Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｌｅｃｔｉｏｎ {Ｓｅｍｉ－Ａｄｖａｎｃｅｄ Ｒｏｌｅｐｌａｙ} discussion

A day after he had a talk with Marigold, James headed to the Dining room. He couldn't hide any longer. The selection announcement, he was to see what would be happening throughout the weeks to come. He didn't know who the girls where yet, only his father and his royal advisors knew that. He would found out just like everyone else. What a gamble for the chance of love. He sighed and sat down in one of the chairs at the end of the table. He had been the first to arrive so he let his head rest, and his eyes search the room for a means to distract him.

Juliette walked into the dining room around ten minutes after James. She smiled to see her son sitting there. It was a big day for all of them. It brought back memories of the day she had spent sitting with her family, waiting to see if she was going to be part of the Selection. "James," she said, walking over to him and kissing his forehead. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she took her seat.

Oberon came in, wearing his suit. "Juliette. James." He said as he took his seat. He shifted uncomfortably, preparing himself for what was to come. He took his wife's hand. "What should we discuss first, son?"

James was so lost in his own thoughts that he only noticed that his mother had entered when she kissed him on the forehead. "I'm... okay." he said after a few moments of thought. His head turned as his father/king entered. He gave him as single nod of acknowledgement before his father sat down. "You're the one that called this meeting father, I think you should lead with the discussions." He knew what was coming, and it was not something he wanted to talk about.

Juliette sighed and looked at both of them. "I called the meeting, darling," she told Oberon. "The two of you need to talk. Oberon, James needs to know what to expect as the name of the woman he is going to marry is called out tonight. He needs your support and insight as to what to expect. I can't really help him on this front. " She looked down at her lap, smoothing her dress. "This talk is long overdue," she said firmly, looking both of them in the eyes and not looking away till they met hers.

Oberon sighed, "Okay..." He looked down, "You know that you must conduct yourself in a regal manner - I will require this of all my children, but you the most, as this is your Selection. The girls will be brought here, and you should try and spend an equal amount of time with each of them at first, to get a feel for each young woman. And, Juliette, my Juliette, her name might not be called tonight. Remember, mine took several months." He reminded her. His thoughts then turned to the rebellions, "You must also be on guard, for this is a great opportunity for an assassination. The Rebels might try to kill you, so be careful, and be mindful of seductresses!"

James rolled his eyes. It was always this way, his father always cared more about his actions then about James. Why did he think he would change? Because he asked his mother? Think about it that way made him feel pathetic. So he looked at his father boldly in the eyes, "I know this already father. As for the women I- ... I just don't know what to expect. I mean from what I have seen Two's only care about fame, Three's are brainiacs trying to always be right, and anything a five and below almost always hate us because they are suffering while we live in a castle. I just... don't know what to do." he said once more, and sighed in defeat.

Juliette looked at her husband, love in her eyes. She leaned to whisper into his ear, "Remember, treat him as your son. Not as the heir to the throne. He's nervous darling." She then turned to look at James, reaching out to place her hand on his. "Sweetheart, remember, I was a Four, when I came here to the castle. And not all the girls will act like they are made out to be. Though, I didn't talk much with the girls in my Selection, towards the end, I did become close to one girl who is a natural Two. She didn't care all about the fame. Give them a chance and do not be too hard on them. It is a scary thing to be suddenly thrust into a world that you had never thought you would have even a chance at seeing." She smiled at him gently. "Everything will happen the way it is meant to."

Oberon nodded, "Just...be careful." He said, wary of the possible plots against his son's life. "And behave yourself. These women might be your future wife. It wouldn't do the kingdom good if you said something that offended her only to later marry her and have her hold a grudge..." Oberon was making up all sorts of negative situations, his pessimistic mindset getting the better of him.

It was like being talked to by two sides of a conscious. The good choices that could happen thought this selection, and then the bad. There was still the lingering question on his mind, that he didn't know if he wanted the answer to come out of his fathers mouth. "What about love? Will you let me think about that rather than what the country wants?" Will I get to choose for myself? He added in his head. He watched his father closely trying to gage his thoughts.

Juliette reined in the sigh that so desperately wanted to escape her lips. Try as she might, she could not always get her husband to look on the positive side of things. And positive is what their son needed right now, not warning about what might go wrong. She wanted to respond to this question, to reassure James, but the way he was looking at his father told her that she needed to stay silent this time. He needed to hear this from Oberon.

His eyes flashed with sadness, thinking about how he, initially, chose not for love, but out of responsibility. He came to love his wife, but in the beginnings, that was not entirely the case. He realized he didn't want that for his son. "Y-yes, I suppose. You can choose a woman you love." But what...what if he is like me? What if it isn't a woman he loves? His heart dropped in his chest - how would the kingdom react to two kings. Sure, he had two other children to produce heirs, but James being homosexual might mean he'd have to give up his crown to avoid an uprising.

James scoffed, "See I knew you would-" He paused actually fully realizing what his father had just said. He looked at his father with wide eyes. "Your actually going to let me choose father?" He smiled for what felt like the first time in days. HE would choose. Not his country, not his parents, nobody else but him and his girl will choose what happens in the days to come. He wanted to jump out of his seat and hug his father, but controlled himself before doing so. One action does not make up for everything, he reminded himself.

