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.

21. Rebound

The next day started with a vengeance, most of it because almost all Elites and my Mom, the ladies in my life, wanted to know what happened and why.

After breakfast, I called for my dates with the Elites. Mom had informed me that everyone was worried about me, especially Elise, and as there wasn't much work to do other than a meeting that I could skip, I told Father about my decision of spending time with them. His reply was as cold as I'd expected it to be: "Of course, you should go." He'd told me in mock concern. "Your Elites are more important than the infrastructure meetings you were supposed to sit in, but please continue. I'll handle them well."

Not getting any anxious, I took his mock concern as a getaway and told Elise about our morning date—a walk around the library. It was something I've always done with Kriss, but today there were so many things I wanted to tell Elise, so many things I wanted to learn more about New Asia, so a library seemed like a perfect place.

I went over to her room in the South wing of the second floor. After three knocks, her handmaid opened the door, letting me in, saying Elise will need another minute for her hair, and suggested I wait in her room.

Her room was everything alien. From the colour of rug—deep copper with golden hues as threaded designs—to the ambiance of the room: Everything was once foreign to me but no more. I sat on another chair, sifting through the magazines lying on the table. There were a few books among them written in Hindi, Urdu, Persian...all the languages preferred by the New Asians. Elise caught me looking through her books and smiled at me through the mirror. "They are my favourite books in my native languages. This one in Hindi," I lifted the book she was trying to point at, "it is called Mahabharata. This is one of the most epic tales of New Asia, other than Ramayana."

"The tales of gods." I mused. Yayra had presented me such a book on one of her visit in here, saying these books provide with the most helpful advice regarding our lives and ruling.

"Some call it that. The other one, yes the thick one in Arabic, is the infamous One Thousands And One Nights. You may know it as The Arabian Nights." I mumbled an Oh. These were the stories I've been read to sleep when I was five. "Yes. They are the stories I've known by heart by now. Whenever there is something upsetting me, I read them. It makes me realize there is some magic waiting for me as well." There was a dreamy tone in her voice I've never heard once. She collected herself and pointed to another book, turning in her chair. "This one in Urdu is actually a poem collection—they're called ghazals back in New Asia."

"Oh." I recall an artist singing some native songs in the hotel we were staying in. I hadn't understood much, but the way he'd gained applause, I'd put together that what he was singing must be something special.

"Yes." She said and stood up, coming forward. "Shall we?" I gave her a nod and we went for library date.

"I've never seen you with books," I told her as we took the stairs, "or that you've such a good knowledge of your mother's land."

"I don't. This is just the basic stuff that mother forced me to learn—turns out I liked them very much."

"How many languages can you speak in? There are too many—"

"Languages in New Asia." She finished with me. "I know. It's sometime too much. I don't know many, just the basic Hindi, some Urdu, a little bit of Persian and Arabic."

"I found them too similar and confusing." I confessed, opening the library gates.

She laughed. "Ah, yes. Me as well. My mother, being a princess as she was, was taught many languages, almost everyone, before she was married. She is a well-learnt linguistic. I've learnt these from them. So, how was your tour?"

I told her everything I had to say, the beauty of that place, the diversity I saw, the new things I experienced...it took almost all the time as I told her a few things and she gave me a few tips of the same. For the first time since I've known Elise, she agreed and contradicted me. She was very happy to indulge me with her knowledge of a land which was as familiar to her as much it was alienated. "I never spent much time there, even if Mom insists we go, but I make it up by my almost daily contacts with my siblings from there. At least before I was Selected."

"You miss them." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah. My Father is a single child with no big family or anything. It was just my maternal family for me but with the increasing differences between the two nations, my trips over there became short and later not-happening."

"Tell me about them." She gave me a suspicious glare, still looking lady-like. "Don't take me wrong, but this whole concept of big family is foreign to me."

"I'm sorry. But there are times I'm happy with my small family."

"I agree." And here we go again. I'd seen the true colours of Elise for a few two minutes and here she was again, agreeing with me on almost everything.

After a few more minutes in which she told me about her uncles and aunts and cousins, she finally asked, I assumed a question which had been nagging in her mind since starting. "My uncle Shlok said you never reached New Asia."

Making it a funny story, I laughed. "We were in New Asia, but Father made us land by the Illéan embassy in North West near Shabad."

