"Good morning Prince Samuel." His guard greeted him when he finally made it out of his room, walking along with him to wherever he was going.
"Good morning Alex." Sam said back, rolling his eyes and shaking his head, "Why do you still call me that? I'll personally beat you in another training match if you call me that again." He liked spending time with Alex, mostly because he was both the prince's best friend and personal bodyguard, so they spend more time together than was healthy.
Alex just grinned and shrugged, "I don't think that'll happen Pr-Sam, we both know I'm the stronger one of the two of us." Sam snorted and punched him lightly in the shoulder as they made their way to the meeting room. "Have fun talking politics." He said as they entered the room, Alex taking his place dutifully at the side of the room as his friend gave a small thumbs up in return and took his place at the table to the right of his father.
None of the royal family showed up for breakfast, so the girls were pretty much alone. Holly was one of the first girls there - it was starting to be a habit now - and she sat down somewhere in the center of the table, eating eggs and bacon, a lot of bacon, while reading her book. She was so engrossed in her book, that when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she jumped.
She looked up. It was just Lacey, who looked thuroughly pissed, though not at Holly. Holyl gestured to the seat next to her. "Sit. What happened?"
Not surprisingly, none of the others there seemed to be happy for the Princes arrival besides his father, who smiled truthfully while all the others smiles didn't reach their eyes. "Well, what's the matter of business today?" Sam asked, looking around as the others took their seats.
"We received news that tensions with our northern neighbor Lispao have risen, though it seems to have settled for now and we're no closer to a war." The king started amongst the murmuring of his advisors.
"My sister happened," Lacey grumbled. "That's what."
"Oh no." Holly could tell that this was going to be a long rant, so she closed her book and looked at her friend expectantly, hands folded in her lap.
Lacey sat down beside her and reached for some chocolate-covered strawberries, piling her plate high. "Our parents are divorced. I live with my mom in Tania, and Casey lives with my dad in Limas. That's how we both could be chosen for this, because we lived in different areas. We haven't seen each other in two years. And now she's an asshole. She's sticking with that Sophie girl, and saying mean things about everyone here. They actually came into my room this morning and started gossiping about other girls, and how to sabotauge them. I hate them." Lacey stabbed her fork into a piece of melon, perhaps more roughly than was warranted.
Holly patted her friend's hand. "It's okay. And they know that trying to hurt another girl's chance is illegal, and they'll just get kicked out."
"They don't care," Lacey muttered.
Sam focused as soon as he heard the issue, listening to opinions and solutions from anyone that gave them. He wasn't aware of how long the meeting was taking as he talked and tried to help his father come to a solution. Hours drifted by and everyone became more stressed, some pacing or going quiet as they though, while Sam ran his hand through his hair and discussed. More tension with their northern neighbor was something they didn't need, especially when their relationship with the country had been strained since the king was a child.
After comforting Lacey for a while, Holly went into the parlour, to read. Her friend had gone to take a nap, and Holly was finishing her book she had started at breakfast. She had another ook right next to her, to read when she was done with this one. She turned the page, completely imersed in the story.
It took until lunchtime to even come to any sort of agreement on what to do, and by then Sam was hangry and sick of being in the same room for hours. Thankfully his father saw this and sent him out a few minutes early after they had come to an agreement. "I'm starving." He grumbled when he finally got out of the room, unbuttoning the front few buttons on his shirt and looking at Alex at his side, "You're eating with me today, alright? Both of my parents aren't going to be there today, and as much as I want to spend time with the girls, I feel weird being the only guy there."
Alex laughed and shrugged, looking back at the prince, "If you're sure, Sam. Do you know what they're making for lunch?" They walked together to the dining hall, both joking around and Alex helping Sam get into a better mood.
By the time lunch came, Holly had finished all but two of her ten books. She had enjoyed most of them, and decided that even if she didn't win the Selection, she would get a job here and live at the library during her free time. It would be amazing. Plus, then, she could be friends with the Prince…
She shook her head and stood from the chair, brushing off her skirts and picking up her book. She brought it to the dining hall, sitting down on a chair kind of near the middle and opening her book on her lap, continuing to read.
The prince looked much more at ease as he walked into the dining hall, laughing and with his shirt still unbuttoned slightly. Alex was right by his side and they took up two spots at the end of the table, still snickering over some joke. Sam didn't seem nervous in the least to be almost alone with the girls, especially when his focus really wasn't on them and was more on Alex as he started to tell a story about a training incident a few weeks back. Food was served moments after they sat down and the girls were all present, though the story continued to be told as the boys loaded food onto their plates.
"Who is that guy?" Lacey asked, nudging Holly, who jumped. She guiltily closed her book and glanced over to see who her friend was pointing at. It was a handsome man around the Prince's age, talking and laughing with him.
She shrugged. "I've never seen him before," she said quietly. "Maybe they're cousins?"
