than almost anyone in my life and you aren't someone I could ever replace. But we aren’t the same people we were five years ago or even last year and we both know that’s for the better.”

Felicity reached up and wiped at her eyes, huffing a laugh before she mumbled something about how unfair he was being. Her eyes met his as she picked up the ring box, one thumb brushing over the top with fondness. She was silent for a few moments while she enjoyed the familiarity of the velvet against her skin.

“I know things are busy this year but please don’t put off getting her present. It’s your first Christmas.” She looked down at the ring box with a soft smile.

He could tell how much it meant to her that he’d given it back. Given how things had ended between them proper etiquette was that she return the ring and she had. But what was Arin going to do with it? He couldn’t propose with it or ever give it to his future… spouse, which meant that it would only end up tucked away in some corner of the vault collecting dust.

Felicity didn’t know that Arin had yet to figure out what he was going to do. Not that she would since they didn’t speak often and he wasn’t sure how much his sister told her. It was a reasonable assumption that he’d have made a decision by now even though there’d been no announcement. There'd been so much going on recently that Arin's priority wouldn't have been that, which Felicity knew.

“It doesn’t matter since I’m not sure when I’ll see her next anyway. Jen is with her family in Waverly for Christmas.”

Arin paused at that as he processed what he’d said. He replayed the sentence in his head to make sure he’s said what he thought he had. Then he narrowed his eyes at Felicity. She hadn’t taken her eyes off him.

“What did I say?” He asked somewhat cautiously.

She gave him a confused look as if she didn’t understand the question. Then seeing that she’d heard him right she frowned.

“You said Jen is in Waverly for Christmas.” She answered. “Is there a problem?”

Arin tugged at his collar. He began to count in his head as he took a steadying breath. He knew Felicity was someone he could talk to but not about this. Not yet. Maybe one day they’d completely go back to the way they were before they’d been together but they weren’t there yet.

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m sorry to keep things so short but I have a meeting in a few minutes,” Arin told her.

He didn’t but he glanced at his watch anyway. She knew him well enough to know it was Arin telling her he needed to be alone. Felicity nodded in understanding but didn’t move quite yet. Then she stepped around his desk, giving the box a couple gentle taps against the surface. She stood there a few more moments but then she shook her head, changing her mind about what she was going to ask him.

“Merry Christmas, Arin.” She said in a hushed voice, then turned to leave.

Arin leaned back in his chair once she was gone, a million thoughts running through his mind. He thought about the two women who had become his world over the past couple of months. Both were kind and wonderful. But he couldn’t be with both of them. When he thought about Jen he couldn’t help but smile and feel warm inside. She had a way of lighting up everything around her and making it all feel so alive. Then there was Clem who was soft and sweet and reminded him that he could always keep going. When she looked at Arin he felt like his mistakes meant nothing and all would be forgiven.

Each woman meant more to him than he could put into words. They’d seen Arin as he was and they still wanted him despite it all. Through the ups and downs, they’d stood by him, giving him their time and love. He’d known for some time that he was in love as well but up until then, he’d thought it possible he had equal feelings for them both. He’d been searching for an answer and there she was. She’d been in front of him all along.

He had the vague memory of telling her that she wouldn’t ever be happy with him but that didn’t feel so true anymore. So much had happened since then. She'd seen him at his worst and together they’d gone through more in the span of a few weeks than most couples went through in years. Jen had become someone he relied on and turned to when things were hard. She’d held him that night in the kitchen when he’d burnt the cookies, she’d tried her best to comfort him when he’d been sick in the Great Hall after they’d somehow stayed alive, and she’d been behind him every step of the way during the funeral procession. Even when she'd broken up with him she'd been the person he'd wanted to share it with.

Their moments weren’t always perfect and rarely turned out as planned but each one added up and made them who they were together. They’d had sad moments like when Jen had told him how well he’d done the day of his mother’s funeral. Then there had been the in-between moments like the day in the library when she’d told him what had happened with Ian. He’d been so careful and scared. But then there were the happy moments. There was the simplicity of painting with her in the attic, grocery shopping in a supermarket with narrow aisles, reaching for her in the middle of the night, the way she would laugh at his terrible jokes, so many things…

Arin thought of Felicity then. There had been love between them but at some point, over the past months, it had slipped away. Looking back on it, it didn’t feel the same way being with Jen felt. Somehow everything with Jen felt so much brighter and vivid. When he thought of her there was a pleasant heavy feeling in his chest and if he tried to imagine his life without her it felt meaningless. There were so many things unspoken between them and yet they both knew they were safe together. It only ever took one word.

He needed to think. It was Thursday and Arin had talked to Jen recently enough that he knew she’d be arriving back in Illéa on Monday. He had a weekend to figure out what he wanted to do if he even wanted to tell her that soon. Talking to someone would help but Wylan wouldn’t be the best person since he was with Jen and Arin didn’t want to put more on his plate. Wylan deserved to enjoy the rest of his vacation with his girlfriend- even if they had a third wheel.

Arin considered his mom but wanted someone more level-headed… so the obvious choice was Safiya.

---

When Arin found his sister in the family room on the third floor, she was curled up on one of the couches beneath a blanket. She had her laptop resting on her lap, playing a movie. Safiya didn’t pause what she was watching as Arin walked towards her, a hint of a smile on his face. He could already tell she knew something was up as he sat on the couch across from her.

“Do you have a second?” He asked after watching her for a long moment.

Being curious, Safiya paused what she was watching with a nod and set her laptop down on the coffee table. She laid back down on her side, still snuggled beneath the blanket facing him.

“A few. It looks important”

Arin took a deep breath, leaning back against the cushions of the couch. He noticed how Safiya wasn’t sitting up the way she normally would have been but the past months had been hard on everyone, her especially. Not only had she lost a parent but so had Theo.

“It’s actually very important.” It’s actually about Jen. He smiled a bit.

Safiya’s smile matched his own as she tucked one hand against her cheek.

“Finally joining the club?” She wiggled her ring finger enough for him to notice.

Arin blushed at the suggestion. The thought had crossed his mind but hearing someone else bring it up made it feel more real. Most mentions of marriage with Jen had been brief and made as jokes. Yet that's what he wanted. He wanted to marry her one day and have a life. If that was what she still wanted with him.

“I don’t know…” Arin admitted, grimacing in embarrassment. “I haven’t talked to her yet. And she doesn’t know it’s her.”

“You should probably remedy that.” She told him, her voice calm as she spoke despite her growing smile.

Arin nodded in agreement. He had every intention of telling Jen- assuming she’d listen. He thought back to the conversation they’d had in the early hours of the previous morning. They’d had moments during the call where they’d been at odds but at the end of it, they’d been... them and it made him optimistic.

“She’s in Italy with Wylan right now and won’t be back for a couple more days.” Arin was grinning at that point. “So I have a bit of time to think.”

He knew all it would take was a text or a phone call or even getting on a plane but he needed to think things through. Arin was certain about Jen but he wanted to make sure he got things right. He had four days until she was back in Illéa which felt like too much time and not enough time all at once.

“I’m happy for you, you know,” Safiya told him in a quiet voice.

Arin chuckled a bit at the realization that he hadn’t said Jen’s name out loud a single time the entire conversation. Safiya was smart enough to know who he was talking about from the mention of Wylan since she knew about his trip. Still, Arin wanted to make sure they were on the same page.

“It’s Jen. I realize I should have led with that. Sorry.” Arin ran his fingers through his hair with some anxiousness. “It’s been a weird day.”

He paused, taking a moment to consider his next words more carefully. It was a delicate topic that most people had grown used to tiptoeing around with him. He hadn’t told anyone what his plans had been with Felicity though he’d mentioned he'd be seeing her that afternoon to Jen during a conversation. She’d asked how he’d felt because he’d been so nervous and she could tell something was off.

“I just came from giving Felicity her engagement ring back.”

Safiya raised her eyebrows at that. Arin was sure she’d be hearing about from Felicity at it some point. It was possible she already knew since Felicity would have had time to text Safiya and she’d been waiting for him to bring it up. Though he figured was unlikely.

“Oh? Did that go well?” She asked.

He furrowed his eyebrows briefly as he thought back to when he'd returned the ring. Arin focused on those last moments before Felicity left and the way she’d stepped around the desk. Then there’d been the hesitation. That was the only part of the interaction he had any uncertainty over but he kept that to himself and nodded in response to his sister’s question.

“It went surprisingly well. She seemed to appreciate it.” He answered, stopping a moment to bite at his lip. “It felt right since I didn't have any use for it.”

“I don’t think Jen would appreciate a ring given to your former fiancée,” Safiya replied with more of her usual snark.

“Is this a bad time to tell you that I've already bought her a brand new ring that looks exactly the same?” Arin smirks a bit as he speaks. “I thought her only issue would be that it's used.”

Safiya half snorted and shifted onto her back to face towards the ceiling. Arin wondered if she was feeling well but didn’t dare ask. His sister had the best handle on her health out of anyone he knew. But still, he worried about her.

“You’ve reached the end and yet still so much to learn.”

“Don't worry, I haven't given the ring a single thought considering she broke up with me a few weeks ago.” He sighed. “I have that mess to fix first.”

“Is that what made you realize she’s who you want to be with?” Safiya gave him a sideways glance.

Arin rubbed at his forehead, feeling like it would overcomplicate things to explain how the conversation had gone. She’d only been the person who gave him the push in the right direction. Even if he couldn’t pinpoint the moment he’d fallen in love with Jen it certainly hadn’t been twenty minutes ago in an office with his ex-fiancée.

“Not quite. I’m sure that helped but there was this moment with Felicity where it was so easy like we were friends again. Maybe I just needed to let go.”

“Sometimes it takes letting go to realize what you want to hold onto.” She hummed, eyes going back to the ceiling.

Arin frowned as he went over his sister’s words. He thought back to the attack in the Great Hall, remembering the moments of uncertainty and the whispers in the chaos. She’d told him that she loved him for the first time. Jen had told him since as well, even when things had gone wrong on their Greece trip. Even then.

“I’ve already lost her more than once and if she’ll take me back and I think she will, I don’t ever want to let her go.”

“So... what did you come here to ask me?” She nodded before asking more quietly. “Or did you just want to let me know?”

“I came to tell you because you're my sister and one of my best friends…” He paused and huffed a laugh. “But right now I'd kind of like you to tell me what to do because some crazy part of me wants to drop everything and fly to Italy and sweep her off her feet but I don't feel like that's the right move.”

He knew it was ridiculous but he had an overwhelming feeling that he’d wasted so much time being an idiot. And he knew the feeling was right. He’d paused the Selection two months before and while he’d made progress for the country and even some for himself he felt like without her it didn’t mean nearly as much. But Safiya immediately shaking her head told him that she agreed with him for once.

“I've talked to Wylan a bit and seen how it's going from pictures.” Safiya pursed her lips slightly. “And she broke up with you. Let her enjoy the time where she doesn't have to be stressed about something else being asked of her after... everything. I don't think she needs to be swept off her feet. She needs to be told that she's all you could ever want and you're willing to spend the rest of your lives showing her how much she's valued.”

“When we spoke yesterday we left things on a really good note and I haven’t stopped thinking about everything she said. I want to spend the rest of forever giving her everything even knowing things won't always be easy.”

“Is this a sensible, adult decision I hear coming out of your mouth right now?” She asked, the corner of her mouth lifting into a half-smile.

“Seriously, Safiya?” Arin narrowed his eyes at her. “I am the leader of a country and you're going to tease me about adult decisions?”

“Someone has to.” She chuckled.

“You, Wylan, Mom, Jen...” Arin held up a hand then put a finger down for each of the names he listed off emphasizing Jen’s because he'd let her tease him every day for the rest of forever if she wanted.

“Jen's the only one who will be as honest as I am, and since she's not in a place to tell you this, I will.” She waved her hand.

Real or genuine. That’s what she’d said her name meant and she was never anything but. Jen, Jennie, Bee… She felt like the most real person in his life. And he never wanted that to change.

“I think she might be harder on me than you are though.” Arin joked, reaching for one of the pillows which he pulled to his chest.

“You say that as if it's a bad thing,” Safiya said with a small laugh.

“I’m afraid you’d both get along a little too well.” He raised his eyebrows at her.

He wasn’t sure how much time his sister had spent with Jen in the months she’d lived in their home but he was certain that they’d get along. Safiya would gain a sister which was something Arin knew she wouldn’t take lightly. It had only been the two of them the majority of their lives until the past few years. They’d added Wylan, then Theo who Arin was still working on getting used to, and he hoped Jen would be next.

“You should be happy she'll get along with the in-laws.” She told him, amused at the thought.

Arin gave her a sad smile as he thought about their mother. He knew their loss haunted them both every day but he wanted to focus on the things they had to look forward to even if it was only briefly. Though he wondered how soon things would settle. He was still adjusting to his brother in law and the transition was still strange for him to wrap his brain around at times.

“Well, I don't come with a lot of people. It's just you, Mom, Wylan, and Theo.”

“You don't need a whole village. I think we'll suffice.” She briefly returned the smile before it faded when her thoughts also went to what they’d lost.

Arin grew more concerned as he observed the look on Safiya’s face. The past months had taken their toll on the entire family but seeing his sister act so… ordinary worried him. It seemed to Arin that it was more difficult than usual for Safiya to keep up her usual appearances.

“Hey, how are you doing?” He asked in a softer tone.

She stayed facing the ceiling. Safiya didn’t smile again but she didn’t let herself delve into the dark feelings the attack brought on.

“Fine. For the most part.” She sighed, looking over at him. “Maybe you can invite her over for New Year’s.”

He pursed his lips at the sudden subject change. It was strange for him to see his sister deflect in the same way he did. They both knew she wasn’t fine and saying it wouldn’t make it so. Still, he blew out a breath and decided to let it go for the time being.

“What are the big plans this year?”

“Homemade pizza, champagne, and watching the ball drop from the couch.” An absent smile formed on her lips. “Theo still needs rest.”

Arin nodded in understanding. Anyone who had been there still needed rest but that wasn’t possible. At least Theo was taking his time with his recovery. He could imagine the loss of a parent having also experienced it but he couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of witnessing what Theo had after enduring everything the night of the attack.

“It'll be his first Christmas and New Year's away from home, won't it?”

“They do Christmas a little differently so I’m leaving that to him.” Safiya nodded.

“It'll be different for us all this year I think. A lot quieter than usual.” Arin told her.

“At least Wylan will be around.” She replied as she thought about how she’d been missing him.

Arin smiled at the idea. At least some things stayed the same. They’d each been so busy that they hadn’t gotten to talk as much as they should. After everything, he’d almost expected Wylan would spend Christmas in Clermont. Though he wasn’t sure why. However, Allens seemed like another decent possibility as well.

“I haven't spent enough time with him recently,” Arin admitted.

“He's preoccupied with his future wife.” She chuckled to herself.

Arin wondered if they’d have had more than just a couple days if things could have been different. Maybe he’d have come to his senses… She wouldn’t have broken up with him. But as lovely as the thought was he knew it wouldn't have happened.

“I wish I had the time.” He sighed. “But I have meetings and a million other things to do. And Felicity reminded me about all the Christmas shopping I haven't done.”

“And what are you getting for Jen, hm?” Safiya asked.

“Am I allowed to say myself?” Arin joked in a serious tone after biting at his lip.

His sister’s only response was an intense flat look which caused him to roll his eyes in response. Sometimes she didn’t appreciate his sense of humor as much as he would have liked.

“I wasn't serious.”

“Good.” She said with mild amusement.

“Just because we talked yesterday doesn't mean we'd get back together if I told her I wanted to. So I may not need to get her anything for Christmas.”

“I think a gift might soften it, Arin.” She chuckled.

That seemed like it wouldn’t go over well. He wasn’t sure showing up out of the blue with a gift would be what Jen wanted. He’d expect a telling off if he pulled that move. Though he deserved to be told off regardless of how he went back to Jen. He knew that much.

“Are you saying I should just start sending gifts now?”

“Everything in moderation.” She fiddled with the blanket on her lap. “One gift and some suppressed Arin honesty should suffice.”

“At this point, I’m not sure there’s a point in toning down who I am.” He told her, furrowing his eyebrows as he spoke. “She already knows.”

“Everyone could use a little self-improvement.” Safiya shot him another flat look.

“It’s possible I’d rather focus on the country first.” He shrugged.

Safiya sighed. She didn’t feel like opening the same can of worms again since it never seemed to get them anywhere. Though Arin wasn’t trying to get on her nerves with that statement. He had so much he wanted to do for Illéa and he felt like even if he had years it would never be enough. There were so many things leftover from the previous generations of Schreaves that needed to be fixed.

“Congratulations.” She told him, having summoned a smile. “I'm happy with your choice, not that you really needed my approval.”

He knew he didn’t need her to say that but he did at the same time. Arin needed someone to tell him what he wanted was right. It might have been shallow but it reassured him.

“She’s amazing, isn’t she?”

“Yes.” Safiya chuckled. “Very wonderful.”

“She’s the one, Sia.” He smiled, thinking about Jen.

“I know.” She said softly. “Go get her, Arin.”

Go get her.

That was all Arin wanted to do.

There were so many things he was still uncertain about but Jen wasn’t one of them. With her next to him he was sure the rest would fall into place. She wanted more which she’d made sure to tell him and he wanted more too. He wanted the ups and downs and the times in between. Arin didn’t want only one more minute with Jen. He wanted a lifetime of moments and minutes with her.

He’d told her that it would be easier if it was a choice they could make together and she’d agreed. Now he’d made his choice. Whatever came next they could decide together. Together. Jen and Arin. He liked the sound of that.

#the selection #selectionoc #schreave fic #challenge ten

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swendwayschreave · 5 years ago

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Welcome to Swendway Reports, my name is Jaggör Saker and here is this week’s news.

PRINCE ARIN does not believe in the concept of virginity, yet Illéa refuses to change various of its laws related to it. It seems Illéan politics are just as confused as the prince’s heart.

LADY REGGIE WRIGHT, “better to be feared than loved?” It seems the freckled girl from Hansport will have a different approach to making the prince pick her. A political mind for the ages—she will conquer the prince’s heart by making him know he will not survive without her. Threatened to lovers is a wonderful love story.

LADY JEN, AN OUTLAW. It seems the future lawyer has been breaking the law she will pledge to safekeep. Rumors say she’s been seen in suggestive situations with all of her Yale professors. Will she be able to steal the heart of someone her age this time? Will her daddy issues be resolved?

LADY NEMESIS is here for murder. We don’t know why or who, but expect a royal funeral in the next few weeks. The Illéan Palace has not done the greatest security background check on this round.

PRINCE ARIN AGAIN and his secret love for Olympic winners. One is coincidence, two is FACTS.

PRINCESS AYESHA wants all the selected gone and she will do anything to make it happen. Do not let her lead you anywhere ladies.

CAT FIGHT ON THE FIRST DAY. It seems the girls could not resist and drama is brewing in the palace already thanks to Lady Jen being pretentious and Lady Ava being defensive. Who will win between the two girls with a hidden savior complex? We’re thrilled to find out.

EVIE KEPT THE RING to sell in the black market. A New Asian socialite claims he paid the hefty sum of $7 billion corn flakes for the jewelry piece.

LADY EVALIN has a secret. We all know attics are suspicious, but it seems like hers is the possible key to Illéa’s national downfall. Thanks to our reliable sources (a: anon; b: brianna) and digging into the facts, we have compiled the possible answers for attic-gate, just for you.

In Evalin’s attic, there is...

a corpse

the old american constitution

something tying evalin’s father to the northern rebels

history books on america

yo momma

hoarded gummy vitamins - a

arin’s clown shoes

insulation - a

a smaller attic - a

clemence’s bear children - b

killer bees - a

arin’s good sense - b

a secret bio weapon

ian

kevin’s wife - b

katara & zuko’s rightful ending as a couple - b

baby yoda

correct map of Illéa Kiera could not provide - b

Celeste Newsome

voodoo prince doll with pins on his heart - a

swendway’s identity - b

This was this week’s news all the way from Swendway by Jaggör Saker. Join us next Sunday, for the beginning of the Selection.

ads running at the bottom of the screen: Stream Lady Ava’s new single we cannot be bothered to search the name for! - TELL ME WHAT IS IN THE ATTIC - Wylan has disgraced pasta and Italy retaliates - Is Indiana lying about her age? Do timeturners exist in real life? - missy threw a chair at the guard who said horoscopes aren’t real! - swendway suspicions rise and swendway cannot be bothered if people already guessed

Thank you fellow Swendwayians

[ mentions & ft. @arin-schreave @ayesha-schreave @ladyreggiewright @ladyjenli @nemesis-mess @evalinkatrineberg @ava-jones @evie-waldia @lady-indiana @wylan-caldwell @ladymelissaduthe ]

#arin #reggie #ava #jen #nemesis #ayesha #evalin #> BREAKING NEWS #evie #melissa #wylan

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tavi-hayes · 5 years ago

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side fic one ~ a series of very unfortunate events

((hiii! here’s a little side fic with some lovely rps with chris @leanarg and anna @arin-schreave thank you both! ignore all the spelling and grammar mistakes, as you always have to do with my writing woops...))

“Lady Octavia, what have you done?” one of my maids, Carla, almost screams at me. I can’t tell if she is angry, upset or disappointed. Or a mixture of all those things.

I’m looking at the mess I created, “it was an accident, I just wanted…”

Carla sighs, “accident or not, now I’ll be the one to clean it again.”

“I - I can do it myself,” it’s not like changing bed sheets is something new to me. At home I had to do it all the time, especially when little Arlan had been going through the peeing-in-bed phase.

Carla gives me a pointed look, “no, you’ve done enough. Please go!”

All the other girls seemed to have gotten friendly maids, but I was stuck with the one with a sour personality. I collect my iPod and my headphones, where do I even go to?

As I am about to leave, my other maid Willa enters the room. She gasps, “what on earth is that?”

Sour Carla shoots me an enraged look, narrowing her eyes at me. “Someone thought it was clever to eat ice cream in bed.”

There was in fact a gigantic brown stain on my bedding. The cause: chocolate ice cream. I hadn’t been paying attention as I wanted to grab one of the law books from my bedside table. I had reached over, pulling the blankets with me and then the bowl tipped over, creating a mess.

I don’t feel like being in this room anymore. Before I close the door behind me, I hear Carla say, “she’s supposed to be a lady, not one of those savages.”

To let them know, I actually heard that I close the door. With a bang.

Now that I’m in the hallway all by myself, I feel like I can breathe again. My head is pounding, why is that I always end up in situations where people just bring me down?

Still unsure of where to go, I take the stairs down to the main floor. The door to the women’s room catches my eye. Please let it be empty. Please!

I open the door and peak inside: empty, thank god! But as I open the door further my eye lands on someone else. She hasn’t noticed me yet, so I decide to clear my throat softly, “uh, hi?”

The girl doesn’t even look up from her work, “hey…”

Wow, okay. “Do you mind me being here? Or would you rather be on your own?” I keep my hand on the doorknob, ready to leave again.

It seems like I got her attention now, “oh, hello!” she says as she turns her face towards me, “You are fine, I can continue this later,” pointing towards her work.

Nodding I say, “okay cool,” I walk over to one of the sofas in front of the window and sit down. I pull my legs up in an attempt to make myself comfortable. Then I focus on the other girl again. I’m not sure if I have been seen her face before during the meals. My guess is that she is another selected, but given the fact that I also didn’t know the ex-fiancée from our wonderful prince I decide to ask for a confirmation anyway, “you're also a selected right?”

That makes her laugh a little bit, “yes, I am,” she says as she puts her stuff on her lap, turning towards me. “I’m Leana Grant and you are ...?”

Phew, I feel relieved that she not actually an old flame from the prince. Her name, Grant, does ring a bell but I’m unsure where I’ve heard it before.

“Octavia but please call me Tavi,” I can feel a yawn coming up, so I bring up a hand to cover my mouth, “nice to meet you.”

“Seems like you need some good rest, Tavi,” Leana says with a raised eyebrow. Please, tell me something I don’t know.

“Yeah I still need to get used to the time zone difference and it’s only a 2-hour difference,” I flip my hair over my other shoulder, “so what were you doing in here?”

For some reason unknown to me, she moves a bit uncomfortably in her chair, “just distracting myself a bit, the change of habits it’s hard as well...” she pauses before changing the subject, “what would you been doing right now back at your province?”

“Uhm I don’t really know what the time is right now, but I would probably be at work,” that seems like the safest answer. I yawn again. Maybe I should go to bed early tonight, then I remember the situation in my bedroom and I immediately don’t feel like going back there anymore. “Do you miss your life back home? What did you do to fill your day?”

“Not exactly miss, no, college and I work for a newspaper, The Globe, but maybe you haven’t read it...” Leana waves it off, but the mention of a newspaper my attention rises. I feel fully awake all of a sudden.

“Wait,” I narrow my eyes, “you work for a newspaper? So you're a journalist?”

My pulse quickens, please don’t be a journalist, be a photographer, an editor, anything else.

“Yes I am.”

A memory resurfaces: my mom sitting on a chair in the kitchen, crying. Myself trying to comfort her. A doorbell ringing. ‘I’ll go get it,’ I tell her. But as I open the door to see who it was, a billion camera flashes blind me.

“What do you write about?” I ask Leana. The Globe. One of the newspapers to write about my dad’s arrest. And instead of writing the freaking truth, they turned my dad into the most dangerous criminal Illéa had ever seen.

“Um, does it matter?”

People with recording devices and cameras push forward. I can barely keep them from entering our house.

“How does it feel having a criminal in the family?”

“How many skeletons are there in your father’s closet?”

“Are you his accomplice?”

“Care to comment?”

“Ever felt the urge to kill?”

“Did you know…”

“Our sources claim…”

All the voices blur together, I quickly close the door and lock it. I do the same with the back door. Telling Aria and Arlan to go join mom in the kitchen, I close the curtains and barricade the front door with the sofa.

I narrow my eyes at the girl, I see her in a completely different lighting now. “From my own experience, lots of people working in the news sector only focus on making headlines not even caring if the news they’re selling is even true.”

The next day, the headlines in every newspaper had been about my dad. Writing their own version of the story. Making it thrilling, exciting, scary just to get people to read their dumb paper.

Leana starts laughing at me, “you mean making statements without further information...?”

I can’t even hear her properly anymore. I’m seeing red. All the anger and hurt that I’ve kept hidden for so many years, takes control of me. I can’t push those emotions down anymore.

Collecting my stuff from the sofa, I stand, “you are all the same,” I roll my eyes, “only caring about landing the big story.”

“Such an accusation would require proofs and I doubt you have any.” Her voice is way to calm for my liking.

