All the characters, story or references to "The Selection" trilogy belong to its rightful owner: Kiera Cass.
*Please, please, please… I begged locked in the bathroom of my extremely big and beautiful room. As ridiculous as it sound, that little stick I had in between my hands would led me to discover my future and next responsibility, as if all my work wasn't hard enough.
-Three minutes, your highness! - announced Mary at the other side of the door. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.
Negative.
-I think I won't need to eat for another one for now- I answered; I wasn't specifically sad or happy. No one wants to have a kid at 19, but the things change when you're the only and legitimate Crown Princess of Illea and everyone expects you to give them nothing but an heir. Maxon and I had talked this matter over and over again; we both had agreed to take some more time to be together and besides we had much royal duties to take care of. A simple chill came to me suddenly when I saw the calendar that morning, I was like 4 days late, I know! It sounds exaggerated but the servants have not even one discreet hair in their heads. When my husband found out, he ordered over a thousand exams, this was the most simple and the first one that gave me an answer, and we had to wait until the other one's results.
-Oh, well. We'll tell his majesty right away- with just that tiny phrase, I got out of the bathroom all the quickly that my bulky dress let me and I stood in front of Mary.
-I think… that I want to be the one who tells him- I said a little tired for all the running and fighting with myself to not laugh at the expression she held.
-As you say, my lady- she agreed, I smiled and went to Maxon's "office", that place, for me at least, was just a bottomless pit of horrible memories and unfair decisions, I hoped that my late father in law forgave me for what I thought, but I had always been the reckless, rebellious and rude America Singer and that wouldn't change now that he was gone to free us from his torment. I still missed Queen Amberly though, she was a very nice and good person, she deserved more in life than what she got, but she never knew.
-My love! Have you heard something yet? - He asked when he saw me enter the room; all the documents he had been reading flew all over the place.
-Yes, it looks like we won't have to start changing diapers any soon- I assured him, he sighed and I took that as a: "Thankfully!" He noticed my little anger.
-Don't misunderstand me, honey. It's just that thing are a bit difficult right now and…-he was going to say, but I didn't let him, I knew the speech very well, I approached him and put my arms around him.
-It's not time to have a baby, I understand, Maxon, I do. But we'll have one someday and you'll have to be ready. - I reminded him, he kissed my cheek.
-I know, my love. But I trust that that will happen later, much later. Until that, we can leverage our lonely marriage a bit more…- he said making a space for me above his desk.
-Oh, Highness! How do you dare? You have much unfinished business to attend!-I laughed while he searched the closure of my dress.
-Don't you worry, your highness! Right now I'm taking care of the most important business… and frankly, this is the one that I love the most…- he said with a playful smile, and I finally gave up in his arms, without thinking who could hear us or what would happen, in that moment, it was only about us.*
That was a year ago, I still remember like it was yesterday, that was our first "Baby Warning", it repeated about 5 times. Today, I had 20 years old and the pressure for having a child wasn't something I cared about very much. And why do I tell you this? Because it's the beginning of this part of my life, which I did not like so much. It all started when Maxon called me one terrible day to help him with something.
-How may I serve you, my royal husband?- I asked while I bowed him, I wouldn't have called him that if it wasn't for the three of his much diplomats who were there with us, I had to follow the rules.
-Highness- greeted me Mr. Leeroy with his strong voice that could scare even the bravest man on earth. According to what Maxon told me, he was the head of that group of lunatics, who apparently hated us for some reason. I forced myself to contain my laughter when I heard him and I looked at Carter who was next to my husband, but he was in the exact same situation. Maxon seemed somehow concerned and that calmed my impulses of dropping a scandalous laughter not proper of a future queen.
-Get to the point, can you? I hope you be very understanding with this, my love. - He begged me and that only managed to make me shake even more.
-Something wrong? - I asked sitting down in the nearest chair.
-Not exactly, highness- assured me Mr. Phillies, trembling as always.
-Then, why do you all look like you've seen the devil itself? - I asked, I did not like that much mystery and I was starting to get nervous.
-As you know, princess, since King Clarkson and Queen Amberly died, they both might rest in peace; we've had some trouble with the territories of New Asia and that has officially gotten worst- Leeroy announced, I scowled. It was true, since Elise didn't get the title of princess, the conflicts with New Asia went from bad to worse, now the emperor had us corralled and for those three years we had not managed to decipher what was that he wanted.
