Selected: Part 2 - Flowers with Thorns

7. THE TRIAL

"IN HIS MERCY, OUR PRINCE has decided to spare your life, even though this crime was punishable by death." The man's voice boomed, even though we were outside, a large crowd surrounding the stage. I sat quietly, looking down, not wanting to see officer Ivan's face. "You, Lester Ivan, former trusted member of the palace guard, are accused of treason against our prince, his royal highness Ethan Noah Shreave." The crowd cheered. "All hail Prince Ethan!" I couldn't see Ethan from where I was sitting, but I knew he'd be upset about all this.

"You have essentially stolen palace property by pursuing a relationship with Lady Paisley Briar, a Lady of our prince's Selection, and possible future Queen of Illéa." The crowd heckled, and there was so many people, I started feeling panicked. "Considering the fate of Lady Briar, your full, cooperative confession and our prince's wishes, you will be spared of the death sentence." I wondered what would've happened to Paisley. Had she been alive, would they both have been sentenced to death? It was too late now, but I wished Paisley had left the Selection, and waited for Officer Ivan to finish his military service. They would have both been safe to pursue their relationship then, and she would have been okay.

I kept my head down and squeezed my eyes shut, feeling incredibly bad for officer Ivan. "Instead, Lester Ivan, you are now an Eight, and will serve twenty years in prison for your crime. With time, you will pay your debt to the royal family." The jail time was not the worst part : his life after it was. Being an eight meant living on the streets, starving, cold and vulnerable. It was a cruel punishment, and I found myself wishing I could do something about it. Could I help the lower castes, if I was to be in power? After Ivan was dragged away, the crowd dispersed and the other girls and I headed back to our room, the air feeling heavy around us.

Paisley and officer Ivan's story served as a warning for us all. As long as we would remain in the Selection, we were to be faithful to prince Ethan. And yet... Ethan deserved a girl who loved him and was faithful to him because she wants to, not out of obligation. None of us saw much of Prince Ethan for the next few days. He didn't take anyone out on dates, and we barely saw him during meals. I wanted to go see him, but it was inappropriate. I was worried about him though, and was starting to really miss him.

Between days sketching in the Women's room and days spent alone in my room, I was feeling gloomy. I could tell the other girl's spirits were down too. We had lessons with miss Nicole, but couldn't understand the purpose of them, as there were no special events, and we didn't even see the prince anymore. Hazel was taking it better than the rest of us, cracking jokes and staying optimistic, but it didn't change the fact that the days just dragged on.

One day, as all sixteen of us were studying quietly in the women's room, a loud clap resonated. Taylor Fox had stood up and clapped her hands together. "Okay girls, this has to stop. Seriously, you're all bringing me down." Taylor exclaimed loudly. We all turned towards her. "We need to do something to lift the heavy atmosphere around here." She continued, looking around the room. "Who here can sing or play music?" Hesitantly, a few girls raised their hands. Agatha, a natural artist, could play piano, while Naomi, a music producer, had a talent for the guitar. Scarlett was an actress, but could apparently sing just fine. "Alright then." Taylor clapped her hands again. "The four of us will put on a little concert for you all; feel free to sing along."

The Women's room had an array of musical instruments for us to use. In the back of the room, the four girls got ready, as the rest of us waited in quiet anticipation. Even the Queen, who had been nearby, looking over documents, seemed interested by what was going on.

Taylor sung one of her most popular songs, backed up by Scarlett, who had a deeper, richer voice. Agatha played the classical piano beautifully, although it didn't quite match with Naomi's guitar. Some girls started to sing along, but I was content simply swaying to the melody. By the end, we were all smiling, and demanding an encore. They played for the rest of the afternoon, Ruby and Hazel eventually joining the girls in front to sing, and it was a welcome change to the daily routine.

It didn't happen again, but it lifted everyone's mood for a few days, and we all felt a little closer to each other.