Miraculous Selection

The End is Just the Beginning

Adrien's POV

I could see why Father chose these girls. Most of them had some sort of advantage packed alongside them. Star was from New Asia, and she could have allies back there. Lila was from Italy, and she could be the key to the alliance with Italy that our country has been counting on for years now. Father was very clever and manipulative, and part of me admired him for that. Another part shamed him for taking advantage of others. 

All of the girls so far have been quite... similar. I was informed that the last one would be a bit late. Anyway, when I say "similar" I mean there intentions with me. It annoys me to see that they depend on me so much. Star and Mireille would literally do whatever I say, agree with whatever I do, support my worst ideas. 

Chloe and Lila seem like my father. Manipulative,  and power hungry. When they move close to me, they only reach towards the crown.  Some of the girls were sweet and kind, though I feel like they cannot be a queen, and others will be too much of a queen. As much as I understand my duty, I cannot imagine a lifetime next to some of these girls. 

Someone cleared his throat. A guard. "Your Majesty, the last of the Selected." He said. I smiled approvingly. The last girl, the Five. The one with quite a look to deliver yesterday.

She walked in, her midnight hair bouncing on her shoulder. Her blue eyes glistened, unique from the dull room. She wore a light pink gown, feathery and plain. It allowed her porcelain skin and vivid hair and eyes to contrast. 

"Your Highness, I apologize to be late." She mumbled reluctantly. I frowned at her hesitating. "No need. Sit. We have much to discuss." I dismissed the guard, as she obeyed. We sat in silence for a while. She bit her lip, and played with the feathers on her dress.

"Quite a look you delivered yesterday." I said, avoiding eye contact. I really hated to start a conversation with this topic.

"Oh, reallly? Did it scare the poor baby pwince" she said in a mocking tone. How dare she mock me!

I glared back at her. "What did I ever do to you?" I sneered.

She leaned in, so our faces were inches apart. "You did nothing. That's what you did." She hissed.

I couldn't put my finger on what she was talking about. "So.." I said leaning back. "How is life as a Five?"

Her eyes averted from mine, to the floor. "Five..." she said. "Is that all you judge me by? My caste?" 

A wave of guilt washed over me as a stunned silence exceeded its time. "I didn't mean it like that. I honestly want to know what it's like to live..." even though I didn't complete my sentence it was pretty clear what I what I was talking about.

"You want to know what my life is like? Fine! My life sucks! Everyday, guilt consumes me over my family's hungry stomach! Everyday, no matter how many pieces I play on the street, I never get enough money to buy my family a loaf of bread! I get nothing but the sad truth of humans: they are nothing but SELFISH!! And when I get a chance at Love, at happiness, the royal family comes along AND TEARS IT ALL UP!!! AND WHY?! BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO BUSY PREOCCUPIED WITH THEIR OWN SELF-INTEREST TO CARE FOR THEIR LONELY SON!!!! SO THEY PICK UP GIRLS LIKE TOYS IN A TOY SHOP AND MESS WITH THEM SO THEY END UP MISERABLE!!!"  Marinette  was screaming now. Tears had already brimmed at the corner of her eyes. I saw one roll down her cheek.

"Oh! Please don't cry! I have no idea how to deal with crying women!" Oops. That last part slipped out of my mouth. How embarrassing.

"Wh-what?" She said, mid-sob.

"Yes," I said, happy she had calmed down, "I have no idea how to deal with crying women. Believe it or not, my mum died when I was small and the only women I had ever seen was the maids and officials around the palace."

"Seriously?" The corner of her lip twisted up into a half smile. 

"Yes! The best I'll do is just stand there and watch them cry! Saying nothing!"

"That'll only make it worse!" A laugh escaped her mouth.

I smirked. "It looks like I'm not so bad after all. For my first try."

"What?"

"You stopped crying. And you definitely aren't angry with me any more." I pointed out.

A moment of realization hit her. An annoyed look passed through her face.

"What can I say? I'm going to have to get used to this nonsense." I shrugged. "Now tell me," I said taking out a notepad and pen. "What is your style of crying? Just screaming, or sniffling, or silent crying?" I said jovially. 

She burst out laughing. She took the notepad from me. "Get yourself comfortable because I'm going to give you a long lecture about upset women." She played along.

I laughed. Marinette was quite interesting. She was very funny, sweet, kind, strong, and stood up for what was right. I wanted to talk to her more... more than I talked to the others.

Finally, our afternoon ended. I invited her over for a stroll in the garden this evening, and she seemed more relaxed with me than at the beginning of this.