The Selection

👑The Prince👑

I very ungracefully fell down and finally saw the prince in real life for the first time. His honey-blonde hair and green eyes were even cuter in person. He let out a smile and extended his hand to me. I took it as he pulled me back up. When our hands touched it felt magical when I gazed into his green eyes. The way he presented himself was attractive in its own way. An emotion flickered inside of me, one I had never felt before. It was positive and made my heart flutter, but also made butterflies appear in my stomach. "I'm so sorry, Your Highness!" I cried.

He let out a laugh. "No, it's my fault." He said. "I wasn't looking. I recognize you, but I don't remember your name. I'm really bad at names." He said.

I almost laughed at how casually the prince spoke to me. The prince! I was meeting the prince! "I'm Aria. And also, bad at names too." I told him. "Hmmm, and I can't seem to think of your name." I joked.

He let out a humorous chuckle. "You're the Seven right?" He asked in a tone that I couldn't interpret.

My face flushed red. "Yes, Your Highness." I murmured.

Prince Daniel must have noticed my cheeks blushing furiously. "Not that it's a bad thing!" He insisted. "I find it inspiring, a very low caste that has a chance to change everything." He said in a thoughtful tone.

I inspired the prince? I was shocked. "Er-thanks, your Highness."

"You look a bit different from your application photo." The prince remarked.

"Oh, we all had makeovers. I really liked mine." I said, toying with a strand of my hair.

"They definitely did a wonderful job." He implied. Then he muttered something underneath his breath, something like, "And I thought there was no way she could be even more beautiful." My heart seemed to leap from my chest, but I convinced myself I just misheard him. Out of the thirty five other girls, there was no way that I was the prettiest.

"I agree, and my maids are so nice." I said.

Daniel smiled. "Yes, all the maids here are very friendly." He looked at his wrist where a watch was. "I'm so sorry, Lady Aria, but I have to go see my father. Can I ask something of you?"

"Of course," I replied.

"Don't tell any of the others about this encounter, I'm not supposed to meet you until tomorrow, but I will be eating dinner with you all this evening." I nodded in understanding. "Until we meet again, Lady Aria." He headed off towards another hallway and I ducked behind a column.

I met the prince! He was so nice and charming, and seemed to like me! We got along so well! The tiny sliver of hope I had back in Midston to someday be queen began to swell. I added that feeling when he helped me up to the hope. Then I realized something.

Was I falling in love with Prince Daniel?

I decided to walk back to my room where I found my maids tidying an already perfect area. "Lady Aria," Jade addressed me.

"Miss, we need to get you ready for dinner tonight." Nia said, walking towards the bathroom. Esme was prepping the bath, turning on warm water and adding bath salts, bubbles, and rose petals. Jade grabbed several products and set them on a cart next to the bathtub. I undressed and stepped in. The water was the perfect temperature, where it was always cold back home.

I found my maids to be very likeable girls. As they washed my hair and body, we chatted about the palace, back home in Midston. I also learned that Esme was from a town near mine. Once I was clean, they put me in a set of comfortable undergarments and a plush robe. Nia began to brush through my hair and dry it, while Jade rubbed lotions and serums on my body, and Esme put every product imaginable on my face, then added luxury makeup. Nia braided some of my hair, pulled it into a bun. It looked amazing. The best part was the dress. It was lacey and sky blue, with a high neckline, it didn't poof out, didn't fit tight to my body, but was nicely in between. I wore priceless diamond jewelry, and a spectacular white hairpiece.