The Selection

📨The Letter📨

Seven.

Every single time I heard it, thought about it, it pierced me, stung me. It meant so much more than a number. It meant long, sweaty days laboring in the sun. It meant one dangerous step from the bottom. It meant countless work with so little pay. It meant every night, laying in bed and listening to my stomach growl while my bones ached from strenuous labor.

"Aria!" I snapped from my daydream, noticing a pair of worn-out pliers in my hands. "Get to work, those bushes won't be cut themselves!" Lily, one of the Twos I work for, snapped. She was my age, sixteen, but it didn't stop her from acting like she was a world above me.

Sighing, I went back to work, cutting lush bushes to make them look even more perfect. All year, the heat in Midston was unbearable. Even in late winter, beads of sweat still trickled down my forehead. I longed to step inside the Two's mansion, with air conditioning, a luxury all Sevens went without.

I only had to finish the row of bushes I was cutting, then I could go home to me and my brother's excuse for a house. It was a tiny wooden shack with barely enough room for a kitchenette, two beds, shower, and a shredded couch. While trimming the bushes, I filled my mind with things I dreamed of.

I started with a base of a dress. Day-length? No, an evening gown. Not white, black. And gold. Oooh, sequins! Strapless, a slim cut with a slit exposing the wearer's leg. At the torso, an assortment of dark gray and gold sequins, slowly fading into black. A good three inches of the fabric would trail on the floor. Perfect.

One more bush. I snipped at a few stray leaves before setting down the pliers and wiping the sweat from my forehead. "All done." I said to myself. My house was roughly half a mile from the mansion I worked at. I trudged back, the sun blazing ruthlessly overhead. Today was Friday, which meant me and Tuck, my older brother, could use our weekly savings, get a bite to eat at a diner, and watch The Report.

Part of me didn't care about the advisors' boring infrastructure and financial whatnot, but I did care about the royals. Prince Carter, in particular. While his two twin sisters, Brielle and Quinn, mother, Queen Delaney, and father, King Ashton were effortlessly regal, Prince Daniel seemed...utterly amazing. His honey-blonde hair and gleaming green eyes, and the way his face lit up while he talked. I knew deep down that there was absolutely no chance with him, but I allowed a tiny sliver of hope.

"Hey, sis." Tuck, my older brother, said as I approached the house. "You got something in the mail."

"There's never stuff for me in the mail." I said curiously. "Can I see it?"

Tuck handed me the envelope. The paper was unusually high-quality. It had Illea's emblem sealed onto it. I flipped it over, and sure enough, it was addressed to me. The thing that made me nearly do a backflip was that it was sent from the palace.

"T-Tuck? This letter is from the palace!" I cried. Longing to tear it open, I cautiously opened it, making sure to save the paper. Inside were several slips of paper. I reached for the first one and began to read it.

Dear Aria Young, we are pleased to inform you that you meet the requirements to be able to enter The Selection, the way Prince Carter will find his princess, and someday queen. By filling out the forms and submitting them at your district's postal services office, you will be eligible to enter the lottery for your district, which will be drawn at random. Whoever is drawn will proceed to The Selection and compete against 35 girls at the palace, where the prince will narrow it to just one. Anyone who enters the selection will receive proper care before they go to the palace, as well as generous compensation as a thank you for competing. If you are to win, you will be crowned Princess of Illea, and you and your family will be elevated to Ones. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

The Palace

"Tuck! I'm able to enter the selection! Well, apply to enter a lottery that chooses Midston's competitor, but still!" I exclaimed.

"Wow, that's great, sis," Tuck said. "What else is in there?"

I went back to the envelope, and pulled out a form with slots for me to put specific information. "Just this." I replied. "Ready for dinner?" I asked.

"Sure am," Tuck said with a grin, who began to walk towards Dena's Diner. Dena was a Four who owned a quaint little diner in town. We couldn't afford nearly anything on the menu, but I have a knack for charming people, so Dena will slip us free milkshakes and burgers. Fridays are the only days I go to bed with a full stomach.

We reached the dinner and I giddily skipped in, happy to see Dena after a long day of work. All the televisions were on for The Report, but only commercials were playing. The floor tile was a classic black and white, and all the booths were red! "Hey, sugar!" Dena said when she saw us, her brown hair was up in a bun. "It's nice to see you here, take a seat. And I'll get started on the usual."

"Thanks, Dena!" I happily said, taking a seat at a booth close to the television. Dena quickly returned with two milkshakes, a chocolate one for me and a strawberry one for Tuck. By now, many people had come bustling in, mostly eights who just wanted to watch The Report, so Dena and a few other waitresses were busy seating people.

I sipped my milkshake, savoring the flavor of it. I silently waited for The Report to come on, tapping my foot. After what seemed like an eternity, the Illea emblem flashed on the screen and a hush fell over the diner.

The person who ran The Report, Aaron Neil flashed a winning smile at the camera before saying, "Welcome, Illea! Tonight will be a great one as we begin our news with The Selection! Now let me invite the man of the hour, Prince Daniel!"

I couldn't stop myself from blushing as the handsome prince went to take a seat. He seemed so polished and clean while dirt and who knows what were uncomfortably on my skin most of the time.

"Hello, Aaron! Thanks for the introduction." Prince Daniel said, taking a seat in a plush, red chair.

"My pleasure, Your Highness." Aaron said. "Now, what are your feelings for The Selection?"

Prince Daniel cleared his throat. "Very mixed, let me tell you. I'm excited about exploring a group of lovely girls with one to be my wife, but nervous I'll make the wrong decision." He admitted.

"Understandable, Your Highness." Aaron implied. "Well, any strategies for finding your princess?"

"I'll just have to trust my instinct. I think The Selection has a way of working out, so I believe I will find my best match there." Prince Daniel said with a smile.

"Wise words, Your Highness." Aaron sighed. "Moving on, we have some news about infrastructure."

At infrastructure, I kind of zoned out, staring at Prince Daniel. I also noticed the queen's dress. It was a deep purple decorated with precious gems. It might look better with ombré into the color, and maybe more of a flowy cut. I imagined the better version in my head and smiled.

That night, after taking a quick shower, I laid in bed. There was no way winning The Selection would work. First, I'd have to be drawn for a lottery of thousands of girls. If somehow, I was drawn, being a seven would hurt my reputation a lot, and the odds of Prince Carter falling for me would be slim. I'd probably be his last choice! I tried to think about my advantages. Many people said I had the most charming personality, and good looks. I didn't agree. I have deep, dark brown eyes and matching dark brown hair with a few streaks of honey-blonde. I have a natural tan, and my well-shaped nose has some freckles. I'm actually fairly short with not much of an impressive body.

Finally, I dozed off, listening to Tuck's snoring. He was my legal guardian and big brother. Mom and Dad had died in a rebel attack when I was five, so I only kind of remember them.

Writer's note:

Hi guys! I hope that you enjoyed the chapter. Please excuse any errors, which might be that I accidentally called the prince "Carter". When I first started writing this, that was his name until I thought of Carter Woodwork and it kind of ruined the character for me. (Not that I don't like Carter, but these two are different) Thanks so much for reading!