A/N: Another long break between updates... i know it's unbearable to wait for a chapter. but another chapter is done, and i am kind of proud of this one. i think it turned out really well, so let me know what you think.

of course, please help a writer out by giving feedback. i look at every comment and review, and it means the world to me!

enjoy chapter 19!

*THIS IS RATED M FOR MATURE OR GRAPHIC CONTENT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!*

The maids and butlers had cleared our food in the dining hall while we were off causing a ruckus in the great hall. I was mostly okay with it. The only downfall to not having food was the fact that my stomach was still rumbling, and I was still hungry. Damn being hungry to the point of it hurting. I just asked one of them if they would maybe bring a plate of strawberry tarts and a cup of coffee to the Women's Room for me. They happily agreed and went to the kitchen to make a fresh batch and brew some more coffee. Something about 'making the best for the Queen of Illea'. The thought of anyone doing anything extra for me because I'm queen still makes my head spin just a little bit.

Maxon and I stood outside the dining hall. Our hands were clasped together in front of each other. His thumb absentmindedly rubbed mine as he looked down at me. Unfortunately, we would part ways before meeting again in 30 minutes for the menu stuff. We both had work to do, him more so than me. Meaning we would have to leave each other's side when we would much rather stay joined at the hip like normal. According to him, I am a 'distraction in the best ways possible' when he works so I'm not allowed to tag along. I smile at him and he returns a smaller, more sheepish smile. "I'll see you after my meeting."

"After your meeting. I love you." I kiss his cheek, our hands still being held tightly in front of each other. I pull my face away from him only to pull his left hand up to mine and kiss the knuckle of his ring finger, right above the gold band that he wears. Then, I let go of his hands, it dropped between us slowly. Letting go still hurts. It will probably always hurt just a little bit.

I left our spot in front of the dining hall first, walking away looking down at my hands. It probably looked like I was blushing as I was walking away, maybe even smiling. I really was trying to hide my distaste and sadness for leaving him. It literally almost brought me to tears. Stupid man, making me fall in love with him... I fidgeted with my wedding ring all the way to the Women's Room to distract myself from the pain of leaving him. I ended up analyzing and studying the ring in much more thought than what a normal human does. I always loved that the green from the peridot and the purple from the amethyst complemented each other in such an odd way. It reminds me of how Maxon and I complement each other in an odd way. I mean, I know that the peridot Is his birth stone and the amethyst is mine, I just find it odd that they work well together. My knowledge on color theory from May and my dad tell me that they shouldn't because of how similar yet different they are.

I pull open the doors to the Women's Room and walk in. I hear the door shut behind me as I walk over to one of the couches to sit down. I pick up a magazine to start looking through when Marlee comes in wearing a midi length off the shoulder dress. The bodice is made of this pretty floral satin and the skirt is a violet satin. It looks stunning on her.

She curtsies, "Queen America, I come bearing strawberry tarts and coffee."

I stand up and walk over to her quickly. I take the tray and mug and walk back to my seat on the sofa, already taking a bite of the yummy strawberry tart. She sighs, "No 'thank you, Marlee!' or 'Hello Marlee, thanks for bringing the strawberry tarts and my coffee into the Women's Room for me even though it's not your job as royal advisor to the Queen.' You just take them and go back to your spot on the couch."

"Sorry, Marlee. Thank you for bringing me the tarts and the coffee. I don't think you know how much I need these."

She sits next to me, "Has it really been that stressful already? You guys have been married for 3 days and you've only been queen for 3 days."

"Not stressful. Maxon and I didn't exactly eat all of our breakfast before he had to go to a meeting, so I'm starving!"

"Oh. Why not?"

"We were poking fun at each other during breakfast."

"Ooo, can I ask more?"

"I was talking about how I missed the activity around here because we just got rid of my whole family and then because I was down for the rest of the meal time, he started to try and make me laugh." I take another bite of the tarts, "He trwide to get me to waugh by pulling my chaiwr closwer to him an nudgin my weg wif his foot undwer tha table." I swallowed quickly, "And then he threw a piece of toast at me and just barely missed. So I antagonized him by throwing toast back at him while screaming. He ended up chasing me around the great hall while people were setting up for later." I laugh just thinking about it, "So, now I'm hungry and tired."

I take another bite as she nods along, "Sound eventful."

