ROYAL SELECTION

lat

filled the air as each of the selected famil

ith curiosity as she h

pulling it open to rev

e was formal, his e

ce," he announced, hold

r hands trembling slightl

s expression r

said, her voice ba

, and walked away, accompani

door, her eyes f

ed her excitemen

e in the letter, her mind

ared beside her, conce

, Stella?"

hesitated, then

e letter, her eyes

onto Stella's, an

nsformed, a radia

la exclaimed. "We've been selecte

turned euphoric,

s is incredible

sparkled, he

ll everyone!"

inutes

smiling at the letter as Diana

sparkled, he

will be chosen as the prince's wife," Stella

rned confident, a smi

is," Diana scoffed. "I am the old

ou two contemplating on it when you don't know if

joy killer, big bro," Diana said, pouting. "Don't

d, his smile warm. "Of co

now one of you will definitely be picke

uragement. "Yeah, we believ

on their faces. "Are you talking about K

remained serene. "

her," Diana exclaimed. "Katherine will do wors

dded in a

ony said. "The letter says all the ladies are entitled to it.

d away, dismiss

face a picture of dejection. Her e

d interview, and the dis

xchanged kno

concern etched on her fac

ile. "It didn't go well," Katherine re

il in everything," Stella moc

eyes flashing with disapproval. "S

hy. "Don't worry anymore, little sis," Tony said

on could be worse than that?" Katherine asked, her voice laced wit

is voice soothing. "Don't get yo

er eyes warm. "Yes, sweetie," Amma

that will cheer you

uriosity sparking. "What cou

er hands holding out the

ng the page. Her face remained expressionl

ed undeterred. "That is

etter back to Amma, he

e asked, her voice

owed, her face tw

going," Diana sa

ression mirr

er eyes searching. "For what?" Katherine a

red, her eyes lock

again, sweetie,

ou are

ed to the letter, her

exclaimed, her face

la's faces lit u

d in unison, thei

his brow furrowed. "You

erine said. "It didn't say it was compulsory for every lady to parti

s face tu

says every daughter of each house, and you an

xpression

orce her,"

es flashed wit

g... My sisters can go. They are fully qualified,

ce reflect

life, this is the only thing you've

dded in a

ng. She turned to leave, her shoulders slumped. "I'll

r her as she climbed t

concerned. "I'll bring yo

from upstairs. "Thank yo

silent, the te

's, a shared understand

e reflecte

pression rema

on the stairs, worr