A/N: i know that it's been a minute since I updated this one. i have been busy with summer school work for my classes and have been stressed out by it. i have also been working on little one-shot for a different fandom.
anyways, I hope you enjoy chapter 8.
*this story is rated m for mature and graphic content. please do not read if sensitive*
It shouldn't have taken as long as it did to get ready, but of course it took the full amount of time, and I was rushing down stairs to film. My dress had a corset and bra bodice that shaped and cupped my torso and breast perfectly, with sheer wine red fabric over the otherwise nude bodice. Anyone who looked could see the ribbing on the corset along with the dark strings that sucked my body in. It made my boobs look amazing, something I was certain Maxon would love, but I was worried. The current amount of cleavage I'm showing might be too much for television, but Mary insisted that it would be okay. I trust her so I went along with it. The skirt was made with the same wine red color with multiple layers of tool, giving it lots of body. It was a floor length aline dress, so it fell gracefully from my hips. Mary picked out a silver tiara for me to wear. My hair was taken out of the braid and put into a half up half down with elegant waves. She did a red eye look and made me wear a deep red lipstick. I stepped into the nude heels with ease. The final product was beautiful, but it almost made me late.
When I showed up, Maxon's face dropped. He was speechless by my appearance.
"You look like royalty, America. A stunning piece of work, absolutely beautiful." His voice was hushed.
I curtsied, "Why, thank you, my King."
I make my way to my chair. Maxon runs over what is going to happen with Gavril. May and my mother walk in with Gerad. My mom wears a fitted silver dress that hits right below her knee. She looks fantastic. May is wearing a dark purple dress that is similar to mine, just without the corset, with short off-the-shoulder sleeves, and it was cut right about her knee. Gerad wears a dark purple shirt, matching May, and a black tie. He looks uncomfortable, but he is trying so hard for me. I see Kenna and James are wearing royal blue, and so is baby Astra. Kota is the odd one out, not wearing any dark colors. Maxon was matching with me (wearing the same dark wine red shirt with a black tie and black suit), but Kota went for a white button up with a yellow tie and a gray suit. He was going to stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe that is what he wanted. He always wants to be the center of attention and this way he would get it.
Maxon joined me where our seats were. He sat anxiously and adjusted his crown. I watched him with thoughtful eyes.
"Can we make a truce on our little war?" I ask him as he fixes himself even more.
"I would really like that. We don't need our first appearance as the official King and Queen of Illea to be full of embarrassment."
"I agree." I hold out my hand for him, he gladly shakes it.
Gavril comes over to us carefully. He bows, "Your Majesties, you two look fantastic. I have to say that you two are perfect together."
"Why, thank you, Gavril. I have to say that you look rather dapper, as well."
"Thank you, My Queen. So, the final run down for tonight: I will give a light greeting and introduce you two. Then, you guys will join me and it will be interview style. Then, we will bring in each one of your family members to say a few things. You guys will return to you places over here, and I will sign off. Does that sound good to everyone?"
We both nod. "Thank you so much, Gavril."
"Of course. Only a few more minutes, Your Majesties."
He bows and walks off to attend to more business.
"Just remember, we don't mention our little game or the office sex." He tells me.
"I remember. I'm not completely clueless."
"Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep at night."
I glare at him and he laughs. "You must crave death…"
"Maybe I do, as long as you are coming with me."
"Well, I most definitely will be. I don't want to know what will happen to you or me if I don't."
I steal a kiss as we hear final calls before the cameras start rolling. I made sure I didn't leave a wine red mark on his lips and then Gavril began to speak to the country just as I pulled away from him.
"Good evening Illea! What an amazing night we have planned for you guys at home! Tonight we will meet with the King and Queen to discuss their fresh marriage. Then, we will hear from the Queen's family about their thoughts on the marriage. Let's all give the King Maxon Queen America Schreave a warm Illean welcome."
