Chapter 7- Dinner Dates

KMlovesreading-Thanks! I really loved writing this one.

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Virtue01- Thank you so much! Honestly, this whole thing is just fluff I make up as I go lol…

Kim22- YOU are AMAZING! Thanks for reviewing again!

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*Woah. My last update was on Maxon's birthday (August 23 {also ik ur bday is then too cahaia}). It's been a while. I know this is late. I know most of you have probably forgotten this fanfic story even existed. Either that or that this is one of my usual crazy uploading time periods (ik I'm bad at this on a regular basis). But I'm not making excuses. I suffered from a severe concussion in September that left me out of school for weeks and so I wasn't on the computer because of a legitimate health concern and then I had an insane amount of work to make up for school. Since then, I got caught up in the business of high school and the fact that I'm writing my own book apart from this. Please know that I plan to continue with this story so long as you continue to read it. Thank you for your continued support of this story. It means so much to me! Thank you! Here's an extra long chapter for the wait. Happy New Year!*

*All Rights to Kiera Cass*

Without further ado, Chapter 7: Dinner Dates

"Now girls, I'm sure you all heard King Clarkson's announcement on Friday about the Royal Visit next week," Sylvia said pacing around the Great Room, Monday morning. "As there are six of you and three countries will be visiting us next week, you will work in pairs to create the reception for one of the three visiting countries. I've selected the partners and the countries you will be working to welcome with the help of Queen Amberly." She took a thick pile of papers from the table next to her and walked toward us, sectioning out smaller stapled piles for each of us.

"Lady Celeste and Lady Elise will be hosting the reception for the German Federation," Sylvia said, plopping a fat stack of papers in front of the two girls.

"Lady Natalie and Lady Tiny will host the reception for France." There was another plop of papers.

"And that leaves Lady America and Lady Marlee to host Italy." Sylvia dropped another fat stack of papers in front of us.

"You should be able to find all the information you need to plan your receptions in the papers I have provided you. Planning receptions for important events and visiting countries is one of the Queen's most important duties. This is a very important test for you and I'm sure Prince Maxon will weigh this heavily when making his choice."

I smiled at her words, knowing that Maxon couldn't have cared less when he made his decision.

The was a small knock on the door. "Come in," Sylvia called. A young maid entered the room, a small slip of paper in her hands. She handed the note to Sylvia and then exited quickly. Sylvia read it quickly. She shook her head slightly, but a smile danced on her lips. Sylvia looked up. Her eyes carefully gazed at each of the girls, finally settling on me. "It would seem, Lady America, that you are wanted outside."

I ducked my head, slowly walking to the door, pausing before I left to dip into a small curtsey. A guard stationed near the threshold, reached over and grasped the doorknob, slowly opening the door for me. I bobbed my head once in thanks and exited the room.

He was seated on one of the cushioned benches lining the walls of the palace, quietly tapping his foot on the floor. I smiled at him. He was obviously deep in thought, thoroughly entranced in his own mind. So much so that he didn't hear my approach.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked him, sitting down beside him.

He grabbed my hand, a goofy smile appearing on his face, "Why, you, of course, darling."

I laughed and moved closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder.

We sat quietly for a few moments before I asked, "What was so urgent, that you took me out of Sylvia's lessons? I swear she's going to hate us by the end of this."

Maxon smiled, "I believe I recall you once told me that you are all here on my schedule. So I decided now was a good time for me." He laughed at his own joke. I remained silent but smiling. "I wanted to ask if you would have dinner with me tonight."

I glanced up, "Maxon, I have dinner with you every night."

He scowled, "You know what I meant."

I flashed Maxon another quick smile. "Yes, I did know what you meant. And I would be delighted."

He leaped up, pulling me to stand next to him. "Great. I'll come get you from your room at," Maxon glanced at his wristwatch, "let's say seven."

He kissed my forehead, before turning to leave. "Now's not actually very good for me."

I looked at him, my brow furrowing. "I thought you said this was a good time for you."

"I lied." He said, "Father will have my head for being late to the budget meeting I have right now." He walked a few steps away before turning back to face me.

"I love you." He said and spun on his heel. Once he was halfway down the corridor, he started into a jog down the hall. "Don't tell my mother I'm running!" Maxon shouted down the passageway.

I just laughed, turning back towards to give the guards an exasperated look. They matched my look, and I waltzed back into the Great Room with a smile on my face.

The other girls were sitting in pairs, hunched over the papers Sylvia had handed out. They all looked up when the door clicked shut. I scurried over to where Marlee sat alone and sank into the chair next to my friend. She looked up, her gaze pointed. "What did Maxon want?"

