The next week started and went in a rush.
Knowing what I want helped me prioritize the things. Now that America was sure of her place in my life, and I hers, giving the other a chance to live upto their challenge was my next move.
It started by announcing the news of Halloween during breakfast, much to father's dismay, and then an official Report shoot on Saturday night in which Dad gave the news to the rest of Illéa, encouraging them to have fun and enjoy the festival. For the kids, there was an official Trick or treat announced, explaining then what it meant and to go ahead and gather as many candies as possible.
Before the Report, Dad have a big no to mom's proposal of kids of Angeles coming at our door for treats. Mom wasn't unhappy that her idea was totally overlooked, she understood the way Dad was stretching himself with the ongoing troubles and rebel attacks in the country as well as the Selection and elimination in the palace.
After announcing the news of a new festivity for Illéa which was stopped when it was recovering after the last world war, I went to my prince duties of attending each and everyone and helping then choose their outfit.
The first one to whom I went was Celeste. Mostly because her room was closest to the stairways.
She was sitting on a wooden chair by the table in her room, her usual couch now piles up with an exaggerating amount of crushed papers and dresses and cloth pieces next to her magazines. Her bed was another victim of her temper tantrum, it seemed, as she had another pile of papers fanned out on the bed, almost all of them blank with nothing but a few scribbles that indicated a start of an idea.
"I see you're very busy, my dear." I murmured in a mock pity as I announced myself. Her maids got to a deep curtsy in no time, bowing deep to their waist. I acknowledged them and went in to stand beside Celeste, giving Gavril's assistant, Parker Minesfield, a chance to come and take a few pictures of us for the Report and magazine.
But rather than a pleasant meeting, Celeste wanted a grand announcement as to who had the upper hand in the Selection. She all but took me by my neck, wrapping me in a tight and firm embrace and pecking my lips with the most fervour I've seen. "Thank God, you came here to stand by me. This is such a huge mess." As if deciding there was no other solution than the one she knew, she kissed me again.
Distinctly I was aware of Parker occupying a distant corner in the room, trying to give us as much privacy as possible. More than that, I was aware of how close Celeste stood to me, as if she was already mine.
In the most subtle way I could find, the hands wrapped around my neck relaxed slightly as I worked on them, but still holding her by her wrists so as to not offend her or anything. She got the hint but still refused to distant herself.
She pouted at me, her brown eyes almost lost in all the worries of what to wear. "I have no idea what to wear. All I know is I want to be a bird. With feathers and wings. And that my stupid maids aren't able to come with any idea. All they have is butterfly or a dragonfly...I mean, why do they even have an obsession with the flies!"
"Hmm." I nodded, trying to be sympathetic, when in reality I had no idea what to do to help her ease herself down, along with trying to put more distance between us. Parker had returned now that we weren't in s close, private embrace, and started taking a few clicks. "Why don't you try for peacocks or swans. Or falcons or eagles?"
"Eagles?" She anything but scoffed at the whole idea. I nearly caught her trying not to roll her eyes.
"Um..." I hedged. "You are a predator, my dear. You have that instinct."
She considered it for a while. "Well," she finally said, "I guess. I am strong and confident and as sweet as harmful as I could get." She mumbled to herself, eyeing the papers in front of her with a finger scratching her temple. "But I'm not a predator. If anything, it is America. A lower cast knows more of hunting anyway..." It was for me to hear but not a retort or any such thing. It was a compliment, just in Celeste's style. "Although, I like the idea of peacock. Sweet and charming and everything."
I grinned. "Maybe."
She looked back at the photos which were almost at every free space in her room. "I guess that'll work." She nodded to herself, then at one of her handmaid. "Why don't you try something what Maxon suggested. Make it classy as well as elegant." The handmade nodded, collecting all the papers fanned out in her room, and went to work. Turning back at me so whilst also making sure we both made for good photos, she smiled slightly. "And what does his Majesty has in his mind for the party?"
