"A master plan to get the Prince of Iliea to fall in love with me. Shouldn't be to hard to come up with." I said sarcastically, throwing myself back on my bed.
"Oh miss, he's already in love with you!" My maid, Lucy, exclaims. She comes to sit next to me on my bed and gently squeezes my hand.
"Oh Lucy, I don't know about that..." I trailed off slightly, covering my face with my hands to cover my growing tears.
"Lady America, I can assure you, he is." My head maid, Anne, said strongly. I uncover my face to look at her, and she looks so unbelievay certain, maybe I could believe that.
"Even so," I started, sitting up, "Prince Maxon does not trust me. I need to show him he can trust me. This is the most important question: how?" I asked, turning to my maids.
"Well, we can start by making you look fantastic!" Lucy said, giggling. She ran over to my closet and pulled out a strapless sweetheart dress, the palest shade of pink, which fluttered in flowing waves to my ankles. There was a small belt of shining crystals just under the bust, and I had no doubt that I would indeed, look fantastic.
"Oh Lucy!" I cried, running over and enveloping her in a hug. Tears of happiness began to pour from my eyes and I held onto her tightly.
"It's beautiful, I love it!" I shook my head and turned to my other maids, giving them each a hug as well.
"Oh this isn't proper!" Anne exclaimed but hugged me back anyways.
"You've truly outdone yourselves. It's beautiful." I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair flowed down my back in small curls, with a few strands pinned back.
Suddenly, my gaze fell on a small pin Mary was wearing. I turned around suddenly and bent down to look at it closer.
"Mary is that the Italian flag?!" I demanded, thought after thought flooding into my head.
"Ye- yes miss. My family is part Italian, I could take it off if it displeases you-" she stuttered, unsure what to say.
"No not at all! You've just given me the idea of the century!"
I hurriedly thanked them and ran from the room. Thank god they had finished getting me ready at least ten minutes before dinner. I tried to compose myself and walk but I was simply too excited.
I skidded to a stop in front of the Women's room and walked straight up to a guard standing there.
"Lady America." He bowed towards me and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Oh please, call me America. Now, do you know if there are phones we are allowed to use?" I asked quickly.
"Uh yes Miss. You should be able to find a phone in the Office." He said uncomftorabley, fidgeting.
"Escort me there please." He nodded and started walking down the hall to the right, and led me down a flight of steps. He led me to a small door which opened into an even smaller room, holding a small desk and two chairs.
Behind the desk was seated, Silvia?
I suppose that made sense, she practically was in charge of what happened in the palace.
"Lady America, to what do I owe the pleasure?" She raised her eyebrows slightly, gesturing for me to take a seat. I vaguely heard the door close behind me as the guard exited.
"I uh, I need a favor." I said quickly, sitting down. "You see it's my little brother Gerad's birthday and I wod very much like to call rather than write him. Would it be possible for me to use a phone?" I asked hopefully, the lie slipping easily off my tongue. I couldn't have her knowing who I'm really going to call.
"Anything for my star pupil." She teased lightly, handing me a small mobile phone. "I'll wait in the hall." She added, sensing I would most likely want privacy.
"Thank you." I whispered, barely able to speak. I cleared my throat and looked at her, trying to convey just how thankful I was.
I gripped the phone in my hand, waiting ten seconds until the door was closed before I flipped it open and quickly dialed the number I had memorized. It rang for about 5 seconds and. I nearly fainted with relief as she answered.
"Ciao, Princess Nicoletta of Italia speaking." Her chirpy voice filled my ears and I had to contain my scream.
"Ciao Princess, it's Lady America of Ilea. My apologies for the late hour, but I'm afraid it couldn't wait." I whisper urgently, unsure of how much time I had.
"But of course America! What is on your mind?" She asked, getting straight to the point. She didnt like to waste time on pleaseuntries.
"I need a favor. I know it's a lot to ask, yet I can't stop myself. How would you feel about hosting the Royal Family and the remaing members of the Selection?" I crossed my fingers so tightly I thought they might break. She didnt answer for a minute but I was patient, this was a lot to ask after all.
"You and Maxon, has something happened?" She asked worriedly, and I had to admit, that was not the question I was expecting. I sighed loudly and lowered my voice to a whisper.
"Honestly, we're in a bit of a fight. I need to prove to him I have what it take to be Queen." I said strongly, my voice taking on a note of authority.
"Ah America, my offer still stands. Anything to help you win the crown." I could hear the smile on her face and bit my lip to hide my own.
