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.

9. Preparations

A quarter to six had passed when I found myself wearing whatever I found, trying my best to look contemplating and not rebellious.

Walking in the prison cells, the jailor nodded at me, taking my to Marlee's cell without even having asked.

She was placed in the deepest of cells, where one couldn't go without crossing the labyrinth that more like a big hedge full of confusing paths. And with utter darkness enveloping us, it was more than difficult to remember it. If it weren't for Justin warning me about that, I wouldn't have been the best prepared.

But now...

Walking as close to the walls as I could, I used my hands to feel them. For anyone seeing it, I was nervous. They didn't see my fingers holding an almost black chalk marking the way to Marlee's cell on the grey walls. Something no one would look closely. And something that'll help me come back to her cell in proper time.

There were four guards in front of two connected cells. Both from faced, their almost brown pale skin shining porcelain by the torch held by the jailor. He nodded at them and they unlocked the door.

The jailor left me alone, and as a practice of Illéa, the guards twisted so their backs was to me, standing a little far. And as another practice of Illéan rules, the key to the cell could only be touched by the jailor, which he left in the cell door, as a good favour for me, as I'd asked him, saying "I know they'd be harmless. Seeing they'll be given the worst punishment, if you could at least give them a piece of mind by showing the most respect you could now."

Taking advantage of the dark, I coughed a couple times, so as to cover the sound of key being removed from its place. Taking the soap bars out of my coat pocket, hidden in the handkerchief, I made sure the traces of the key were properly implanted in it by the time my visit was over.

Stepping in, I glanced around, the little light of a small lamp giving me enough vantage point to pick up the gist.

My eyes already picked up the surrounding in which both of them were disposed. There was not a single piece of furniture in Carter's cell except for the small cot of disarrayed wood placed in the corner. He wasn't even given a shirt to cover his already beaten skin and back, blood dripping out from where he was whipped. There were black marks all over his face—cheeks, eyes, chin—indicating how he was treated by his once fellowmen.

"Carter".

His greeting was all of a groan as he tried to stand up and say my name. That was when I saw the red marks around his throat, and the traces of gagging over his mouth.

"Good God, Carter! Are you fine? I'm sorry for what they—"

"No need, Maxon." His try to smile even when he all but grimaced showed how high his willpower was, and how the guards were able to break his body but couldn't break his spirit. "I'm your culprit for trying to take away your Elite. For imagining I could love her. Give her everything. This was nothing but a show of my very own reality."

"Good Lord, Carter. You aren't making any sense. Here." Handing him a small pitcher of water, I saw how he gulped till no drop came out.

"Thank you. And sorry."

"Oh, keep your apologies to yourself. You'll have enough time to give them to me when everything will be all right."

His chuckle was everything wrong. "Time. I wish I had. Due to my recklessness, Marlee will have to suffer. Maxon, please. If you could look after her. If you could make sure she'll be fine. I'm more than willing to die for her, ev—"

"Stop, Woodwork!" Hasn't anyone told them anything. "No one is being hanged. I talked to my father and he allowed a different punishment."

He already knew what I meant by different. His face paled. "No!" He shrieked. "Marlee couldn't bear it! She's a girl, Maxon!"

"Stop! Listen to me!" And I told him, in whispers, everything. Their punishments. Their placements. "I'm sorry I couldn't find a way out of that, but I am not going to allow any of you out of my palace. After your caning," my lips curled with pure fury at my father as I said that word, "you'll be brought back to this cell. As an Eight. No one will look at you in the eye. No one will concern you. You'll find a few salves and the best remedies and medicines for your injuries under your cot. My best nurse will tend to you. When it'll be midnight, I'll make my next move and have you out of the king's sight."

"Does than mean I'll get to live with Marlee?"

"Yes. Not in the best possible situations, I'm worried, but yes."

This time when he tried to smile but couldn't go further than grimace, I could still see the happiness radiating out of his eyes. "Then there is nothing I'll not face. For her."

His smile was infectious. "Seeing my mother, I thought what it meant to truly love someone. But I guess I was wrong." Placing my hands on his shoulders, careful to not hold him or pain him more, I looked at him in the eye. "You were a Seven, Carter. You know the difficulties the society has to offer. Even when I hope I'm wrong, I know you've known what caning feels like." Just like I knew. "But Marlee doesn't. She's a delicate girl, Carter. One for whom you've to be strong the whole way. Not only the caning but also for everything that's to come after that." He nodded again, understanding what I was saying. "She is my friend, and she'll be my responsibility as long as I live. But she'll always look at you for everything. You have to be her anchor."