Pfft, she is just like the other press. “just open your eyes, maybe read some articles your beloved newspaper has published.” I can’t stand to be in the same room as this girl anymore, I need to calm myself down. Walking over towards the door, I say, “you news people are just using everyone as pieces in your chess game, and that's wrong!”

Leana keeps her perfect composure, “alright this sounds like a personal problem.” Her eyes narrow at me, just when I open the door, “do you care to share?”

Why would I want to share anything with her? “I'd rather not,” in the most sarcastic way possible I add, “I wouldn't want to read about it in the newspaper tomorrow.”

She walks past me out of the room, before I even have the chance. “Well, I will tell you then that the press wasn’t really the problem.”

I scoff, “and what was the problem then?”

She frowns, but I can tell she is faking her confusion, “thought you didn’t trust the press.”

I want to get away from her as quickly as possible, “wow what a joy you are.” I start walking away, not hearing anything else she says, and not looking back once.

In my head I’m trying to push my feelings back behind that the solid wall inside of me again. They shouldn’t have broken free, but that girl was just saying all the wrong things. All I can see is an image of my dad’s unconscious body being dragged out of the court room.

That was the last time I saw him. I feel my eyes becoming watery. Actively trying to think about nicer things, like music and my band, make me forget my surroundings completely. I don’t see the other person walking directly in my path. Until I run it them, literally.

An oof escapes from the other person.

“Just look where you’re…” I don’t finish my sentence when I see who it is, I’ve run into, “oh, I’m sorry!”

The prince ignores me completely, already crouching down on the floor to pick up his papers which have scattered everywhere. “I should have been paying attention”

“Yeah you should have,” that sounded way harsher than I intended, plus I need to remember that this is the person who could send me home any minute. I crouch down as well and try help him picking up his papers. “I'm sorry though, it is also my fault.”

He looks at me, “My apologies, Lady.......”

Well, how great is this? He doesn’t even remember me. I guess I didn’t make a good impression on him during the interview after all. I just blink at him, confused myself. I’m pretty sure I’m the only one with curly hair, but okay… “It’s Octavia. We’ve met before you know.” I collect some more of the fallen papers.

“Yes,” he nods, “I remember.” He reaches for the papers in my hands, instead of being the annoying little child everyone claims me to be, I hand them over immediately. “You're the one who likes Dutch love songs?”

Another blow to my ego, “I'm just gonna ignore the fact that you don't remember me, but who on earth likes Dutch love songs?” Flipping my hair over my other shoulder I say, “I know quite a bit about music, so I can say the Dutch and music do not go together at all.” I realize I’m being a little bit aggressive right now, sighing I add, “but okay everyone can like whatever they want to like, I suppose.”

“I imagine the Dutch would disagree…” he neatly piles the rest of the papers, then looks at me again. “Are you the one that churns butter?”

“What?” I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that he doesn’t even remember a little bit about me, or the fact that he thinks I look like a butter churner. I can only stare at him. “Someone can churn butter?”

At that the prince nods a little, “I think so...?” He shifts uncomfortably, “oh, sorry... I forgot to ask if you're okay.”

“Oh yeah I'm fine, nothing I can't handle.” I clear my throat softly, realizing I probably should have asked the same thing, “what about yourself? You look a bit dishevelled.”

“Yes, well... Being run into will do that to a person.” The prince takes a deep breath, then says, “why were you going so fast anyway?”

That makes me remember the encounter with Leana. My feelings have been locked away behind that wall again. But it doesn’t sound like a great idea to tell him about my little rampage. Tavi think. “Oh uhm, maybe I just like speed walking,” I say, looking down at my dress and realizing I look dishevelled as well. I try straightening it.

“Inside?” he glances around.

I nod my head, “hmm, gotta keep myself in shape.” Very believable…

That earns me a frown, “alright then... If you say so. Maybe just consider going outside next time.”

“Thanks for the tip, I will keep that in mind.” I nod again. Let’s change the topic. “What were you doing? Are you always walking around with your nose in whatever that is?” I motion towards the stack of papers he has been clutching close to him.

“Oh, they're just meeting notes. But no this isn't normal. Why...? Are you planning on running into me again?”

What does that mean? Unlike other girls here I don’t necessarily feel the need to know his whereabouts. Let me just do my own thing, searching for law books in the library that is.

“If that's what it takes for you to actually remember me, then yes I will make it my daily goal to find you. It's not like I have anything better to do,” I say jokingly.

He just blinks at me, no laugh, no smile, nothing, just those eyes blinking. And he actually takes a few steps backwards, “I have to warn you... Kevin won't like that.”

I genuinely can’t tell if he’s being serious… “I don't know who this Kevin person is,” I sigh, coming to the conclusion that maybe I should clear the air a bit, “but don't worry I won't seek you out if I don't have to.”

“He's my bodyguard...” the prince says before frowning at me, “I'm sorry that I ran into you and if it upset you.”

“What?” Why can he read me like that? I’m over here trying to hide everything I feel, and then this prince comes along and just sees it anyway. Well he doesn’t know the cause of these emotions but still I feel very vulnerable all of a sudden. I furrow my eyebrows, “that's not what upset me. Why do you think that?”

“Because we just ran into each other and you seem unhappy…”

Maybe I’m just not as good at hiding my feelings as I thought I was. “Oh uhm that is not because of you,” I pause for a bit, desperately trying to think of something to say. I start looking around, hoping to find inspiration elsewhere. But luck is not on my side, “just, you know.”

“I don’t,” he says, shaking his head. “But alright…”

“I'm sure you have enough problems of your own, I won't trouble you with mine,” I say flipping my hair again. Why do I keep talking?

The prince frowns at me again, which seems to be his go-to facial expression. “Why do you all think I'm so troubled?”

I didn’t say he was troubled, did I? But if others are saying it as well…? “Maybe it's just the vibe you sent off. But like aren't you going to run this country? I'm sure that isn't an easy task.”

“Well, I don’t think I’m troubled,” the prince states, very convincingly if you ask me. Not. “And I’m sure I’ll do just fine. I have years to get ready.”

I strongly suppress my eyeroll reflex, “okay if you say so.”

His gaze is fully on me again, before he frowns again. “Unless you know something I don’t.”

“It’s just,” I sigh, “no one is perfect. Everyone is fighting their own battles you know.”

“I guess yeah,” the prince says as he glances down at the papers in his hands. “Though I’m not sure a hallway fight was necessary.”

“You…” I’m shocked beyond words, “you consider this a fight?” Had I been too aggressive, too hostile? I genuinely feel bad for making him feel like this was a fight. It was all my fault anyway. Well technically it was all Leana’s fault, but still the poor prince in front of me didn’t deserve to be dragged into this. By me. “I'm sorry I didn't mean to... I will just go,” I say, desperately to end this … whatever this is.

But the prince shakes his head, “no, it was a joke. Uh, I’m sorry. It wasn’t a good one.”

I turn to face him again. Did he just… make a joke? “You almost made me feel bad,” but his words actually made me relax a little, “you have an interesting sense of humour.”

“I’d argue it’s a bad one if I upset you that much.” The prince swallows and shifts a bit awkwardly. Can he please stop reading me?

“That didn’t really have anything to do with you,” I sigh, being very aware I should probably give him some more information. “I was…” I pause again, not really sure how to put it all in a sentence without dumping all my crap on him. “I was upset because of some bad memories,” I look at the stairs again, my only escape, “I can go if you want.”

“You don't have to go if you don't want to. It's just the hallway and you're mostly free to be where you like.”

Free to be where I like, okay noted. “Yeah but I don't wanna keep you from whatever it is you have to do,” I flip my hair again, maybe I should try not to do that so often, “or make you feel awkward in your own home.”

The prince glances around again, “I promise you that you weren’t the person to make it awkward.”

I remember him doing the exact same thing during the interview, “who was it then?” I look around as well, “is it that bodyguard of yours? Is he sneaking around?”

He looks very uncomfortable. Did he not realize it was a joke? “Oh um, no. Kevin isn’t awkward.”

Perhaps someone should teach him how to take a joke, not take life so seriously. I don’t think I’m the right person for that. “Oh well okay,” I shift my weight from one foot to the other, “I won't take up more of your time.” I offer him a small smile. Why? I don’t know. “Sorry for running into you, literally.”

The prince nods his head, “well, I'm sorry I also ran into you. I'll uh... see you around then I guess?”

“I guess you will,” if he doesn’t send me home before that. It takes me a few steps towards the stairs for me to remember the company I’m in. I quickly turn around and drop into a curtsy, “goodbye your highness.”

He raises his eyebrows at that, but then nods, “I'll see you around. Try not to hurt anyone else.”

That makes me chuckle softly, “I can’t promise that.” And with that we part ways.

Before I know it, I’m back in my bedroom again. That weird run-in with the prince had put my mind at rest, I feel much more at rest right now.

I notice the new bedding, making a mental note to thank my maids the next time I see them.

But then I notice my hands being empty. No no no. I must have dropped my iPod in the hallway, the same time the prince dropped his notes. Except I forgot to pick up my own stuff.

I hurry back towards the hall. it must be here somewhere. After at least 20 minutes of me crawling over the floor, looking under sofas, behind flowerpots, everywhere, I realize it’s gone. And my world collapses.

#side fic #fic #selectionoc

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queencatherynerhys · 4 years ago

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The Fighter - Chapter 6

A/N: I’ve had this published in Wattpad for a while now. I just have been too lazy to publish it here. Sorry. I just got back into being active this week when editing my Masterlist.

Summary: The more time America spent in the palace, the more she can’t control the memories that she’s buried deep within years ago.

Tags: @devineinterventions2 @madaraism @theroyalweisme @drakewalkerwhipped @drakesfiance @hhiggs @hellospunkiebrewster @alicars @mrswalkerreynolds @mfackenthal @simplyaiden-blog @hopefulmoonobject @blackcatkita @cocomaxley @boneandfur @lizeboredom @crayziimaginations @umccall71 @zarina-x-zig @writtenbycandy @ranishajay @heatherfilliez @drakelover78 @indiacater @pens-girl-87 @katurrade @speedyoperarascalparty @greyeyedsmile14 @barbaravalentino @zilch3 @mynameiskaylabella @darley1101 @blznbaby @trashbagfullofflannels @bella-ca @highlyselectiveextrovert *I just used my usual tag list. Let me know if you want to be taken off if you don’t want to receive notifications about this story. Also let me know if you want to be added.*

Marlee hugs me for quite some time until it gets a little uncomfortable. I debate whether cutting it short, but I understand the reason why she was hugging me for so long. I missed her, too, but I haven't had this kind of personal interaction in six years and it's my impulse to push away. One cannot afford to be vulnerable in this line of work.

"Um, Marlee, you're crushing me," I lie to get her off me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, America. I just missed you so much. I don't get why you left or why you lied to everyone saying that you were dead," tears begin to form on the corners of her blue eyes.

"I missed you, too, Marlee, believe me. But please you must promise me you will never call me America again. No one can know who I am. It's safer for you, for everyone and for me. Promise me, Marlee." I ignore her curiosity for now. I simply have too many worries in mind to answer her inquiries about why I left.

"I promise, Amer-, Scarlet. Sorry," she corrects herself and I nod my approval.

"Now, I'm sure the royal family is waiting impatiently for my arrival to breakfast, so I must go. If you wish to know more, you can come by later tonight and I will disclose what I can about what happened in the last six years," I sound so distant and I hate myself for not being able to talk to Marlee like I used to, but this is the way it has to be. I can't allow myself to get close to her, to anyone. I have to remind myself that I've made my choice. I chose this life of solitary, of loneliness, for the happiness of everyone I love and that includes her.

I look at Marlee and she nods before leaving the room. I grab and put on my black leather bomber jacket and tuck my gun in its permanent home in the back waistband of my pants before heading down to the Great Hall. I decide to search for James on my way to inform him of the breach in our security. I find my loyal secretary doing a perimeter check with one of the palace guards and I whistle to catch his attention.

He walks towards me and I drag him to a remote part of the hall without guards or staff to hear our conversation.

"We have a breach in security. Marlee Tames knows my identity. Now before you scold me, I didn't tell her, she just figured it out. She was always the smart, observant one. Find her, instruct her of the proper protocol and measures that must be put in place since she has top secret information. When you're done, report back to me. Can I trust you with this, James?" I ask him.

"Of course, Scar. Why even bother asking? You can trust me with anything, you know that."

"I know. I just needed to hear you say it. Thank you, by the way, for not scolding me about someone recognizing me."

"You're welcome. I figured you're already doing that for me. But I am still strongly suggesting that we leave and let our Fennley team handle this mess. What if more people start recognizing you? What if he recognizes you? What then?" He asks. It's a fair question. I can't have him knowing or figuring out who I am, but I also can't leave without knowing he'll be safe. I can't leave without keeping my personal promise.

"A valid question, but you already know my answer. I am not leaving. Not without ensuring his safety. Especially with our prisoner lurking two stories beneath my feet." I confirm yet again.

He huffs in defeat, "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."

"If something happens to go awry, you can be the first to tell me 'I told you so'. But right now, we should really head to the dining room." With that, I start my path to the eating space with James beside me.

As we reach the door, I take a deep, calming breath to center and ready myself to face my past. To face the person who has haunted my days and nights. There's no turning back, Scarlet, I thought to myself. I release the breath I was holding and begin to reach for the door handle when the guard posted by the grand entrance interferes, "Allow me, miss."

I nod. After six years of opening my own doors, I was taken aback by the formality, but I have to get used to that for this short period of time. He opens the door and the familiarity of the room rushes back to the forefront. Many memories of eating with the royal family and the elite in this very room. Oh, how naïve I was to think that my life was complicated, then. How I'd give anything to be back in those simple times. Times when I could be America again and sing my days away. Sadly, those days are long gone. They must stay gone. For the sake of the one person that sits in this room.

The lavishness and grandeur of the dining room amazes me to this day. It's nothing compared to the massive U-shaped dining table we sat on the very first day of the selection. This dining room is smaller, more informal, intended solely for private dinners between the members of the royal family. When the Selection was narrowed down to the Elite, this was the place we ate. I hear the faint whispers and laughter from distant, buried memories. I feel James' light nudge pulling me out of my recollection.

"Well, well, we were beginning to think you weren't coming to join us. If it were left to me, we would've eaten a few minutes ago, but my lovely wife insisted we wait," the king states in a rude tone.

I learned a long time ago how to not react to childish remarks even if they came from a person with such a high rank in Illéa's hierarchy. America, the old me, would've scowled at that, I'm sure. Instead, I curtsy to the direction of the queen, "Thank you, Queen Amberly." The king notices my ignorance and I am almost positive I will receive the back end of that decision later.

I take my place on one of the chairs on the side of the table facing Princess Kriss. King Clarkson and Queen Amberly sits on opposing sides facing each other on the head of the table with Kriss to the right of the queen and the prince to the king's left.

As the servers begin their task of bringing food, Queen Amberly acknowledges me, "Miss Ryan, please kindly invite your..."

I realize the queen doesn't know my relation to James and I quickly reply, "James."

"Your...James to come and eat with us." I obey and whistle for James, who was just beginning to make his way to the door after making sure I was safe.

He turns around and we do our silent conversation.

Come and sit down, I say.

Is that appropriate? He silently asks.

The queen asks for it.

Are you sure?

Would you just sit the hell down!

Alright, alright!

It's not like the bastard king will bite. At least he won't in front of his wife.

He laughs with his eyes.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," James bows before taking his place beside me on the dining table across from the beloved prince. I glance at Maxon for the briefest of moments before concentrating on the meal set in front of me. Eggs, bacon, toast with a fresh cup of orange juice. It's been more than 3 years since I sat down to have a proper breakfast. Usually my morning routine included me taking my meal to work and getting a head start toward my long day of running a clandestine organization. Also, my work allows me to forget my horrible nights.

I slowly dig into my plate, savoring the quality of food in the palace. Since becoming director, I am blessed to have a decent life. Still, there's still a distinct difference in palace living and the rest of Illéa.

The quiet buzzes of hushed voices fill my ear, but I don't really try to comprehend what they are saying, too focused on my worries. I tear myself away from my internal concerns to see a maid set a plate of strawberry tarts placed before me. Distant memories immediately bombard me. Instinctively, I reach for James' hand underneath the table. He knows every detail of my past, the selection.

He looks into my eyes and know the predicament I am in as he sees the pastries in front of me. He squeezes my hand as I recall one of the earliest memories I have of the Selection.

Our first meal with the handsome, celebrated Prince Maxon. I was contently minding my own business eating delicious strawberry tarts when the precious royal thought it would be funny to single me out.

"Lady America?" I looked at him, shock clearly written all over my face and a mischievous smirk in his as if it was his plan all along to address me just when my mouth was filled with food.

I hurriedly chew and reply, "Yes, Your Majesty?" No doubt my face was as red as my hair from the embarrassment he was so clearly amused by.

"How are you enjoying the food?" His facial expression clearly said that he was enjoying the sight of making me look and act like a fool.

I explained how the food was excellent and my sister, May, would cry if she had these strawberry tarts. And as if he found that information amusing, he beamed with a smile as he continued to make a bet with me. If my sister cried, I made a barter that I would be allowed to wear jeans instead of the stuffy dresses we are mandated to wear. If he won, I would have to go on a date with him.

I was confident I knew my sister well enough to win, so I agreed. As if fate had other plans, I lost.

Looking back on how my life had completely gone off the rails, I wish I could back to the girl who had the audacity to knee the prince in the groin. I wish that my nightmares would cease. I wish I would stop seeing the face of all those I've lost when I closed my eyes. I wish the screams I hear in my head would silence themselves. I wish to not have the scars I carry on my body from the torture I've had to endure from the last six year. Most of all, I wish to be in the place of the woman that sat in front of me. The one who held Maxon's heart in their hands. The one he called his wife, his love, his world.

#the selection #the selection series #the elite #the one #maxon #maxon schreave #america #america singer #america schreave #kiera cass #maxerica #maxon x america #romance #hurt #angst

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ladymelissaduthe · 5 years ago

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Challenge #1

Alternately Titled: To be a Princess

I actually don’t have wifi right now, but hopefully data can come through for now. I’l probably reupload this with the gdoc format soon hehe

I actually wanted to post Missy’s RP with Jackson which happens the night before all of this, but I’m not too happy with it right now so SJKNJKDNDK yeah here is the reaction fic for now + the first meeting RP,,, cause it’s technically late... I’M SORRY BSDJKDNKJD Mentions of @safiya-schreave and @felicity-graham HAHAHAHA and features the first meeting with @arin-schreave hehe, thank you guys for some spicy material to work with <3 (2341 words,,, I think)

When I was a little girl, I learned that to be a princess was to have a thousand pairs of shoes. Shoulders back and tummy in, lift the chin and slowly turn your head from side to side.

I would personally like to thank Barbie for being the role model I didn’t think I’d need on a day like today.

Sure, Barbie had Julian, (The superior Ken from a Barbie movie if you asked me), but today, we had a real life princess give us a crash course on… royal life amongst us. It was like Barbie: Princess and the Popstar more than the Princess and the Pauper really. She walked in, and well, it felt like the chatter in the room quieted down once she came in. Princess Safiya.

She seemed nice when she came in, clipboard an all—ah well doesn’t that sight remind me of days I’d be instructing relatives around a rehearsal dinner. She begins to read from a script attached to the clipboard.

“I hope you all had a restful first night in the palace because now our work begins. Today I will begin to instruct you on conduct and protocol, a process that will continue for the duration of your stay. Please know that I will be reporting any missteps on your part to the royal family.” An amused expression ghosts her features before she continues. “I know it sounds harsh, but this isn’t a game to be taken lightly. Someone in this room will be the next princess of Illéa. It is no small task. You must endeavor to elevate yourselves, no matter your previous station. You will become ladies from the ground up. And this very morning, you will receive your first lesson.”

Hm… fair. I nod from my spot in the room, ready as ever to learn. I mean, how hard could it be? The sound of the door opening catches my attention, was another girl late?

Oh… OH.

Well I’ll be damned, that was Felicity Graham.

I thought she was taller.

I focus my attention back to what the princess was saying, only seeing Felicity move through the corner of my eyes until she came right back into my line of sight when she walks over to where Safiya stood, the two seemingly having a hushed conversation the no one probably an ear away could hear. I lift a shoulder up, busying myself and turning my attention to around the room. Guess they needed their privacy.

The set up was simple around here, simple at a glance but most probably high quality and very expensive. The room was mostly decorated like it was straight out of a home décor issue on an old money family. The elongated room was complemented with high-rise curtains tied with golden chords, tables were laid with cloths that were definitely a multi-count. There were centerpiece bouquets at the center of every table: dahlias and veronicas, if I wasn’t mistaken, the accent cloths were pinned to the sides with a lighter tulle? No, more of a sheath with gold weaved into it.

A few months, I decorated a wedding in a location similar to this, a sort of hall in an old building back in Orleans for the governor’s daughter. Except, maybe this has twice the budget…. Or maybe five times the budget. I wonder what was happening with the princess right now?

Oh they’re still talking. Why does the princess give Felicity a look? You know, one of those scary looking faces you shoot at a girl when you both see the same dress on sale and it’s the last one in-stock.

I try to wrack my brain up for anything I knew about them, figuring out why Felicity would be here. Those two were best friends, I know, but I wouldn’t be caught dead in the same room with the girl(s) my ex was replacing me with. Well, ya know, that’s just me. I just needed a refresher on which glass was for water and which one for juice.

“My sister sent someone to replace her. Lucky for us.”

The princess doesn’t seem too happy. Sometimes I wonder what it’s like for your best friend to be your brother’s ex-fiancée. That whole… situation was a big question for the entire country. My circles of other wedding planners whispered reasons why it was called off. Interesting allegations really. Oh their poor wedding planners, they better had a cancellation clause.

“Table manners are very important, and before you can eat in front of the royal family, you must be aware of certain etiquette. The faster we get through this little lesson, the sooner you get to have your breakfasts, so faces forward, please.”

The princess continues onto basic table manners, easy things that my Grammy used to grill me for back when I was little girl. Then again, there was a time when she used to be a Debutante ‘round Midston and her habits never left her.

“If you follow this one, I’ll be disappointed.” Oh so I guess we were allowed to speak with our inside voices. That’s… convenient. I nod along, hearing a snort from Felicity. The princess makes a face before continuing.

“She wanted me to make a final addition about how to address me and the rest of my family.” I should be paying attention to this one. The whole addressing royalty was definitely a new thing to me. The princess proceeds to explain who we call what, all the formalities and whatnot before we’re asked to stand and start with a crash course on curtsies.

“Now, I suppose you’ll be practicing your curtsies. I’ll be walking around if you have any questions. Or to critique.”

A good piece advice my mama gave me rings in my head, Imagine that a string is attached to the top of your head and pulling ya up. Maybe it’ll help me right now. It was something she always told brides during wedding rehearsals so they looked like they just glided down the aisle. I straighten up, imagining a string on the top of my head.

“and don’t forget I’m here to help you.” I hear Felicity say.

Wow, was she really?

let’s just insert a timeskip here

It took a bit of a while before it was my turn to meet the prince. Not too long, but I suppose the buffet breakfast was a nice consolation. It was lovely that there were some vegan options. I was careful not to eat anything that could have stained the lovely lilac dress that took me literally forever to pick last night.

I was led outside of the room right after I finished some sliced fruits, careful that my lipstick wasn’t ruined from the meal. Someone opened the door for me as I was led into the room.

Alrighty, here we go, Missy. It’s just like meeting a new client. Winning smile, spring in your step, genuine interest. You practiced a couple of questions with yourself last night. It’s just a boy. It’s just a boy. You could do this. Just, try to impress him. No pressure.

There was a sofa, and beside it stood the prince. Oh, he seemed shorter in pictures. I walk towards him, reminding myself to keep my smile on and recall that I needed to dip down in a quick curtsey.

“Hello Lady Melissa. Please have a seat.” The prince greets before motioning to the sofa.

“Good morning, Prince Arin.” I glance over to the sofa before taking a seat, keeping my smile. “Thank you.”

He sits beside me. Up close, the first thing I notice was that his hair looked nice. Was that shallow? I mean… hair care and personal grooming was a good sign, right?

“How is your morning going?”

Compared to last night, I was in a much better mood, but of course I still felt tense. The cameras around wasn’t helping.

“Nothing short of spectacular.” I reply, recalling the answer I practiced in my head. Sometimes, it helps to practice answers. Oh wow, I really was nervous about this, wasn’t I? Shoot. “Woke up, never though I’d see such a great view of the ocean from my room, but there it was,” without knowing it my hands go up, “the sky was orange and glowing.”

I look to him, the memory of the sunrise bringing a genuine smile to my face. “How about you? How has your morning been going?”

“My morning has been fine, thank you.” He smiles at me. “Which province are you from?”

“Proud to be representing Midston. I bet you kind of had a hunch from the accent, but Orleans to be more specific, home to Mardi Gras and the best looking French Quarter in Illéa.”

The prince shakes his head, “Sorry, I honestly hadn’t noticed. But how do you like Angeles so far? It must be different from Midston.” His eyes trail elsewhere. Maybe towards the cameras?

“Well one thing I noticed was that… the buildings here are pretty tall.” I lift a shoulder up. “Don’t see that often where I’m from.” I chuckle before I look to where he looked, and realize that it indeed was a camera he glanced at a couple of seconds ago.

Don’t fix your hair, don’t fix your hair. My hand reaches up to tuck literally nothing back into place. Shoot. Don’t fix yourself around cameras, much less the prince, MISSY.

“It’s just as hot here though,” I add while fanning myself with my hand, “but I don’t know if that’s the weather or I’m just really nervous.”

“Nervous about which part?” the prince seems to watch me, still trying to maintain his smile.

I try to stop fidgeting, letting out a deep breath. “Not might be the same for you but I think meeting a prince for the first time would make you feel the slightest bit of jitters.” An unintentional laugh escapes me, and I try to smile. “Sorry, is it a little too much?”

The prince seems to shake his head, “No, uh… I’m mostly used to it.” He seems to pause for a moment before speaking up. “What do you do in Orleans?”

Without thinking, “Weddings.” I instantly say, “I mean, I plan weddings and debuts.” I start to ramble, “Catering, decorations, invitation, whatever a client wants for their special day, I can make it happen.”

He blows out a breath and nods, “Ah, I see. And how is…” he seems to hesitate at the next word, “wedding planning?”

Someone please, slap me.

Oh dear, it must still be a sensitive topic for him.

I try to give him a comforting smile, “It’s quite lovely, I don’t think I’ve experienced something as magical as someone’s wedding day. I’m just happy to help make the magic happen.” I’m reminded of my conversation with Jackson in the kitchen last night. The happiest business… he called it.

