Chapter 6- The Capital Report
I can't believe the unimaginable love and support I get from you guys because of this story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, reviewing, favoriting, or following me or my story! I love you guys! So sorry that I'm actually terrible at updating.
Kim22- Thank you!
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Casey (aka guest3)- ilysm also this is hard, cahaia (that spelling is weird- I'm not used to it). You know I have stuff I'm doing (aka EoTM and Cali and vball) and I'M TRYING. Also happy birthday girly... [btw guys, Casey is my friend in real life. This is not how I talk to random strangers on the internet… *thumbsup*]
Maxericaaa- umm… I'll see what I can do?
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Kim22- Wait, you reviewed twice too! But thanks so much. It really means a lot!
***OK. So I have a pretty major plot hole issue I have to deal with for a second. In Chapter 4, Aspen was arrested for being a rebel. In Chapter 5, though, I wrote him as being in it and running into America. I considered just deleting the scene that Aspen comes back in, but I like it too much, so I'm not doing that. Basically, I'll figure out how to write in an explanation for that into this chapter (chapter 6)***
*All Rights to Kiera Cass*
Without further ado, Chapter 6: The Capital Report
Chapter 6- The Capital Report
Maxon knocked on my door before The Capital Report a few days later. Anne opened it and turned back to me. A smile danced on her lips. I smiled back.
"Good Evening, Anne." Maxon strolled into my bedroom. "Lady America." He nodded at me.
"Prince Maxon." I sank into a small curtsy. He shook his head, laughing. A voice in the back of my head was singing that I wouldn't be curtsying much longer. It was still strange to think that someday, people would be curtsying to me.
In the corner of my eye, I realized that my maids had started to leave the room. Maxon, noticing the movement, waved his hand quickly. "I just came to escort Lady America to The Report- no need to leave."
He held out his arm. "Shall we?"
I took it. "We shall."
We left my room and the guard at my door closed it quietly behind us. I turned to Maxon. "I meant to ask you the other day, but you confirmed the Elite and everything was so so busy and I forgot."
Maxon quirked an eyebrow. "Are you alright, darling?"
I took a deep breath. "Umm, I don't know."
He looked at me for a moment, worry clouding his eyes.
"Maxon, I ran into Aspen on Tuesday- the day you made the big elimination and the day after the attack." I said, "I thought he was in royal custody."
The prince beside me chuckled. His features lost all uncertainty on my behalf and his warm brown eyes softened. "Do you remember the day we saw Aspen in the hallway that first day? And you told me you loved me?"
I flashed a nervous smile. "How could I forget?"
Maxon's smile matched my own. "When you left the room that day, I found Officer Leger and we talked. I realized he's a good guy and wouldn't want you to hurt."
I snorted. Wasn't Aspen the one that broke my heart in the treehouse?
"Darling, without the work of Officer Leger, you would be dead. Kriss would have killed you. Because he saved the life," Maxon's mouth was inches from my ear. His breath was hot on my skin. "Of my darling Princess America, he was pardoned."
We had stopped walking. Maxon pulled back a step, my arm still clutching his. I gazed deeply into his eyes.
"I love you," I said.
Maxon smiled. "I love you too."
I'm sure that Maxon didn't just pardon Aspen because he thought he was a good person. Maxon pardoned him because he knew that I loved Aspen still, in one way or another. Aspen wasn't my boyfriend; he wouldn't ever have that title again. But if Aspen stays in my life, maybe he could be the older brother I never had. I would like that.
"How exactly did you convince your father to pardon Aspen?" I asked as we continued walking. Maxon made a face and a small laugh escaped my lips.
"Well, uh, you see," Maxon bit his lip, "This is not to be repeated, but I didn't. My father only knows of one insurgent in the palace." I gasped. "I briefed him myself after the whole episode. The guards know that if I brief him, no one else does."
Maxon shrugged.
We stood in front of the elevator that would bring us down to the Report. The doors slid open and we stepped inside. I spun quickly, pressing the button for the studio, several floors beneath us. The lift started its descent to the lower levels.
"I think that Gavril will be interviewing us tonight." Maxon's voice broke through the soft hum of the elevator. I smiled.
"This is my first report since Monday," I said after him. The words held many meanings. The attack was on Monday. I found out that Aspen and Kriss were rebels. I was almost killed. But Maxon also proposed on Monday. I became the next in line to become Princess- and later Queen- of Illéa.
"And it's the first Report as an Elite," Maxon said.
I nodded, opening my mouth to say something. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Maxon dropped my arm. I looked up at him, as he intertwined our hands and we strode out. King Clarkson and Queen Amberly were already seated on their thrones across the room. A few other girls were also already seated. Maxon raised my hand to his lips. He kissed my fingers quickly.
"I have to go. I'll see you tonight?" He released my hand and walked towards his parents.
