A/N: One of the things I love about posting this story is viewing the statistics of all the countries my reader's live in. I thought I would share this with you. As of today, the readers of my story during October have come from the following places: Canada, USA, Australia, Brazil, Philippines, Germany, France, Italy, India, Luxembourg, UK, Jamaica, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Trinidad and Tobago, New Zealand, China, Austria, El Salvador, Argentina, Mexico.

I would love to hear from you. So here is a shout out to my reader in Brazil that wrote to say hello. And I would also like to say "Hi" to my reader in Luxembourg. A friend of mine just visited your country while on a bus tour of Europe and said it was very small but beautiful.

Chapter 38

Maxon's POV – Beginning with his leaving the Queen's Office

I walked over to America, taking both her hands in mine and kissing her lips. America blushed and glanced at my mother. It was cute but it also made me feel a bit shy. "America, I will be fine, but I would like very much if you would go to your room and remain there with your maids. I may not get back to see you this evening, but I assure you I will be fine. There is a lot going on and it is time I got back to it." I kissed America one last time.

I didn't want to leave but knew I had to. I had no idea what father had in store for me, but I was certain it wasn't a caning as America feared. I did suspect however, that whatever it was, it would be for the sole purpose of causing trouble between America and I.

As I walked from the room, I didn't dare turn back. I felt so guilty. She had been through so much today and I should be with her. I should be talking to her about everything, not abandoning her. I was so afraid of what father would do it I didn't follow his direction. Obviously mother also felt there was a risk. Her words came back to him, "We must proceed carefully...for now Maxon, you have a role to play. You must go to your father's office as requested."

I had almost lost America once this week, and now she was being threatened by father. How will I ever keep her safe? ...My thoughts were interrupted by my father's voice, "Maxon, you have had a trying day, I know, so I thought you could use a diversion."

Just then, a palace guard came around the corner with Kris on his arm. "Lady Kris, you are looking positively lovely this evening. Doesn't she look lovely, Maxon?"

I wanted to throw up but I dutifully responded to my father's question, "Yes, father. She is beautiful." It was true but it didn't matter. To me no one was as beautiful as my fiancée. I smiled at that thought. Kris smiled back, interpreting my gesture as happiness in seeing her. I kept the smile plastered on my face, but I knew if America were to see us this evening, it would not end well.

I offered Kris my arm and she happily took it. I thought of all the afternoons and evenings we had sat together talking. They were pleasant; she was pleasant. But she was a friend and nothing more. I had believed that I could have learned to love her if need be but I felt absolute relief that I would not have to try.

With this heart warming thought in my head, I led Kris to the main foyer on our way to the theatre. I wanted an activity where I could sit quietly, not talk, and mull over today's events. As we rounded the corner, my worst fear was realized as America stood there with Elsie. The look on America's face broke my heart and sent me into a panic. I wanted to throw off Kris's arm and beg forgiveness.

As I watched her though, I was relieved to see her try to erase the hurt from her face. She was pleasant to Kris, maybe a bit clipped, but she was attempting to act as if this was normal. I couldn't help but worry that she didn't look well though.

"Is there anything you need Lady America?" I asked.

If I had thought everything was okay with America and that she understood why I now stood here with Kris, that fantasy was soundly destroyed by her answer, "Of course not Prince Maxon. I would not dream of intruding on your precious time with Lady Kris. That would be thoughtless and rude of me. If I require anything, I will ask one of the servants. They are always so helpful and available. It is wonderful how faithful, trustworthy, and loyal they are. I never have to worry about their being there for me."

Ouch, that hurt, I thought. I had to make sure I spoke to America as soon as possible. If I had learned anything it was that she needed reassurance, and for that matter so did I.

As America walked away, I noticed that her walk seemed off. It was something small but still significant to me. I removed my arm from Kris's and excused myself for a few moments, walking towards the nearest guard. I ask the guard to follow America to her room to ensure she got there safely.

As I returned I could over hear Elsie, "I know Kris, but she has been through a lot and she still isn't looking well."

As Elsie spied me, she let the conversation drop and alerted Kris to my approach. Kris went from looking annoyed and scowling to sporting a wide smile just for me. Chillingly, it reminded me of my mother's change of demeanor this afternoon when my father had entered the room.

Kris took hold of my arm once again and waved to Elsie as we left. Kris chatted amicably at first but soon after our departure she began to speak of America.

"Maxon, she should not speak to you that way even if she isn't feeling well. I know that you have been attentive to her for the past few days given everything that has happened, but you deserve better. She needs to understand that she is not the only one here and this is your decision. As difficult as the process may be for us, I cannot even image how difficult it is for you. If you pick the wrong person to be your bride, it could affect the entire country.

How is she doing anyway?" Kris asked. "Will she be going home soon?"

I was annoyed by this line of questioning. "No Kris. I will not be sending her home and how anyone speaks to me is my concern. I do not appreciate you speaking about another member of the Selection in this manner. It is beneath you."

Kris had the good grace to apologize. She turned to say something, but we were both distracted by the sound of distant running. I was instantly anxious when a young man came into view and I recognized him as the guard I had sent to see to America's safety.