"I still need to go over this with the Royal Family but I will call you as soon as I know." I promised. I heard her laugh lightly, and I wondered why.
"Oh, I do hope they agree. My cousins, they absolutely would love to see you again!" She said, still giggling.
"I look forward to seeing you again your majesty." I smiled, already forming a game plan in my head.
"And I you, America. When you have the crown I have no doubt both our countries will prosper." The phone clicked off, and I couldn't contain the face splitting smile breaking out on my face.
I had the backing of the Italian monarchy.
I had the backing of the Italian monarchy.
I threw my head back and laughed, my mind going blank.
Maybe. I really could do this.
I practically skipped into the dining hall, giddy with excitement. Things finally seemed to be taking their place at the palace, and I couldn't wait to rise to the occasion.
I curtsied to the Queen when I entered, as she was the only member of the Royal Family in the room.
I made my way over to Kriss and Elise, who were seated at the table meant for the Elite.
"You're in a good mood." Kris's noted, raising an eyebrow slightly. I smiled at her, a genuine smile.
Elise glanced over at me, and her jaw dropped at my attire.
"My maids have done something quite spectacular for me." I directed my statement towards Kriss, who was also ogling my dress.
"Your dress looks fantastic." Elise complimented sweetly, although she was shooting daggers at me with her eyes.
"Thank you."
We chattered silently for a few more minutes, and Celeste joined us quietly. For once she wasnt being hostile towards us, and I thought nothing could break my good mood.
Until the King entered with Maxon, glaring at me angrily.
We all stood and curtsied quickly, and the King's gaze never left me. I stared back, unwavering. Finally, after what seemed like hours, he turned his attention to Queen Amberly, and ignored me.
I breathed a small sigh of relief, and went back to my dinner.
I tried to catch Maxon's eye multiple times through dinner, but each time he was staring intently at his plate.
I excused myself from dinner early, wanting to get back to my maids and explain.
I quickly curtsied and exited, thankful I was wearing flats and not heels as I ran through the halls, absolutely giddy.
I couldn't imagine what would happen if Silvia saw me like this, extremely unlady like. I was so blind with happiness, I didn't see the guard before I ran into them.
"Ow!" I yelled, landing on my butt. Sharp pain radiated from my tailbone and I sighed, knowing that bruise would be there a while.
"America! I'm so sorry I didn't see you." Immediately, they kneeled down next to me and helped me sit up.
"Asp- Officer Ledger?" I corrected myself quickly, not wanting to give anything away. Oh sure, we were in an empty hallway, but you never know.
King Clarkson told me himself, he has eyes and ears everywhere.
"Are you hurt?" Aspen asks, worry filling his warm brown eyes.
"I think you may have bruised my bottom." I say, giggling. Aspen chuckles before helping me to my feet.
He walked me to my room, explaining he was on his way there for his own shift guarding my room.
I frowned, hating the fact that someone is always outside my door.
"I hate that you know, always having a guard." At this, Aspen frowned at me.
"Mer, if you didn't have one, and the rebels got into the palace..." His voice was low, so no one would hear him call my Mer, but it was also menacing.
"Good night officer Ledger." I gave him a small smile, before opening my door and walking inside, only to be greeted by two calm maids bustling about, and one absolutely fuming maid.
This should be interesting...
AN: Bit of a rough ending sorry bout that, but It just didn't fit at the beginning of next chapter, so I just put it here.
Anyways, hey there! My name's Mia and I'm new to the Selection, I started reading The Selection the day before yesterday, and finished it in a matter of hours. I had also bought the elite, so I jumped straight into it and read it all yesterday as well! It's safe to say I'm a bit obsessed now.
Anyways, I FREAKING HAD A HEART ATTACK DURING THE ELITE WHEN AMERICA ALMOST WENT HOME!
Anyone else?
Well this is my version of The One, a continuation of the Elite. I love Maxon and America together, and I guarantee you by the end of this story they will be together, whether you like it or not. (Or maybe whether Aspen likes it or not...?)
Anyways so like I said this is a continuation of Elite, and I will probably have it all in America's POV, and possibly add Maxon's later on.
There's going to be a little more action, and a little more- uh, heated- romance in my story. Don't worry, it won't be too bad I swear, and will stick to the rating of teen. I mean honestly it probably won't get much worse than Make outs so there's your warning.
And lastly, I do not own any of these characters, simply the plot :)
Review if you want me to post the next chapter sooner than I had planned :D
