Finally, the last girl sat down and Maxon walked to the centre of the room.
'If I have asked you to remain behind, please stay in your seats. If not, please proceed with Silvia here into the dining hall. I will join you shortly.'
Asked to stay? Surely he wasn't making cuts already? So it was a good thing? I stood, along with most of the girls, and followed the stream of us going out the doors. Cameras lingered behind, to broadcast whatever Maxon wanted to say to the handful left.
~ * ~
Eight. Eight girls had been kicked out the competition after five minutes. What must they had done to displease Maxon already? But everyone didn't seem to mind, and were just getting on with their breakfasts, so I did too. There was so much food, I didn't believe we had it in us to finish it all! But then, maybe the lower castes would love this.
I scanned the room. Oh. America was the only Five left, the lowest caste in the room. We had been told everyone was moved to a Three, but you couldn't change someone's caste in the space of a day.
America was chewing a strawberry tart, her eyes rolling in pleasure at the taste. Her mouth was so full, I doubted Silvia would be impressed-
'Lady America?'
Maxon had called her out. Of course he did. Them meeting early must have given her an advantage, and I was...I didn't want to admit it, but there was no denying the jealous pang in my heart.
America covered her mouth with her hand and desperately swallowed the pastry.
'Yes, Your Majesty?' She said, her voice muffled.
'How are you enjoying the food?' The room was silent, listening to their conversation, but despite them shouting across the room, it still felt like an invasion of privacy.
As some strange instinct of mine, I dropped my fork to the ground. All eyes snapped to me as I bent under the table to pick it up again, and as I sat up I raised an eyebrow to the girls staring at me. They hurriedly focused on their food once again, as if Oh This Orange Juice Is Looking Very Orange, or Wow This Bread Looks Bready: Woah It Has Butter On Too.
In the corner of my eye, I saw Maxon stifling a laugh, and I had to stop myself from giggling myself.
'It's excellent, Your Majesty.' America said in a delayed reply.
Maxon nodded, but flicked his eyes back to me.
'And you, Lady Quinn, do you like it?' He asked.
I smiled.
'Yes, it is much better than- oh, I feel mean saying this...but it is better than my family's cooking for sure!'
Maxon leant back in his chair.
'Is it now? Would they think so?' he had a side smile, as if amused by what I had said.
'Well...I would say my brother would be the only one willing to say it,' I conceded.
'Would you bet on it?' Maxon asked quickly.
All breakfasts around the room lost its interest, and they bounced their view from me to him, as if it were a game of tennis.
'I'm not sure what I would bet, Your Majesty,' I furrowed my brow in thought.
'Well, what would you like?' He seemed to find pleasure in this little game, and I bit my lip.
What did I want? I was living like a royal, I had the biggest bed imaginable...but that wasn't a good thing. So how could I make it like it was?
'This might sound strange, but I would particularly like my pillow from home. There is nothing wrong with these ones at the palace, but they are so different to what I'm used to!' I offered.
A small chuckle flowed around the room.
'Done,' Maxon decided, 'And if your brother doesn't admit it, then you owe me a walk round the grounds.'
Did Maxon ask me to a...date? It didn't seem very special, but in a heavily guarded palace I guess you might have limited options. I nodded, and some people made disapproving sounds. I might have bagged myself the first - or second rather - one-on-one with the Prince.
'Justin?' a butler near to the head table stepped forward. 'Go make a parcel of breakfast items for Lady Quinn's family. Have someone stay to see if her brother does, in fact, admit to it being better. I'm most curious to see if the lady's prediction is right.'
Justin nodded and scurried away.
The king and queen beside Maxon murmured something unintelligible to each other, but Maxon stiffened upon hearing it.
'You should write a note to send with it, and tell your family you are safe. In fact, you all should. After breakfast, write a letter to your families or close friends, and we will make sure they receive them today.'
Everyone smiled and sighed, happy to be included in this conversation. I glanced to America on on my right, but she was staring fixedly at her breakfast, intent on not making eye contact. Marlee gave me an excited look, which I returned, but America pushed her food around her plate in thought.
'America, are you alright?' I asked.
She slowly looked up, a smile plastered on her face.
'Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just tired I guess.'
Marlee and I shrugged at each other, and continued to eat our food.
~ * ~
'He half admitted, but got swatted with a tea towel by who I assume is your mother. His Majesty will come and collect you from your room around five tomorrow. Please be ready.'
'What? But he-'
The door was shut in my face.
'Sorry, my lady, but I'm on strict instructions to not negotiate with what the Prince asked. Apologies,' the butler's muffled voice drifted through the door.
Looked like my family got me a date with the prince.
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The Selection: One of the Selected
FanfictionQuinn is a 17 year old girl, living in the class of a 3. She knows, despite her high ranking, that her family of five are still tight for money, although the words have never been said aloud. With the age-old selection - where thirty five girls are...