Amora

Chapter Two

Seven ranks down, seven days have passed, and seven girls have been chosen. Every girl in each town who is at the age of sixteen or older is put into a bowl of names and chosen at random by the prince. Yes, the prince goes to each town and draws a name. Claire Harper, rank one, from Geraniums. She does not have to think twice if they can have food on the table. She and her pinched-up face were chosen on Saturday.

Brooke Riles, rank two, from Irises was chosen on Sunday. Everyone knows Brooke Riles because she is a model following in her mother’s footsteps. My sister adores her for her beauty but in all honesty, I would rather wear a trash bag for the rest of my life than look like her. Her spray-tan skin must be a turn-on to the Prince.

Kyleigh Maxton, rank three, from Crocus was chosen on Monday and didn’t seem all too excited like the other girls. Don’t get me wrong they didn’t jump up and down, they only smiled or grinned and walked up like they were all put together. Kyleigh on the other hand never changed her expression from her blank face which isn’t all too surprising since she is the daughter of the most respected soldier Amora. If I ever got the chance to just be in the same room with him, I would be honored.

Nicole Felton, rank four, from Peony was chosen on Tuesday. These were the people who controlled all the money in Amora and controlled whatever rank you were. If a rank one was to fall out in cash, they would most likely be moved down to rank seven which is factory workers. Of course, the owners of the factories are not in that rank, they are rank twos. Nicole seemed eager to get up there unlike the other girls. She was the first one who looked genuinely excited.

Amelia Grey, rank five, from Carnation was chosen on Wednesday. Now that we are lower in ranks than in the beginning, the girls are truly wanting and some needing this. I’ve heard of Amelia as the sweetest girl who tutored anyone who needed it since her mother was a well-known professor and had the chance to educate the prince. When she heard her name call, she squeezed her mom tight and ran up to the stage.

Everleigh Smith, rank six, from Daffodil was chosen on Thursday. She was a merchant, and I saw her around sometimes whenever I went with my dad to replace the food. Usually, she was selling some clothing, or talking to boys that crowded her. Everleigh was the beauty of Daffodil and always had boys chasing her. Grandly announced her name after Prince Lucas handed him the piece of folded-up paper, she jumped up and down and everyone was hooting and hollering her name. Already, she was a fan favorite.

May Link, rank six, from Colu was chosen on Friday. Rank six was where families started struggling. Factory workers are people who like to have a lot of kids so they can have a lot of income coming in. It wasn’t shocking when she screamed “yes,” and ran full speed to the stage while her parents weren’t as excited. This meant they were losing some income however they had a chance to become elite.

Luciana Clove, rank seven, from Clover chosen on Saturday, was yesterday’s girl. She was the same rank as Rylee. They have worked together before, and my family gives them our extra photos. We were all especially excited when they announced her name. Clapping just as the people in the crowd who were excited her one of their own. She looked very happy smiling and bowing for the prince. I remember sometimes she would talk about how she found him so handsome. The prince would be lucky to have a girl like her.

Today, Sunday, was the day rank Eight Girl would be chosen. You can hear the commotion of the city of Primrose. They were putting together the stage where Grandly, the King, the Queen, and the Prince would all be standing as the girl was chosen. Blaire was running around trying to figure out what to wear even though we all only had one pair of nice-looking clothes. I wasn’t especially happy today because I hadn’t seen Rylee since that night. I have been going every night but he never shows. I saw him on the news last night and he was standing with his family and he looked happy. I didn’t get to see who else was next to him. What if it was another girl? It couldn’t have been but I couldn’t see so I wouldn’t know.

“Celine stop looking so blue today!” Blaire instructed as she waved ribbons around. “You could be chosen as the Primrose girl!”

“Oh, Blaire, you know I don’t want that,” I laughed as I sat on the couch watching her.

Dad gave us today off because Mom didn’t want any of us getting sweaty. After all, we would all be on the news and I have a chance. I was already dressed in my cream-white dress that had small blue flowers on it. Mom was in charge of all of our hair. She had decided to go with half up half down for me with a blue ribbon. Daphne was struggling to find anything because her baby bump had gotten bigger over this past month, but she still looked beautiful in a black flowy dress and her long blonde hair was pulled into a beautiful braid. Blaire looked especially cute today, and of course she would. She is very fond of the royal family and anything to them. Blaire was wearing a red dress that suited her well. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail with a red ribbon to pull it all together. My mother had on the nicest dresses she owned that flowed with all of her curves. It was a peach color that went well with her sweet smile.

