Hey guys. In regards to some of the reviews, you'll find out what King Clarkson's plan is in Chapter 11. I don't want to ruin the surprise so for now, have fun guessing what it'll be and yes, rebels will be somewhat involved but they won't really be playing a major role in most chapters. Anyway, hope you guys like this new chapter!
I sent my maids away early so that Maxon and I would be completely alone when we began talking. I hadn't even let them take off my dress or help me get the pins out of my hair. I didn't want to risk anyone overhearing this particular conversation.
As soon as Maxon knocked on the door, I opened it and dragged him inside. I shut it and locked it. I wasn't taking any risks right now. I'd even gone so far as to close my balcony doors and all the windows in the room.
Maxon noted my seriousness and got straight down to business. "What's on your mind?"
I rubbed my forehead. I hated to ask Maxon this, but it was necessary for me to completely understand why I'd been given the assignment that I had been. "Did you tell your father about my family?" I asked as calmly as I could manage.
Maxon shook his head. "No. I would never do that. What's going on, America? What aren't you telling me?"
I dragged him over to my desk and made him sit down. After he was situated, I plopped the packet right in front of him on the desk. "My project is military based. Why would I be working on anything like this, Maxon? I thought that military stuff was the King's responsibility, not the Queen's."
Maxon sighed heavily as he started scanning through some of the papers. "I have no idea why you even have these papers. They're new, the rest of the girls have been given papers from at least ten years ago. And you're right. I don't understand why my father would assign this to you." He flipped through the pages and raised his brows at my notes. "There's ten thousand dollars missing?"
I nodded and pointed out where I discovered the missing money and then explained how I didn't see any cash transfers or anything else to explain where the money had went.
Maxon seemed surprised that I'd noticed something that even he had overlooked. As it turned out, Maxon had been working on these same papers just the other day with his father.
"All things considered, you did a remarkable job. I didn't catch the missing money and neither did my father. I wonder where all that money went though. He seemed deep in thought as he continued to go through all of my notes, examining each page carefully.
I sighed and waited for him to finish with the packet. When he finally did finish, I took the packet from him and placed it back into the drawer in my desk that it had been stored in. I still had to write the final report and I was sure it would take up most of tomorrow to write it up.
"So, do you have any idea why I was assigned this?" I asked after clearing my throat, tears threatening to form. Don't you dare cry, America.
Maxon shook his head. "I don't know, but I'll try to find out as soon as I can. It'll take some time since I can't just outright ask my dad, but I'll try to figure this out. It's unusual to say in the least."
I nodded and went over to my mirror so that I could start pulling the pins out of my hair one at a time. "No kidding, I wonder if the king–or whoever arranged this–just got mixed up with the papers or if this was purposely assigned to me. Of course, if it was on purpose someone would have to have told them about my past."
"America," Maxon growled, "I didn't tell anyone anything."
I sighed. "I know, Maxon. I trust you but this is making me really edgy. It just doesn't make any sense to me why I would be given this."
He came up behind me and pulled my hands to my side. At first I was confused, but then he put his own hands in my hair and started removing the pins for me. "I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out."
I nodded and giggled when he scolded me. I tried to help with then pins but he swatted my hands away, saying that he knew what he was doing. I rolled my eyes, right. With every pin that he pulled out, he would push another one forward so that it was digging into my skin a little uncomfortably. I didn't say anything though as he continued to work.
Once he finished, he smoothed out my hair so that it framed my face in heavy waves, his eyes seeming far off in the mirror as though deep in thought.
I turned around to look at him, trying to understand exactly what was going on between us as well as what he was thinking about.
Maxon kept his hands on my hair, running his fingers through it gently so that it smoothed out completely.
A piece fell forward and covered my eye and Maxon smiled before tucking it behind my ear. He gently tugged on my ear and his smile widened.
I returned the gesture and grinned at him. "Thanks." I went to move past him, but somewhat tripped and had to use Maxon to help steady myself.
Maxon had other ideas, letting me gently fall back so that eventually the only thing supporting me was his arms.
I blushed and tried to stand, but couldn't move from the position I was in. I would be a liar if I said that his hand at the small of my back didn't make my heart skip a beat as I stared into his eyes. "Sorry," I mumbled.
"It's okay, I know you can't help falling for me." he snickered.
I laughed. "As if, your Highness. Don't think so highly of yourself."
"Oh just admit it, you love me desperately."
I grinned as I started tugging him down. "That, my prince, would be undeniably true."
I could feel his smile as our lips finally met and his arms tightened around me possessively, clutching me to him.
I kissed him for a second before pulling back. I smiled at his somewhat confused expression. "Wouldn't want a repeat of last night, would we?" I giggled.
He chuckled and started nibbling at my throat playfully. "I wouldn't mind it at all." Then, he glanced at the clock and sighed, pulling me upright. "But, I must go. Yet another exciting meeting."
I giggled at his fake enthusiasm. "Promise to think of me tonight?"
"I always do. It's not really an option, actually."
I giggled once more and gave him a quick kiss before taking a few steps back. "Good night, Maxon."
"Good night, Lady America. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast." He took my hand and kissed it, grinning as he walked out of the room.
I sighed as I went to my closet so that I could get out of my dress.
I didn't know exactly what I'd gotten myself into, but I knew that I liked it…as long as I had Maxon by my side.
