Max and Jake's Selection

Chapter 4

(Max's POV)

I pulled my tie into place and stepped onto my balcony overlooking the castle lawn. It was a sunny and warm day, with a slight breeze. The sun beat down on my face and I could feel my cheeks getting pink from the heat. The luscious green grass blew back and forth, and brightly colored flowers surrounded the grounds. I sighed. The girls were undoubtedly here by now, all excited and getting a small tour. Getting all glammed up and beautiful. The worst part of this was that whenever we were publicly with the girls, Clara would be there at the same time. I knew she would try to ignore the flirting, the giggling, them watching me, but her jealous tendencies would get the best of her. Everybody has them, I know that I would if I was in her situation. Still, I can't stand the thought of losing her to the ones I'm faking my love for. I headed back inside and opened the door of my room. There was nobody in the hallway except for a maid who smiled at me and said,
"Good morning Your Highness."
"Good morning Lydia."
I had a sudden rush of urge to go back inside and slam the door, skip the whole selection, but I took a deep breath and stepped out the door.
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(Max's POV)

The hallways felt so much longer when you were dreading where you were going. Suddenly, I started hearing sobs from around the corner. I turned it, and noticed a girl sitting on a hallway bench with her face in her hands, crying. I had definitely never seen her before, she must be one of then selected.
"Darling, are you ok?" I asked her, coming closer.
The girl looked up at me and quickly wiped her face. She was pretty, her medium green eyes re-welling up with tears. She wore a green dress to match her eyes and had long, wavy, brown hair.
"Prince... Prince Max!" She stammered, standing and curtsying, "I didn't exactly expect to see you, I'm sorry. This is against the rules."
"And I didn't expect to see you, my dear... What is your name?"
"Alatria. Alatria Hanesworth of Carolina." She said in the faintest of a whisper.
"Hey! How wonderful, that's where my mother is from." I replied genuinely. This whole situation reminded me of the one my parents talked about occasionally, their meeting story.
"You talk in such a formal manner." She tilted her head and looked at me. "It's nice, but doesn't really seem to fit you all that well." She smirked, and a burst of laughter came out of my mouth.
"Is it really that obvious? My dad always says that I have a little bit more mom in me than I should... I can never seem to hold onto that sophistication that he's always had."
"Well you certainly have his looks," She blushed profusely, "Or at least the little of them I've seen..."
"No, you're right, I do look just like him. We get compared a lot." She smiled at me.
"Do you feel any better, love? May I ask what was wrong?" I questioned.
"Yes, I do feel better now. Much better. I think that I was just overwhelmed. I've never been somewhere like this before, it's kind of crazy."
"Of course, we certainly don't expect you to adjust to this place right away. This is actually how mom... erm, Queen America, felt when she first got here as well. It does grow on you, though, you may feel like you're in a cage now, but I assure you, those feelings will change eventually."
"If there is an eventually for me. Won't I get in trouble for this? I'm not allowed to see you yet, and I'm being such a hastle! I'm not usually like this, I promise!" She panicked.
"Darling, you're one of the most interesting people I've met, and I've barely even gotten to know you!" I reassured her, "I'll handle this, ok? Follow me, we should be meeting with the others for our brunch."
I took her arm, ever so slightly pulling her along with me towards the hallway passing by the great room. Her skin was soft, and she smelled faintly of peppermint. I led her with a newfound confidence that probably related to the aura that encompassed her. So carefree, and yet full of worry, curiosity, excitement.