Breakfast the next morning was tense and I was too strung out from my sleepless night and my conversation with Maxon to deal with it. The King and Queen sat at the head of the table with Maxon by their side. Every move I made was watched by the King with hatred flaming from his eyes. I was too tired to speak and too afraid to meet his glares. I was far too tense to absorb the conversation carrying on around me. So, when an angry voice broke through my muddled thoughts my heart leapt and my attention snapped to the angry King.

'Well, Lady America?' He demanded as his terrifying eyes stripped me bare.

'I'm sorry, your majesty, I wasn't concentrating.' I said in a small voice trying to shy away from his growing hatred for me.

'There are riots across the nation, due to your outburst.' All colour drained from my face as I learnt the nature of this breakfast topic. 'What do you make of all this chaos?' He seethed as I desperately looked to Maxon for support but he wasn't looking at me, he was having his own stand off with his father. I noticed the other girls shifted uncomfortably around me afraid of the King's outburst. Kriss wouldn't look up from her lap, whilst Elise visibly shook from the confrontation. Whereas, Celeste looked down but the smug smile on her face let me know she was revelling in my misfortune. The Queen sat stoically beside the King giving nothing away. Realising the only person who was going to get me out of this situation resided inside me I took a calming breath and levelled my stare at the raging King Clarkson.

'I think with or without my obvious lapse in concentration the people would still be crying out for change. Isn't that what the rebels have been doing all these years? All my mistake did was act as a catalyst for a problem that was obviously already out of hand. You have ignored the plight of your people for far too long and they are ready and primed to revolt. The question is how will you react to this challenge? With the heavy hand of the tyrant, which will only confirm the people's greatest fears or with the compassion of a leader willing to instigate change that will work for the greater good of the people. My idea may have been poorly thought through and for the most part ill-advised but for many it is a reality which they want to see realised. The rebel's aren't the only ones who want to see change to this nation.' I finished with more confidence than I knew I possessed as the King's expression went from angry to murderous. We sat across from each other silently staring each other down. No one around us dare to more or even breathe. The air was thick with the weight of my words lingering. Suddenly, the King pushed back from the table and stood, again commanding the attention of the room.

'And you believe that you can be a spokesperson for the rights of the people. You believe that you, a child, know what's best for the future of this nation, more than myself, whom has been doing and training for this job for longer than you have been alive?' He chuckled darkly.

'No, I never claimed to be all knowing I just believe that your strong stance against change is damaging to the progress and success of what could be the powerful nation of Illea.' I continued, trying to mask the tremble in my voice.

'If you think you know so much then maybe I will change something.' He replied ominously and I saw Maxon shift in his seat beside him. He was preparing for his fathers outburst which was obviously only moments from occurring. The question was whether his wrath would be unleashed on me or Maxon. 'The Elite will leave the Palace. You will all be sent out into the population to quell some of the growing hysteria for change. You will remind the people of their love for the Royal family. You will show the people that you fully support the Royal family and their policies.' He glared down at me for emphasis but I refused to flinch or take a step back.

'Father, is that the safest option right now with the country in so much turmoil?' Maxon asked with concern from his father's side but the King refused to look at him reserving his scathing glare for me.

'I think this is the best time for something such as this. The people need to know who their leaders truly are. Besides, young Lady America here seems to love the people so much it would be wrong to keep her from them.' He was sending a challenge for me, trying to prove my weakness, trying to force me to step down first.

'I would be happy to visit the people and see more of this great nation.' I replied sweetly ignoring Maxon's clear warning for me to back down.

'Wonderful,' the King announced gleefully, 'Lady America will travel to the Southern Provinces-'

'Father, no!' Maxon exploded and my heart dropped through the floor leaving me empty. I knew that was where most of the riots were breaking out. Aspen had told me how hundreds had been demoted to eights and had lashed out against the crown and everything it represented. They would be the least receptive to a visit from me. Just being there would put my life in severe danger.

'You know the situation there is dire. It isn't safe for Lady America to travel there.' Maxon continued standing to meet his fathers intimidating form.

'Her idealism is exactly what that area of this country needs right now. It is settled Maxon it would be unwise for you to disagree with me.' He finished menacingly and I watched as the fear swept through Maxon's eyes and my heart hurt for the little boy inside of him that had suffered such callous punishments at the hands of his own father. The man who was meant to love him unconditionally and protect him from the dangers of the world but had instead become the greatest danger to his son's life and to his happiness.

