His Choice

⚜ FOURTEEN ⚜

Unedited

---(Name this line?)---

I take a deep breath as I play with my fingers. I've been decorated in a stunning scarlet floor-length dress accompanied by heavy silver jewellery. I've never worn something so extravagant in my life and I'm sure they're worth more than my house back home. I wonder if I get to keep it?

Probably not. I don't want to be a charity case anyway.

I sigh as I examine the long line of girls I'm currently standing in. We're waiting to go into the ballroom for the first part of the event: media interviews. I don't normally have an issue with public speaking, but the thought of talking live to the nation absolutely terrifies me.

The point tracker is secured safely on the back of my hand and reminds me of the situation I'm being forced to endure. I'm still on the fence about going all in and 'competing' or to just allow myself to be cut. Either way, this media interview is going to decide if I have any support on this endeavour.

"You'll be fine." Luke's cheerful voice pulls me from thoughts that were wandering into the darkness. "They'll love you."

"Thanks," I mumble. "So, tell me about you and Jackson." I prompt in an attempt to distract myself from nerves and take Luke's spotlight off me.

"There's not much to tell." Luke chuckles as he stands on guard beside me. "We met three years ago when he interviewed me for this job, we kept making eyes at each other until one day he asked me out and the rest is history."

"Oh, so you dig the authority figures," I tease with a wide grin.

"Shut up, I could say the same to you," he mumbles and I know I won't get any more out of him. He's so shy when he talks about his romance that I can't help but see my big, buff bodyguard as a little cutie.

I laugh but it's short-lived as I am called into the next room for my interview.

"Well here goes nothing."

Luke sends me a look of encouragement as I grip the fabric of my dress front to hitch it up slightly as I walk.

The room is a decent size but could be considered small in comparison to the oversizing of the other palace rooms. It accommodates a large crew from the media that mill about like working ants.

"Allenica," Miss Mint calls me over and introduces me to an interviewer who stands beside a large intimidating camera. "This is Patrice, she'll be interviewing you today." I look towards the woman. Ginger locks fall effortlessly down her back and over her slender shoulders, her blue-grey eyes cutting into me, warning me that she won't tolerate nonsense. Her beauty intimidates me as I reach out to shake her hand.

"Nice to meet you," I say with an attempt to keep the tremor out of my voice. Pull yourself together, Ally.

"Likewise." She gives my hand a firm shake then straightens her posture. "Are you ready to begin?"

I give her a slight nod and Miss Mint leaves me alone with the fierce lioness. Patrice flicks a switch on the camera and the light mounted on the top turns from red to green.

"Alright, look at me when you reply," she instructs then clears her throat. "What's your name and sector?"

"My name is Allenica Jones and I'm from Sector XI," I respond with a bright smile as my heart works overtime.

"What would you do if you were chosen by the prince and became queen?"

I don't hesitate as I immediately answer, "If I became queen, I would make sure that no one in this kingdom was suffering. I would challenge outdated traditions like The Choosing and maybe even scrap the Sector system itself."