One reviewer comented about posting some chapters from Maxon's point of view. I was planning on doing this once I finished this story as bonus content. I'm not sure if I should make the point of views switch every couple of chapters or if I should finish America's story and post a whole new one from Maxon's point of view (for this fanfic) or if I should post Maxon's point of view on a few chapters as bonus content (as I had been planning on). Anyway, let me know what you guys think.

Updates will probably be much slower. A member of my family has recently passed and I'm still trying to work my way through it. Still, I know that you guys are probably very unhappy that I haven't posted recently so here's Chapter 10…

I went to the Women's room after breakfast. My maids had once again managed to cover the small bruise on my neck except this time my hair didn't cover it, my dress did. They had worked almost all day yesterday just to finish it so that I'd be able to wear it for the day and I was extremely grateful that they'd put so much time and effort just so that I wouldn't be embarrassed or made fun of.

When I went in, I noticed that the Queen wasn't inside–as she usually was since our group had become smaller–and Kriss was almost bouncing with joy in her seat.

I walked over and joined Kriss on the couch, smiling at her. We were alone for the time being so we could talk without any interruptions. "Hey Kriss. You seem happy today."

She giggled, her grin widening. "I'm very happy!" She paused, as if contemplating something then leaned in so that we were closer together. "Can you keep a secret, America?"

I nodded, wondering what she was so excited about.

"Well, last night Maxon came into my room. And, God I shouldn't tell anyone this but I just can't hold it in. Maxon said that he loved me!" She gave an excited shriek and fidgeted in her seat, the smile never leaving her face.

I smiled at her despite my inner despair at what she'd just revealed. It rolled around in my stomach like bitter acid and made me want to puke. How could Maxon do that to me? He'd told me that he'd loved me and yet he was telling Kriss the exact same thing?

Still, I put on a bright smile for Kriss. "Congratulations, Kriss. You two seem really good together."

She nodded eagerly, agreeing. I didn't miss the small gleam of triumph in her eye. She'd wanted me to know what Maxon had told her so that she could watch me crumble. She was ecstatic that I'd fallen out of Maxon's favor and that she had taken my place.

I smiled at her before I grabbed the remote and turned it on, deciding to pretend to watch some show so that I could try and sort out my thoughts. I made sure to smile and laugh at the right parts of the show so that Kriss wouldn't know what was really going through my head.

I needed to talk to Maxon about this tonight. Maybe he really did love Kriss. Maybe I just wasn't good enough for him, good enough to become the Princess of Illea.

I went eagerly to lunch and as soon as I everyone began to eat, I caught Maxon's attention and tugged my ear.

He seemed a little hesitant but tugged his ear as well.

With that, I went back to eating despite the fact that I didn't have much of an appetite any more. I cleared off my plate entirely though–as I normally would have–and then left.

I sat in my room for a short while before deciding to go to my piano. I let my fingers hover over the keys for only a moment before I started playing whatever song came to mind. I played with quiet resolve, simply letting my fingers do the work and glide smoothly over the keys, just letting each song roll out. One after the other.

I didn't even stop when a maid came in to collect my packet; I just jerked my head toward the desk when she asked where it was. She found it and left without another word.

I finally quit when dinner rolled around. I told my maids I wasn't hungry though so we all ended up playing a small game of cards on the floor while I waited for Maxon to come. I knew that my maids thought something was wrong but I was glad that they didn't question me about it.

Mary had won the first game and she was setting up for another when a knock echoed through the room. They started to clean up the game quickly, knowing that they would leave soon.

I stood and opened it, allowing Maxon to come in. I forced a smile as I looked to my maids. "If you girls don't mind, I would like some privacy while I talk to Prince Maxon. I'll ring when we're done, okay? It shouldn't take long."

They all curtsied and left, devoid of their usually excitement when in Maxon's presence. They'd probably caught the agitation in my voice and were trying to leave as quickly as they could. Once the door closed, I turned to Maxon while the smile immediately disappeared from my face.

"Do you love Kriss?" I demanded.

Maxon looked stunned and didn't say anything, simply staring at me with the same expression.

"Answer me for Christ's sake!"

Maxon sighed and rubbed his forehead. "America, is this something you really want to talk about right now? I told you that I love you didn't I?"

I chuckled and crossed my arms over my chest. "Yes, and you also told Kriss the same thing! I get that you can love two people, Maxon. I know that that is possible. But I want to know who you're in love with. I need to know."

He shook his head and sighed again. "I can't tell you."

"You can't tell me. Yeah, right. Okay, Maxon. Do you want to know what I can't explain to you right now? The feeling of my heart being ripped out of my chest knowing that you've been lying to me! You're killing me Maxon because I love you and now I find out that you've told Kriss that you love her! I can't explain how betrayed and absolutely crushed I feel right now because I'm beginning to doubt that you have feelings at all." I choked back a sob.

He reached out for me, looking as though I'd stabbed him. "America," he began.

I shook my head and stepped away. "Get out."

"What?"

"I said get out! Get out of my room right now. I can't even stand to look at you. When the man that I know and love comes back, then you can talk to me. At least he actually cared about my feelings. Until the man I love can explain all of this to me though just stay the hell away from me."

Maxon growled and began walking toward me.

"What part of this don't you understand? I said get the hell out of my room…and unless you do within the next five seconds then I will force you to."

"You'd really do that to me?" he demands angrily.

I nod. "To you, yes. To the real Maxon who I love, no. But he's not here right now, is he?"

He paused, either shocked that I'd threatened him or that I just basically told him that I didn't see the man that I loved in him anymore. He glared at me for a long few seconds, then turned and stomped out of the room.

I didn't bother ringing the bell so that my maids could help me. I simply tore off the dress, to heartbroken and angry to care about ruining the careful work of my maids. It was ruined and I'd never be able to wear it again but I couldn't bring myself to care. I slipped on a nightgown and cried myself to sleep.