The studio claps and Maxon and I walk down to sit with Gavril. I take a second to adjust my dress, but I grab Maxon's hand once we are both situated. I start rubbing soothing circles into his skin. I can visibly see him relax, but it was only detectable to someone who knows him as well as I do. I didn't realize he was nervous about tonight.
"Good evening, Your Majesties. How are you both this evening?"
"I'm doing well, thank you."
"I'm doing well, also. How are you, Gavril?" I ask.
"I'm going pretty great. Let's get rolling along. You are married now!" We laugh lightly. "How was the wedding?"
"I think I can speak for both of us and say that it was the best night of our lives. We both had fun and we both enjoyed the time with family and friends."
"King Maxon, would you say that is accurate information?"
"America hit the nail right on the head. It was the best night of our lives, and I wouldn't trade it for the world." His eyes meet mine and I can tell that he actually means that and it's not just for show. I melt inside just a little bit.
"You two are so cute together. How has the first day of married life been treating our royal family?"
"It's been hard to stay away from him. I just want to be in his company all the time. Even though we both have work to do."
"And how has it been for you, King Maxon?"
"She does such a good job describing everything. I have to agree with her. I had meetings today, and it was hard to stay concentrated during them because I missed her, even though we were together for meals."
"We actually had to take a break from our work to play hooky a little bit." I informed Gavril.
He shocks back a little bit, "And what does 'playing hooky' look like for our royal couple?"
"It's a lot of… dancing and laughter." Maxon answers before I get the chance to.
"Well, that sounds sweet. Let's call Mrs. Singer over to talk with you guys about your marriage."
My mother walks over, and I kiss her cheek lightly as she sits.
"Mrs. Singer! How are you?"
"I am doing very well, thank you, Gavril."
"Mrs. Singer, what is going through your head with your daughter and her marriage."
"Well, I am very proud of her." She looks away from Gavril, to look at me, "I knew that she was nervous to fill into such a high role, especially after who filled the spot before her, but I am proud of her for becoming something amazing."
"What is going through your head about King Maxon and his marriage to your daughter?"
"I'm happy. As long as he is happy with her, then I am happy."
"What advice do you have for the young couple?"
"Don't let little fights or disagreements ruin the big picture of your life together." She grabbed my arm lightly, "If your father ever threw away a piece of art over one mistake, he would have never made anything."
I cover my mouth in shock. "Thank you, Mom, for the advice."
"Always for you, America."
"Well, we have a few more of you to go through. Thank you Mrs. Singer for joining us tonight."
"It was a pleasure, Gavril." She kisses my head and goes to sit down.
"Let's hear from Kota Singer, next."
He makes his way over. He shakes Maxon's hand and kisses my head. Then, he shakes Gavril's hand before finally sitting down.
"Mr. Kota Singer, how are you?"
"I am well. Very happy to be here tonight."
"So, what do you think of your little sister's marriage to King Maxon."
"I think she did well. She is happy. Which as a brother, is all I want for my sister. I know that she is going to be supported and loved with King Maxon."
I try so hard to hide my anger. He tried to tear apart my relationship when I went home to Carolina for Dad's funeral. He tried to ruin everything that I had going for me. My husband rubs my hand, trying to calm me down. I must have let my anger show through just enough for him to notice.
"What advice do you have for them as they start this new chapter of their lives?"
"Try to remain positive and always remember that if you need to talk, I'm here, for both of you."
Gavril clears his throat, "Well, thank you, Kota. Up next, let's hear from James, Kenna and baby Astra."
I kind of tune them out which is bad. I know I should pay attention to what they have to say. I just can't concentrate because of Kota. I know that I will pay attention when they get to May and Gerad.
After what seems like seconds, Gavril calls for May, "Miss May Singer, you're up next."
She walks over sheepishly. She sits down and I kiss the side of her head lightly.
"Miss May, from what I understand, you are only 14 years old. How do you feel about your sister marrying the King?"