"You needn't worry about anything, Your Highness. I will take care of her till I draw my last breath. And fight for her as long as I live. I'm even ready to ask the king to grace me with her caning to keep her away from pain. I wish if there was a way to do so. I really wish."

"This means the most to me, Carter. Now I know that Marlee will be in the best hands she could find and I'm more than happy for her, neglecting all this mess, of course."

"I promise to not let you down, Maxon. Not on my life."

"Thank you. I'm afraid I can't give you any more information about what is to unfold, but I assure you, I'll have both of you safe in no time."

"If it means I'll be able to live with her, to love her, I'm more than happy to do anything."

"Then rest, Carter. Today is going to be a long day. You'll need your strength to live through it. And as of Marlee, I'll make sure she knows the basic parts. I don't want to terrify her more."

He smiled. "She's a handful."

There was no way of comparing his spirits and willpower. Even now he was more than ready to make light of the whole situation, no doubt for her.

"Regretting it?"

"Not a chance!"

I gave him a reassuring pat on his shoulder and made my way to the other cell, coughing once again to cover any sound of the key being placed again.

If I thought Carter was faring difficult with all the whipping and lashing, it was nothing in comparison to how Marlee was treated. Her jovial face was covered in tear traces, a few marks of fingers lingering over her cheek. Her hair was a heavy mess, but not anything compared to what her dress looked like. One of her wings was broken, the other hanging in an awkward angle. The shoulder of her dress was torn in pieces, the whole white dress hanging to her body by just a few threads.

Even when I tried to keep calm, it came out loud, "Good Lord, what have they done to you?"

She looked at me with dazed eyes and her eyes watered up again, crying in earnest. "Maxon, I'm so sorry."

I didn't hear her apologies—there was no need for her to apologize for anything. What had she done after all? Follow her heart.

Not heeding to any of her tears, I slid my coat off my shoulders and onto hers. It was big on her petite frame, the coat covering her wholly. "Did the guards tear your costume? Did they harm you?" I would take pleasure in breaking their limbs if they did it.

"I never meant to be unfaithful to you. I never wanted to hurt you."

I thought about shaking her out of her haze, but then decided against it and instead cupped her cheeks, tilting her face so she looked directly at me. "Marlee, listen to me. Did the guards hit you?"

She shook her head, still crying. Her voice was shaking even when she said, "One ripped my wings off when he was pushing me in the door, but they haven't done anything else." Sniffing, she said, "I'm so sorry."

Shifting my hands to her shoulders, I held her.

I'd always been worried if I'd ever find true love, but seeing her I realised how worried I was. I was ready to take chances even when whom I wanted had always been in front of me.

"I'm only just starting to understand how pointless it is to fight being in love. I certainly don't blame you for it."

She shook her head, her slim fingers holding to my coat with every strength she could muster. "We tried to stop ourselves. I promise we did. But I love him. I'd marry him tomorrow...if we wouldn't be dead by then."

Her words tore my heart, and her sobs and her shaking body broke my heart.

She buried her face in her hands, crying her heart out.

America's advice was still ringing in my head about how to handle crying ladies, but this was the first time I certainly knew what she meant.

Bringing her close to me, I held her tight, giving her all the comfort I could give her. She sobbed in my chest, holding me tightly, all the while muttering 'Carter', 'Sorry', "Please'.

One hand holding her shaking body to me, I rubbed my other hand over her back, saying comforting words in her ear, hoping against hope I'd be able to calm her. But as time passed I knew how she felt. She can't find in herself to be calm until she saw Carter herself.

I knew how it felt to get a glimpse of what was waiting for us then have it snatched away when we were near that. It had always been like that for me. And if my gut feeling was right, America was no different. My whole future which seemed like a dream come true a mere dozen hours ago was all it remained. A dream.

And yet I couldn't find in myself to be angry at her even when the events hadn't unfolded. She'll be angry. Very much. But I couldn't find in myself to be angry at her. Or to see her hurt.

