The Prince And His Elites

by sd2905

All Maxon wanted from his Selection was to find his one. He was nearly there. He had his Elites. He had found someone. He was ready. But was it that ready? Look more into Maxon's amazing story after he selects his Elites. New bonds are made. New relations are forged. Everything is new. But what about him? This is Maxon's journey in finding his one out of his Elites.

7. The Party

"You look good, Maxon." Justin said as he helped me with the eye patch that I'd pulled off my eye, over my hair.

The stubble I'd grown looked like a second white skin on my cheekbones over my tanned face, a small scratch Justin had drawn over my left cheek, from my eye to me cheek, finalising my character.

Beside me, Justin looked like an assassin who'd come here to assassinate the royal family. With black body-tight suit and shoes, a mask covering his lower face, guns at his hips and dagger hilts shining through his shoes, he looked a completely bad man.

A companion to the pirate

"Thanks, assassin." He chuckled as he helped me with setting my hair. "But really, it looks good. What gave you the inspiration."

"One, I'm not an assassin. I'm a royal guard who is here to protect the prince. And second, I got the idea from the rebels."

"Father better not hear this."

"Listen it out. I'm playing the role of a rebel who is here to protect you from the bad rebels. See, I appear as your enemy but I'm actually your friend! That's the major twist!"

This time I laughed. "You need to stop reading books for a while, you mad rebel."

"Just wait till I save you."

"Fine. You get completely ready while I visit my parents. Wanna give me a heads up?"

"As usual: The queen is as charming as always, whereas the king is being himself, but in a different way."

"Nothing new, it means."

He shook his head, the hood of his cape swinging as well. "Not that I know of."

Clapping him on his shoulder as I stood up, I told him a quick bye and went to the other wing to my Mom's room.

There were just two people in the room, all the butlers and handmaids must've been ordered away.

In there, sitting on the bed in his king persona was the king, dressed up as his friend, the king of Britain, Vincent Whirterstones, dressed up in a royal blue and red uniform with golden borders and many medals on bus shoulders.

While Dad was powerful in his own way as well as by being the king of the biggest constitutional monarchy, the queen radiated her powers just be her soothing presence. Dressed up in a gown so dark blue that it appeared black, with sparkles and small jewels and pearls sticking to it that appeared as stars, she was the best starry night Angeles had ever seen or will ever see.

She was the moon that people desired of and the stars that people wanted the most.

"Mom!" I was too stunned to say anything. "You look...stunning."

She smirked to at me. "Thank you, oh the mighty lord of the seas."

Father scoffed. "Lord of the sea." He scoffed again. "Of all the things you could be!"

I could understand his predicament with my choice of character and clothes. A loose, black jeans that was torn in places, a loose white shirt with a brown vest. A bandanna to hold my now unruly hair, my cheeks adorned with the stubble, my legs covered in knee-high brown boots.

What I didn't understand was why I couldn't dress as I wanted for just one day. Enjoy the holiday as everyone would.

Mom rolled her eyes, her mouth lifted in a small smile, no doubt sensing father's disdain and trying to lighten the mood. "Oh, really, my mighty lord of Britain? I am still seeing husband in you."

"That is because your husband can't afford to leave you alone for a while, my love. God knows what'll happen when you're left unattended even for a minute. If anything, with you I'm more of a guard than a king."

"It doesn't help that the palace is filled with guests today."

Mom gave Dad's reflection a big smile and a flying kiss. Another one for me. "Ah, the men of my life!"

I laughed and kissed her cheek. "All the girls are going to be jealous, Mom, because I'll be too busy being around you."

She untidied my already messy hair. "My baby."

When dad stepped closer, she took his hand in hers and looked at the reflection of the three of us.

I couldn't remember the last time it was just the three of us, or Dad wasn't busy taunting me. This moment felt a Halloween gift in itself. Especially when Dad put his hands around my shoulders.

"A pirate! Seriously, Maxon?" he joked, but his eyes told me it was again another disappointment he'd added in his list. "A prince was the optimistic choice."

Before I could retort or say anything that'd help my case, Mom cleared her throat. "It was a wonderful idea, Maxon."

Dad nodded but left when Tyler called him for his individual interview with Gavril. Mom was to join him a few minutes later. And I was supposed to give whole another interview to Gavril before the actual celebration begins.

