A/N: A/N: Hello! I know I already have tonnes too many stories, but this idea popped into my head and I had to share it!
Basically, this is a series of one shots about the Selection series, based off articles on the Report and in magazines.
Most of these will be one shots and completely infrequent, but if you particularly like one, I could make it more.
SORRY FOR THE MIX UP OF BAD GRAMMER AND PAST/PRESENT TENSE!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Selection or any of the characters, Kiera Cass does.
Illea's Image Magazine, Illea's National Newspaper (front page), Italian Newspaper (front Page). (A/N: Obviously, the one in Italy is slightly different, but the same ideas)
CRUELTY IN THE PALACE! King Clarkson's position severely questioned!
CAUTION! THE CONTENT AND IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE ARE VERY GRAPHIC! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Hello Illea. Recently, some pictures of Lady America of the Selection leaked. These pictures came from an unknown source. They show our fine Lady on a hospital stretcher being wheeled through the palace, and more specifically, out of the King Clarkson's office. Between taking a bullet (from the rebels) for our beloved Prince Maxon a few weeks ago and fighting off a rebel to save Princess Nicoletta of Italy, we already see Lady America as a hero and very possible queen; and the sight of her on a hospital bed is nothing new. Yet this is not the reason these images, though disturbing, have spread like a wildfire. In These, Lady America's dress was shredded around the back area, and covered in blood and marks. The marks have been identified as whip lashes! The official number is 42 whips, shockingly at the hand of our King Clarkson! Security footage showed that he dragged Lady America into his office, accused her of being a rebel, and began to whip her. The King got the42 whips in before the door was broken down by a fuming Prince Maxon, who has not left Lady America's side since the incident, much to Lady Celeste's, Lady Elise's and Lady Kris's complaint and dismay.
Obviously, Lady America is not a rebel, and this has led to King Clarkson being held under observation. Prince Maxon and the government to question and confirm the fate of our King. King Clarkson clearly broke a major law when he laid a hand on Lady America, the ladies of the selection are under Prince Maxon's protection, after all! Lady America is still showing the example of a perfect queen, facing the other members of the selection for 3 mealtimes (In a wheelchair and heavily bandaged) since the incident a few days ago, attempting to put on an extremely brave face and insisting she can handle all of the responsibility laid on the Elite. Word is, she stayed conscious during the whole predicament! Many who have had to be whipped go unconscious after 20 lashes, and out wonderful Lady America has taken almost double that with a brave face! The past few events have brought the Poll numbers up in Lady America's favour!
She now has an astonishing 48% of the people routing for her! That's almost half the population, and we're sure after what happened with Princess Nicoletta, Italy must be in her favour, too! In second place is Lady Kriss with 25%, Lady Celeste with 18% and Lady Elise with 13%. It's clear we have a new crowd favourite!
Just remember, you head it first, on Illea's Image, the number one for Royal Gossip. Xx
This is set still during the selection, about halfway through the One. America knows about Maxon's Back.
"Miss, you have mail!" Lucy chimed from her place at the open door where she thanked someone and came over to me.
"Thank you Lucy!" I instantly recognised the scrawl on the back of the envelope as my fathers. He dotted the 'i' in my name with an odd star-like shape.
I was just about to open the paper and delve inside, when there was a knock at the door. I held my hand up to Anne, who was about to go and open the door, and instead, still clutching the envelope, went to answer it myself.
I was very shocked to see King Clarkson at the door.
"Good evening, your Majesty," I said, trying to be polite while his eyes were piercing my soul.
"Lady America," He said coolly. "Queen Amberly sent me to inquire as to whether you would like to be involved in the Christmas ball entertainment or not."
"Tell her that I would enjoy that very much, and if she could arrange a time to meet and discuss then that would be fantastic." His eyes went to the letter in my hand and I swear his eyes suddenly became colder and harsher. He looked like he wanted to scream at me for getting mail.
In the end, he just settled for a very hash, piercing glare. He replied something along the lines of yes and walking away, leaving me confused and with goose bumps from his gaze.
"Are you alright, Lady America?" I hear Mary ask warily.
"Yes thank-you Mary," I try to be reassuring.