My fingers were still tingling when I sat down next to Marlee a few moments later. She was unusually quiet and her face was pale. She had seemed so happy to be in the Elite. I wondered what was wrong. It wasn't long before walked Celeste walked in, caked in makeup and clothed in another one of her revealing dresses. She dropped into the chair next to me. Gavril followed soon after. Someone behind a camera and started to count down as the lights brightened. I glanced over at Maxon, smiling easily.
"Good Evening, Illéa," Gavril boomed, "Today we have a very special programming for you and we'll start it off with some announcements from our wonderful King Clarkson. Your Majesty, if you would." Gavril ushered for the king to step forward and then walked to the side of the room.
The king gave his announcements about the war and finance and various other things. I didn't pay much attention. My ears perked up towards the end of his speech, though.
"Finally," he said, "we would like to announce that the Royal Families from Italy, France, and Germany, will be joining us this upcoming week. We look forward to their visit and improving relations between our great nations. Thank you."
He stepped back and Gavril casually walked over to three chairs that were set up for the interviews. "Now, you see, since the last Report, we've had a few changes in the Selection. You might have noticed that there are now only six of our favorite Daughters of Illéa present with us. I think Prince Maxon would like to tell us a little about that. Your Highness?"
Maxon stood from his throne and walked to the chairs opposite Gavril. He settled into the one closer to the camera. "Thank you, Gavril. As you said before, we have a many fewer girls here in the Selection. You may have guessed, but I have determined my Elite."
"That's wonderful, Your Highness." Maxon nodded. "Now, you wouldn't mind if we got to know your Elite a little better, would you?"
Maxon smiled, nodding again. "Not at all."
Gavril glanced down at a card he held in his hand. "Lady Celeste Newsome of Clermont."
Celeste sauntered over to the chairs set up. I fought the urge to roll my eyes when she hugged Gavril before sitting down. I couldn't help but notice when Maxon inched away from her slightly. I smiled a little.
Her interview was in character. She leaned forward multiple times to show her generous cleavage. Celeste also tried to throw herself at Maxon several times. I took a deep breath before Gavril called, "Lady Tiny Lee from Dakota."
She walked up cautiously and sat down. Maxon gave her an encouraging smile. While Tiny didn't fold into herself as much, she was still shockingly quiet and her voice wavered a few times. I almost felt bad that she was so nervous.
Before I knew it, Tiny was sitting back in her seat next to Marlee and Elise was walking towards the chairs. Her interview flew by and before long, Marlee and Natalie had already gone and Gavril was calling my name.
I ambled over towards the chairs Maxon and Gavril sat in. My maids had put me in very tall heels and if I walked too fast, I was afraid I would topple over. My eyes tilted upwards for a moment when I was closer to the interview set up. I wobbled a little and tilted backward. I tried to right myself, but I could feel myself falling backward. Celeste no doubt had a smug smile on and I felt eyes piercing into my body. My own eyes squeezed shut.
Before I could hit the ground, warm hands caught my back. I look up and my eyes met familiar brown ones. He lifted me to my feet and guided me over to the chair. Maxon didn't let go of my hand when we both sat down.
"That was quite the tumble, Lady America," Gavril remarked when we had settled.
I laughed lightly, "Yes. It seems I'm still getting used to wearing heels."
Gavril chuckled, the audience behind the camera and the other Elite laughing delicately as well. He took a deep breath and his eyes lost all their laughter. It was evident what topic Gavril was planning on covering next. It seemed somewhat out of character. Didn't we usually downplay the attacks? But if there was anything he was good at, it was winning Illéa.
"Now, Lady America, I understand you had a bit of a scare during the rebel attack on Monday." I nodded slightly. "Would you like to tell us about it?"
I glanced up. My eyes met Maxon's and they seemed to tell me it was ok. His fingers tightened around my own. I took a deep breath
"Monday night, I was a bit dizzy and Prince Maxon was in my room, checking on me." He wasn't just checking on you, a small voice nagged in the back of my mind. "We were speaking when the rebel alarm went off."
My words were careful, measured. I wasn't sure what I could say. Maxon only told the king so much. King Clarkson only told the nation so much.
"We were going to the safe room when we heard-" I hesitated, glancing up at Maxon. He gave me a nod that I almost didn't see it. I swallowed hard before I continued.
"We heard one of the Selected talking in the hall. Prince Maxon and I thought that she and her compatriots had left and we started further down the hall to the safe room. However, when we were close to the safe room," I closed my eyes to mask the tears welling up in my eyes. Maxon started rubbing soothing circles on my back. My lungs felt short of breath- like they were collapsing. My fiancé started whispering comforting words beside me.
"She- She held me at gunpoint." The crowd around the studio gasped. I swallowed again, but my mouth remained dry and my lungs empty.
Maxon could see me struggling and took over. "Luckily, there were many guards nearby that took Miss Ambers into custody and saved Lady America's life."
I looked up at him gratefully.
Gavril cleared his throat. I snapped to attention. My cheeks flushed.
