"No. Absolutely not."
America pleaded, "Maxon, just listen."
"No. It's ridiculous. Beyond … no."
"I See." America crossed her arms and turned her back to him. "In that case, I wish for you leave."
"Oh for heaven sakes America…"
"If you're not going to listen then leave."
Maxon bit down on his tongue … hard… She was stubborn, hot headed… and the Italians loved her. With a deep sigh he finally said, "Alright I'll listen carefully about your proposed idea for what Illea needs. And I promise to even let you finish before I tell you what I already think."
America turned on him quickly, "Do you honestly think that I sit around all day and think of ways to get into an argument with you?"
"Of course not. I think you sit around all day and run crazy ideas in your head and expect me to just agree to them."
Picking up a pillow off the couch she threw it at him, "I do not. I'm just able to see things clearly and you, your majesty don't!"
"America."
"Don't America, me. Illea needs change. Major change unless you want to see how many more lives can be lost. And I'm not just talking about the ones in the palace either. I'm talking about the one who are left starving on the streets because they agree with what the rebels stand for. I'm talking about children who don't know what it's like to go to bed with food in their stomachs … or…"
Maxon placed his hands in a surrendering gesture, "America, I'm listing. But before you continue what in the world are you talking about?"
She looked taken back and ready to burst in tears. Lack of sleep, being up more hours than not and all the nights of rebel attacks were finally catching up with her. A few sniffles then she asked, "Which part?"
"The part about citizens siding with the rebels and now starving."
"Oh." And that gave her the strength to yell at him again, "You're the Crown Prince, you should already know about this."
"Well there was a great deal that my father kept from me; however you seem to know about it so I'm tasking you with explaining it to me. Or do I need to wake some advisor that I can't stand to tell me their version of the truth?"
Deflated and exhausted she collapsed on the couch. "Your father ordered that anyone … regardless of caste … would be demoted to an eight if they helped the rebels in any way… this included their children. Children I mind you that were use to warm beds and food to eat. They would all be thrown out on the streets."
Speaking thru clenched teeth Maxon asked, "And you know about this how?"
"I was privileged enough to be shown a document that the king had signed." Well it was mostly truth anyways.
"And who showed you that document… and why wasn't I informed about it?"
Oh yes this was going to be fun. Piss him off about this and then he would have to listen… to… ever so sweetly she responded, "A palace guard who wanted to know if I agreed with it… And exactly when would I, or anyone for that matter, have time to ask you about it since I only found out right after the last report." Or sometime about then… the exact moment or who the guard was didn't matter right now.
Taking a deep breath and not wanting to take his anger and frustration out on her, Maxon took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "Alright, first thing first. "How many have been demoted, and how many were children?"
"Truthfully, I don't know. But I think most are in the southern districts. Or at least that's what I pieced together. The person or advisors or whatever is in charge of the military should know the numbers better then I or any palace guard would."
"Yes, I suppose your right… at least about the numbers." Exhaustion finally caching up to him he landed heavily on the couch beside America. "So exactly do you want to do about it?"
"Are you going to think about my idea or just dismiss it?"
"I'm asking for your opinion since you seem to know a great deal about the state of the country that I don't."
She gave him a sideways glance then began, "We need to find out what the rebels want… And before you say anything… you know I'm right. We need to find out exactly what they want in order to know how to stop them."
"Hmp. And I suppose you want to invite them to the palace to talk."
"Of course not."
"Good then you haven't completely lost your mind-"
Annoyed she narrowed her eyes before she responded, "I want to announce on a special report that any citizen of Illea can submit a grievance to the palace so we can begin to fix things that can be fixed."
"I changed my mind. You have lost-"
"Maxon, listen to me please. You say you want to know what is going on in Illea yet you are refusing to hear it from those who know. Do you know how hypocritical that sounds?"
"If we ask every citizen in Illea to write a grievance who is going to have time to read them?"
America got up and began to pace around the room for a minute or two. He was right. Of course so was she, "Alright how about each city write a detailed list of what their city needs, or what could be use to improve the city and all of its citizens from twos right down to eights. And Kriss, Elisa and Myself will read them and then between you and I, we can figure out how to fix at least some of those things."
"Alright. That sounds close to reasonable, But I don't think the rest of your little idea can work."
"Maxon, really can we work on one small thing and get some rest before we start to ague aver the rest of my ideas?"
"As for rest I completely agree. As for the rest… Just do me a favor and don't tell me the rest till you have it completely figured out in your little head first."
Sometime later Lucy quietly entered the room. She was lost in thought about how nice it was not to worry about a possible rebel attack. Or the mess that was awaiting them back home, when she saw the top of someone's dark hair resting on the couch. Stepping closer saw Prince Maxon sprawled out on the couch with America nestled in his arms. Both in a deep sleep. She gave a quiet yet subtle cough and had a single set of eyes looking up at her a moment later.
Well hell wasn't this the exact thing that he had been trying to avoid. Too late now. "Lucy?" he said just above a whisper since America wasn't yet awake.
"Perhaps a bed would be more comfortable for … um…"
America gave a muffled moan, "It can't possibly be morning yet?" her fingers tightened pulling Maxon's shirt up enough to cover her yes and exposing just a small spot of his stomach in the process.
"My darling I think I should leave and um…."
"I'm still not your darling."
Maxon gave a small cockle, "No I suppose your not, But I should…"
"Of course you should. After all there are some people that you need to speak to." America slowly got up enough for Maxon to move yet didn't greet Lucy … Yet, "And the sooner we know those number the soon we can begin to fix at least some of them." Then she smiled warmly at Lucy, "Prince Maxon wasn't here last night."
"Of course not, I didn't think otherwise."
"America?"
"Don't you need to find Gavril or something?"
"You're going to dive me mad. You know that don't you?"
She gave a smile that was anything but sweet, "And just wait till I get a good night's sleep."
As he left the room, Maxon shook his head knowing that one way or another he was about to be in a great deal of trouble. Problem was that he was beginning to like America's version of "trouble".
"Princess Nicoletta's maids said something about showing you around and suggested that if you have pants it would be better than a dress."
"Well then I guess I'll be wearing my jeans today. And Lucy please no one can know that …"
"I swear I didn't see a thing. But miss if I may say… you two do look wonderful together."
"Thank you Lucy."
Half way to his room Maxon saw Gavril. "Ah good just the person I needed to see."
"Of course it is always good to see you." He looked Maxon up and down and didn't comment about the fact that he look more like he had just slept in his cloths then he did at any other night when sleeping in whatever you might have on would have made perfect sense."
"I need you to see about what it would take to do a special report from here, and where we could do it at."
"And just so I'm prepared… what would the report be about."
He knew that at least part of America's plan could be started now… but… "First off we are in the wonderful home of the Italians, only the King couldn't come because he's…"
"Unwell, I think that would service for the moment."
"Yes, good. Then I have an announcement to make and it will effect ever person in Illea."