"It's like a dream come true. I think King Maxon is just… dreamy… and my sister deserves to be happy with him and I am so excited that I get to be his new sister."
"King Maxon, do you view America's family as your own now?"
He clears his throat, "I have always thought of America's family as my own, even in the very beginning of our relationship. On our first date, I watched how her eyes lit up when she spoke of May or of her father. I knew that if I wanted America to be my wife I had to make two things happen. First, I had to show her and her family that I cared about both them and her. And second, I had work to spend time with them and gain approval for her hand. I got one, which came with the other and I knew that her family was in turn my family, as well, when that happened."
"That is rather sweet, King Maxon."
He bows his head politely. His cheeks fill with red. I am in love with this man and everything about him, I swear.
"Miss May, you said that this was a dream come true, what do you mean by that?"
She smiles brightly at Gavril, "I grew up watching King Maxon on the Report and then I saw America during her time in the Selection. I saw the way she looked at him and the way he looked at her, even when they thought no one was looking. When she left, I knew she would be with him. So it was my dream to see them together. I got lucky, and had my dream come true."
"One last question, May, what do you want to tell King Maxon and Queen America for advice?"
"King Maxon, please don't let her be upset too much. She is fragile whether she wants you to know it or not. If you guys fight, remind her that you will still be there for her. And make sure that she isn't stressed out, she can get overwhelmed and freak herself out."
"I promise that I will be there for her whenever she needs me. I'll make sure that she is relaxed as much as she can be." He promises her. I melt even more.
"Good. Ames, don't forget about me and your roots. Don't get caught up in this life and forget where you came from or who you are. You are still America, even with the added title. Don't forget that." I have to stop the tears from flowing down my face. She is so sweet. She is my mini me, and if she said it then I know I needed to hear it.
"Of course, May. I love you." I kiss her head.
"Thank you, Gavril for having me."
"Thank you, Miss May. It was a pleasure to chat with you. Gerad, young sir, would you like to come talk with us?"
He nods from across the way and walks over to us. He plops down in the chair and waves to Gavril.
"Mr. Gerad, what do you like most about your sister and King Maxon being married?"
"I like the garden and the space. I like that she is happy with him."
"What do you want to tell them as advice?"
He ponders on what to say for a brief moment, "Make sure you both are happy all the time you can be."
"Thank you, Gerad. You can go sit over there, now." Gavril dismisses him. "Well, King Maxon and Queen America, looks like you have gotten lots of good advice for this new chapter in your lives. One last question for the both of you: What has been your favorite part of being married?"
I blush, look down at my hand in Maxon's, and bite my lip in embarrassment (and let's be real, to also keep my mouth shut so I don't say 'the sex'). I pray that Maxon will take the lead on this one. Thankfully he does, "I think that for both of us, it has been the freeness that we have experienced. Dating in the Selection is hard, without a doubt, but I wouldn't change it for the world. It's how I met her, and she is the love of my life. I'm happy it's over because I can just have her, and she can just have me. We don't have to worry about 34 other girls. I, also, personally enjoy that she is tough, and that she can freely showcase that in our relationship."
"Queen America, how about you?"
I awkwardly shift as I clear my throat, "Well, Gavril, I think Maxon is right. The freeness of only worrying about him with me is great. Personally, my favorite part is being able to call him mine. I never thought I would be here, but now that I am, I wouldn't change this for anything. He is my person and the love of my life, and I am so glad that I have him and can call him mine. Observing from a distance and watching him be with other girls was hard. I am thankful for the experience and the friends I gained through the Selection, but I'm glad it's over."
"Well, thank you for chatting with me about your new life. I am glad that I get to observe it. King Maxon and Queen America Schreave!"
We both stand and nod in solidarity. Our hands don't unclasp as Gavril signs off. When the lights turn out, I let go. I tug my ear, and he returns the gesture. I nod to him slightly before walking over to greet my family.