The Selection

🎥The Report🎥

After breakfast, all of the Selected were to stay in the women's room. Both of the princesses were there, sitting on a daybed by a window. Princess Quinn looked bored as a maid filed her nails to perfection, but Princess Brielle seemed to study the Selected carefully. I wondered how they felt about a new sister chosen by the Selection process.

I sat on a soft couch with Selena and Mara, but we didn't chat like usual. I decided to write to Tuck and tell him about how things were so different here. The letter was brief and breezy, but still gave him a good idea of what my life was like now. I watched Princess Brielle walk around the room, talking to some girls. Her dress was a sunny yellow, which seemed to match her personality. Brielle was bright and happy.

She actually walked up to the three of us. "I'm Brielle." She said,

"I know," I jokingly replied. She laughed a bit. "I'm Aria." I said, curtsying.

"Oh, you really don't need to be curtsy when you see me!" Brielle said. "I don't mind. But Quinn on the other hand..." She tightened her face and pointed to her sister.

"You both seem very different," I implied, hoping it seemed polite.

"We are!" Brielle exclaimed. "I was excited for the Selection, personally. Quinn was just angry about it. She didn't want 'intruders' in the palace."

I laughed. How funny it seemed for the selected to be intruders! "Are you excited for the report tonight?" She asked.

The report? I'd forgotten about that! Everything new was crashing over me, so much that I'd forgotten about our debut on the report! "Kind of nervous actually," I admitted. "You're probably used to it, after all, you've been doing it your whole life."

"Well sometimes, I still get nervous." I'm the worst in my family when it comes to stage fright. So, what are you wearing?"

"I actually don't know. Is it ok if I go to my room to see what my maids made."

"Of course, good luck!" Princess Brielle said, walking towards Jordan and Ella.

Back in my room, I found my maids hovering over something. When I entered, they all curtsied with frantic looks on their faces. Then I saw what had stressed them. A once beautiful ball gown, now ripped to shreds, was laying on the floor.

"Oh no!" I gasped. "What happened?"

"We don't know." Nia said.

I couldn't let these girls freak out. There was still plenty of time between now and the report. "Look girls," I began. "If we work fast enough, we can make an even better dress."

They all nodded and we worked together to make it. We all agreed on a wonderful idea Esme had and sewed it together, using priceless fabric and tools.

Finally, it was done. The dress was pinkish-red and strapless. The skirt draped behind me and had tiny hints of smooth pleats. Esme draped it over a chair while I got ready.

"So," I said. "Prince Daniel asked me to meet up with him after dinner."

My maids let out a collective gasp. "My lady, that's wonderful!" Nia praised. She'd put my hair into an intricate bun, leaving two coiled strands out. Once the dress was on, I looked perfect.

Finding my way to the studio was tricky. I was told it was on the fourth floor which I got to ride an elevator to, which alone was a crazy experience for me. There were two seats left in the front row, one of them next to Selena. Moxie was talking with Ella and gave me a strange look. I brushed it off when Mara sat down. We all dotted on each other's outfits. Mara was wearing a mermaid dress with golden fabric. Selena's dress had an asymmetrical neckline, and was an extraordinary indigo.

Also, I noticed Aron Neil himself, speaking with the king! Ever since I was little, I'd grown up with Aron Neil hosting every Report. He stood to face us, smiling. "Welcome, girls. For this Report, you'll just sit here. Next time, every girl will get an interview." I was calm at first, but the stress of an interview on national television washed over me.

I found myself to be quite nervous. My palms were sweaty and my heart was racing. "Nervous?" Mara asked. I nodded. "Same here," She said.

"I'm a little nervous, but I'm used to performing in front of an audience, not Illea."

Before we could say anything else, a cameraman announced that we were rolling. I sat up a little bit straighter and plastered a smile on my face, desperate to hide my nerves. "Good Evening, Illea!" Aaron Neil began, flashing a winning smile at the camera. After a few quick words, a few of the king's advisors spoke about budget changes that would benefit the lower castes, which made my heart swell. The old king had no compassion for the lower castes, but King Ashton did his job well for the less fortunate.

Then, King Ashton addressed the issue about the rebels. Rebels. Just the thought made my throat catch on fire and my fists clenched tight. He spoke about how the rebel activity increased in southern Paloma and decreased a bit farther north.

After that, Aaron introduced Prince Daniel. Daniel ran his hands over his suit and politely sat down at a chair across from Aaron. "Thank you, Aaron." Daniel said.

"No problem, Your Highness. Any thoughts on the Selection so far? Any favorites?"

"Well Aaron, there are many girls here who seem well-suited for a life of royalty. I am excited to dig a little deeper through this diverse group of girls to find the best match."

"Well said, Your Highness." I silently agreed with him. Daniel always knew exactly what to say on television, and the perfect way to word it. How did he do that? If I were asked a question like that, I would stumble on my words. "Any thing else?"

"Well, Aaron." Daniel began. "I've made a decision that will keep the Selection moving. Every time The Report is aired, there will be a single elimination, starting with this one."

A collective gasp fell over the Selected. We weren't told about this, and I began to worry. What if I said something wrong and would be eliminated on live television?

"Don't worry, the eliminated girl will be told beforehand so she won't have a reaction on stage." I let out a sigh of relief, the girl wasn't me. And probably not Mara or Selena, they would have told me.

"With that being said, Your Highness, I'm sure this competition won't be dull." Said Aaron. "Now please share with us, who will be eliminated?"

Daniel swallowed like he was nervous. "I am very sorry, but the girl eliminated is Amy Barton."

Amy Barton was a Four from Zuni. She seemed reserved and walked up. "It's ok, I agree with your decision." She said, her tone a tiny bit dejected. "Good luck." With that, she walked out of the studio.