Why hello my favs! I know its been a while, but I just want to say thank you for dealing with me that past month. The good news is that I most def wrote over 50,000 words for Nano, and my novel is about 4 chapters from being finished! That being said, I've still got to finish it, but you guys have waited long enough for this chapter, and I promise more frequent updates, probably once a week.

In other news, I will be updating One Night with the Prince before the weekend! Whoot whoot!

I won't keep you guys any longer! Please excuse any errors because I edited this late last night, and I'm at work now.

I walked as quickly as possible through the castle. The nobles were already stuttering at my hurried pace, but I didn't care. Aspen had offered to come with me, but I declined. I had no idea what it was that my father wanted, and I didn't need him there to hear it. With My father's hurried scribble and wording, it could've been anything.

I opened the door, freezing when I realized that I had opened the wrong one.

Celeste and one of the court maids were locked in a passionate embrace. She had the maid pinned against the wall, her skirt hitched up between them. They both turned to me at the sound of the door opening, their cheeks flushed and lips swollen.

"I'm- oh god, I'm sorry," I muttered. I attempted to close the door, but Celeste's voice stopped me.

"America…wait."

I stood there with the door half closed, biting my lip. I'd heard of romantic rendezvous with the same sex, but I had never seen one in real life. But somehow, it fit Celeste perfectly. She really was Aphrodite, doomed to cause all to fall at her feet. She placed a chaste kiss against the maid's, lips, and then placed her finger against them.

"I'll be right back. Seems I forgot to lock the door," she purred. The girl looked like she was about to practically faint. Celeste sauntered over to me, her hips swinging dangerously.

"I see what you meant about preferring things more delicate," I whispered.

"Women are a lot softer than a man, and they smell considerably better," she sighed as she leaned in the crack. "I hadn't meant for anyone to see that. I know there are rumors, but I would lose my dowry if my father had proof. He'd disown me."

I blushed considerably. "Sorry, I'm looking for my father, and I came to the wrong room. I didn't mean to barge in."

"No worry. Things were beginning to get a little out of hand for an unlocked door. Now, we can have our fun in peace," she added with a wink. Her face melted from the confident one I had always seen. She bit her lip, her eyes full on anxiety. "This should be a moot point, but-"

"I'm not going to say anything," I promised. Relief flooded her face, but she put on a bemused smirk.

"Good. You know I would destroy you if you did."

"Charming as ever, Celeste. What are friends for?"

"Maybe we shall be friends. You know what? You are going to make it here, Lady Singer." Celeste leaned forward, quickly pecking my cheek. She mouthed her thanks, and as I walked away, I heard the click of the lock. As abrasive as Celeste could be, I found that I liked her, even with the snark.

I turned down the correct corridor, coming to my father's room. My nervousness returned, temporarily dispelled by the interruption with Celeste. I straightened my frock before entering, to find my father sitting at the small writing desk in front of the fire.

"America, good," he said without looking up. He finished signing the letter, signing it with a flourish I seldom saw from him.

"Who is the letter to?"

"Your mother, actually. I needed to get her opinion quickly, but I'm sure I already know her answer."

"Answer for what?"

"America, sit down."

I did as my father requested, fidgeting with my riding gloves as I took them off. He finished sealing the letter and walked to his maid to get it sent off. A thousand thoughts went through my head. Had something happened to Maxon? Had the King finally made his move? Did my Father know about us?

"What do you think of Count Leger?"

I blanched, wondering where this was possibly going. "He's an agreeable gentleman. Why?"

"The king wants him to take a wife, and he recommended you as a match."

My heart fell out. I knew the King had mentioned it to Aspen, but my father? It was my worst fear come to light. "What?" I stammered.

"The King has given his blessing, and I must say, it would be an advantageous marriage. He holds a higher station, and he's got plenty of wealth. I have no doubt that he'd be able to support you. Plus, I've spoken with many of the nobles. He's a good and kind man, America."

"He is," I mumbled. But he wasn't Maxon.

