Princess of Ayden

Chapter 2

Hillary

Hillary was absolutely ecstatic. She had been packing and unpacking all week since she got her Social Score of ninety at graduation. Of course, they would be given all new wardrobes upon arrival at the palace, but she couldn't help but be prepared. The contestants weren't even announced yet, but, of course, she already knew her name would be in the pot. Her parents were hosting a dinner party that evening after the broadcast of the contestants to celebrate their daughter being a candidate.
"Hill, what's going on here? This place is in utter shambles!" Her mother appeared at the door.
"I'm just packing to go to the palace, like I said I would," she replied.
"Well, the guests have started arriving, come down to greet them, now," her mother insisted.
Hillary sighed and strolled down the spiral staircase to see that at least half of their twenty guests had arrived. She blushed when she noticed the big pile of gifts by the front door. Although she usually loved the attention being all on her, she was having doubts about the whole thing. What were the odds of the prince choosing her? And what if he didn't choose her? Would she just be killed? Was dying 'for the sake of the country' really such an honour as they made it out to be?
She tried to push the negative thoughts aside and forced on a bright smile to greet the guests. The last guests arrived just as the national anthem could be heard playing from the lounge area. Her mother squealed and ushered all the guests to their screening room. As a family in the eighties, they could afford the best of the best, so there was no lack of seats for their party of twenty-five.
The spokesperson for the royal family, Thomas Fredricks announced that he would act as commentator for the televised proceedings over the next few months. He further went on to announce the names of the chosen ladies who would be transported over the course of the next week to the palace to begin the process. "Hillary Abraham!" Her name was announced first. Her heart missed a beat as she saw a picture of her flash onto the right hand corner of the screen.
She saw Prince Sabastian smile and mouth the name "Hillary." Hillary grinned. Suddenly she could see it all; her meeting the prince, them falling in love, becoming queen and the amazing little princes and princesses they would have together. It would be perfect.
All around her cheers broke out and she heard a bottle of champagne pop. The chatter died down and everyone refocused on the television. A seemingly never-ending list of girls were being announced. Hillary scoped out the competition.
One girl, Rachel, with glasses and a brunette bob, looked kind and gentle. Hillary got butterflies thinking about the competition. Would she make friends with any of these girls? Would the competition setting, with so much on the line, allow for that?
The last name, Faye Wilson, got called and then it was the end. To be honest, she looked gorgeous, but there was a sinister glint in her eye. Her face stayed branded on Hillary's eyelids as she tried to sleep that evening. A total of thirty-seven girls were announced. Seven girls were eighteen, including herself. She wondered if she was old enough to take on such an important role as to be a princess. "Well, I suppose Prince Charles has had to deal with being a prince from the time he was born, so it can't be too bad," she thought.
They all then went through to the dining room to celebrate further. Her father made a champagne toast to "the next queen of Ayden!"
A girl in Hillary's year at school was invited along with her parents. This was one of Hillary's closest friends, Megan. She didn't seem to be excited for Hillary at all. In fact, she went as far as to say, "I'm truly sorry this is happening to you, but I hope it turns out alright in the end."
Hillary was shocked. Had she gotten so wrapped up in what this would mean for her to win that she forgot what was at stake? She supposed she had.
"I can't imagine what I would have done if it was me," Megan went on. An unsettling feeling of dread was starting to set on Hillary's stomach. She shook her head. No, this was not going to go south. She will be the next queen of Ayden. She just had to be. So she simply brushed Megan's comments off as jealousy.

Once all the guests had left, Hillary flopped down on her couch and heaved a huge sigh. She was exhausted from the events of the day. All she wanted was a chance to go to bed, but her mother had other plans.
"Hill, come sit here and talk with me," her mother patted a seat on the couch next to the one she was currently flopped over.
"Do I have to?" Hillary moaned.
"Yes honey, you have to," her mother replied.
Hillary went to go sit with her mom, slightly worried about what her mother would have to say that was so important it couldn't wait until morning.
"Hillary," her mother began, "while it is important to celebrate what an amazing opportunity this is going to be for you, your father and I are being realistic too."
"You mean with me possibly dying and all of that?" Hillary asked, biting on a nail.
"Yes, exactly that, dear. You see your father I are going to do whatever we can to ensure that you succeed in this competition,"
"What are you going to do?" Hillary asked.
"Well, as you know, your uncle Benjamin is currently a member of the King's advisory council," she explained. "Apparently they have sway in the decision of who gets selected at the different stages of the competition. He has agreed to looking after you during the process."
Hillary teared up. "Thank you, mom. For looking out for me. Thanks." She was overwhelmed with emotion. This day had just become too much.
"It's what parents do, darling," her mother replied while tucking a strand of Hillary's hair behind her ear. "Now, off to bed! We have a big day tomorrow." She waggled her eyebrow at her daughter.
How could Hillary forget? The handmaidens and personal handlers, along with other palace personnel were to arrive at the eligible girls' houses the next day. Hillary went to bed that night dreaming dreams of a handsome prince and a life of luxury.