Hi guys! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I hope you guys liked this chapter and I will try to get another chapter up by Friday Morning!
Athenachild101: Aww I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for reviewing on many of the chapters! It's great to have such wonderful readers!
Dhenn618: I'm glad you liked the chapter! I tried making this one longer for you! It's around 2000 words so I hope you like it! Thanks for reviewing on many of the chapters!
Chapter 11:
"Good morning ladies! Now you must be wondering why we summoned you here," Sylvia said cheerfully.
It's true, why would Sylvia call us before breakfast? When Sylvia spoke we all simply nodded our heads.
"Well today, you will all be assigned a town to go to! Each of you will go to the town and get to know the people there. This is your chance to get the people to like you as well as impress the Royal family. A Queen always has to help towns and provinces! Now go to breakfast and then immediately get ready! We will leave in 3 hours."
With that Sylvia left the room and all three of us just stayed still until finally Kriss said, "Well that was a surprise."
"It seems pretty fun," I replied.
"Ugh, more people, when do I get to become Queen," Celeste said rudely.
"When you learn to love these people. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to go eat breakfast," I said standing up and walking out.
I probably walked for a total of 30 seconds until Kriss came and walked beside me.
She laughed and said, "My thoughts exactly."
I smiled and replied, "She should really get some manners."
"Agreed!"
Even though Kriss was my biggest competition and hopefully only competition, she was also my friend. I desperately needed a friend considering my state of place right now. We walked into the dining room and took our seats. The King, Queen, and Maxon were already there so we curtsied.
The Queen then asked us, "Will Lady Celeste be joining us?"
Kriss and I looked each other giving a sly smile. I replied to the Queen by saying, "I don't know, but hopefully she will." I was secretly laughing really hard at what I said because that is the last thing I wanted. Once breakfast was done I walked up to my room. I'd have to ring my maids so that they could get me ready. On my way out I noticed Maxon coming up too.
I smiled when I saw him and said, "Hey."
He burst out laughing and said, "You wanted her to be there! Seriously even a monkey wouldn't believe that!"
"Um, monkeys can be…. Very intelligent animals you know!"
He grinned and then kissed me. We walked to my room and said, "I have to go to a meeting, but I'll see you before you go to the towns! Do you like the idea?"
"I love it! I love people so this works for me," I replied grinning. Then I waved goodbye.
I went into my closet and looked at all the gorgeous dresses. Before I could pick one I noticed a stain of red on the ground. I kneeled down to see it was near four huge boxes. I moved them aside and then SCREAMED at the top of my lungs!
Lying in front of me was a dead body with a deep cut through the person's neck and a bullet wound as well. On the carpet spelled with blood were the words, "WE'RE COMING." A guard ran in immediately and saw me collapsed at the wall panting with my eyes wide. The blood, his neck, I just wanted to run. I was shaking and his eyes were wide too. He kneeled down and tried to calm me. When he touched my shoulders I pushed them away remembering what happened at the recent rebel attack. Finally I got up and walked out the room. There were many more guards coming and then I saw Maxon running. I felt like fainting and I couldn't hold my body so is slid down the wall. Maxon came and hugged me and held me in his strong arms. He muttered into my hair, "It's okay, I've got you, it's going to be alright."
Once my breathing became more at a normal pace, both Maxon and I stand up. He holds me firmly yet gently. His arm was around my waist and he kept me up. We walked to the woman's room and saw Kriss, Celeste, and the Queen. I took a seat and Kriss immediately asks, "Oh my god America, are you okay. Wh-What was it?"
I then began to shake again remember the sight of his blood. Maxon quickly held me close and said, "Shhhh, try to forget it. I know it's hard, but please America try to forget it… for me."
I reply saying, "I'm trying, but it was awful." I then turn and realize I am overreacting. A Queen doesn't act like this.
"It was just a dead man and the words we're coming," I say addressing everyone.
The Queen asks, "I think we should cancel the town meets."
I quickly reply, "With all due respect your majesty, I think we should continue them. I'm perfectly fine so there is no reason keeping us here. Plus it'll be easier for the guards to find out how the rebels are getting in."
"That's a good idea why don't you all get ready. America you can use one of the extra rooms we have. We'll leave in 3 hours due to the delay."
Everybody else left, but Maxon and I stayed. He helped me out of the chair and brought me into a hug.
"God America, I love you so much. I can't believe you're going out. Please stay safe. There will be many, many, many guards protecting you. "
"I will don't worry. I love you too Maxon." We then kissed. We kissed like there was no tomorrow. We kissed fiercely. When we broke away from each other I blushed.
"You're adorable when you blush," Maxon said.
