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When I woke up that day, I didn't expect it to be any different. I quickly showered before quickly tying my damp hair into a loose ponytail. I had to get my siblings to school before my job at the factory. The factory was responsible for the outfits for all of the royal families staff. it was my dream job, I'd discovered sewing when I was 8 and I'd always wanted to be a seamstress.

When I was 18, i expecting a different day to the one I was given. I'd applied extra makeup and curled my long auburn hair. The dress was once my mother's, but I transformed it into a dress I felt beautiful in. I was ready to find my mate.

We were told in school about mates... how... when we'd find them. How we'd feel it on our 18th birthday and that would be us... we'd get married and have babies. But my birthday came and went, with nothing... I felt nothing... noone felt different to me. I watched as my class mates fell in love and got married. So I kept my head down, and I worked hard. I got my dream job and was happy to live out my life as a seamstress.

Entering the factory the usual concentration was disrupted by the rush of girls scurrying around, modifying dresses and doing their hair.

"What the hell?" I asked

Emma sped across the room, her shaking hands clutching a crumpled paper. "here!" she said throwing the paper at me.

'The king formally invites all unmated females aged between 20 and 30 to attend a screening audition. 50 girls will be selected, who will then go onto compete in The Princess Games. 3 lucky girls will marry one of his sons. His 3 boys, Theodore, Ezra and Grey will choose a wife each.'

"were going right?" Emma asked excited. Emma was just 18, despite having passed her birthday she was still hopelessly optimistic it'd work out. "we have to go!"

"your crazy if you think I'm going to this" I laughed, handing her the newspaper. "good luck emma, I hope one of them is your Prince..."

I turned to my station, my stack of aprons still ready to be completed. I kept my head down that day, not wanting to discuss the prince's.

When I got home that night my parents had already made dinner. It was a feast! Marinated meat was sliced finely across roasted vegetables. My dad made his special macaroni and some garlic bread. And penny had been in charge of the salad, which only consisted of her favourites, carrot and corn.

"what's all this for?" I asked, taking off my shoes. I walked across to the fridge before taking out a bottle of water. "did someone die?"

My mum entered the room, an anxious yet happy look on her face. My parents had met on their 18th birthday, yes the same birthday. They'd lived the sketched out life, married by 19, I was born before her 20th birthday.

"welcome home Amee darling" she spoke, before placing a kiss on my cheek. "we've got some news". My eyes drifted to her stomach "oh God no, not another baby i promise... let's sit down to eat them we can discuss it"

I made my way upstairs before changing into pair of pajamas shorts and an oversized hoodie. When I returned the table was fuller, more meat had made its way onto the table, as well as spiced potatoes.

"we should have suprises every night" I scoffed, as I picked Penny up, before placing her in her chair. "Princess P" I laughed, readjusting her crown.

"right sit Amee, try some of my macaroni... I think it's my best yet!" my dad announced, before pouring himself and my mum a glass off red wine. They both sat, hesitantly tucking into the feast.

I took Penny's plate before following her orders on how big a portion she wanted of everything. Emmett was happy just to eat whatever was infront of him..

"is it about Ryan?" I asked. Ryan was my younger brother, he was 17. He wasn't the model student, he hated school, wanting to do music. But it wasn't something we could afford. We wernt poor, far from it. We lived a comfortable life where luxuries were allowed and my wage definitely helped that. But music was only something that the rich could do.

"no" my dad spoke, his mouth full of bread.

"where is he anyway?" I asked, now filling my plate with a bit of everything.

"he's at his friend's house. we wanted to talk to you..." my mum added.

I looked between them, they both were hiding something "guys just spill it..."

my dad spoke first, "we'll you know Terry who I work with, his daughter is a maid in the Royal House. They heard about this contest... The Princess Game... a few days before the news broke today... so.."

"we put your name down" my mum interjected.

I scoffed, choking harshly on the potatoes.

"she's dying!" penny screamed

I quickly grabbed my drink, before downing half of it.

"I'm sorry, you signed me up for that... contest?"

"we want you to find your mate Amee, you deserve to find the love me and your father have. The prince's are handsome, well educated men who would make a perfect partner even if they don't turn out to be your mate..." my mum spoke.

"I'm happy on my own mum..." I spoke "besides, there's no way I will get chosen to compete... I mean I'm not a Princess... and if I do get in... they're never going to choose me... so why bother?"

"because Amee, it's 3 weeks of living in the Royal Palace, you'll get to meet loads of new people... maybe one of them will be your mate..." my mum said innocently

"can I get out of it?" I asked

my dad shook his head "you've got to atleast go to the audition A. Give it a chance please... if they don't choose you then that's fair... but give yourself a chance"

"I suppose I could..." I agreed. My parents instantly perked up, before grabbing another bottle of wine. My mum poured me a small glass before handing it to me. "so when's the audition?"

"tomorrow. I popped into the mall on the way home... I bought you that dress" she pointed at the beautiful blush dress which hung on the doorway. "it's going to look beautiful with your tanned skin and caramel curls..."

"just as beautiful as your mother did the day I saw her" my dad cooed, before they shared a kiss.

I suppose trying wouldn't hurt... if I could find love... like the love they have... surely it can't be that bad.