"Nah-uh." I chuckled, shaking my head as I distanced myself from her. "I'm not disclosing this very vital information. It'll be a great suspense till the evening itself."
She laughed and kissed me again.
Announcing "I'll see you down at dinner." I went out of her room to my next Elite.
America was standing by her table in the middle of her room, her maids stitching something in the back, posing for the camera while America did the same thing with something golden in her hand, holding it close to her face. Unlike Celeste's, the papers were just spread over the table.
"Good morning, ladies." I announced myself, entering through the door which she liked to keep it open all the time. The photographer, another team member of Gavril's team, took a few photos, flashes and sound covering the whole room.
The smile on America's face as she spotted me was a welcoming on its own.
"Your Majesty, always an honour. Would you mind posing with the young lady?"
"It would be my pleasure."
Her maids made space for me by stepping back. Taking the place just evacuated for me, I stood closer to her, my one arm holding her close to me by her waist whereas holding her papers in the other hand, looking at the designs she was selecting from.
She smirked at me for my hand on her lower back and I smiled back. It'll be official soon. I tried to say. I won't have to just pose. I can hold you as much as I want, for as longer as we want. All the visions that I'd had in this very room the day before and during the night sprang upto life with just her smile.
It was going to be very soon.
While she was posing, I was busy admiring her. I couldn't take my eyes off of her.
The photographer gave us a thumbs up and left for the next Lady he had to take photos of for the Report. Looking back so I could appreciate the ideas her maids had, I realised we were both alone in her room.
"Your maids are quite talented. These are wonderful concepts."
"I know. I couldn't be in better hands."
Fanning out the papers in front of us, I asked, "Have you settled on one yet?"
"We're all fond of the bird idea. I think it's meant to be a reference to my necklace." Her fingers grazed her bird necklace—a silver songbird neckpiece attached to a delicate chain hanging on her neck, the one which she never took out. Her lucky charm given to her by her Dad.
"I hate to say this, but I think Celeste has picked something avian as well." Of all the things they had in common. "She seemed awfully determined."
She shrugged. "That's all right. I'm not crazy about feathers anyway." She looked down at the papers fanned out on the table again before looking back up at me, her smile disappeared behind a frown. "Wait. You were with Celeste?"
A nod. "Just a quick visit to chat. I'm afraid I can't stay long here, either." Not even if I wanted to. "Father's not thrilled about all this, but with the Selection still going on, he understood that it would be nice to have some more festivities. And he agreed it would be a much better way to meet the families, all things considered." Not to mention that he thought it was all a waste as well.
"Like what?"
"He's eager for an elimination, and I'm supposed to do one after I meet with everyone's parents. The sooner they come, the better in his eyes. I suppose I ought to finish my rounds."
"You're leaving already?"
"Not to worry, darling. I'll see you at dinner."
"Is everything all right?"
"Of course." I told her, half a truth. The pressure of everyone's expectation on me was a huge burden but there was nothing she could do anything about it. But still...she asked. I gave her a quick kiss—not on the lips as I wanted to but on her cheek. "I have to run. We'll talk again soon."
And when I'll talk to you later, it will be much more about us than any other thing.
Waving her bye, I went to Elise room next. She was seated on a chair, posing for the camera as she tried to look for the best dress. Seeing me arriving in, she smiled tentatively, blushing.
The camera person again asked me to pose with the girl in consideration so I stood behind her chair, looking above her head to the photos she'd placed on the table. They all were some dresses with long, broad sleeved flowing out of the flowery dress with some head thing on all of them. I couldn't recognise the dress she was trying to plan out but it was clear it somewhat resembled her culture. A political move to address from where she came.
"They're great dresses." I murmured, picking a paper on which a cream dress was drawn with red and orange flowers. "I don't recognise them." I mused, trying to place them properly with their origin.
