Chapter 9

I find myself hiding in my room, absolutely terrified of King Clarkson. No matter how much I stood up for myself, I still feel like I'm a bug that he can squash in a matter of seconds. So I find myself alone. Until someone knocks on the door.

I yell, "Come in!" and Celeste barges through the door, holding a few pieces of mail. She smiles at me and says, "Mail delivery for America Singer."

When she says this, Celeste runs to the bed and plops down right beside me, smiling. Wow, I didn't realize how friendly she could be, but recently, Celeste has been nothing but sweet to me. It makes me almost suspicious, but I put away the point as she hands me my mail. I have two letters, one from May and one from dad.

Celeste watches me stare at the two letters, and I hear her sigh. "I wish my family wrote me letters. They've written me one in the course of this competition."

"Only one?" I ask in disbelief, and she nods her head with sadness burning through her dark eyes. Maybe this is why Celeste is so cold - she doesn't have the support from her family that she needs. "Well, for the duration we are still here, my family can be your family." I say, opening my letter from May. "This letter's from May, my little sister. Do you want me to read it out loud?"

Celeste nods again. "Yes, please."

"Okay."

I hold the thin paper in my hands, and begin reading her letter aloud.

Dear Ames,

Hi! How are you? I miss you like crazy! This house is just not the same with you in it. But I will admit that I have gotten used to it because you've been gone for too long. It hurts to say that, though. I want to hug you. And I want more strawberry tarts, if possible. Can you please ask Maxon to send more? Make another deal with him, and maybe I'll cry this time.

By the way, how is Maxon? I'm so happy you've gotten as far as you have! I sit in my room and smile for hours just thinking about it! I really hope you marry him, Ames. You've gotten this far already, so why not marry him?! Even if you don't, and you come home, you have suitors waiting for you. People have been knocking on our door nonstop asking if they can take you on a date when (more like 'if' in my book) you come home. They are cute, America! One is the mayor's son! Another is the son of Bethany Little! You'd be a Two, marrying a famous musician's son!

But I'm still 100 percent Team Maxon. Just thought you should know.

Gerad says hi and that he misses you. He still hasn't found his talent yet. But mom doesn't mind much, because she thinks he won't need one if you marry Maxon. She said if you do, then he can play all the ball he wants to.

I have to go work on a painting. I'm painting a piece for Bethany Little herself! She loves me, and loves you. She really wants you to marry her son. But I still want you with Maxon.

I love you so much. Please marry him! And send more tarts!

Love love love,

May

Once I finish, I glance over at Celeste who has a sad smile on her face. Then, she erupts in laughter, holding onto her stomach as she laughs. I end up laughing too, because of May's personality.

"Your sister is the cutest thing!" Celeste exclaims, bringing her laughter down to a small chuckle. "I always wanted a sister."

"You had thirty four at one time," I point out, and Celeste just stares at me. She sighs again.

"I know I did. In the beginning, I fought for something that I don't even want anymore. I fought on my parents behalf for the crown, and they think I'm still here because I want the power. But I don't want it. I want to go home, tell my parents to grow up, and find someone who cares about me. I don't even think Maxon wants me here; I think it's King Clarkson that wants me here. He knows that I have the wits to rule. But I can't feel the way for Maxon that you can, America." Celeste admits, defeated.

This competition brought out multiple sides of Celeste, but now, she's charred down to the bone - this is who Celeste really is. She's not as confident as she makes herself out to be. It almost makes me feel defeated too, knowing that she once hurt so many girls out of insecurity.

She fiddles with the other letter from my dad. "One more. Wanna open this one?"

I nod. "But can I read this one privately?"

"Of course."

I lightly grab the letter from Celeste, and tear the top off. I want to read my father's letter badly.

Dearest America,

Let me begin by thanking you. You have put our family in such a great place. It's nice being able to feed the family and have leftovers so Gerad can eat more. People know our names now. Your mother is being booked like crazy for events. I am working my hands off sculpting, selling at least a piece every week. May is even super busy creating pieces for Bethany Little. I think she buys them just to get on our family's good side, because her son wants to marry you.

But let me tell you, you marry who you want. It's your choice, America. I want you to be happy. Your happiness is all that matters to me. Make sure whoever you marry will be able to give you everything you want. Not in goods, but in love. I know Maxon cares deeply for you, and I know you reciprocate the feelings.

I'm going to let you go; I know you're a busy girl.

I'm so proud of you, America. I love you to the moon and back.

