Last Time On What If...

"Maxon! I would LOVE to go on a date with you." Janelle said. Maxon turned around to see all of the girls in shock. I think he wanted to keep it quiet, but I guess everybody knows now. I bite my lip and exit the room, when I get upstairs I spot two guards...except one looks all too familiar.

Chapter 7: Guarding Part III

Maxon's Pov.

I literally froze when I saw America's reaction to Janelle's outburst. I knew she would be shocked, upset, surprised, disappointed, and so many other emotions, especially after what happened last night. I wanted to go talk to her, but I couldn't. I'm not supposed to right now. America slips out, rushing to her room probably. I contemplated following her, at least to make sure she wasn't too upset, but I simply can't do it. I sigh and flash the brightest smile possible, as I grab Janelle's hand, ushering her to the carriage. I guide her inside, before pulling myself into the carriage.

"Where are we going?" She asked. I muttered a response back, trying my best not to come off as rude,but I couldn't help it. Janelle isn't the person I wanted to be with right now...I look outside to see families walking together peacefully and happily. Honestly, could I see myself in that type of life with anyone but America? That's what I'm trying to find out. At least, that's what I'm ordered to find out...

~flashback~

"Father, why have you called me up? The girls are waiting for me so we can do the photo shoot."

"Watch your tongue Maxon. Or do I have to teach you some manners?" He reached out to grab something, but let go.

"It's about America." He simply said.

~end of flashback~

When we arrived, I exited the carriage and extended my hand to Janelle, who graciously accepted it. I wasn't sure Janelle would be thrilled about today's date, seeing as I planned it for America. I planned to go hunting with her, so she can see that I'm not just a wimpy prince, like she thinks about all royals. However, based off Janelle's expression, I think she's glad to be with me no matter what the circumstances are. I pulled out two backpacks and handed her one.

"You might want to change, seeing as you're dressed a little too formal for today." Janelle turned a little pink as she went into the closed-roof carriage to change. She came out a couple minutes later looking very prepared to hunt. I was honestly a little impressed. We trekked into the forest, and eventually spotted on some deer. I carefully loaded an arrow, aiming carefully so I wouldn't miss. Janelle looked at me cautiously, looking every engulfed in the hunt. I shot, the arrow precisely striking my intended target. After quickly preparing the deer, Janelle started a fire, placing the meat on spears so we could eat it when it was ready.

"That was really fun." Janelle began.

"Yeah, I'm glad I invited you." I said. It was only partially true...

"I was worried that you would invite America on another date." She said, grabbing one of the cooked spears. "I thought that none of us were as good as her." She handed me the spear and then grabbed her own, taking a small bite out of it. I didn't know how to respond to her, but apparently she had more to say because she continued:

"Honestly, I don't know what you see in her. She's a grotesque five. There's so many prettier, smarter, regal, girls here like me."

I felt my body grow hot at her rude words.

"And you think being rude to America behind her back like this is regal and smart?" I responded bitterly. She looked stunned, but recomposed herself.

"Well, considering Celeste and Sylvan despise her, how can you not see how disorganized and messy she is? Even your father dislikes her. Everyone knows this...so we're all stunned that you keep her around."

"My father does not decide who I marry, and I do not care what Celeste and Sylvan think. In fact, I don't care what you think either. You want to know what I think? I think you're a little too gossipy for me. My relationship with America is none of your concern, yet question my decision to let her stay. Quite frankly, it's irritating."

I pause letting my rage exit my body. Janelle looks distraught, but I'm not going to forgive her for her words.

"I think you should go home." I finish. I get up and usher her to the carriage, not listening to her pleas. I tell the driver to drop her off at the castle and then return to pick me up. He obliges, leaving me to my thoughts in the forest. I'm upset at Janelle, but glad that she said what she did. I realized through her that I don't need my father's approval. I looked up at the sky, smiling at the new-found confidence Janelle forced upon me, as I wait for the carriage to return for me.

(Author's Note: Maxon is being watched by secret service to assure his safety. They are just hidden when not necessary. So I assure you that he is not just sitting in a forest all alone, with no protection.)

America's Pov.

I freeze by the stairs, not sure what to think. It can't be...no there's no way it's...Aspen. I see him turn slightly, his eyes locking in place with mine. I walk to my room, pretending to be unfazed. Aspen whispers something to the other guard, and he leaves. I try to walk into my room, but he blocks the door.

"What do you want?" I spit.

"I've been stationed here as a guard to watch over you. The commander's disappointed that you haven't completed your mission yet, so he wants me to make sure you get it done."