I blink, ah yes… way to rub some salt into a wound. QUICK. Find a way to salvage this. “Debuts are just as fun too. Just as much cake and magic.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” He seems to shift slightly, “So you enjoy it?”

“Very much.” I reply. He still seems weirded out by it. QUICK. Change the topic. “Are you… a party person, your highness? Or a little more of a party of one kind of person?”

Prince Arin tilts his head, “I’ve enjoyed parties and sometimes I like to be alone. But honestly I don’t mind the chaos.” He then frowns. Why would he be frowning? Is he… one of those extra-introvert types? What did they call those people again? Eh, the only thing I really knew about those kinds of people was that they had a social battery or something like that.

“I think there’s always something to celebrate,” I bobble my head, “but we’ve all got a battery that can only take up so much uh… chaos. Nothing too different.”

He seems to blink in surprise, “That’s a different way of looking at things. It seems like you have a pretty high tolerance.”

Well, that’s one way to put it. I’ve always just been a really social type.

“I believe it’s all about perspective.” I smile, recalling another piece of advice my Grammy always told me. “Just gotta choose how you wanna perceive things instead of accepting them the way you first saw it. I mean, that’s what my Grammy’s always reminded me.”

“So move on with your life?” The prince looks at me curiously.

If only moving on was easy as saying that you were moving on.

“You make moving on sound bad.” I chuckle, recalling how… bad it really could be. “See it more of moving forward. Someone used to tell me , ‘Forward to a tomorrow, completely different from yesterday’. ” I glance to the prince. “I’m still figuring out that last piece of advice out though.”

I don’t know why I still quoted that. Quoted him of all people, but good advice… was good advice.

“And who was that?” Prince Arin asks, I catch him tilting his head to the side, “That sounds like something my mother would say.”

The answer seems to be stuck in my throat, I pause before saying, “That’s a story for another day, your highness.” I try to change the topic. “Your mother sounds very wise though. Are you two very close?”

“We are,” he nods before glancing at his watch. “But I can tell you more about that another day.” Touché, a chuckle escapes me.

Prince Arin stands, “It’s been a pleasure speaking with you this morning, Lady Melissa. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.”

“Missy, you can call me Missy.” I follow and stand up, dipping into another curtsy. “Have a nice day ahead of you, your Highness.” I give him one last smile, seeing him nod and take it as my cue to turn and leave.

Someone please tell me that was a good first impression.

#selectionoc #selection oc #selectionoc6 #missy duthe #missy fics #((yes i'm ambiguous for reasons))#((guys I swear I have a backlog of like three RPs to finish writing but its worth it I promise))#((welcome to Missys panicky internal monologue))#((missy is me when I meet new people))#((let's go Libra placements))

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andypridee · 5 years ago

Text

A River’s Current | Challenge #1

here it is. i bring to you Andromeda Pride. well, andy preferably. I’m so sorry this is up sooo late but writing this was kind of a whirlwind. Please ignore any mistakes, i was writing this like a thousand miles per hour. Thank you sooo much to @arin-schreave and @itssara-oc for the rps i hope i wasn’t such a mess. so i leave you with andy. i hope you reading her as much as i enjoyed creating her.

bon appetit!

Silence flooded the room entirely. The day that just happened had been a whirlwind of things that made me completely uncomfortable. "Oh my God," I thought "This is going to continue for who knows how long" This was clearly the best time to understand the magnitude of my actions. Normally, I didn't think much before acting, but the consequences were not so huge. "Okay Andy, you're already here and there is no escape. Breathe. "

The huge room that had touched me was like a dream. A huge soft bed, a wardrobe that was a work of art in itself, a movie ceiling. "I guess this is it. The selection." A contest to win the prince's hand. Not even that. A contest to win what remains of the prince's heart, if it remains, to be able to one day be the queen of this country, although, in reality, it would only be an accessory for the king and his baby factory because obviously you have to follow the lineage And that's what women are for.

It was incredible that I could be and live, even for a short time, in a room as full of luxuries as that. Yes, my childhood had been privileged, I was aware of that, but this was just another level. He had seen, known and connected to so many places that not even in his deepest dreams could they have dreamed of something like this. And there were people who had so much power and money that this kind of room was simply a "guest room." It was increasingly difficult for me to think that solutions for millions of people were in the hands of a few who should actually provide solutions for those people.

How I wish Sierra had been there.

Anger and helplessness began to grow within me. The air didn't flow to my lungs and I had suddenly started hyperventilating. I went out on my balcony and saw around me. Everything looked so serene from afar. So uniform and so peaceful. I wanted to dive into it, keep walking until I got away from that huge and pretentious place. The edge of the balcony felt like a wall of bars to me. I was not made to live observing. And I didn't even know what I was doing here. I had no princess spirit, much less a queen. I needed to get out, talk, be able to experiment and especially help. Not standing still, looking pretty, saying the things that everyone wants to hear but being hopeful enough for those people who have almost nothing. Everything methodical, everything calculated. All coldly experienced, knowing that even if you want to do something and help, that would not make everyone happy, especially the most important ones. Living not in a home, but in an institution.

I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed. I saw a valley covered by the moon. Miles and miles spread before me, ready to be explored, ready for the unexpected. The cold air brushed my cheeks and I smiled. Then came the sea, with its smell of salt and freedom. The sun caressed my skin and comforted me. In the distance, seagulls were observed in mid-flight. This was what made me get up every morning. The possibility of a new, just, and caring world. A world wherein every place that the sea touched you could feel airs of hope and happiness.

I slowly opened my eyes and took another deep breath. I guess I couldn't do anything about my current situation anymore but I could take advantage of it.

I went to sleep with that image of the sea in my mind and I didn't wake up again until the morning rays touched my skin.

When I opened my eyes the day had already started without me. My maids, Audrey, Kate and Elaine, were fixing my room for a new day. Although I did not really understand why since everything looked extremely resplendent. The bathroom apparently was ready to tell from the condensation on the mirror and my outfit for the day hung neatly from the closet.

I closed my eyes once more wanting to be in my room in Zuni, or even in Waverly's bedrooms. Or anywhere outside of there. I opened my eyes again with the slightest hope that my wishes would come true. Obviously, they didn't, so I sighed and walked into the bathroom, ready to have at least 15 minutes of relaxation and privacy. That was, of course, until my maids started helping me.

"Um, ladies? I don't really know what to call them. Girls? Um well, I can do this alone if you don't mind. ”I tried to speak kindly to them.

"But, miss, we must help you in everything," Audrey replied in a concerned tone.

"I'm sure it doesn't refer to everything," I said, pointing to my body in the process.

"It is our duty, Miss Andromeda," Audrey replied politely.

I sighed “Okay, you can continue to do whatever other crazy duty you are dictated here but please just call me Andy. It is the only thing I ask of you. ” I said almost pleading.

"Okay, Lady Andy," Audrey answered again, who, apparently, was the one in charge of the three.

"Andy, Audrey. Andy. " I looked at her and tried to smile slightly.

"Okay La- Andy," she replied uncomfortably, but she had fulfilled what she had asked and that was an advance for me in the little that I had taken that morning, so I left it like that and I decided to violate what I considered privacy as too many levels.

OK. I was not a girl in dresses. And that was clearly inconvenient now. Looking at me in the mirror, I looked like a cupcake. Literally. It smelled of vanilla and everything. The dress itself was beautiful, white with gold accents and such a neat chest. Truly a work of art. But I was not wearing dresses. I felt uncomfortable and constricted, I could hardly breathe, and my arms could not rise more than 10 cm.

And now she was supposed to have breakfast in front of the queen and the royal family like that. Fantastic.

"Miss, you must go to your lesson," Elaine warned me before leaving.

"Lesson? Are we not supposed to have breakfast? ” I asked, starting to feel like my stomach was roaring under the tight corset of my cupcake dress.

"Before having breakfast in front of the royal family you must take an etiquette lesson." answered.

"They think we don't know how to eat? It can't be that different. Finally, it is the same process, you eat and drink. There is not much science. ”

"It is a requirement for all the selected ones," Elaine replied, trying not to get too agitated.

"So now I am that. One "selected". " I said, this time to myself. "Okay, I'll be down soon," I replied, a little more disappointed.

Going down that huge staircase I could see the other girls. All dressed in extremely precious dresses. Splendid walk. Perfect complexion. Hair like silk. And I, holding on tightly to the stair railing, afraid of losing my balance and hitting the living room on the floor. What a contrast.

I entered a large room, where tables were set up with their respective chairs. Several selected ones were already arranged in their places, so I looked for mine in that sea of linen tablecloths and flowers with artificial smells.

Lady Andromeda

Thanks, mom and dad. They seriously couldn't choose another name.

I took a seat and turned the side of the card with my name face down. Then I smoothed down my dress and waited for something to happen, though I wasn't really sure what that would look like.

Finally, Princess Safiya entered the room and addressed us. She exuded airs of elegance and neatness. Almost like her brother but she seemed under control and ready to take charge of any situation.

"Good morning. I'm sure you're all ... eager to start seeing as you're meeting my brother shortly, so I'll try to keep this brief. ”

Eager? Really? Rather terrified of having to meet the prince. Oh, my God. Prince. Know him. Friend, if you want you can have me there all morning because we could say that the prince was not my favourite person in the royal family.

“Today I will begin to instruct you on conduct and protocol, a process that will continue for the duration of your stay. Please know that I will be reporting any missteps on your part to the royal family. ”

This was the most outrageous thing anyone could have said to me. Conduct and protocol? Who I am? A doll? What were the behaviour and protocol? To silence your mouth only and that everything is calm and courteous. Crap.

"I know it sounds harsh, but this isn't a game to be taken lightly. Someone in this room will be the next princess of Illéa. It is no small task. You must endeavour to elevate yourselves, no matter your previous station. You will become ladies from the ground up. And this very morning, you will receive your first lesson. ”

That was exasperating me, that situation they have to change their way of being because we do not consider it highly appropriate. She understood that they were the royal family but they were also ordinary humans. She didn't understand the need to be stiff and perfect all the time, much less at breakfast. It was quite a facade, because, let's be honest, who dresses like that to go to breakfast?

Suddenly, a very elegant brunette woman entered the room. It was Felicity Graham, the prince's ex-fiancée. She saw herself as a powerful woman, even on her own and without any ties to royalty or politics. She was the first person to impress me in the background since I got there.

He approached Princess Safiya and muttered something to her, and so they had an exchange of murmurs and increased the discomfort in the room by 87%.

Neither of us knew what was happening and I personally felt out of place and worse yet, too hungry to have a good attitude. We were there in front of them and they didn't even bother to make excuses.

I was about to get up and go get my well-deserved breakfast without any consideration of what might happen because I honestly didn't care. The faster I got out of there, the better. Safiya said something softly to Felicity but I didn't really bother to understand. Were they really taking away even more time?

Against my own will, I followed the instructions and continued the etiquette lesson, ridiculous as that sounds, albeit with some difficulty thanks to my dress. In the end, it was what was going to get me out of here and give me my breakfast without having to disrespect the princess in her face. Despite everything, I had always admired Princess Safiya for her tenacity and intelligence and she was frank, a quality that I will always respect people.

When mentioning the very retrograde etiquette instructions, there were one to two times that I almost laughed out loud. Not speak unless they spoke to us first? Really? She did not know that modernity and feminine emancipation had not reached the court of Illea. Even more so when our president was a woman like the queen.

"If you follow this one, I’ll be disappointed," Safiya added.

Well, one less person to disappoint, and at least the princess agrees with me on that ridiculous rule.

After something akin to a courtesy practice, although it seemed more like a classy torture session, and Princess Safiya completely reproved me with her eyes, we were free. My stomach at this moment was a huge furious mass and when my eyes looked at that oasis called buffet I swear that the angels sang. I'm not fully aware but I think I approached the buffet unusual and not very elegantly, filling my plate with delicacies.

I found my seat and got ready to ... eat. Actually, at first, it seemed like I was stuffed but I hadn't eaten anything since I woke up and that was going to be like two hours! But after the first three or four bites, I tried to keep my composure. Not because they had pointed it out to me but because I wanted to show them that we were perfectly fit people to eat without making a mess.

As soon as the guard who was going to escort me to that small room where the girls came and went came, my back stiffened. Usually, it was good under pressure and I wasn't nervous but this time we were talking about the prince, the actual price. I think the usual was not suitable for those occasions.

I got up from my chair with all the grace that can emanate and accompanied the guard to that little room. The first thing I glimpsed upon entering was the cameras. They were everywhere, pointing at different angles to a chair in the middle of everything. And there was Prince Arin waiting for me, standing a little too straight, a little too stiff, very rehearsed. I approached dubiously, looking back a moment but looking back at the prince, who gave me a small bow.

"Good morning, Lady ..." Her eyes searched for my little tag with my name on it. I guess learning 35 names overnight was difficult. "Andromeda." I almost winced when he said my name. Today had been a perfect day to call me Andromeda. "Please have a seat," he said as he gestured toward the sofa.

I did not know what to answer. My mind had gone blank. She only knew that she was in front of the prince, the heir of Illea. It was as if my conscious part had come out of my body and I was making a fool of myself. I bowed very badly and approached him. Safiya would certainly be disappointed in me, I thought.

"Hello! ... um... Good morning, Your Highness" I answered and took a seat on the sofa. "What the hell are you doing Andy? How old are you? Twelve? Act like a fully capable young lady and stop being silly. ” I said to myself as I tried to get comfortable on the sofa. Glancing back at Arin, I tried to smile slightly, concealing my disagreement.

He had settled next to me, turning his body so he could see me properly. There was something about his actions like they were too methodical and too rehearsed. He didn't seem like a natural person.

"How is your morning going?" he asked in a calm but neat tone of voice. How many times had she done this? He was probably not even paying attention anymore, just following a script and waiting for the morning to pass without any complications.

I, on the other hand, was a disaster. And the most irritating thing was that that wasn't me. I looked him in the eye and I got myself back together. "It's just someone else, there's no reason to be intimidated."

“Well let's say waking up inside a golden palace is a whole other way to start my morning, so pretty good so far. I must say, that breakfast of yours is going to spoil my appetite ”I said, while shaking my head, amused. I wasn't going to tell lies, that breakfast had been the best part of my morning.

He simply nodded and continued.

That’s good to hear. So you slept well then? ”

Again that studied tone. Breathe Although she wanted to explode, I continued the conversation, trying to cheer her up a bit. If he didn't want to have a good time, it was his problem.

"Like a dream, but you must know. I was a bit shocked at first when I got to my bedroom but then I calmed down. ” yes .. that little crisis.

"I'm glad to hear you were able to calm down." He looked for a moment at the cameras. Was that necessary? It was silly to ask, considering my experience with the bathroom that morning. "Which province are you from?"

I instinctively turned my gaze to the cameras for a second, uncomfortable with the situation. A mouse in a laboratory would have felt more comfortable than me. For a moment I felt my dress tighter, my hair straighter, my shoes smaller. I turned my gaze to Arin and replied. He continued to ask me questions and I answered them for a while. The weird thing was that he didn't comment on it like he wasn't even listening to me. I was trying to keep my composure but I was already exhausted. I wanted, first of all, to put on a good pair of pants and a shirt. Sleep all day and in the morning embark anywhere. Probably a remote island, accompanied only by Clifford and a coconut called René.

As the conversation progressed, I became more interested in it. A feeling of relief flooded my body and when I realized I was actually enjoying the conversation.

"It sounds like you enjoy it," he comments as he nods slightly.

"I do ... I think it’s a powerful way to tell the world’s history." I replied, a little excited.

"Do you plan on returning to journalism?"

"I have not abandoned journalism, it's just that I work for an NGO so that keeps me busy"

"What do you do there?"

"Well, I'm practically a wildcard. I've taught English and Maths to kids in Vietnam, I've helped to bring food to war-displaced communities, I've aided to build houses for a community made up of women, victims of family abuse, there's everything where you can help. "

Talking about my job was something I loved, but I didn't want to sound pretentious or anything like that, so I was glad when she continued to genuinely be interested in the conversation, or so it seemed.

He nodded, impressed and continued. That certainly sounds like a lot. I'm sure your family must be proud. ”

It was annoying that his only reaction to everything was to nod but he was so wrapped up in the conversation that I barely noticed. At the mention of my family, I gave a little laugh, funny.

Well, I don’t know. I'm sure my family thinks they contribute a lot to society as well. For my parents especially, it's just a complicated way to help when you can just donate a bunch of money and leave. ”

"Oh well, I'd be proud if I were them. It’s important to contribute to the ways you can. ”

"It is. It absolutely is. I believe that making change happen is the labour of everyone. Grain by grain great things can be built. ”

She nodded, again, and glanced at her watch, then turned to look at me.

"Thank you for speaking with me this morning, Lady Andromeda. It’s been a pleasure. ” She got up from the sofa, saying goodbye. "Please enjoy the rest of your stay."

"I'm sure that my stay he meant two hours while he finished with the rest of the girls," I thought.

But I tried to hide my true thoughts, so I got up and smiled confidently. Whatever happened, I think it would be fine.

“It has been surprisingly a pleasure. And please, call me Andy. My parents have been a little extra since ancient times. ” I joked, trying to make the stiff prince smile for the last time.

And fulfilling my goal, Arin smiled at me and nodded again. "This man and his head," I thought. But I did not care, I got him to show some emotion and that already progressed for me.

"Have a good rest of your morning, Andy."

“My parents thought so too but believe me, growing up as Andromeda was pretty tired. "I shrugged." Well, I don't believe so, for now, you are my only friend” me briefly, joking, as I usually did, about my name “the food here is the most heavenly thing ”

She was an extremely sweet and funny girl. I think it was a relief to be able to talk to someone without being afraid of being judged in the background, something very rare to find in the social circles that my parents made me frequent.

She giggled and answered “I can imagine. It's a beautiful name but it's pretty long and I'm assuming people have mispronounced it before? ” Her eyes lit up at the mention of our possible friendship ”That sounds like a deal. I'm your friend and you are mine. Don't take backs. ” And continuing with our conversation he added “It is pretty good. Where are you from? ”

“So many times! plus it is pretty weird so you can imagine ”I shrugged. "Sounds like a deal!" I told her and reached out my hand to close the deal, she took it, laughing, and we shook hands with each other but “From Zuni, originally. What about you? ”

"I kind of get your pain. Not many people know how to pronounce my last name. I'm from Whites! ”

"Well, I sure hope I'm pronouncing it correctly." I giggled a bit, something slightly unusual for me. "Oh! that's a great contrast ”I commented when listening to her native province.

"Don't worry, you're actually doing pretty good." She beamed and continued “It is! So what did you do before… ”she pointed around us, referring to La Selección“ all of this. ”

I smiled nostalgic, thinking about the life I had left behind. That life that had been built by me and only by me, and which was now thousands of miles from my reach.

“Well, I study journalism in Waverly and I work for an NGO, helping in poor communities. what about you? ”

“I have been volunteering in the orphanage here and there. I want to keep volunteering but the career I have makes it hard. ” she pouted a bit, making me smile. Sara was the sweetest person I’ve ever known. Usually, my friends and I expressed love with jokes and sarcasm, so hanging out with Sara was actually pretty recomforting. "I am a manager in my dad's business."

We talk about our jobs and our family. The more time passed, the more relaxed I felt, forgetting everything that had happened in the morning and feeling much more myself. Sara was a very sweet, interesting and impressive person. Being a manager in her father's store and volunteering. It is completely true that appearances are deceiving. At first glance, Sara seemed a very elegant but somewhat reserved person. Turned out to be funny and energetic. With airs of princess everywhere and kindness of heart, I was glad that there were girls with possibilities of winning, like Sara and genuinely began to root for her. We ended up talking about my family, especially my sister, Sierra. My sister was one of the people I missed the most and it had only been a day. We usually parted for months but we were a phone call away. This was completely different and he needed her more than ever.

"I'm lucky to have her. I believe that without her I wouldn't be here right now, ”I smiled wistfully, trying to control my tears instead. “Alright, so topic change because I don’t want to have mascara all over my face and make a fool of myself the first day, mmm what do you like to do outside work?”

Sara smiles and said “You really are the sweetest aren't you…” she gave me a sympathetic look and answered my question. Alright. We can definitely do that another day! ” * joked, making me smile and improve my spirits. "I? Well, I enjoy to read and write. Bullet journaling. Geocaching! I would love to travel more often. I love to learn more about different places. How about you? ”

"Count me in! crying out loud is one of my favourite things ever ”I commented sarcastically. “I have tried to do bullet journaling, trust me, it did not go well. But geocaching? what’s that? ” I've never heard of anything like that but I was truly curious "I LOVE-" had started screaming but then I remembered that morning's sermon and decided it was too early to start breaking the rules. "I love travelling!! it's my favourite thing to do in the whole world, I love to discover how diverse we can be in just one planet. I love photography as well, I have an album with all my trips, to see how a picture can tell a million words and a million emotions. ”

"I mean watching some sad movies can get you to cry out loud" Sara joked, continuing my joke. "Oh, I love it! Oh, geocaching is a bit of a weird hobby of mine. It's basically using GPS to find hidden treasures people have left behind. It's interesting for me. ” added with some regret. “I love travelling as well !! Are we possible soulmates? Long lost sisters? ” I smile with her eyes lit up. "Wow really? I would love to see it. Your album I mean. "

"Only if it's titanic" I joked. "But it sounds interesting like catching Pokémons or something like that, you have to invite me some time" I smiled, interested in my friend's hobby.

"I know! it's crazy!” I laughed and continued "where have you been?” And finally answered her request. “Well I could show it to you sometime, I secretly sneaked it in because my mother almost banned me from bringing it, ”I whispered.

"Obviously only titanic." she chuckled, joking. "It is! I have found several interesting things when I go geocaching. ” she grinned as I mentioned my interest in geocaching “Someday for sure!” she said, smiling widely. "It is! I hope to do that often. Travel I mean. I have been here and there but I barely had time to really immerse myself to each province. The farthest I've gone is New Asia. ” she leaned in when I started whispering “Oh really? I would love to see it. I'm glad you sneaked it in. ”

------

The sun had begun to set over the city of Angeles and a beautiful yellow light sheltered the city. The day that just passed had been, honestly, an emotional roller coaster. I had survived my first day of the Selection and I still hadn't made a complete fool of myself. I didn't know if I was going to be there in 24 hours or if this was only going to be a one-day vacation but at that point, it didn't matter anymore. Despite all my opinions regarding the Selection and what was happening, I was beginning to realize that not everything was completely bad and that in reality if I could not change the course of the river, I could at least travel with the current. I was afraid that maybe I would lose myself in the process for, apparently, it was something I couldn't control. The only thing I could do was make sure that day after day when I looked in the mirror, I kept seeing the same girl who wanted to contribute to the change. No matter what happened.

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goodbyecringe · 5 years ago

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(Un)Natural Selection Chapter 4

Éponine

Over the next few weeks, I made sure that I was paying extra attention to how Azelma was being treated by my parents. I had always been treated differently because of my purpose, but of course, they had beaten me when I was younger. The scars were old but present in sporadic places. A few on my back, one on my stomach, and that ran across the palms of my hands. But after Azelma had been born it was like they had made their own personal punching bag. It stopped for a while after Gavroche was born, but when he ran away a few years ago my parents took a turn for the worst. Azelma would be in so much pain she couldn’t even get out of bed some days. During those days Madame Brouder always sent me home with some extra food. I’m not sure how she knew something was going on, because we never talked about anything related to my family.

On the day of announcements, the Brouder’s sent me home early with a loaf of bread and some cheese, just in case the outcome was less than desirable. I immediately hid the food under a loose panel beneath the sofa. My mother quickly emerged in what appeared to have been a new, or rarely worn, dress.

“Why are you still in those dirty old things?” She asked as if she owned many clothes better than mine.

“I just got back from work.”

“Oh did you?” She held out her hand. I took my wages out of the pocket and gave them to her. How could I have thought she would forget, even with The Selection being announced in less than an hour.

“Good. Now go change into something presentable,” she waved me away.

I wanted to turn around and tell her that there was a one and million chance that I would ever become a princess. I wanted to tell her that even though I had spent my entire life watching the prince, all I had learned was that he appeared cold and distant. I wanted to take Azelma and run away to the Brouder’s house where we would be raised with love and compassion. However, on the slim chance that I did get selected, I didn’t want Prince Julien to meet me with a black eye.

I decided to put on the blouse that I wore on the day I turned in my application. There wasn’t much point in dressing up unless the entire apartment complex wanted to break curfew in order to congratulate me for not getting selected. After I turned in my application I started to notice things about other girls that I hadn’t noticed before. I noticed how the girl that worked at the grocery store always had a smile on her face, which made her more attractive. I noticed how the girl that lived next to the Brouders always sang in a smooth, beautiful voice when she came home from school. I noticed how dark the circles under my eyes were and how all I was just skin and bones. According to my mother, who was unusually heavy set for our caste, men really only cared about your physical assets.

When I emerged from the bathroom I found that my parents had settled onto the couch and turned on the preview of the Report. Azlema was in the kitchen portioning out rice and chicken for dinner.

“Oh, there he is! Our future son-in-law!” I wondered how ridiculous my mother sounded to the neighbors, since everyone with a daughter would be thinking the same thing.

I turned towards the small television to observe the prince. As long as I could remember, he always had a head of loose golden curls. There was a difference between his and Azelma’s hair. Azelma’s hair, no matter how blonde, had always appeared dull, while the prince’s hair seemed to radiate. His demeanor had been the same since he had started addressing the country: passionate, serious, and made of stone. The Report had never shown the prince to show any sort of emotion. The Queen was known for her compassion and empathy when she addressed the Nation, but maybe that was because she was a woman. Queen Caroline always had kind eyes and a gentle voice that partnered with her desire to provide education to children of all castes. Did I have compassion in my eyes, or did I appear as cold as the prince?

“Azelma you brat bring us our damn food!” my father demanded, flicking cigarette ash onto the floor.

“Here you go, don’t choke on the chicken bone,” ‘Zelma walked two plates over to the couch. I pulled a wooden chair up next to the couch and motioned for Azlema to sit at my feet. I began to play with her hair as I watched Kyran Cervantes, the royal announcer, interview Queen Caroline.

“Your Majesty, can you believe it has been twenty beutiful years since your time in the Selection?” Kyran asked, smiling with his pearly white teeth.

“Don’t remind me, Kyran,” the queen laughed,”it feels like just yesterday I was a bundle of nerves dressed up in a fancy gown.”

“I never would have been able to guess! In fact, if I remember correctly, the public loved you for your graceful and calm demeanor.”

“Oh course they did! I was always calmest when Orson was with me, and I still am,” she smiled and looked over to the King who was beaming at her.

