Also edited already!
This is chapter 2, ENJOY!
I still couldn't really understand what had made Maxon change his mind…but I was very happy about it whatever the reason was. The lights in the studio went out, the people exited the room, chattering happily and the Royal family, which I was now a part of, as well as the Selection stood up from their chairs and made their way back into the palace.
When I walked out Maxon took my hand in his, grabbed it tightly like he never wanted to let go of it again. I knew what he felt. Only the thought of us being apart had broken me into thousand pieces, so now, when we were finally together we were never going to let go, no matter what.
Small festivities took place to celebrate the announcement of the future Queen. Maxon and I did not speak much, since we had to talk to several reporters, friends of the family and other people that came to see us.
At one time I was nearly being tackled by Orabella and Noemi, who wanted to congratulate me, and immediately infected me with their happiness and overwhelming Italian joy. After them Princess Nicoletta came over to us, much more regal than her cousins, but not less excited, congratulated me with a hug, and a kiss to Maxon's cheek and promising him, that they would soon discuss further details regarding the alliance between Illéa and Italy.
After we had completed our duties of speaking to everyone that was important, Maxon and I danced almost the entire afternoon. We just danced, without thinking what had happened the day before or what would come to us the next day. Tightly embraced Maxon lead us over the dance floor, and I wish I could've been able to stop time in that moment, capturing the probably happiest moment of my life, never having to leave the comfort of being in Maxon's arms.
But as always, good things must come to an end.
When we stopped dancing it was already late in the evening and with the King and Queen a little behind us, we left the festivity.
Maxon pulled me around a corner where we were a little more private, looked me deep in the eyes.
I melted as looked into his and saw the love he felt for me shining through his beautiful brown eyes.
In that moment it wasn't necessary for both of us to say a word, we knew exactly what the opposite thought and felt. He reached out to me, placing his hand gently on my cheek, leaning slowly towards me.
I couldn't resist. I pulled his head to mine and our parted lips met finally after all the uncertainty of the last day. Butterflies were flying through my stomach, heating my whole body, making me feel welcomed and at home in his arms.
The moment was too short for my taste, but Maxon pulled away, glanced at me and said:
"My dear…"
"I am not your dear!" I snapped back, but with a large grin on my face.
"America", he answered smirking "…We still need to talk."
My facial expression must've been readable as aver, because Maxon looked concerned, not without reason for sure. I dreaded the moment, he would confront me with all the things I had done, and all I could think about was the hope that he wouldn't change his mind, after we talked. Nevertheless I nodded, agreeing to the inescapable confrontation.
"I know. We still have a lot of things to sort out. We definitely are always going to have to sort things out between us. But… can't it wait? Let us enjoy the moment for some time, later we can talk." I begged him. I really wasn't ready to give up my happiness yet. I wanted to enjoy the warm, fuzzy feeling for just a little bit longer.
He smiled down to me.
"You are right. We should better get going then, before anyone thinks we are doing something other than talk."
He winked, which made me blush slightly. But that just made him laugh his awkward snorting laugh again, which resulted in making me laugh with him.
We walked around the corner only to bump into the King himself.
"May I have a word with my future daughter-in-law, son?"
I looked startled, but caught myself soon enough for King Clarkson not to see my frown.
"Of course, father. But keep in mind that I want my Fiancée for myself, tonight!" Maxon joked.
His father gave him a quick glance, not appreciating the good mood his son was in.
The King started to walk until we were in a small office, just the two of us. His then quite satisfied face changed into a cold, stern expression.
"What can I do for you, your Majesty?" I asked, trying to sound in control of my voice.
"You can do a lot of things, but because I know that you aren't all that dumb, I think you can guess what I want to talk to you about…"
I played as I wasn't too sure about what he was going to say, when in fact I knew exactly what was on his mind.
"I don't know what got into my son. I don't know what you did to him that he likes you. All I know is that you do not suit this position and I will not allow it. My son is young and overwhelmed with the feelings of a girl towards him, he will quickly come to his mind and I will allow him to choose somebody that isn't you. Anyone else in the elite would be more suitable for this position than you. If not Kriss, he will choose Celeste and if he doesn't choose Celeste, there is also Elise, and if that still won't satisfy him, there will always be the chance of holding another Selection. Of course we would have to find a suitable reason to let the people believe you betrayed him…" He said, and I could have sworn he added a whispered "Or just get rid of you..." to his little speech.
I swallowed hardly. Tears welled up that I tried to suppress. Even if I didn't want them to, his words had hit me hardly.
"And one last thing for you to know…" he hissed towards me "If Maxon really is too weak to get rid of you… I am going to make your life a living hell."
The King was emphasizing the last words and a couple of spit drops landed on my face. He was satisfied with the frightened look on my face and I knew I shouldn't give him this satisfaction, but I couldn't hold myself together.
As soon as he stepped out the door, tears slowly dropped, one after another, out of the corner of my eye. One deep breath. I had to put on a brave face. For Maxon. He didn't need to know how bad his own father wanted to see me gone.
I stepped out of the room, smiling my best fake smile and went towards Maxon who stood there talking to his mother.
"So, what did he want?" He asked me. I gulped.
