3

A week has passed since the events of last week. It's been a week since I've seen Aiden again and I miss him terribly. During these few days, my mother and Solenn only fill my head with ideas, each more unbearable than the other.

“But you would see him on TV, the prince is sublime! I'm sure you would fall under his spell. »

Beautiful or not, I don't care. He can look like a living god, never oh never would I let myself face his ways. I categorically refuse every evening to go and watch his stupid interviews, with catchy titles on the television news: but who is Prince Kaled? We don't care if Monsieur irons his shirts himself or if he is very cultured. He can have a great culture and be stupid as his feet, one does not prevent the other.

"I'm glad you changed your mind," says my mother.

I look up, not even cracking a smile. I can have a dug up head, I don't care. In the meantime, I thought long and hard. I decided to take the test, to please my mother and especially to recover Aiden. It is true that, it is almost certain that I am not qualified.

We are thousands to participate. A slim chance that I will succeed.

It must soon be two hours that we queue, my sister, my mother and me. Solenn got ready to be as beautiful as possible and I must admit that she succeeded: her brown mane was pulled back into a loose bun that reveals the features of her sweet face.

I have always admired and been fascinated by my sister. Slender, slim, beautiful blue eyes, she has it all. Every part of her face is in harmony with her beauty. On the surface, she seems rather jovial but deep down, I know she has a plague side and this, since she was very young.

Me, I inherited from my father as my mother says. Long black hair in silky curls, hazel eyes, full lips, and unfortunately, my mother's short stature. And since I've always hated my curly hair, I let it grow out for a long time to bring it back into a long braid every day. At least, with this hairstyle, you can't guess my stuffy mane.

In Aragona, advertisements and newspapers often depict white women with blond hair and smooth skin. However, I do not fit into any of its categories. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing a job.

Standing up, I observe the other girls who all seem eager to take the test. We line up outside, standing in front of the wide doors of a centre. Here our photos will be taken and our files will be filled with various information, whether physical or intellectual.

My mother explained to me that after the test, we would take a picture of us. The selected would see their portrait displayed on television during the results.

“Solenn Crawford,” announces a female voice.

We all look around for the one who just spoke. A blonde woman stands in front of the doors, a notebook in her hands. A big smile animates the face of my sister who advances towards the woman.

The excitement is painted in his eyes. My sister has been stressing about her test for weeks. She absolutely wants to qualify for a chance to marry Prince Kaled. Either way, that doesn't even surprise me. She always dreamed and hoped big.

For about ten minutes, I wait with my mother, arms crossed over my chest. It will soon be my turn if I follow the logic of their list. Honestly, the sooner it's done the better off I'll be.

— Sarah Crawford.

I turn to my mother, who gestures broadly to tell me to go follow the woman. My heart suddenly races, not at the thought of answering their stupid questions, just out of fear of the unknown.

- Sit down, throws me the woman.

His high-pitched voice echoes in my eardrums as I lay down on the armchair, not very serene. My gaze sweeps the white room from floor to ceiling for a few seconds. It would almost make me nauseous.

The woman wastes no time and asks me to put my hand on a digital screen, which I do. Time passes and I watch him typing on his keyboard, a smile on his face. I understand in a few seconds that it retrieves information about me. Technology is beyond me.

"So, Sarah, is your life going well?"

My boyfriend just broke up, claiming I'm too thin and have purplish moons under my eyes.

My life is a disaster.

- Yes.

She tries to talk to me while the machine sucks all my life. And I watch her, looking puzzled. For about ten minutes, she lists various information in her notebook. At one point, she motions for me to get up, measures my blood pressure, my height and my weight.

"And what do you think of the royal family?"

To tell the truth, I never really cared about this royal family which is simply made up of a queen, a king and a prince. To me they mean nothing, but I refrain from saying too much.

"I don't know them too well and my mother tells me never to make hasty opinions about people, so well...

Leaving my sentence hanging, she replies with a benevolent smile:

“Your mother seems like a good person.

- She is.

She then asks me a few questions about my life, my work, my future prospects. Then she gets up and declares, clapping her hands:

“Your test is over. I just have to take a picture and you can go out.

Already ? I feel like I've only been here five minutes. She gestures for me to sit in a chair in front of a camera, correcting my posture.

- Come on, smile!

A shy smile appears on my lips. I've always hated being photographed, as far back as I can remember. I find myself far too ugly.

“I'm sure you can do better, Sarah.

She gives me a wink, which naturally makes me smile.

Click.

She puts down her camera and straightens up.

“Good, everything is in order. You will know the results Friday evening at eight o'clock like millions of spectators.

She walks towards the door and before freeing me, her eyes land on me and she says:

- I have one last question, not part of the test. Why did you decide to register? You can answer honestly.

I think for a few seconds and decide to play the card of sincerity. I then launch, point blank, without worrying about anything:

— I never wanted to register.

And that's how I go out. Turning around one last time before rejoining my mother, I watch the blonde woman grab her notebook and jot down more words. I believe the question was part of the test.