“The citizens of Illeá are completely indebted to the last Selection which brought together our wonderful King and Queen. And now it is time to continue the noble Enjolras line! We have hundreds of thousands of young ladies anxiously awaiting to find out if they will have a chance to win over our beloved Crown Prince Julien,” the camera panned to the prince, who had an unusual gleam in his eye.

“Your Majesty, do you have any advice for the Selected?” The Queen didn’t even hesitate with her answer.

“Ladies. You will laugh, you will cry and there will be days when you will question why you ever even applied. So my advice is this: just have fun. You will never do anything like this again so enjoy it! Just be yourself and let your light shine,” there were those compassionate eyes.

“What inspiration words of wisdom Queen Carolina. We are all honored to be your subjects, but not as honored as Prince Julien is to be your son,” Kyran said, walking over to the Prince’s seat.

“Speaking of Prince Julien, how are you fairing on this momentous night?”

What happened next truly shocked me. The all serious, marble man that I had grown up observing, chuckled.

“I’ve never seen him even smile,” Azelma said, looking up towards me.

“Maybe he just had some wine before going on the air,” I suggested as she turned back around to the television.

“I’m excited for this great opportunity I have ahead of me. I think I’m even more excited for the wonderful young ladies whose lives will be changed tonight.”

“Speaking of those wonderful young ladies, do you already know who they are?” Kyran comically leaned in, as to hide the prince’s response from the King and Queen.

“Funny enough, all the files of the selected girls are on my desk, however I’ve been so busy today that I haven’t had a single moment to look them over. In fact, I want this year’s selection to be a bit different,” the camera panned to the King and Queen, eyeing each other.

“For this selection, I have no desire to know what caste each Selected girl is from. I want to ensure that all of Illeá knows that my intentions are pure. And for that reason,” he said standing, “I must bid everyone a goodnight and congratulations to all of the lucky Selected! I might not want to know the castes, but I know many of you do.”

With that, he shook Kryan’s hand, kissed his mother on the cheek, and left the studio.

“What an incredible statement by our future King! And with that, let us reveal the thirty-five young ladies chosen for the Selection. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating the following Daughters of Illéa!”

The screen changed so that one side of the screen the King and Queen’s reactions were being shown and on the other, a place for the pictures of the Selected.

“Miss Iris Hathor of Waverly, Four.” A photo of a tan, freckled girl, maybe a year or two older then me appeared. I wondered how she got all those freckles being a three.

“Miss Teresa Gilbert of Hansport, Two.” My jaw dropped at the sight of the famous child actress that had starred in almost every movie made in the last ten years. The King nodded his head in approval.

“Miss Cosette Fauchelevant of Kent, Three.” A porcelain face with bright blue eyes and golden blonde hair appeared. My mother spit up her drink.

“Ain’t that the brat we took in from that whore?” She exclaimed, turning to my father.

“I’ll be damned, I bet that man paid his way up to the Selection too.” Just as I was turning to ask them about why that girl looked so familiar, I caught a sight I never truly thought I would see.

“Miss Éponine Jondrette of Allens, Six.”

My heart stopped beating. Azelma screamed, and wrapped herself around me. My parents embraced each other, proud that their ultimate con was finally going to be possible. People in our apartment complex that had never spoken to us ran over to congratulate me. But all I could do was sit, watching the King and Queen stare at my picture in shock. And I knew that I had no chance of winning the Selection.

#enjonine #prince enjolras #eponine thenardier #enjolras #les amis #les miserables #fanfiction #cross-posted #ao3 #cosette #marius #joly #grantaire #gavroche #modern universe #musichetta #the selection #cossover

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arawynn · 6 years ago

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A Selection Story

The Selection Prince Bucky X Reader AU

Summary: You are one of originally 35 girls who compete to marry Prince James of Illéa. After several adventures, only six girls – The Elite – are left. You and the Prince converged and fell in love – until a fight changes everything. Will you still have your happy ever after? Or will you have to return to your old life of poverty and hard work?

Warnings: Minor Character Death, hinting at abuse

AN: This is my entry for @buckthegrump‘s writing challenge.

You sat in your room, unable to sleep. The fight with James had been a full week ago but neither of you was about to take the first step towards reconciliation. There was nothing but frosty silence. It drove you mad. You still loved him. But whenever you had tried to talk to the Prince Royal, he avoided you skillfully.

Suddenly, you heard voices in the garden close to your room. It sounded a lot like James was discussing heatedly with two people you didn’t recognize. It was easy to spot them when you looked out of your window. There were no palace guards close by and the strangers were wearing pistols. Against your better judgement, you threw on a dressing grown and left your room via the balcony. It had a staircase that lead to the garden. One of the few advantages of having the room at the end of the corridor.

The voices were surprisingly low, as if none of them wanted to alert the guards. “How often do I have to tell you that I’m not my father? And that I don’t agree with everything he decides?”, James hissed. “No matter how often you claim to be different, we know the truth. You are just as selfish and cruel as the King.”, a female voice answered sharply. Apparently the discussion was turning in a circle. And had done so at least once already.

“What’s this about?”, you asked calmly and approached the group. “Return to the Palace.”, James ordered angrily. “Lady Y/N.”, the woman greeted and bowed her head. It surprised you. You were nobody important after all and had no official rank within the Palace. “We’re here because we won’t let a second King Alexander take the throne.”, the man said. “James is not at all like his father. Queen Margaret taught him kindness and compassion.”, you retorted. “These edicts with his signature speak a different language.”, the stranger responded and handed you several pieces of paper.

“That’s not his handwriting.”, you said after a short glance at a couple of them. “I would never approve of these.”, James added in disgust. Apparently he had read more of the edicts than you. But it took only a couple sentences of one to have you agree with him – the edicts were unacceptable and he’d never approve of them. “I think we might need to re-consider our goal. Lady Y/N is...respected among our people. If she says you aren’t like the King, there’s a reason to re-think about our stance.”, the woman threw in.

“Lady Y/N? Where are you?”, asked a voice from your room – probably the sentinel that stood guard in front of your door and checked in on you on a regular basis. The strangers instantly took flight. “I’m in the garden with Prince James!”, you answered. James silently offered you his arm to walk you back.

“You are supposed to tell the guard when you go for a walk in the garden, Lady Y/N. For your own safety.”, the man scolded after bowing to the Prince. “I know. It won’t happen again.”, you answered rueful. The sentinel scrutinized you before nodding once and leaving your room again.

I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I’ve allowed to let my anger and insecurity take the best of me.”, James said out of the blue. You were shocked. It took you several seconds to regain your posture. “I’m sorry as well. I should have told you sooner. I just...didn’t know how. Saying ‘my former crush works in the palace and I don’t know if I still have feelings for him’ seemed a bit too straight forward.”, you answered softly. James laughed, from the bottom of his heart. It was too infectious to not join him.

“Did you...come to a decision?”, the Prince asked carefully after you both had calmed down. You were laying on your bed, next to each other. “Yes. He’ll always be important to me, but I’m not in love with him anymore. We have both changed during these past months. Too much to still love each other that way. But that’s not bad. He has fallen for one of my handmaids and I have fallen for you. Between us it’s...bigger. More...mature in a way.”, you answered slowly.

“I’m glad. I can’t imagine to live my life without you anymore. The intention of this Selection was to find a bride for me. I never thought I’d actually fall in love and find a confidant. Especially not somebody with your courage and kindness.”, he said softly. The two of you had moved closer and closer towards each other while you talked. By now, your head was resting on his strong shoulder. “I’d like to proclaim you as my future wife tomorrow.”, James added after a few minutes of peaceful silence. “Your father won’t be happy about it. But I’m ready.”, you answered. King Alexander outright hated you because of your former caste. “I don’t care. This is my Selection, not his. He already influenced it more than enough.”

You were violently woken up when somebody bolted in your room. “Your Highness! Thankfully you’re well! We were worried about your safety and well-being when we found your room empty!”, a guardsman panted out. “What’s wrong? Why did you bolt into this room? Especially at this hour?”, James asked, high on alert yet fighting to fully wake up. You on the other hand had been wide awake the moment the guardsman had entered your room. “There was an attempted assassination on the Royal Family. We don’t know yet how they could find their way into the palace unseen. A maid alerted the Guard that something was happening in the bedroom of Their Majesties.”, the man rambled. “How are they? Did you catch the attackers?”, James asked, clearly worried about his parents.

You were worried about them as well, despite the bad relationship between the King and yourself. Because James still loved him. It was reason enough for you to hope he was well. “They’re both injured. Queen Margaret will recover in time. King Alexander on the other hand...the doctors didn’t know for sure if he’ll survive. But they’re of course everything within their power to save him.”, the guard said hesitantly. The Prince instantly jumped out of the bed. You followed him, though slower and less graceful due to your nightgown and the dressing gown. There was no way you’d let him do this alone. James waited for you. A small and worried, but thankful smile on his face.

“I want four guards in front of the rooms of the Elites. They mustn’t leave their room until it’s time for breakfast. But don’t wake them up. The staff is supposed to keep their eyes open, along with the Palace Guard. Nobody is allowed to be on their own, for safety reasons. Y/N and I will go to the hospital wing.”, James ordered. He spoke calm and composed – every bit the Prince he was supposed to be, even in this situation. But you could feel the bone-crushing force in the grip of his hand. The guard bowed and left, visibly relieved that somebody had taken over the lead.

You felt as if the way to the hospital wing took hours, no matter how much you hurried. James never let go of your hand. When you finally reached the door, you both took a deep breath before entering. Inside, everything was oddly calm and quiet. It made you fear the worst. “Your Highness.”, one of the doctors greeted quietly. “How are they?”, the Prince asked. “Queen Margaret will recover, but she’ll have to stay here for at least two or three weeks. King Alexander on the other hand...it would be a miracle if he lives to see the next sunrise. He may be awake, but one of the weapons was soaked with a poison we don’t know.”, was the answer. James’ jaw clenched.

“I need to see him.” You didn’t know how he managed to speak with all the tension in his jaw. It was clenched hard enough to bite through steal without any problems. Your thumb started drawing random patterns on his skin. You received a gentle squeeze as answer. Still hand in hand, you followed the doctor towards King Alexander’s bed.

“She’s not welcome here.”, the King said instantly. “Y/N is going to be my wife, father.”, James answered gently. King Alexander huffed. “A five will never be a suitable Queen She will make you miserable and endanger the future of Illèa. I will never approve of this marriage. Never!”, he retorted derogatory while not even looking at you. “I believe Y/N will be a wonderful Queen. And she isn’t a five anymore. Joining the selection turned her into a three and being part of the Elite made it permanent.”, the Prince answered determined.

A second later, King Alexander suddenly started to have convulsions. The doctors shoved you and James away from his bed. Out of their way. “James.”, the Queen called out for her son. You two went over to her bed. James took one of her hands in his. “How are you, mother?”, he asked gently. “The gunshot hurts but the damage won’t be permanent. I’m glad you and Y/N found the way back together.”, she answered with a soft smile.

“Your Majesty...”, you started, but the Queen raised her hand to silence you. “You may call me mother or Peggy. Whatever you feel more comfortable with. You’ll be part of the family soon, after all.”, she answered softly. “You approve?”, James asked, surprised and with careful joy in his voice. “As long as both of you are happy with it, I approve of your decision.”, she clarified. You would have hugged her for this, but kept yourself in check because of her injuries. The ‘thank you’ you mumbled instead was laced with emotions and yet couldn’t properly convey everything you felt. You weren’t sure if anything ever could.

Somebody clearing their throat interrupted the moment. The head of the medical staff. None of you needed to ask – the expression on his face told the three of you everything you needed to know. “His Majesty King Alexander passed away. Please accept my – our – sincerest condolences, Your Highness, Your Majesty.”, he announced. James nodded and sent the medical staff away with a wink of his hand. The moment they closed the door, he broke down. You held him tight while he cried and sobbed. There was nothing else you could do for him at the moment.

It felt like an eternity passed until Bucky calmed down. Clung to you without moving a single muscle instead of shaking like a leaf. “Buck.”, Queen...Peggy – you’d need time to get used to it – called out softly. The Prince left your embrace and kneeled down next to her bed. “You will have to act as the King from now on and rule Illèa. I couldn’t do it on my own, especially with this injury. As soon as my health allows it I will officially abdicate and appoint you my – or our – successor. You’re a good man and you’ll be a wonderful king to our people.”, she said while a single tear slipped down her cheek.

“I will do my best, mother. Please excuse me while I prepare everything for an official announcement. And get to work.”, he answered and stood up to leave. You wanted to follow him – though insecure what to do since you hadn’t been prepared for this at all – when the Queen called for you again. “Please take care of Bucky. I’m afraid he won’t do it himself. That he’ll wear himself thin because he believes that’s necessary to be a good king.”, she outright begged. And you could understand her, this trait of the Prince Royal was one you had gotten to know already. “I will do my best. And I will be by his side, no matter what.”, you promised sincerely. Queen Peggy nodded with a smile.

A moment later, she gave you a beautiful pendant. “It’s the sign that I want you to be in charge of the Women’s Room while I’m recovering.”, was her explanation when you accepted it. “I...I’m honoured you consider me worthy of this.”, you whispered. This was a lot of trust being placed in you.

“Miss Y/L/N, I have to ask you to leave for now. Her Majesty needs to rest.”, the doctor said when he returned. “Of course.”, you answered and quickly stood up. “Please tell the girls what happened. The Selection will have to pause until the mourning is over. Needless to say they can stay in the Palace. Miss Hill will teach you everything you’ll need to know.”, the Queen interjected. You curtseyed. “I will. And I will handle whatever I’m allowed and able to in order to support James.”, you promised and left.

In front of the door you almost ran into your personal handmaids, Sharon, Natasha and Pepper. They looked dishevelled – as if they had just been thrown out of their beds. Which was quite likely given the hour. “Lady Y/N! What happened? We only know the guards frantically search for intruders and that you went to the Hospital Wing!”, Pepper asked nervously. “In the next room. Not out here.”, you answered. They quickly lead you away.

“There was another attack not that long ago.. King Alexander died half an hour ago. Queen Margaret is injured, but she’ll recover. James is unharmed. There’ll be an official announcement at some point today and we’ll likely have to be there as well. Sharon and Natasha, you need to tell the handmaids of the other girls this so they can chose fitting clothes for them but I’ll tell the girls the news. We need to meet in the Women’s Room before breakfast. Miss Hill as well – tell her about the dress code for today, but everything else is up to me. Until the announcement everything is supposed to be kept secret.”, you explained quickly. The three women gasped in shock but assured you that they’d do what you had assigned to them.

On the clock half an hour before breakfast you entered the Women’s Room. Miss Hill and the five other girls were already there – talking to each other. All of them wore appropriate clothes. “Y/N, I hope you have a very good explanation why your maids were authorized to tell our maids what we’re supposed to wear.”, Emma demanded. “King Alexander was assassinated last night. There’ll be an official announcement somewhen today and we’ll have to be there. Until then, it’s supposed to be kept a secret.”, you answered offhandedly.

The girls and Miss Hill sunk on the various seats, shocked by your revelation. “What happened?”, the royal planner finally asked. “Rebels somehow managed to get into the Palace last night. King Alexander was poisoned and died last night. Queen Margaret was injured as well, but she’ll recover eventually. James is fine, we were talking about our latest fight when it happened.”, you told them. “So the two of you reconciled – which means he will choose you as his future Queen.”, Jane assessed. She was one of the smartest people you had ever met. “We did reconcile and he wanted to officially declare me as his future wife but...well that was before. And King Alexander unmistakably disapproved of it.”, you answered, your face radiating heat from sudden shyness.

“Such a declaration will have to wait until the national period of mourning is over – which usually lasts for three months, starting with the public declaration of His Majesty’s death. It never happened, but continuing the Selection would not be appropriate. Though it’s to be expected that the chosen members of the Selection may stay in the Palace. Even if it could be considered to be over. Until the engagement is officially announced, Miss Y/L/N is considered a member of the Selection, not part of the Royal Family.”, Miss Hill explained. Everyone listened closely. “Queen Margaret mentioned some of it when we visited her. We are allowed to stay in the Palace.”, you threw in.

“What does the pendant mean? I saw Queen Margaret wear it all the time.”, Nakia asked. She wasn’t part of the Selection, but spent a lot of time with you and the other girls during her visit in Illéa. You almost considered her a honorary member. Bucky had mentioned that Nakia was one of his few childhood friends and an ambassador of Wakanda. “It’s a sign that Miss Y/N is the Lady of the Women’s Room in place of Her Majesty. I guess she knows about Prince James’ plans.”, Miss Hill answered. You simply nodded in confirmation.

A knock at the door made everyone look up. “Y/N – discharge your duty.”, Jane said with a twinkle in her eyes. The other girls and Miss Hill nodded. You took a deep breath to calm your nerves before opening the door. Bucky stood there. He looked tired and – by his standards – dishevelled, but there was a tiny smile on his face. You immediately returned it. “I wanted to ask if the ladies would like to join me for breakfast.”, he asked everyone. You looked back at the girls who were already heading in your direction. “I guess that’s a yes.”, you answered with a smile.

Bucky took your hand as soon as you stepped out of the room. In the Dining Room you instinctively wanted to go to your usual seat but the Prince still didn’t let go of your hand. Instead, he pulled you along to the head of the table where technically only the Royal Family and their most important guests would sit. Another blatant sign that you were the woman he wanted to make his Queen. But nobody said a word about it.

The breakfast was in general a rather quiet affair. If there was conversation, it was awkward, quiet and quickly over again. Bucky didn’t eat more than a couple bites. Most of the time, he simply pushed the food around on his plate, so you were happy about every bit of food he actually ate. Halfway through the breakfast, an advisor came in the Dining Room to talk to Bucky. Who quickly apologized himself and left. And didn’t return.

Miss Hill spent the entire day teaching you all the proper etiquette for the current situation and what came with it. Especially the official announcement that was scheduled for the early evening. And while it would take at least two weeks until the funeral itself would be held, she also started to teach you about it as well.

In the afternoon, a maid approached you. She seemed nervous and downright desperate at the same time. “Lady Y/N, may I ask for a second of your time? Miss Sharon told me you’d be the right person for it.”, she started rambling. It surprised you, the servants of the Palace usually knew that you treated them with respect. In fact Natasha had told you that you were quite famous for it throughout the staff. Most members of the staff usually felt rather comfortable in your presence.

“Of course. What’s this about?”, you answered, trying your best to appear calm and friendly. “It’s about His Royal Highness Prince James. He refuses to take breaks to eat or drink. I just tried to bring him some cake and tea but he refused to let me in. And one of the other servants told me his lunch wasn’t touched at all!”, she told you with obvious worry.

Your brows furrowed. This was exactly what the Queen and you had been worried about. James was neglecting himself for his duties. You had hoped it wouldn’t start this early. “I will talk to him right away. Do you still have the food?”, you replied to the still nervous maid. She nodded eagerly. “I left it in front of his study. Please follow me, Lady Y/N. I’ll lead you there.”, she responded with a relieved smile on her face.

When you reached Bucky’s study, you picked up the tray and asked the maid to knock for you. There was no answer. You frowned. The two guards next to the doors – who allowed you to be there – indicated that he was there. At the current situation, nobody would leave the acting monarch unprotected. Especially since Bucky was the only heir to the throne. After all, the Palace was still on high alert because the attackers hadn’t been found yet. “Open the door for me.”, you ordered softly.

The maid gasped. It was a – definitely not minor – breach of protocol to simply enter a private room of a member of the Royal Family without being explicitly invited. Which included the King’s study. In best case, it meant being banished from the Palace. In worst case, the offender became an 8. “If somebody is to blame, it will be myself.”, you added, trying to soothe the woman’s mind.

When the door was opened, you suddenly heard a muffled ‘no’ from a very tired-sounding Bucky. At least he was awake, you had been worried that he might have fallen asleep from exhaustion. Or worse. “It’s Y/N, Bucky. And no matter if you like it or not, I’m coming in.”, you announced, loud enough for him to hear you. Not waiting for an answer you took the trail and entered the King’s study.

The desk was a mess of books, papers and some stray dishes – mostly cups of coffee. The vast majority of them was only halfway empty. Bucky himself didn’t look much better. His usually neatly combed and styled hair looked as if he hadn’t brushed it all day but had run his hand through it constantly. His clothes were the same ones he had slept in – they were crinkled accordingly. Though he had gotten rid of his tie at some point. And he had burrowed his face in his hands. Your heart ached from seeing Bucky in such a state. An incredibly caring and gentle man deserved better. Much better.

“Hey Buck.”, you said softly. The Prince neither moved nor answered. “Please talk to me. I’m worried about you.”, you continued after a moment and placed your tray on his desk. “I have no idea how father managed to rule the kingdom! I’ve been working the entire day and I didn’t accomplish anything! I’m not suited for any of this!”, he answered, unnaturally angry and frustrated.

You wrapped him into your arms; an instinctive reaction. For a second, Bucky tensed before relaxing deeper into the embrace. “You are the most capable person for the throne and its duties. And you will find your own way to deal with all the work. I’ll be there to help you as well. I am here to help you. Just tell me how.”, you said softly while your hands gently brushed through his hair.

“You’re already helping me. By being here and caring for me.”, your Prince sighed. “I know it’s a lot to ask of you but...would you organise the funeral? Miss Hill and the others can help you.”, he added after a while. A soft smile appeared on your face. It was a relief to hear him actually ask for help. “Yes I will. And I promise not to get up to nonsense.”, you answered. “Thank you.”, Bucky sighed.

“However, it comes with a price.”, you continued. The smile on your face turned the tiniest bit mischievous. “What price?”, your Prince asked, an eyebrow sceptically rising. “No matter how much work you have, you join us downstairs for breakfast and dinner. And you take breaks throughout the day. I don’t plan to break the promise I gave your mother!”, you answered sternly. Bucky chuckled. It was tired, but a chuckle none the less. And that mattered for you.

“I think I can accept your price.”, he teased. A lopsided smile on his lips and mischief glinting in his eyes. “Very good. Because otherwise I’ll come here every single morning and evening to drag you down to the Dining Room. And neither the guards nor any member of the staff would stop me.”, you answered, matching his grin. It caused him to laugh. “I’m a very lucky man to have you by my side, Y/N. And I can’t wait to make you my Queen.”, he said softly.

“I look forwards to spending my entire life with you. But one thing at a time. For now you take a break, eat and drink something. Then you get ready for that television address.”, you answered lovingly. Bucky grimaced when you mentioned that he still needed to officially proclaim the King’s death. But a second later the smile returned. “Yes ma’am.”, he answered softly.

#em’s writing challenge #Bucky X Reader #Royal AU #Prince Bucky #The Selection Crossover

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ellendegreat · 6 years ago

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Hello and welcome to tonight’s edition of the Capitol Report! We’re excited to bring you a night filled with all the nation can talk about: the ending of Prince Benjamin’s Selection. To begin, I’d like to bring up where Ben’s story truly began...

King Christopher and Queen Isobel

E: Welcome, Your Majesties. For my first question of the evening, what advice would you give Prince Benjamin on making his final decision?

C: He has to figure out who he sees himself with in the end. *chuckles* Sounds like very vague advice, I know, but when it comes to the Selection… there’s no one way to go about it. You inevitably grow close with more than one girl. It becomes a matter of realizing what type of relationship you have with who. I was fortunate enough to know early on who stood out in that particular way for me, but there were moments when I was confused. Ben will have to face his different feelings head on to make any final choices.

I: To add onto that, Ben needs to figure out how he loves each girl. I’ve no doubt he loves all of them in their own ways, that happens as relationships like these progress. Though not every love is the same, some are lifelong friendships and only one can really progress to the romantic one he hopes for. It’s difficult to differentiate, though once he does the answer will be clear.

E: Indeed it will. What would you say are your impressions on each of the final three girls?

C: There's been a lot of talk about the last three lately, but I can't say I’ll issue judgement on any of them. The three seem like lovely ladies during our meals. Of course, I wouldn’t know much outside of that… Except I do because I’m the King *wiNKS and laughs lightly* Lady Vivienne was great company during the dinner we had for the visiting families. It’s good to see someone who’s willing to work hard for what she needs. It’s a strong character. I’ve heard Lady Ophelia keeps spoiling our horses, but I think they appreciate her kindness there. As for Lady Danielle, she’s as lively as anyone would expect from a performer, but she’s also thoughtful. I hope Illéans take that into consideration before misjudging.

I: What I’ve noticed all three Selected have in common is their undeniable kindness. They each portray it in their own ways—Vivienne is bolder, Danielle has a quiet consideration for others, Ophelia continually helpful—which has made a significant impression on myself. I worry for Ben *chuckles* though any of the girls he decides on in the end would leave me more comfortable. They suit him.

E: Elaborating more on the Selected, do you believe Lady Ophelia, Danielle, or Vivienne would make good future queens of Illéa?

C: Well, I do tell my daughters they could’ve been great Queens if they’re brother hadn’t won that race. I’m not complaining about them being my little princesses though. The remaining girls seem like a bunch that could also pull it off— if they have the determination. Maybe not all of them will have the same ease adapting to life as a royal, but I can assure you they seem like the type that would try.

I: With the right guidance and mindset, I’m confident they’d all make wonderful queens. Like Chris said, they’ll progress differently than one another, but I see them making good partners for Ben not just for life, but as a royal. That’s wildly important with this kind of life, continually supporting one another through every trial. Any of the Selected could use their unique skills to make the best of the job.

E: And we’re looking forward to see which of their particular skills will last through another wonderful reign. Thank you for your time!

Such wonderful words given by our monarchs, this evening. When we come back from the break, we’ll be joined by the younger Schreave royals to hear their thoughts on their future sister-in-law. Stay tuned!

#selectionoc #the report #night two part one

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phaniecastello-blog · 7 years ago

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Challenge 2: First date.

Winter night and city lights

(( This is the continuation of the last side fic, cause it happened on the same day. Thank you, Claire, for this RP and Grace for the last one, again because I know you have been very busy. Good luck with exams and projects, everyone! Also, thank you to the people who read my stuff, means a lot! <3 ))

I will never forget the expressions of the pair of faces I found when I got to my room after leaving Prince Maximus at the hospital wing. I was worried about the time, too, that’s why I had made my best to run in the most discrete and lady-like way I could to start getting ready for the date, but Lily and Rebecca were looking at me like it was the end of the world. I can’t help but to scoffed a laugh when I looked at them.