When it was just the two of us, Mom turned to me and straightened my jacket. "You look just as handsome as ever, honey, even more."

"Thanks, Mom."

"I'm proud of you, dumpling. Because of you we all will be celebrating something that shouldn't have been forbidden in the first place. Your father may never say it but do not forget for a moment that he's indifferent to you. He wants to prepare you for your turn, and extreme ways are the only way he knows how."

I took her hands in mine, kissing her knuckles. "I know, Mom."

"I'm proud of you, Maxon." She repeated, her voice levelling the anger inside me. "Very much."

"Save a dance for me?"

"I wouldn't miss that for the world, dumpling." Another round of messing my hair. "All the girls will just have to wait."

I laughed and kissed her forehead, and then escorted her to where Gavril was expecting her.

.

.

.

"Ah, here is the most awaited guest for tonight" Gavril announced when it was my turn for the interview.

He was wearing a mask that covered half of his face. Half of his face was himself, while the other half was like a demon, dark and scary and forbidding. His grey hair was pulled back with oil, a few strands falling out on his masked side, his one hand plain while the other painted red on nails.

He asked me a few questions and I answered them with as much ease as I could, trying my best to be nonchalant about it.

At one moment he asked me with whom I was looking forward to dance the whole night? to which my mind immediately went to a red head but my tongue stayed close. All I could answer was nothing, except for I'm looking forward to enjoy the evening with all the Elites.

"Who are you dressed for Halloween?"

Looking down at himself, he flicked an invisible fleck of dust from his attire. "I'm just being myself, Maxon. Half a commoner and half a royalty in myself. Well, for now the demon, I guess." A chuckle. "I must say your choice is as good as mine. Pirate—King of the sea. Nice one."

"Glad you got it. I was always intrigued with Captain Hook, you know. I couldn't think of anyone more fitting."

"Well, a much more handsome pirate." He winked.

I laughed this time. "Happy Halloween."

.

.

.

The announcements of our arrival were made a little time after the party started.

As we entered the Great Hall, the whole scenario made me feel overwhelmed. The decoration with curtains and black roses and masks and pumpkins, lights in the pumpkin cutouts, the hint of gold in everything, the different things hanging from the chandelier, sparkling the Hall with the vivid lightening. The guests who'd come here as whatever they wanted, the guards standing alert as well as staying attentive to the whole fun that's about to start...

Almost everyone had dressed, even some of the guards. While there were some who still opted for their uniform, there were few who dared to dress as challenging as Justin or myself: Ghost, prince, zombie, mummies, and many more things.

Gavril's team was spread all over the place, recording each and every part of the party. The guests, the Elites, the royal family and their subjects, the long forgotten festival itself. As Gavril told me, part of it will be telecasted today, live, while the other part will be shot for the film about Halloween, where my interviews that I'd been having the whole week and all the preparations for the party will be showed.

As the ritual, the king and queen did the first dance, their smiles and laughter and soft murmuring filling the whole Room with amusement. It was always a rare moment when the king was out of his element, just like today. He was a king of another country today, a little less stern and a little more laughing, but the king nonetheless. And in comparison to her, complementing him the way only she could, was dancing Mom in his arms, smiling. Though she was dressed as night, her smile filled the Hall with her warmth.

I stood beside Natalie and Kriss, listening to their chatter about their dresses. I told them a little bit here and there, ideas for their clothing line they were planning to start, hypothetically, and they laughed at my lack of expertise in the criteria.

"Maybe you should consider Celeste as a model." I mused and they both laughed.

Their dances wrapped up and I took father's place, as promised giving my first dance to her, who gave me a few advices on how to seem effortless and less nervous.

Soon the others followed and the whole Room filled up with laughter and chatter.

The music was very much good, playing all the songs that were suitable for now. Fast songs, romantic songs...And the dresses of everyone even more so.

All the Elites were present, dancing together on the floor, swaying to the music. So were their siblings. And their parents as well, though at a distance. I heard Natalie tell her parents to keep their distance—she doesn't want them to disappoint her. On the other hand, Celeste was dancing with her father, laughing in a way I've never seem before. Unguarded. Light-hearted. Her short peacock dress made her look more elegant and classy than ever. Even with the peacock head she wore on her head.