"I bet you asked him. He would have never doubted my ability."

"I admit I did ask, but not to grow anymore animosity between us...I've been thinking about our breakup. I wanted to be a hero to you, and when I thought about it, having you go on this mission all by yourself is so reckless. You need support, and I thought I could be that...and then it all clicked. Mer...If we complete this together, we'll be heroes...I'll finally be your equal. I can finally be a hero...we can finally be heroes."

"Aspen...you were always a hero to me...but you wanted to be more than just my hero. You want to be everyone else's too. Now, if you excuse me, I have to go inside my room."

Aspen moved to the side and I entered my room, closing the door behind me. I immediately jumped into bed, however Anne came in from the closet, pulling me out of bed frantically.

"America, you must get dressed. It's King Clarkson...he wants to see you."

I turned completely white as Anne handed me the most elegant gown. I quickly put it on, and she did my hair as quickly as she could. Then, we accessorized and put on natural-based makeup. I sprayed on a little perfume and looked in the mirror one last time before leaving. When I got to the King's chambers, I cautiously knocked on his door.

"Enter." He said simply. I courteously entered his room, trying my best to appear graceful.

"Your highness?"

"America, have a seat." He said, motioning to one of the chairs. I carefully sat down, and he walked over.

"The Italians send their regards." He paused, carefully planning his next statement. "They would like to see you again. Therefore, they've extended their visit. With that in mind, I've decided to bend the rules a little and send you to dinner with them. I want you to assure an alliance with the Italians, because quite frankly I do not want Maxon to marry you just to please them." He paused again before asking:

"I believe you feel the same?"

"I do not want Maxon to marry me for that reason. Marriage is supposed to be based on love and nothing else." I replied honestly. He looked at me as though the last part was incorrect, but didn't retort to it.

"Well please be ready by seven pm sharp. That gives you about...2 hours to get ready. The prince will escort you to dinner." He stated simply.

"And do try to look nice." He jabbed. I felt my irritation boil, but I simply curtsied.

"You're dismissed." He stated.

"Thank you, your majesty." I replied, as I made my way out.

Maxon's Pov.

I arrived at the palace at about 6:00 pm. The ride back to the palace was very long, seeing as the forest is pretty far. However, I digress. I made my way upstairs to notice noise coming from America's room. As I passed her room I could hear her maids exclaim:

"America, you must look perfect for tonight."

My curiosity flared up. Was something happening tonight? No, surely there wasn't anything planned, seeing as my date was supposed to last until 8 pm. So what is she getting ready for? I contemplated about whether I should knock on her door and find out, but I figured that she probably had some challenge from Sylvan or something that included my mother. I believe the selected have to learn etiquette at some point. I chuckled at the thought of America learning proper etiquette. Somehow, I can imagine her frustrated expression, swears rolling off her tongue as though they are regular words. I must really love America to be blushing at the thought of her cursing people off. I sighed and decided to take a walk around the gardens. Interestingly enough, I spotted Celeste sitting at one of the benches. I sat next to her, causing her to break from thought.

"Maxon" She says in shock.

"Hello Celeste. I was just taking a walk and spotted you here. I hope you don't mind I'm here." I responded.

"Oh how can I mind when it's you?" She says smiling. "I'm glad I finally get some one on one time with you, even if it isn't a date." She said chuckling.

"I'm sorry about that." I said laughing along with her.

"I'll only forgive you if you take me out on a date." She teases.

"Alright, how about we go out to a nice field and take some photographs and then maybe catch a advanced screening of a movie or something?" I respond.

"I'd like that." She said, smiling brightly.

With that, Celeste and I managed to have a pretty good conversation till it got dark.

"Would you look at that? I was so engulfed in our conversation that it's dark." I chuckled. "You must be cold, let's head inside." I grab her hand and usher her into the main hall to spot the Prince of Italy entering the palace.

"Oh hello Maxon." He said cheerfully. "I assume you just returned from a date?" He said.

"Oh we were just talking outside and time flew past us." I said. "But what blesses us with your visit?" I asked. I heard a footstep and immediately realized that it wasn't a what, but a who: America.

America's Pov.

As I made my way downstairs, I could see a mixed set of emotions. The Prince was excited to see me, meanwhile Maxon looked mortified. Celeste had my favorite expression: she looked angry, jealous, and vicious at the same time. However, as much as I would love to flash a smile at her, that would only shock Maxon more. The Prince made his way up to me and grabbed my hand.