She looked up at me with a small twinkle and apprehension in her eyes. "They are traditional Asian dresses called kimono. The head piece is another part of Asian culture—no one in Asia is supposed to go anywhere with an undressed head. There's always a turban or cloth over your head. In some parts, especially in Islamic and Hindu culture, men and women aren't supposed to go without covering their head—it's downright offence."
"Whoa." There was so much to know about our rival country. New Asia was amongst the country with a huge cultural variance. "I had no idea about the culture..."
"It's so much to take in. Almost every state in there celebrates and practices its own cultures and religions. There are so much things to take in but no much time. So many myths and theories and gods and goddesses."
"What are you thinking about to wear?"
"I haven't thought it through. My maids over here have prepared an Asian dress but I don't know..."
"They look beautiful." I told her sincerely.
"Even I think so. I think I'll go with them. Not much to wear. Simple and elegant."
Come on, I wanted to urge her, fight back. Retort. Don't just say yes again and again to my whatever suggestion.
"Yeah. You have a benefit of belonging to two nations." It was just like any other fairytale, her story. Her mother was a princess of New Asia, with two elder sisters and two elder brothers and one younger. Her mother came in Illéa during one of the war meetings and stayed in a hotel in Angeles while her father sat in the meeting. During the week stay, Dehelia Nayar fell in love with the hotel manager, Ralph Whisks, a Four just by caste but not by monetary standards—he surpassed many Twos thanks to his hotels. The union of them hadn't contributed anything on resolving the war between the two countries but it did manage to create a bridge between the two. Nothing major. The war was still a major loophole in the progress of Illéa.
"It's nothing major. You have no idea the looks I'm given there just because I'm an Illéan." She shook her head, discarding the thought. It must be gruesome for a royal child.
"I suppose. I'll have to get to other girls as well. I'll see you at the dinner."
She nodded dutifully, standing up and seeing me to the door with a "I'll see you later." When I pressed my lips to her knuckles.
The next person to whom I paid a visit was not standing still at the table but rather pacing worriedly, talking very fast with her maids. "Good God, Marlee!" I interrupted her pacing by coming in front of her. "You're going to ruin the carpet!" I joked.
She huphed. "I don't care about the stupid carpet because I haven't selected the dress yet, Maxon!"
I chuckled seeing her exaggeration. "You need to calm down."
She shook her head. "This is a lifetime opportunity. I want to dress accordingly. Not some stupid bird or a more stupid season! I want to look perfect and enjoy the most of the evening because who knows where I'll be the next time."
With my hands on her shoulders to make her look at me, I squeezed them. "Then, again, you should calm down. Don't select a bird or anything. Select something you like. You can be anything. Your favourite fairytale character or your worst nightmare come alive."
She released a huge breath. "You're right. I need go calm down and think."
"Do it. The cameraman would be coming here any moment to have some insight in the preparations. You don't want to freak then out."
She glared at me for a second then huphed, released another long breath and smiled the winning smile she always wore, the one that made her everyone's favourite. "You tell me what you're wearing."
"I haven't decided anything yet. I wanted to look at the Elites decision first. Nothing major that collaborates with any of yours. It'll start a contest among yourself and that is the last thing on my mind."
"You're right. But please do tell me what others are thinking of?"
"Cheating, are we?" she laughed. "Birds and cultural dresses. I haven't seen Natalie and Kriss yet."
"They're going to blow your mind!"
"What?"
"Just wait till you see them." She promised.
At that moment the camera person came in and asked for a few candid shots. Marlee was a natural just like Celeste when it came to camera. She gave a few good clicks in no time. Nothing like Celeste—trying to be more close or anything—but in a good way. It worked out as we both posed as friends talking about different ideas and laughing at the absurdity and the back theory of it.
By the time we were finished with the photos, she'd already considered a few things she wanted to try out. Angel and Cinderella and Rapunzel and Yasmin being a few of them.
When I knocked on Natalie's door, there was no one to answer. One of her handmaid came to me and said she was in Kriss's room. In there, both of them, Natalie and Kriss, were seated by the table, their maids working together as well.