“Girls, you all look beautiful.” Jeremy complimented as he went and kissed his wife on the cheek and bent down to kiss her tummy. He was outside with Dad unloading the buckets from yesterday. That work wasn’t much of a sweaty job.

“Oh, don’t you two look dashing too,” Mom complimented back as Dad walked in closing the door. Both of them were wearing a white button-down shirt. The only difference was their pants; Dad went with jeans, and Jeremy went with black pants.

I heard a sigh as Dad got comfy on the couch when Mom went over to him. “Don’t you dare get too comfy we have to get leaving soon since we have to walk.”

“Bonnie, let me relax for a few minutes, please honey,” He groans looking back at his wife who was standing there having her arms crossed.

“Two minutes then we leave!” She agreed and then turned to the rest of us. “Y’all all better be ready to leave in two minutes, shoes and everything!”

“How does he get two minutes of rest and we have to rush to make sure we are ready?” I complained, pointing at Dad who was sitting there with his eyes closed.

“Get ready!”

~~~

Walking is always fun with the Sonny family. First, you have the complainer aka me and Blaire, then you have the love birds aka Daphne and Jeremy, then you have the romantic aka mom, and lastly, you are the quiet one aka my dad. It wasn’t that far of a walk. I have always loved walks because they let you have time to just have peace of mind.

The square was packed with almost all of the eights here. No, we didn’t have fancy clothes but this is the first time I have seen everyone dressed so nicely. All the girls of age were giddy looking, anxiously looking at the stage because at any moment the royal family could walk out.

“Daddy, can you put me on your shoulders?” Blaire asked, jumping up and down cause she was a little too short to see.

“Can you see better now, sweetheart?” Dad asked, situating her on top of him.

“That doesn’t seem right.” Mom slapped Dad on the shoulder.

“Blaire couldn’t see, and who cares right? We already are farmers,” Dad scoffed.

He has always hated the ranking in Amora. He and I think much alike on that subject. All of it is stupid. Everyone should just work together to make everything go around just as it is known but get rid of the poor money-making and all of the judging.

“Hello, hello, hello Primrose!” Grandly announced walking in so proudly his arms wide smiling just as huge. Green tux with a black tie to pull it all together. He is the one to go for the crazy tuxedos to make him look extra special.

“Ah!” Mom, Blaire, Daphne, and about a hundred other women screamed just at the sight of Grandly.

“Aw, you all shouldn’t,” Grandly blushes. “You know don’t tell the others but Primrose is always my favorite.” All the women and girls gush as I scoff, “He says that in every town.”

“Now, we all know why I am here. It is time for the choosing of the lady of Primrose! Please help me welcome the King, Queen, and Prince of Amora!”

Clapping and cheering erupted through the crowd. I on the other hand just gave them a slight clap. I respect them to an extent, of course. There they came out in all their royalness. King Marcus was waving his hand with Queen Victoria’s hand around his arm also waving to her people. Prince Lucas came in behind smiling waving proudly because one of these girls was going to be a suitor or even his wife. He looked very put together, his hair slicked back and a corn-stretched pressed white suit.

“Hello citizens in Primrose,” the king welcomed as the queen kept smiling and waving.

“How lovely it is to see you all,” the queen said smiling at everyone.

Most all my respect went to the queen. She was once a merchant who sold musical instruments; Marlee’s Music Market was called. My mom told me when she would bring buckets of carrots to the carrot stand some days she would get a glimpse of Queen Valerie, who was just Valerie Marlee at the time, helping customers sell and learn what they were playing. She is a real beauty. Long blonde hair and striking blue eyes which her children inherited from her. Lucky. But, she was one of us at a time and now she has to handle a country. She is a queen.

“Today, is the last town, and find the last girl for the choosing? Do you think it could be you?” Grandly teased the crowd and the crowd took it because all the girls screamed saying “It's me!”

“Prince Lucas,” Grandly started, “It’s time.”

He straightens up and fixes his already perfect suit as he starts to walk over to the ball where they keep every girl’s name that is eligible to be chosen. Once he makes it over to the huge ball, he runs his hand through his chocolate brown disgusting hair. All I could think about was Rylee at this time. What was he doing now? Why hadn’t he been coming to our spot? Had he been working extra time to save up money for a ring? Oh, I can’t get overboard…

“Celine Sonny,” Read aloud Prince Lucas.

Everything seemed to freeze into slow motion. Whipping my head up, I looked towards the stage when he was also scanning the crowd. The crowd erupted into clapping and cheering and my mom was pushing me toward the stage. Looking back, I saw my mother's face the happiest she had been since Jeremy and Daphne’s wedding, Blaire was jumping up and down shooing her hands at me to keep going, Daphne was hugging Jermey, and Dad gave a shy smile clapping gently for me.

What… no... I can’t go up there. This can’t be happening. I am in love with someone else. I am in love with Rylee Cruise and he is the one I want to marry over any stuck snobby prince head. But I kept walking up there for my parents and since I was on the news, I knew I couldn’t make a fool of myself so soon. Walking up the stairs, I was met with the Prince’s hand. Not taking it I continue to walk past him to Grandly just like I saw all the other girls do. Looking out at the crowd everyone was jumping up and down clapping their heads off.

“Miss Celine Sonny, welcome to the choosing. How do you feel?” Grandly ask me, shaking my hand.

Words. I couldn’t come up with any. I wanted to say, Grandly I don’t want to be here, choose again for another girl, but I can’t say that. It's against the rules. If you are chosen, you must go through it. Sighing, I compose, “Um… I feel… I feel…”

“Overly excited?” Grandyly tried to finish.

Nodding with a fake smile, hoping this will help me go by.

“ Great!” Then he leans in closer to me. “You’re gonna be the shy one, you’re my favorite so far.”

Giggling, I smile as he takes my hand and shoots it in the air. “Here is your Primrose Lady! Miss Lady Celine Sonny of Primrose!”