Till now I was confused if what I felt for America was love or was I a desperate fool to understand it for something it wasn't.

But seeing Marlee and Carter...no doubts remained.

Yes. I loved America. With my whole heart.

And I'll always love her.

Even when things were different between us.

When Marlee's trembling came to a mere small shaking, I murmured, pushing her back gently so she could believe me, "You're not going to die."

"What?"

"You haven't been sentenced to death."

"Thank you!" Throwing her arms around me, she embraced me tightly. "Thank you so much! It's more than we deserve!"

"Stop! Stop!" This was the hard part. Telling she's been punished for more than death.

Tugging at her arms so she could step back, I made her look at me. The guilt she reflected in her eyes was enough to punch me in my gut.

"You haven't been sentenced to death," I repeated, "but you still have to be punished." Looking at the ground, I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Marlee, but you're both going to be publicly caned in the morning."

"I'm sorry." I repeated. "I tried to prevent this, but my father is insistent that the palace needs to save face; and since the footage of you two together has already been circulated, there's nothing I can do to change his mind."

She cleared her throat, and when I looked up, her face was serene with understanding. She asked softly, "How many times?"

"Fifteen. I think the plan is to make it much worse for Carter than you, but either way, it's going to be incredibly painful. I know it sometimes causes people to black out. I'm so, so sorry, Marlee."

She straightened up, catching what I meant. And then the softest smile grazed her lips. "You come here offering me my life and the life of the man I love, and you apologize? Maxon, I've never been so grateful."

"They're going to make you Eights." I added "Everyone is going to watch it."

"But Carter and I will be together, right?"

I nodded.

"Then what else can I ask for? I'll take a caning for that. I'd take his as well if that was possible."

I smiled sadly. "Carter literally just pleaded to take yours for you."

This time when her eyes filled with tears, and she mumbled a "I'm not surprised." I wasn't ashamed for the tears that grazed my eyes as well. She was truly happy. She really found her prince charming—her knight in shining armour. She found her happiness in the cruellest circumstances, but still she was fighting for him.

"I keep thinking that I have a grasp on what it means to be in love, and then I see you two, each asking to spare the other, and I wonder if I understand anything at all."

She shook her hand, her fingers tightening around the lapel of my coat. "You do. I know you do. Her, on the other hand...she might need time."

I didn't even pretend to not know whom she was talking about.

"She's going to miss you. She used to encourage me to pursue you." I chuckled at the memory. Then at the twisted events of fate when Marlee was the one always encouraging me to have my feelings cleared about America.

"Only a true friend would try to get someone she cared about to become princess over herself. But I was never meant for you, or for the crown. I found my person."

Yes. I do know that now. The once who could handle the crown weren't meant for me. The one who could love me wasn't meant for the crown. And the one who I knew could handle both didn't reciprocate my feelings as strongly as I did.

"She said something to me once, that I'll never forget. She said, 'True love is usually the most inconvenient kind.'"

She looked around her cell, nodding to herself. "She was right."

The silence that surrounded us after was very wrong and right at the same time.

"I'm scared."

I knew that. And there were no words that could comfort her for the pain that was about to come. So instead of saying anything, I embraced my friend tightly, kissing her dishevelled hair lightly. "It will be over rather quickly. The buildup to the caning will be the worst part, but take your mind somewhere else while they're talking. And I will try to get you the best medicines, the ones they save for me, so that you heal faster."

Both our eyes welled up at the same time. Frightened for many things and yet thankful for a few.

It was the strangest circumstances one could find himself in, and yet their willpower stood strong.

If that wasn't love—even between two friends—then I didn't know what else was.

"For now, you need to get what sleep you can. I told Carter to rest as well. It will help."

She nodded, her wet eyelashes brushing against my skin, which made me hold her tight, wishing against hope to shelter her from the pain that she'll find in no time.

"What did he say?" She mumbled against my shoulder. "Is he all right?"

"He's been beaten, but he's doing okay for now. He told me to tell you he loved you and to do whatever I asked."

She sighed with relief but I still held her tight.

"I'm in your debt forever."

I didn't say anything. Instead kissed her forehead with all the love I held for my friend. With all the things I knew I couldn't say yet wish.

When the guards scratched the bars of the window, I knew they meant my time was over.

So I released her and looked once again at my friend, wishing she'll be fine in no time, hoping I'll be right wishing that, and with that I told her my goodbye and left, not looking back..

