"Lauren Hills!" The presenter announced. The crowd applauded as Lauren stepped forward, dressed in a beautiful dress that shone and glittered in the light. She beamed proudly as everyone stood to their feet and cheered for her. She looked back at her bodyguard, Stefan, who gave her a smile and mouthed, "I am proud of you." This moment meant the world to her. Later that evening, she collapsed onto her double bed and smiled as she thought of all that had happened during the evening. "What a night," she said as she recounted how Stefan had looked at her with those blue, green eyes of his and how she had felt butterflies in her stomach every time she saw him glance her way. He was truly the man that she wanted to be with and one day...suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in, she called." Papa, she exclaimed as her father walked in, beaming with delight. "Ah, my princess," he said, giving her a big hug, "you have made us all proud, dancing like that tonight." She blushed and laughed a little, "oh papa, it was the most amazing night ever. "Her father chuckled and then looked very grave indeed. "Laurie," he said for he had called her little Laurie ever since she was a baby. "I need to talk to you about something important." He looked at her earnestly and said, "I have decided, that we should find you a husband." To this, Lauren jumped up, "but Papa!" she cried, "I am only 19!" "Your sister got married when she was 18," her father replied, "and I have arranged for some eligible young men to visit our estate so you can have your pick." Lauren sighed, she had known this day would come, but not this soon. Yes, her sister had married young, but it had been to her childhood sweetheart, Sam Thorne, the heir to the gold mines up North. "Papa," she said, "you don't understand." "Tut, tut" her father responded, "we begin tomorrow so make sure you get a good night's rest, I'll see you in the morning my dear." He kissed Lauren on the forehead and left. Lauren groaned in frustration. Now her night was ruined. "It is going to be a long day tomorrow," she thought as she buried herself under her warm comforter