"We're all very happy that you are alright, Lady America. I'm sure that no one ever thought that Miss Ambers would sink to such a level. Onto a happier topic though, I see that you are still very comfortable with our Maxon, now aren't you?"
I laughed. My cheeks were no doubt an even brighter shade of pink. Every Report since my small blip, we've been interviewed- even if only for a second- and every time, without fail, Gavril had managed to slip it into the conversation.
"Oh give it up already, Gavril," Maxon said beside me, laughter in his words. "It's been what? Two or Three weeks?"
Maxon's hand was still sitting comfortably on my back.
"Oh yes, of course, Maxon." Gavril chuckled again, before looking expectantly at me. It took me a moment to remember he had asked me a question.
"Oh, umm, well- yes." I nodded. I seemed to do that a lot.
Gavril glanced back down at his notes. "You are now part of the Elite. What do you think about your chances of winning?"
"I've said this before and I'm sure you remember it so fondly considering how much you quote it, but I think that all the girls here are incredible women and they would all make an amazing queen. And also as I said before any of us would be incredibly lucky to marry Prince Maxon, myself included. I trust that Prince Maxon will follow his heart and wherever that leads him, I will be happy for him. He was always my friend before he was anything else, and if I don't end up winning the Selection, I hope we will remain friends. I know that this is still a competition and so I know that there is a possibility I might not win. Honestly, this is just a very long winded way of saying that you never know. Maybe the five will win and maybe the two will." Maxon squeezed my hand.
"Would you say that you love our Prince, Lady America?" Gavril asked, leaning forward slightly.
I blinked. Was he allowed to say that? "Um." I took a deep breath.
"Um, well, um, that is a very personal question, Gavril. Um." I ducked my head for a second. Was I really going to say this on national television? "You see, Gavril, I'm trying to decide if I should say this, because the next time I see my sister, May, she-" I laughed, recalling May's bright red hair and contagious smile. "She might just have my head for not telling her."
People echoed laughter throughout the studio.
"But to answer your question, I- I would say that, yes," I answered finally, leaning into Maxon's touch.
The look on Gavril's face actually scared me. Joy and traces of surprise were written all over his features. I swallowed hard. Dear lord, what was going to do with this information?
"Did Prince Maxon know that before you answered?" Gavril asked.
I glanced up at my fiancé. He looked as though he was having a hard time containing his laughter. I glared at him for a moment. "Thanks for the help," I muttered. Maxon clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from cackling. I resisted the urge to swat his arm and turned back to Gavril. I tilted my head marginally.
"You see Gavril, do you really think that I would have just said that on national television if I hadn't told him already?"
Maxon took it as an opportunity to jump in. "Well, America, I'm sure our dear Gavril Fadaye meant it as a perfectly innocent question. After all, you did call me Maxon, on national television. And because my dear America has some difficulty answering your questions in a straightforward manner, yes I have been aware of her feelings for some time now."
I tried not to make a face when he called me his dear. I was anything but his dear. Darling, yes, but dear? No.
"I see," Gavril said slowly. "I have a question for you as well, Your Highness. It seems that we've given poor Lady America all of the hard ones. I think we all remember Lady America called you the 'epitome of good?'" He turned to the live audience and they nodded forcefully. The applause was deafening. "It seems the country agrees, Prince Maxon. But I believe Illéa wants to know what you think of Lady America."
Maxon looked utterly unprepared for the question. Laughter bubbled up in my stomach. A smile spread across my face as I tried with every ounce of my willpower to stop myself from snickering. I had to look away to keep myself from bursting into a fit of giggles. A glance behind told me that Marlee was laughing just as hard as I wanted to. I glanced back to the man beside me just as he took a deep breath and cleared his throat.
"Lady America is kind and stubborn and smart and unlike any other woman in the Selection. She speaks her mind even when others would be too scared to do so and her perspective is also unique to her own mind because of her former caste. She is the kind of woman to bring her maids into the safe room during a rebel attack and to value her family over almost everything else. Lady America is brave and confident and even with all the words I've used to describe her, there really are no words that can fully sum up America Singer."
I smiled slightly as Maxon squeezed my hand.
"I think that's all the time we have for today. Lady America, always a pleasure!" Gavril stood from his chair.
Maxon and I followed quickly. Gavril came forward, pulling me into a quick hug before releasing me. I moved to leave, but Maxon held tight onto my hand. He pulled my hand to his lips and gave my fingers a small kiss. "I love you." I saw him murmur against my fingers. Our eyes met and I tried to tell him through my eyes, that I loved him too. I hoped he knew how deep my love for him was.
I walked back to the chair next to Marlee and sat as Maxon walked back to the throne next to Queen Amberly.
Ok Ok wait... Today is August 23. I promise I didn't forget. Happy Birthday to our favorite prince of Illea. Thanks for giving our girl a fighting chance (although I think we all could have done with a little less fighting). You're the best! Happy Birthday Maxon! (also hbd clary fairchild... ur pretty cool too).