Alex and Sam could've passed as cousins or even brothers, both having sandy blonde hair that was only a few shades different as well as the same lightly tanned skin and well muscled but lean frames. Where Sam had hazel eyes though, Alex's were a gorgeous turquoise color. Both of them laughed as the story finished before turning to their food. "Are you going to introduce me, Sam? Or are you going to let the girls try to guess who this handsome but forbidden snack next to you is?" Alex asked, grinning at the girls and winking jokingly.
Sam snorted and rolled his eyes, though set his fork down and explained, "This idiot next to me is my personal bodyguard and best friend, Alex. Just ignore his hopeless flirting, he's lonely." He smiled at the girls as Alex waved, looking over the girls and finding himself hoping to meet Holly's eyes.
Holly and the Prince met eyes, and she turned red, but smiled gently at him.
Lacey grinned at Alex. "He reminds me of my cousin. Tell me," she said, leaning across the table, "do you ever have a girl turn you down?"
"Probably not," Holly said with a straight face. "No one dares resist the spoiled brats who live here." She sent Sam a grin, so he would know she was kidding.
"Haven't had any girl turn me down yet," Alex replied smoothly, winking at Lacey and propping his elbows on the table as he gave a flirtatious grin. He pretended to be offended at Holly's comment but in reality his grin just grew and he shook his head, turning back to talk to Lacey instead, "Where are you from, gorgeous?"
Sam elbowed Alex's side at the flirting but didn't bother to stop him. It would be pointless to try to stop him and anyway he was set on talking to holly instead. She already stuck out from the other girls for some reason and he was curious of her. He played along with her comment though, shrugging and running a hand through his hair as he tried to play the part of a playboy prince, "Hey, what can I say, being royalty has it's perks." He didn't hold up the act for long though, laughing and shaking his head, "Alex is the girl magnet, I on the other hand seem to repel them."
Lacey snorted. "Well, if you asked me, I might just have to turn you down." She was beautiful, with strong features and glistening red hair. "And where I'm from doesn't really matter if you can't do anything about it." She tossed her head, hair flying, and winked at him.
Holly laughed. "I can see why," she teased gently. "You're so hideous, I can barely look at you." She grinned at him, feeling shy and playful and happy all at once.
Alex just leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, grinning from ear to ear. He liked this girl and she was stunning, even if she was strictly off limits for the time being. "Is that a challenge, gorgeous?" His turquoise eyes sparkled at the banter, "Maybe you can tell me your name instead of where you're from?"
"Looking at you is only slightly better," Sam joked, a glint in his eyes showing that what he just said wasn't remotely true, "At least people enjoy my company because of my personality then."
Alex snorted in response to the princes comment, adding to the joking for a split second, "Sure, you tell yourself that it's because of your personality and not because you're a whiney royal." He laughed as Sam elbowed his side but ignored him, his focus already back on Lacey.
"I could, Lacey said, smiling mischieviously. "But I won't right now. I'll leave it to you to figure it out for yourself."
Holly laughed at her friends actions, although she was worried that she would go too far, and get kicked out. "At least I have more of a personality than you," she sniffed, holding her chin at a haughty angle. "I just have the sense to pretend I don't, and then surprise people later."
"You are a curious woman." Alex admitted, grinning at Lacey and winking, "I'll find out your name, don't worry." He knew very well that she was off-limits until Sam decided if she was one of the girls that would be sent home and so it was a good idea to stop flirting with the gorgeous girl before he actually caught feelings.
"Ouch, I'm hurt," Sam said, dramatically slapping his hand over his heart and shaking his head. "Women are hurtful," He joked, looking to Alex who returned a mocking look of pity to the prince. Sam looked back at Holly and pretended to think. "You have me curious about the rest of this personality you have, how long does it take for you to show it? Would it surface at all if I asked you to join me for lunch at the end of this week?" It was the first time he had asked any of the girls to spend time with him and he knew he could've asked more formally but he didn't really care.
"Oh, I doubt you will. Good luck." Lacey winked at him, then stopped and turned to Holly, who had nudged her in the ribs. She gave her a guilty look and piled her plate high with food.
Holly laughed. "That we are, that we are. What would we do if there weren't men to boss around and insult?" When he asked her that, she blushed slightly, but didn't break her playful mood. "It might," she said with a grin at him. "I guess we'll have to see." Mentally, she fist pumped. She would get to spend more time with this handsome, funny prince, and she wouldn't have to spend it trying to ignore the hateful stares of the other girls.
Under the table, Lacey squeezed her hand and sent her a tiny smile. Holly couldn't detect any jealousy in it.
"Hey Sam, her name is Holly right?" Alex asked, not asking quietly and instead glancing at the girl he had been talking to only moments before. Sam nodded and chuckled as his friend perked up and shot a dazzling smile at Holly, "Quick question, do you happen to know the name of that gorgeous young lady next to you?"