Forever,

Dad

I paint a smile on my face, and just stare at the letter. I miss him so much; I'd do anything to be able to see him again and talk to him in person. The advice he gave me in the letter means a lot, but it would mean a lot more in person. His handwriting begins neat and then gets sloppier as the letter goes on, and I love that about him. I love the little things about my dad.

"See, I wish I could be like that. Feel that way after reading a letter. Feel like that toward my parents, but I just can't." Celeste mutters, and I peel my eyes away from the letter to stare at her. She expresses almost heartache, and it makes me feel sad.

"Everyone's different," I begin, "I love my family. My family is my best friends. Well, most of them." I think of Kota and how self-centered he is. "You just need to find someone to make you happy. And then everything in your world will change when you know you found it. It.. hits you like a pile of bricks. In that point, nothing else matters." I refer back to two moments in my life: the first time in the treehouse with Aspen, and the second first kiss with Maxon. Both of those moments were just moments I knew.

Celeste gazes out the window, crossing her arms across the chest. "That's how you feel about Maxon? When did you figure this feeling out?"

"When he kissed me," I open up to her, and her eyes flicker to mine. "Not the first time, but the second."

"Hmmm," She responds, thinking. "You know what America? I hope you win. I really, truly do. I'm going to leave this competition soon, I think. In the next couple of days. I want you to be my queen. I want you to rule. Because you know what's right for everyone. And that's what I don't know." Celeste stands up, and fixes her wrinkly dress from sitting. "I'm going to go and construct a plan to leave. Thank you so much, America."

She leaves my room, and I watch her go. I would not have said this a couple months ago, but I'm going to miss her. She made her impact on this palace, and she's changed her image in front of me. Not many people have the ability to do that.

I get up out of my bed, and walk around my room. I need to stretch after that long conversation with Celeste, so I find my pictures from back home and stare at them. How much I miss my family is crazy. I need a motherly figure - I need the Queen. I want to see if she's in the Women's Room.

Finally gaining the courage to leave my room, I grab the knob and turn it, seeing my maids walk down the hallway with huge smiles on their faces. I run up to them, and envelope them all into a huge hug. In the hallway, we stand there for minutes, just reminding each other about how much we've missed one another.

"Please don't ever make us work the laundry ever again, Lady America," Lucy squeals. "I don't like dealing with dirty undergarments."

We all burst into a fit of laughter and separate from each other. "I will never," I promise, pulling them all into another hug.

"Would you like to play some cards or something, Lady America?" Anne asks, holding up a deck of cards.

I sadly shake my head. "I would, but I need to go to the Women's Room. Definitely after, though. Don't find a new card mate, please," I wink at them, and they head into my room. I turn around. "And if you girls are tired, please don't hesitate to take a nap. In my bed, too. Laundry is exhausting." They smile and I turn back, making my way down the labyrinth halls.

When I reach the stairs, I stare down into the foyer, admiring the absolute beauty of the palace. This could be my home. If Celeste actually does leave, I have a much greater chance at becoming Maxon's. And she's rooting for me! But Kriss is so sweet, and I know Maxon really likes her. It's not going to be easy.

I descend the stairs and turn the corner to get to my destination, and I almost bump into Aspen and Pratt talking in a low quiet voice. They both look up at me; Pratt smiles, and Aspen's emerald green eyes burn into mine. He's angry with what happened this morning in Maxon's room. I purse my lips in a straight line and walk right past them, my posture a little stiff from the tension.

Before I reach the women's room, I stop. I hear footsteps coming toward me, so I turn around and Aspen walks toward me with ferocity. I gasp when he reaches me, pulls me into him, and feverishly kisses my lips with force.

I gasp, pushing him away. "Aspen!" I whisper, trying to yell at him. "Are you out of your mind? Do you know how many people could've seen that, you idiot?" And I push his chest to further himself from me. His eyes now look hurt, but he stands there, keeping his distance.

"I can't believe you, Mer," he mutters, shaking his head, and turns away. He glances over his shoulder and still sees me standing there, then stops and turns around. "What you and Maxon did was not only disgusting, but illegal. I have never been so disappointed with someone I love."

My mouth drops. "You think I slept with him?" I scoff, walking closer to him. "I have morals, Aspen. If you think I slept with him, then it's done. I'm so over this, Aspen. Everything between us is done. If you don't believe me, come kiss me again. And I'll tell you what I feel in that kiss. Because in the last one just moments ago, it was nothing." I pivot dramatically, and start fast walking to the women's room. I flip my head over my shoulder to see a lost Aspen standing there. "Goodbye, Officer Leger."