"Oh! We're late! We need to prepare you for dinner, miss." The three maids got me to sit down while they did my makeup – minimal, as always, and put my hair in curls that framed my face. I looked gorgeous, and the dress wasn't even on me yet!
The gown the put me in had an off-the-shoulder cut (A/N: Sorry, don't know much about fashion). It started blue at the top but slowly faded down to white, and the neckline and hem were laced with small shimmering diamonds.
"It's gorgeous! Thank you so much!"
As I walked into the dining room, after giving the head of the table a brief curtsey, I caught Maxon's attention and tugged my ear. He did the gesture back without thinking about it.
The rest of dinner went by so quick, I zoned out most of it, after all. I noticed the King disappear for a brief five minutes, but it was when he returned that I got concerned.
He walked in with a hand behind his back, concealing something. He sent a very cold glare at Maxon and for a second I panicked. Oh God.
And then he said eight words that turned every head at me, my legs to jelly, and look of fear in Maxon's eye into anger.
"America. I need you to come with me." With hesitation but not slowly, I rose from my seat and followed the King out of the room.
After following him down a series of hallways, I realised we were going to his office. No. Oh no, oh gosh this is bad.
We walked through the door.
"Officers, could you please give Lady America and I some privacy?" They left the room and stood outside the door. 'King' Clarkson then began to barricade the door.
"Take a seat, America." He all but spat my name. I gulped and took a seat in one of the chairs facing his desk.
Sitting on the other side of the desk, Clarkson pulled his hand from behind his back to reveal the letter my father had sent to me. My brows furrowed in confusion.
"Who is this from?" He shoved the letter in my face.
"My Father…"
"Have you opened it yet?"
"No."
"Does this," He pointed to the 'i' dotted with a star squiggly thing, "Mean anything to you?"
"No, aside from that's how my father always dot's his i's…" I suddenly panicked. That symbol must mean something, and I just said it was all my fathers.
Seeing my widened eyes, Clarkson's lips turned up in an evil smile.
"You're a rebel." My eyes widened in shock.
"I'm sorry, what?" His eyes went even colder, if that was possible.
"Don't play games with me girl, you're a rebel."
"No I'm not!" I all but shrieked.
"Then how do you explain why they like you? Why everyone listens to you? Not to mention this!" He pointed to the envelope in his hand.
"I don't know what you are talking about! That symbol means nothing to me, and I can't help if people like me! Maybe if you were more compassionate, they would listen to you!"
"Watch. Your. Rebel. Mouth." He seethed.
"I AM NOT A REBEL!"
"Fine, stubborn little girl. He turns around and makes his way to the door. "Don't expect to see Maxon in the next few hours."
"NO!" I can't let Maxon be hurt again, not because of me.
The man in front of me is now grinning.
"Stand up," I comply. Clarkson is back to scary calm. "Turn around." This is very, very bad.
"Now, you are going to keep quiet about this little encounter, are you not?"
"Not a word." I knew what was coming.
"Good." I could hear the smile in hi-
The whip came down, hard. One. Pain, immense pain, worse than I'd ever felt.
Two
I grit my teeth. I can get through this. Maxon got through it. Marlee got through it. Carter got through it.
Three
And so will I. Conscious. I promise myself.
Four
I can't help but think of how my dress must be torn, blood dripping down my back. The pain is agonizing.
Five
I have to bite back a whimper. The tears are threatening to flow.
Six
That one hit my shoulder, I force my scream into a shudder. The king laughs.
Seven
How many? How much pain can I take? One traitorous tear flows down my face. I drop to my knees.
Eight
This time I whimper. Pain. Each lash worse than the last. Each second I have an internal battle as to whether or not I will willingly lose consciousness. Like normal, the stubborn side wins.
Nine…
(A/N: She did not black out, but I won't bore you to death.)
Nineteen
I wonder how long human endurance lasts.
Twenty
The tears are flowing freely. This is too much, too long. Surely he should stop by now.
Twenty one
Or not. I want to tell him, beg for him to stop. But I will not show weakness, or too much of it anyway.
Twenty two
Surely we have been gone for a while. Maxon might be looking for me.
Twenty three
I wonder if this will somehow be publicised. My family would… would… I decide to not think of May's crying face or Dad's anger and hatred for the king doubling, tripling.