Sam's grin grew as she accepted and he just elbowed Alex again when he started talking to Holly, "We'll definitely have to see." He ate a small bit of his food and turned to look at the girls again, this time a question directed more broadly, "How has everyone's time in the castle been so far? Any questions you girls would like me to answer?"
Lacey heard Alex's words and rolled her eyes with a grin. What a persistent idiot. She shook her head, hair flying, and started to eat.
A girl spoke up, in answer to the Prince's question. "Do we get snacks whenever we want? Or do we have to wait for meals?" This girl was thin, with a hollow look, but a beautiful face.
Alex didn't seem discouraged even as he got no answer, he just grinned at Lacey and sat back in his chair. It was most likely a slim chance, but if Sam decided that Lacey was no longer in the runnings, he told himself he would wait until then to try to do anything more than learn her name.
"You are allowed to eat whenever you want. You are honored guests here ladies and so your maids are under the orders to bring you whatever you would like to eat whenever you want." Sam smiled and looked around, listening for any more questions as he ate more and relaxed.
"Oh, thank goodness," the girl sighed in relief.
Sophie spoke up. "When will the interviews be? Like, when the kingdom will get to see us all and vote among us?" She and Casey seemed to be excited for this prospect, as if they wanted all the favor from the crowd.
Holly and Lacey exchanged glanced.
"I believe they are scheduled for tomorrow afternoon from about five to whenever they end." He replied, thinking back to what his mother had told him, "Specifics will be delivered to you girls as soon as I hear about them though." Sam ate the rest of his food before speaking up again, "I think during that time the first pictures will be taken, both of each of you individually and one with me as well."
Sophie nodded, looking pleased, no doubt not able to wait until she could seduce the prince. Holly sighed. Some girls were in this for the money, or the power. She was here to find someone she could love. And, if not that, somewhere she could be happy. Like, for instance, the library. She could work here and go to the library during her free time. She finished up her breakfast.
Sam and Alex both seemed to go back into a normal banter once the prince finished talking to the girls, eating and relaxing in their seats for a few more minutes before both giving charming smiles at the girls as they stood. "Have a good day ladies, feel free to seek me out in the castle if you have any more questions before dinner." He nodded to them and left without another word.
"What are we going to do now, your highness?" Alex asked, grinning and looking over at the prince, "Time to see how much I can beat you up while training? Or are you going to go hide behind a mountain of books?"
"You're on." He said with a laugh, turning to walk towards the training area, "Prepare to have your butt handed to you Al."
After the Prince and Alex had left, Holly and Lacye stood. Holly picked up her book from the floor and turned to her friend. "What do you want to do?"
"Maybe go for a walk? I want to explore. All the places we're allowed to, of course," Lacey added hurriedly.
"Alright." Holly shrugged. "But I should drop this off." She held up the book.
The two reached the training room a few minutes later, talking smack as they decided hand to hand fighting was what to work on. Sam shrugged off his jacket and grinned at Alex as he took the tape from him and started to wrap his hands. "Best out of three, point of yield."
"Ah so you really want to get your butt handed to you prince, that's what I'm hearing." Alex said with a laugh, making sure his hands were properly wrapped as he started to stretch.
Sam snorted, joining Al in stretching, then in warm-ups, "I said best out of three. You're good for about one round, then you go kaput and I'll beat you easily."
As the two girls passed a window, Lacey spotted two guys working out outside, and she rushed to the window. She turned back to Holly with a grin. "Do you know if we're allowed to go outside at all?"
Holly laughed. "I guess we'll have to ask."
Warming up took a while but soon they were both circling around each other, staying inside a taped-off square in the center of the room. "Last chance to back out Sammy," Alex said, a grin on his face. Both of them had abandoned their shirts and dress shoes as well, having enough knowledge to know that it was easier and less sweaty to spar like this.
"You wish I would Al," Sam said, grinning right back at him and making the first attack. There wasn't a consistent style or type of fighting they were following, just using whatever techniques and tricks they could to try to bring the other to the ground. Mostly it involved trading punches and kicks, though they both kept away from each other's heads. No one needed any broken noses or black eyes.
After asking around, Holly and Lacey got permittion to go outside, as long as they stayed within the castle grounds. A guard followed them as they wandered around.
Lacey headed straight for the direction of the training rink, no doubt wanting to see the two men sparring. Holly rolled her eyes. Sometimes, girls were just weird. Whether in books or in real life, they were strange enough that she didn't understand them at all. She shook her head with a smile as Lacey started to walk faster, turning the corner to see the prince and his friend striking at each other, both of them shirtless.
Lacey stared at them with undisguised awe, and Holly swatted her. "Are you going to go talk to them, or just watch them?"
"Just watch," she responded breathlessly. "They're so hot!"