Afraid if I did, I'd lose my nerve to do what I should and would do what I shouldn't.

.

.

.

Some consider the palace to be an endless maze, the pathways to every corner almost similar to the previous one. Living in the palace since I was born gave me an advantage of knowing each and every way, yet walking the distance from the prison in the far south wing to my room in the north wing was the longest walk I'd ever had. The once similar path now a labyrinth in its own as my thoughts of what would happen and their consequences and my plan and everything in between and their aftermath were consuming my mind.

The guards bowed and greeted me, but I couldn't find it in myself to look at them in the eye.

How could I?

I was going to punish one of their brother, their comrade, for giving what of the Elite wanted. What she desired. How could I look in their eyes and tell how sorry I am for not stopping it.

By the time I was in front of my room, I was extremely tired. The long night and the day that was about to unfold already exhausting me.

Before I could open the door, I heard the sound of heels clicking on the lush carpet as she approached me, her black gown swishing as she walked, her mood just as dark as her gown, her eyes just as red as her lips.

"Mom."

"I thought we might eat breakfast together."

Opening my door, I let her in and closed the door after me. Justin was already in, looking through the documents as I'd asked so we could open a considerable place for Marlee and Carter. When he saw us, he, as fast as possible, closed the documents, fumbling all the way, and smiled at the queen.

"Your Majesty, what can I do for you?"

"A breakfast would help, Justin." She answered in a voice that I'd rarely heard.

Amberly Schreave née Station was a jovial woman, always smiling and forever optimistic, an idol for Illéa and the best queen the country ever had. It was rarely a time when one could feel her dejected over anything, that was her charm. But not today.

Justin looked at me, asking me with his eyes if I could have breakfast once again. I nodded. "Justin, help me with clearing the documents and then you can leave." He nodded, understanding what I meant.

While we worked, Mom sat in the sitting room, pondering over the Elite photos she'd asked me of.

He waved his hand in a no worry gesture. "Here." I gave Justin the soap bar that now held the imprint of keys to the cells. He took it and placed it carefully in his butler suit. "Now work on the next part. Make sure whomever you choose are trustworthy."

"Don't worry about that." He answered in the similar whisper I'd used. "You know whom I was going to ask and they all have already agreed to help—on the basis of need to know only. No many questions asked. They all agreed without even considering the consequences."

I already knew whom he'd ask. Warner Shaw and Pete Fisher. Two of my most trustworthy guards—the sons of previous council's members and my long term friends. I also knew whom he'd favour for nursing Marlee and Carter—my most favoured nurse, Katherine Thames. The people who'd help them settle in their new surroundings—Agatha Sweetings and Marcus Zeon, the ones who'd been in the kitchen staff since I was a child and who always kept extra food for me while I was growing up so I could sneak in and act as if no one knew I'd taken food. Derren, the most trusted groundsman, would help Carter get adjust in his new job.

Everything was done. The only work left was now to let the events unfold so we could get into our own action.

Nodding, both as a thanks and an approval, I went in the sitting room where Mom was waiting for me, a breakfast tray already waiting for both of us on the table.

Untouched.

Sitting beside her, I murmured, "I thought you were hungry."

She didn't look up from the photos she was going through. The photos—candid as well as posed—of Elites. Especially of Marlee's.

"She did a brave thing." She handed me a photo of Marlee dancing in the front lawn when the Swendway royal family had come here to visit. If I'd seen it a day earlier, I would've laughed at the photo of Marlee laughing so loudly that her whole mouth was open. But not now. There was no mistaking of the hand that held her while they danced. Carter Woodwork. The former guard. "Stupid, idiotic, but brave nonetheless."

"I know."

"You knew about them?" She shrieked, accusing me with her tone and eyes.

I shook my head and handed her a toasted bread along with orange juice. "No. I meant she did a brave thing by listening to her heart."

She shook her head. "As I said, stupid and idiotic are better words to describe it. Only if she'd come to me with this problem. I would've happily found them a way for them to be together. I would've even asked Clarkson to eliminate her so she could be with the one she wanted to be."

"You would've?" Why did I even thought otherwise? Of course Mom would've helped her.

"You remember what I said when you asked why I don't spend time with the Selected?"