I nod in agreement. "How are you, Marlee? I feel like I never see you anymore."

"I'm okay. Carter is busy all the time, you know, working and such and when you weren't here yesterday, I was so bored."

"Sorry about that."

"It's alright. I just can't wait till you have a meeting and stuff and you get to be involved and need my help."

"Marlee, I always need you and your help."

She laughs, "Trust me I know."

We laugh together for a moment. She then turns on the TV that is in the corner of the room. I pop another tart in my mouth as we watch the late start of the 9am Royal News report on my life.

The reporter woman shared with the listeners,"Yesterday, Queen America and the rest of the royal family went to the Queen's home province of Carolina."

As she talks pictures of us walking out to the plane, leaving the private cars to go inside, and us saying 'hi' to fans as we come and leave all flash across the screen. They even got a picture of Maxon and I opening the door to my house together, "The family of former Fives and King Maxon were saying their final goodbyes to their childhood home since the King had graciously bought the Queen's immediate family a home only a few miles away from the palace. King Maxon said that this was one of his engagement gifts to the new queen in an interview done on the Report when they first got engaged after he was fully healed. He stated that 'family is everything to America' and that 'she wouldn't be herself without them nearby the palace.' How sweet of him to do that for his royal bride? The Singer family did say in an interview done a few weeks ago by Carolina reporters that they were trying to wait till after the marriage of the King and Queen before moving into the new home near the palace. This home in Carolina that Queen America grew up in will not be destroyed or resold to another family, though. The province of Carolina says that they plan to restore the house to make it a museum of sorts for people to remember and visit for many generations to come."

It cuts to a representative from Carolina, "We are really excited that not only Queen America is from Carolina, but that she is from a lower caste and made it to being a One. Then, we were beyond thrilled when she approved the idea of restoring her home. We want everyone to know that you can build your way up from the bottom, and we all think that seeing this home will do that for everyone. We have talked with her about her ideas for the restoration and her request is that it looks just about what it might have looked like when she received her Selection letter. So, we are ready to begin work on the home to fulfill her request."

It cuts back to the reporter, "It is reported that the Queen will be providing input during the course of the restoration to make sure the home is exactly as she remembers it. She is also supposed to be providing input for any signs in the home that state the meaning of anything present in the home that might have a special meaning. She may even be doing an audio guided tour. This would allow everyone who visits to hear what living in her past home might have been like through her eyes. There are no official sources saying that she has volunteered to provide audio and descriptions for the tour, but we will be hearing on The Report this upcoming Friday what her decision is for her childhood home tour."

Marlee mutes it and looks back at me. "Are you going to do the audio tour?"

"I didn't even know that was going on." I set my empty plate of tarts down. "If I knew about it I might. I thought they were just restoring it to run tours through it. I was never informed that they were going to be having audio tours."

"Well, now since you know about the audio tours, are you going to do it?"

"Probably. Now unmute it!"

She laughs and unmutes it. The reported woman starts speaking, "-her news this Sunday morning, we have received word that the King and Queen are having a party to celebrate new ties to Italy and their leaders. King Maxon's announcement just a few weeks prior stated that they have created a plan to dissolve the caste system and will begin with merging and the dissolving of the caste very soon, starting with merging the Eights with the Sevens. All of that being said, Illea has formed alliances with the Italian monarchs and the Italian government because of the removal of the caste systems in the coming years. A new ally means a celebration. We can't wait to see pictures from the event to come. It is said that Queen America really knows how to plan a party, so we can't wait."

She pauses and touches her ear. I assume she is receiving word on any new information, "Alright. Well, that concludes this morning's Royal News. You will hear all news on the Royal family on chan-"

Marlee turns off the TV and sighs, "Wow. I thought this party was to celebrate with the Italians on the marriage of America and Maxon because they love you two so much, especially Princess Nicoletta. Not new legal ties and alliances."

"The media reports what the media wants."

She rolls her eyes, "Speaking of this party, what time are we selecting the menu?"

I look up at the clock on the wall, "10 minutes."

She nods, "So, how's married life for you? Getting along well?"

"It's great, and we are. Maxon is…"

"The best? Your everything? What you always wanted?"

"Yes…" I sigh thinking about his bright smile and his honey blonde hair styled up the way he always wears it, "He's perfect."