-What can I do to help you, your Highness? - I asked to my husband, he sighed and ran a hand over his hair, a gesturer from him that I loved crazily. But Mr. McAffle answered before him, that man was very impulsive and had no shred of patience.
-An heir, you Highness- that terrifying diplomat announced, I was blank, not sure of what to think or answer.
-I don't think I understand it…- I said brokenly.
-Look, honey. What the emperor wants is to finally seal the deal with Illea but he says he must be sure it's a deal that will not break. He wants a marriage, America, he wants it at all costs and as I am no longer in a position to marry, he requires our first son to marry his niece who is about to be born when they both are old enough, like that we'll be allies. Only that way- Maxon explained. I was not sure that it was a good idea, in first place because I would be selling my own and unborn child as a tool to stop a war, in second place because of the problem that, if in any case I ended up pregnant, we could not make sure that it was a boy the result and the emperor wouldn't find very funny that I suggest a marriage between two girls, in third place, the agreement was the most stupid, childish and unnecessary thing I had ever heard of.
-I understand, my lord. But I must ask, are you willing to break the tradition of The Selection and proceed to fulfill the emperor's requirements?- I asked with the strongest voice tone I could pretend, I was at a second of falling apart.
-I don't know, dear. That's why I've brought you here; I need to know what you think about this. - He said approaching me.
-Oh, and let me inform you this, my lady. The birth of the future heir to the throne will also benefit your majesties, and your child will become Prince of Illea and you will be taking the position of kings-said Mr. Phillies. The court had tested us since we had gotten married, Mr. Leeroy had commented that we were both too young to become kings, which was pathetic as Maxon was the only one suitable for the position , but they decided to help the prince with his tasks until they were sure that he was ready. This was just another part of their constant tests, they wanted to see how far we could get to please our people and the people who counted on us, as king Clarkson had done with me on that terrible "Day of judgment", it was obvious they were very much in love with Maxon's father and were not at all agree with us.
-We perfectly know that, Mr. Phillies, but that's the least important now. What do you think, dear? - Maxon asked holding my shoulders.
-Highness, If I can be honest with you…- I started to say but he tensed.
-Be all the honest that you require, my love. - He answered.
-Maxon, it's our son that we're talking about and I don't know if you've noticed but…-I said lowering my voice, I realized in wasn't very convenient to make such a confession in front of those 3 irritating gentlemen, I made Maxon a signal so he got closer to me- I'm not very good at the art of conceiving- I whispered and he chuckled.
-You're very good at it, America, I assure you- he whispered with a mischievous smile, I also laughed.
-If your Highness allows me, I would like to have some more time to discuss this with you in private- I announced to the rest of the people in the room.
-Take all the time you need, honey. I understand it's hard and I guess these distinguished gentlemen will have no objection to the suggestion of the Princess- he said, kind of threatening, I loved when he did that, he looked like a total king.
-As you wish, Highness- Leeroy replied with a grimace of distaste for my husband.
-I just remind you, princess ... the situation is delicate and you must make a decision before the emperor decides that he does not want any kind of relationship with our nation- McAffle said trying to get me nervous.
-I understand your concern, sir. But I remind you that we have been trying to fulfill this arrangement for three years and he has not shown interest in this particular situation, I do not think he sees himself in position to rush our decisions.-I could see how I left them all awe, except for my husband who smiled triumphantly, Carter said: "Nice job" with his lips, I giggled.
-Y-Yes, Your Highness- He hesitated.
-So, as I asked for a little more time to think, I ask your highness's permission to excuse me for you to keep working on you business- I said, getting up from my seat and smoothing my dress, I did not want to continue in that room and I didn't like the idea of abandoning Maxon, but he did not escape, or at least I could not think of one.
-Granted, my love. See you at lunch- He said, I bowed and went out to meet Marlee.
-Are we going to have a baby? - She asked with a huge smile on her lips.
-I think maybe ... yes- I said nervously, she squealed with excitement and hugged me. I had to think and think very hard, but after all, it ended up not being exactly my choice.
To be continued...
Dreamer.
How are you, my readers? So what do you think of my idea? One cannot stay without writing anything after reading "The Selection"! So, I decided to make a fanfic, hope you like it, you may suffer a little, but I guess I have a talent for writing rather dramatic things that have end beautifully happy ending, so don't you worry. Well, let's see what you think about it and as they say I decide to continue it or not.
Thank you for reading! Bye!