The Selection of Lindy Williams

Chapter 3

That Friday the Capital Report was on, but I knew they wouldn't announce the Selected for another week. However, anticipation was climbing to see which young ladies of Illéa would become the next social icons. Even if you didn't end up marrying the prince, your status was raised and there was no doubt a wealthy Two or Three would ask for your hand within days of being sent home. Even the Selected from King Leopolds Selection were still prominent figures. Most modeled or spoke, some were in films and wrote books, almost all of them had toured the Provinces giving speeches about their time on the Selection and how they wanted to give back to the people of Illéa.

I sat on the floor at my mothers feet, just as I always used to. I could take my fathers seat on the couch, but it felt wrong. Like he would walk through the door any second and yell "get out of my seat you little munchkin!" then chase me around until he tackled me in a tickle fight. I knew that wouldn't happen, but it still felt wrong.

The screen lit up as the national anthem began to play. My mother put her hand over her heart and smiled. All this excitement made her feel young, like she was getting her chance all over again.

"Good evening citizens of Illéa!" exclaimed King Leopold. He was a perfect King, firm, yet excited. You could tell he enjoyed tho broadcast, but not so much that made him seem less authoritative.

Queen Calista sat behind the podium, the image of grace. She had soft features, yet a striking gaze that ensured her audience was captivated. Beside her were the three princes.

Cormac, the youngest was twelve years old. He was the royal baby, but every week he looked older. The baby face was gone and he was beginning to look like a young teenager. He sat less stiffly than the rest of his family, undoubtedly feeling he was less closely watched. And he was right, tonight all eyes would be on his brother.

Reed sat on the other side of their mother. He was fifteen, only years away from his own Selection. He sat proud and tall, eager to have his turn in the spotlight. He carried more of his mother's features, with a softer face, but had his fathers welcoming eyes.

Holden was the oldest of the princes. He was twenty, and ready to be married off to a daughter of Illéa. He seemed almost nervous. His face never gave him away, but his leg was bouncing restlessly. I looked closely at him, as I knew every other girl my age across Illéa was. I tried to picture myself with him, but I couldn't. I couldn't picture myself ever being chosen for something so important and amazing. Masons words crossed my mind once more, and I scowled and looked up at my mom. Her eyes were glued to the king.

I always knew she had dreamed the same dreams as me. From that first time I saw the prince she told me that I would marry him. That I had to marry him. Not only did she expect it, she required it. I knew if I wasn't selected she'd be much more hostile toward me and nag me to find a Two or Three who would marry me. Maybe it was unfair of her, but her parents had the same expectation and when she married another Six they cut off contact. She was their way out and she failed them. She wouldn't let me do the same.

The Report covered the usual news, updates on the war, construction, and government services. Rebel attacks were brushed off as minor occurrences, being relatively new. The fraction of time spent addressing the attack on a wealthy family of Twos in Columbia reminded me of Mason. I shrunk back as I sat, momentarily worried what he would do if Charisma or I were selected. Then the events master came on to discuss the Selection and I forgot about him again.

"Welcome the good people of Illéa! I know the most anticipated event in our young Prince Holden's life is almost upon us, and I can assure you that we've received millions of applications from well suited young ladies in each province. It's been nearly twenty-two years since our last selection, when our beloved King Leopold found our graceful Queen Calista, so I'm sure some of you young'ns out there would love to learn more about it, however I think there's only one man who can properly introduce this timeless tradition, our one and only Conway Paradise!"

Everyone on screen and off screen let out a round of applause as the man as suave as his name sauntered on screen. Conway Paradise was an icon of Illéa, covering every event that warranted celebration and publicity. Just the opportunity to meet him was enough to compel me to fill out the application.

He wore a sparkling green suit with a flashy patterned tie and his gold hair pulled up into a small ponytail, no less sleek than everything else about him. His tan skin showed no signs of aging and his teeth glistened on the screen.

"Ladies and gentlemen I am back and more excited than ever!" He cheered, voice like honey. "While this is my first time covering the Selection, I do hope it's not my last."

The crowd chuckled as the camera focused on the three princes. Holden smiled graciously, Reed grinned, and Cormac fidgeted.

"Now I know most of you know what to expect these next few months from watching King Leopold and Queen Calista find each other years ago, I myself watched it all play out as a boy. But for those of you who don't, I want to spell it out to you. Ladies between the age of sixteen and twenty across all of Illéa have been submitting applications, and next Friday one lucky daughter of Illéa from each province will be selected. The thirty-five women will make their way to Angeles and live in the palace with the royal family, trying to win Prince Holdens love. At the end one llucky girl will find herself his princess, and the future Queen of Illéa!"

I heard my mom suck in her cheeks.

"But for now, I figure we should let them see what they're in for. Or rather, who they're in for."

Prince Holden, on cue, stood and the camera zoomed. He smiled as he walked down to join Conway who led him over to a pair of stools. They sat down, and Prince Holden appeared to relax. He seemed much more comfortable with Conway, he was the kind of man that could make anyone relaxed in his presence.

"Good evening Prince Holden," Conway smiled and shook his hand, "I'm sure you're anticipating the events that will unfold in the next few months?"

"Of course, I've never been more excited in my life!" Holden replied. His eyes seemed to sparkle. They were so inviting.

"Now tell me, are you ready for thirty-five ladies to move in with you?" Conway wiggled his eyebrows. Holden laughed. A glittering, sparkling laugh like little bells.

"I must say, the idea is a little nerve wracking. My whole life it's been my mother, my father, and my brothers. I'm worried so many girls will manage to take over! Not to mention Reeds wandering eyes!" They both laughed at the dig on his brother and I felt my heart melt a little. He almost seemed like just another person, but he wasn't. He was a prince.

"Has your father given you any helpful tips on how to come out the other end with a bride as lovely as his?"

"He has a bit, he told me that above all I need to be honest with them and myself, because if one of us isn't going to be happy in our relationship we'd want to know before we get ahead of ourselves."

"Excellent advice," Conway nodded, "now one final thing. I have to know, have you seen any of the Selections so far?"

"Conway you know the rules," Holden scolded, "I'll meet them when the rest of Illéa does, but aside from that I have been told some selections have been made, and i'm sure every one of them will be lovely."

"Thank you, Prince Holden, for your time, I'll be back next week to reveal the Selected!"

With that Conway made his exit and the crowd cheered. My mom flicked of the tv and sighed.

"I could've been the Queen you know," she reminded me mournfully.

"I know ma"

"I still wonder what could've happened to my application. Maybe they lost it, or I forgot to answer something."

"Of course ma, it was their loss."

"But I got you out of it, and by god Lindy you're going to be the most wonderful queen Illéa's ever seen."

I didn't respond.

She gathered up her blankets and troddled off to her room. I turned out the lights and headed up to mine, but I still had doubts.