Twenty four
Not to mention the Italians. Nicoletta and I have become the best of friends and after the last time they visited and I saved her life, no doubt the entire country would be furious with Clarkson.
Twenty five
See how that goes with your alliance, Clarkson.
Twenty six
Marlee and carter only lasted 15. I don't think I can do this anymore. I cry out but don't tell him to stop.
Twenty five, not that's twenty six, twenty seven? I've lost count.
Lash. And another Lash. Lash.
It continues like this, fully crying, the occasional scream, eventually coughing up blood every few lashes, when I hear a banging on the door and yelling on the other side of the door.
"OPEN UP!" Someone yells. They must have heard my screams. Finally!
Clarkson looks shocked, then his eyes go to the roof. I follow his gaze to the far corner of the room. A camera.
The door bursts open, and in comes half a dozen guards with an outraged, ferocious Maxon at the head.
He sees me and literally lunges at his father, giving him a severe punch to the jaw. I hear a click, it's probably broken. But he doesn't stop there. He punches him in the eyes and nose. "You. Said. You Would. Not. Touch. Her!" He says in between punches. By the time Maxon is finished, I believe he has broken at least four bones. Clarkson is shocked. Serves him right.
"TAKE HIM TO THE PRISON!" Two of them move, but the other four stand, shocked. "I SAID TAKE HIM TO THE PRISON, NOW!" Another 2 are up and have seized Clarkson within seconds. I whimper at the yelling, and Maxon's head snaps around to face me.
His eyes compassionate, he kneels beside me. "I want nurses here immediately and a team of doctors ready when we get to the infirmary." One of the guards goes running off.
"It's okay, America. I'm so sorry we didn't find you earlier."
I try to respond, but all that comes out is a choking noise and more blood. Blood. Only then I realise my back is drenched in it, as well as most of my legs.
I feel a pull in the back of my mind, urging me to slip into unconsciousness. It feels so welcoming, but I fight it, knowing that if I comply, it would be the worst- and possibly last mistake of my life.
The nurses arrived with a stretcher and gasped when they saw me. As they lifted me onto the stretcher, a hand accidentally grazed my side where a lash was and I screamed. Loudly.
I heard snippets of their conversation and frantic yelling around me as Maxon held my hand.
"Which doctors?"
"The most senior,"
"Pulse?"
"Four out of ten,"
"Amazing she's still conscious,"
"Estimate?"
"Estimate of 35 lashes,"
"This one, she's a fighter,"
A hand tried to unzip my dress but it was stuck to my back with blood. I screamed again. A piercing scream, even to my own ears, even though it sounds slightly distant. The hand jerked back immediately.
I suddenly realised we were in the corridor heading towards the women's room, everyone in there undoubtedly heard my screams.
Sure enough, four bodies came out the door. Kriss, Elise, Celeste, and the Queen. As soon as they saw the stretcher coming down the hall the gasped and pressed their backs to the wall, creating just enough room for the stretcher to go past. Even with the nurses frantic yelling and the sounds of footsteps and a stretcher being wheeled across the floor, you could hear the screams of the girls and their faces portraying horror.
Even the queen, master of facades, shrieked quietly.
I heard the queen murmur something to the girls before she turned and followed the posy of nurses and guards and stretchers down the hall, towards the infirmary.
When I got there, sure enough a team of about 8 professional doctors were ready and took me into a room I know is only used for extreme cases.
"Lady America, we understand you have stayed conscious throughout this experience?"
I give a small nod, that enough to make me grimace.
"I'm sorry, but to operate and fix the broken skin we need to put you under sedatives."
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, forcing myself to be strong for just that brief second, and then whisper a barely audible okay.
When I wake up, I fear death has taken me. I feel light, airy. But as I fully come into consciousness, I hear the consistent beep of the heart monitor and fell the steady ache in my back. I finally gather enough strength to open my eyes and when I do so, I find that I am in a separate, private room as opposed to a small area behind a curtain.
The room has two lush chairs, and three other random chairs I assume were brought in. Of the five chairs, all were occupied. Maxon and the Queen sit in the lush chairs while Kriss, Elise, and Lucy were seated in the others. They were all asleep.
I smiled when I noticed Maxon's hand in mine. I couldn't talk, much to my dismay, so I used the connection to wake him up. After several failed attempts at trying to squeeze his hand, I wriggles my fingers a bit instead. He must have been in a light sleep as he woke up instantly.