"Well America and I are going to dinner, I'll be sure to bring her back before curfew." He said jokingly. As he guided me outside, I looked back and locked eyes with Maxon. I tugged my ear, but he didn't tug back. He's completely misunderstood the nature of this dinner. I sigh as I make my way into the carriage. We drive off towards the city, yet I can't help but look back at the palace.

"I'm so excited for dinner. Please promise me, you won't talk politics." The prince said cheerfully, interrupting my thoughts.

"Even if I wanted to, I doubt I could keep up. I have a very limited knowledge on Illeanian politics." The Prince chuckled and smiled at me. Oddly enough, I felt a little better. When the carriage pulled up, he graciously led me into the restaurant. When we got inside, the hostess guided us into a reserved chamber of the restaurant. There, The Italians were eating and chatting quietly, however as soon as they noticed me they raised their voices in happiness.

"America's here." Princess Nicoletta said. I walked around, hugging each one of them, before sitting down in between The Prince and Nicoletta.

"America, how are you?" The King asked merrily.

"I'm very happy to see you all." I replied.

"Oh you're too kind." The Queen responded.

"Let's eat." Princess Nicoletta interrupted.

"Yes, let us." Her brother nodded in agreement. I couldn't help but laugh. We all ordered our food, and while we waited we passed stories.

"America, I have the funniest story for you." The Princess said, clearly a little tipsy from her wine. "So when my family gathered to watch the Selection announcement, my brother's jaw literally dropped at your picture. He thought you were so cute with such a forced smile. It looked as though you were trying too hard to be happy, and it was adorable to him." I glanced to the Prince to see him slightly blushing.

"I'm a romantic. I like to believe in love at first sight, but you're quite a pig in real life." He said, trying to quickly recover from his sister's story.

"Where's your manners?" Nicoletta remarked. I laughed and responded:

"No he's completely right. Sylvan always remarks about my manners."

"Well Sylvan is a little too uptight for my tastes." The King said as he sipped his wine. "I feel if she wasn't Queen Amberly's adviser, the Queen could do so much more for Illea. If you look back to Amberly's selection, she seemed so filled with ideas, but the training turned her into Clarkson's submissive figure. It's quite sad."

"I hope you never become like her." The Queen said, finishing her glass. "You seem to have a spark that Clarkson clearly doesn't like. It's amusing to see him to riffled up." She continued.

"May I ask something though?" I say, slightly changing the tone.

"Oh no, it's politics. I thought you promised you weren't going to talk about politics tonight!" The prince said teasingly.

"It's just...I hope that Illea's alliance to Italy will not depend on Maxon marrying me, because I can't guarantee that he'll pick me or that we'll work out." I say sadly.

"What makes you say that?" The King says curiously.

"Nothing really, it's just that there are so many factors in this game. It's quite unpredictable." I say sipping my drink. When the food arrives, we eat almost silently, with only a little chatter. It was unusual. The Prince glances at me and whispers in my ear:

"You know if you think negatively, things will not work out your way."

With that, he went back to his food, leaving me with that thought. I wonder if he's right about that.

Magic Wizard's Pov.

I felt really inspired today, so I decided why the hell not: Let's write another chapter of What If.

Thank you so much to Monkeys4ever001 and canifindtheone for commenting. I really appreciate it; it truly brightened my day. I actually ended up using the Monkeys4ever001's idea about using the Prince as a love conflict. I honestly wasn't planning to do that. I didn't even give the Prince a name, cause I wasn't sure I was going to use him again, but when I read that comment, ideas flowed through my brain like crazy; this chapter is the result.

Anyway,

1. What should I name the Prince?

2. How is Maxon going to cope with his new competition?

3. What do you think about Aspen?

-Personally, I think he needs to do a lot more than be a hero to win America back.

Aspen: Magic Wizard...what do you want me to do, die for her?

Me: Well...

Aspen: Don't you even think about it.

4. What will Aspen do when he finds out what's been going on at the palace?

5. Will America fall for The Other Prince? Does he even like her in that way?

6. When the hell will Marlee become important?

-She is literally one of my favorite characters! I even like her more than Aspen.

Aspen: Well then...

Me: I'm sorry, but you're just as indecisive as Bella from Twilight.

Aspen: I am not!

Me: Oh yeah? What is your favorite color?

Aspen: Well...I like black...no, blue. Wait, red. Yeah, red is my favorite color. Actually, gray... (keeps ranting).

Me: Yup, soooo not indecisive.

7. Do you think Maxon and America will truly be together?

-I question that everyday xDD

Sincerely,

Magic Wizard