I smacked her arm slightly, smiling. "Nothing."

Marlee's smile grew. "Oh please! I know you, America, and you don't smile like that for anyone but him. And for who else would Sylvia let you leave her lessons?"

I glared at her for a moment before a laugh tumbled out of my mouth. "We might be having dinner together tonight?"

Marlee laughed too. "And by might be, you mean you're definitely having dinner together tonight, right?"

I nodded, smiling again.

Across the room, Sylvia cleared her throat. We looked up to find Sylvia's pointed glare trained on us. "We should be working ladies. You can gossip later."

My cheeks heated and I ducked my head quickly. Celeste snickered.

I turned to Marlee again. "Have you decided what you wanted to do?"

"I think so…" She said, "I figured you would want to do the music and that you might know some people?" I nodded. I didn't really know people but I could handle the music easily.

"And you love the food so much that it seemed you would like doing that too."

I smiled, nodding again. "You know me too well. What did you want to do?"

"I thought I could do the decorating. I would need your input, of course, but I've always liked that kind of thing."

"We could work on the seating charts together then," I said, "and we can always ask Maxon if we need help."

Marlee nodded.

We didn't move from our spots working until late in the afternoon. Marlee had more than one maid bring her various fabric swatches to reference while I meticulously combed through pages and pages of Italian food and music. Both of the other groups had filtered out around 11:00 to get ready for lunch. A maid approached us around noon bearing plates of food for us.

A clock bonged six times somewhere behind us. I jumped slightly. Marlee met my eyes and we started piling our papers, pictures, and fabrics together. I clutched my packet of papers close to my chest.

"I'm not going to have enough time!" I said, remembering my dinner date with Maxon tonight. "I'll see you tomorrow, Marlee." I didn't wait for her answering nod before rushing from the room, hoping my research wasn't being scattered across the palace halls.

I blew past the guard stationed at my door and burst into my room. "I'm having dinner with Maxon tonight. He's coming at seven."

Mary, Lucy, and Anne snapped to attention. Lucy took my files for the royal visit. Mary dragged me to the vanity and began taking off my cosmetics from this morning. Anne rushed to my wardrobe. After she put my papers on the desk in the corner, Lucy hurried over to where Mary was applying new makeup and started doing my hair. Her deft fingers slid through my hair until it was in an elegant braided updo.

Anne walked over carrying a garment bag. I stood and strode behind my dressing screen.

Suddenly the world went dark as a blindfold was placed over my eyes. I scrunched my nose in protest, stopped when they slid the silky dress onto my body. One of my maids untied the blindfold from my eyes, careful not to smudge my light makeup. I walked to the full-length mirror. The dress was gorgeous. It had three-quarter sleeves and made of white silk that clung to my curves before flowing to the floor. One of the girls had clearly sewn the golden lace by hand. It was times like that that I couldn't help but to be in awe of them. I smiled, turning to embrace each of them.

"Thank you so much. I don't know what I would do without you." I said.

The knock on the door came with the chime the clock on the wall. Right on time. Lucy walked to the door and opened it. Maxon stood in the doorway.

"Good Evening, Lucy. Anne. Mary." Maxon said, nodding at each one of them in turn.

They blushed, smiling, before curtseying in unison.

"Good evening, Your Highness," Anne said. Maxon nodded and walked to me, taking my hand in his and guiding me to the door. We had almost stepped out of the room when I turned, remembering the habits of my friends.

"Thank you for everything, girls. You don't have to wait for me. I can get myself ready for bed tonight. Get some rest." I said, smiling before Maxon pulled on my hand again and I walked out of my door.

He pulled me close, placing his hand on the small of my back. "I love you," he whispered into my ear.

"I love you too," I said, laughing.

"You're so good to them." He said, "No one else in The Selection is as good to their maids as you are."

My smile dimmed. "I just understand what it's like to be in the lower castes."

Maxon stopped walking, turning to face me. His hand cupped my cheek and he pressed a chaste kiss to my forehead. "No, it's because you are good. You are so good, America- don't ever forget that."

I smiled at him quietly. "I love you."

He smiled back at me. "I love you too," he whispered, breaking into a run, still clutching my hand. I jerked forward with his sudden movement- almost falling over. He stopped short and waited for me to walk to where he stood only a few feet in front of me.

I crept forward cautiously on dangerously high heels my maids had put me into only minutes away and without Maxon's strong arm and comforting presence behind me, I teetered more and more with every step.

Maxon stood patiently, for a few hesitant steps before striding back to me. He placed a hand under my knees and another hand on my back and swept me up into his arms like a bride. I laughed. Soon enough, I would be his bride.