"Oh." Before she could ask me more questions, I told her about rajma-chawal I ate there and she took the hint, burying the topic as well, and told me about her favourite food.

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Despite Father's mocking about not me attending a meeting, I decided to attend one. Soon I lost myself in the workings of the inner-court, but this time I was looking for all the tells—as this time I had some precious information that I didn't have last time. I noticed all the things that are shared, told and discussed, and looked for the double standards as well as I sat, not knowing what to expect.

Father, who waited for everyone to clear out before having a word with me, leaned forward in his chair, his elbows resting on the table between us. "You came?"

Mirroring his position, I replied nonchalantly, "I knew it was childish to not come in meetings."

"Glad to know there is something that you learn fast."

"I wanted to discuss something with you."

"Yes?"

Here goes nothing. "You always tell me that I always disappoint you." It wasn't a question, and we both knew it. The way his jaw clenched slightly made me nervous but I didn't let that show. "I want to stop that—from now."

"Good to know that we both have come to a similar suggestion."

"But I can't do it if you always keep important info away from me."

He sighed, as if I was really a child. "You haven't earned my trust to hand you everything, Maxon."

"And you haven't given me a motive to work harder." I replied, which was more of a snap.

His eyes turned hard as he fixed them on me. "You mean, boy?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my already nervous nerves. "I want to be an active participant in taking decisions and giving suggestions. You never let me in when you're working on anything, and then you point that I know nothing. Just like you did in New Asia. Ilyaas probably suspected that I know nothing as you didn't consult me for anything."

"We don't rule by a kingdom by considering what others think." He said curtly, giving no damn opening to me.

"And I can't become a king if you don't help me become one."

He studied me for a moment, his eyes taking me in as if he could read my every thought and hear my every heartbeat. "It's easy to forget sometimes that you're not only Amberly's son but mine too." I had no idea if he muttered that to himself or to me. "You are right. I guess it's time we cut you some slack and allow you in actual working, but for that you need to earn my trust. Give me reasons why I should trust you, and not because you're the only heir. Earn the post."

"What does that mean?"

"We'll be concentrating on New Asia's war threats for a while, which means you'll be doing that and I'll check your work out." At my nod he proceeds. "You'll have to put the Southern project of yours away for a while while you're on this. International threats are much more eerie than national ones."

"Okay...?"

He gave me another curt nod. "If you make it worth, then I'll consider that you're prepared." I nodded again. His smirk war everything between good and evil. "Consult Stavros. He has all the details you'll need. Run everything you think by him and come to me only when you're sure of everything. If you prove yourself, I'll be more than happy to say you aren't a disappointment."

"Yes, sir."

"One more thing." He looked me in the eye, his light eyes shredding me to pieces through my dark ones. "The media is getting restless. They need an elimination, soon. Two weeks. That's what the girls get, and that's what you'll have before you present me with your ideas." I nodded and began to rise. "For the first time I've seen myself in you, Maxon. Do not disappoint me."

For the first time I've seen my Father actually believing in me. I had no mind of letting him down.

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I was so busy with Stavros trying to get a whole idea of the system they were trying to show me that I forgot to keep in check my knowledge on the reality of how things were. Stavros have me a pointed look everytime I guessed something right that I had to fake I don't know anything. But everytime I did that, Stavros gave me a small smile that gave me hope.

He'd always been kind to me, just as I imagined my grandpa to be. It wasn't actually a surprise that he was giving me inside information through many windows that I thought were closed, but we didn't say anything loud, the fear of anyone catching me ever present.

While studying a particular report I received a letter from a maid who brought in coffee. It was a message from Natalie, wondering where I was. Consulting my watch, I realised I was late by almost half an hour. After giving Stavros a quick check of what I read and what I should go for, he told me he'll look into everything else and help me arrange it—my desk was a huge mess that even Stavros pitied me while I struggled to find the right documents everytime. Thanking him, I went to the second floor and found Natalie looking out of the window into the forest.

"Good afternoon, my dear." I greeted.

As a reply she jumped at my voice. "You scared me, Maxon!"

"Not guilty."

She laughed and took my offered arm. "So, what's the catch today? What are we doing?"

"Anything you want." I replied as we made our way to the stairs.

She shrugged. "I have nothing in my mind, and as I'm, or rather I was, getting bored I thought I'll ask you how was your expedition?"

