America's Selection

Chapter 1

As I crane my neck against the pillow, my eyes meet the shining bright light peaking through my drapes that swish with the spring air, dancing on wings. My neck is stiff, pained from the awkward position I slept in last night, my little sister cocooned into my side.

I know she has a room of her own, and so does she, but often, when nights like last night create a symphonic boom of thunder and lightning, the one thing my sister needs is the warmth, comfort, and protectiveness that only I can give her. As I run my fingers through her strawberry blonde hair, her eyes flutter open, the ocean staring at me.

"Hey," I whisper to her as she smiles. "I'm sorry I woke you. Had to happen sooner or later I'm afraid." She sits up, stretching her arms over her head.

"It's fine," she giggles. "You know, Ames, you really have to stop kicking so much in your sleep. God knows nobody's going to want to marry you if you keep that up much longer."

I roll my eyes at her as I get out of bed, wrapping my soft powder blue robe around my waist and pulling on the rope bell next to my vanity. "Cut it out, May!" I laugh at her as she hugs a throw pillow. "It's not like I even was going to have a selection in the first place. But I guess we have Kota to thank for that, hmm?"

Kota is my older brother and the second of five children in my family. My sister Kenna was promised to keep peace between us and New Asia to avoid a full scale war on our hands even before she was born. It's not that my parents didn't want her to rule Illea. But war was the one thing my father wanted to avoid so early into his reign, though he opposed any loveless marriage, but Kenna loved her husband even before she knew they were in an arranged marriage. Thankfully though, in a few months, Kenna will return to the palace along with her husband, Prince James, to prepare for the arrival of my niece.

Next is Kota. The rebellious child. There's always one in a family. Kota never took his reign as king seriously, partying every single night. Becoming the epitome of the playboy prince. As he reached the age of nineteen, he denounced his claim to the throne and abdicated, leaving the palace to retreat to the winter home in Whites, far from the eye of the public. Although my mother always wanted a large family, I don't think she wanted so many children who wouldn't take their rightful duty.

I, however, don't want the crown. I don't want a selection. I don't want to be tied down. But unlike my older brother, I understand it is my duty. And with that, I brace myself for the future difficulties my life as princess will bring me.

I am drawn back away from my thoughts as May's voice rings in my ears. "What are you even looking for in a prince, America?"

I pause, taking the time to think about it myself. "I don't know, May. I don't know."

She scoffs and throws a pillow at me. "Well you better know quickly, they'll be here the night of your birthday ball after all." I shudder at the thought.

My maids knock on my door, pausing my conversation with my sister as they begin to get me ready for The Report this morning. I gulp. This will be the first time I am on the report.  Not as a princess, but the next in line to the monarchy. Terrified of her future.

MAXON POV

"Now tell me, your highness, what was the news that I have heard so many rumors of today, hmmm?" Gavril Fadaye presses the princess, pursing his lips at her as he raises the microphone to her lips, the camera panning onto her. She looks frightened, but regal. She closes her eyes and removed the terrified look on her face, so quickly that I almost didn't see it. She smiles a smile at him, incredibly stoic while doing so.

"Now Gavril," she smirks, "you know that I don't care to kiss and tell." The audience laughs, including her younger siblings. But then her face remains hard and serious as a rock, unwavering. "But as I suppose many of you know, my brother, Prince Kota, has abdicated his birthright to rule Illea." She pauses for dramatic effect in case many of the audience gasp at her. Which they do anyways. "As I am the middle child of King Shalom and Queen Magda, I will take my place as future Queen of Illea in the coming years. Furthermore, preceding that, I am carrying on with the Illea tradition and holding a selection. The first ever to be hosted by a female monarch of this country."