Chapter 2
The Day Before
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Dominique woke with a start, her eyes springing open the moment her maids flung open her curtains. Dominique squinted against the sudden brightness and found herself suddenly giddy with excitement. "Oh my goodness!" she smiled to herself cupping her face in her hands. She could not believe that this was her life right now. Her maids were fantastic, the girls had been amazingly friendly - at least the ones that had taken the time to get to know her yesterday - and she was living in a palace of all places.
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"Come on miss!" one of her maids encouraged beckoning her to the bathroom. Dominique smiled warmly at the young woman not much older than herself and took a deep breath in to calm her nerves. Today was the day that she was going to meet the Prince.
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"Which dress miss?" her maid asked as Dominique breezed into the bathroom.
"The red one," Dominique called ducking back into the room to make her point, "Always the red."
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~*~
Yep! Red was definitely the colour to go with. Dominique smiled to herself rather pleased with her reflection as she passed a mirror on her way to the recording studio. After barely eating anything at breakfast thanks to a jumble of butterflies wrecking havoc in her stomach she was one of the first ladies into the studio and lucky enough to grab a seat right up the front.
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Dominique didn't quite understand how it was going to work but they were congregating in the studio because it was the only space big enough to hold all of the Selected girls while keeping them out of the way of the servants who were setting up for some big diplomatic function that was going on. She couldn't quiet be sure, but Dominique was positive that she had overheard one of her maids stressing about it to one the laundresses while she was in the bathroom.
Apparently, it couldn't be rescheduled much to the Prince's displeasure. The Prince was sure that it was some covert move to whisper in the ear of the girls drawn in the Selection and had - with the support of his father- organised for the girls to remain hidden away until the function was over.
"Hey, Dominique? It is Dominique right?"
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Dominique turned to her neighbour and did a double take. This girl was perfection in the kind of way that hinted at money.
"Uh - yeah, that's me," Dominique offered not quite sure what the girl wanted, "Your-your Savannah right? One of the 2's?"
"Yeah, that's me," The girl smiled warmly and leaned in, casting a look over her shoulder at the other girls congregating in the room and grumbling as they took seats in the second row and beyond, "Hey uh, your tag is sticking out. I just thought that you might want to-"
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"What!" Dominique's eyes bugged and she reached around trying to feel the back of her dress.
Savannah shook her head, "Here," she offered shuffling forward in her seat and tucking the stray tag back into place, "There you go. You are perfect."
"Wow," Dominique said, "Thank you sooo much! You are a really decent person. I really didn't think that-that someone like you would be so nice." Yep there was that screaming honesty that everyone was always on about.
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"Eh," Savannah shrugged, "It's all good...actually," The girl studied Dominique's face for a moment and reached out a finger swiping it across her cheek, "Yeah you're good now, a little bit of powder was still sitting on your cheek."
"Thanks," Dominique replied feeling like this was the start of a really good friendship.
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~*~
The girls had been waiting in the studio for what felt like hours. Some of them barely noticed getting caught up in fantastic conversation with the girls around them, other's tapped their feet nervously and kept shooting glances at the door. Every girl there wanted to the be the first one to catch his eye. Surely that was the key to standing out right?
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A sudden fall of feet in the marble hall way outside made a few of the girls sit up straighter and other's hush all leaning around each other to get a good view of the doorway.
The Prince strode in beaming from ear to ear and sweeping his gaze over the women, "Hello ladies!" he greeted, "Lets get started hey? I can't wait to get to know you all."
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"Hey," he said to a girl with bright blue hair winking at her as he passed by. She gave him a flirtatious smile and winked back.
"Hey yourself."
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The girls moved forward one by one and Ming Ying watched each exchange with such intensity...
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...that she missed the girl who'd tried to strike up a conversation during their makeovers waving yet another hello. Some of the girls had the prince smiling politely, others coaxed a giggle at them and one girl had even been bold enough to rest her hand on his knee as they chatted. Ming was a little unhappy about that. That was not the way that a lady should act.
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Ming's turn came eventually and she squared her shoulders and walked up to the prince making sure to hold her head high like she had been taught at finishing school (like debutants). She sat down before the prince bowing her head deeply to show her reverence.
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Ming was sure that she saw the ghost of a smile on his lips when she rose back up.
"Hi," he greeted, studying her in a way that made her confidence falter, "What's your name?"
"I am Ming Ying," she answered promptly practically giddy with excitement - to anyone else she looked poised and perfectly lady like but she was desperate to do her little happy dance - "I am very honoured to meet you Your Highness."
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The Prince chuckled lightly, "Where are you from Ming?"
"I am from Newcrest Your Highness, I live with my parents and my three brothers and sisters. We are very close." Ming saw her brother Mike's sweet smile as he said goodbye to her just a few days ago. She had not seen him smile as much as he had since her name had been called. She's was already the queen in his eyes. His big sister joining the Selection had become his cure to the terrible illness that was slowly taking his life. Ming was sure that her face had fallen in sadness and she quickly tried to replace it with a mask of grace.
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"Your family," The prince started tenderly offering her a gentle smile, "They are important to you?"
"Hai," Ming bowed her head again using a common Japanese term of agreement - her mother was from new Asia and parts of their culture had coloured Ming's upbringing, "Nothing is more important than family. Mama is very proud to call me one of the Selected. Seeing her happy makes me happy."
"You are a good daughter," the prince commented kindly. Ming suddenly felt very bare and clutched her hands in her lap.
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"Thank you Your Majesty."
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"Prince Julius is fine."
"Yes," Ming bit her lip uncertain, "Your Majesty."
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~*~
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A palace insider has finally cracked! The girl that the prince has picked for his first date is.....
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ELLA LAMB! Apparently they will be spending the afternoon together out in the gardens. Have fun you crazy kids!
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EEP! Apologies for not featuring everyone's girl before the first date! I had no idea who he'd pick so I winged it and whoopsies!
Just so you know I am letting the prince drive this thing by going with whoever he roles a want for first and it was Ella Lamb. It will be the same with follow up dates! There should be another 2 before the next report! :open_mouth: 