"But you sound unsure."

I bit my lip, thinking of what to say without revealing the truth. My Father trusted my judgment. He'd said he wanted my approval, but how far did that go when it was against the King's wishes?

"Would you rather me marry for love, or marry for my country?" I finally asked. He looked confused, so I clarified. "If the king wants this marriage-"

"He just mentioned he approved of the match and would heartily support it. Count Leger hasn't approached me other than to ask if you have any other prospects. I told him that you had made a few acquaintances at court, but I didn't know of any serious suitors."

Relief flooded my system. I had some time. King Clarkson was moving his pieces quite well, but Maxon and I would just have to be ready with a counter. My father took a seat beside me and grabbed my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"America, I meant what I said. If the king requests it, there is little we can do, but right now, it is just a suggestion. I just wanted your opinion on the man, so I would know how to handle the situation."

"He'd make a wonderful husband," I started. "He's very kind and handsome, but….do you trust me?" He nodded his head, his eyebrows furrowing together in thought. I looked down at my hands, wanting to tell him a part of the truth without giving anything away. "Then trust that I need time. I understand that I don't have a lot of options, but what options I do have, I'd like to have the opportunity to follow my heart if I can."

"I can do that, America. Just remember that proposals and options cannot be taken lightly. Love is a privilege. Sometimes, it has to be worked for. It has to be given time to grow." I nodded my head, and my father lifted my hand, placing his lips on the back of it. "Now, go get ready for dinner."

I had to talk to Maxon.

I went down to dinner with a mission. He was outside of the hall, speaking with Lord Ambers and one of the generals. I was stuck at the end, while my father talked with one of the nobles. My eyes never strayed from him. I hoped he would look up, but either he was determinedly ignoring me or the most obtuse person I had ever encountered.

For just a second his eyes brightened, but they weren't looking at me. Kriss had just walked in on my right, and he offered his arm to her. She giggled lightly, wrapping hers around his own. He looked down at her, his eyes full of something that chilled me to the bone.

It was a look that I had become achingly familiar with.

My breath hitched, and I fought the sobs that threatened to rip from my chest. It was all a show. Maxon loved me, I knew it, and he would never hurt me like this. I steeled my resolve, but it faltered slightly when he looked at me, his face passive as ever. His father wasn't around, so why did it matter? Why was he looked at me like I wasn't even here?

"Ready, sweetheart?" my father called. I nodded my head, following him into the dining hall.

Dinner was the most miserable one that I'd had at court so far. We sat with the Tames, our family, and normally it would've been wonderful. Carter was sitting next to Marlee, and they were whispering and laughing with one another. I was happy for them, but it reminded me all too well of the way Maxon was acting with Marlee. I knew he had to put on a show, but it was very convincing. All throughout dinner, I tried to get his attention. He was sitting at the head table, engrossed in conversation with the Duchess. I tried to tug my ear, to tell him we had to talk, but he was laughing and carrying on with her, just like Marlee and Sir Woodwork.

"America…are you okay?" Marlee questioned.

I nodded my head, glancing back up at the table. The King caught my eye for just a moment, offering me a pleased smile.

It took all I could not to scream. If he wanted to play a game, I would not lose.

As dinner was winding down, and the men went off to drink their ale and discuss politics, I decided to make my move. If Maxon had changed his mind, if his father had done something, then he owed me the truth. I wouldn't take no for an answer. He'd missed our outing, and now he was avoiding me. Something was wrong.

I walked through the crowd, my sights set on the Prince. A few courtiers and nobles stopped to talk to me, and I tried to be as polite as possible while dismissing them without being rude. Maxon was saying goodbye to Kriss. He kissed her lightly on the cheek, watching her as she walked out of the hall. He turned towards me, paling considerably.

"Your highness!" I called.

Maxon walked out, but I would not be deterred. I picked up my skirts, lightly jogging after him. We were out in the hall, which was thankfully empty for the most part. I grabbed his arm, pulling him off into a corridor that wound just off the main hall.