“Lady Stephanie! Thank God you are finally here! Tracey is still looking for you outside” Rebecca exclaimed. “Yes, I know, it’s late… I’m sorry, I had an unexpected matter to take care of, downstairs” I said out of breathing, as I started to take off my clothes to get a shower “But we looked for you everywhere…” Lily handled me a bathrobe. “I bet you didn’t look at the hospital wing” They both gasped at the same time “Everyone is fine… or I hope so” I said thinking if I should have stayed until the Prince could walk to his room by himself, but he said he was going to be okay, so I tried to concentrate in making fast movements in order to be ready in time. “I will tell you everything later” I said as I got in the shower. Hair, makeup, nails, dress, we did everything at the speed of sound; at the end, we finish everything 10 min before Nate’s arrival. I told my maids I could take care of the accessories and shoes while they could have some deserved Green tea at the kitchen to calm themselves; they wanted to stay but then admitted that the tea was more than necessary and wishing me the best of the lucks, the three of them headed downstairs. While I was picking a pair of earrings to wear my phone rang, I wasn’t surprised by it, I knew Loretta was going to call me, so after making sure the sparkly, white, earrings were secure on my ear, I turned my cell phone off and keep it on my night table, slamming the drawer closed.

I really should get a new phone number. A knock on the door took me out of my thoughts. Nate was as punctual as they told me he would be. I guessed as a Prince it was a quality he must have learned since he was a child. “One second, please” I shouted as I put my shoes on.

“Hello...” I said as I open the door, I was about to call him “your majesty” as I used to but then I remember he let me call him by his name “Nate” I said smiling and inviting him to come inside with a hand gesture.

He smiled back and took a pair of steps inside “Hey, are you ready?” “Yes, I’m ready! ... I don’t know what we are doing, so tell me, am I well dress for it?” I asked looking down at my dress and hoping he wouldn’t have planned to do some horse riding because the length of the dress would have been a problem. “You look amazing” I could almost feel the blush on my cheeks. "Let’s go” He held out his arm for me. “Thank you! You’re looking great, too” I passed my hand under his arm. For some reason that simple touch made me remember the night we talked at the gym “never stop using that method of yours” I joked, making him remember our conversation, too; where he confessed his method to look great all the time. He smiled “I’ll try not to” We started walking through the corridors and then, for my surprise we headed upstairs, but in order to not ruin the surprise, I didn’t ask why. “So, how have you been these days? How are we treating you? I mean we, the selected” I smirked He started to chuckled “Just fine, nothing too crazy... yet” “I’m glad” I giggled. “ Let’s hope everything continues like this” I continued, crossing my fingers. “Let’s hope. It probably won’t though” He laughed. I had thought the same, it was almost impossible to have 26 ladies, all from different provinces, different ways of thinking, different personalities, living in the same place and expecting the peace to last, but I didn’t want to stress him more than he should have been, already. “Oh! Do you see some crazy things coming? ... now I’m curious!” I smiled Nate shook his head quickly “No, it’s just that something always happens” I couldn’t help but wonder if he was saying that by its own conviction or if his father, King Spencer had share some experiences from the past, with him. Hopefully, they won’t include any specific names. “Okay, better be aware, right?” looking around, I realized we kept going upstairs He laughed “Always be on the lookout” He opened a door and that’s when I found out we had arrived at the rooftop terrace of the palace. “That’s a very wise…” I stopped talking, distracted by the beautiful, small, fancy garden I was at. There was a place full of plants and flowers and a stone path that led to the rest of the place with a normal tiled floor. We keep walking and I spotted a wooden table, decorated with warm yellow lights and settled for dinner. “Oh... this looks beautiful!” I walked closed the balcony; the first afternoon lights from the buildings, houses, and streets looked small and shiny from up there. “and the view from here is unbelievable” Then I turned to face him “thank you for bringing me here”

He smiled “You’re welcome, we do have a really nice view”

We talked about the place a little more. How it was a calm, remote place to relax. He mentioned it to be quite nice to do some music

“Oh! You should have brought your guitar with you, it would’ve been awesome to hear you play after dinner”

“I didn’t think of it, I could always play for you another time” He promised.

“Deal!” I stood by the table where a delightful smell reached my nose. I hadn’t had the time to eat anything since breakfast because I got busy taking care of Prince Maximus! The memory of him made me realized I had to find a moment to tell Nate about what had happened earlier, It wouldn’t be nice for him to found out by someone else. Even when it was an accident, I shouldn’t act like if I was hiding it.

Let’s wait for the right moment

“What are we having for dinner tonight?”

“Steak and potatoes, is that okay with you?” he asked kindly

“Yes, of course, I love meat.” We sit at the table. I was so distracted by our talk that I didn’t realize when a waitress came from someplace to serve dinner. “You like cooking right? What’s your favorite meal to cook?”

“Yeah, mostly sides or if I want to try something new I go for like a pasta dish. Do you cook?” Nate asked.

The mention of pasta made me remember the time when my mother used to send me to Italy on vacation.

“Really? Actually, I just know how to cook pasta because my grandma was Italian and she tried to teach me when I was younger. But besides that... nothing” I enjoyed being with my nonna, she wasn’t a very affective woman, but she used to demonstrate her love by taking care of me and spending time with me.

“Like homemade pasta?” Nate asked as if he was surprised.

I laughed to myself. I didn’t understand why he looked so surprised…

I don’t get it, I have this domestic appearance... I joked in my mind. I hadn’t had enough time to learn those kinds of things, but considering that one of my biggest dreams was to have my own big family, I might start to learn.

“Yes, I know it sounds impossible but I’m good at learning just by watching other people doing things... that’s how I learn the only three steps of ballet I know” I chuckled “who thought you?” “A combo of my mother and Lady Collette, actually. Mostly Lady Collette, but my mother helped out a lot.” I could sense a tone of pride in his voice, which I liked. I found nice and enjoyable to hear him talked about his family and his likings; it made me feel like I was talking to Nate, the person, and not just the powerful Prince of Illéa. Not that the last part was a bad one, on the contrary, I had always admired the way he did his job, but that was the part everyone knows... I was interested in knowing so much more, the big and little details.

“Oh! That’s great! Lady Collette looks intimidating, but I guess she’s as sweet as the Queen” I gave him a smile but then I dropped it “... Speaking of your family ... I’m...I’m afraid I broke your little brother” I felt embarrassed “I hope he’s doing better now”

“You broke him?” I couldn’t look at him, but his tone sounded confused. I explained everything about my first meeting with Maximus, how I accidentally hit his nose with the Women’s room door

He waved it off with his hand “He’ll be fine. Come on he was literally hit on by a girl” Nate laughed. I bite my lower lip to hold my laugh “I really hope he’s doing better…” I guessed my worried expression made him want to know more about it.

“How badly did you hurt him?”

I told him the second part of the story, the one that included me sacrificing my neck to carry the younger prince to the hospital wing. Of course, I didn’t tell him the sacrifice thing. He curled his lips and gave me a thoughtful face “Oh God, it’ll be fine they can take care of him” “Okay....” I couldn’t change my concerned look, and even when the silence just lasted a few minutes, it felt like hours. We continue eating, the meat had a light taste of fine herbs and the potatoes had a special spice I couldn’t identify. Of course, I couldn’t, I mean I don’t even know any spice’s names. “If you could go anywhere where would you go” Nate asked. “Hmm... I think would go to Paloma. It has the best beaches. When I have my own home I want it to be near a beach” I answered smiling He nodded “I get that, I’m personally not a beach person but the oceans pretty neat” “Yes, it is ... How was growing up in this huge palace? I asked having the last piece of my meat. He shrugged “To me, this is normal, which is really strange, but it is. It’s fun to watch everyone like look around and be amazed by something I’ve seen every day of my life.

I chuckled, remembering most of the ladies, including myself, had got lost in that enormous palace; “I understand, it must be normal for you all the meetings with important people and the fancy parties... How good are you dancing at balls?”

“Well I’m quite a professional” He said that with a serious face but the tone of his voice had a sarcastic tone… which one is telling the truth?

I gave him a suspicious look “I’m not sure if that was sarcasm or..., but can’t wait to find out” He laughed “I’m good I promise” I smiled at his effort to sound convincing, but he was just making grow my curiosity. I sipped my glass of water “Can I ask for a demonstration?” He hesitated for a second “Yeah totally” I sensed a shy tone in his voice. “Don’t worry I’m not any good at …” I looked for the right word in my head “waltz? Is it?” He nodded “Yeah” He affirmed, then he stood up and walked around the table to stand in front of me offering his hand. That definitely was one of those scenes that while you are living them, you instantly know you will keep them forever in your mind, like an HD photograph and even when I was responsible of that, I would lie if I say I wasn’t nervous. Hopefully, that wasn’t obvious. I had all those thoughts crossing my mind but I didn’t hesitate of taking his hand “Of course” I said standing up. “... wait, if I remember correctly here’s where I bow” and I did “or is it just at the movies?” I chuckled. Okay, maybe the plan of hiding the nerves wasn’t working He waved his hand and laughed at me “It’s just in the movies” I felt my face burning with embarrassment and I pictured it all read, so I tried to cover it with a hand on my forehead. “I know nothing.”

“I’m joking” He chuckled Ohh so, this is how real shame feels like

I could just laugh at myself “You are cruel... I getting to know you” I joked smirking at him He smirked back “I’m not that bad” “Do not take advantage of the fact that I have only been at parties where they move like this” I danced as if electronic music were playing in the background, exaggerating every move thinking and mocking the people at the recurring parties organized by House Castello, they happened so often that they had become kind of boring, not to mention the people in them. “They’re fun, but I can only bare them for a couple of hours” “Balls are nothing compared to those” He acknowledged. I had suspected that, but I thanked God anyway. “Which one do you prefer? Be honest”

He thought his answer for some seconds.“Parties are very upbeat and stuff but everyone is just close and it’s sweaty but balls are” He whispered the next words as if someone were listening to us, and they probably were; it was easy for me to forget that we had guards close to us, all the time, and for sure, the cameras were strategically placed maybe they had small microphones as well. “...kinda boring, you just stand around most of the time.So I’m not really a fan of either” “If you make me choose between sweaty and standing around” I simulate a balance with my hands, lowering the one that contained the ball option “I prefer standing around because a good company can make it less boring…” Since I was talking out of experience, my last sentence sounded more like a question, but everything was better than stranger people sweating around me. “Yeah that’s true” “Okay, so, not electronic music, then” I said getting closer to him. He shooked his head. Then and we both adopted the correct posture to start waltzing. My left hand on his shoulder, his left hand meeting my right and I could feel the delicate touch of his right hand on my waist. I didn’t even feel sorry for leaving my phone in my room because my inner playlist took charged to play a melody in my head. I felt like the Earth, having two movements at the same time: One to the waltz rhythm and a little shaky inside. A normal person would just stay quiet and enjoy the amazing moment, but I had never been as normal as I seemed, so, in the middle of twirls and dance steps “You are not bad, I mean as you can see I’m not an expert buuut... I think you were being modest with the sarcasm and all” He smiled “Thanks, you aren’t that bad yourself” I chuckled at the “that” even when there wasn’t any emphasis on the word “Lady Collette would be proud” Nate laughed “One less girl she will have to teach” “I’m lucky to have the best teacher”

We finished dancing and walk by the balcony to enjoy the view of the city which was some seconds away from losing its portion of sunlight. “Do you like living here in Angeles?” I asked “I have been here a few times, but haven’t had time to explore…” I turned to face him and my curiosity stroke, again “Have you ever sneak out to go out there?” I asked smirking

He chuckled and I knew he actually had “All the time, probably more than I should” I joined him chuckling “Really?! You like the adrenaline, then. I bet you sneak out with Jace, don’t you? have you got caught?” Nate curled his lips and nodded “Yeah, often mostly by the public and not my parents.” “Of course!” I laughed. It was impossible that the citizens couldn’t recognize the heir to Illèa’s throne “sounds like fun.” Suddenly I remember that sometimes it wasn’t that fun not being free to go or do whatever, wherever you go. I wasn’t as important as he was, but I recognized that feeling “ I have had to sneak out from my house too, but in my case is to go to the dance academy... my mom doesn’t like me there so, I have to avoid any cameras when I get in or out.” I forced a smile but I just managed half of it.

“You seem to really enjoy dance, why doesn’t your mom support you?”

I explained to him that I tried to take classes since I was little but my mom didn’t let me do it because she wanted me to focus on the fashion industry. That now I just go to the academy to do some sketches and I took advantage of that time to learn some ballet by watching. It was a miracle she had left me to go to the art school, and that was because I convinced her it was only to follow her steps as a designer. Which wasn’t entirely true. I had never shared with her the opinion that I had to focus on modeling, there was nothing wrong in doing something else.

“I think if you enjoy doing something you should do it.” He said at the end

“Yeah, I have been thinking about that lately.” But deep inside that even it should have been that easy, it wasn’t. Not for me, I had so many fears and insecurities that I had been trying to fight against., but “Thank you, for the advice and for all this” I twist my head towards the decorated table

He smiled “No problem. You go do what you want”

Then I mentioned coming back to that peaceful place to draw, during my stay in the palace. He walked over to the small sitting place that was at the end of the place and turned on the lights “It's really cool up here, at night, this is a great place to sit, I've been coming up here a lot more lately”

“Really? What for? Well... I mean, if you want to tell me. I don’t mean to interlude” again.

“No no it's fine, I like playing guitar up here now.”

“it’s a suitable place for artistic things. Do you write songs or you play some covers?

“I mostly mess around but I sometimes do covers, I may accidentally write a couple” He laughed and I could notice that his face almost glow when he talked about his favorite things. “I kinda do everything”

“Accidentally” I was impressed the way he said that word as if it was something that anyone could do naturally,... casually “ ... most of the best inventions were made by accident, so I bet that apply for songs too”

He wobbled his head “Probably. I never thought of myself as a writer”

“Hmmm... that means it’s coming out naturally, which is great!” After that little chat, we walked back to my room. On our way there I learned he was going to meet Jace before he goes back to his house. I couldn’t help myself to wonder if he would share with him some thoughts about our date. Maybe it was a pretentious and childish thought, but not impossible.

Before he went downstairs I hold his hand taking him one more time for the lovely night “...See you tomorrow, then. Have fun with Jace.” I smiled.

He smiled and then started laughing “Oh, I will” Then I let go and got inside my room, when I closed the door behind me, the rhythm of my heart told me it would be impossible to fall asleep, so before calling my maids for help, I found myself sitting on my desk, ready for some new strokes.

#Challenge 2 #selection oc #first date

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ruby-stones-blog1 · 7 years ago

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Elimination Fic - Throw me a lifeline

Anything that is beautiful, people want to break.

The stars are still shining and planet earth is still turning, but the life I gave everything up for, is falling apart right in front of my eyes. And I stand here on the bridge of loneliness, shivering at the thought that my glamorous life may be over. I am on my own now. The possibility of love just shattered moments ago, leaving me numb to the core, unable to breath. What shall I do now? Everything I knew, which was so familiar and kept me safe my entire life, I dumped away for the opportunity of a life time and jumped into the ice cold water, but never learned how to swim. How won’t I drown without being able to swim, you may ask? Well, you’ve got to grip onto something floating. Someone who is keeping you alive. And right now I find myself in a deep wide ocean with no one to hold onto.

My tender body violently shakes as I walk down the flight of stairs leading down to the grande entrance hall. Setting one foot after another, trying not to fall down the stairs just like I did on the day I arrived. Just weeks ago this palace seemed to be the answer to all of my hopes and dreams and now it’s just a cold, still unknown place to a figure without any importance, like me. My maids are silently shuffling behind me, carrying my heavy luggage with heartbreaking tears wetting their delicate faces. Even Aurelia is shedding glassy tears which silently drop onto her newly bought uniform, creating unsettling patterns on her white blouse (…) and we haven’t even had the chance to say our goodbyes yet. Pairs of high heels leave a distant hollow sound on the wooden flooring, making it sound more like a funeral then a trip home. Although I am not aware of what “home” is anymore. My eyes wander across the simple decorations hung up on these otherwise naked walls, remembering all these lonely nights I walked through these halls, still hearing the distant laugher from the other selected while throwing countless sleepovers and breakfast party’s.

With Zuzu’s golden cage in one hand and Lola’s leash in the other I stalk to the golden gate, keeping my head high as I walk to the dark shiny car, waiting at the entrance to ride me to my new destination. Gently I put down Zuzu’s cage and hand the kind looking driver Lola’s leash before turning around and facing my maids who are starring at me with puffy faces waiting for my goodbyes. I take a deep breath and a genuinely sad smile appears on my face, trying not to break down under the pressure this evening has put me through. I barely even get a word out before the quietest of them all, Radia, pulls me into a deep hug. A single tear falls down my face and lands onto her exposed neck; tightly gripping at her cloths as I feel the numbness spreading trough my veins. My chest keeps getting tighter and tighter, but the maids simple touch is a reminder of the joyful moments and the unconditional love some people still bear in their soul, and keeps my shaking body from collapsing. With one last smile I turn around and only get out a breathy “Thank you” before Aurelia and Luna go in for a hug as well, both of them crying at my unstable figure, holding me with their shaking fingers, gracing my hair one last time. “Take care”, Aurelia whispers, her hands still resting on my bare arms as she takes a step back. A worried face opposite of mine, studying my complexion while I fiddle with a small note in my left hand, before taking of my golden ring with a large ruby inside, a present from the past I don’t need anymore. I simply nod before asking with an anxious voice crack, still viewing the gap on my finger where the ring used to be: “Could you please give that ring of mine and this letter to Lady Aricia? I hope it can give her some closure. (…) And you guys”, I gesture to all three of them, “Please take care of yourselves as well. I am so thankful that you have shown me what true kindness looks like. You all have embodied it in such different ways, it’s unbelievable how different you are and still share the same values and love. Please never lose your bright smiles and kindness for others.” I take Luna’s hand, whispering: “Please don’t worry about me, I will be fine.“ With one last smile I turn around, not looking back at these wonderful people I just had to cut out of my life, while their silhouettes still cry in the midday sun.

I take a deep breath as the heavy door closes behind me. The hollow sound vibrates through my numb skull, emptiness sinks down to my stomach. A pair of eyes study my shaking silhouette, waiting for an approval to ride me home. But I won’t go back home, I can’t. Mother won’t take me back without a husband by my side and to be honest I don’t know if I am ready to go back into this toxic place I am supposed to call “home”. But where shall I go? My view keeps wandering around, closely watching the world outside this narrowing car. My maids already left, they got no time to grief. Their world keeps spinning, even though I am not around anymore. They got new tasks to fulfil, new mistresses to please, without ever seeing me again. Neither will I see my parents again, I am not sure if I even want to, but the fact that they kicked me out means that I am homeless from now on. I was supposed to live life as a glamours two, maybe even become a one by marring a prince, but now my life keeps falling apart and in less than a month I’ll be officially be an eight without any chance for a better future ahead. My hands start shaking as I rub my neck, trying to process that sudden realisation. I will have to live on the streets (…). Tears stream down my face, expressing emotions I am not capable of expressing any other way. I got no one left. I am on my own from now on, without any clue how I shall survive the next weeks.

Shadows of distant memories creep up on the side of the car, trying to drown me in grief for the moments I once felt so alive. The countless nights filled with silent giggles, along side my trusted maids. Or the one time I tried to be bold and shine like a subtle stat, along side my not so kind trouble buddy Kat. The countless runs I’ve had with Lady Finley or the unforgettable evenings with Lady Aricia. I never realised how much those simple encounters meant until I had to say goodbye to all the future ones.

A silent sob rips trough the clouded air as I closely hold my knees to my vibrating chest. The man in the frontseat slowly turns around, waiting for the right moment to raise his tender voice. I am pretty sure that I’ve never felt this vulnerable in my entire life. Gently I let head sink onto my knees, holding together everything I’ve got left. I pick up on Lola shuffling around in the luggage space, calming down my beating heart. Softly I let out another shaky breath before I sit upright again and face the stranger with the handsome eyes. Keep yourself together, Ruby. “Are you ready to go home?”, he asks in a soft voice, trying not to scare me. “I won’t go home”, I state, desperately trying to stop my voice from shaking. He studies my expression with narrowed brows, sending a shiver down my spine. “Are you sure you don’t want to (…)”, he slightly starts to argue before I cut him off. “I am very sure. Thank you very much.” I turn around facing the window again, wondering were I should go to. I pick up on a slight cough before the young man picks up his raspberry voice again: “So ehhmm… Where shall I take you then if it isn’t home?” I let that question sink in, still not knowing the answer to that or any of my own questions. “Take me to quietest part of Angels”, I state before buckling up the seatbelt. With a slight nod from his side and a smooth rotation of the wheel, he starts driving the white mustang trough the empty courtyard. Trees illuminated by the blinding afternoon sun grace the subtle path leading out of the palace walls into the guarded streets of Illéa. Images of forgotten days and memories flash by, the much needed silence in the car giving my head time to rest. Biting at my wet and still swollen lip, keeps my throat from creating unnecessary sobs deep down in my tightened chest. I close my eyes, softly massaging my temples as I try not to think at all. Emptying my brain from it’s chaotic thoughts should be my only goal for this evening.

Nearly half an hour later the driver, who I’ve been studying closely nearly the entire ride instead of focusing on my own problems, pulls up next to a small park and switches off the silent motor, before studying me in the mirror; brows furrowed and a worried expression on his face. “We are here”, he simply announces with a slight raise of his voice, probably an attempt at bringing back my long gone conscious mind. “I can see that”, I state, opening the door and stepping outside on slighlty shacky feet, nearly tripping over. Luckily a fast hand grabs my cold arm before I can hit the ground, it’s owner whispering slightly something along the lines of “Ohh dear” before finally letting me. I take a step back and turn around in a tender half pirouette, slightly rubbing my arm, before slowly stalking towards the trunk without a word by my side. I open the door and am greeted by a cheerful little puppy and a not so bright bird inside. With a small smile gracing my fragile complexion, I pick up Zuzu’s cage and whistle for Lola to follow me. Soon after I can hear her joyfully panting beside me as I face the driver again, expressing my gratitude and leaving without waiting for his polite answer.

The desinger heels on my feet and the shiny luggage in my hand look so out of place against the bright green grass and the dark boles of the old trees lining the path infront of me. The last ray of sunshine light up the tips of treetops and and illuminate the otherwise dark park. Next to a large weeping willow a small bench found it’s place, surrounded by the most beautiful flowers on the pasture. Silent tears just poor down my face, without a reason at all. Or maybe there is a reason, maybe even multiple reason my brain just can’t pick up on. With steady steps I make may way to the silent place I spotted moments ago and try to calm down my heavy breathing. Realisation sets in as I sit down onto the wooden bench. I am homeless. Another silent tear settles down onto my handmade dark blue dress as my hands start to shake. A cold wind passes me by and a shiver runs down my spine, the floot of tears just insulates as a soft ringing disrupts the silence around me. With a soft sniffle I get my new phone, which my lovely maids arranged for me this evening, out of my suitcase and silently answer the call.

“Hello?”, I state a bit confused, not awaiting a call so soon. “Hey, Ruby. How are you?”, a breathy voice asks from the other side without waiting for an other word of mine. It must be Aricia. I try to silent a sob bubbling up my throat before answering: “I am fine Aricia, thanks for asking. How are you my dear? (…) And why are you calling so late at night?” The last bits of sunshine have already disappeared, cooling down the now dark meadow and sending down countless shivers and goosebumps down my body. What would I give for a warm jacket. “I’m ok… And as for why im calling so late… I wasnt able to sleep. I havent been able to sleep properly for the past couple of days”, she states with a deep sigh. Even through the phone I can imagine her sitting on her bed, her eyes furrowed and a sad smile gracing her coloured lips. “Is everything alright? Do you know what is causing you trouble to sleep?”

“Yeah, but the weight of everything is just resting heavy on my shoulders. About my lack of sleep… Its just nightmares, nothing big. Anyways”, she takes a deep breath, probably desperately trying to change the subject, “What are you up to now? Any plans?” Ohh no. Please don’t. “I am trying to find a place to stay for a night and figure out where my… Euhmm journey will take me from now on. I decided to not go back home to my parents, I mean they won’t take me in either way but I’d still rather be in their company than feel that lonely as I do”, I attempt to state without admitting my full situation, clearly sweating at the uncomfortable change of topic. “Ahh, i see. I wish you the best of luck!” “Thank you….”, I answer followed by an awkward silence on both sides. “So…”, Aricia voices while laughing a bit. “How is everything going in the palace? I’ve heard the Prince announced his favorites in the newest report. That’s at least, what people say…”, I try to keep the conversation flowing with my lack of social skills. “Yeah, he did. It was on fridays report. And everything in the palace is swell as usual, though i feel that something bad is going to happen… But its probably just me going crazy”, she sighs obviously over thinking her situation. I try to clam her down, attempting to eliminate her fears: “Honey, don’t worry that much. I am sure it will be fine in the end.” “I hope so.” A barking behind me disrupts the rocky conversation. “Shhhh lola, I am talking to Aricia, our friend, do you remember her? … Of course you do, what a good girl you are.” I cough a bit, realising I an still on the phone with Lady Aricia. “Hi lola!! is it time for you to feed her or something?”, she asks laughing at our ridiculous behavior. “She already had dinner but apparently she saw a rabbit running by and probably wanted to play with it”, I laugh as well, trying to cover up that blunt lie of mine, felling guilty about not being able to provide food for my little friend. “That sounds like our Lola”, she states with a chuckle, probably smiling to herself. “It does indeed”, I laugh along before hearing a group of drunk men enter the park, “I should probably go to sleep, I have big day ahead tomorrow”, I finish my statement with an other lie, while closely watching the loud silhouettes coming nearer. “Yeah, you should. Goodnight Rubes! Sleep tight! Remember that I’m here for you if you need anything!” “Thank you Aricia. I hope you can get some rest as well! I’ll talk to you soon”, I say, smiling gratefully, a welcoming warmth settling in, which I haven’t felt for quiet some time. The loud voices don’t bother me anymore, I can finally breath again, because I feel safe, thanks to her. “Alright, sweet dreams Ruby”, she says before hanging up on me. The warmth still keeping the goosebumps away.

As the night progresses and the temperature falls, I cuddle up with a blanket of mine (which Aurelia thankfully packed just in case) and Lola by my side on the wooden bench. I may not be counting sheeps tonight but counting stars seems to be a nice option lying under the glowing firmament. And as I lay here, warmth is still radiating of my chest where just hours ago darkness claimed it’s place, leaving me hopeless and cold inside. Just remembering the conversation with Aricia, it’s giving me strength to continue my journey on my own, not giving up just yet. And maybe the ocean isn’t as lonely as it seems to be.