"Perfect is unattainable." She informs me blandly.

"He's perfect for me." I correct myself.

"Can I ask you a more personal question, Your Majesty?"

I nod. "Yeah, I guess. I have nothing to hide."

"How do you like the sex?"

My cheeks flush instantly. I feel the heat rise in my ears and I bite my lip, "It's… fantastic. I mean, I have nothing to compare to, but he is… good at it. And he says I'm not too bad at it myself."

"That's good to hear. No wonder you're not as tense as you were during the Selection."

I gasp, "Oh my God! Marlee Woodwork!"

"I'm just being honest, America. It's because you, my friend, are getting banged just about every night and you orgasm every time you two sleep together, don't you?"

"First off, that is not why I am less tense! Second, I am not required to tell you if and when I orgasm if and when we have sex!"

She raises her eyebrows at me, "But you do, don't you?"

"That doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how often we do it or if we both orgasm. What matters is that I'm happy, which I am perfectly content with my life right now…"

"How big is he?"

"I'm not answering that!" I shake my head laughing. "That's between me and him. You don't need to know. But, I can tell you this. He is…" I whistle, "pretty big…"

"Big enough to make you orgasm every time?"

"Marlee!" I cover my face and bite my lip. I mean, let's be real here, she's right, but she doesn't need to know that.

"I'll take that as a yes…"

"Fine!" I throw my hands up, "He does. Every! Single! Time! He knows what he's doing with his fingers…" I mutter under my breath, "and tongue…"

"I heard that!" She squeals. "So he gets down to pleasure his queen sometimes? Hmm?"

"I'm not sharing that private information with you…"

"Well, you implied that he does, not me."

Just then a maid comes in. Her curtsy is deep and long, almost like she is trying to draw out the awkward energy in here by staying down as long as possible. "Your Majesty, King Maxon waits outside for you and Lady Woodwork."

"Tell him we are just finishing up a private conversation and then we will be out to greet him. What was your name, Miss?"

"Rachel, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Rachel. Just let him know that we will be out momentarily."

"Yes, Your Majesty." She repeats her long curtsy and walks out.

Once the door is completely closed and talk softly to Marlee, "You don't say a word about this conversation to Maxon or Carter. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am."

I relax, "Good. Now let's go eat!"

We popped through the door and Maxon's face lit up when he saw the joy I was feeling. He smiled warmly at me and I returned it. He held out his arms for me so I could meet him. I fell into his arms and he held me close in a hug. He kissed my head and whispered in my hair, "Hello, Darling. Doing well?"

I pull away to look into his honey swirled eyes, "I always am when I'm with you."

I kissed him and Marlee fake gagged at our public display of affection. We both pulled away laughing.

"Ah, Lady Woodwork. How are you?"

She laughs a light and humble laugh. "I'm doing well, thank you for asking. How are you, King Maxon?"

"Fantastic now that America is here."

I roll my eyes and fall into his chest. He hugs me tighter. Marlee is not a fan, "Alright. You two can stop that… We have places to be."

She begins to walk away as we both chuckle at her ridiculousness. I grip onto Maxon's arm. Marlee does stop to walk beside me. We walk the rest of the way into the great hall which is completely set up, unlike what it was earlier this morning when Maxon and I were causing trouble. I thought there would be more photographers inside, but it was only a few. We wave to the few maids who are waiting out for us and to the few photographers.

Silvia comes over to us when she spots us. "Right this way, Your Majesties."

She guides us over to a long table where there are at least 20 plates, all full of lots of samples for the three of us to try. By each plate are three score sheets of sorts that had an option to grade the food by the things we liked and disliked and then an overall rating of 10 plus a section of if we would like it at the event. While the final call for food runs down to me, I trust Maxon and Marlee's opinion on what we should serve. On the far end of the table are rather small pulls of different beverages each with little cups for us and the same score sheet.

