The Selection: The Prince's Queen

4

The pages of the old leather bound book intrigued me like no other. Oreal was right, this book is magnificent. The book was a collection of fairytales, but my favourite has to be beauty and the beast. The way the seemingly merciless beast falls in love with a normal girl, astounds me. The way a person can change, for the good. How belle so willingly gave up her freedom for her father. And of course the happily ever after. It all seemed so unreal. If only people could really change, be selfless to help others.

Putting the book under my mattress, I straightened my frock and looked in the cracked mirror besides the door. As always my hair didn't seem to want to stay in place. Huffing, I decided to leave it and go downstairs. I hadn't gotten much sleep last night, to enamoured by the book to close my eyes for even a moment. I was sure to regret that foolish decision by the end of my long shift. Speaking of work, I made my way through the kitchen, saying a small good morning to my mother before leaving the house.

Making my way to the factory, I looked at the clear sky. What a nice day to go for a swim in the river, or catch butterflies with Ellie in the meadow just a small walk away. But allas, I knew the days for fun were far over. I used to be truly happy, once. When I was too young to be aware of my fated future. To nieve. I used to dream of beings an artists, a singer or maybe a dancer. Foolish dreams all children seem to have. And we all know those dreams don't come true.

The long shift was was enjoyable as it could be. Alice continued to tell me about her fool proof plan to win the princes heart, while the older ladies listened with a spark in their eye. I guess the selection is good for one thing. You can see the hope within everyone, no matter the age. The hope for a new beginning, a hope for a new era for our country. The thought that the new queen could know our struggles and help. I try not to get whisked up in day dreams, like everyone else seems to have been lately.

"Is it okay if i walk home with you tonight?" Alice calls to me as I dust off my hands and tidy my station.

"Of course, how come your walking my way though? haven't you lived on the opposite of town for ten years?" I joke.

"Well of course silly" she laughs, throwing some flower in my hair as we exit the building. " Don't you remember my cousin lives near you, and as she is married and can't enter the selection she said I can borrow one of her dresses".

"And why would you need to borrow a dress?", I question while trying to avoid a puddle.

"My grandmother said that when you hand in your form they take your picture", she whispers, as if its going to be the key to her winning the selection. "Ugh", she moans as she steps in the puddle.

"You should be watching where you step instead of having your head in the clouds" I laugh.

"Your the one that looks like their head has been in the clouds" she laughs back at the remains of flower in my hair.

We walk back to my house and talk like we did in school, when we had no worries. It's nice being able to pretend that we don't have to worry about paying bills and feeding our families. Just this once i let myself get caught up in the calm before the storm.

The front door to our once bright house, has the old red paint peeling and uneven edges. It wouldn't take mush to break down the door, in its fragile state. Unlocking the door, I hear it creak as I step inside. Te old wooden floorboards, stained with mud, groan as I walk down the hall and into the kitchen. I stop a few steps before the doorway and look into the familiar green eyes. Two small girls sit on a young mans lap. The man smiling down at the two children. The woman kissing the mans cheek. Wiping the small tears with the back of my sleeve, I put the memory far away. The usual task of dinner now consuming my mind. I know our cupboards are practically bare, as it's coming up to the end of the month.

looking through the wooden cupboards I mange to find half a bag of pasta and a collection of vegetables, I guess we're having vegetable casserole.

"Is this all you could make?" mother asks, as I see here eye dinner.

"It's coming up to the end of the month mother", I comment looking down at my own food. yes it wasn't the best, hardly even palatable if I'm honest.

"We'll I've been able to contact miss Margaret" she replies giving me a quick look from the corner of her eyes.

"And I've told you I'm not interested", I bluntly stop the conversation. Miss Margaret's whore house was one step too far, and my mother knew that. Ellie didn't know about miss Margaret and I wanted to keep it that way.

"I was just going to say that she's offered double for you, thought you might want to consider", I ignore her statement and start collecting the dishes.

"Ellie why don't you go to the living room and put on the report I'll be there in a moment", I tell my sister.

"Okay". I see her pigtails bounce as she skips to the other room, away from our concentration.

"You know we need more money, how do you plan to get it? you have no idea do you? So why not take up that generous woman offer, she's willing to pay a lot for you" my mother persists, as I feel her eyes burn into me.

"I-" I'm interrupted by Ellie announcing the report is about to start.

"We'll finish this conversation later" my mother promises.

Sitting on the old rug, I let Ellie braid my hair as the king talk through increasing amounts of guards to reduce rebel attacks. Ellie shouldn't have to worry about these things. I wish she didn't have to grow up in this world. I think she'd like growing up in a world full of mermaids, unicorns and princes. If only I could shelter her from the world for just a bit longer.

"Good Morning Illea" Hamilton welcomed, as he walk onto the screen and sat comfortably on a red arm chair. "I have exciting news for all the ladies out there.." he paused for effect. "The application letters for the selection will be sent out tonight" and the crowd applauds. "But, before these letters are placed in the hands of all the lovely ladies of Illea, Prince Adam has a few words to saw".

The cameras then panned to the prince. I've gotten oddly good at decoding the prince over the past month. With every passing report the Prince has been included more and more. Sometimes, just an update on the preparations for the selection and sometimes he would talk bot the kingdoms finances. Tonight, the prince sits on his throne next to his family. The stone facade quite convincing, but the one stray hair hanging screw proves his nerves as his hand slightly shakes as he put the hair back into place.

"Tonight is a very exciting night for the whole kingdom. Daughter in every household, no matter the caste, will receive letters delivered by my personal guard. I hope the ladies out there are as excited to start this journey as I am. to live in the palace, like royalty during the duration of the selection. Meet my family and learn about the history of this great country. Most of all to learn how to be a queen and rule the country along my side. I would like every eligible lady out there to truly consider this selection, as I am ready to find my wife and Illea a queen."

"Well said prince Adam. Once all the applications have been completed and sent to the castle, the prince himself will randomly select one lady from each province live on the report. Good luck ladies, and goodnight". ! said. With that the report was over and Ellie could hardly contain herself.

"Maybe the applications already here for you Alia" she screamed, jumping up and down.

"Oh don't be silly she won't get one she isn't eligible" mother brushed off as she walked to bed.

"Ellie the letters wouldn't get here that fast anyways they have to come all the way from the capital, and that's hours away", I explain getting up fro the floor.

"Ignore mum, you'll definitely be 'eligible'", she mimicked mother and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Okay, okay. come on its time for bed", I say in-between laughs.

Maybe mothers right, I might not even be eligible. What prince would want some girl who bakes pastries anyway?