Marlee was swaying on the music with the office that brought her to the same room during a Southern rebel attack two weeks ago, the one who'd debated with her regarding movies. It painted quite a picture. An angel dancing in the arms of a guard.

A few feet away from her were standing Natalie and Kriss. Dressed, in coordination, as spring and autumn, their pink and orange dressed blending in a deep red at the bottom, their jewellery matching.

Elise, dancing with her family, was dressed in a Asian dress, as she'd said, with sleeves dangling from her arms as second limbs. She'd always acted like a princess, but for the first time she looked regal. Royal in herself.

And finally, dancing with her mom and sister, their red hair shining in the golden light like actual fire, was America. She was wearing a black shirt and pants, antennas on her head and wings like paper, in every colour I could imagine hanging behind her back. She may have thought of looking like a butterfly, but for my eyes she looked like an angel. A red, fiery, exquisite angel.

I was looking at America while dancing with Mom, and her eyes followed my gaze.

"She's looking beautiful."

"Exquisite." I breathed before I could catch myself. When I did, my hair got more untidy, courtesy of my hand.

She laughed at my expense. "Waltzing is amazing, but swaying on the dance floor with the one you love in your arms—nothing could compare to that." She winked.

My brow furrowed for a moment while I tried to comprehend her words.

That was what made her my favourite girl ever. She always let me made my own decisions, never tossing me towards her decisions, but rather throwing hints that I could follow. Subtle hints here and there. Enough to help me make the right decision.

Once again my eyes looked for her, and I found her talking with a guard. The guard left. The thought of dancing with her in my arms was very strong, I had to reign myself every time.

But I understood what Mom wanted to convey.

I'll dance with everyone—an obligation as a prince to his Elites, no doubt, but a dance with her was no obligation.

So I refrained myself from doing exactly that.

I danced with everyone but her.

I was again standing with Natalie and Kriss, talking about nothing in particular, and asked Natalie for my official first dance, with the official words I'd practiced many times as a prince, "Would you like to dance?" She was elated and nodded eagerly, laughing with a tilt of her head as if I'd asked a ridiculous question, putting her hand in mine.

And I danced.

And danced.

Next with Kriss, then with Elise. Celeste was next. And then Marlee. Once I danced with everyone but one, I repeated the rounds. Along with dancing with their sisters.

At one point I saw America dancing with officer Woodwork, smiling and talking and laughing. They danced for a whole song, all the while their talking never seemed to cease.

It took all my effort to listen to what Marlee was saying. Her white dress whirled expertly as she twirled, her paper-thin wings glistening in the lightening. Just like me she looking at America and sighed. "She looks so happy."

Yes. She did. She wasn't dancing with me, though.

Another stone at my pride.

Shrugging, I let every thought slide away and just concentrated on dancing.

Elise was next. Well, second time next.

While I twirled with her, I saw Natalie now dancing with America's former dancing partner, Kriss dancing with her father, while Celeste was twirling with the guard from America's state whereas Officer Peeves, the guard who often guards the third floor, was dancing with Marlee.

A couple more dances later it became more hard than I thought to remain aloof when I saw America giving her hand to the office from her state, one of her friend I supposed, laughing with him. They were dancing a little slow than the uptight beat of the current song, an intense conversation going on between them. I also noticed that they were standing more closer than necessary. And clearly America was having a nice time. That guard was making her laugh.

Celeste called me again. This was my third dance with her and clearly she was pleased about that as she kept her one hand low on my waist, daring to stay close to me that she had to tilt her face a little look at me. "Maxon. Where are you lost?"

"Nowhere, my dear." Looking down at her, I made sure my lips were formed in a smile rather than show my insecurities. Or how I was jealous. "Just the party. For something that was long forgotten, we seem to be doing good."

"Yeah." She looked around as well, her eyes landing on her parents dancing in the corner. "Pretty well." There was a note to her voice that I couldn't place. It was reluctant and well hidden, but it carried a depth Celeste rarely let anyone see or hear.

Before I could ponder over it, over her head I saw the guard saying something that made them stop in their steps, the smile wiped off of her face. In a blink, the guard took a few steps back, his face resigned, another guard taking his step. That wasn't what made my head run with crazy ideas. The way America looked at the guard with longing made my heart swell with so many conflicting emotions I had to step back from Celeste to get myself in check.