"Hello, ladies." I greeted as I entered in. The view was one which I never thought I'll see but it wasn't a hard guess either. It wasn't a secret that both Kriss and Natalie were good friends, much like America and Marlee. Always pulling for each other. Elise considers Natalie as her only friend as she was the only one who ever talked much with her, but Kriss and Natalie on the other hand...they were always inseparable.
Both of them looked up and waved me to come over. It was such a mess that I'd to walk carefully else I'd have stepped over a paper or a cloth piece scattered all over the floor. Their maids went to another corner in the room trying to be invisible. No camera person visible either.
"What are you two up to?" I asked with mock alarm. "Look at the room—you've made it a mess!"
They both giggled. "Oh, you'll get used to it." Kriss assured me with a nonchalant wave of hand.
"But seriously, what are you two planning?"
"Co-ordinated dresses." They both answers at the same time and laughed again. One of Kriss's maid brought over a chair for me and I obliged. "Did you know that the maids over here are partial spies?" Kriss asked of me incredulously with a look over at the maid trying to get invisible again. "They told us almost everyone in the Elites were going with bird theme and that there were some who was trying something daring—one of the advisors' is planning to dress as the king himself!" The last part was started as a whisper but by the time it ended her voice was loud.
"This is so amazing, Maxon!" Natalie enthused with a look over her sketches. "We wanted to do something different. Then Kriss remembered that you once told her that everything in royal history is recorded by birthstones. We're trying to put that idea in our dresses."
"That's amazing!" I'd never heard anything about it.
"Yeah." Kriss said as a matter of fact. "I'm an autumn child and this pighead over here," a glance at Natalie, "is a spring born."
"We're looking for something that'll combine our birthstones with our respective seasonal colours." Natalie added.
"A sort of complimenting contrast." Kriss defined to which Natalie turned to her and said, "We should name our designs something!"
"How about seasonings."
"Or something like Birthson collection."
"We can wear jewellery studded with our respective birthstone."
"And brooches at our collarbones."
"And hair combs."
"You both are very creative I must say." I said acknowledging both of them.
They both shrugged happily and showed me their sketched till now. Kriss was designing her own gown that started with red and ended in black with shades of pink in between that blended so well in her whereas Natalie's was of a gown that covered almost every shade of green.
The camera person came and clicked a few photos of us and them working together. With them it was over in another few minutes. They both asked if my ideas to incorporate in them and I said, "You're asking the wrong person when it comes to dresses." to which they both laughed again, amused.
"I must go now. I'll see you both at dinner."
"Bye, Maxon." They both chorused and went back to their work, giggling and talking.
Now that my all rounds were clear I went on the third floor to do some work regarding the French trade father had asked me to do. There were loads and loads of papers on my desk that'd been unattended since a long time.
What was the point of all these work when whatever I did wasn't appreciated?
I've never been able to impress my father. Never ever. No matter how much I try, he always finds way to be disappointed in me. When will the day come when I'll be something in his eyes rather than just a heir.
I was midway in working on the southern project after the trade reports when Justin came in. He was whistling a tune when he entered my room and started changing the sheets. "A little loud, Justin. I am working."
"Sorry, Your Highness, but shouldn't you be down posing for Gavril and his special Report?"
Chuckling, I closed the documents. "A whole week is there and already Gavril has started. Heaven forbid what will happen on the festival's day itself."
"True." He laughed imagining the whole scene and shook his head. "I heard Patrick is going for the king and Sophia for the queen."
This time I laughed when the whole scene played behind my eyes. "They're going to be beyond themselves."
"Yes. You played the whole festival thing well, Maxon. Everybody's happy and enjoying picking up new costumes for themselves and engaging in a festival long forgotten."
"Yeah." He arranged the documents by my desk and watered the plant, his eyes sparkling with amusement just like his star shaped pendent hanging from his neck. "George Illéa stopped the celebration of a beloved festival and you are re-celebrating it again. Believe it or not, the whole country is impressed if the palace gossip is any true."