"It was because you didn't want to get close to someone and like them only to have them eliminated the next day?"

She nodded, taking a sip of her juice. "In the two weeks since the Elites were announced, I got to know the six of them. I know whom you prefer, but I liked Marlee as well. She was so open-minded and jovial and optimistic. It is so hard to not like her."

"I liked her, too. She is still one of my close friend."

She finished her juice before saying anything. The silence that covered us held a weight. A weight of secrets and wishes and what-ifs. The type of silence that I hated the most.

"Do what you are doing, Maxon." She said suddenly, standing up. She didn't even ask why I didn't eat anything which meant something in itself. And her words...

Then I understood what she meant.

She knew I was upto something. She knew I was trying my best to help Marlee. To help Carter.

"If there is anyway I can help you, then tell me. And I'll make sure Clarkson is busy otherwise so doesn't get too suspicious."

"I don't know what you're saying, Mom."

"Neither do I, dumpling. But still, it's good to say this and know at least there is something I could do to help the unfortunate."

Turning, she cupped my face in her hands, looking directly in my eyes. "I'm proud of you, sweetheart. So proud. I know you will do the right thing, no matter what. I'm very, very proud of your dumpling." She repeated.

Justin came in that moment, but before he could say anything, Mom went to his side and cupped his cheek as well. It wasn't anything different. We both have grown together. She treated Justin as his own, also because his mother had died when he was not older than six.

She cupped his face as well. "And you, my troublemaker. I seriously hope you make a few more troubles."

He laughed his booming laugh, waving his hand. "Oh, I wouldn't miss a chance of that."

Laughing, she shook her head, muttering "Oh, my boys!", to which both of us kissed her either cheek, saying an 'I love you'."

Before we could say anything else, she retreated from my room, her frown now less deepened, a slight shimmer of hope in her once hopeless eyes.

Alone once again, he smirked. "And here we thought we were discreet. When will you give me hundred bucks? I was thinking of buying a new dress for Sharon..."

"Do I have to?"

He'd placed a bet on how long will it be before the queen gets any ideas. I'd said one day. He'd said before eight.

"Oh, don't be mean!" He whined mockingly. Trust him to make a joke of the situation even at such a time. "You wouldn't want to disappoint Sharon on her birthday, would you?"

"Remind me once again when is her birthday?" I muttered, already handing him out the money.

What he did for me, what he was keeping a secret for me, that too of such a great extent, was worth more than anything. And I already know how to repay him. He was thinking about proposing Sharon by the end of the month. At least someone would have a happy ending.

"Thank you." He sang, pocketing the money. In an instant, my friend Justin was gone, the butler Justin resurfacing under the dire circumstances. "Now, about your plan. I was thinking about this."

I'd given him whereabouts of all the cameras after consulting with Gavril before going to visit Marlee. He noted them all and made sure nothing amiss would be noted. There was also the matter of providing the best medication, as once becoming Eights, no one would look after their injuries. The breaking into their cells and coming out without being seen, changing them...There was no space for a single mistake.

Once Justin knew what I had in mind, he took the task of polishing my plan to foolproof, as he knew the workings of the staff and their shifts. Also the secret passages for them to use. I have to be in front of the camera every minute, as I was the one 'whose feelings were hurt as an Elite picked someone else', which gave Justin the perfect opportunity to make the plan work by being behind the curtain.

Once sure everything was in place and everything will happen according to our plan. I wore my perfectly groomed black suit, along with black shirt and vest with a graphite black tie, the whole attire selected to match the task of the day. Once ready, I nodded at Justin. He nodded back.

"All the best." We both said at the same time, both of knowing we wanted the best of our luck today to overcome the part we both were to play.

"If everything goes right today, as a thank you gift, I want you to pick up a ring for Sharon under my name."

He nodded. "I was going to ask you to help me make a collage for her but that is more good."

"Let's worry about that afterwards."

He nodded his approval, frowning when the bells started ringing announcing it was time for it to start.

Putting his hands on my shoulders, he looked me in the eye, his face hard as rock. "Be composed. You cannot lose it. The king would hope you'd give a speech—gossips—but don't lose the nerves."

"You, too."

"Don't worry. We aren't named troublemakers for naught."

This made me smile. Our nickname for our uncommon friendship had lived up to its name while we grew up.

"Just like the old times."