"America! You can't just grab me like that," he spat as he looked behind him hurriedly. "You realize that I am the Prince?"

"I realized that you've been avoiding me. You sent no word about this afternoon, and you haven't looked me in the eye all night. What's going on, Maxon? You were fine last night!"

"You shouldn't call me that. You should address me as Prince, or your highness."

I looked at him disbelievingly. This was so unlike him! His face was hard, set in stone, but his eyes were shining with emotion.

"What's happened? I want to help."

"You can't help."

I just stared at him. He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Father came to me last night, and we had a long talk. America," he cleared his throat, and briefly closed his eyes before looking at me again. "I mean, Lady Singer."

"So I'm Lady Singer now? He's done something, hasn't he? Maxon, we can get through this, we can make this work-"

"No, we can't," he murmured. "I love you. I will always love you, but this? This isn't going to work. Love isn't always enough. I will be King, and I need more than just love to have a strong marriage. I need someone who can handle being a Queen. I need someone with money and connections that can better my country."

"And I don't have any of that. I don't have anything to offer other than my heart. And that's not enough for you, is it?"

I could feel my heart breaking. A single, angry tear slid down my cheek. After all he told me, after all his promises….I couldn't believe Maxon was doing this to me. I shook my head. There was so much I wanted to say, to scream and yell, but I was better than that.

"Maxon, son, are you coming?"

I looked past Maxon, to see the King standing about three meters away, a calculating look on his face. His eyes raked over me, and I quickly brushed away the tear. His lips turned up into the smallest of smiles. "Lord Ambers is waiting, son."

"I know, Father," he ground out. "I will be there in a moment. There is something I have to finish, if you don't mind."

"Not at all. You look lovely as ever, Lady America. I do hope you will consider the marriage with Count Leger. When he asks, it will be the best offer you can hope to get."

I had to bite my tongue. This had to be a lie, a plot, something his father was concocting. I had a lot of self-doubt. I'd never think I was good enough to be Queen, but I realized that I knew better than this. I knew Maxon better than this. He said to trust him, and for the moment, I had to fight the screaming in my head, the painful hole in my heart. I fought my instincts in hope there was an explanation for all of this.

"The secret door coming from your room has been sealed from the outside. There is nothing for you on the other side," he explained. The shining in his eyes grew stronger, tears on the brink of falling… or was I just imagining that? Something in his tone, in the way he said it, make me think otherwise. Was he trying to tell me something? That's when it clicked. He wanted me to go there. "Don't go through it anymore, do you understand me?"

He grabbed my hand, softly but with an urgency that confirmed my thoughts. I nodded my head, withdrawing from him.

"It seems I have no business to venture through that door every again, your highness. Consider me warned."

Maxon nodded his head, and before either of us could say another word, I turned and ran to my rooms, taking a less traveled way that would be deserted.

I bolted in, locking the door behind me once I knew I was alone. I walked over to the secret door, but he was right. I tried to push it open, but it was bolted from the other side, most likely while I was gone on my ride. I thought there would be a message on the other side, a note, something, but I was wrong.

I pounded the wall in frustration, wishing that I could understand what was going on. I fell to the floor, the tears I'd fought so hard to keep from falling staining my face and dress. I leaned against the wall, curling in on myself so I could sob freely. Had I imagined his inflection? Had I simply fabricated all of this in my head?

I looked to my right, and a corner of parchment, no bigger than the tip of my smallest finger, was sticking out underneath. I grabbed it, pulling out a sheet that was folded in half. I broke the wax seal, my eyes frantically reading the words. My hand went to my mouth, a lame attempt to keep the laugh from coming out too loudly.

My dearest America,

We are being watched. Find a way to Celeste's room at midnight. Use the servant's passages.

I love you, and I will never stop fighting for you.

Tiny bit of a cliff hanger? Yes? No?

You know what to do. Like favorite, scream about it, and please leave a review to let me know what you think. I love talking to ya'll. :)

Until next time!