The kingdom of Illéa buzzed with anticipation. Across the provinces, citizens gathered around screens to witness the grand announcement. It had been years since the last Selection, and this one promised to be unlike any other.

In the grand halls of the royal palace, Queen Selene Schreave stood before an assembly of cameras, her commanding presence radiating through every screen. Dressed in an elegant gown that combined traditional elements with a modern edge, she spoke with practiced grace.

"My beloved citizens of Illéa," she began, her voice resonating with authority, "today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our kingdom. The Selection returns, not only as a tradition of the monarchy but as a symbol of unity and hope. This is a time for us to come together, to celebrate the values that bind us, and to remind ourselves of the strength of Illéa."

Standing beside her was King Rowan Schreave, his stoic yet protective demeanor lending weight to her words. Their son, Crown Prince Kaius Schreave, shifted slightly on his feet, his gaze flicking between his parents and the cameras. While he appeared calm, the tight grip of his hands behind his back betrayed his unease. His sister, Princess Amara, stood next to him, her fiery personality barely concealed behind her practiced smile.

For Kaius, the announcement felt surreal. The Selection had always been a distant concept, a relic of the past that he'd never thought would become his reality. Yet here he was, about to meet 35 strangers who would compete for his heart under the watchful eyes of an entire nation.

—

In the Provinces

The announcement rippled through Illéa like wildfire, reaching the homes of the five Selected.

In Lorian, Elara Voss sat curled up in her small library, the Queen's words echoing from a nearby screen. She had never expected her name to be called, but when it was, her heart had leapt with both fear and excitement. "This is it," she whispered to herself. "My chance to make a difference."

In Varnet, Lyla Farrow leaned back in her boutique, her arms crossed. The idea of competing for a prince's heart felt absurd, yet she saw the Selection as an opportunity to expand her influence. "Why not?" she muttered, a confident smirk playing on her lips. "The royal family could use someone with ambition."

In Atherford, Maris Holloway was in the middle of a live-streamed debate when the news broke. Her followers flooded the comments with shock and excitement over her selection. For Maris, it was a chance to shake up the monarchy. "If they want me to play the game," she told her audience, "I'll play it my way."

In Eirvale, Avi Vance was practicing a dance routine when the courier arrived with her invitation. For her, the Selection was a dream—one filled with potential and possibilities. She clutched the letter to her chest, her mind already spinning with romantic notions of love and destiny.

Meanwhile, in Elonia, Zara Thorne sat in her family's stately home, her face unreadable as she reread the letter. She had always been calculating, and this was no different. "The Selection is a game," she mused aloud. "And I intend to win."

—

Inside the Palace

As preparations began, the trainee staff were hard at work ensuring everything was perfect.

Nikki Devereux darted around the grand ballroom with a clipboard in hand, barking orders to ensure the space was flawless for the arrival of the Selected. "No, no, the flowers go there! We need symmetry, people!" she called out, her energy infecting everyone around her.

Nearby, Callum Reed crouched over a malfunctioning light fixture. "Give me five minutes," he said, twisting a tool with practiced ease. "We can't have the palace looking anything less than perfect on camera."

In the styling quarters, Mari Cross worked on a sketch for the Selected's first formal gowns. "Traditional but daring," she said to herself, her pencil moving quickly. "This is their debut—we need to make an impression."

Toby Kingsley walked the palace corridors, scanning for any potential security risks. The Selection wasn't just about romance; it was a political spectacle, and Toby took his role of protecting everyone involved very seriously.

Meanwhile, Isabelle Green was already busy crafting posts for the royal family's social media accounts. "We need the perfect shot of the prince," she said, scrolling through photos on her tablet. "The people love a good story, and this one's going to captivate them."

—

Crown Prince Kaius

As the day wound to a close, Kaius found himself in the palace garden, seeking a moment of peace. He stared up at the stars, wondering how his life had led to this moment. The Selection loomed over him like a shadow. Could he truly find love amidst the cameras, the competition, and the weight of his crown?

Unbeknownst to him, the five Selected were asking themselves a similar question.