The Selection

🎬Interviews🎬

Days passed, and it became time for another filming of The Report. After breakfast, everyone in the women's room was giddy and antsy about the interviews we had to do.

"What do you think they will ask?" Mara asked. A maid walked by and offered us some tea, which I gladly accepted. 

"Probably just questions about the palace, the royals, Prince Daniel." I said, emphasizing the word "Daniel".

Selena and Mara let out a polite giggle. I noticed Princess Brielle and motioned for her to sit with us. In the few days I'd talked to her a few more times and thought of her as an unexpected friend. She smiled and sat down with us. "Hello!" She brightly said. "Aria, your dress is so cute!"

"Thanks!" I replied. My maids had created a lacy pink dress with a high color that was undeniably beautiful. "I like yours too," Brielle's dress was a silky sky blue. 

"So, are y'all excited for the report tonight?" Brielle asked. "I hear the Selected are doing interviews tonight."

"A little nervous," Selena admitted.

"Don't be!" Brielle insisted. "I'm sure you'll do fine!"

"I wonder who he'll eliminate," Mara wondered out loud.

"To be honest, I have no idea." Brielle replied. 

A maid walked to me and handed me a folded up note. I discreetly opened it. The note read: Hi Aria, please meet me by the garden doors when you can. -Daniel

"Excuse me," I said getting up. "I need to go do something." I kept it vague, mainly so nobody suspected mine and Daniel's relationship.

Moxie, the Two from Likely was sitting on a chair near the door. She sneered at me with sharp blue eyes. "Maybe the hopeless Seven is finally going home." She said, squinting her eyes.

I was a bit taken aback, I never expected for the competition to be rude. Of course, I knew there would be under-the-surface deals, but nothing that direct! I brushed it off and walked to where Daniel wanted to meet me.

He was there in a casual suit. Or at least, causal according to a royal. "Hey," He said. "You look great."

"Thanks," I blushed. "You needed something?"

"Yes." He said, running his hands along his jacket. "Would you like to take a walk in the garden? I pulled some strings and we can stay outside for a bit." 

I nodded, excited to finally get some fresh, outdoor air. Even though the palace was huge, I needed to be outside. 

The soft Angeles air enveloped me in its warmth and light breeze. "So," Daniel began. "I have no idea who to eliminate. Is there anyone you don't want around? After all, I want you to adjust easily to this lifestyle."

I smiled at his courteous nature. "Hmm," Then I rembered my encounter with Moxie. "Moxie was rude when I came to meet you she said, 'Maybe the hopeless Seven is finally going home.'"

"The little brat." Daniel angrily murmured. "I'm sorry darling, but my mother and Quinn love Moxie for some reason. They'd be furious if I eliminated her this early."

"It's fine, I get it." I said. "I'm definetly willing to sacrifice some well-being for our future." Daniel gave me his radiant smile. "Anyone else?"

"Not really, anyone who really shouldn't get their hopes up?" 

Daniel considered this. "Well I thought of two. There's Carlie Dave, the Six from Yukon and Katie Lee, the Four from Sumner."

"Hmmm." I thought out loud. "I know this is selfish, but maybe Katie. This might help show that you don't care about caste, which could make the public more accepting with me."

"Good idea." Daniel responded. 

"Oh, and how much should I give away during the interview?" I asked.

"If they asked if we kissed, say no." Daniel said. "Not that I'm embarrassed of you! The public would be furious I 'gave up' my first kiss to a Seven, and that might make them catch on to our relationship. "Let them know about our date, but keep our conversation vague."

"Alright. I'm nervous for it." I said.

"Don't be." Daniel kissed the top of my head. "Everyone will love you."

Later that day, my maids worked their magic and made me look like a princess. My dress was navy, and the skirt fluffed out in waves. My hair was in an intricate bun with a braid over the top. They finished it off with a gold hair peice. 

In the studio, I sat down in the second row next to Selena. "Your dress is incredible!" She gushed.

"Thank you! But your's is fabulous as well." Selena's dress snugly fit to her and was a purple-gray color that looked fantastic with her black locks. 

When everyone was seated, a camera man announced we were rolling. I sat up straight and smiled, hoping Illea would think I was fit to be royal.

"Welcome Illea!" Aaron Neil began. There were two seats to his right that were plush and red. I assumed that they were for the interviews. "Tonight, we will get a better look at these exquisite young ladies' personalities!"

We all politely clapped and Aaron Neil continued. "Let's introduce Prince Daniel!" Daniel confidently sat in the chair farthest away from Aaron. He cleared this throat and held a peice of paper up. "Let's have Amelia Bay up first."

All the girls went at random, and they all took a slightly different approach. Some were bubbly, others friendly, smart, grand, charming, funny, and a few made an attempt at being seductive. Those segments made me want to barf.

"Lady Aria!" Aaron called out. I stood up and took a seat in between Daniel and Aaron. "Welcome, Lady Aria." Aaron said.

"Thank you!" I responded.

"So, you are the only Seven and the lowest caste here, what do you think of the palace so far?"

I smiled, I could easily answer this question. "Well Aaron, everything here is a thousand times more fancy and luxury than back home. Every meal, outfit, and second of the day is so different from back in Midston. I'm very grateful to have this opportunity to be here and meet the prince." I finished with a smile. 

"Well said, Lady Aria. Now, what do you think of Prince Daniel?" 

It took a lot of effort to not look startled. "Well, um, Prince Daniel is such a good man. He's courteous, kind, and selfless, and even by knowing  him for the time that I have, I know that Prince Daniel will make an amazing king."

After that question, I was able to go back to my seat. I was incredibly thankful that I wasn't asked about kissing like a few other girls had. 

At the end, he announced that Katie was eliminated and we were sent to eat dinner.

After an exceptional dinner, my maids got me ready for bed. Before I went to sleep, I reflected on the Selection. The prince of Illea loved me. He loved me!

And I loved him.