#elimination fic #elimination #rubystones #2.7k #selectionoc #dwaynerenan

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debbieker-blog · 8 years ago

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First Date

Days run fast when you’re living in a palace. I hadn’t realized that we already had been there for some weeks. After the ball, there was an elimination were some of us had to say goodbye to a close friend and even when we were 19 girls competing still, you could notice the absence of the ones who leaved. The Sweet Fire squad loose a member; it was difficult to see Maddie go so soon, I missed seeing her around taking pics everywhere, but the thought that anyone can leave in any moment, gave me the motivation to continue enjoying my stay in this castle.

For some reason weekends in the Angeles’ palace seemed calmer, maybe it was just my imagination, but I had noticed that when Saturday’s came, everyone decided to do relaxing activities. I had never been a fan of relaxing times, but last Saturday after my morning run I have thought it might be nice to spend some time in the Women’s Room, to chat a little with the rest of the ladies.

“Lady Debbie, I’m glad you are back, your bath is ready” Nadine said nicely when she saw me entering the room.

“Thank you, Nadine, you are my favorite!… Don’t tell the other I said so.” I pointed at her with one finger as I made the warning.

“We know you said that to each one of us, my lady” She rolled her eyes and giggled

“Well… in my defense, you were not supposed to tell each other!” I said grinning at her before closing the bathroom door. When I came out from there, my three fairies were already in the room, we picked a day dress from the closet and they helped me to get ready quickly and efficiently like they always did.

“Any special plans for today, my lady?” Lisa asked suggestively. I knew she was asking this, because in those days some of the ladies had been having their first dates with Dom, but I hadn’t even come out with something good, yet. I didn’t tell anyone, but that issue was stressing me out, and I was doing what I always do with the thoughts that stress me: I was avoiding it. Like if the moment was going to appear magically. - When are you going to change Deborah? – I thought.

“Now that you mention it, yes! I want to go to the Women’s room, to chat with the girls, believe it or not there are still girls, that I hadn’t have the pleasure to talk to” I said with a smile, pretending I didn’t know what Lisa was expecting to hear while I was putting my shoes on sitting on the edge of my bed. The three fairies looked at me moving their heads in disapproval but still smiling back at me. I stood in front of the mirror to check on my dress one more time, then I waved at them and left the room.

I walked through the halls humming and dancing a song I got stuck in my head since I woke up that morning. I walked for some more minutes and I was starting to feel frustrated, the women’s room wasn’t so far from our rooms hall, I should have been there already. “Should I have turned left instead of right?” I muttered out loud to myself trying to remember the correct way. I stopped walking and looked around to see if there was a guard that could assist me, but in that moment, someone was coming out from one of the hall’s room. I instantly recognize that nice … brown hair. I speed my step until I reached his side. “Hello, you!” I greeted, walking with him

Dom turned to see me “Hello” I hadn’t seen him much after the ball, for that reason I was glad to run into him, that, and because He could help me to find the right way to the women’s room. “How are you?”

“Good. How are you?” he asked. I hesitate about telling him, that I have been lost for a few minutes, what if we were walking in the right direction this time and I can be saved from that shame.

“Great! I’m going for some tea at the women’s room, right now. Do you want some?” I offered, still looking around trying to recognize a picture on the wall or anything, but it wasn’t happening.

“I’m not allowed in the women’s room, you know” he acknowledged. Although if I didn’t know better I’d say he probably have been there before, maybe pursuing some diplomatic lady… I pushed the thought away.

“True, but tea can be taken anywhere else… my real problem is that…“ I said picking into the room next to me, which I thought could be the one I was looking for. “… this… isn’t the women’s room” I sighed and dropped my arms in exasperation.

“No, it’s not” Dom laughed at me like I knew he would as soon as he finds out about my lack of orientation, but I couldn’t be mad at him, because I have always loved his contagious laugh. I used to see it on tv back then and now right in front of me.

I tried not to laugh but failed. “It’s not funny, this keeps happening to me a lot” I finally confessed “And I’ve been living here for a while, now. This palace is huge!” I didn’t say that as a complain, I was just frustrated with myself, but apparently, I recovered quickly from that feeling “… I bet even you get lost sometimes”

“Nope, not really. I mapped those halls to the tiniest details when I was a kid.” He presumed proudly

I gave him a skeptical look “You will have to prove that” I said as a crazy idea was crossing my mind… If only I had normal ones! “Do you have any plans for today?” I asked him hoping he didn’t have anything scheduled, now that he has been dating the ladies, he probably had someone waiting for him, in that moment.

“Not that I know of” I smiled at his answer. This day was about to turned into an interesting one, so much better than tea at a room I can’t even find.

“Great! Do you want to be my tour guide?” I bite my lip. I wasn’t sure if he would accept, not to mention that I haven’t told him the complete plan.

“Uhh, sure.”

It seemed like the date idea did come to me magically, on that side I felt relieved. “Ok, I will go change to be more comfortable and you go get your rollerblades! Is it ok if we meet at the gardens in 15 minutes?” I said that way too quickly, it had been a long time since I go rollerblading, I used to do it a lot back in Sota, Trisha, Jimmy and I used to organize races between us rolling down through all the highway to downtown, that was before my father decided it was time for me to take some responsibilities in the farm. This time is going to be so much different, though.

“Rollerblades?” Dom asked confused

“I have an idea! It will be fun!” I grinned excited

“Alright then, I guess I will see you in the gardens in 15 minutes. Are you sure you can find your way without getting lost?” He asked

“HA, HA! So funny! I will… ask a guard then” I said laughing. Honestly, I was glad that during our walk we arrived at the main stairs, otherwise it would had been impossible for me to go back to my room from the unknown hall we were at before.

As soon as I entered my room, I tried to take off the beautiful floor length dress I was wearing. Lisa noticed my agony and run to helped me unzip the dress. “Wait, my lady, I will do it for you…. Wha… why are you undressing, Lady Debbie? You just got ready some minutes ago” She looked at me confused.

“I know, I know I’m sorry, but I need to wear something way more comfortable! … I’m going rollerblading with Prince Dom” I said running to my closet on my underwear. There were tons of beautiful dresses, but none of those were comfortable enough.

“Ohh! You are finally having your first date!” Lisa shouted in excitement. Getting my dressing gown for me.

“Yeah I guess we are…” I stood there for some seconds, thinking, then I turned and saw the backpack I brought from home, I opened it and found a black simple dress, of course it was nothing compared to the ones these talented ladies had been specially designing for me, but it was one of my favorites before all this. “Lisa, how fast can you iron this dress for me?” I asked giving her a pleading look.

“I will be back in 7 minutes with it” She said relaxed

“You are an angel! Thank you” I said smiling and feeling proud of the sweetest of my maids. Lisa was back in less than 7 minutes and I got ready as fast as possible. “I have to go” I said, taking my rollerblades out of my big backpack and my sleep mask that was on my pillow.

“Good luck!” Lisa shouted, but I was already running to the gardens without shoes. The weather was nice and warm, I could feel the sun rays on my face as soon as I put my feet outside. Dom was already waiting for me there.

“Okay, I’m here” I sighed and sit on the bench to put my rollers on.

“So, what are we wearing these for?”

“Well, I think that a normal tour would be too boring, so we are going one wearing these… also, I brought this” I said showing him the sleep mask I had on my hand. “…you said you mapped these halls to the tiniest details and to prove it you will be a blinded guide. I would just tell you to close your eyes, but … can’t trust you on that. Are you in?” I smirked at him

“Sure, I guess. Just keep me away from any stairs” He said. I had totally forgot about stairs, it was a logical thing to think of, but, it was such an exciting and unexpected idea for me, that I had forgot the obvious.

I laughed nervously. Maybe, I could find a way to make it work “Trust me, I will help you. We don’t want to ruin your attractiveness” I joked winking at him

“Of course not” he agreed

I finished putting on my rollers, now I just had to blind the prince to start the tour. I took the sleep mask with my both hands “Okay. Can I?” I asked politely

“Sure”

I stood up from the bench and got closer to him, putting my arms over his shoulders and placing the mask on his eyes. Dom is one of the most attractive men in Illéa and I couldn’t help but feel an electrifying sensation for being so close to him, and for perceiving that fresh and delightful smell he always has. I tried to ignore all that and focused in what I was doing. His head is bigger than mine, so I had to adjust the mask. “… can you see something? You have to be honest”

“Nope. Can’t see anything” He assured me

“Perfect” I said giving him space to stand up. “So, we are in the gardens and our first destiny is the library because I have to return this book” I said taking the book on my hands “…so, you are the captain” I said smiling.

“So, to get to the library we need to turn back around here, and then up these stairs that you must’ve forgotten about. Luckily! There’s a ramp this way…” Dom rolls up the ramp like a real expert. Even when he was blinded his usual confidence was still there. I like that about him.

I stare at him for a while and then followed rolling faster. “Oops! … Good to know there are ramps, though. I should use them more often because stairs are harder with heels and long dresses than with rollers” I scoffed sarcastically.

“Then…” Dom continued giving directions while we roll leaving some surprised guards and cameras behind, I’m sure they weren’t expecting to see people rolling blading around the palace halls. “… we go through these main doors, down this hallway here, and the library is the third door on the left. Right… here. He said opening the big beautiful door in front of him.

“That was fast! … hmm maybe this was an easy one.” I rolled inside the library. I love how easy it felt to roll on the smooth carpeted floor of the palace, it made the experience much easier and let us go faster. “I know you are not much of a reader, but do you have a favorite book?” I said as I placed the book on the nearest table assuming he had been forced to read lots of book at his private lessons.

“Not that I can think of.” He answered. I was expecting a good recommendation there, but I guess he just really hate reading, even more than I do.

I continue rolling around the room, I’m not a book fan, but every corner of the palace was like a piece of art, even the furniture and shelves were handmade and carefully decorated. “I don’t like reading either, but I find it kind of necessary sometimes, so I have to force myself to do it” I frowned

We talk a little more about the subject. Dom didn’t understand why I said reading books was something obligatory. I explained him that no matter how boring and tedious it could be, the truth is that we need them to educate ourselves. My father used to pay for my brother Keelan and I, three classes per week to learn business administration. Professor Reed forced us to read one book every single month, I always ignored the book during the first 3 weeks and in the last 3 nights I had to stay awake drinking thousands of coffee cups to finish it. The coffee was the good part of those nights, but I have to admit everything I know about my father’s profession and farms is because of those books.

It was time to keep going. I think about which room I was hoping to visit next, this time it has to be one that I hadn’t been before “…Ready? Now we are going to the throne room” I said excited. We rolled out the library. Dom was still blinded, but he really knew this place like the back of his hand, he had no problem to move around the rooms and halls. “I follow you”

“Okay so the throne room is down to the left here, and then we make a right…” We keep rolling fast turning corners, some of the maids and guards had to react fast when they saw us coming through and noticing that Dom wasn’t even able to see them… I had to apologize with some of them a couple of times. Besides of that, I was enjoying every second of the date, also I was surprised that Dom was almost as good as me at rollerblading. “… and then through the big doors at the end of this hall, which I should be reaching… Now” he said hitting hard the pair of enormous wooden doors he had right in front of him, the sound of it made me jump a little, even when I saw it coming.

I entered behind him. “Wow! This is impressive. I hadn’t seen real thrones before.” I opened my eyes wide staring at the four majestic golden chairs in front of me, the ones in the middle were bigger than the other two, all of them had the back and sit upholstered with some kind of velvet fabric. I can’t help but picture the royal family sitting on them, as I remember seeing on TV. King Jameson with a sober posture, Queen Eleanora smiling by his side, Alina looking lovely at the left and the good- looking Prince Dom sitting at his father right hand. It was kind of funny to actually be standing in this room with him. I chuckled at that thought. “How does it feel to sit on one of those?”

“It’s not that comfortable actually” He took the sleep mask off his eyes. “Did you… want to try?” he offered.

I freeze for a moment. This was an awful time to show my fears. I have been living one day at a time so far, not thinking about being Queen, except for the Illéa Social interview, when I tried my best to look perfectly fine, while I was shaking inside. “Only if you join me …” I said smiling nervously. After all, if I ever going to sit there will be at his side…

He raised an eyebrow at me “Did you want to sit on my lap?”

I blushed. With all the nonsense things, I was thinking at the moment I haven’t realized how my phrase can be interpreted. We had had our flirtatious moments and word games before, I would be lying if I said I enjoyed those, but I was off guarded this time “No! I mean… not no… just …I didn’t mean it like THAT” -Not no? what does that even mean? -

“Mmhmm sure…”

I laughed at myself. I should have expected that reaction from him, silly me. But he distracted my mind making me feel better, making my stress disappear in seconds, without even realizing it. I smiled genuinely this time “… we are just not in that part of the date, yet”

“Too bad” Dom said disappointed

“Patience, Prince… this is what I meant” I took his hand and it gave me that weird electrifying feeling again, so, I let it go as soon as we reached the thrones “you can sit here…” I said extending my hand to the King’s throne “…and I will sit on this one” I sat at his left hand. The shaky anxiety threatened to come back, but I could fight it like I always have: being … me. “You were right, is not that comfortable, but I do feel kind of taller sitting here” I said sitting straight. The view over there was quite good, though. The room was majestic and you can appreciate every detail from there and although the seat was soft there was something about it that doesn’t let you rest comfortably, not sure what it was.

“You don’t look any taller” Dom scoffed. Was he trying to annoy me? If he was that would not be easy at all, because despite all my deep insecurities and fears I was having so much fun. Besides I don’t consider myself a short person, I’m 5’9’’ almost as tall as him.

“I said feel! But thank YOU for the acknowledgement!” I said pretending to be annoyed

“So, should I put this blindfold back on and head out again? Or have you had enough?” He asked

I didn’t want the day to end, I had so much energy left and I have to admit that I was enjoying his company as well. “Are you tired already? … Let’s do one more room. This time you pick the course. Let’s go to your favorite room of the palace” I said standing up quickly.

“Well that’s an obvious one. But it requires stairs, so maybe the blindfold isn’t the best idea.” We both agree on that, so he handed the sleep mask back and we went back to the halls. In some way being out of that room made me feel lighter and I could feel my muscles relaxing again one by one. I wondered if Dom feels or thinks anything special about that room, and everything else about ruling a country or he’s just so use to the idea of being King that he was taking it like a natural thing, after all he had been trained for it all his life. That mustn’t had been easy and definitely not fun… although being a King most has a bright side like everything else has.

This time we weren’t going that fast. Now Dom was able to see and dodge the people walking through the halls, that’s why the maids and guards were more relieved. I rolled by his side “…have you ever think of crazy commands or laws you would love to make when you become king?”

“Not really. Even I have limits to what I could do as king.” He answered

I opened my eyes wide, surprised. “That’s new!” I hadn’t have heard Dom talking about limits before. Not that it was wrong, it actually makes me feel more secure, I mean it’s the future King of my country! “… anyway, I’m not saying you will do it, I’m sure you have thought of something…. for example, when I see someone dressed in a neon green dress that can leave me blinded, I think “ugh, if I were the king I would forbid that color! You know what I mean?” I chuckled

“I don’t know… I guess I haven’t really thought much about it.”

Short answer and no flirt. That made me think it must be a hard subject for him, even when I was trying to talk about the fun side. “Hmm ok, now you have something really important to thought about” I joked

“Is it really that important if none of these laws are allowed to be passed?” He answered. Apparently, he wasn’t getting the idea. I wish I hadn’t to explain it, being that honest had never be my style, most of all because I had never cared what people think about me that much. But apparently and against my will this time I was starting to care, so I opened a little window of that big wall of mine to say

“Not important for Illéa… important cause I’m trying to get to know YOU better… believe it or not, even the silliest things could tell me a little something about you. I think that’s important, don’t you?

“I don’t know…” Dom answered

I laughed because I recognized those easy ways to avoid subjects like that. “We will have to figure that out too, then” I said and the big wall’s window closed.

It seemed like we finally arrived at the last place of our tour, because Dom stopped by a door at the end of a big hall “Here we are, my favorite room in the palace”

“I’m really intrigued!” I exclaimed excited. There could be any room at the other side of the door, like an armory, a rocker gallery with posters and albums or some random room full of motorcycle pieces.

“Open the door and find out then.” He said

I smiled and opened the door slowly. The room wasn’t anything I had imagined… it was even better. I was at Prince’s Dom room. I rolled in and give a quick look around. It was twice the size of the room I was staying at and manly decorated with sober colors “Nice room! You have a lot of space in here, and…” my eyes couldn’t help but stopped at the sight of the bed “… an enormous bed! You must sleep really comfortably on that one” I smirked

He gave me a grin “Oh definitely. And it’s perfect for… more than one person” Dom raised an eyebrow at me suggestively.

I imitated his gesture “Is that an invitation, your highness?”

I liked the surprised face he made at my answer because that was the reaction I was looking for. “It can be if you want it to be”

I couldn’t contain myself anymore and scoffed letting out a contained laugh “Don’t look so surprised I just need to sit down a little, I got tired because of all the rolling” I said sitting at the edge of the big bed and pausing the flirtatious game, because I had always loved to play with fire, but this is not the time to get burned. No matter how much I would enjoy it, I must remember I’m not the only one he’s playing this game with.

“Sure… just tired…” he said sitting on the bed too.

I chuckled. Still looking around the room my eyes catch sight of a bunch of music albums on the desk. “Hey! can I take a look at your music albums?”

“Sure” he replied

I rolled to reach them and passed my fingers through them reading the names “You really like G&R don’t you? Do you have a favorite song by them?”

“Paradise City” he answered instantly

Rock music was never my favorite because I love to dance with the rhythms and rock is not danceable at all, but my dad used to listen to Rock classics a lot, when Keelan and I were kids, so I know enough of about them. I thought about Dom’s answer, because *Sweet Child O’Mine* would be the logical answer for me, but when I sang “Paradise City” on my head I got it.

Take me down to the paradise city Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty

“Ohh, right. I can see why… I’m not a rocker girl, but I enjoy some of these songs. I prefer Bon Jovi, though” I said still looking at the albums.

“Hmm… not a rocker girl? I might have to change that”

I laughed at the idea that crossed my mind, but it was too late to be stopped “… I can rock…” I tried to stand like I was holding an electric guitar, it was difficult because of the rollerblades kept making me lose balance “I will sing for you, just try not to fall in love with my beautiful voice, ok?” I said sarcastically. The castes are not the only thing that stopped me from being a singer/dancer like I always wanted, there’s also the fact that I do it terribly, but I’m definitely an expert at the air guitar

“Go ahead.” He said rising his eyebrows

I stopped for a second to think which song I should sing, pretending to be serious about it. I finally decided and sang a piece of one of my favorites

Shot through the heart And you’re to blame Darlin’, you give love a bad name

I would sing more of it, but I wouldn’t want to be accused of torture or anything like that.

“Well done” Dom said clapping

Of course I knew he was joking. “I know, right?! You should learn to play the guitar so we can make our rock band” I expend some minutes trying to convince him to join me singing but he was unbreakable about it

“Well… what else do you do to have fun in your favorite room?” I asked giving up on the singing thing.

He leans on the bed “Do you really have to ask?” his eyebrows lifted again

I stared at him for a few seconds, remembering myself I couldn’t lose my head for so easy for an attractive face… and body. I scoffed at the number of girls I bet had been in this room before me. “…Yeah, I should have guessed that one” I shrugged. He grinned.

I was about to say goodbye at him, but I had a memory on my head that my curiosity just couldn’t let go since I entered the room and I swear I tried hard. I sit on the bed again, beside him “There’s just one more thing I really want you to show me…”

“Yes?”

“I wanted to see your Dom is the bomb poster” I requested biting my lip with curiosity.

“Why would you want to see that?” he asked

I understand his confusion because he didn’t know me enough yet. “Just curious, also because I thought it was lie” but based on his face and the question, it wasn’t.

He groans “It’s in the closet.”

He looked kind of tired and it wasn’t that necessary to see it “It’s ok, I just wanted to know if it actually existed” I said smiling. “… okay, so, the tour is over” I leaned to take off my rollerblades to go back to my room and walk towards the door. “I have to admit you really had this palace mapped in your head, you impressed me”

“Did you really doubt me?”

I laughed not wanting to say, yes… “Honestly, I wanted to see you in action … and of course spend time with you”

“Well I can’t blame you for that”

I rolled my eyes at him chuckling “…anyway, I had a lot of fun, thanks!” I get closer to him and kiss his right cheek. “See you around” I said opening the door.

“See you.” ———————————————————————————————————–

That night it was being hard to fall asleep, there were way too many thoughts and flashbacks to ignore. I relieved that day completely more than four times. I remembered myself the idea of applying to this competition was because of a stupid bet, then I did it to challenge my dad’s authority and showed him that he just couldn’t say no out of nowhere with any logical reason, then I decided to enjoy the experience as much as I could, which I was successfully fulfilling and of course, I was aware that there was an incredibly attractive prince in this story, but I had always been in total control of my emotions, so there was nothing to worry about.

I left my bed to open the big balcony doors. Once again, I felt thankful for the perfect weather of Angeles, not hot, not cold but still with a subtle fresh breeze that hit my face every time I stood in there. My mind wasn’t finished with my torture yet. What was the point of avoiding these thoughts all day if they were there that night to hunt me anyway?

-Nothing to worry about, huh? Then why am I so interested in knowing Dom better? Am I the one that said, “I will discover all your secrets”? Why? Was I only playing with words? Dominic was not easy to read and that intrigues me. He doesn’t seem to want to be known, so why bothered? But, who doesn’t have walls and masks waiting to be discovered? I know that more than anyone. -

I walked inside my room again sitting on my favorite comfortable chair of the room feeling the soft carpet under my feet. - But what made me think The Prince had a mask? Just because he flirts all the time and hates to talk about deep things like I do? Can people be genuinely like that? Am I genuinely like that?

Mask or not I like Dom the way he is. What if keep insisting on knowing him more and I don’t like him anymore? What if you like him more? Do you want to like him more? You don’t even know if you will stay! Do you want to stay? - There was only one was to stop all this questions with no answers, taking a decision, the same I took the day I was selected and I probably forgot: To Live one day at a time

#First Date #Selection OC #Deborah Varker #done #challenge 2 #((i thank alex for all the days of rp she was super patient))

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artificialqueens · 8 years ago

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Royals (A "The Selection" AU Fanfic) Chapter Two - TheQuartzMermaid

A/N: Heeeeeeeeeello, dear people of AQ! I’m here with another chapter of Royals (not related to Lorde’s hit single. Not even close.)

Before we start, I’d like to propose a toast. Here’s to Tiffany, the best beta I could ask for - I owe her a whole truck of Brazilian candy for being so helpful. Here’s to everyone related to AQ: admins, writers, readers… You’re all incredible. Here’s to my mom, she deserves it. And last but not least, a toast to my cat Sushi, who is having a hard time recovering from a disease. You’ll be fine soon, baby boy.

And if you’re not familiar with The Selection, I highly recommend you to read the prologue for this fanfic. If you like it enough, you can read the original books by Kiera Cass, they’re amazing.

OK, NOW TO THE CHAPTER!

Royals - Chapter Two (or The one in which Katya leaves home)

The officials arrived at the Zamolodchikova household the week after the announcement and started preparing Katya. First, some woman called Bianca called her. Then, a man called David made her sign lots of papers and forms. The easy ones were only to know if she had any health problems. Others were to attest more intimate questions, like her virginity. Katya didn’t need to lie; she knew the law, she has been prepared for this since she was a baby girl wrapped in Russian blankets.

The Zamolodchikovas that live in Illéa had come from a Russian aristocratic family, very close to the monarchy. It all started when Katya’s grandfather, Abram, arrived at the newly independent country, fleeing from the conflict between Russia and New Asia. He was designated to caste Three due to his high education degree. He married a Three girl and had four children, Katya’s father being the oldest.

Katya met the opportunity of The Selection when she was 5, totally amazed with the possibility of becoming a member of the royal family, making it easier for her grandparents to convince her to apply. If she won, if Prince Casey fell in love with her – only her -, she could be the link that unites Illéa and Russia.

She couldn’t wait.

“Miss Zamo?” An official called her, already giving up trying to pronounce her whole surname. The man was elegantly dressed, Katya began to think she would be seeing this a lot at Angeles.

“Yes”, Katya answered, lifting her gaze from a book she was just reading in order to meet the man’s eyes. “You’re leaving tomorrow. The girls from St. George, Calgary and Ottaro will be joining you on the plane”, the officer explained with a soft voice. “Your send-off will be happening at your province’s main square. After that, you’ll be taken to the airport.”

“Wow, it’s happening so fast…” Katya sighed.

“Yes, Miss Zamo. You’d better go to sleep”, the man said, shifting away. “Good night.”

“Good night”, replied the girl. She got up, put her book back on the shelf and sit by her dresser, picking a brush and taking care of her golden hair.

Princess Yekaterina Schreave of Illéa, married to Prince Casey Schreave, she repeated to herself while brushing her hair. The words never really came out of her mouth but still tasted incredibly sweet. Katya kept dreaming about her life as a One: her wedding with Prince Casey, their children, her whole family becoming Ones. They would all join the monarchy. Mom, dad, grandma… Even Polina, her cat.

Tired of dreaming awake, the 18 year-old climbed to her bed, Polina joining her in her sleep. Her life would change forever tomorrow, she couldn’t wait.

***

Katya woke up as the girl of grace and dignity she swears she is: Polina was comfortably laid on her face, what means the Selected Lady had a lot of white fur going on that beautiful mug she was blessed with. The cat ran away as the girl abruptly got up, afraid she would be late – and barely able to breathe. Her parents entered running. What was that, did her life turn into a sitcom right on the day she was supposed to go to the palace?

“Your cat seemed scared. What happened, kotenok?” Her father asked, ignoring the fact Katya’s face looked like a rug with eyes, nose, and a mouth.

“Apparently my face makes a good bed for felines”, Katya started brushing the fur off. “I’ll miss Polina, though. Do you think they have pets at the palace?”

“No, except for the horses”, it was Kasha, her aide, who answered. “Time to get ready, Miss Zamo. The people of Columbia await.”

The next hours passed like a blur: taking a bath, wearing her uniform, doing her makeup – she’d been told someone would help her do even the simplest things during her stay at the palace, so Katya insisted on doing everything by herself today, for the last time.

Evanna Zamolodchikova, though, insisted on placing the provincial flower, a dogwood, on her daughter’s hair. She looked at Katya’s reflection in the mirror, smiling proudly.

“My Kit-Kat is going to be a princess”, she whispered, almost crying.

At the send-off ceremony, Columbia’s mayor spent at least thirty minutes talking about how well-represented the province would be in the Selection. He offered Katya the word. She took her place in front of the microphone, trying to look her fellow citizens in the eye. She was feeling confident enough to crack a joke right at the beginning of her speech.

“Charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. What do these characteristics have in common?” The people stared at her, blankly. “Well, I may be a Three, but I’m not a scientist.”

The crowd dissolved into laughter. She kept her smile wide. They’re buying it, good. If I don’t make it to the crown, at least I can be a comedian.

“Jokes aside, I know these are some of the things Prince Casey might be looking for in a wife. And I know these are traits we can easily find in the people of Columbia. I’m not sure that I have what it takes to be your next princess, but you can count on me to showcase, in the most appropriate way that I can, the best of our people.”

Cheers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in sending off Yekaterina Zamolodchikova, our favorite Daughter of Illéa and, hopefully, our next princess!” Said the mayor, the national anthem playing on the background.

Our next princess, Katya smiled brightly with the sound of those three words. She would do it. She just had to be herself.

And make sure no one would know her little secret.

#katya zamolodchikova #adore delano #adore x katya #bianca del rio #royals #TheQuartzMermaid #the selection au #au #cisgirl au #rpdr fanfiction #lesbian au #royalty au #tw suffocating #tw bad jokes #tw cats being mean #i just realized i forgot to tag charlie hides last chapter but who cares i don’t care

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emmalynatwood-blog · 8 years ago

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practice challenge 2

a/n: ladies mentioned: @finleygansey @evadne-leventhorpe @cameronnicholls @ariciaeast @lady-fiona-rossi @debbieker @berklee-boyer @charlotte-bane @sera-chamberlaine

and thank you for the rp’s!! @jynsongxvii @madelynknightoftheselection

Lady Emmalyn Atwood, Selected.

That was a phrase I was going to have to get used to. Especially now that not only was I going to Angeles to be in Prince Dominic’s Selection, but when I was sent home, I would be a Three.

A Three.

Not that any of our caste numbers mattered in the end, but what I could provide for my family… It did matter. It mattered for a Five family who could barely afford to buy food or clothes. I was thinking about this as I was packing the night before I left, not that there was much to pack anyway. Some pictures, two of my cameras, a few of my favorite books, and a change of clothes just in case.

“All packed and ready?” my mother asked, walking into my room. She sat down on my bed and gave me a small, sad smile. I nodded and zipped up my bag before joining her.

“As ready as I'll ever be," I said, letting out a sigh. She peered at me and raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you'd be more.. excited," she noted with a smile. I laughed, fiddling with the zipper on my bag.

"I am mom, really. But you know, it's just going to be so different," I admitted. She nodded in understanding, her brown eyes thoughtful.

“Emmalyn, you always did adapt to change well, so I know you will be okay in the end, even if we are Fives. But I worry because.. are you doing this for us? Or for yourself?” she asked. I hesitated before answering.

“At first, I thought it was just to help the family. And it still is mostly, but now, I really want to do this for myself. This experience will be an amazing one, for however long it lasts.” I looked at her directly as I spoke, hoping to convey how much I meant what I was saying.

She smiled, “Good. You always did do things your own way.” I grimaced, remembering when my name was announced on the Report about a week ago. There had been stunned silence for a few moments, before Isaiah asked what they had all been thinking. They were shocked and confused, then completely ecstatic. The ecstatic part hadn’t stopped since, especially since it seemed like all of Baffin came over to visit and congratulate their “beloved Selected.”

“Sorry about that mom, I just..” I trailed off, not sure how to describe what I did. She grasped my hand, stopping my fiddling, and gave me a reassuring smile.

“I know, Emmalyn dear, it’s all right.” I smiled gratefully and she reached over to hug me. I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist, breathing in her sweet perfume. It reminded me of simpler days, and suddenly I felt the urge to cry. We pulled back after a few moments, and she tucked a strand of my dark hair behind my ear, her eyes watery.

Suddenly we both laughed and hugged each other one more time before letting go, “Well that’s enough of that then,” she declared, standing up to leave. I joined her, and she walked to leave my room, but not before turning around to give me a last “I love you” for the night.

“I love you too, mom,” I responded as she closed my door. I flopped back down onto my bed, wondering what exactly tomorrow would bring.

“Oh, you look great Em!” Layla exclaimed, crushing me in a tight hug. Her and Jake had come over to wish my goodbye before I was taken to my sendoff. I had put on my white blouse and black pants, traditional attire for the Selected, and tucked a yellow daffodil behind my ear before meeting everyone.

I laughed and hugged her back, wishing she could come with me

“And what about me?” Jake asked as Layla and I let go of each other. I rolled my eyes before hugging him too, his strong arms squeezing me tight.

“Take care of yourself, okay?” he muttered, squeezing one more time before letting go.

I smiled, “You too, Jake.” I waved goodbye to them as my family and I piled into the car we were provided, heading off the central square of Baffin. When I exited the car after my family, screams and cheers met me from all around. People had my name on signs, my face on shirts. Everyone wanted to shake my hand or take a picture with me, it was overwhelming. I stopped to sign autographs and take pictures with as many people as I could before I was led over to a raised stage where the mayor met me. He was a short, portly man with red cheeks and thinning blonde hair. He shook my hand enthusiastically and I smiled at his good nature.

When I turned to the crowd, I could see everyone better from the raised stage. Most everyone who cheered for me was of a lower caste, no doubt seeing me as some sort of inspiration. It touched me, in a way, that these people held so much hope for a girl they didn’t even know, merely because I was a Five headed to the palace to possibly become the next queen of Illéa. Although I could see a few upper caste families I recognized, looking displeased at the sight of a Five being chosen as a Selected. I felt a twinge of unease, but quickly ignored it as the mayor gestured at me and held out a microphone. I had missed when he made my introduction, and felt my heart quicken at the thought of speaking in front of so many people.

He gestured again, his eyebrows raised, so I sucked in a breath and took the microphone from him. The crowd grew hushed, expectant for my words.

“Thank you, Baffin, for such a warm sendoff. I can’t think of a better way to leave my home, with the support of the people in it, and will think of everyone fondly as I am in Angeles,” I said, finishing with a smile. The crowd erupted into cheers and claps once more, and I felt relieved as I was led off the stage to my awaiting family before I was driven to the airport.

Little Nolan rushed to me first, tears in his eyes. I grasped him tightly, making him promise to take care of the family while I was away, promising him many letters and pictures. Next was Isaiah, and even he was a little teary eyed as we hugged each other. I would miss my twin the most, but knew Layla would take care of him. Declan, Liam, and Liam’s wife Bethany bid me goodbye, letting me cuddle the girls for a moment, one in each of their arms. Finally, I reached my mother. She held out a black book towards me, one that I had never seen before.

“This was your father’s. Take care of it, it may even do you well at the palace,” she murmured quietly. I took the book from her hands before wrapping my arms around her, feeling my emotions catch up to me as tears flowed down my cheeks. The thought of having a piece of my dad with me comforted me to no end, and I was eternally grateful for her gift to me.

“Thank you, mom. And I will, I promise,” I vowed. We pulled away and she squeezed my hand one last time before my driver opened the car door for me.

“Bye, love,” my mother said, waving to me as the door closed. I looked through the window as we drove away, stowing away the memory of my family for as long as I could, the crowd cheering and waving behind them.

Once we were far enough away from town, I sighed and leaned back into my seat.

“All right, miss?” my driver asked, green eyes peering at me curiously through the rearview mirror.

I nodded with a weary smile, “Just fine. Thank you… I’m sorry, what’s your name?”

He smiled, “Henry, miss.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Henry.” We were silent for a while longer, and I was tempted to open my father’s book, but decided to wait until the plane ride.

“Should be about another 45 minutes, miss,” Henry informed me, and I thanked him. Soon enough we arrived at the airport, come to find I was the first of the Selected to arrive. I said a final goodbye and thank you to Henry, taking my small big with me on the plane. Luckily I had made my cameras easily accessible, so I took a quick shot of the outside of the plane with my polaroid.

The interior of the plane was luxurious, not that I had any previous experience to compare it to. Plush seats and couches, magazines ready for us to read if we wanted. Someone offered me food and drink, but I politely declined, picking a window seat. Soon enough a pretty redhead came walking in without a glance towards me, taking the seat across from mine, checking her phone with a sigh.

“Everything okay? I’m Emmalyn, by the way.” She seemed nice enough, and I figured I should at least try to be friendly with some of these girls.

She laughed nervously, “Yeah, I’m fine, just a little nervous. I’m Fin, it’s nice to meet you,” she said. Finley Gansey, a Three. I had tried to remember as many of the Selected as I could, and luckily hers was one that stuck.

I smiled, “Understandable, nice to meet you too. Where are you from?”

“I’m from Labrador! How about you?”

“Baffin.”

“What’s it like there?” she cocked her head curiously.

I sighed, “Cold and snowy most of the year. And Labrador?”

She nodded, “We have pretty much the same, but summer sneaks its way in there. I live right near the lake, so in the warm months I go to the beach with my friends. Well, mostly my best friend, but I go with my other ones too.”

“Oh wow, that sounds really nice. During the summer it warms up more, but now where I want it to be.” I shrugged with a small smile.

A gorgeous brunette came walking in then, sitting in a seat across the aisle from us. I immediately recognized her as Evadne Leventhorpe, a Two. I hadn’t needed to try and recognize her, what with the scandal her father was involved in a couple of years ago.

“Hey, I’m not the last one right?” she asked.

I smiled at her reassuringly, J’ust on time.” Finley stood up with a smile, offering her hand to shake and introducing herself. I introduced myself then too. We spoke more about our professions then, Finley being a teacher and Evadne involved in an incredible charity. She was friendly and poised, an ideal Selected.

Perfect queen material.

Another redhead Selected arrived not long after, a pretty, but fierce looking girl. Her eyes were angry as she stared at us, practically daring us to even try and talk to her, a surfboard carried loosely in one of her hands. I didn’t recognize her, and was debating on whether or not to introduce myself when Finley beat me to it, holding out a hand to shake. She squinted at Finley’s hand, wary, but finally shook it, introducing herself as Cameron from Hansport. A sweet looking blonde followed her immediately after.

“Hello! I’m Aricia from Lakedon,” she said. Cameron rolled her eyes and took a seat across the aisle, laying her surfboard down next to her, Aricia taking the seat next to Finley. Both Aricia and Finley tried to talk with Cameron, but she wasn’t having it, rudely dismissing them and picking up the first magazine she saw. I raised an eyebrow at her, noting how she didn’t seem to be reading it all and simply trying to avoid talking to us, and introduced myself to Aricia. The rest of us spoke for a little while longer, Evadne mentioning a sleepover her and Berklee from Tammins were hosting in their rooms later that night. I didn’t interject much in their conversation, mostly listening, until eventually they all dozed off.

I stayed awake, looking out the window at the scenery below. They stirred briefly when the staff offered us food, only to fall back asleep once more. Deciding it was an opportune time, I opened the black book with care, wondering what could possibly be inside. I inhaled sharply at the sight of the first page. It was a picture of me at around six years old, sitting in my father’s lap on our brown couch as he read a book. I was grinning, my hair in wavy pigtails, while he looked fondly at me. I had never seen this picture before, and wanted to cry at the sight of it, but held back for fear of one of the girls waking up and seeing me. At the bottom of the page he had written a caption in his square font: Me and my sweet Emmalyn.

I quickly shut the book and stuffed into my bag, not ready to see what else could be inside, and took a deep, shaky breath. I closed my eyes, trying to keep my mind from wandering to my terrible 13th birthday, so I quickly brought out my digital camera and looked out the window, capturing images of the white clouds in the seemingly endless blue sky. With my camera in hand, I was soothed, especially with the calming scenery right outside my window. I switched to my polaroid, wanting to have a picture to easily send back home with a letter.

Eventually I dozed off, and woke up to the screeching sounds of the tires on the runway as we landed. The pilot announced our arrival in Angeles, and Aricia exclaimed excitedly. We all grabbed our luggages, and I was last off the plane as we walked down some stairs and were met with another screaming crowd. A few of us stopped to take pictures and sign autographs, myself included. I was surprised to see my name and my face on signs, not many, but still there. I approached a sweet looking little girl with black, curly hair, her white smile bright against her dark cheeks, my name on her sign.

I smiled, kneeling down to her level, “Hello, what’s your name?”

“Opal! I’m a Five, just like you!” she exclaimed. I laughed at her eagerness, and talked with her a few moments more and signed my autograph, even taking a picture with her. It went on like this for another fifteen minutes or so, before we were finally led away by our guards to the car. I sat next to Cameron in the car, but we didn’t speak at all. I was preoccupied with looking out the window, anyways, both at the crowds lining the streets and the gorgeous weather.

Quickly we arrived at the palace, and I was in awe of the grandeur of it. I wanted to take my camera out once again, but figured I’d have plenty of time once I was inside. Our bags were taken away, but I managed to slip my polaroid with me as we were led inside the palace. I tried not to seem too in awe of the lavish surroundings, so I stared straight ahead, only peeking every once in a while.

We suddenly rounded a corner and I heard many voices, all talking over one another it seemed. We turned into a room on our right, a large one filled with long rows of mirrors and girls sitting in chairs in front of them, racks of dresses mixed in with stylists running around one another.

“All right girls! Just find an empty station and the stylists will find you there,” a woman instructed, clipboard in hand, before running off to talk to another group. My plane group parted, and I snapped a quick picture before making my way to a seat near the middle of one row. Two girls sat on each of my sides, but they didn’t pay me any attention, too preoccupied talking to their stylists.

A tall woman with black hair tied back into a messy bun suddenly appeared behind me, giving me a once over. I raised an eyebrow at her with a small smile through the mirror until she finally spoke to me.

“Ah yes, my name is Chloe, excuse me. I’ll be your head stylist, but before we begin we’re going to take a few photos of you for before the makeover. Just stare straight into the camera please,” she said, motioning towards the man who had appeared in front of me who was practically shoving the camera in my face. His camera clicked a few times and he was off again, most likely to capture the other Selected.

“All right, so I was thinking we should keep your length, and just tame out those waves, we could really work with that,” she suggested, taking different pieces of my hair and examining them with a keen eye.

I nodded, “That’s fine with me.”

“I like your color too, so that won’t change either. That okay for you, miss…?”

“Emmalyn,” I finished for her and she smiled, her dark eyes warm.

“Wonderful. We’ll get that started for you, do a complete body scrub, and then move onto your makeup. Did you have anything particular in mind?”

I shrugged, “I guess all I can think of is not too much makeup. I still want to look like me after this.” I gave a small laugh.

She nodded in understanding, “Natural look, I agree. Plus you’re already beautiful so we won’t need much.”

I was a bit surprised at the compliment, but pleased nonetheless, so I smiled at her in thanks.

She patted my shoulder before leaving, and a flock of other people suddenly descended upon me, mostly silent as they worked. Someone washed and put product in my hair, putting it in a towel as I was taken somewhere else to literally have my body scrubbed down with different oils and lotions. Afterwards I couldn’t stop rubbing my hands at how soft they were, making one of my stylists laugh. She was sweet, too, I liked talking to her.

When they did my makeup, they turned me around so I couldn’t see until I was done, but it was surprisingly easy. It was still far more than I had ever worn before, but I could barely feel it. Another girl then proceeded to paint my nails, offering me several bright colors, except I refused them all. She sighed at my refusal, dejected, so I gave in and let her paint them a neutral pink shade. It was as my nails were drying when I spoke to a pretty Selected with dark hair I couldn’t quite place.

She was staring at herself in the mirror when she turned to me, “Should I cut my hair?”

I looked over thoughtfully and admired her long, thick hair with purple tips, “Well I really love the purple, I think it looks great on you. Do you think you should cut it?”

She looked back at herself in the mirror, “Yeah, I love the purple too, but I was just considering the options.”

I smiled, “Whatever you do I’m sure you’ll look great. I’m Emmalyn, by the way, but you can call me Emma.”

“A pleasure, you can call me Jyn,” she said, offering a hand to shake. Thankfully my nails had already been drying for a while so I took it. We talked for a while longer, and I found she was another genuine Selected, a Five like me, if a little reserved. We said our goodbyes once our stylists took us to our respective racks to be dressed. I was shown many different dresses and skirts from a black, strapless dress, a deep green, flowy dress with off the shoulder sleeves, to a pale blue blouse with a grey skirt that fell to my calves. I chose the last outfit in the end, not quite ready to wear some of the more formal looking dresses. When I was dressed, I was presented in front of a mirror, and my eyes widened at the sight of me.

My hair had been tamed into soft waves, something my mother joked would never happen, and my makeup only enhancing my features. The outfit fit like a glove, and I turned from side to side, liking the way the skirt swished around my legs. I felt… beautiful and sophisticated, something I don’t think I had ever felt before.

“Emma!” a voice called, and I turned to see a girl I recognized instantly rushing towards me. Madelyn Knight, a fellow Five, had written me a letter soon after the Selected were announced, and we became fast friends. I smiled in relief at a familiar face, and we spoke for a while longer, eventually being approached by Fiona, a sweet Six who had sent us all our favorite flowers. Debbie Varker followed not long after, trailing behind Fiona. As we were talking I noticed Berklee Boyer speaking with Charlotte Bane, Berklee moving to come join us, but Charlotte taking one wary look at our group and choosing to walk off somewhere else. I furrowed my brows at her action, but later understood when I saw her approach the most intimidating group of girls.

Well, she made her choice.

After our pictures were taken, we were taken on a tour of the palace, and it was incredibly beautiful. I couldn’t wait to start taking pictures of everything. Once the tour was over, we were shown to our rooms, and thankfully Maddie’s was right across from mine. I almost gasped at the sight of my room, the spotless white walls, pristine furniture and lavish bed. There was even a chandelier above my bed, most likely more expensive than my entire house.

After I was introduced to my maids- Evelyn, Lana, and Coralie- Maddie and I decided to explore the palace as much as we could. We managed to find all sorts of hidden places to photograph, practically using up all of our film. I found she was the easiest to talk to, and was relieved at finding someone who I could be myself with. I would definitely need a friend like her to last throughout the rest of the competition.

We talked about going to the sleepover, and I was reluctant at first, but eventually decided yes with the urging of my maids as well. I figured it couldn’t hurt.

Hosted by Evadne and Berklee, it was exciting to say the least. Food, wine, unexpected royals. I was even dared to give a note to princess Alina, which still made me cringe, wondering how I managed to find myself in that situation. The only part of the night I regretted was when I managed to make Sera Chamberlaine an enemy, my stupid temper coming out again. That was my first mistake. Maddie, who stuck to my side most of the night, wasn’t there to see it happen, so I brought it up later when we both left to go to my room.

“So, you really didn’t hear what happened with Sera?” I asked while I flopped onto my bed.

She flopped down right next to me, “No, I was getting pie. What happened?”

“Well…” I trailed off, fiddling with my hands, “She was being so rude and snobby to everyone, so I may have talked back to her and she may have threatened me.”

She sat up quickly in shock.

“She threatened you?!” she asked loudly. I nodded and looked down, annoyed with both myself and a snobby Two who thought it was okay to treat everyone else like nothing. I had dealt with it too many times to count and hated that it followed me here, but it only made sense. After all, someone was going to end up as queen. I felt Maddie’s stare as she waited for an explanation.

“She said I should watch my back, and my bed, whatever that means,” I replied, not really taking her threat seriously. That was my second mistake, and I wondered later how I already managed to make such a mess of things the first night here.

“Bro… we are on your bed,” she pointed out, looking on edge.

No… she wouldn’t. Would she?

At that thought, I became more alert and we began to look around us in suspicion.

“Do you see anything?” she asked. Suddenly she moved a pillow out of the way and gasped in shock.

“Oh my gosh, Emma!”

“What?”

“There’s glass everywhere!” she was screaming now, in disbelief. We pulled back the covers to find more glass everywhere.

“Great,” I said sarcastically, but inside I was seething. It was downright maniacal to go this far simply because I talked back to her. I wanted to march right up to her and tell her off, tell everyone exactly what she did and have her kicked out.

But I made a decision right then and there that was definitely not going to happen. I didn’t want to risk my place here, no matter how much a petty Two chose to spend her time.

I began to pick up the glass carefully setting it down on my nightstand, but Maddie began to pace.

“What the actual heck?! This is not freaking okay,” she fumed.

“I know, I know,” I said calmly. I could feel her staring incredulously at me as I cleaned up.

She turned to me, “We have to do something!”

“What? No, definitely not.” I quickly looked up at her, but she reverted back to her angry pacing.

“We could tell Dom, or get her back. This is NOT OKAY. I’m about to go wake everyone up in this palace. Who does she think she is?” Frankly, her temper surprised me. She had been so good natured and demure the entire time so far, I didn’t expect this side of her.

I stopped picking up the glass and walked over to her, effectively stopping her pacing.

“We are NOT telling Dom. I didn’t come here to make enemies, I probably shouldn’t have said anything anyways. It’s my stupid temper,” I admitted frustratingly.

Maddie was appalled, “Are you kidding me? You are not the one with the temper. You are NOT THE ONE PUTTING FREAKING GLASS IN PEOPLE’S BEDS,” she shouted.

I sighed, knowing she wasn’t angry at me at all, “I know that’s… excessive. But look, if I just ignore it and her, she’ll back.”

Hopefully.

Maddie looked skeptical, but I could tell she wasn’t going to fight me on this, at least not yet.

“Look, I’ll do whatever you tell me to do… It is your fight. BUT. If this happens again, I’m telling someone. I’ve officially known you for like what? A day? And I already can tell you are pretty much the best person here and you don’t deserve this,” she said sincerely.

“Aw, you love me that much already? I’m touched,” I said with a small smirk, “but seriously, I’ll be fine.” Her kind words actually meant a lot, and I was increasingly grateful for her friendship.

She laughed, “I’m just telling you so you trust me and I can use your weakness against you.” She winked and I rolled my eyes.

“So strategic,” I responded sarcastically.

She flipped her hair dramatically, “Oh yes, I know,” then added, “But, seriously, this happens again…”

“Trust me Maddie, if something happens again I’ll let you loose,” I reassured with a smile.

We were quiet for a while after, thinking about what happened, talking more late into the night. I admitted how a small part of me also felt bad about Sera, wondering what could have happened to make her the way she was. The conversation trailed off, Maddie leaving when she could barely keep her eyes open.

My maids had been dismissed when they thought I was staying over at the sleepover, so I dressed myself for bed in a simple white nightgown. I laid down in my bed, now clear of any glass, but found I couldn’t fall asleep. Our introductions with Dom were tomorrow, and although I had been calm up until now, I found myself thinking of every possible way it could go wrong and he’d send me home immediately. I had to make at least somewhat of an impression so I could stay for long enough.

2:07 was what my clock on my nightstand said when I looked over, so I sighed and threw back my covers, restless. Hopping out of bed, I decided it couldn’t hurt to sit on my balcony for a little while.

My bare feet padded across the marble floor as I made my way over to the doors and opened them, but when I spotted my dad’s black book sitting on a dresser, I grabbed it. I could already feel my mind quieting as the smell of the gardens hit me when I sat on a bench near the edge. My hair fluttered in the soft, warm summer breeze, and I tucked my feet under me, resting my head on my knees. I was incredibly thankful my room overlooked such a beautiful part of the palace.

I took the book and opened it to the first page again. For the first time in a long while, the sight of my dad didn’t bring back the crushing weight it so often did. My breath was steady, my heart full, and so I flipped to the next page.

This time it was a quote from his favorite book, and I smiled at the memory of him reading it out loud. Page after page was a mix of pictures, quotes, thoughts he chose to jot down. I was about halfway through the book when I reached a longer note he had written. As I scanned the words, I realized that it was a letter to me, one he had planned to rewrite and give to me for my 13th birthday, but never got the chance. It was touching and sincere, but what brought tears to my eyes was the final line he had written.

Emmalyn, you are your greatest strength. Always remember that.

So I smiled. However tomorrow played out, I was relieved at the fact that my dad would be there with me, his words a comfort.

You’re right, dad. And I’m going to make you proud.

#selectionoc #emmalyn atwood #practice challenge 2 #practice challenge #emma

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hushedhands · 8 years ago

Text

Challenge 59

@disnarutard @clarafarleybarrow

*Maxerica pregnancy scare

(I’ve had these prompts forEVER and I’ve been wanting to write the story of how we got Lief, because it’s different from the other Laws of Inheritance Schreave babies, but it’s... sort of... long? And comes with its own world building history lesson? So I haven’t had time. But then I hit writer’s block with The Thing with Feathers (don’t worry! I have everything outlined, it’s just a matter of telling the story in a nice, readable way), so I decided to give myself a break and write something different and fun AKA this) (PS, it worked, my writer’s block is BUSTED in a way it hasn’t been in months. I’m only kicking myself for not trying this sooner!)

The day before Maxon and America were scheduled to leave for a diplomatic tour of the Australian Islands, Jamesy came down with a vicious cold. Though her motherly instincts were screaming that she should cancel her participation in the tour, America’s duties to her country as their queen won out over those to her children as their mother. That night, America rocked Jamesy in Amberly’s rocking chair until he fell into a fitful, cough-filled slumber. The next morning, she was exhausted as she bid her family goodbye and boarded the royal plane with Maxon, but it was just as well. They had a long, long flight ahead of them and there would be plenty of time to sleep on the way.

Her first day of tour, though tiring, went fairly smoothly. Silvia had made the trip with them, along with Gavril and a small pool of reporters. Silvia and her counterpart in the Australian queen’s entourage, a man named Nigel, kept the entire group on schedule, and consequently, America and Maxon were able to enjoy a private meal in their suite at the palace before falling asleep, fast and hard.

Maxon awoke the next morning feeling nauseated, the lingering jet lag toying with his body. America woke up with a light case of the sniffles, but convinced herself that it was just allergies, her body overreacting to her unfamiliar surroundings. She made it through the day thanks to Silvia keeping a supply of soft tissues close at hand, and survived the state dinner that night by sipping chilled wine to soothe her achy throat.

On her second morning on the Australian islands, sadly, it was no longer deniable. She had Jamesy’s cold. There was a rush of activity throughout the palace as the Australian royal family’s personal doctor contacted Dr. Ashlar all the way back in Illéa (despite a brutal time difference), and proposed a course of decongestants, cough suppressants, antibiotics to prevent infection, and vitamins to supplement her immune system. The Australian Doctor received Dr. Ashlar’s full approval for the proposed treatment, and America was dosed with a cocktail of medications to keep herself well enough to tour. As someone who was naturally suspicious of fancy medicines, it was a little bit of a nightmare for America, but she was forced to concede that they helped.

It truly wasn’t fair how quickly Maxon adjusted to the new timezone and was back to his normal self. More than that, he was glowing and gorgeous from his time out of the office and into the Australian sun, touring nature reserves and watching soccer matches, while America sat beside him, hot, dizzy, and splotchy.

