AN: *peeks out from behind laptop* um, hi. Wow I know, it's been like seven months since I've updated this story... pretty lame huh. Well I fell into one of those fangirl cycles where for weeks you aren't interested in a series and then suddenly, randomly, even maybe in the middle of the night, all of your crazy fangirl is unleashed for that series again and BOOM you're obssessed. Well, that happened to me today. And with the release of The One in May (Major screaming) I figured it's about time I got back to this story. Shall we start where we left off?

Previously, on Am I The One...

What's got you so happy?" Kriss inquired quizzically.

"Oh nothing." I smirked at my plate, and began eating my scrambled eggs as I hummed to myself lightly. If only the Royal Family would enter, I would be able to tell what the Queen was thinking about my offer. Perhaps she had even told the King and Maxon.

Just as I was thinking this, the doors to the room flew open, and King Clarkson entered angrily, practically stogirls.

"mping towards his seat. I chanced a glance to the Queen as we curtsied, who was looking extremely anxious and worried, still standing in the doorway.

Thats when I realized, he wasn't walking towards his seat.

He was walking towards mine.

"Your Majesty." I greeted politely as he came to a halt in front of me. I didn't let my gaze waver, I didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

"You...What have you done?!" He practically spat at me. I blinked up at him innocently.

"Your Majesty? I'm afraid I'm not sure to what you are referring..." I chanced a glance behind the King, at Maxon. His face looked torn between amusement and horror. Rather an odd mix if you ask me.

"You...You have gone behind the backs of myself, the Queen, and Maxon and formed ties to the Italians! You're a traitor! I could have you hanged for these crimes."

In that moment, the room became complete and utter chaos. I could hear screaming, and shouting, and maybe even crying. I wasn't thinking about how I heard Maxon shouting curses (Which would have been a real sight) or how Queen Amberly had her hand over her mouth and silent tears were streaming down her face. I wasn't even thinking about how Kriss and Elise seemed generally horrified at the King's statement. Although Celeste seemed rather indifferent.

All I was thinking was that I had seriously pissed off a King, and I needed to rectify the situation. Like, NOW.

I stood tall, with a back straight as a ruler. I steeled my gaze on the King, who looked like he might pop a blood vessel. I clasped my hands in front of me tightly, hoping my voice wouldn't shake.

"Your Majesty, it seems you have been misinformed. The only ties I have created with the Italian Monarchy have been for Ilea. The Italian Monarchy is a young one, young but very powerful. With them as your allies Ilea would look stronger and steadier. But I'm sure you know that our country's relationship with Italy is very fragile, seeing as we hosted their royal family only a month ago." I paused, and I could see shock on everyone's faces. Including the King's.

"The Italians are no fools Your Highness, Princess Nicoletta herself informed me that her country would have no problem forming a bond with Ilea..." I strategically left out the part where she insisted I become the next queen. "But that leaves a problem seeing as a bond cannot be formed when our two countries are separated as such. And one of us four will be the next Princess, and eventually Queen of Ilea. We will be expected to receive royal visitors, but we will also be expected to be royal visitors. We already know the first, yet how are we supposed to learn the second? I assure you Princess Nicoletta is in agreement with these plans, for she is the one who extended me an invitation in the first placed. However, I convinced her it would be beneficial for everyone involved if the Royal family and the elite were to visit, and not just myself seeing as my leaving would make me disqualified."

"I- well I- You...-" The King faltered, seeing no way to invalidate my arguments. His eyes narrowed, and he stared me down. "Watch yourself Lady America. You are playing a very dangerous game." He leaned in close, so that his mouth was right next to my ear. I wanted to back away, put distance between us, but I knew I couldn't. He whispered softly but menacingly. "We wouldn't want anything to happen to your dear sister, now would we?"

And with that, the King stalked out of the dining room, taking all of my energy with him.

"If you'll excuse me." I muttered, feeling sick to my stomach. I rushed out of the room as well, ignoring Maxon, who was calling after me.

I lifted my dress from my heels, Sylvia would be horrified, and dashed towards the nearest restroom. I pushed open a stall and leaned over just in time for the contents of my stomach to be spilled. What had I done? Was my family all in danger now? was the King sending word to hurt them right this second? All because I reached out to Princess Nicoletta, because I want Maxon?

My family could be in danger. Because I want Maxon.

Tears streamed down my face, and I wiped at them furiously. I shakily stood on my feet, bracing my hands on the countertop. I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

I didn't recognize the girl string back.

And that scared me.

I sat on my bed silently as my maids busied themselves readying me for bed. Just as Anne was pulling the last of the pins from my head I let out an exaggerated yawn and lifted my hands above my head.

"Thank you ladies. I'm quite exhausted and will be retiring to bed. You may go now." They all stood and curtsied, but as the other two were exiting, Lucy ran back and through her arms around me.

"He just has to choose you! He has to!" She cried, and sighed. "I know Lucy. I know."

Anne didn't even bother scolding her.

I tossed and turned for what seemed like hours, before finally giving up on the notion of sleep. The King's words still rang in my ears, and I knew I would never reach sleep. I stood up and walked out onto my balcony, and took a refreshing breath of fresh air. Tears started to pool in my eyes again, and I scrubbed at my face furiously.

"America Singer, since when do you cry so much?!" I scolded myself, trying to reign in my emotions. But it was no use, I was too far gone.

I sobbed on that balcony. I sobbed for my family, for Maxon, for Princess Nicoletta. Why did I drag her into this? She was nothing but nice to me... And eventually, when my tears ran dry, I sat on the cold stone and wondered when everything became so complicated here. I thought back to the Halloween ball, when Maxon had told me he'd marry me. That all seemed like a dream now.

"America?"

See? I'm even imagining his voice, the way he said my name and how it sounded perfect coming out of his mouth.

"America, good heavens what happened?!" I gasped and spun around, and there he was. I couldn't believe it. He'd ignored me for the past few days, hardly speaking a word to me, and now he shows up in my bedroom? It all seemed too good to be true.

"Maxon!" I exclaimed, hurrying to stand up. I said "Why are you here?" Just as he said "Why are you crying?" We both smiled slightly.

"Maxon I'm so sorry I didn't tell you before I told the Queen I want you to know that you can trust me and maybe if I had told you then this whole thing wouldn't have happened and I'm so sorry I messed this up... I understand if you want to send me home." If I had any tears left, I'd be crying.

"America why would you think I would be sending you home?! You're brilliant! The plan with the Italians, it's amazing! You're amazing!" He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips. "America it's...It's something only a true queen could have come up with." He smiled at me, and gently took my hand in his.

"I...but your father-"

"My mother reasoned with him, she and I both agree with your plan." He beamed at me. "America, we're leaving for Italy tomorrow."

"Wha-What?!" I gasped. "Oh Maxon you're incredible!" I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around me as well, but I felt his entire body wince. I stepped back to look at him.

"Maxon... are you alright?" He rolled his eyes at me, and smiled playfully. But the smile didn't reach his eyes, like it should.

"America, I'm fin-"

"Take off your shirt Maxon." I whispered.

"America honestly what has gotten into you?"

"Maxon. Take off your shirt." He stared at me for a long moment, before reaching behind him and pulling off his shirt.

I almost screamed.

His entire chest was covered in dark purple bruises, especially along his ribcage. There was a long cut, long but not deep, that ran from his left side down and curved towards hos bellybutton.

I was horrified. I couldn't speak.

"It's okay America. It's all over now."

The King was still hurting Maxon because of me.

Why is it that when I cause a problem, I'm the only one who remains untouched?