♔ The Selection ♔ discussion

Cassandra was walking around, lost in the big Castle. While walking, she stumbled upon the Library, which made her feel like she was in heaven. She looked around, hoping she was alone. She picked up a book, and sat down, hoping no one was watching, cause she usually was yelled at for reading from where she was.

Elena skipped into the library. This was the place where she felt most at home. Where she felt that she was safe. She saw another girl and walked over with a smile, “hello.” She greeted, “who are you?” She asked.

Cassandra jolted from her intense reading session, immediately standing up. "H-hi, I'm one of the selected for Princess Elena's Selection. My name Cassandra Aurra, but call me Cass. Nice to meet you." She curtsied, not realizing she was Princess Elena.

“Ohh, understood.” Elena nodded, amused, “my name’s Elena, lovely to meet you.” She said. It wasn’t rare that this happened. But it amused Elena at all times. And she loved to see the reactions when the selected realized who she was.

Cass turned pale, her cheeks red from embarrassment, "I fell right into that didn't I?" She muttered to herself. She immediately curtsied again, "G-good Morning Princess." She greeted with anxiousness.

Elena chuckled, “please, don’t curtsy. Everyone does that so it’ll be nice having the selected not doing it. What caste are you from.” Elena asked in an attempt to make conversation, she sat down and placed her notebook beside her.

Cass gave a soft smile in response, nodding, "As you wish." She sat down in a chair, her spirits uplifted from a change of subject. "Caste 3. I'm a Lawyer." She smiled, placing the book she was reading gently on her lap. She wondered if she should mention her being an Author. It was a small part-time hobby really.

“Interesting.” Elena nodded, “haven’t seen many of those.” She looked at the book that was in Cassandra’s lap, “what’s the title?” She asked. Her family especially her older sister Mya were sometimes confused as to why Elena was so into reading and writing.

"A classic, The Tempest, William Shakespeare." She smiled, "And yes, a woman, being a lawyer is rare, but I do enjoy my work." She sighed, remembering all the problems she faced because she was a woman. "Do you enjoy reading Your highness?" she asked,

“My favourite Shakespeare work was Othello or Julius Cesar.” Elena replied, “yes, I love it. I wasn’t exactly born into the royal family, only adopted, so reading was the way I could explore the world, and when I came here it was my escape...”

"Ah I love those books," She nodded, "I understand what you mean," She stopped at that, not wanting to bring back memories of her late father. "Do you remember your first parents?" She asked softly, hoping she wasn't prying too much.

“Not much...” Elena said thoughtfully. “Only their names mainly, I was three when I got adopted...and I only know they were in caste seven, they worked as butlers and maids for the royals and when they died queen melody and king Bruce took me in.” She sucked in a breath thinking about her dad, the king who had died recently.

She listened carefully to her words, not knowing how to react. She firsthand felt how it was to lose a father. She bent her head in respect, "King Bruce, may he rest in peace." She said respectfully. "And how do you like living as a member of the royal family? What's it like?"

“It’s...intense.” She let out a short laugh. “There are so many expectations and realities you have to face. I swear I’m not trying to scare you off.” She said. “It’s just...having the selection and picking your soulmate? It’s a recipe for trouble. My siblings are married to their happily ever after but how do I know I won’t choose wrong....?”

"You won't be scaring me off that easily," She chuckled softly, letting out a sigh. She nodded curtly, "I see. Thinking about it, it actually isn't the best way to find your lover by sending in thirty-five girls or boys and asking you to pick one. Your right, it is a recipe for trouble." She chuckled, "Well, you have to take time and follow your heart on matters like this. It will lead the way." She explained as if she was taking in her words herself.

"As you wish." Elena grinned. "Exactly, I'd much rather be able to travel the land and fall in love naturally. I don't want a whole Romeo Juliet tragedy thing to happen. And I get that. But sometimes I'm sure my heart will be wrong...and my mother and siblings won't be happy with who I marry."

"Ah, can I tell you something?" She says and then moved a small inch closer, whispering, "To hell what they think." She grinned moving back, "If I thought for one second what others said about me and my choices, I'd never gain the respect or education I have now. Heck, I would be married off to some random guy and be his slave."

"But, forget that. Trust your heart. It will lead the way. And have faith in yourself! I'm sure you'll find the right person." She gave a sincere smile, the stern expression morphed into a sweeter one.