"Alright. King Maxon, thank you for joining us. I know you are very busy and taking time out of your busy schedule to be here with us is great. I'm sure Queen America appreciates it. Queen America and Lady Woodwork, thank you for showing up on time. The day runs much smoother when people are timely. So, this is a standard menu selection, and this is new information for all of you. Allow me to explain. You will each take a sample of the food provided. The maids, butlers, and chef's who prepared the food are going to be here to answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to discuss amongst yourselves about what you like, dislike, or would change about the food. The more you communicate, the easier this will be for Queen America to get through later. After you discuss or ask questions, write down that information and rate it out of ten. One being terrible and Ten being the best thing you've eaten. All of that will be done on the sheets provided for you. Stack them so they are easier to grab later, and move on to the next option when you're done. Queen America, you will be reading all the reviews and deciding based off of your three opinions what you would like to put out for tomorrow's event. That is why it is crucial for all of you to communicate with each other. I'll need those by this afternoon so that way they can be prepared on time for tomorrow. Does that make sense to everyone?" We all nod when she pauses, "Great. I'll be running around if you need me."

She scurries off and we all eye the food. Marlee is the first to say anything after Silvia leaves, "So… how are we gonna get through all of this food?"

I roll my eyes, "Marlee, we don't have to eat all of it. Just a sample of each. Shall we start?"

They don't reply, they just go take the sample strawberry tart off the first tray. I follow their actions. A deep sigh leaves my lips as the sweetness meets my tongue. I close my eyes as I taste every flavor. The sweetness from the berries, the warm and buttery crust from the mini tart, and even the smooth and sweet cream cheese filling that the strawberries rest on. They are delicious as always. I grab the pen and the paper beside the plate of tarts and begin to fill it out.

"What do you think of these, Darling?" Maxon jokes.

I look up at him, "I'll let you figure that out on your own…"

I take another tart and moan the same way I do when I'm with him except into the tart. He looks on the verge of uncomfortable and turned on. He swallows hard. I just smirk at him as I swallow the savory treat. I hog down the rest of the tart and finish up my form. I set my completed form down on the table. Marlee looks at it while she grabs hers. A giggle burst through her lips, "'So yummy. Literally perfect. This is non-negotiable. These will be out tomorrow. No debates needed. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. My party. My choice.' Really, America? Are you three?"

"Hey! These tarts are my favorite things in the entire palace. We are celebrating my wedding, so they get to be out. Especially since they weren't out at my private after party."

"Favorite thing in the entire palace, eh? I am offended." Maxon jokes.

"Only second to you and your sweet smile, your Royal Husbandness."

My compliment and use of his nickname makes him smile almost too wide but makes Marlee gag. They both fill out their forms and we move on to the next food. I requested some Italian dessert since we are partying with the Italian Monarchs, so the chef's made these yummy cannolis with an elegant ricotta filling and chocolate chips in them. They were also delicious.

Once everyone had taken their samples and we were all empty handed, it was time to see what everyone thought, "What do we think of the chocolate chip cannolis?"

"I think they are fantastic for a dessert. How many desserts are you taking, America?" Marlee asked.

"I was thinking of putting three or four out. Five at the most."

"I think this should definitely be one of them."

Maxon clears his throat, "I second that. These were so good."

I nod, "Okay. I'll definitely think about it."

I grab my paper and fill it out. I was so relieved that I wasn't doing this alone. After those first two, I realized that I was going to love everything that was set out because I love food and I love eating. The palace chefs are so good at what they do. Maxon and Marlee really helped cut out some options and give me good opinions on what would go good together.

I counted how many plates of food we had eaten through by the time we hit the drinks. It was 36 plates! I was stuffed almost to the point of pain by the time we had to try the seven bowls of different beverages. Three of those bowls were wine. Two reds and one white wine. The other four bowls where full of non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks including an Italian cocktail called Americano (which Maxon and Marlee both thought was hilarious that an Italian drink was named after me), an old American drink called a Shirley Temple that was alcohol free, a bowl full of a really expensive tasting scotch that Maxon enjoyed just a little too much, and sweet fruit punch. In reality, we were going to have an open bar with these options, along with the bottles of wine for the Italians to take home as wedding favors. So, all of these drinks were going to be served in addition to water and sparkling water.

After an hour and a half of tasting and trying all of the food and drinks, we were finally done. A maid had gathered all of the papers so I could narrow down 36 to 20. Which would need to be divided so that way there were four desserts, three side salads, five appetizers, six entree options, and two additional sides (which will probably be hand cut veggie trays or authentic minestrone soups). I took the papers from her and looked at the top one which was the one Maxon had made on the expensive scotch that he really loved. I chuckled at his comment which was 'Love this almost as much as my loving wife loves her strawberry tarts (it's less, just in case she's curious). Sweet yet I have a warm feeling while drinking it. Love it. This is exactly how I feel about my gorgeous wife, she's sweet and warm and I love her. Back to the scotch, while I love this, it's definitely not for day drinking.' He's so funny.

