Chapter 21

With Mary reassigned and the Investigators planning to question Celeste, Maxon made his way back to the hospital wing to check on America. He was surprised to see her sitting at a table, playing cards with her maids. As Maxon walked in, the youngest one jumped up knocking half the deck on the floor. She then couldn't seem to decide if she should pick them up, courtesy, or hide in a corner from embarrassment. America just laughed and punched the young maid in the arm, causing the girl to look at her. America made a funny face and the girl giggled.

"You are looking much better," Maxon said. "Your recovery is remarkable!"

"As much as I would like to agree that I am amazing, the truth is that the poison has moved through my system, so I am feeling much better. The doctor says that my stomach may be sore for a while, my appetite down, and I might feel tired as I recover, but for the most part, the worst is over," America smiled up at Maxon, relief evident on her face.

"Did you speak to your mother?" America asked.

"Yes, it was quite an interesting conversation. I told her about the question I asked you and your answer. She is absolutely thrilled."

"Really?!" America hadn't realized how nervous she had been to find out the Queen's reaction. She hadn't expected the Queen to be happy.

"Yes! She is beyond happy. When you are feeling up to it we will go meet with her privately. I know that there are some personal matters she would like to share with you." Maxon didn't want to go into any detail about the conversation.

"At the moment, however, there are more important matters to tend to." Maxon said with a smile. "I understand that you will be moving back to your own room today." America returned his smile and looked much more relaxed just at the thought.

"Yes. The doctor says that I am out of danger and therefore don't have to remain in the hospital wing anymore. I do still feel lightheaded at times, and he says that it will be a few days until my appitite comes back and even then that I should take it slow for a while – no cream sauces or decedent deserts." America gave a little pout and then a small laugh, all the while watching Maxon's face. She noted that he had gone tense, almost angry as she had spoken.

"Maxon, you will find out who is behind this, I know and in the mean time I will follow the rules and only eat what Mary brings. Besides, my father always says for every grey cloud there is a silver lining."

"Yeah, really...and what would the silver lining be in this situation," Maxon asked darkly.

"Well, I thought it was obvious! I'm going to follow the rules, silly."

Maxon couldn't help but laugh at that and shake his head. He couldn't believe how strong she was. She never seemed to react to a situation the way he expected.

"When you do find out anything, you will tell me, right?" American wasn't sure Maxon would tell her.

"America, you simply have to trust that I have matters in hand. You should concentrate on getting better and nothing else. Worry will only make your stomach problems worse...and before you ask, yes the doctor and your maids have told me everything. I know that your stomach problems appear to have started weeks ago and were originally due to stress. The doctor says that if you do not learn to relax that you could end up with on-going gastrointestinal illness. Please, just let me look after this for you and you look after you."

"Maxon, you must know that my wanting to know what is happening in the investigation is not an indication that I don't trust your handling of it. It's just that it will ease my mind to know what is happening. That is just who I am Maxon. I am never going to be someone you can pat on the head, tell me to trust you, tell me nothing when it clearing involves me, and then walk off. You need to understand that."

Maxon let out a frustrated sigh and ran his hand through his hair and peered past America for a moment and then looked her directly in the eye. "Fine", he said "The investigators have been interviewing staff related to the gardens, flower arrangements, dining room area, and second floor. It is a time consuming process and we have determined nothing at this time." He knew it was a lie, but he felt no shame or remorse. Maxon believed with all of his heart that we was lying to protect her; give her comfort and that she would just need to accept that that was who he was!

Maxon, kissed America goodbye. He had to get back to the main Palace, as soon as possible as he wanted to be present during the interrogation of Celeste. He also knew that his father would soon be out of his meetings and that keeping this drama from him was not going to be possible. He would need to inform his father and deal with the fallout.

As Maxon rounded the corner to the investigators office he could hear Lady Celeste's shrill, indignant voice echoing down the hall. He walked into the room, trying to control himself and contain his rage. It was a feat that become more difficult as he met Celeste's piercing glare, anger, and over indulged tantrum. She flew out of the chair towards him. The guard nearest to Maxon stepped between them, taking on a defensive posture. Celeste let out a snigger as her lip curled into a cruel sneer as if to say, "are you so afraid of little old me that you need that big, bad, guard to protect you".

Instead, she demanded, "You can't seriously believe that I am behind this ridiculous scheme?! A maid says that I am behind an assault...an attempted murder...and on her word you have me brought in here! This is brutally cruel and beyond contemptuous! I know you may be angry at what you might think you saw yesterday but to frame me for ..." Celeste's voice broke as tears started to form in her eyes. It was if in that moment all the fight and anger had left her, and all that was left was a hurt, vulnerable creature. "I would never do anything like that," Celeste whispered. She brought her right hand up as if she was trying to reach Maxon, who still stood about 10 feet away and the guard remained staunchly between them. "Your father came to me. How does one say no to the King? I did not want to go with him, but he insisted. He is the King. I am so sorry." Tears were now flowing freely down Celeste's face and she looked pained.

"Celeste, we are not here to talk about my father or yesterday. We are here to talk about the very real poisoning of Lady America and the serious accusations made against you in that regard. I have spoken to the staff member myself and I have found her credible. She has no reason to lie, but you do. You want Lady America removed from the competition; illness or death would facilitate your wish. In fact, I understand that yesterday morning in the Women's Room you threatened Lady America. I believe that your words were, "You need to go and I am going to see to it that you do!" I also understand that you insulted her, called her names, threw things at her and accused her of ruining your career."

Celeste's tears had stopped as suddenly as they had begun. "You have no right to speak to me like that. I have been good to you and you have treated me like a second rate show dog. I deserve better! Your father agrees with me. He can't understand why you keep her around and neither do I...But I did not try to have her poisoned. The maid is lying. You cannot take her word over mine!"

Maxon's face remained impassive as he studied the woman in front of him. He realized that he had failed to see her for the manipulative, vile creature that she was. He had no doubt that she would do anything it took to get her own way. He had no doubt that she was capable of poisoning America and he had no doubt that he should have sent her home a long time ago.

Maxon did not reply to her accusations but instead said, "Lady Celeste, you will be escorted to you room and you are to remain there until further instruction. Your meals shall be delivered to you in your room."

"Well, we will see what your father says about that!" Celeste said huffily as she stomped her foot and attempted to leave.

"I don't know if my father will be of much assistance to you as you have in effect just accused him in front of witnesses of sexual misconduct. You will be lucky if he doesn't have you put to death for that alone, never mind your attempt to harm another of the Elite which is also punishable by death."

Lady Celeste's face froze in horror as she realized her misstep. She once again transformed herself and her emotions as she began to beg those present to be reasonable.

Maxon had had enough. He turned and walked out without another word.

Thank you for reading.

L.M