"Always a honour to be pleased by the good gossip. Hope you aren't gossiping much."
"Nah. Just the basics." He winked.
.
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"Nervous?" Gavril asked me before the special interview he'd arranged for today's session. As it was the first Halloween in over eighty years, he's going to interview me every day to get more insight in the preparations.
"Not exactly." I answered, adjusting my coat once again.
Gavril chuckled, patting my shoulder once, showing support. For his rarely day interview he wore a suit which blended from dark blue to black with light as he moved, his star shaped lapel pin shining in the camera lights that were still adjusting in the Great Hall. "You'll do great, Maxon." He told me matter-of-factly. "Just be your charming self."
"Easy for you to say." I grumbled, sitting on the couch I was supposed to sit.
He simpered at my almost bewilderment, sitting as well. "It's going to be easy."
I nodded dutifully, took a few breaths to calm myself down and smiled as the camera rolled.
"Hello, my dear Illéa. This is Gavril Fadaye, reporting straight from the royal palace, Angeles. Today, for the special Report, we're having the one who came up with an interesting festival known to our ancestors but remained unknown to us, and who came up with the idea of celebrating it once again after over eighty years. Welcome the prince of Illéa and our dearest, Maxon Schreave."
The live audience applauded, cheering, as the camera turned to bring me in the frame as well. I waved with a smile. "Hello, Gavril. Thanks for having me here for your special report."
"The pleasure is all mine, Your Majesty."
"Oh, come on, Gavril. You know me all too well to call me Your Majesty."
He laughed. "One of the benefits of knowing you since birth."
"Thanks, Uncle."
He laughed. "Are my grey hair visible already?" He joked.
I chuckled and leant back a little, relaxed. Thanks to him, he made the start all too familiar to make me at ease. "Very much, you old man." I teased back, smiling. "But I won't say it on the national Report now, would I?"
"Very well, then. Tell us more about Halloween."
"It's a Christian festival celebrated at the end of fall. According to some, Halloween is celebrated on the mighty day when the spirits roam around the world. Some say, mostly the Jewish, it is to celebrate the end of summer. It is celebrated with pumpkins, which resemble the ghostly spirits." I chuckled at the image that I'd thought about during yesterday's late hours. "I don't believe in them. For me, as far as I know, it is a free day for children to collect as much candies as they want."
"So, prince Maxon, how come you had this spectacular idea of celebrating Halloween, a festival no one had heard of since a long time."
"It came into my notice when I was talking to prince Evon, of Great Britain, told me they were preparing for Halloween." A complete lie as I couldn't disclose the royal secret to anyone. But not a total one. To know what's and how's of the said festival, I'd called him to gather more information before selling the idea to Dad, I'd contracted him. He already knew I'd use him name for my lie. Being a friend since childhood, he didn't ask me much. "George Illéa and Elizabeth, the first were good friends. Evon told me what he remembered of his history and informed how George celebrated the festival himself and decided to cut it off when Illéa wasn't in any position to fund it anymore. Now that there's no such problem there's no need to not celebrate it."
"Wise words, Your Majesty. Can you please tell our country what to do and what not?"
"There's no such thing as 'what not to do', Gavril. I'd like to tell everyone to do whatever they wish to for this. Dress whatever you like, be whatever you want to, collect as many candies as you can, do whatever trick you can or think of to get as many treats as you like. I can just ask all of you to not discriminate the children for this day on their castes but rather treat them as equal. This is the most I can ask of you."
Gavril nodded at me, a very small one, and turned back to the camera to address the people in person. "Did you hear our Prince? Do whatever you like. Wear whatever you want to. But do not treat them as other for their castes. Very wise advice from our very wise prince. This is Gavril reporting from the palace. Until the next time, bye Illéa!"
And just like that camera was turned off and today's session was over. Gavril turned back to me and gave me a grin. "That went great! You were worrying about nothing, see. You're a natural."
