"Goooood evening, Illéa! I am over the moon to be participating in this year's selection!" He flashed a cheesy grin at the screen and turned to face someone not in the view. The camera panned left, showing the royal family. The king sat stiff and uptight, his face neutral. The queen gave a tasteless smile to the audience. Prince Dedrick looked calm and kingly, his ruffled deep brown hair complimenting his handsome face, chiseled jaw and chestnut eyes. "Now let's hear some words from the man of the hour, Prince Dedrick!" The camera turned to show both Prince Dedrick and Gavril but only the side of the queen, hiding their remorseful looks. "Pleasure Prince Dedrick." Gavril said, a comical look on his face. "The pleasure is all but mine." Dedrick responded stiffly, his discomfort radiating from every pore. 

"Now, not to get straight down to business..." Gavril winked at the camera, "What do you imagine your perfect girl would be like?" Prince Dedrick's face remained unaffected but panic glinted in his eyes. "A capable queen." Prince Dedrick responded, collecting himself. "Thank you your highness, Illéa is jumping in their seats waiting for the selection to start, I know I am!" Gavril said, comedic excitement filling his tone. Prince Dedrick laughed tightly as the camera panned right, focusing on the King and Queen. "Any words of wisdom to the crowd my queen?" Gavril asked. 

"The selection is not child's play. You will make friends for life, and enemies that will attempt to ruin your path to success. Never lose the upper hand, or you'll lose the game." The queen replied, maintaining a tight lipped smile. "Wise words from a former competitor, allow me to introduce the special thirty-six young ladies chosen for the selection. Yes, we have something special this year, an extra lady from the same old place. Will this spark a rivalry, or a new romance! Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating the following Daughters of Illéa!" Gavril said, the screen showing a deck of cards. "Miss Melina Castaway of Hansport, Two." A card flipped over showing live footage of the candidate. Hands on her cheeks, she jumped up and down, brown ringlets bouncing around her face. "Miss Bhianca Katz of Waverly, Three." Another card flipped showing a girl with pale skin and glossy black hair, gasping at her success. A shorter girl next to her cried with rage before realizing she was on camera. "Miss Fhlora Perlyian of Paloma, Four." 

The third card flipped revealing a pixie-like girl with round blue eyes, a button nose and a golden blond bob. Fhora's eyes widened and her lashes batting with innocence "Miss Adelaide Welsh of Sota, Five." The fourth card turned, footage of a brown haired girl appearing. Her dismay was obvious as her parents crowded her with hugs and kisses. In fact she looked ready to cry or punch someone. "Miss Beryl Sven of Midston, Two." Another card turned, perfectly framing a shocked blond. Her application appeared beside the footage where she sweeped ice blond from her eyes, face contorting in delight. "Miss Daina Hart of Belcourt, Three." The sixth card flipped, showing a heart lipped stern girl with a mop of brown waves. 

Her dark eyes filled with determination. "Miss Scarlett Kijorn of Fennley, Two." Another card flipped, capturing an expectant look from an auburn haired girl. Her velvet red dress captured glamour but still looked prestigious. Her hair was in a handsome updo and her smile was tight and professional. But a giggling girl was revealed in the depths of her eyes. "Jayden Zjhoren of Zuni, Four." The camera panned to another revealed card capturing the sturdy jaw and Muscular build of the tanned girl.

 Her burnt caramel skin glowed and she bit her lip to hide a grimace. Her glossy black braid lying on her shoulder like a restrained waterfall. "Everly West of Dominica, Three." A girl with dark tan skin and thick dark hair's eyes widened. Her mouth gaped open as her family embraced her and she stared at the screen grinning like she won a million dollars. "Sayra Chin Lee of Summer, Five." Another girl, this time with short cut black hair and bangs began to cry while her family pummeled her in hugs. She looked at the screen pressing her hands together in blessing. "Ah!" Gavril announced. The screen returned to him. "This year to spice things up, we're adding one other girl to the mix, from the same province as another!" Gasps echoed around. 

"The special lottery card that accepts the thirty sixth girl, a second from one province, Bree Katz of Waverly, Three." The screen flashed over to show the girl Bhianca next to her sister, who was squealing in delight and smiling confidently at Bhianca. The cards continued, varying from smiling beauties to soot covered grins. Some girls wore  makeup that must have cost too much and taken too much time, while others looked unprepared to begin with. The selection was beginning.