She woke up on their fourth morning abroad with a terrible migraine. There was yet another international consultation before she was dosed with even more medication, then sent on her way with the Queen to tour some nearby public schools.

She began to feel drastically better by day five as her immune system finally began to put up a decent fight, and by their final day of tour, she had all of her stamina back and was down to only taking the decongestant and antibiotic to keep herself on the path to recovery.

Maxon and America flew back to Illéa, desperate to see Addy, Jamesy, and Maisy. This time the time change meant that they were awake for much of the flight, and they enjoyed stargazing from the bed in the back of the plane. With the window shades open and the lights off, if they were laying flat on their backs, they could peer out the windows and up at the sky. At this altitude, out over the black ocean, the view was breathtaking (and breathtakingly romantic).

The jet lag was hell again, when they got home, but they were arriving in the early, early hours of Sunday and would have most of the day to sleep and readjust.

By noon, Maxon had dragged himself to the office for a quick briefing to catch up on anything the advisers felt needed his immediate attention. America didn’t even eat breakfast and take the final dose of her decongestant cocktail, along with the rest of her usual medicines, including the one that kept her heart healthy, until the middle of the afternoon.

But after that rough adjustment, Maxon and America settled back into their usual routine with relative ease. Over the next month, 8 year old Addy wrote a play about pirate unicorns, which was performed by the Palace kid gang for all of their parents, 6 year old Jamesy lost a tooth, and 4 year old Maisy began early education lessons with Ms. Alvaraz.

The latter was perhaps the most traumatic for Maxon and America. For the first time since Addy was born, there were no kids to toddle back and forth between Maxon’s and America’s offices all day. Kenna and Paige still nannied in the evenings, alternate weekends, or if America and Maxon were going to be traveling, but their regular hours were much shorter now that all of the Schreave kids, plus Kile and Astra, were in tutoring lessons for so much of the day. Paige was even beginning to help out as one of America’s lady’s maids again, just to fill out her work schedule.

The actual nursery adjacent to the family room, where each of the Schreave babies had slept until they outgrew the crib, was now a play room filled with a cluttered mess of toys, and the crib had long ago been taken apart and placed into storage. Maxon and America couldn’t wrap their heads around the thought that it might not emerge again until little Addy grew up and had a baby of her own. It was such a desolate thought that, most of the time, they just tried not to think about it.

Later that month, America cancelled her usual quarterly checkup with Dr. Ashlar. Having blood drawn for the panel to check her vitamin and hormone levels always left her exhausted for the ensuing several days. It was a terrible excuse, she knew, but she was already feeling sluggish and she had important legislative negotiations to take care of (They were still a few months away from the early December formal session, where Maxon would make official amendments and enact new laws, but that just meant that they were in the thick of figuring out what those repeals, amendments, and new legislation needed to be. America couldn’t just nap her way through these important meetings).

So, she figured she’d just get her blood drawn in a couple of weeks, once the legislative details were more settled and she could afford to spend an afternoon or two sleeping off some blood loss.

Dr. Ashlar, however, was having none of that. He (politely) pestered her and pestered her until, finally, it was easier for America to give in and give up some blood than to continue to make polite excuses to blow him off. By the time Dr. Ashlar wore her down and she submitted to her checkup, America was already eleven weeks pregnant.

Dr. Ashlar was so grim-faced and sullen when he insisted on the emergency meeting in her office that same afternoon that, at first, America thought she might be dying. She’d had very low energy for a while now and she’d vomited a few times in the last few weeks, perhaps her body was shutting down, rejecting nourishment, slowly deteriorating until it wouldn’t be strong enough to go on? By the time Dr. Ashlar started explaining what her blood test had revealed, she was already convinced that she’d be dead by the end of the week.

But what Dr. Ashlar said, instead, was that she was pregnant, and that he needed to perform an ultrasound to figure out how far along she was before he’d be able to answer her questions about how this was even possible.

She was stunned, and she was convinced there had been a mistake. The machines had glitched or something. She didn’t know what ‘glitch’ was, but she knew it could happen, and she was sure that it had. Still, just to be sure, she canceled her next meeting and joined Dr. Ashlar in the same room where she’d gotten all of her ultrasounds done with her various pregnancies. She hadn’t set foot inside since before Maisy was born. As soon as she laid eyes on the bed where she’d been laying the very first time she and Maxon ever set eyes on their very first baby, during their very first ultrasound appointment, America was overwhelmed with nostalgia so strong, it made her chest hurt.

This had to be a mistake, she firmly reminded herself. She’d been taking birth control tablets nonstop, without fail, for years. There could be no baby. And anyway, she and Maxon had three perfect children. It was enough.

… Or at least, that was their mantra. They repeated it and repeated it every time they started to doubt it. Three was enough. Three was more than enough! Three was plenty, given how hectic their jobs were. More than three would be too many, after all. Three was the perfect amount. Any more than three would be excessive, in fact. They had their three, what more could they ask for? Certainly not four, which would be too much. Three was enough.

But Dr. Ashlar turned on the machine and jellied her stomach, and sure enough, there was a baby in there. A baby that had been forming just fine without prenatal vitamins, and with its mother taking birth control tablets every day (which, as Dr. Ashlar explained, were useless at stopping a pregnancy once it started). If America had gone if for her blood panel earlier, her lowered iron levels (which had led to her sluggish anemia) would have been a dead giveaway. She’d been anemic with all of her other pregnancies, too.

When the machine was off, and America’s stomach was dry, Dr. Ashlar rubbed his forehead, slumped on his stool across from the exam bed, and sighed a heavy, forlorn sigh. As far as he was concerned, this was an unqualified disaster. The King and Queen did not want a fourth child, and he’d made a mistake somewhere along the way, and now the Queen was pregnant and in a very difficult situation. He wasn’t just afraid for his job, he actually wanted to be fired for this. He craved punishment and absolution for his horrendous mistake, and otherwise would never forgive himself for it.

“How could this have happened?” America asked. She wasn’t angry or frightened or anything. She was in shock, completely numb, not fully wrapping her head around what she’d just seen on the ultrasound monitor. Maybe she was afraid that she’d wake up in a minute, realize this was all a dream, and be devastated. It had happened before.

“It’s hard to say precisely, your Majesty.” Dr. Ashlar looked vaguely nauseous. “The tablets you take alter your hormone levels, and are very exact. If anything interferes with their absorption, and you end up with too little hormone, this… type of thing… could happen.”

“That’s why I take them at the same time every day.” America reminded him, as if she needed to. “I’ve never missed a day, though.”

“No, but timing isn’t the only factor.” Dr. Ashlar pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking back. “It’s been eleven weeks since your last menstrual cycle, so we date the fetus there, but it’s been... what... ten weeks since your royal tour of the Australian islands?”

“More or less.” America shrugged, unable to remember exactly. More than two months was all she knew for sure.

“Well...” Dr. Ashlar shook his head, gulped, and frowned, “The time change could have thrown things off. In other words, you took your tablets at the same time of morning as usual, it’s just that morning arrived 17 hours early.”

“The time change? That was it?” America couldn’t believe it. How could they have missed that crucial detail?

“Maybe,” Dr. Ashlar shrugged miserably, “But maybe it was the antibiotic you were taking whilst you were gone.”

“What? Antibiotics can do that?”

“Not most of them.” Dr. Ashlar said, forlorn, “And I haven’t seen any studies to suggest that the kind that you took had any effect on birth control absorption whatsoever. That being said…” he winced, “The antibiotic you took was a variation on what I’d have given you here, but it wasn’t the exact same thing. The specifics of the medication are proprietary, and it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that the Australian antibiotic interfered with your Illéan birth control tablets.”

“Each country manufactures its own versions of medicines?” America shook her head. It sounded absurd to her, untenable.

Dr. Ashlar seemed to disconnect peacefully from the present as he offered her a history lesson: “Hundreds of years ago, there were a small handful of large corporations which owned the patents to the vast, vast majority of individual drugs. Back then, these corporations could sell the same formula all over the world, so long as they were following local laws. They made unimaginable fortunes in this way, more wealth for one company than has been left in all the world, after the wars. However, when resources grew scarce, these giants chose to make outrageous profits by charging high sums of money for basic, life saving medicines. After the dust had settled on the fourth world war, several of the highest level executives of these corporations were charged with crimes against humanity in an international court of law. After all, several million people were dead, having been unable to afford the necessary medication that they’d needed. From the corporations’ perspective, there really had been no financial incentive to lower the drug prices, in other words cut profits, just to save a few poor people in countries that were destined to collapse anyway. And it was their intellectual property, anyway. They could do whatever they wanted. It was a shameful moment in human history, to say the least.”

America had known that those dark, brutal years immediately before Illéa’s founding had been bad for a whole variety of reasons, but she’d never heard about this gruesome aspect of that history before.

“When the trials were done and the former executives charged with acts of genocide, both the surviving and the newly formed governments of nations around the world released the medical patents into the public domain, and from then on, each government insisted on the ability to control the supply and price of medications directly for its own people. It was the only way that they could each be certain that, if resources grew scarce again, their people wouldn’t be cut out of an international chain of supply for medicines. It made perfect sense at the time.”

America wasn’t sure what she’d have done if she’d been Queen, and faced with such a decision. Probably exactly the same as Gregory Illéa had done. It was one of the few times she’d ever tentatively agreed with the man, and the thought made her shudder involuntarily.

“So you see, your Majesty, though these older medications come from the same basic recipe that was used by the international corporations that once patented them; in the intervening centuries, each country has experimented and altered the medicine as they’ve seen fit. And those alterations are, with a few notable exceptions, proprietary. Even after everything our species has survived, we’re still so suspicious of one another that we won’t share our intellectual discoveries freely.” he lamented.

“So you don’t know exactly what was in those antibiotics?” America scrunched her brow, trying to understand how he could possibly have allowed her to take them, if that had been the case.

“I have a good idea,” he said in his own defense, “It isn’t as though they could have laced in some poison or something. We’re talking about a basic antibiotic, so there wouldn’t even be different ingredients. There couldn’t be. There just wouldn’t be the need.” he explained. “What we’re most likely dealing with is a different level of potency. Sustained over the days that you took the medication, it’s not beyond all possibility that it interfered with your tablets.” he concluded, shoulders slumping again. He was back from his history lesson, into the present reality of their situation.

“So, it was either that my medication schedule was messed up because of the time change, or the antibiotic I took was too strong?”

“Not to mention, they medicated you for migraines. I thought nothing of it at the time, but there’s a chance that could have altered your absorption, too.” he looked like he needed a stiff drink. He was back to mourning as if someone had died. He counted off on his fingers, “The tablets are only 99% effective in the first place,” he ticked a finger, “And between all the time changes you underwent, you may have missed as much as an entire dose, not to mention your sleep schedule and breakfast schedule were off for the week you were in Australia, and the week after you returned. That’s two weeks of abnormal doses.” he ticked another finger, “On top of that, it’s possible that the particular antibiotic and migraine medication you were given, though safe, may have altered the amount of hormone you were able to absorb when you took your tablets. Any one of those individual mistakes might explain it, but added all together…” he paused, shook his head, then dropped his chin to his chest in shame, “We should have put you on a longer term birth control method, one that was less fragile. I knew you were done having children, but there’s a high risk of discomfort with intrauterine devices, and you were doing so well on the tablets, not to mention it’s illegal to surgically sterilize the King or Queen—“

“Wait.” America stopped him, the shock slowly beginning to wear away. Her mind was less fuzzy, she became aware of her whole body, and all of her senses were functioning properly again. This wasn’t a dream. It had gone on too long to be a dream, not to mention the vivid details of reality were returning to her. “I’m having a baby?”

“Yes, your Majesty, didn’t you--“ Dr. Ashlar gestured to the screen of the ultrasound machine, confused. She’d just seen the occupant of her womb, firsthand. Then he stopped himself, shook away his confusion and said, “What I mean to say is, this is entirely your choice, your Majesty--“

America held up a hand to stop him, knowing exactly what he meant.

“Is my heart healthy enough to go through with this pregnancy?” she asked, slowly and seriously. “Will I survive the labor and delivery?”

Immediately after Maisy was born, America’s blood pressure had plummeted to unsafe levels. She’d gone unconscious, and to this day she mourned the loss of those first precious few minutes with their baby girl. Afterwards, she and Maxon had reluctantly determined that the safest thing to do would be to stop having children. They couldn’t risk America’s health, she needed to be alive for Addy, Jamesy, and Maisy. There could be no negotiation about that.

“Well… my best medical opinion is that, yes, your Majesty, you are healthy enough to support this pregnancy.” Dr. Ashlar said. “We would monitor you closely, of course, and examine our best options for labor. It’s possible we could opt for a cesarean delivery, if a prolonged labor were to become too stressful. But major surgery like that is also very stressful on the heart, not to mention the extended recovery it would require.”

“But would a cesarean be too stressful?” America demanded. She needed him to be absolutely positive. “Kenna had one with the twins, and it went perfectly. Kenna and I have the same heart condition. If she could do it, so could I, right?”

“I don’t... you don’t... I don’t see any indication, based on your recent cardiac tests, that such an operation would be medically unsafe.” he advised.

She nodded, finally allowing herself to believe what was happening. “Then, Dr. Ashlar, I’m having a baby…”

“Your Majesty?”

America laughed at an inappropriate volume, pressed a hand to her mouth, and nodded. “This… this is… this is the happiest I’ve been in a long time, Dr. Ashlar. Thank you.”

He was thoroughly taken aback. “You’re thanking me for the greatest professional mistake I’ve ever made?”

America felt tears swim in her eyes as she bit her smile to keep it in check and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, “It’s not a mistake. This isn’t a mistake. This is the best surprise of my entire life, this is not a mistake.”

***

She dragged Maxon out to the gardens after dinner that night. The kids were at the indoor swimming pool with May and Ryland, splashing around and having a great time. Therefore, Maxon and America had a couple of hours alone with one another.

America sat down on their bench and Maxon followed along, assuming that they were just having an impromptu mini-date. With three children and a country to run, most of their dates were impromptu and miniature.

“I’m so happy that you’re feeling better, Love. You’ve been a little rundown lately, and I’ve been so worried about you.” Maxon gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Maxon, this is the best I’ve felt in years.” America smiled.

“Is it?” he was baffled. “You… you haven’t been unwell for so long, have you?” The very idea that she might have been secretly ill seemed to panic him.

“No!” She hurried to reassure him. “No, it’s not that. I’m just... I’m happy. I’m so happy, Maxon.”

Maxon smiled indulgently, “I see. Well it’s not hard to believe, my darling, you’ve been humming all day, and you’re certainly aglow.”

“Am I?”

“What’s got you so overjoyed? Is it something with your family? Marlee?” he seemed to sense a positive life change on the horizon, he just didn’t know it was a baby, and he didn’t know it was theirs.

“No, it’s me. It’s us. It’s our whole family.” America’s breath hitched with excitement.

“We’ve done something to please you?”

America laughed, “Of course you have! I love you silly Schreaves around the moon and back again.”

Maxon laughed too, “You know you’re one of us ‘silly Schreaves', don’t you?”

“Maxon, I’m pregnant.” America blurted, still giggling.

Maxon’s face froze as he slowly replayed what she’d just said, “...You’re... did you just say--“

“Pregnant. Yes, that’s what I said. Maxon, we’re having a baby!”

Maxon narrowed his eyes, a look on his face as if he was doing advanced calculus. “You’re pregnant... with a baby?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Um--“ she lifted her eyebrows, fairly sure he knew how.

“No, I mean... No, I do mean ‘how’! How?” he exclaimed.

“Something to do with our tour through the Australian Islands, though it’s hard to say exactly what.” America wasn’t concerned. “Probably the time change, maybe some other stuff. Something about the fourth world war, but it doesn’t matter. The point is, we made a baby over there.”

“Well… No, because you’ve been taking birth control tablets ever since. Surely mistiming a dose or two--“

“It turns out, I was probably not quite on schedule for two weeks,” America was chipper as she explained, practically giddy.

“Two weeks?!” Maxon was aghast.

“Maxon--“ America took his hand, knowing his head was swimming at this news. She guided it to her stomach and placed it there as firmly as she could. “I’m pregnant. This is a baby we’re talking about.” If there was one thing she knew about her husband, it was that he adored babies. Once the idea sunk in, he’d be smiling and laughing just like she was. Maybe he’d pick her up and twirl her around and—

He stared down at the hand touching her stomach, furrowing his brow hard, “Love... your heart--“

“Dr. Ashlar says I’m healthy enough for the pregnancy--“

“That’s not what I’m worried about!” Maxon exclaimed loudly, meeting her gaze urgently. His brown eyes swam with terror, “I hardly had time to cut Maisy’s cord and kiss her forehead before your blood pressure was plummeting. You have no idea... the sounds those machines were making to indicate that you were dying! You were dying, America!”

“Maxon--“

“I will not lose you. I am King and I refuse.” he commanded, as if this settled the matter because even death was subject to his decrees.

“Listen to me: Dr. Ashlar will explore different delivery options with me when the time comes. They’ll know this is a risk, and they can monitor it, and--“

“America, I don’t want any risks. I’m not willing to risk you at all! Our children need their mother, I need my wife, and Illéa needs its queen.” he seemed to believe the matter was settled again.

America’s shoulders fell as she dropped her gaze to her lap. Maxon hadn’t removed his hand yet, and she took that to be one small sign that he wasn’t as against this as he sounded. “Maxon, the blood pressure thing was a fluke, and they fixed me right up. If it happens again, I’ll be fine just like last time.”

“You can’t promise me that.” he muttered mutinously.

“I… I can’t promise you... that the roof won’t cave in on my office tomorrow. I can’t promise that I won’t fall down the stairs and break my neck. That I won’t choke on a strawberry tart and suffocate. I can’t promise you anything, Maxon.” she glared at her knee.

“We don’t ride motorcycles because it’s a risk.” Maxon said randomly.

“What?” America peeked up at him. As far as she knew, they’d never even thought of riding a motorcycle.

“We don’t go skydiving and we don’t go bungee jumping. There are so many things we avoid because they’re dangerous and we want to be alive for our children.”

“If I let you go skydiving, can you be happy that we’re having this baby?” America sassed.

“Stop it.”

“I’m serious.”

Maxon looked like he was going to come back with a withering reply, but just as the words reached the tip of his tongue and he opened his mouth to speak them, a gut-wrenching sob escaped instead.

And with that, Maxon was crying as fully and as without restraint as the children did when they fell and scraped their knees. And just like with the children, America wrapped her arms around Maxon and held him close as he buried his face in his hands.

The time it took Maxon to breathe through the sobs and regain control of his crying gave America a precious minute to regroup and make a new plan. Maxon was pale as a ghost and shaking, and maybe he had reason to be. She’d been unconscious after Maisy’s birth, she’d missed the whole thing, but he’d been awake and living the nightmare as Dr. Ashlar had sent the nurse for help and begun the work of saving America’s life. For her, it had been a blank of nothing, but Maxon relived it in nightmares all the time.

“Come on.” America stood, as soon as Maxon’s breathing was steady and his sniffles subsided. “Come with me.”

“Where--“

“You’ll see.” she laced fingers with him and swiftly led him to Dr. Ashlar’s private suite. She knocked loudly on the door, interrupting the doctor and his wife at dinner, and apologized but begged for a few minutes in the hospital wing. Dr. Ashlar didn’t even hesitate, leading the way.

She sat herself on the bed in the ultrasound room and lifted her dress, waiting as Dr. Ashlar jellied her stomach and prepared the machine. All the while, Maxon had a look on his face like he might vomit.

Dr. Ashlar placed the wand on her abdomen and the screen attached to the machine lit up with the outline of their baby.

“Listen,” America said, squeezing Maxon’s hand, “I know it’s frightening, and I know it’s risky. Pregnancy is always risky. The best advice from Dr. Ashlar, our medical professional, the greatest doctor in the whole country, Maxon, is that my heart can handle this.”

“...But Ames...”

“Sweetheart, I am pregnant.” she said firmly.

“But--“

“Maxon, there’s no ‘but’. If I were perfectly healthy and nothing frightening had happened last time, wouldn’t you want this baby?”

Maxon gulped, knowing she was about to corner him into this. Still, he had to be honest with her, “Of course. God, Ames, nothing would make me happier than to have a baby in our nursery again. Nothing. But it’s not worth losing you, potentially losing you both. Addy, Jamesy, and Maisy…”

“I know. Believe me, I know. If I thought this would kill me, I’d never put myself at that kind of risk.”

“Ames, you have no idea what happened last time, what it was like--“

“Dr. Ashlar, do you think my blood pressure will fall off again?” America asked their doctor, point blank.

“...Well, no, your Majesty. Frankly, that type of blood pressure drop is not uncommon after labor, and not necessarily tied to your heart condition. During your recovery, the anesthesiologist and I consulted and we believe the most likely culprit was actually your epidural.”

“My epidural?” America said, eyebrows raised. She supposed it made sense; it must be risky to inject anything into a person’s spine. “So, if I didn’t take an epidural for this labor, there wouldn’t be as high a risk of my blood pressure dropping off?”

“Substantially less, your Majesty.”

“Even with my heart defect?”

“As far as your heart is concerned, you’ve been managing your condition responsibly, eating well, exercising, and taking your medication. Frankly, your Majesty, you’re the picture of health.”

“Okay.” America turned back to Maxon, “Did you hear him?”

Maxon looked as if he wished he hadn’t. “Yes.”

“So if we decided to... to end this pregnancy now, it wouldn’t be because of actual medical necessity. It would be because of fear.”

Maxon leaned his head back as he took this in, then lowered his gaze to Dr. Ashlar, a menacing look in his eyes, “Are you sure?” he demanded.

“Yes, sir.”

“This poses no threat to America’s life?” his eyes flashed dangerously.

Dr. Ashlar recognized the look on Maxon’s face and squirmed; it was undiluted Clarkson. The doctor straightened his shoulders and said, “Every pregnancy comes with risk of complication. Princess Adrienne, Prince Jameson, and Princess Carolynn were all risks. But the risk is less with a healthy mother, and frankly, the Queen is certainly that. If a complication did arise from her pregnancy or labor, it wouldn’t be because of her heart.”

Dr. Ashlar knew, in that moment, that he’d just staked his life on his medical advice. If he was wrong and the Queen died in childbirth, Maxon would have his head for regicide.

“Maxon, our doctor says that I’m healthy and I can do this.” America said, smiling. “And we both want a baby in that nursery.”

Maxon looked down at America’s face, then he looked down at her exposed stomach. He lifted his gaze to the screen of the ultrasound machine and rubbed his chin, “I want three more medical opinions.”

Dr. Ashlar nodded, “Of course, sir.”

“Immediately. Now. Tonight.” Maxon ordered.

“Maxon.” America narrowed her eyes at him. She had a very low tolerance for the times when he resembled his father, given her own history with the man.

Maxon rolled his eyes and relented, “Please.”

America smiled and gratefully patted his hand.

“Yes, sir.” Dr. Ashlar said again.

“And if the medical consensus, the best scientific information we can get, says that this is safe enough...” Maxon paused. His gaze flickered back to the screen and he softened for just a moment, “Another baby...”

Dr. Ashlar turned off the machine, handed America a cloth to clean her stomach, and then bowed his way out the door. Even though it was evening, it only took half an hour for the chief of obstetrics at Angeles hospital, as well as two highly respected cardiologists, to arrive in the hospital wing.

America and Maxon waited right there, holding hands, comforting one another with brushes of thumbs across knuckles, until they were joined by the impromptu medical panel.

After a thorough examination, including an ultrasound of America’s heart and uterus, the doctors were in perfect agreement. America was as fine as could be. Maxon was just scared.

Thinking back to her other pregnancies, this was always the hardest part for him, America remembered. This was the part he couldn’t control or command. He just had to hold her hand when she needed it, and hope for the best.

Maxon thanked the doctors for their help on such short notice, then he even apologized to Dr. Ashlar for being so short with him earlier. He told the doctors that word of this pregnancy was not to be spread to anyone, not even their own families, until America and Maxon had announced it to the nation.

It wasn’t until he said those words that America realized that he was done resisting. That he was with her.

As soon as the doctors, having been dismissed, closed the door behind them on their way out, Maxon turned to America.

“You’re pregnant.” he said, testing out the words in his mouth.

“I noticed.” America laughed. “It’s sort of monopolized my day.”

He inhaled deeply through his nose, but this time when he exhaled, a smile bloomed across his cheeks. “There’s a baby in there.” he brushed his pointer finger across her stomach.

“Yep.”

“Ames!” he laughed out loud, “A baby!”

“I know.” America grinned. This was the reaction she’d been expecting out in the gardens. This was the man she’d seen every other time she’d told him that she was pregnant.

“Do you think it’s a boy? A girl?” he wondered eagerly.

“I have no idea.”

“I think I still have our baby name list in my desk drawer...” he pretended, poorly, to be uncertain.

“You think so?” America grinned at how transparent he was. He was the spitting image of Jamesy trying to lie to them about how much dessert he’d eaten.

“Well... yes. I couldn’t throw it away.” Maxon confessed.

“I know what you mean.” America said, swinging her legs off of the exam bed. “I kept my copy, too.”

“You did?”

“Yes. Maxon... we’re going to have a baby again.” America’s eyes flooded with tears, “I didn’t think we’d have four... I thought we were done with three... but Maxon, we get four!”

“We get four.” he agreed, pressing a kiss to her head. “But Ames, we have a long way to go before we get our fourth. We’ve got to keep you healthy, because...” his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, hard, “Because you need to meet this baby, once it’s born. You need to feed it and carry it out to meet our country on the front steps of the Palace. You can’t miss this because you’re… you’re…

“I know. I’ll be there.” America promised. Then a wicked smile spread across her face, “And if this goes well, who knows? Maybe we’ll have another.”

Maxon scowled and looked to the ceiling, as if asking the heavens for patience, “You’re going to be the death of me, woman.” he offered her a hand up from the bed.

She took it and pulled him straight in for a kiss, “Only if I’m doing my job right.”

***

In the end, Lief’s birth was the smoothest of all of America’s labors, possibly because America stubbornly willed it to be so. Without the use of an epidural, her closely monitored blood pressure remained stable and strong.

In fact, it all went so well that, a couple of years later, Maxon was easily agreeable to having one more baby, so that Lief would have a brother or sister companion closer to his own age than Addy, Jamesy, or Maisy. It was actually Rosie’s birth (too early, which added enormously to the stress America experienced all throughout her contractions) that convinced Maxon and America that they were truly done having children. Besides, with the addition of baby Rosie to their family, they now had five children. And whenever Maxon or America said the words ‘five is enough’, they actually rang true.

#laws of inheritance #challenge #The Thing with Feathers

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