"What has you giggling up a storm over there?" He asked.

I pulled the papers close to my chest quickly, "Nothing important."

"Whatever you say, Darling. I've got to go back to work. I'll see you at dinner?"

"Sounds good. I'll be in my office working on this." I motion down to my stack of papers.

"Okay. Bye, Darling." He kisses my head and walks away.

"Bye." I hollered to him as he blew kisses at me. I sigh, turning to Marlee who looks at me with the most devious look ever. I have to know what this look is about, "What?"

"I just… I don't see how you didn't love him earlier." She confesses.

"What?" I begin to walk and she follows me knowing that I'll probably need her help.

"Please mind my words here, but listen to this. He's looked at you the same way since you came to the palace. I saw the way he looked at you during the first meal. He's loved since he's laid his eyes on you! You, on the other hand, were so against the idea of loving him. It took you so much time to love him. I just don't understand why. He's nice to you. He's charming, sweet, kind, and he gives you just about everything you want. I don't get it."

We were heading up the stairs to the second floor, now. I wanted so badly to leave this conversation. "You don't have to. What matters is that I love him and he loves me and we are happy together. I don't need to explain everything that was going on before I loved him. I honestly think that I loved him from the same moment he loved me, maybe later, but not by much. I was just in denial and I didn't want to see it or accept it. I knew when he narrowed it down to just the six of us, I was in love. I was just blind and couldn't see it earlier. Also, this is coming from the person who married a guard and not the King."

"That was different!"

"Not too different since you didn't fall in love with him, and I did."

"You got me there."

"I did."

"At least you love him now, right?"

"Exactly. We love each other and are happy together. That's what matters." We had finally made it to my office, which I was glad about because I didn't want to talk to her about my love life issues (or lack thereof) anymore. Marlee opened the door for me. "Thank you, Lady Woodwork. You are dismissed until further notice. I'll have Mary come get you if I require more of your assistance."

She curtsied, "Why thank you, Your Majesty."

I closed the door as she walked away. It was time to get to work on narrowing stuff down. I sat down at my desk and looked at Maxon's review of the scotch again. I laughed at it again. He is so funny. I bet that he only wrote that down because I am the one who is reading it. As I was just starting to get into Marlee's review of the scotch, I had another pain, this time more intense than the earlier ones. Maybe I should be worried, but I still ignored it. Once it ended, there was a knock at my door. I stood up and sighed. My heels clicked on the floor as I walked to the door.

"Yes?" I asked as the door was pulled open.

Maxon looks at his shoes, but when the door opens his head pops up to look at me. He smiles, but it's a tense and nervous smile. "Sorry to interrupt you, Darling. May I come in?"

"It's alright. You're the perfect interruption. Please, come in." I pull the door open more and he walks in. His eyes scan around the room before turning back to me.

"So, I wanted to give you your final wedding gifts."

"There's more? Maxon… you've done enough for me. The one piano and your love is enough!"

"I will not take 'no' for an answer." He pulls out a folded up piece of paper and hands it to me, "You deserve the world, and I intend to give it to you. Even if it takes me decades to do so."

I unfold it and take a look at this paper. My eyes scan over it and I smile. Tears start to well in my eyes. "You didn't?!"

"All three of them will be here in a few days."

I hug him, "Thank you!"

"I hope they all play the way you need them to." He whispered into my hair.

"I think these three expensive pianos will play just fine. Thank you." I pull away to kiss him. We break apart, "How did you even do this? When did you do this?"

"One of my meetings was to discuss these. The one I had this morning, actually. I was thinking that one would go in the Queen's suite, one in the King's suite, and one in the parlor that leads up to the roof entrance. It's up to you, of course, but that was my idea."

"I like that. It's perfect. All of this is perfect. You're perfect. Thank you."

"You are very welcome." Our lips meet again. They move together in harmony. I can't help but love him and all that he does. I was happy with the one piano, but since there's three more coming, I can't wait. This was truly a good surprise.