"Your majesty. I found America collapsed in the hallway leading to her room. I carried her to her room. Her maids are with her now and the doctor has been summoned."

"Thank you, Officer"...I glanced down at his name tag..."Clarke". I appreciate your swift action in this matter.

As I turned back towards Kris, she did her best to remove her look of annoyance and replace it with concern. "I am sorry Lady Kris, I will not be able to watch a movie with you. Officer Clarke will escort you back to you room if you wish. Do not worry about Lady America, it has been a bit of a battle, but I have been assured that she will make a full recovery."

I walked away from Kris and Officer Clarke as quickly as I could, but broke into a run as soon as I was out of sight. I used the closest hidden access to the back hallways and continued my hurried pace to America's room.

Anne answered the door and curtsied as usual. She pointed to the bathroom door. I rushed over to it and knocked. As it opened, I had to stop myself from gasping - how had she gone from looking so well earlier today, to looking like she possessed a grey sunken skull for a head.

"Hello." She said.

"America. Are you alright? I am so sorry. After today and everything that happened, I really shouldn't have left you alone."

"Don't worry about it Maxon. Daddy snapped his fingers and you had to jump. I am just going to have to get use to that. Aren't I?" It was as if she had poured cold water on me. Didn't she know she was in danger. I began to feel the air leave my lungs and my chest tighten. The reality hit me harder than ever. She was in danger from my father.

"So I was wondering, America continued, "When are you going to get over your little temper tantrum and release Officer Leger from custody?" She seemed to be daring me to say the wrong thing. Was she really comparing her liaisons with Officer Leger to my duties within the Selection.

"So... you aren't going to release him. Lucy is going to be very sad." America chastised me like I was child. "She likes him and has been beside herself since finding out about his arrest."

"Lucy. Really? Are you sure it's Lucy who wants him back? All day you don't mention him, but less than an hour after seeing me with Kris, now you ask about Officer Leger's release. Is this the way it's going to be?" I demanded. I knew she was punishing me again. I did deserve better, didn't I? I would do anything for her and she turned on me whenever she got annoyed.

"I could ask you the same thing." She was glaring at me with such hatred, it hurt. I should say something. I should explain.

"Let's be clear Maxon. I did not ask for you to be called. I didn't want you called. I don't want you here. I don't want the doctor here. If it wasn't for this foolishness, I would be in bed sleeping right now. I already know what happened and what the doctor is going to tell me...but ... I guess, if you want to be helpful, you could find out what happened to your Aunt. When she left your mothers office, she said she was going to get my supplements, but she never came back. I will need them for tomorrow."

I nodded. I could do that. "I will have them delivered to you by tomorrow."

"America, I know you hate the Selection and I am sure seeing me with Kris ten minutes after leaving my mother's office must have been a surprise, but you are really going to have to control your comments. Kris was actually worried I was going to send you home because of your rudeness towards me tonight." Why couldn't she understand that it was an act.

She laughed harshly, "She was worried was she? You don't really believe that she was worried, you can't be that obtuse. She would be glad to see me go." The expression on America's face changed and she seemed to crumple in on herself. "Do what you have to do Maxon? I will just be happier if I don't have to see it. Although I am sure your father will take great joy in reporting any juicy details to me first hand." I wanted to hold her. I wanted to protect her and make everything alright but here I was the cause of everything bad happening in her life.

"Please do not let him come between us. Please, just focus on us," I begged. I couldn't lose her.

"Maxon, I have to ask you something. Actually I have to ask you a lot of questions."

Oh, thank God, she is opening up to me - softening. "I know but do we have to tonight? It really has been a long day. I wish I could crawl right in there beside you and sleep here tonight."

"Did you ever do that with Celeste?" I felt like I had been punched. Why didn't I send that witch home long ago. Why hadn't I listened to America? How could I have ever thought that my time with Celeste wouldn't affect my relationship with America?

I answered honestly, "No America. I didn't."

She nodded but said nothing. Frustratingly, there was another knock at the door. I assumed it was the doctor, so I moved to the door quickly and opened it. I wanted to get his visit done quickly so America and I could continue our talk.

Dr. Di Angelo walked in with his little black medical bag. "Lady America, you are certainly making me earn my keep." The doctor chuckled. I just glared at him. He was obviously a good doctor having gotten to the bottom of America's problems quickly, but he was far too familiar. I didn't like that. He continued, "So please tell me what happened."

"I would be happy to do so but I do not want Maxon here during our discussion."

"What? Why?" I asked incredulously.

"It will be different if and when I am ever your wife, but for now, I am simply one in three and I have some personal questions to ask the doctor. I do not want you here during my appointment. It would be embarrassing."

"Oh, okay. I can understand that. I will wait outside." I left quickly before she could tell me to leave. I wasn't leaving. If she thought we needed to talk tonight, then we would talk tonight.

Thank you for reading. I am very excited about the next few chapter (which are finish, but only one a day, you all know the rules...lol.)

Cheers,

L.M.