The Selection

One

WHEN WE GOT the letter, Mom was ecstatic. I was too. But not for the reason everyone thought I was. My goal wasn't to win over Prince Damon, my goal was to win Prince Stefan over. I was in love with him since I was ten, and honestly now that I got the chance to make him fall for me, I was more than excited. I completed the form as soon as we got it, and it was all ready to go. Of course, my brother Jeremy knew I wasn't in love with Prince Damon, but he kept quiet and I loved him even more for it.

"Elena, The Report is on TV! They are announcing the names of the Selected." Mom shouted.

"I'll be right there!" I shouted back from my room, running towards the living room where all my family was already seated with popcorn. I rolled my eyes and laid on my stomach, on the floor. The national hymn started and Gavril Fadaye appeared on the screen.

"Good evening, Mystic Falls. Tonight, almost all the country is watching us, here in Angeles, dying to know the names of the thirty-five young women who will get to compete for His Highness, Prince Damon's heart during this groundbreaking Selection."

We heard people cheering and applauding in the background, while Gavril kept his smile on his face, facing the royal family.

"But before we get to this point of the night, King Giuseppe will update you, people of Mystic Falls, on what is going on in our beautiful country! Ladies and Gentlemen, King Giuseppe."

The room applauded again, more politely this time, and the king got up his seat—which actually looked more like a throne than a seat— and started talking about the conflict our country had with New Asia. It seemed like I was the only one listening to him in the living room, because my parents were talking loudly and Jeremy stared at them, silent. I sighed and turned back to the TV, along with my family this time, because Gavril had the microphone back in hands.

"I'll skip ceremony and get to what all of you are impatiently waiting for... Oh, one thing before we start," he turned to Damon, "Are you nervous, Your Highness?"

"You don't know how much." Damon replied with a smirk.

Gavril chuckled. "Ladies and Gentlemen, here are the thirty-five candidates of this third Selection." He took an envelope from the big bowl in the middle of the stage.

A square appeared down the screen, filming Prince Damon so we could see his reactions to the names and pictures as Gavril read the forms. He looked nervous but was still flawless, but not as gorgeous as his brother.

"From Newport, Miss Rebekah Mikaelson, Two."

The photograph of the young woman appeared on the screen. She looked like a doll, and surprisingly Damon looked satisfied.

"From Waverley, Miss Davina Claire, Four."

This one looked older than me, more mature. Damon whispered a few words to his father.

"From Paloma, Miss Hayley Marshall, Three."

This time it was a brunette with dark eyes. She didn't look older, but she surely looked more... Experimented. I turned to Mom and Jeremy:

"Doesn't she look like..."

"From Carolina, Miss Elena Gilbert, Five."

I fast turned back to look at the TV. My eyes became wide and my jaw dropped. Yes, it really was me, on the photograph showed on the screen. Mom screamed joyfully, Jeremy jumped off the sofa, the popcorn following him, Dad smiled behind his book and I continued to stare at Gavril who called up the next candidate. It's only a minute later that I realized what this really meant: I was going to the palace. To Stefan.

Suddenly, the phone rang. And it would probably be like this the whole week.

                                                                               —

"Elena, someone's at the door for you!" Jeremy shouted from his room.

I sighed and got off my bed, walking towards the door. If it was one more asking for a picture or an autograph, I'd scream. I opened the front door to find an old man who probably was thinner than I was, and who really looked unhappy to be here. He surely wasn't a fan.

"Elena Gilbert, am I right?" His voice sounded like it was on the point of breaking.

"You are right, Sir. What can I do for you?"

"I am here representing the palace, Miss. Would you mind letting me in?"

"I--Sure, of course." I led the way to the kitchen, and he sat gracefully for a man his age.

"Is your mother home? There's a few words I would like to share with her."

"She is," I turned around, "Mom, someone would like to speak with you."

Mom entered the kitchen. "Elena, darling, since when do you have such a rich vocabulary?"

She winked and I rolled my eyes. "Mom, this man is from Angeles. He wants to inform us about the Selection."

She suddenly grew serious and curtsied. "Oh, welcome to the Gilbert's, Sir."

He chuckled. "Oh please, Miss, stand. There's no need to curtsy for a man like me."

She smiled to him. "Don't say such things." She paused. "What did you desire to tell me?"

"Some information about the Selection. You may sit." He told her, pointing at a seat in front of him, like it was his home.

She eventually sat, and we both looked at him intently.

"Miss Sommers," he looked at Mom, "Miss Gilbert," he looked at me, "There will be some documents to sign to confirm your candidature, your health and... Something a little more delicate."

"Which is?" I asked, impatient.

"I need you to confirm that you are still a virgin."

I stared at him, shocked. "Pardon me?"

"I know it might seem indiscreet, but we need the confirmation that you haven't gave yourself away to anyone, but eventually the prince if it is to happen. If it's not the case, you might need to sign a few more papers and to take some medicine. We wouldn't want our prince to be contaminated by anything."

"Of course, Sir," I said hesitantly, "Well, the medicine won't be necessary. I am still a virgin."

"You need to give me your word on this. If we discover that you lied..."

"I give you my word. I can sign any document to prove you it's the truth."

"It's fine, Miss Elena, I believe you," he noted something in his notebook, "I am going to give you the first payment, so please Miss Sommers, sign here."

Mom took the pen and signed, then the man turned back to me. "Miss Elena, tomorrow a guard from the palace will escort you to your new home. You must be wearing this blouse and these pants," he showed me the outfit, "plus your province's flower, the lilac. A limousine will get you to the Carolina airport and then you'll fly to Angeles with three other Selected. When you'll enter the palace, some maids will take care of your appearance and you'll answer some questions for few shows about the Selection process. Did you understand everything?"

I swallowed and nodded.

"Perfect! Would you care escorting me to the door, please, Miss? I still have five girls to visit."

"Not at all, Sir." I whispered, leading him back to the front door after he kissed Mom's hand. He got outside and just as I was ready to close the door, he turned back and looked at me.

"There's something I couldn't tell you in presence of your mother," he whispered, "Whatever the prince's intentions are, do not push him away. Am I clear?"

I gasped. "You mean, if he..."

"Yes. It is unnecessary to add more. Have a good night, Miss Elena." He walked away.

I closed the door and stood against it. Was the Selection a good idea?