The way she looked at him...It was full of hope. Of acceptance, of fear. Full of love. In a way it was just the expression I always wanted for her to have, but it wasn't for me.

I longed to, hoped to, fill her eyes with the same expression she was having for the guard.

A dance where I could hold her against me, as close to me as possible, able to stay that way because we could.

I want to hold her tight against me, never letting her go. Hold her in the way I feel about her. Where I don't have to fake things.

Max and America finally united. With no titles or castes between them.

The night turned more long than I had originally thought, much because of the many dances and my tired feet, but also because the way I caught staring at that guard again and again. Each time it happened, I had to stop myself from asking what was he to her—a friend, an acquaint, his ex...

The latter one always made me fuming with rage for what he did to her, with the burning questions of what he was doing here and to ask her if she forgave him.

But it seemed unlikely. He had another girl when she was with him. Surely a cheater won't have the guts to come to the king's palace and ask for an Elite's hand right under my nose.

Nobody was that foolish.

It was almost midnight when the musicians slowed down the music, making it a hum in the background.

My cue.

By this time I had danced with everyone except for one. And now it was time to solely focus on one.

My one.

It wasn't hard to locate her, but a little difficult to reach her especially with all the other Elites, with whom I'd danced at least four times each, trying to stop in my path to wait for me to ask for dance.

I didn't. With the softest apology I could manage, I denied them all and reached my destination.

Obviously she was sitting beside a dessert counter, her head almost resting on the backrest, her hands running over her legs—she was already tired.

"My lady? May I have this dance?" The special ones I'd reserved just for you.

"Of course." She answered automatically, her tone echoing the humiliation and embarrassment of being asked the last.

Does she really want to dance with me...or she can't say no to the prince?

Setting the thought and all the questions about her mood and her guard aside, I gave her my hand and she took it. Her hand loose in mine. Very loose.

I took her to the centre of the Hall, right under the focus light, and pulled her closer to me just as the music started and the sound grew loud.

The list of slow songs were decided by me. All the songs that I liked and she favoured.

With my hand on her hand, I brought her impossibly closer to me, my cheek against her temple, her head on my shoulder, her breath doing amazing things against my neck.

We started swaying on our place. And the whole crowded room disappeared. Everyone became a blur. The music a distant memory.

All I could remember was her in my arm.

I can hold you as close to me as I want. For as long as I want. For forever. It won't be long when I don't even have to do the obligations. I'll just dance with you.

This close I could smell her fragrance—soil and almonds wrapped up with winters, along with the additional vanilla perfume she preferred.

A sigh against my neck. "I was wondering if I was going to get a dance at all."

Was she trying to fool me by acting nonchalant?

Pulling her even closer, I whispered against her temple, my lips brushing her red hair. "I was saving this one." My lips turned into a smile. "I've put in time with all the other girls, so my obligations are over. Now I can enjoy the rest of the evening with you.

Either my attire was very light or the whole closeness and the music, I felt the warmth of her blush.

Leaning back a little, I looked in her eyes which were more light than usual. When she was happy. Not only her red hair, but also the many colours of her wings and her black dress make her eyes look more amazing than usual. "You look lovely, America. Much too beautiful to be on the arm of a scraggly pirate."

Her giggle was the music I've missed the whole night. "How could you have possibly dressed to match? Come as a tree?"

"At the very least, some kind of shrubbery."

Another laughter. Her cheeks turned to red. "I would pay money to see you dressed as a shrubbery!"

And I'd pay anything to see her just like today. Happy with me.

"Next year." A promise as well as a question.

She looked back up at me, her eyes asking me if I was saying right.

"Would you like that? For us to have another Halloween party next October?"

"Will I even be here next October?"

What? Our swaying stopped. "Why wouldn't you?"

A shrug. "You've been avoiding me all week, dating the other girls. And...I saw you talking to my dad. I thought you might be telling him why you had to kick out his daughter."

Oh. Oh.

This time I really was irritated. Of all the things she could think of!

"America!"

She shook her head. "I get it. Someone has to go, and I'm a Five, and Marlee's the people's favourite—"

Her voice turned thick. She was going to cry. She really thought all these.

"America, stop." I murmured. "I'm such an idiot. I had no idea you'd see it that way. I thought you felt secure in your standing."

