The Rebel (#Wattys2016)

3. Game On

For a week, Adeen's home wasn't hers. People were always coming and going. A woman interviewed Adeen, seeming to think she had lied on her applications. An actual palace guard checked their house and saw if they had any safety concerns. A woman called Crystal called and asked them if they needed anything. She sounded businesslike and perky; a combination Adeen hadn't known existed before. A lean man came in and took measures of Adeen, already thinking about her wardrobe. Then came a man in charge of going over the rules. As soon as he got in, he requested a private place. Dax and Adeen exchanged glances and then explained they only had another room: Adeen and Liz's room. The man said that the small living room that consisted of three chairs was enough, and he asked if Liz could leave.

Liz, who at first refused, reluctantly went to their room. Dax and Adeen sat across the man.

"I am sorry about the secrecy, but this interview may not be fit for younger ears."

Adeen swallowed at that and Dax tensed. He had received a week off his work thanks to the chaos that took place in their home.

"Miss Orson, this may sound harsh, but as of this Friday you are considered property of Illea. You will be treated accordingly. Which means that you need to care for your body specially from now on." The man took out three bottles. "These are Vitamins. A doctor has been assigned to your case, and he went over your weight, height and body measures. You are a Six and our results support many assumptions that you have not eaten accordingly. You must take these every day." He looked at a paper and then scanned Adeen's body. She glared at him. "According to out data, you have a high amount of muscles. Do you do any kind of exercise?"

You mean asides from training to take down the royal family? She nodded. The man smiled.

"That's good. It'll be easier to recover that way." The man cleared his throat. Both Adeen and Dax knew something serious was about to be asked. "Forgive me, Miss Orson, but I need to ask. It's personal, but I've discussed it with every contestant, so don't be shy. I need to confirm you are, in fact, a virgin."

Oh. Adeen swallowed. Her meetings with Zed hadn't gone that far, only close. Dax tensed.

"Yes, of course."

"Please consider that if you are found to be lying..."

"I am a virgin." Adeen had dealt with many disrespectful and rude men, and so she knew how to carry on. "I know the consequences of a lie, and so I tell you the truth. I am a virgin."

"Good, I need you to sign this to confirm your statement." The man passed a form to Adeen. Unlike most Sixes, Adeen was literate. She and Dax had their mother to thank for that. "Now, I need to review the rules with you. Should you have any question, don't hesitate to ask."

"I won't."

"You cannot leave the palace on your own accord. The Prince himself is the only one who can dismiss you, not even the King and Queen. There is no timeline for the Selection. It can be over in a matter of days, or stretch for years, although the Prince is unlikely to let it stretch for so long. You cannot arrange meetings with the Prince. He will seek private time with you should he want to. During a larger social setting, though, you are free to search for him. You are not expected to get along the other Selected, but you are expected to be civilized. This means any form of sabotage is prohibited and punished by whatever the Prince considers fair. Your only romantic relationship will be with Prince Skander. Should you be caught with another man, you will be considered a traitor and executed. You are a Selected, but that doesn't mean you are above the law."