"What do you think are our chances of getting lost here?" whispered Vivian. The two of us were trailing behind The King, Queen, Damon, two boys and a girl. The only people behind us were two palace guards.

"I'd say the chances are pretty high," I replied, trying to multitask - appreciate what was in front of me and remember the route we were walking from.

"Who do you think are those three?" I asked, pointing to the three people who looked around our age.
"They are his friends I think, and the two of them are together," Vivian said pointing at a guy who had just kissed the forehead of the girl he had his hand around.

"He could be her brother too," I stated.
"Nope," he said, still whispering. "See the way he looks at her every time she speaks, and the possessiveness with which he is holding her? Their definitely in a relationship."

"Who are you? Sherlock Holmes?" I asked incredulously and he chuckled.

***

*DAMON'S POV*

All of us turned and were walking through the hallways to the dining area. We were behind mother and father, while Vivian and Amelia were behind us.

"So, good body, hot, great looks and by the looks of it, great personality too. Good choice Damon, I approve," said Gabriella.

I scoffed, "Who said I was wanting your approval in the first place? I like her or not, it's my choice."

"Oh! You were talking about the girl? I was talking about that boy she came with actually."

"Were you now?" said Shawn and put an arm around her waist, amusement in his eyes. They had been dating for a year now and he was planning to propose to her soon too.

"Shawn! I forgot you were here too!" She said faking getting shocked.

"Oh I completely understand Brie, because you would never call anyone hot right in front of me, would you?"

"You know me the best," she said grinning after which he kissed her forehead.

"Guys, no PDA please! Get a room," whined Josh.

I rolled my eyes and said, "It was just a kiss on the forehead Josh. It's not our fault you are pathetically single. Also, keep your voice down," I scolded him. Father was still walking in front of us and I didn't want him to hear our conversation.

"Yeah sure, you're one to talk. You yourself don't have a girlfriend and the only girl you have ever liked besides 'You know who' of course, barely pays you any heed," he said while grinning.

I ignored his comment on calling HER 'you know who' (after Voldemort of course), hit him on the head and said, "You haven't seen the future so shut up. Besides, which one of the two of us has ten girls in this very palace right now, who are already ready to marry him? Most of the girls of course," I said, thinking about Amelia.

"He has a point there Joshy," said Gabriella.
Josh glared at her for both, calling him by the nickname he hated and not taking his side.

"Besides," she continued, "all those things I said about her, not her partner," she playfully looked at Shawn, "are true. Again, good choice Damon."

Shawn chuckled and said, "And that means a lot because we all know he doesn't make those often." This time it was my time to glare at them while the three idiots I call my best friends laughed. Make fun of you, that's what your true friends do don't they?

***

*AMELIA'S POV*

For some reason I had a feeling they were talking about me but I shrugged it off when we reached two massive doors. I could hear faint noises of people talking through the doors too.

Then, the door was opened for us and even the quiet mumbling that was audible to us before stopped.
Everyone's eyes were on us as Vivian and I entered with Damon, his family, and his friends.

The dining table was set up right in the centre of the room with a big chandelier hanging from above.
The table was huge since all the girls along with their partners had to be accommodated and there were still about eight empty chairs for all of us.

King Rupert sat at the head of the table while Queen Clarisse sat to his right. Damon sat on the other seat next to him. The two guards, seeing us standing awkwardly at the side, motioned for us to sit in the two seats beside Queen Clarisse while Damon's three friends sat beside him.

After I was seated I took the few seconds I had to quickly glance at everyone sitting at the table. All the girls whose photos I had seen in the newspaper were present here with their partners to the right.
So that was why the guard insisted on me sitting next to the Queen. All the men were supposed to sit on the right side of the girls and if Vivian would have sat where I was sitting right now, he would have come to my left.

My God, these people are crazy. How am I going to survive over here? I thought to myself.
Just then someone cleared their throat and when I looked up, I realized that it was the King.

"Welcome to our palace everyone. I would like to congratulate you on reaching this far in in the selection process of my future daughter in law, and Damon's future wife."

I scoffed. Now I know where does Damon get his cockiness from. He seriously thinks that being short-listed to be chosen as his potential future daughter in law is a great feat.

What I didn't realize was that my reaction was rather a little loud since everyone at the table looked at me gaping. Damon slapped a hand to his head while the King glared at me.

I nervously swallowed my saliva and looked at him. With one last glare at me, he continued.

