Okay, so I know that last chapter was fast-paced and in some aspects didn't make sense. So I am going to explain. The king wasn't really arrested, just restrained so he couldn't hurt America anymore. Maxon gave some orders that America didn't really register because she was so scared and shocked, so I'll do a chapter in Maxon's point of view where you can see everything he says. I'll also do Aspen's POV. In this story, I am making the health of the Elites as important as the king's, so him hurting an Elite would provide disastrous results. Maybe even removal from the throne. You might be thinking, why would the king act so rashly. Usually he wouldn't, as you can see he is the king. But in this instance, King Clarkson was so blinded by his anger and hatred for America, he just acted without really planning it through. My next chapter will be in the king's POV, and will explain his actions more thoroughly. Anyways, I hope that explains it for you, and sorry I didn't make it that clear in the last chapter. Thank you for all the reviews, they motivate me and make my day! Enjoy!
Maxon's POV:
That Christmas Ball was one of the most exhausting yet. Luckily, we won't be having a New Year's Ball, since the Christmas one was a combination of both. I am tired of balls. Absolutely tired of them. When I have a wife, hopefully it will be more enjoyable. I will have an excuse not to talk to visiting dignitaries and other royals the whole night. Ah well, it comes with the responsibilities of being Prince.
I walk towards my room, hoping to get at least a few hours of sleep. Tonight, I decide, I will dream of America. She looked so lovely in her green dress, it really makes her beautiful red hair stand out. I am glad I eliminated Celeste. She's just here for the crown, and doesn't really love me. But America, America loves me for me. Not the crown.
Walking past my father's office, I imagine I hear her shouting my name. Must have had one too many drinks. Wait. I didn't drink tonight. America really is shouting my name! Why would she be in my father's office? I can only think of the worse. America's shouts have been silenced, and I worry. I sprint to my father's office and exclaim, "Father, I heard some commotion in here. Are you all right?" I decide to play it safe, and not let on that I heard America. "Everything's fine in here, Maxon. Just go to bed." is his reply. Yeah right, not when my America is hurt. "I'm coming in, Father." I say, pulling out my key to his office and inserting it in the doorway. I have to rattle the doorknob a bit before it opens, and then I burst in.
The sight before me is still shocking, even though I expected it. America is tied up on the floor, in the same place where I am whipped. My father stands there speechless, and Celeste stands beside him. Celeste?! She helped my father?! She must have been so mad at my eliminating her that she decided to hurt the one I love. Well, I expected nothing less from her. A sound of anger comes out of my throat, and I exclaim "What do you think you're doing? Hurting a member of the Selection is punishable by death!" Not only that, you will have to face my wrath, I add. I press the button on my wrist that is used for calling the guards, and hurry to America. I don't have to worry about my father and Celeste moving. Even if they did run for it, the guards would stop them with questions.
"Are you alright?" I ask America after checking for injuries and taking her gag off. She smiles assuredly, trying to console me. "I'm better now that you're here. They didn't hurt me, but were going to." she tells me. I am relieved, yet still angry. She isn't hurt, but was going to be. My father, the man who raised me, was about to hurt the one I love. I don't care if he's the king or a farmer, you don't get away with that on my watch. He can hurt me all he wants, but not my America. That's crossing a line.
The guards pour in, waiting for a command. Officer Leger is among them. Good. He is America's friend. I may not like him, but America does. I turn to address the guards before the king says anything. "King Clarkson has violated the rules of the Selection by intending to hurt a member of the Elite. Even he, as being king, can not just walk away. I know I don't have the power to arrest him, but at least restrain him so he doesn't hurt anyone. His advisers and the country shall decide his fate." I say. My father shoots me a poisonous glare. I just smile wryly.
As the guards hold back my father and take away Celeste, I turn towards America, who looks as if in a daze. I don't blame her. "We'll figure this out. Together. They won't get away with this." I assure her. She smiles. "Together."
Later that night, my father has been put into a (very comfortable) holding cell until his fate is decided. He will either be removed from the throne (which isn't very likely because he didn't actually hurt America, and he is the king after all), or will be allowed to rule but only partially, with his advisers taking over most of the time until I become of age. It isn't likely that he will be allowed to rule 100% anymore, because no one wants a violent king. I don't think so, anyways.
America is safely in her room, with two guards who are not allowed to let anyone in besides me. She said that she had something to tell me, but I made her wait until the morning. She needs her rest.
This experience made me realize that I...I can't live without her. And now, I realize, I don't intend to.
Aspen's POV:
How dare he! I don't care if he is the king or an Eight, no one hurts my America. I know we're supposed to be friends, but I still have feelings for her. They don't just disappear overnight. So when I see her tied up on the floor looking vulnerable and wounded, an unnameable emotion rises up within me. It is a cross between anger and protectiveness, jealousy and fear. Jealousy because the Prince can help her and I can't. The fear that she will be hurt again, and I can't stop it.
Prince Maxon comforts America, and she looks lovingly at him. Even in her robe after almost being injured, she looks absolutely beautiful. Her fiery red hair that matches her temper is let down, flowing and soft on her shoulders. I bet it smells like vanilla, as it always did in Carolina. Those nights that we stayed up in the treehouse together, those nights where she brought me food and sang to me, those nights are gone. She will be queen now, and I'll be a guard. She loves Maxon, and I'm still not over it.
I am snapped back to reality when the Prince addresses us. "King Clarkson has violated the rules of the Selection by intending to hurt a member of the Elite. Even he, as being king, can not just walk away. I know I don't have the power to arrest him, but at least restrain him so he doesn't hurt anyone. His advisers and the country shall decide his fate." he says. You've got that right. No one gets away with almost hurting my America.
That girl who was eliminated tonight, Celeste I think her name was, stands by looking condescendingly at everyone. She tried to flirt with me at the Halloween Ball, and America was jealous. I bet my hat that she was in on hurting America, and I want to be the one to arrest her. A few of my fellow guards restrain the king while Officer Louis and I walk to Celeste. She is wearing a very slinky gold dress that reveals most of her breasts. I look away, disgusted. America would never wear that.
We grab her arms and half-drag, half-carry her away. She protests the entire time, saying that she "didn't do anything" and "the king tried to hurt me too". I don't believe any of it. "Lady Celeste," Officer Louis says. "Just shut up." I laugh, and Celeste looks shocked. "How dare you speak to me that way, you filth!" she shrieks. Then she turns my way. "Dear Officer...Letter, wasn't it?" she asks sweetly. "Leger." I correct gruffly. She starts again. "Dear Officer Leger. You know I wouldn't do anything like that. Can't you make any arrangements? Perhaps confirm my innocence?" she asks, while conspicuously shoving her chest in my face. I know one thing: this girl is anything but innocent. I just shake my head.
"Sorry, I don't help criminals." I say harshly and she gasps. "I am no criminal! I am simply a bystander! Just let me go!" she cries while using her long red nails to scratch our arms. We chuckle. "Yeah lady. That really confirms your innocence." Officer Louis says. Celeste keeps trying to scratch us until we finally arrive at a holding cell in the lower level of the palace.
"There ya go. Right where you belong." I say as we toss her into the cell. She just whimpers and turns around with her back facing us. "No more complaints missy?" Officer Louis asks. Celeste shakes her head and starts to cry, finally defeated. I just smile. She finally got what she deserved.
Hope you guys liked it! Will update soon.
Sara :)