"It was highly an expedition, Natalie. More like a different experience."

"Oh. How was it? Your journey."

"Nothing exciting." I told her all the things I'd told Elise as we made our way to the games room in the basement, and then still as we played everything she wanted to. She interrupted me many times in between when she wanted to know something about a place or anything—she's never travelled out of Illéa and wanted to explore—but heard me good. When she asked me why was there all the confusion, I gave a short explanation and ended the topic there itself.

Two hours had passed by the time we were back to her room. She was giddy by the number of times she'd won, and her enthusiasm was contingent. I was smiling as well.

A quick good-bye kiss worked for Natalie, but not for me. As I was leaning back, I saw Kriss standing by her door, glaring at me and Natalie, her mouth formed in a big O, her cheeks flushed by intruding on us. "Sorry, I thought I heard you," she said, looking at Natalie, "and I wanted to ask you something but...nevermind. We'll talk later. I have to get a new book. Bye, Natalie. Goodbye, Maxon." She didn't meet my eyes, even as she went down the passage.

Natalie, deciding to stay oblivious to all these, gave me a big smile and asked me to come in. "I wanted to show you the pictures I'd been sketching." I went in, even when Kriss's elusiveness kept haunting me.

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Should I stop by America's room? Will she be happy seeing me?

No! Do not be stupid. She asked for time and you should behave like a gentleman and give her some.

But that was the thing I've been doing since last few weeks. I don't want to give her time while I stand as a bystander.

I can't push her, though. She can't be rushed. Not in this.

But that was before. She understands now what and how much did for Marlee in the given circumstances, didn't she?

"What should I do?!" I asked to myself, running my hands through my hair. It felt like Lucifer and Angel, both of them were sitting on my shoulder, giving my thoughts a nudge on either side. A part of me wanted to go to America, but the other part didn't. Give her space or not? Visit her or not?

I missed going on evening strolls with her. I wanted to share my experience of New Asia with her just as I shared with Elise and Natalie.

In the whole day, I saw glimpses of America. At the breakfast, where she caught my eye but refused to acknowledge me; in the great room talking with Silvia but not looking at me; After dinner, when I tries to catch her eye but she was busy looking elsewhere.

I wanted to spend my day with her, but because of Father's new project I'd taken, there was hardly time left for me do anything else. Even in the last couple days, when I'd originally thought of spending time with every Elite, I managed to spend with just two. Celeste tried to catch me, but my work called me, though I promised to go shooting practice with her tomorrow afternoon. Kriss was a whole another case. I was eager to meet her, but at the same time confused. I didn't want to give her more confusing signals when in my mind and heart there was only America; but I also needed a contingency plan in case things don't go as I wanted them to.

Kriss...she was everything good—charming, humorous, sensitive, caring, a good friend, and a definite good contestant for a queen. In many ways she was better than everyone else, but she didn't have my heart. The one who hold it in her hands was the one who was ready to give everything away.

America or Kriss.

This was a dilemma I had an answer for, but at the same time no answer was there.

America was my ever first choice. But Kriss...she was my anchor in so many ways.

I was still thinking about them when I saw a brunette sitting by a chair, looking at the sky. It wasn't a hard guess who was it, with a violet gown which shined like a burning blue in the blackness of the night and the lights glowing overhead.

She turned slightly, maybe by sensing me, and gave me a small smile. "Hey, Maxon."

"Hi." I took a seat next to her. The bench overlooked the private garden, and I realised that it was our bench. "You're up late."

"Couldn't sleep." She replied, her answer short and curt.

"Kriss? Is anything wrong?"

"You remember you promised me three answers to whatever I ask?"

"Yes."

"I want to ask you another question."

Now, this is interesting. "Shoot."

"Do you like me? Really like me?"

"What do you mean, Kriss?"

"I know you liked America the most." I didn't miss her using the past tense. "Then there are other Elites as well, but where do I stand?"

Wasn't this the question I wanted an answer for myself?

I had no answer, at least no correct answer, so I remained silent.

She turned away at my tied tongue, her gaze landing on the garden in front of us. "Maxon, I know we had a start where both of us were nonchalant to each other, but things have changed, at least for me it has. All I want to know is, are the things different for you as well." Tears started to gather in her eyes. She blinked furiously to remove them.