I laughed and replied, "I have to go get ready."
"Well than I shall escort you to your 'getting ready' room."
We took off until I reached the guest room I would use. I said goodbye and then walked in. When my maids saw me they immediately ran over. We all met in a warm hug.
Anne said, "Oh Lady America, we're glad you're okay. Now time to get you ready. We picked out a dress!"
I grinned and said, "Well let's see it!"
The dress was light, simple, elegant, and beautiful. It was a rose gold color and it was strapless. It had crystals embellished as well as white coat to go with it. I wore a light pink lip and white pumps. I thanked the girls and then headed for the Woman's room.
When I walked in I saw Kriss and Sylvia already there. A little while later, Celeste did too.
Sylvia then said, "All right, time to know which town you get. All are within an hour away from the castle. Lady Celeste, you will be attending the town Merror Feld. It is quite big and is roughly 30 minutes away. Lady Kriss, you will get Veris Latter. This town is slightly smaller, but it is closer. Lady America, you will go attend to Chlemeville. This is the biggest one and the farthest. It will take an hour to get there. Now go to the main entrance so you can get in the car. Once you get in, your personal guard will explain what will happen. You will have lunch there and return to the Palace for dinner. You are dismissed."
We all silently walked to the entrance. First was Celeste's car. She went in and Kriss and I were left. Maxon then walked up to us and said, "I hope you both do well."
I smiled and replied, "I'm sure we'll have a great time."
Then Kriss's car arrived and she waved goodbye. Maxon leaned down and kissed my forehead. When my car arrived, Maxon walked me to it and opened the door. Once I got it in I immediately ask, "What's going to happen?"
The guard replied, "Well first you will take a tour around the town stopping at 2 places. One is a shelter for eights and another is a garden in Chlemville that is famous. Then we will arrive at the meeting place of the town and you will go and walk through. We will also stop for lunch there. Then you will have an hour all to yourself where you can choose what to do. Finally at around 5:00 we will start back home."
I replied, "Okay thanks! I didn't quite catch your name?"
"Oh, I'm Officer Cremly."
"It's nice to meet you, where are you from?"
"I come from the Georgia province. I was a Five back home."
"Really? I come from Carolina and I was a Five too!"
"Lady America, ALL guards and maids and palace staff know where you're from and your caste. They all want you to win."
"Oh, I didn't know that. Please call me America in the car, I really am getting tired of the word 'lady'!"
"Are you sure you'd be okay with that?"
"Definitely! So do you prefer music or art?"
"Well actually, I am not a fan of both. I do some art, but not much. That's why I like being a guard, it's something I enjoy doing."
"Is it scary during the attacks for you and the others?"
"Not really. We all get tense, but the reason we're here is to protect the people so we all know what we should do."
For the rest of the car ride we talked about life back home where we came from. I think he liked to take a break from all of the guard things. After a while we finally arrived at a homeless shelter. Officer Cremly let me out and I walked towards the steps. He knocked the door for me and then a kind looking, old woman welcomed me in.
"Ahh Lady America! We're so glad you could make it!"
"I'm really glad to be here and to visit you!"
She kindly let me in and I noticed about 20 people there. Most were adults although there was 1 baby, 1 girl, and 1 boy. They all started clapping when I walked in.
I first knelt down at the little girl and asked, "What's your name?"
The girl replied, "Me-Me-Meredith."
"That's a beautiful name. How old are you?"
"I-I'm e-eight."
I smiled at the girl and said, "Well I'm America, and I am 17."
She smiled a cute smile and said, "We know! M-My brother over there, he is also eight. His name is Jacob."
I walked over to the boy and said, "You have a very nice name too!"
"Thank you Lady America!"
"Please, you all can call me America. I am just one of you!"
They sat me down in a chair and started talking to me. They asked about my family, where I'm from, and all of that. I even got to hold the tiny baby! She was small and was beautiful. She had blond hair and blue eyes.
Before I knew it, it was time to go. The old woman who greeted me pulled me aside and said, "You are our hope America. We believe in you. The children now think they might be happy one day. Thank you for visiting us. I can tell you are kind yet stubborn; remember to learn from your mistakes."
I replied, "Thank you. You all have been nothing, but kind and have reminded me the problems of this country. I will try very hard."
I hugged Meredith and Jacob and the other people too. Then I waved goodbye and got in the car. Is that how their life was. A tiny one-roomed shed that they had to share with many people. I felt so guilty. I was in the palace getting lavender baths and silk robes while people starved. If I become Queen, I would change that.
Next it was time to go to the garden!
Well I hope you guys liked that chapter! Review, Favorite, and Follow!
