The Heir

Chapter 2

        "This is Gavril Jr.! Welcome to the palace, where today Princess Eadlyn is preparing to see the faces of her Seleted men. And as for you people hoping to be Selected, this is the moment you have been waiting for! Tonight, 35 men will be chosen. Of course, you already know all this, so let's get to the juicy part!" Gavril Jr. walked towards me. "What are you looking or hoping for in your Selection Princess Eadlyn, seeing that you are the first female with her own Selection?"

        I smiled at the camera. "Well Gavril Jr, I certaintly hope for someone as amazing and generous as my father. I want a love story just like my parents!"

        "Thank you, Princess! Well, your 35 men are about to be revealed. Ready?"

        I nodded, smiling again.

        A handsome man with sad, hopeful eyes look at me from the screen. "Sir Josh Baker of Hansport!" Gavril Jr. announced.

        "He looks like a poetic, emotional type," I whispered to my mother, standing a few feet away.

        A burly, man with whitened teeth and more makeup than I had ever worn appeared on screen. "Sir Dylan Kaiser of Waverly!"

        He didn't look like someone I would have a romantic moment with, but then again I shouldn't judge by looks.

        This time, a cute guy with a natural laughing expression appeared, with touseled brown hair and golden eyes. "Sir Ryan Drake of Carolina!"

        He was a posibility. But of course, I shouldn't be shallow and judge by looks.

        The next guy was blond and smiling with bright blue eyes. A collective gasp broke out. "Sir Chris Sanders of Paloma!"

        "Isn't he a pop star or a famous actor?" "He's the most popular celebrity!" "I LOVE HIM!!" Cries rang throughout the room. I couldn't hear through the chaos.

        The room quieted as another man appeared. He was Asian with black hair and a quirky smile. "Sir Ethan Yuan of Fairgrounds!"

        "I think your father met with a relative of his," Queen America whispered to me.

        "Sir AJ Blackburn of Sundew!"

        And on it went. I had my thoughts about every guy. Of course, the public would assume I would choose Chris, but I thought there was something sinister about him.

        When I went to bed, it was past midnight. My mom bought in pictures and descriptions of each man and demanded I look each one over.         

        Using my shallow ways, I narrowed the Selection down to 32. But this was just a small assumption. I could be wrong about hairy Philip or acned Jacob. My mind, sleepy from staring at men, soon carried itself away into the world of dreams.

        I was a floating spirit of dreams. My ghostly dress flitted around me like clouds. A warm voice whispered into my mind.

        "Eadlyn." A boy. I reached out and suddenly I was on a cliff. I gasped and reached for his hand. Cold laughter swallowed me and I heard my name being repeated by him over and over again.

        "Eadlyn. Eadlyn."

        "Princess Eadlyn! Your mother has been asking for you all day! A proper princess does not over sleep!" Marlee, my mother's best friend and most trusted attendant, shook me. "Wake up!"

        "Marlee!" I gasp. "Sorry. I was having a nightmare."

        Marlee sighed. "Maxon felt the same way before his Selection. I'm sure you will be fine. Now your mother wants your opinion and decisions for the men arriving next week. I'm sure she has informed you on this."

        "I'm sorry," I rubbed my eyes. "I'll call my maids immediately."

        "That's the spirit!" Marlee gave me an affectionate pat on the shoulder and smiled. "See you at lunch? I'll have a small breakfast brought in for you." She waved and disappeared into the corridor out side my room.

        I pressed a button for my maids. Almost immediately, Angie, Reyna, and Caitlyn walked into my room and bowed. 

        "Princess Eadlyn, today is the first day of new choices. We suggest the following day dresses." Angie told me. She nodded at Reyna and Caitlyn, each holding two dresses.

        Reyna's first dress was gold with bell sleeves. It reached mid-calf and had purple linings and a purple ribbon belt. Her second dress was pink with green embroidery, like Spring.

        Caitlyn's gowns were completely different. One was made of black lace, but was completely covered in vines of blue roses with green leaves so that the black wasn't showing as much. The other one had a black top like a ballerina's and a scarlet velvet skirt. 

        I chose the blue rose one. Reyna tied my hair with blue ribbons and Caitlyn found a blue diamond choker and earring. I wore black lace tights and black flats.

        "Beautiful, Princess Eadlyn!" My maids clapped, except for Angie, who was hot curling my hair and needed concentration. 

        When I was finished they bowed. "Thank you ever so," I said gratefully. "You are dismissed."

        With that, I was headed towards the beginning of my love life.