The Choosing

Chapter 1

For the past ten years I had attended the Choosing days without fear. No one over thirty had been selected for hundreds of years, for royalty preferred the youthful bodies of the adolescent. Now with Prince Keo's selection looming above my head I wasn't so sure.

King Lucifer had never made a selection only attended to respect tradition. His preferences were unknown for the palace kept his partners comings and going's secret. The large man was a mystery in himself, seldom attending public events meaning little was known for his person. Not even his choice of wine or clothe was known.

This year, however, he would be attending as King, a position of great authority where he would be under the spotlight.

I remember standing before the late King for the first time, preening as he walked past, desperate for his attention. During the ten years I had been eligible, seventy days of standing pretty, I had never been selected. I had shaken in excitement and fear through the years. Both dreading and wondering over the idea of being selected.

As I had grown older I had become more aware of the position someone of my status would acquire under a royal. I was a farm assistant, not skilled enough to be a hand, but not useless enough to be subjected to the Whorehouse.

It was not unpopular for an individual from the Whorehouses to be selected as a bed slave. Used to please the harem skilfully many Whores worked to refine their skills at a chance of being selected.

Despite their name, bed slaves were highly respected and well treated. The stigma mainly revolving around Sluts who considered subpar. This position had not been held for centuries due to the cruelty associated with it. It was also due to this cruelty that only Kings were able to make this selection as it is said their decisions are always fair and just.

I was fit for neither a bed slave or something above, however, becoming a Slut was of no concern to me. King Lucifer was praised for his kindness, the only true thing known about the man. So it was thought to be almost impossible for him to make such a selection.

It was expected all subjects would present themselves in their best attire. Mine being my only pair of trousers without mud stains or holes and my only white shirt. I wore my boots as I had every year, never being able to acquire a new pair of shoes. I was always placed with those if similar status, however, so I never stood out amongst the wealthy crowd.

It was always the same process; I would get sent an itinerary to memorise for the day and ensure I attended each selection ceremony. Some years my placement would differ, however, the only constant was my placement moving steadily back through the lines as I got older.

This year was no different, I had been sent my itinerary the Sunday before the Choosing week. First hour in the Hall, I hadn't attended that room since I was eighteen but it was no matter to be concerned of. I was sure it was a slight rearranging of the schedule.

It was minutes before we were scheduled to go in when I noticed the upperclassmen surrounding me. My worn boots and baggy clothes stood out. As did their looks of disgust and disdain. I supposed it wasn't too uncommon for the lower class overflow to be placed in the same room.

I couldn't help how my hands clammed up and my breathing became rapid, I felt lesser than in this room. I couldn't help but notice their fine looks and attractive bodies that differed to my scrawny structure. Sunken cheeks with gaunt lips and a spray of freckles to the match my burnt skin.

The stark difference was apparent in this room and I couldn't wait to escape to the Hall where my fellow lower class men were. As a knock was sounded at the door I was surprised to see a woman enter. Every year before had separated men, women, and those of other genders. This included the staff handling us.

The room quickly hushed to a whisper as she approached the front of the room. Brought higher by a raised surface we could all see her.

"As some of you may have already noticed the Choosing will be conducted differently this year." The woman began. "Each of you have been selected for your unique qualities that may meet the King's needs. Upon being selected you will be brought to a shared dorm as per usual. In these dorms will be other individuals competing for positions in the Kings harem. Once a day an announcement will be made as to what position selected candidates have placed. As usual violence and harassment of any kind is prohibited. There will be no bullying, hate speech or aggression shown to other competitors. During the selection period there will be no talking unless asked questions. For the remainder of the day you are to remain at home until requested the next day. At the end of each day you will come to the hall then receive an itinerary for the next day. Some may differ from others. You may be added to another selection or removed entirely at any point."

The whispers in the room grew heavier as the woman finished. She gave us a final nod before calling us up into lines.

"Cassius Grey, Norman Ply, Fucus Link..." I zoned out expecting my name to be called later. Only focusing on the shuffling of feet as people assembled into the line.

"Pip Low...Pip Low?" I was startled back to reality as she began to call my name repeatedly. Flushing red I crept forward into position as people turned to stare.
I only glanced down at my feet to embarrassed to take note of my position in line or her frantic scribbling on her list of names.

Before long we were all ready, well past the usual time we would usually enter first hour. It seemed not to bother anyone else nor the woman as no one said a word as we waited.

Three short knocks were sounded at the door before a long windy man with glasses pushed through the door. Taking a quick glance at us he nodded before ushering us through the door into the hallway.

It was time to meet the King.