The Unexpected Expected

Part 1: Chapter 6

Queen Amberly's POV

Today was the day that I had to pick the winner of the Selection. Today I had to pick my son's replacement, and my own daughter. Should I pick the one I like the best? Should I pick the one who would make a better queen? Should I pick the one I think of as a daughter?

Sitting at my desk, I pushed my chair back, frustrated with the questions floating in my head. Walking over to the balcony, I noticed that my crown that I had previously set on the table was missing. Strange, I guess I'll have to ask Lydia to get me a new one.

Walking over to the edge of the balcony where I had just stood the day before, I watched the grounds bustle with activity: guards were changing duty, maids were scurrying to their next destination, and the three Selected ladies were enjoying the sun underneath a tent.

I watched the ladies talk for a while and imagined each of them in my shoes. Who would hold up the best? Who would have the support of the people? Who was I willing to call my own? Who was I willing to call "princess" and eventually "queen?"

Lady Celeste is obvious choice because she is quite comfortable in the spotlight. She also already has a large fan base in the upper castes that would prove as valid allies. The only problem is that she does have rather vicious means of getting what she wants.

Regal Lady Elise would also be a great choice. She had allies in New Asia which would be very beneficial to have on our side. The only problem is she shows very little emotion and often doesn't inspire awe in the people.

Lady Kriss is the fan favorite and the perfectionist. She will strive for the best and will not settle for anything but the best. And she, unlike some of the other Selected girls, actually loves Maxon. But can she hold up to the strain of the crown alone?

Sighing, I walked back inside my room and sat on the small bench I had placed in the corner. This was my favorite place to relax and step away from the responsibilities of being queen. But as I sat down, a small scrap of paper fluttered from underneath the bench to the floor.

Quickly scooping it up, I opened it with shaking hands. It read:

Mother,

I have no way of knowing if you'll ever find this, or if father finds it first, but if by some miracle you're reading this, than I want to let you know that America and I are safe and well. I can not disclose our location for that will ruin our veil of secrecy, but I will leave you with these letters: _ T _ P _ _.

We did not die, mother. Father had this all staged. When I told him I was picking America, he told me I had two options: I could send America home, pick Kriss, and continue to live as a One or I could pick America and be forced to leave the palace and become a Five with her. Since castes never mattered to me, I obviously chose the latter option.

I do not know of what will become of America and I, but I do want you to know that you have gained a daughter. I plan to ask her to marry me sometime in the next couple of days.

Please do not confront father about this for he has no idea that I have left you this letter in the first place. I fear that if he knows that someone else knows what he did, he will come after America and I. I just want to live a normal, safe life with the girl I love.

I know you will wonder about our life here in our _ T _ P _ _, so I will try to find a way to give you another note. It won't be as obvious about who it is from because then it would blow our cover. Speaking of blow our cover, please dispose of this letter as soon as you read it, shred it, or even burn it perhaps.

Mother, if you have to chose the next leader of Illea, chose Kriss. She was always my second option anyway and I feel that she will have a good rally of people behind her. Maybe she'll even appease the rebels? She has a lot of great ideas having to do with the education of the lower castes and may have some new ways to let the country run smoother.

And, if you can, please remove the invisible lines between our people. When I was prince, that was one of my goals for my reign, and I hope that you and Kriss may be able to solve that issue in my place.

All the best,

Your loving son,

Maxon Schreave

*-*

America's POV

My sister was the one to answer the door when I knocked. "Hey, Mer! Hey, Maxon! Come on in, mom's started the popcorn!"

"Thanks for letting us watch the Report with you," Maxon said as he took off his shoes and left them on the outside porch. I quickly followed suit.

"Sure! You are family after all, and family helps family!" May answered cheerfully. "Now let's hurry and get a seat before all the good ones are taken!"

I rolled my eyes and whispered to Maxon, "She does realize this is her house, right? Like, does she think it's a movie theatre or something?" Maxon only chuckled before walking into the sitting room.

Following him, I quickly sat in the last available chair before my mother walked in. Seeing that all the seats were taken, she pushed Gerad out of a seat and onto the floor muttering something about how "young people these days have no respect for their elders." Dad never came down.

Snuggling next to Maxon, we all took handfuls of popcorn as we passed the bowl around and waited for the never-ending cycle of commercials to end. When it reached the end of "Murphy's Recording and Modeling Studio (Twos Only)," the Illean symbol was broadcasted.

Instead of the camera automatically zoning in on the King though, I noticed that it paned to the Queen standing in front of the Selected ladies. Out of the corner of my eye, Maxon sat up straighter.

"Hello Illean citizens," the Queen started the Report, "This is not your average Report for tonight I will be picking our new princess right in front of your eyes. Most of you should be familiar with the untimely death of Lady America and the Crown Prince of Illea Maxon Schreave. I have been asked by the King to select the winner of the Selection in the princes absence."

The Selected ladies faces were priceless for they clearly had no idea that the end of the Selection was about to occur. They immediately began straighten their dresses, checking their makeup, and tucking stray strands of hair that had escaped back where they belonged.

The Queen continued, "I see no reason to prolong this any longer. In the name and memory of Prince Maxon Schreave, I, Queen Amberly Holly Station Schreave, proclaim the following lady the winner of the Selection..."