Juliette smiled and gave her husband's hand a squeeze. This was good. They were getting somewhere. She hoped that this would continue in the days, weeks, and months to follow. James would be preparing to take the throne in a few years and the confidence that they placed in him for this decision would go a long way. "If ever you have any questions, we are here to help," she offered her eldest son.

Oberon forced a smile, while his mind was tearing him town with every possible fear. "Yes, my son. All you need to do is merely ask." He looked at his wife. "Now, should we go get our other children," He asked. He wanted to talk to them. He hadn't seen them as of late and felt slightly bad about that. He shouldn't get all caught up in this Selection - that was James' job, to worry. Not his. He was already married.

James nodded, feeling better. He hadn't thought the night would turn out like this. He thought that it would end with him yelling at his father, and then finally him leaving to his room. But this? This wasn't something James thought possible. "Yes of course. I'm sure the twins will want to see you." He kept his voice passive and calm.

As her maids were absent, Astrid had had to pick out a dress by herself. It ended being a beaded mocha color with worn out ballet flats and two diamond studs. It was the norm for her; she never outdid her attire. The rest of her family was already there, and she slid into a seat, though not really focused and just wanting to get this stuff over with.

Juliette looked pleased when her other two children arrived without having to be sent for. She was a little disappointed that Astrid hadn't dressed nicer. Her brother's selection was being announced tonight. Where had her maids been? She hesitated over saying something though, not wanting to embarrass her. "Good, you are both here," she said, smiling at the twins.

Oberon nodded to his children, "Take a sear, we are discussing the Selection... you two should be on your best behavior, that is not only required for our James here, for all we know, Alex, you could meet your future bride at this Selection..."

To bad he's already in love, James thought to himself. But he watched as his siblings made there way to sit at the end of the long table. All the while he remained silent, still happy that he just got the news he always wanted. Just the thought of it brought a smile to his face.

This conversation meant nothing to Astrid. She was not included, and saw no point in coming down with the rest of her family. One look from her mother and she knew what she was thinking.. why didn't you dress yourself more nicely.She angled her head in a way only her mother could see her face and shot her a quick look. The dress was fine in her opinion, it wasn't stained or anything. And the ballet flats may have been worn out, but they were still comfortable anyhow. Returning her head to it's normal position, she crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the floor impatient yet soundlessly.

Juliette frowned at her only daughter and sighed. Well, she would just have to speak with her maids to make sure that they dressed her well for when the Selected came. She turned her head to consider what Alex said about a girl being Selected twice. That would indeed be something interesting.

Oberon shook his head, "Alex! Please, TRY to pay attention. Even so, they could talk about you, and if negative rumors spread...you'll miss out on the good brides." He shrugged, "And...Astrid..." He began, then stopped himself, what could he say to her about the Selection? "Don't gossip about your brother to the women..." He said, not sure what to say, but since he started addressing her, he had to finish his statement.

James felt a smile tug at his lips. Honestly is there anything bad that she could say about me without it being true? but he kept his mouth shut, for about a minute. "Father you must realize. Astrid is a girl, all girls do is gossip." He knew his sister would hate the steep typical jab, but who cares? Life at this moment was a lot better than before.

Astrid just smirked, "Father, I'm afraid the only time I would even be talking to the girls would be to tell them gossip about James," She said, aware that she was making life not at all easier for anyone. Her foot tapping grew to be even more impatient, and made some sound, but only slightly.

He scowled, "Astrid..." He said warily, his tone reprimanding her. He looked to his wife for support. She was supposed to be leading this. He sighed, "PLEASE, don't make this any harder for your brother, my daughter. It will be stressful enough." He said firmly, then looked to Alex, "If that is what you wish...although I...never mind." He said, shaking his head. He assumed the age gap is what made Alex not want to talk to the girls with the intent of finding a possible bride.

Juliette smiled at Oberon and place her hand comfortingly on his arm. "Astrid, do try to keep the more embarrassing stories from the girls. I'm sure James will want to tell them those stories himself, if at all, and not have all of them giggling when he walks into the room." She smoothed the napkin that was in her lap. "Your father and I know that it will be different having so many girls here at the palace. I implore you to behave yourselves." She met each of their eyes.

James just shrugged looking at his younger siblings. Where most would be frowning he was smiling, "I like that you want to tell gosip to the girls. That's how you'll find the weak ones. If they truly believe gossip, then they are not meant for me. Being in the position that I'm in will cause a lot of gossip. But brother all I will say is when the time comes where it's my wedding day... I would want you there. I don't want our anger towards each other to effect that."

((Didn't we have it where James, and Alexander were fighting?))

Shahdia wrote: ""Negative rumors? If anything, father, the rumors would spread about James. I'd likely end up avoiding all the girls anyway," Alex pointed out, internally scowling. The Selection was a ridiculous i..."

"Is this conversation over yet?" Astrid asked. She hadn't really been paying attention after her father addressed her. It couldn't take that long to discuss the Selection. The only thing she had to go 'was not gossip about James to the girls'.. which was the only thing she would be doing. A recluse princess would not be a very good one.

Oberon sighed, "It would appear so." He said sadly, not believing this talk achieved anything. He looked, defeated, at Juliet. His eyes asked What now? He looked down at his feet, he didn't want to be here anymore.

Juliette looked around at her silent family, wishing that they could all converse like a normal family. She was now eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Selected and for the arrival of the girls. They would help to bring life to the palace. She looked forward to meeting them during their days in the Woman's room.