"I know it's not the right thing, to demand answers of you, but...For you it may be nothing, Maxon. You have to select from five of us, but for me... I wasn't here to get the attention of the prince. No. I was here to experience the dream many girls had dreamt. But now...I really like you, Maxon. I'm not forcing you to reciprocate my feelings, I just want to know if..."

"Yes." I answered, looking at her. An answer as much to her as much it was to me. She turned, her brown irises landing on my own. "I like you, Kriss." A sigh of relief escaped me as I accepted the answer myself. I liked Kriss. Enough to love her as a friend. "You're right. We didn't get the proper kick start, but you're special, sweetheart."

Tears again got gathered in her eyes, and a stubborn one escaped. She wiped the year with her finger, and yet, even now, all I could think was how easy it was for me to move my hand that night when it was America sitting in front of me, and how I couldn't do that simple gesture without complicating things.

Kriss had already fallen for me—I had a doubt till now but today she confirmed it herself. I could give her an honest answer but not play with her heart.

"You are my friend and so much more, and I have no doubt you'll become a good queen—a queen that Illéa needs."

"But...?"

I smiled. "Who said there was a but? There's none here."

The smile she returned was heart-warming—not for me though.

"Can I ask something?" She nodded, wiping her eyes. "What promoted it?"

"Nothing, actually." She chuckled. "I was just sitting over here, looking out, and you stopped by. You can say it's a feeling, but it was there. As soon as I saw you, not in the dining hall, but here, close to me, only then did I actually realised you were really fine and well. So I wanted to tell you. And I told you."

"Was it because of Natalie?"

She looked outside again, diverting her gaze, and I knew my answer. Even if they all said they were good friends, animosity had taken its roots.

"She is my best friend, Maxon."

I nodded, even if she didn't see it. "I understand it. At least I think I do. But there's one thing you need to understand, Kriss: I wouldn't stop dating anyone until I've selected one. Even if I have an answer whom I want to select."

She nodded, still not looking at me. "Good night, Kriss."

As I stood up, she grabbed my hand. I glanced at her hand on my forearm then at her. When she said nothing, I raised a brow. She blushed and dropped my hand, mumbling a sorry. "You can ask me anything, Kriss, even tell me anything."

She gave me another smile, our eyes locked. Slowly, she rose and stepped closer to me, entwining our fingers. Her gaze dropped on our joined hands and a blush rose to her cheeks. "I missed you."

I smiled and kissed her, on the cheek. "Good night, sweetheart."

Sweetheart, really? I thought, but the way she looked at me, full of hope of something I couldn't give her—not now, not until America stepped out, a thing I was reluctant for—I couldn't stop myself. She was a sweetheart, just not mine, not mine in a way she thought of.

She smiled and kissed me, on the corner of my mouth. "Sweet dreams, Maxon."

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Walking through the first floor, I caught the sight of America talking with Silvia. They were sort of bonding. Silvia laughed at something, which was a rare sight in itself, along with her companion. Before I could see what was happening, America have a mock salute to Silvia and went off her way, leaving a smiling Silvia behind.

Unhappy by not being able to catch America on her way, I met Silvia. She curtsied seeing me. "Your Highness."

"Silvia, what are you doing? I just saw you laughing."

She laughed again. "I'm just happy. I just received a letter from Queen Maria of Germany saying sorry for not being able to come and spend time with us among other things. It made my day."

"That's huge."

"I know. Her Majesty is going to be crazy happy."

"No doubt."

"And there is these Elites. I can't believe they are actually taking everything seriously. Until now, everything they were doing was because they wanted to impress you, but now they are actually thinking about the country."

"The philanthropic project."

"Yes. Lady America has begun research and is trying to dig info, which I never expected from anyone."

"This early?" It was odd.

"Ah, yes. But I guess with everything going on, she needs a break."

"What do you mean by everything going on?"

"You know, you both getting hit by a dead end, then rumours of Lady Kriss and you, the New Asia thing, the elimination, the magazines still pulling for everyone but her. A girl must get her rest."

"Come back again: what do you mean by America and I hitting a dead end and rumours of Kriss and I?"

