The Selection of Eloise

Part One

"Miss Eloise?" A new maid whom I didn't recognize asked. "Your presence is requested at breakfast this morning, you must wake up." She sounded nervous.

"Where's Fia?" I asked in a queenly voice, but not too rude.

"I assume you mean Safia? She's helping Queen Mariza with something." She still looked nervous.

"Fine. And your name?" I asked.

"Ariya your highness."

"Ok, let's do this." I said as we begun my complicated morning routine. Hair, Dress, Makeup, the Works. 

As I entered the dining room, I saw mother and father whispering. The conversation look rather intense. But I entered with my head held high regardless of their mood. 

"Mother," I said giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "Father," I said wrapping my arms around him quickly and then taking my seat to the left of my father. 

"Where Cher?" (AN pronounced chair, her sisters nickname is cherry) I asked after sitting down.

"Good morning Eloise dear, Charlotte's in illea visiting eadalyn," mother replied lovingly.

"Eloise you look beautiful in that dress! I think that shade of pink suits you very well." Mother added cheerfully. Almost...too carefully.

"You look very mature and lovely today." My father contributed to the conversation with a huge grin...almost too large of a grin. No, I'm over reacting. 

"Oh thanks," I said, ducking my head in embarrassment.

"Listen honey we have something to tell you..." My mother trailed off.

"What?" I asked suspiciously. 

"Honey, We can't postpone this anymore. We need to schedule your selection." My father said bluntly but softly at the same time.

"But mom, dad..." I pleaded, knowing I couldn't stop this. "Fine." I quietly agreed. 

"Oh thank goodness Eloise, we thought you would be ma-" Mother started but I interrupted.

"But. If I don't fall for any of the 35 hooligans, I don't have to marry one." I bargained.

"That's fine but you have to have the selection for at least three months before you decide every single one of the men, or 'hooligans' as you so kindly referred to them as, is unsuitable." Father answered quickly.

"Fine." I said.

"Fine." He replied. 

"Then it's settled," my mom chirped happily. "Oh I can't wait! We can do menus and room plans and event plans, oh all the things we could do!"

"I guess that does sound kinda fun..." I said quietly. 

"Great honey," my father said, " I'll do a special announcement tomorrow." 

"Ok." 

We discussed that the boys would have a week to sign up and we would do the drawing a week from tomorrow, a Friday. That was when we broadcasted 'The report.' I would do a live drawing of the 35 boys who would 'have a chance a winning the heart of a princess.' Whatever, let them try, I thought, rolling my eyes. That meant the boys would be at the palace, my palace, in nine days...but who was counting. 

Later in my room, I rand of Safia, my main maid. 

"How can I help ya Ella?" She asked, not bothering with formalities.

"Send an invite to stay for a few days at the palace to Princess Nicoletta, Princess Isabella, and Princess Cecelia. Tell them it's urgent and they need to be here asap!" I told her quickly.