~~~~

It has been a long night. First, the king and queen came over and had to shake my hand. You know the kingly thing to do to his peasants. Then the prince had to just come over and have a conversation with me all because I didn’t take his hand.

“Miss,” I heard my name as I was trying to get off the stage. Turning around, it was the Prince.

“Your Highness,” I say as I try to hide my disgust, bowing to his preppy prince self.

“You never took my hand, so I was coming to make sure you are alright,” He asked, looking me in the eye. “Um, yeah I am fine. I have to head out now, so I guess I will see you Friday,” I say with a rush bowing again as I head out.

Faintly I heard as I was pushing through the crowd of people congratulating me, “See you, Miss Lady Celine.”

After that, it was all the congratulating people. Don’t get me wrong, I love my town and everyone here. I can tell you everyone’s name, what they do, what they sell, where they sell, their children, and everyone’s story. So of course, this was the hardest part. I felt like I was betraying them by only walking past and giving a smile, but I just wanted to go home and it turned dark. I want to run to my escape and hope he will be there.

When we got home, Mom tried to make a fest and she did the best she could due to what all we had. Jeremy and Daphne started giving me relationship advice. Blaire started throwing ribbons at me. I love my family and the smiles on their faces were what made me smile through the night. I knew it was going to be a long week.

Once dark covered us and gave us the stars, I threw on my robe over my pj pink shorts and an old shirt of my bothers. Jumping out of the window, I run the fastest I ever have, not caring about anything, people, or even the curfew. Not caring about being Miss Lady Celine Sonny of Primrose. I wanted to be Rylee’s tonight. To make the night better, he was standing there. Running even harder, I wrap my arms around him squeezing him and giving the biggest hug I ever have. In return, he hugs me tight too, but then lets go.

“No,” I whisper. “I just want to hug you.” As I go in to hug him again, he stops me. He never does this.

“Celine, I can’t.”

Looking him in the eyes, I shake my head. “No, you said if I was called, I would have to tell them no, and you would marry me.”

“Celine, it’s against the rules, and I just can’t.”

“You haven’t been here in eight days, and you can. We can. Let's just get married anyway. I don’t want him, all I want is you,” I beg grabbing his hands and bringing him closer to me.

“We can’t, Celine, I can’t keep dragging you on. I can’t drag you down with me. I can’t make you become a servant for the rest of your life. I can’t be a good husband to you. I can’t keep you loving me when you try to fall in love with the prince. He will give you the world, Celine. I can’t do that to you. You can get the whole world and move and help your family, I can’t drag someone down with you. ”

“Please, I beg you, don’t leave me here. Don’t let me have to figure out life without you. Don’t break my heart into pieces and have to figure out a way to put them back together. Don’t make me regret all the years of falling in love with you.” Tears start threatening to escape as I look this man in the eye.

“Celine, he can give you the world as you deserve and we are over,” He finally ends up stepping forward and kisses me on my forehead then turns the other way and runs off.

For three years I loved him. Three years I gave him every night. For three years I let him come into the barriers I hide from others. Breaking down, I fall onto the ground covering my mouth to try to hide the screams from my mouth that are threatening to escape. He left me. He shattered my heart. He just broke me.