"Stop sugarcoating me!"
He laughed as well, standing up with me. "The last advice was the actual sugar coating, you know. That was the best part."
"I just hope." I murmured, thinking of all the children who won't get any candies just because they were Sevens or Eights. Or of all the people who'd be sleeping with empty stomach once again, starved to death just because the other people were too busy considering the castes. And all the bullying the lower castes kids would be going through. It was one good thing that all children will dress. A little silver lining in the dark.
"You are good, Maxon. People will listen to you."
"I hope that." I sighed, thinking all those worrying thoughts once again. Gavril was looking at me with concern so I told him my every worry.
"You have your father's face and hair, Maxon, but you're truly your mother's child."
I chuckled at her wordings. "I'm taking it as a compliment, Gavril."
He nodded, patting me once again on my shoulder. "It'll all be good. The whole festival. Do not worry. Okay? If anything, worry over what you're going to wear. With the Selection going on and you choosing the Elites, everyone's looking on you. You need to live up to the mark." To explain that he showed me with his hand where he thought the mark was by waving it over my head.
"Uh-oh."
He laughed at my expense, patting me once again, on my head, with sympathy. "I have to go now but we'll discuss more in the upcoming interviews, okay? On Monday we'll be doing a particular session where you have to give a few hints on what you'll be dressing as. Try to sort it out till then."
"You're more trouble, Gavril!" This time when I grumbled he chuckled, frowning just for a show.
.
.
.
It was almost dinner time. I made my way to the third floor to Mom's office, hoping to catch with her. She was working with Silvia in her office, talking about the decorations and guest list and everything else for the party in nine days.
"Talk with Mr. Ford for the dance lessons."
"Yes, Your Majesty. And what about the music? Shall I ask the Trainers again."
"Yes. That'll be great."
"And what about the food?" I asked aloud, announcing my presence. Silvia immediately stood up, curtsying by her waist. Acknowledging her, I sat by Mom's desk. "I was thinking we could use pumpkins for the decoration and food—keeping the tradition on. Something that looks mysterious. Like chocolates put in a bowl that goes with the theme or wrapping up stuffing in blankets or maybe—"
"Sweetie," Mom interrupted with a smile, "seems like you've been quite a research on this."
"It's my idea, Mom. I want it to go very much well."
She grinned at my explanation and turned to Silvia. "I think Maxon's right about it."
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'll cone up with such more ideas."
"That'll be it for today, then, Silvia." She took the cue and curtsied again before going out. "I have no idea why your father thinks you can't come up with so many ideas when you're so amazing."
"That makes us two." I mumbled but didn't say aloud. "What are you wearing? Gavril told me the whole country is looking up at me so I've to come with something interesting and give a few hints by this Monday when by now I don't even have an idea."
"How about a living skeleton?"
"Mom!"
"Then maybe a photographer?"
"I was thinking about something that I'm not everytime."
"Something like a normal person, then. Maybe you should ask America?"
This time I actually whined. "Mom! You're worse!"
She was amused. "So you can come up with something as interesting as this to impress her but can't talk to her about yourself. Now that's something I rarely hear."
"It's not like that—" I stopped myself from saying something else when my mother gave me that look of hers—wide and too innocent eyes with a knowing smile—and sighed before continuing. "I know that she's the one, but it's more complicated than that. In the midst of all this, I thought about coming up with something and I got an opportunity so I took it."
"So it had nothing to do with impressing her..."
"No."
"You're the worst liar I've ever encountered, Maxon Schreave."
I blushed.
She stood up and walked to my side, sitting on the chair beside me and taking my hand, holding my gaze. "Dumpling, talk to me."
I ran my free hand through my hair. "She said she likes me, too. But that's it. She isn't completely sure about me but I am. I want to...but I can't because if I did announce and she refused? Or worse, she later thought she was wrong?" Like when her ex came back and wanted her...
Each thought was more excruciating than the other.
"Spend some time with the others and give her space."