He carried me until we reached the hallway where the royals rooms were. There, he set me back on my feet but kept his hand on the small of my back.

When we finally made it to his room, he opened the door and led me inside. It was massive. The bed could have fit the whole army. On one wall, Maxon had a collection of rifles and a china cabinet of cameras. The door to his bathroom was open and I blushed slightly at the thought. I turned my head back towards the door and my eyes caught on the large collage of pictures posted on Maxon's wall. I smiled when I saw my bright red hair plastered in multiple places. There were pictures from my first report- laughing with Marlee, one of me standing on my balcony at night, and the picture of me from the day the royals from Swendway came.

"Maxon. These are beautiful!" I said, turning to face him again.

He smiled. "It's easy when you have such a beautiful model."

I smacked his chest playfully, a smile matching his grew on my face. Maxon took my hand and led me to a small table that had been set up near his balcony. He pulled out a chair for me and I sat down. Maxon walked to the other chair set up and sat as well.

We had barely been sitting for a minute when people came rushing in with trays of food that they set in front of us. Steam rose from the dishes. A wonderful smell floated to my nose. I sighed quietly. Maxon laughed slightly at the sight, reaching a hand across the table to grasp my fingers. I picked up my fork with the other and dug in. Maxon did the same and soon the only sound filling the room was a comfortable silence punctuated by forks and knives scraping against the plates and the crickets chirped outside the open balcony door.

After we had finished dinner without many words, Maxon squeezed my hand and stood, dragging me along behind him. I laughed.

"Where are we going?" I asked, smiling.

"I have a surprise for you…" Maxon replied cryptically.

I rolled my eyes but followed him nonetheless. We walked across his room to another door, where Maxon turned and looked at me. "Close your eyes- and keep them closed."

Mocking, I sighed loudly before saying, "fine…" and shutting them tightly.

The door creaked open and Maxon took my hand again, leading me into another room. He stopped a few steps later. Maxon released my hand again.

"You can open your eyes," he said.

We were standing in a room as big as Maxon's. It could have easily fit my entire house from Carolina- maybe twice. I spun around to take it all in. It was set up like Maxon's room, yet the room was decorated in robin's egg blue, yellow, and light grey. Where Maxon's room was filled with dark stained wood and fabrics and the room we were standing in was almost the opposite with white painted furniture and vivid colors.

"Maxon, it's beautiful," I said, still amazed at it all.

"I'm glad you like it." He said, "We wouldn't want our princess to dislike her own bedroom. Though we could easily change it if you wish."

I turned to face him. "This is the Princess Suite? You did this for me? Maxon, I don't- I just- thank you. No one has ever done anything like this for me before."

Maxon smiled, clearing relieved that I liked it. "Of course darling, anything for you."

He walked towards me and took my hand. Kissing my forehead quickly, Maxon pulled me back towards his room.

"While we're on the topic of my recent successes," Maxon smiled, "what do you think of your assignment for the royal reception?"

I stopped, looking towards my fiancé. My eyebrows rose. "I knew that being with Marlee was too good to be true… Especially when Celeste was partnered with Elise. If that was you, love, it was slightly evil. Poor Elise is probably dying."

"Alas, I serve only my princess," Maxon said dramatically, bowing to me.

I laughed. "And while I understand why Marlee is my partner, why Italy?"

"It's all very complicated, and yet also very simple. I need you to shine for my Father's benefit. He still needs some convincing that I should marry a five."

I bowed my head at that comment, finding the grain of the floorboards very interesting. Maxon lifted my head lightly, "Hey, hey," he said, his tone dripping with adoration and slight distress, "I said he needs a bit of convincing- not me. We're getting married, darling. I promise."

I smiled slightly at his words.

"Anyways, the Germans are much too severe and the receptions we have for them are always so dreadfully boring that it would be impossible for anyone to shine in those circumstances. The French would be fine if it weren't for Daphne. She's the princess there- a childhood friend- but before my Selection, she told me she loved me. She would hate you simply because I adore you. I'd rather not have her be unnecessarily difficult for you, so the French are out. That leaves Italy and the Italians I'm sure will love you. Princess Nicoletta is a strong proponent for the poor and you my dear, are the representation of the lower castes of Illéa. And I'm sure it's no secret that the Italians love to party."

I smiled at all of the thought and effort Maxon had so clearing put in to ensure my success. I loved him more than I would have thought was even possible a few months ago when Aspen broke up with me. It's strange how life works. How someone I thought I could never even like would become my favorite person in the whole wide world.