"America!" The relief in his voice was clear. I smiled and nodded.
"God, you're amazing." He said. Kissing my forehead. By brows scrunched together in confusion. "Do you know how many lashes you took?"
I gestured for a pen and paper, and there was some at the foot of my bed. He handed it to me.
I lost count in the 20's. I write
"You took 42." Even I gasped.
"The most I've taken in one go is 25, and you took almost double that."
Oh. How long have I been out?
"Only 2 days, but you are supposed to stay overnight tonight so that you recover."
I manage to speak this time. "Okay."
"America…"
"Yes…"
"It went public." I was mortified. My face must have shown it too, because Maxon expanded. "Some guard or maid got pictures of you in a stretcher leaving Clarkson's room. He is in a prison cell right now. Mother is taking control of the monarchy for two years, then I will be king."
I smile.
"Italy is furious, you should have seen them, America. I got 6 letters from the royal family and at least two hundred from the people. Saving someone's life, especially a princess's, does not go unnoticed."
"What will this do for Illa's allies?"
"It depends how my mother will run the country and when the selection will end.
"And my Family?"
"I called them the second I realised and I should call them now that you've woken up, actually."
"Thank you Maxon. When can I leave?" He lets out a light laugh.
"So eager," He jokes. "In a few days considering you have already done most of your healing. The medicines are fast."
"Good,"
Our talking wakes up Lucy, who runs over to the bed when she sees me awake.
"Lady America! Oh my goodness are you alright?"
I smile and mumble a small yes.
"I should go call your family, let the, know you're okay." He leaves to what I presume is the doctor's office.
"I'm so glad you're okay! We were so, so worried!"
"Thank you Lucy." She leans down to give me a brief hug, giggling.
"I should go, Mary and Anne are working on a dress and need me to do some sewing! Goodbye, Lady America." I smile
"Goodbye Lucy," She leaves and I am left smiling, closing my eyes and laying back for a brief moment.
I open my eyes to find the queen sitting on Maxon's chair now, the one right next to my bed.
"Good….." Was it morning or afternoon?
"How are you, Your Majesty?"
"Oh don't be silly, Lady America, call me Amberly."
"Then would you call me America?" She smiles.
"Of course America"
"I know Clarkson is harsh on people, especially Maxon." My eyes widen. She knew Clarkson whipped and caned Maxon. She knew.
"And it killed me from the inside out, up until two days ago. I tried, but once Clarkson has his mind set one something, he goes insane for it. He needs it."
I give a curt nod.
"He wasn't always like that. His father taught him to be harsh, cruel, to set your eyes on something and go for it. But he never taught him when to stop. I came along, seeing little but some compassion in him, stupidly thinking I could change him." She continues.
"The only reason Maxon isn't like him is because I refused to let him be. I taught him to be compassionate, waiting for a moment when he would realise he could stand up to his father. Then you came along. You opened up his eyes America. You forced him to see what his father had made of the country, willed his compassionate heart to make it change. You have been amazing."
I am smiling, happy now, I have made another ally. The Queen likes me. She looks around, ensuring there are no Cameras and that everyone is asleep. She gets a wrapped box from behind her and hands it to me.
"Here. This has been a tradition of the selection since it began. Don't let me down, America."
"Never." I said To Amberly.
She smiled. We were matching now. "Open it in private."
Kriss and Elise talked to me afterwards, and I was allowed to have my first meal in the dining room three days after that, in a wheelchair, the second I had been released from the hospital. When I had got back to my room, every surface was covered in flowers, balloons, soft toys, and letters, everything wishing me a get well soon.
I smiled. I shouldn't be worried. I had the Queen, The people, even an entire country (Italy) rooting for me. Maybe I could have the life I dream of with Maxon. Just maybe.
THAT IS THE LONGEST CHAPTER I HAVE EVER WRITTEN! IT'S MORE THAN 3 TIMES THE AVERAGE!
I WILL POST ABOUT AMERICA SAVING MAXON/ NICOLETTA LATER, BUT THIS WILL KEEP YOU HAPPY FOR A LONG TIME!
REVIEW!
-MusicGirl9624 xx