"He just wanted to say that it is going to be a really hard time being the future queen, but he just wanted to wish me luck." Well, not everything was a lie… He did tell me that the time being Maxon's Fiancée would be very tough, I just didn't mention in front of Maxon, that the King himself wanted to make it even harder for me to be the princes wife. I knew Maxon did not believe my words, but he chose not to question them, especially not in front of his mother. I smiled at him.
"Well then, I think I should escort you to your room now, darling."
The Queen approached us again, took my hand in hers, bent towards my ear and whispered.
"I am glad he chose you, that is what I wished for since the Elite was announced. He loves you dearly. I can see it in his eyes! Don't let anybody tell you anything different." And with that she rushed off behind her husband, patting his back while the two of them were walking to their rooms.
I was glad that at least one of my in-laws felt that way, already I already thought of her as a 2nd mother.
Maxon and I strolled towards my room on the second floor, since I was not yet allowed to be in the princess' suite. That was, unfortunately, what the protocol commanded.
"I wish I could take you with me, to my rooms…"He whispered, leaning his head against mine, when we reached my door.
"I know what you mean. I don't want to let you go yet. Now that I have you, I want to have everything of you!" I answered slightly blushing at the last words, realising they didn't sound as innocent as I meant for them to sound.
"Could you just stay with me until I fall asleep?" I asked him, since I really didn't want to let him leave, and as Maxon didn't think twice about his answer I knew he didn't want to let go of me either.
"I would love to, my princess."
We cuddled into my bed, after I had changed into my nightgown. I was surprised that none of my maids were there to congratulate me, but I guessed they knew I was going to have company after the celebrations.
I loved the feeling of him warming my back with his strong chest and I was sure I could get used to it. But now, that I finally was lying in my bed, feeling safe and secure, I felt all the weight of my responsibilities and the hate of the King on my shoulders and I felt the exhaustion of the past day rushing through my body, that I wasn't even able to whisper a good night to my Fiancée. My eyes got heavier and I quickly drifted into a dreamless, relaxing sleep.
When I woke up again I immediately felt cold. And I didn't need long to find out why.
Maxon had left my side during the early morning hours to not raise any suspicions, and now my maids were drawing me a beautiful, hot bath that smelled a little like vanilla and I smiled at the thought of Maxon's favourite scent.
That day, my maids had chosen a dark green day dress, with the sleeves ending half up my arm, that floated around my knees and made me feel pretty and actually a little regal. After my maids stopped fussing over me and more importantly the ring on my finger, I left and walked down the stairs towards the dining room, entering it and seeing all the Elite-Girls there for their last breakfast in the palace.
I sat between Celeste and Kriss, smiling at them brightly, talking quietly about anything that went through our heads. Kriss, of course, wasn't too happy, but I felt as if she was accepting the situation. Every now and then I would raise my head to steal a smile off Maxon's face.
When we were all ready with eating we wanted to excuse ourselves to have some of the remaining hours to do some girl-talk, but just when we stood up, the King cleared his throat clearly announcing to say something.
"Please, girls, may you sit down for just a minute."
We all were confused, even Maxon raised one eyebrow seeming to not know what his father had planned then again.
"I have an announcement to make! There will be a slight change of plans. I want all of the Elite to stay for an unknown amount of time. It will be safer for them here in the palace and I don't want to risk any of you getting under the radar of the rebels, since you would be returning home, where you are not as safely guarded. There are also positions I want some of you to consider, but that will be something I will discuss with everyone in private."
My first thought was 'It's weird, why would he do such a change to the protocol, but I am so happy that Celeste is going to stay', but it was a matter of seconds I understood the full dimension of what the King just did to us-Maxon and I.
Kriss was going to stay here and as sure I was just moments ago that she was accepting Maxon's choice, I saw the glimmer of hope in her eyes, now that she would stay near Maxon.
The King was being true to the words he said to me the day before. He would try everything to separate Maxon and I, and he was willing to use the other girls for his own benefit. I knew for sure, that Celeste would never try something to bring Maxon and I apart, and Elise had accepted to not be his choice too long ago, that she would care for that change. The only real threat would be Kriss.
I dearly liked her and if the circumstances would have been different I was sure we could have been very good friends, but I knew that she loved Maxon and I knew that Maxon had a part in him, that loved Kriss, too.
In that exact moment the alarm began to ring. I knew very well what this sound meant.
We were under attack.
The rebels were inside the palace. Again.
I needed a minute to realise that I had to stand up and get to one of the safe rooms. When I looked up, brown eyes were staring down to me and a hand was held out my way.
"We have to run, my dear-"
"I am not your-"
There was a gunshot ringing in my ears, followed by some bloodcurdling screams.
Maxon pulled my hand. A guard was fallowing us, to secure our safety, and brought us to a different safe room than the other girls and the King and Queen.
We had been slower than the others thus the door of the royal safe-room already being shut and we were forced to get to the other one we now were standing in front of.
The guard opened the heavy door, gave us a gentle push, followed by a loud click and we were all by ourselves.
I hoped the others would be alright, even if I didn't have the happiest thoughts about them staying here some moments ago, I loved them, they were really important to be and I couldn't even think about losing one of them. I was grateful though that I had my Fiancée with me, and while still being a little in shock, I started to follow Maxon down the dark steps, my hand securely resting in his.
Soooo what do you think? Some foreshadowing in there?
I hoped you liked it, and stick with my story. Need some motivation, so please review ;)
