It was Saturday, and I had once again not slept at all last night. My thoughts were consumed with America the whole night. I was happy that she had told me everything. Now that I knew her story, I felt I could understand her better and know why she was upset. The only downside was that I really felt like punching America's ex for making her suffer.

When I got out of bed, I took a shower while my butler made my bed that wasn't really used. Feeling the water relaxed me, and when I was dryed off and dressed, I was ready to start a new day without punching someone in the face. I headed toward the dining hall and I smiled at all the Selected and noticed that America wasn't there.

After breakfest, I headed toward Father's office and my thoughts drifted back to America again. What is she doing right now? I briefly knowed on Fathers door and walked in, standing taller. Things were the same as they normally were, untill a maid came in holding a note on a platter. She curtseyed and handed it to me. I took the note and read it;

Dear Prince Maxon,

I have written a note to tell you that Lady Anna Farmer has just slapped me. I know this is against the rules, so I knew you needed to be informed about this. If you need proof, you can ask any of the other Selected. See you soon!

-Lady Celeste

"Oh dear!" I said standing up. Father looked up from his work at me. "I must go settle a problem between Lady Celeste Newsome and Lady Anna Farmer, sir. May I be excused?" "Yes, but what happened?" "According to Lady Celeste, Lady Anna slapped her on the face" He nodded, "She was one of the Fours right? Not surprised. I would send her home." My blood boiled, but tried to remain calm. I stepped outside to see Lady Celeste waiting with a slightly red cheek. "Your highness" she curtseyed. "Are you alright? You should go to the hospital wing for some ice. I will meet you there after I talk with Lady Anna" "Of course" and she walked off. I took a deep breath and went to the Woman's Room.

Anna was outside waiting, almost like she knew what was to come. "Did you slap Lady Celeste?" I asked when I aproached her. She nodded, tears running down her face. "I'm sorry to say, that you are now eliminated from the Selection, Lady Anna." "Thank you for letting me particapate, Prince Maxon. I should go to my room to pack now." she said turning. "Wait, can you please go to the hospital wing, I want to make sure you are alright." "Of course, your highness" and she cursteyed and walked away.

I sighed. My choices were getting smaller by the second. I headed back to Father's office. "Did you eliminate her?" he asked, the second I walked in. I nodded and he gave me a satisfied nod. At least there was that.

--

I started off the next week with taking pictures with the remaining Selected. The Selected were told it was just for fun. It was, only it was a test to see if they looked good and regal with me and on camera. The public was also begging for pictures as a "look-in" of The Selection, so here we were taking pictures.

Lady Natalie and I were posing and smiling as the lightbulbs went off. "Your highness, relax your left shoulder a bit, wonderful" the photographer said Flash! Flash! "Natalie, bring your chin down a touch, please. That's it" Flash! Flash! "I think that will do. Who's next?" he asked. "That was fun, your highness" she said emphasizing the title and kicking up her foot, flirtatiously. "I thought I told you to call me Maxon, my dear" She giggled and walked away.

Celeste walked up to me, her eyes sparkling. "I bet we won't need much instruction with this" she whispered into my ear. I leaned back and laughed, and she smiled. "All right, miss, just turn to the camera and smile please," the photographer called. Celeste turned toward me and placed a hand to my chest, giving a dazling smile. Flash! Flash! Flash! Celeste kept on asking me to move a few inches, this way, and that way or asking to change their pose. She was an expert at this type of thing. Next thing we knew, Celeste's turn was done and it was America's turn.

My eyes turned from Celeste to America, my face brightening a little. "Hello, my dear," I sang playfully. "Don't even start" she warned and I chuckled. I rached my hands out toward her. "Hold on a moment, your sash is crooked." "Not surprised. That darn thing was so heavy, I could feel it shifting everytime I stepped" she complained. "I suppose that'll do," I said jokingly. "In the meantime, they ought to hang you up with the chandeliers" she fired back poking at my medals. "Look at the camera, please!" the photographer called. America looked up and wiped her hands on her dress, exhaling. "Don't be nervous," I whispered to her. "I don't like everyone looking at me."

I pulled her close and put a hand on her waist. She tried to step back, but I held her there. "Just look at me like you can't stand me." I said, squinting into a mock pout, making us laugh. Flash! "See, not so bad." "I guess." America was tense as the photographer told us how to pose. I shifted to a loose embrace. Flash! We turned so her back was against my chest. Flash! Flash! "Excellent, the photographer said, Could we get a few on the lounge?"

We posed and the cameras went off. From the corner of my eye, I saw an adviser waving his hand, trying to get my attention. I turned and nodded, but he hsitated, looking at me and then America, questioning her presence. "She is fine" I said and he came over and knelt before me.

"Rebal attack in Midston, Your Majesty" he said. I sighed, dropping my head. Again? "They burned acres of crops and killed about a dozen people." "Where in Midston?" "The west, sir, near the border." I nodded slowly. Crap, it looks like they are goig after the Fours. "What does my father say?" "Actually, Your Majesty, he wanted your thoughts." I was taken aback, what? "Localize troops in the southeast of Sota and all along Tammins. Don't go as far south as Midston, it'd be a waste. See if we can intercept them." "Excellent, sir" he said, bowing and heading off.

"You all right?" America asked. I nodded somberly. "Just all those people." "Maybe we should stop," she suggested. I shook my head, straightened up, and smiled, placing her hand in mine. "One thing you must master in this profession is the ability to appear calm when you feel anything but. Please smile, America." She raised her head and gave a small smile to the camera. Flash! I squeezed her hand tight, and she did the same. Flash! I felt that in that moment, he had a connection, something true and deep. "Thank you very much. Next, please." the photographer sang.

America and I stood, I held on to her hand. "Please don't say anything. It's imperative you're discreet." "Of course." she nodded. I squeezed her hand, released it, and watched her walk away for a second. Lady Janelle walked up to me. "Janelle, my dear." I lowered my voice,"Before I forget, are you free this afternoon?" She nodded, enthusiastically, and I smiled. I had another date.

A bit of a shorter chapter, but the next ones will probably get longer or stay the same length. Happy Holidays!

-theselectionseriesfan