I was right in thinking she wasn't sure. And so was Mr. Singer. He did say she'd try to sabotage her own happiness by overthinking.

I sighed. Didn't in our last conversation in her room she made it clear she wanted to mine? "Honestly? I was trying to give the other girls a sporting chance. From the beginning, I've really only looked at you, wanted you. " The truth that I've shied away from since the start of the whole madness. "When you told me how you felt, I was so relieved that a part of me didn't believe it. I still have a hard time accepting that it was real. You'd be surprised how infrequently I get something I truly want." Truly, it was never. Dad never let it happen as I'm the prince and being a gentleman, I always refrained from asking something.

I shook my head again. This wasn't the time for brooding. Not over something as petty like what I got and what not.

"I was afraid I was wrong, that you would change your mind any second. I've been looking for a suitable alternative, but the truth is..."—looking in the depth of her sky blue eyes, I spilled the truth out—"there's only you. Maybe I'm not really looking, maybe they aren't right for me. It doesn't matter. I just know I want you. And that terrifies me. I've been waiting for you to take back the words, to beg to leave."

It was all too good to be true. Too good to be real.

Just like a fairytale. The worry of a witch coming and stealing her from me always chewing on me.

She leaned into me again, settling her cheeks against my neck.

"Maxon, that's not going to happen." The words, her breath on my skin, her closeness made my head spin with so much happiness I couldn't contain. Then, as if she was too asking for much, she whispered, "If anything, you're going to realize I'm not good enough."

My lips brushed her earlobes. "Darling, you're perfect."

She was. She is.

We both pulled each other more closer the same time, our noses touching.

And she was crying. Tears were collected at the corner of her eyes, her lips formed in nothing but a big smile.

She was afraid as much she was excited. Just as her father said.

"I want us to take our time. After I announce the dismissal tomorrow, that will appease the public and my father, but I don't want to rush you at all. I want you to see the princess's suite. It adjoins mine, actually." I smiled at the thought. "I think you should start deciding what you want in there. I want you to feel completely at home. You'll have to pick a few more maids, too, and figure out if you want your family in the palace or just nearby. I'll help you with everything."

"Soon, when it's proper for me to end the Selection, when I propose to you, I want it to be as easy as breathing for you to say yes. I promise to do everything in my power between now and that moment to make it that way. Anything you need, anything you want, say the words. I will do everything I can for you." So that you don't feel like an outsider any more. So that you don't shy away from the idea of becoming a princess and becoming mine.

Everything she laid her finger on, she said, was hers. Including me. Especially me.

Blinking away the tears, she breathed, "That's not fair, Maxon. What in the world am I supposed to be able to give you?"

Easy. "All I want is your promise to stay with me, to be mine. Sometimes it feels like you can't possibly be real. Promise me you'll stay."

It still feels like a dream. A beautiful dream that'll end when I blink or open my eyes.

She smiled and leaned on me again. Her head nearly rested on my shoulder and my cheek on her head as we swayed once more.

We danced and danced and danced. Song after song after song.

At a point I saw Mom dancing with Dad, smiling at me. I winked and she blew a kiss at me.

It didn't matter what father thought about my choice as long as Mom was happy.

On our seventh dance her face turned as she looked up at me, calling my name. "Yes, darling?"

"Why were you talking with my dad?"

Something that I was worried of but not anymore. "He is aware of my intentions. And you should know that he approves wholeheartedly, so long as you're happy. That seemed to be his only stipulation. I assured him that I'd do everything I could to see that you were, and I told him you seemed happy here already."

"I am."

My chest rose with pride. "Then he and I both have everything we need."

My hand lowered, just above her hips and settled there.

In this moment, I couldn't think of anything that'll break this. Sure I was going to date the others as well, but it was nothing but an obligation. With her, I was complete. With her, I was myself.

I could still see everything. It was all there, always behind my eyelids. The future I desperately wanted now. Her walking down the aisle to me. Our wedding. Our future. Kids. Everything in between and everything left out.

I even got to celebrate my pre-engagement with a toast, on the balcony with all the Elites present, though my eyes were just for one as I raised the bottle and said, "To all you beautiful ladies. And to my future wife!" just as the fireworks started, lightening the sky in all the colours.

Just like she lighted my life.