The Selection - Aarmau

Chapter Twelve

One week later.

"Miss! Miss, excuse me! Miss!"

Aphmau whipped her head around, and a woman, dressed rather fancily was walking towards her, almost scrambling, dragging a luxurious leather suitcase behind her.

She was in a dress, a day dress like the ones the Selected wore, and she had a blazer on over top of it. She also had her hair pulled back, a tiara sat atop it.

Her skin was tan, and her eyes were a sort of honey colour, her hair brown, turning blonde at the tips.

Aphmau's first instinct was to bow to her, knowing that she had to be someone of great importance, based off the tiara on her head alone.

"Oh that is hardly necessary," she says, giggling. "I was wondering if you knew where the prince was?"

Aphmau cleared her throat. "Oh, uhm, I believe the last thing his majesty was doing," she cringed at that, "was finding a new book to read in the library."

"Oh, of course, that should have been the first place I looked. Gosh. Leave it to Aaron to always be in the library." she chuckles. "Thank you for the help. I'm Melissa."

She puts out her hand to shake, and it clicks in her head. Melissa Lycan, former princess of Illea, and queen of New Asia. She nearly dove into a curtsy.

Melissa winked at her and walked away.

...

"There you are! A little birdy told me you would be here!"

Aaron turned around from where he was stood in the library, delighted to see his older sister walking towards him, filled with as much spunk as ever.

"A little birdy?" he asks.

"Yep! Didn't quite get her name, she was pretty though. Maybe one of the Selected?" she wiggled her eyebrows.

"Could you elaborate?"

"Tan, dark hair, brown eyes. She was in a green dress."

"Oh." she watched his pupils dilate a bit. "Aphmau."

"Interesting name. She one of the Selected?" she smirks, seeing as his expression softened. She was so used to seeing him so guarded.

"Yes." he says quietly, looking back down at his book to try and hide the blush that seemed to burn his face.

"Ah, so she's one of the ones you really really like, huh? Wait," she starts, "is she the girl you kissed? The one in all the magazines? God, we were so ecstatic, I wanted to meet her so bad!"

"Yes, yes. I'm sure you'll meet her properly in due time, for now, please, go settle into your room."

"Sure thing, princey." she chuckles, teasing him. She always did use that nickname when they were younger, and it drove him mad.

...

Aphmau felt out of place with most of the Selected, all but Katelyn and Nana. Today though, Nana was out on a 'date' (as she called it, not taking it seriously) with Aaron, and Katelyn was across the room trying to be friendly.

And then, as they were all sat in the Women's Room, Melissa walked in. She had changed into a new dress, the bodice sparkled in the sunlight that seeped into the room.

Everyone stood, and curtsied, and she waved softly, before beelining for Aphmau.

She sat beside her, and Aphmau could hear the murmurs of the other girls.

"Hiya." Melissa grinned. It was hard to believe she was born and raised in a palace with the type of language she used. "I'd like to properly introduce myself. Melissa Lycan, at your service. You can call me Melissa, or Mel, Aaron's been calling me that since he was little, it was easier to learn when he was starting to talk."