"All of you ladies are here as a result of us seeing something special in you. Something a future Queen must definitely have. While not all of our choices are as immaculate," he said quickly glancing at me, "most of you have impressed us. For the coming days you would be residing in our palace along with your partner. You are aware about the rest of the process but I must warn you. If you shall do anything against the rules or anything considered as treason, I shall personally make it my duty to get you out of here and if needed, out of the country. Do not take advantage of our generosity," again, he looked at me briefly. What is it with him?! "and do not let us down. You shall start having your lunch now."

What was this, boarding school? What is with this guy and ordering people? I actually pity Damon now, having to go through that for all these years.
"I would hate to be Damon now," whispered Vivian, matching my thoughts.

After we were done with the main course, dessert started to come in slowly. The King and Queen took this time to ask questions to the girls sitting at the table.
They asked them about their likes, dislikes, political views and what one change would they make if they were to be the next Queen, while their partners hoped that the King and Queen won't like their answer.

There were quite some reporters who were sitting at the side too, so every question and every answer was very meticulously written.

All the answers of the girls were on the lines of liking to sing and dance, speaking crap when it came to political views and wanting to maintain peace and harmony among people if she were to be crowned Queen. I chuckled at their stupidity, quietly this time. Their answers were no better than fourth graders. What idiots.

"So Miss Fernandez, what would you do if you were to be the future Queen?"

"Well, Your Majesty, firstly I would like to say how lucky do I feel to be here right now." She looked at me too. Great. "It is very important to have good alliances with other neighbouring and powerful countries. Focusing on this, I would use the many contacts my father has and would like to make more, with neighbouring states and countries and make the very foundation of Aldrin strong."

Everyone on the table, including Damon, Queen Clarisse and King Rupert seemed impressed by her answer. I had to admit, by far her answer was the best too. Not all girls here are stupid I guess.

"According to me," she continued, "no other problem is more important to a country than not having powerful and wealthy allies."
And....there she goes and proves me wrong. I take back my words, all the girls here a stupid. I smiled to myself and continued eating.

"I'm sorry do you have a problem." I looked up to see Eva (I learned that was her name) looking at me with her eyebrows raised.
"Were you talking to me-"
"Yes I was talking to you. I'm sorry if this seems rude Your Majesty but I had to speak up. Do you mind if I just ask her a question? "

King Rupert widened his eyes and motioned for her to continue. He wanted to see me get humiliated I guess. Damon had his mouth open at the scene unfolding in front of him while Queen Clarisse discreetly asked him to shut it. He gave her an innocent look but obliged. I smiled at how pure their relationship was.

"So, Amelia Grayson I presume?"

I nodded.

"Well it seems to me that since you have entered you haven't been so discreet in showing your disapproval towards certain things. What I don't understand is that if the King himself thinks that what I have said is true, who are you to have a problem with it?"

That was two questions.
"It's not that I have a problem with it, I just don't think it's completely true," I said in monotone.

"Well why don't you tell all of us present here what would be the one thing YOU would do if you were Queen?"

That was three questions.
Well if she wanted to pick on me, it's not my fault. She got this on herself.

I sighed and started speaking.

"While making contacts and allies isn't bad, it isn't the 'only' important thing. If I were given the chance and power a Queen has, first I would make sure that my people aren't suffering, in any possible way. Not dying of hunger, loss of money or lack of shelter. There are kids who are getting proper education and the women are getting equal rights. Then I would turn to other things like making allies. You make allies so in times of need they can protect and help you right. Well if there was no one left to protect and help, what would you do with your 'contacts' and 'allies'?"

She didn't have an answer because she wasn't expecting to hear what I just said. So instead of answering my question, she asked me one more.

"So are you trying to say that His Highness isn't doing anything about these problems right now?"

Through my periphery I could see the reporters typing at a great speed. They were getting a run for their money today. I think they, including everyone else expected a cat fight to break out but I wasn't going to give them that satisfaction so I replied calmly.

"No. What I am saying is that since I practically live with such kind of people, I have seen their problems first hand. I will be able to address such matters in a better way. And if we are getting into that," I acted as if I was whispering but made sure everyone could hear what I was saying, "do you mean to say that you are better in making contacts in comparison to King Rupert himself?" I feigned shock.

Eva looked like a fish. Opening and closing her mouth, finding an answer to what I just said.

"Oh, and that was four," I added.

"What?" she replied quizzically.

I know this wasn't even that important but I was enjoying the look on her face so I had to tell this to her just to see that look accentuate.
"You asked me four questions, not one," I winked at her and grinned.