Her lips formed a straight line as if she'd said more that required. "Actually, there was some kind of bet going in the palace staff about when will you announce Lady America as the winner, but then you stopped seeing her and were seen more with Kriss. Some guy, upset about losing a bet, told some things to a stranger when drunk, who apparently was the editor of Illéan Times. Gavril managed to snag the report from stirring up but still news got leaked. Not that I guess Lady America knows it, but again, the timing is perfect, so who knows."

"Oh."

The things were already screwed up, and now this. There was no space left to catch my breath.

"Yeah. His Majesty isn't aware of any such mishap, but one can never be so sure. Anyway, as it turns out, she is ready to dedicate herself more to the queen studies, so who am I to stop her."

I didn't say anything, but inside I couldn't screaming. If what she said was true, then the delicate thread of normalcy we've established was going to be cut off. It's not even two days since I got, almost, America back and I was already facing the fear of losing her again.

Justin was right about the bets. When he'd told me, I'd taken those things lightly, but now...

That wasn't even the major concern. It was the reaction of Father and the Elites, and especially America. Suddenly the part that she now understands my motive and the things I did didn't matter any more.

I nodded at Silvia and made my way to the backyard where I was to meet Celeste to teach her how to shoot.

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"A long story short," Celeste said, sliding off the guns from hands onto the table, "it was a whole amount of fooling around with the clothes for the Deltas."

We were finished with her practice, and after I told her about my experience of New Asia, the topic of different diversities became a unique concept for her, and since then we've been having a nice civilized talk.

"I can understand. At least some part." I amended, placing my guns as well. "It is almost same with my duties as well. There are parts which I don't like but I've got to do because I have to as a prince. There's no way around there."

Really, no way.

"Ah! Our poor prince!" She chuckled, rubbing her hands on a cloth, leaning against the sides. "But seriously, what can be such treacherous things that even a prince hates?"

Many. Too many.

But that was the thing. Even if the prince hated it, he couldn't do anything. Even if he wanted anything, anyone, he couldn't get that.

The prince and Maxon couldn't be one, to name the first thing of my list.

"You want to know? There are too many to name. You tell me yours." I hedged, coming up to her.

"How about that we have to be good actors?" she breathed, leaning into me so that her lips brushed against mine. "Or that we both hate our lives as much as we love it." She kissed me fully, her hands knotting in my hair, bringing me close to her.

Yes. I wanted to tell her. You're right.

But it doesn't hurt to lose ourselves in the lives we hate as well as love, or to lose ourselves in other for a few minutes for a little solace. I let her kiss me for a few minutes, and kissed her with equal passion, but then kept an arm's distance between us. "You're right, my dear. There are a few things we need to be good at." I kissed her hand. "I'm being late for a meeting. Until next time."

The returning smile she gave me promised she was trouble.

Even when I tried, truly tried, to return the same smile, all I could come up with was an impressive grimace.

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By the evening the next day, I was running late for my date with Kriss. I found her sitting outside her room, already ready, reading a book. Upon seeing me, her mouth stretched in a big smile. 'Mr. Punctual is late." She sang.

A sharp shake of my head was my only answer.

Standing up, she said, "I think you're busy, actually quite busy, so you should go and complete your work. We'll meet later."

"I promised you a date, Kriss."

She shook her head, putting her hand on my chest as she gave a little push. "Go. It's nothing. You can make it up sometime later. I have some books to finish in the library and then there's the project I need to work upon. I'll be fine."

"I think it's time we give you a break from library." Her mouth formed in a shock no. "I'll teach you horse riding the next time you're free."

She smiled and nodded. A blush rose on her cheeks as she stepped closer. "We'll meet later." I got her meaning: our bench after dinner. Standing on her toes, she gave me a kiss on my cheek. "Bye, Maxon."

"Thanks for understanding, Kriss."

As an answer she pushed me and then laughed as I didn't bulge.

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I tried to catch with America, but she was always busy. And with my work and Stavros demanding me every free minute for this new project, there was none time left to meet her.

At late nights, when I thought about stopping by her rooms, I recalled that she hadn't tried to meet my eyes so I couldn't force myself on her.

I didn't meet America on late nights, so there was no reason for me to stop by the second floor after dinner.

Kriss never asked me why didn't I stop by our bench nowadays.

Neither did America why she didn't get a date invitation.

I didn't know what should I feel as I sat by the balcony after dinner, looking at the starry sky with no one to actually look upon.