'I'll do it.' I announced calmly from across the table trying to deflect the attention from Maxon. Desperately hoping his father wouldn't see fit to punish his son again for one of my outbursts. I chanced a look at the Queen and saw a crack in her veneer. There was something that briefly flashed across her face and if I wasn't mistaken it appeared to be an emotion akin to pride. For me? I only spared her a moments thought before I returned my gaze to King Clarkson whom looked at me with a triumphant smile. One that said he had finally got what he so desperately desired. My removal from this competition. If he thought I was going down that easily he was sorely mistaken. He announced that the others would be travelling close to Angeles and then swept from the room. I quickly excused myself and almost ran back to my room. My body was trembling, my adrenaline finally running dry. When I rounded the corner and saw Aspen at my door, the ever vigilant guard, I steeled my spin one last time so he wouldn't know there was something amiss. I still hadn't spoken to him since we both thought I was leaving. I hadn't explained to him how or why I still remained and I could tell from the look of pain on his face as I walked past that he was hurt by my lack of communication.

'Mer, we need to talk.' He whispered hurriedly as I walked past. I could only muster a nod before entering my room to see my maids shuffling around to neaten the already pristine space.

'My Lady, what are you doing back so early?' Mary inquired from where she was placing my pillows back on my bed.

'I wasn't that hungry.' I mumbled making my way to the balcony to try and swallow down all the fresh air my lungs could hold. My maids traded worried looks but the weight of the conversation in the dining room was bearing down on me, making it impossible to reassure them. It finally hit me that I may have just signed my death certificate. If the King wanted me dead, there was nothing to stop him. I clung to the railing until my knuckles turned white from the pressure. I jumped when I heard the doors slam behind me. I quickly spun around expecting to see the King but instead found his son.

'America, what were you thinking?' He bellowed from across the room, making his way angrily towards me as my maids hastily made their way from the room curtseying as they went. Lucy's eyes were wide with horror and I shot her what I hoped would be a reassuring smile but I was too tired to know if it came across that way.

'Maxon-'

'No, you get to listen to me this time. Didn't you learn anything from your performance on the Report. Everything you do has consequences. Don't you value your life?' He interrupted grabbing me by the shoulders. I crumpled under his harsh words, sinking to the floor with the weight of his hands finally causing the gravity of my outburst to catch up with me.

'I'm sorry Maxon. I couldn't stop myself. As much as I'm terrified of the man I can't sit back and watch him torture you and bring the country to the brink of destruction. He hasn't hurt you has he?' I asked looking up at him in alarm.

'I came straight here. How can you possibly be thinking about my wellbeing after my father has effectively sent you off to die? I can't lose you America.' He breathed bending down to gently take my hands in his and pull me up into his warm, solid chest. I quickly breathed in everything that was Maxon to try to calm my erratic heart and wild breathing.

'I'm sorry Maxon. I know I did the exact opposite of what you want me to do but I'm trying, honestly, to fit into your world.' I mumbled into his chest.

'I know but sadly you are no closer to being ready to be Princess than you were when you had you fit of passion on the Report.' He replied sadly running his fingers soothingly through my hair.

'I know, I think it's the hair, it generates more passion than one person can handle.' He laughed reluctantly in my embrace.

'America, I'm not going to lie to you, the situation is not good down there.'

'I know.' He pulled back and looked down at me quizzically.

'How? There has been no news on the problem.'

'Well...I speak with some of the palace staff. You know they know everything.' I answered nervously.

'They do seem to have taken a liking to you.' He answered skeptically, he clearly didn't believe me.

'I'm going to be fine Maxon, I promise.' I tried to assure him but we both knew that was a promise I wasn't able to make.

'I have to go America.' He announced sadly stepping out of our embrace.

'Where?'

'I need to talk with my father.' He said sadly.

'No, please Maxon. Don't go to him. I don't want you hurt because of another one of my rash actions, please promise me that you won't go to him.' I begged grabbing his hand and drawing it to my chest. 'He will not change his mind. I'm going whether you talk to him or not. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt.'

He looked at me for a long time before sighing and leaning in to place a small kiss on my forehead.

'Fine, America, I promise.' He sighed, 'What have you gotten us into?'

'I can handle it, I promise.' I tried to smile reassuringly at him. He nodded sadly to me and walked out my door leaving me alone with my thoughts. Before I even had a chance to take a step towards my bed my door opened again and Aspen came inside.

'What are you doing?' I hissed as he made his way over to me quickly and took both of my hands in his. My heart raced, praying that no one came looking for me and found Aspen.

'What did you do America?' He asked worriedly.

'Something stupid.' I sighed looking away. I couldn't have this conversation again. 'Aspen you need to stop this. Whatever we had it doesn't exist anymore. I'm sorry but my heart belongs to someone else now.'

'How?' He asked incredulously. 'Just two days ago you were leaving and telling me to give you a chance to choose me but here you are.'

'I know, a lot has changed. I'm sorry but my heart belongs to Maxon, I think it has for a while now.' I said looking deeply into his eyes trying to make him understand.

'I still love you Mer.' Suddenly the doors behind Aspen opened causing both of us to jump in alarm.

'Ameri-' Maxon stopped halfway as he took in the scene before him. His face flashed with curiosity and then pain. 'What's going on here?'