The east wing garden, with its quiet pathways and blooming roses, had always been a place of refuge for Aiden and Elara. It was a sanctuary where the weight of crowns and expectations faded, leaving just a brother and sister who knew each other better than anyone else.

Elara sat cross-legged on a low stone bench, idly plucking petals from a daisy she'd found. Aiden leaned against the trunk of an old oak tree, his arms crossed, his expression clouded with thought.

"I swear," Elara began, breaking the silence, "if you keep brooding like that, the gardeners are going to mistake you for one of these statues."

Aiden huffed a small laugh but didn't respond.

Elara tilted her head. "Alright, spill. What's gnawing at you now?"

Aiden's Concerns

Aiden sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just... this whole Selection process. How am I supposed to find someone genuine when everything about this feels so artificial?"

Elara smirked. "Welcome to the world of royalty. Fake smiles and ulterior motives are practically a family tradition."

"That's exactly the problem," Aiden said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I don't want my future—my future queen—to be decided by politics or strategy. I want someone real, someone I can trust."

Elara's teasing expression softened. "Aiden, you've always been the idealist. That's why you'll be a good king someday. But maybe you're putting too much pressure on yourself. You don't have to figure it all out today."

Elara's Frustrations

Elara tossed the daisy aside and leaned back, her gaze fixed on the sky. "It's not like I can't relate, though. At least you have a clear role in all this madness. Everyone knows what's expected of the crown prince. Me? I'm just the 'spirited princess' who keeps everyone entertained."

Aiden looked at her, his brows furrowed. "You know you're more than that."

"Am I?" Elara replied, her voice unusually quiet. "I smile and nod at parties, charm foreign dignitaries, and occasionally toss out a witty comment to keep things lively. But when it comes to the big picture, I don't matter."

"You matter to me," Aiden said firmly.

Elara glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're sweet, but you're also biased. It's not like I can waltz into the council chamber and demand a say in kingdom affairs."

"Maybe not," Aiden said thoughtfully, "but you've always had a way of influencing people. You don't need a title to make an impact."

A Shared Memory

Elara chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You've always been too nice to me. Remember when we were kids and you let me take the blame for breaking that vase in the throne room?"

Aiden smiled faintly. "How could I forget? Father was furious."

"You didn't even hesitate," Elara said, her tone warm. "You just stepped up and said it was your fault. Why?"

"Because I knew how much you hated disappointing him," Aiden replied. "I couldn't stand the thought of you getting in trouble over something so small."

Elara looked at him for a long moment, her teasing demeanor replaced by something softer. "You've always protected me, Aiden. I don't say it often, but... I'm grateful."

"You'd do the same for me," Aiden said simply.

"Of course," she replied with a grin. "Though let's be honest—I'd probably find a way to talk us both out of it."

Future Plans

After a moment of comfortable silence, Elara shifted the topic. "So, what about the girls? Any favorites yet?"

Aiden hesitated, his thoughts drifting. "Amara's intriguing. She doesn't try to impress me like the others do. And Isabel... she's kind. Genuine. Selene, though—she's sharp, almost too sharp."

Elara raised an eyebrow. "So, basically, you're torn between the rebel, the sweetheart, and the firecracker?"

Aiden groaned. "It's not that simple, Elara. They're all more complicated than they seem."

"Of course they are," Elara said with a grin. "They're people, not chess pieces. But here's some sisterly advice—don't overthink it. Trust your instincts."

Aiden gave her a sidelong glance. "You make it sound so easy."

Elara stood and stretched, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "That's because I'm not the one choosing a queen. My biggest decision today is which dessert to steal from the kitchen."

Aiden shook his head, laughing. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd be bored, for one," Elara teased. "Now, come on. Let's go raid the kitchens before the next round of formalities starts."

As the siblings walked back toward the palace, the weight of their roles felt a little lighter. Together, they knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead—be it a Selection or the kingdom itself.