"That's the thing!" I confessed, speaking my heart out. All the doubts and insecurities that I couldn't comprehend. There was only one person with whom I could share and it helped that she was willing to do it. "She doesn't get jealous when I talk about others. Instead she starts telling me why the other is a better choice. She's been pulling for others since the starting!"
"Do what you like, Maxon." She advised, squeezing my hand. "One of you have to be sure. Since it isn't her, it has to be you. You have to take the leap."
"You mean I just propose her and end the Selection?"
Her simpering look made me feel like a five year old again, looking for her wisdom. "Or maybe something less extreme? Like giving her an idea that you're planning on proposing her. She'll decide for herself if she wants that or not. And you'll get your answer."
"I can't, Mom. Isn't announcing my every decision on the Capital Report my duty."
"If I'm correct, dumpling, then she didn't fall in love with Maxon Schreave or the prince."
I raised my brow, not getting what she meant.
She grinned a knowing smile, but what it meant I had no idea. "She fell in love with my dumpling, sweetheart. Not a prince or your status, but with the real you. She likes you. She isn't going to say yes to the prince but you."
"So..."
"My only regret from my Selection was that Clarkson fell in love with me but I never got a proposal from him but the future king. Try to think about it."
Her words were coming more and more like puzzles and riddles more than ever. I tried to mull over them again and again and finally got the actual meaning about it. I'm not just a prince or the heir, but Maxon. I was looking for one who fell in love with me and not my status or my position. The same way Mom fell in love with Dad and not just the prince. The same way Dad fell in love with Mom as himself and not a future king.
"Oh!"
"Give her clues, Maxon. Give her time to think about it. If you want or feel the need to, distance yourself with her and concentrate on others for a while as to make sure you're making the right decision. Do not hurry."
"You think it'll work? What if she becomes insecure?" But saying the words aloud made me realise how ridiculous the whole idea was. She was already sure about me, about us. And she was the only one who suggested me to give others a same chance as well. Use my one shot more wisely.
As if she heard my whole reverie herself, she smiled again. "Girls, Maxon. The one thing they think are sure of is their hold on the one they love. If she likes you too, she'll not mind you spending time with others. If she does, she'll know where do you both stand."
"You think it'll work?"
"I've been in the same place she's now. Consider it as one Selected's advise to other."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Sweetheart, can the queen give you a advice to his prince?"
I nodded, not knowing what she meant. She was rarely formal in front of me.
"She can't decide which part of you she likes or not. Either she gets the whole package or none, there's no in between. She can't have your heart and refuse to accept the prince in you."
Another crux point that added more complexities to the whole situation.
"I know, Mom. And I'm working on it."
"You're my sweet dumpling, love. I can't see your heart break because of one. Especially because of the prince. Do you get it?" I nodded, kissing her knuckles. "Don't try to sweeten me, dumpling. I refuse to see you sad because of any reason. If the prince hurts my sweetheart, I have no idea what the queen will do."
I chuckled at her ridiculous at the yet actual threat. "Yes, Your Majesty."
She laughed and kissed my brow. "You are my world, Maxon. You and Clarkson, both. I can take anything, even a bullet for either of you, if it means you both will be safe and happy. What I can't see is both of you heartbroken for anything."
This time I hugged her close, kissing her brown hair. "I hate when you go all emotional on me." A teasing complaint to make the whole tension release seemed nice. "I already have many girls to do that! And I deny your proposal of making yourself go away from me. Never talk about that, okay?" The last part came in a whisper.
She was my first love and always will be. I can't think of anyone other than her. Especially when she talked about all that.
She sniffed. "Sorry for that. But you can't complain! I'm the one who's going to share you. You can take my prodding! You have to!"
I chuckled and kissed her hair once again. "Let's eat some delicious dinner."
.
.
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That night, after dinner, I asked Justin to make an appointment with Mr. Carver, the royal jeweller, for a few modifications on how I wanted the ring for my the one.