And with my eyebrows knitted together, I still walk swiftly to the Women's Room, and when I enter, my eyes lock with Queen Amberly's. She smiles at me, and I curtsy, walking up to her.

"Do you mind if I join you?" I ask quietly, like I am reserved in a shell.

"Oh, of course not! Please take a seat, America." She orders her maids to pull up another chair, and I take my seat as they pour me a cup of tea. I smell it from here - and it smells like the lemon tea my mom makes at home.

Grabbing my cup, I take a sip, and a smile overcomes my face. How this reminds me of home, and right now, home is all I need. I need home to get away from Aspen.

Placing the cup back on it's saucer, I glance back up at the Queen, who's watching me with amused eyes. "You like the tea, Miss America? It's my favorite." She tells me, and I nod.

"My mother makes the same tea at home. It just takes me back there," my smile turns into a frown, because I'm once again reminded of how much I miss home and my family. "When you were Selected, did you ever miss your family?" I ask, picking up my cup and taking another sip from it.

Queen Amberly's smile lessens. "Of course I did. I was always homesick. Because I was a Four, we didn't have much, but we had each other. My family had to work very hard to keep us fed, clothed, and housed. You obviously know what I went through, and it's rough. It's a shame that King Clarkson and Maxon have never experienced it." She shakes her head, then steals a glimpse from me.

Someone understands where I come from. "It's definitely not easy, Your Majesty, I agree. And remember having to wear non-brand clothing and watching the Threes and Twos strut in their beautiful clothing?"

She nods heavily. "Oh yes. I owned a few brand items, but they were all hand-me-downs from my sister. The hand-me-downs, you must've had loads of those, am I right? You come from a family of five children, correct?"

I smile. She remembers my family. "Yes, I do. And yes, I know the hand-me-downs. I always wanted my own clothing, but it was just too much for my family to afford. Especially with five of us," I chuckle, and she does too. "But coming here has really given me a taste of luxury, and I want to thank you for that. You have spoiled me in the finest dresses, with the exceptional food..." I trail off. How will I adjust if I am sent home?

"If I were you, I wouldn't worry about being sent home," the Queen responds, almost like she read my mind. Curiosity flickers through me, and I tilt my head upward to look at her. She smiles widely. "I know how Maxon feels about you, and if you believe you are going to go home, you are wrong, my dear."

My dear. There it is. It sounds soft coming from her lips, and I don't mind it as much. "And I wouldn't be happier having you as my daughter." She whispers, leaning in close to me. A smile spread on my face as she grabs my hand and squeezes it, clasping it for good luck. "I mean it. The other women here mean well, but something about you I love. And don't let anyone try to get in your head and let you think that Maxon doesn't care or that you don't belong here," and her eyes reflect wisdom. It's like she knows about what the King said to me last night, and I can't help but smile back at her.

"Thank you so, so much," I murmur, and she releases my hand to take another sip of her tea. "Maybe I'm thinking about home in all the wrong places," I tell her, and she cocks her head to the side, confused. "I've been here for months, and maybe this is my new home. I shouldn't miss home, only the people residing there."

Queen Amberly flashes me a smile I have never seen before. She then relaxes in her chair. "That's what I thought when it came this far into the competition. America, I think you will make a wonderful queen." She looks past me, and lets out a small laugh. I turn my head to see Maxon standing by the entrance of the room. "He's eavesdropping," she whispers to me, putting down her teacup. "I believe he is here for you, rather than me."

I smile, curtsy, and begin walking toward him with a grin the size of IlleĆ” on my face. "Oh, and America?" The Queen says, so I pivot on both my feet to face her. When she has my full attention, she says, "Maxon is my son, and one of my favorite men in the whole world. You must be kind and share him with me when I get older, alright?"

By now, my face hurts from smiling. "Of course, Your Majesty," and I curtsy once more, then turning back around and almost running to Maxon.

He embraces me, with a little 'ooph' because I run at him in full force. We both laugh about it, and then we hear a little chuckle from Queen Amberly in the room.

"So, you're winning my mother over, as well, Miss America?" He asks with a sarcastic incredulous tone. "That makes two of us. Walk with me through the gardens, love?"

I nod. "Of course."

I grab his arm, and he escorts me outside.

Thank you all so much for reading. Leave a little review with your thoughts? PS, sorry for all the filler chapters. I'm just trying to get you prepared for what's to come... ;)