New Selection

Chapter Two

The next week goes by in a blur. It mainly consists of Tashna quizzing and prepping me to get ready to meet the boys. What’s this one’s name? Where is he from? What caste is he in? I spend countless hours reading over profiles, looking at pictures, and memorizing names.

Of course a couple stand out to me. Three, in particular.

The first one is named Christian Rember. He has this red hair that really sets off against his clear, pale skin and emerald green eyes. His profile says he’s a three, which is good. I’m excited to meet him.

The second is Sam Andson. I  only notice him because his name is Sam, and I can’t help but wonder if it would be weird for a Sam and a Samantha to be married.

Lastly, there is Denver Asden. He’s an eight. I’ve never met an eight, but I know they don’t exactly live the most comfortable lifestyles. I wonder if he’ll like the palace, or if it will only make him uncomfortable.

“Princess! It’s time!”

Tashna told me that the first day I would meet all the boys in the Main Room to introduce myself. Afterwards, we go to dinner and the next day I would be able to starting actually meeting the boys, getting to know them. One of them was meant to be my husband, after all.

Oh God.

“I’m coming, Tashna, thank you!” I call back, my voice shaking, and leap up from my bed and stop to take a look in the mirror. I look pale. My lips red. I’ve gotten a few more freckles over the past week thanks to spending time in the sun reading profiles with Tashna. I don’t look like a Princess-I look like a scared teenage girl.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and walk out.

           

I hear the boys before I see them. Deep, boyish voices. Chattering and socializing, already. They’re loud, and it’s strange for me to have so much noise in the palace.

The moment I open the door, all the voices stop.

All at once, as if one, thirty-five boys between the ages of 16-20 rise and bow to me. “Your majesty.”

I clear my throat and try not to throw up.

“Hi. Uhm, hello.”

Stop it,I tell myself. You’ve been speaking in front of a whole country since you were seven. A few boys shouldn’t make you nervous.

But oh, they did.

I start again, “Welcome to the Royal Palace. I’m Princess Samantha. I hope to make you feel as comfortable and at home here as possible. If you need anything, I encourage you to ring for your maids, whom will be at your service twenty-four hours a day.” I pause. “This room is open to you all day to get to know the other Selected-if you please. However, if you prefer, you may stay in your room, although we encourage you to attempt to make friends here. We’re not sure how long The Selection will last, you see. Wouldn’t want you to get lonely.”

“Isn’t that why you’re here?” A voice from the back pipes up, and I blush despite myself. A couple boys sitting around the culprit laugh. I know I should probably be mad…you’re not supposed to speak to a princess in such a manner. But I really don’t care. It’s actually funny. I haven’t had fun in…ages.

“And you are?” I question.

The boy stands up. I remember his name from the profiles, but I want to hear him say it.

“Josh Saturday, princess.” He’s tall and long, with light brown hair that has natural blond highlights running through it, bright green eyes, and skin so golden I know he must work outside, whatever his job is. That I can’t remember.

“To answer your question, Josh Saturday, I have many of you to keep up with. There are thirty five of you. I can’t be with you at all once.”

He shrugged. “You look like you could keep up with all of us.”

The room laughs, and surprisingly, I find myself laughing too. “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

He smiles, wide and bright. “I suppose so, Princess.”

We stare at each other a moment, and I make a decision then and there. I like Josh Saturday.

Tashna, who is standing in a corner meant to be keeping quiet, clears her throat, and I break eye contact. Josh sits down, thankfully.

“We will be having dinner shortly in the dining room. I encourage you all to go to your rooms and un pack, meet your maids and maybe freshen up, and then meet me and the rest of the Royal Family in the dining room in half an hour. Thank you.”

The room stands and the boys start talking over. I see some of them trying to make their way over to me, but Tashna ushers me out so fast that they never get the chance.

The moment we’re out of the room, she turns to me.

“What did you think?”

I bite my lip. “Tash, how am I supposed to answer that right now? I only even spoke to one of them! I don’t know what they’re like. I can’t just decide who I think I may fall in love with now!”

She sighs. “I know, I know. That Josh boy was cute. A bit out of line, but cute.”

I shrugged. “I kind of liked that he was out of line, to be honest. That doesn’t happen often enough around here.”

Tashna shrugs, and I know she disagrees because she doesn’t say anything about it. “You know the first elimination has to be soon, don’t you? The public will get bored.”

I nod, “I know. But I can’t even think about that yet. I have to talk to all of them, get to know them at least a bit before I even think about eliminating someone.”

She smiles, “Fair enough, Princess. Let’s go to dinner and get to meet these boys of yours.”