Chapter 12- Affairs of State
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Without further ado… Chapter 12 Affairs of State
I clenched my palms together, careful to keep them off of the pale silver material of my dress as I walked. The shimmering fabric floated over the floor as I walked. The light caught on patches of my skirt, reflecting blues and purples. The dress was almost white, but it sparkled like it was sewn of stardust. Delicate pieces of silver lace inched around my bust and onto my arm to create a half sleeve.
The other Selected walked around me. They looked beautiful, all of them. Marlee's golden curls bounced as she chatted with the guard that escorted her. She looked happier than she had in weeks. I smiled to myself quietly. She would be okay-more than okay. Her gown was pale pink with large fabric roses adorning her neckline and cascading down the back of her train. Marlee was born to be a princess. She looked it, yes, but more importantly, she was loved. She had a smile that could light up the room and a contagious laugh, and a warmth in her eyes that always made me feel safe.
I tried to study the guard walking with her. His face was more serious, but the corners of his eyes and mouth tilted up as though smiling at her words. He walked like a guard, but the set of his shoulders was relaxed and comfortable. The cords of his neck stood out, as though he was tensed for an attack, but even then, there was something easy about him and Marlee that I couldn't quite identify.
I turned my head quickly to the guard beside me. Aspen walked stiffly. Even with Maxon's pardon, I wouldn't speak to him. I knew that Maxon made him escort me to events. I couldn't help but wonder if it was some form of sick punishment that Aspen had lost. But even as I thought it, I knew it wasn't true. Maxon was too good. And even if he wasn't some part of me whispered that Maxon trusted him to keep me safe. He trusted that Aspen loved me enough to protect me. I wished I still trusted Aspen like that myself. He had betrayed me and I hadn't forgotten it. I doubted I would.
My heart thudded. Tonight was important. Not only was the State Ball tonight broadcast to the country, but I had to impress the King. My marriage depended upon it. It seemed I couldn't pull myself out of my own head. Emilia had invited me for tea earlier. We had a pleasant conversation, but my mind kept wandering to the ball. Everything was at stake.
Aspen grabbed my arm, stopping me from crashing into Celeste. Lost in thought, I hadn't noticed that we had stopped moving. I bit my lip and stepped back. We formed a loose line in the order Silvia gave us earlier with threats of a tongue lashing if the herald accidentally announced the wrong member of the Elite because we didn't listen. I stood at the back of the line, wondering if Silvia's orders were some her own, or if they were another of Maxon's machinations.
The doors opened. A voice cut through the noise spilling out of the Great Hall. Marlee stepped out of the hall before a trail of roses. The other girls stepped forward. I swallowed hard. Before I realized it, I stood alone before the doors. I took a deep breath. Maxon told me that we would be entering just before him and his parents. The other royal parties would already be inside with the Illéan advisors and a few politically powerful Twos.
The doors swung open in front of me. People wandered aimlessly around the room. I spotted Marlee talking to the guard who escorted her earlier. I smiled.
A voice boomed in my ear. "Lady America Singer of Carolina." The crowd glanced up. Some returned to their conversations, but I felt eyes lingering on me as I hurried towards the corner of the room. The orchestra played a tune I knew well. It was an easy waltz, slow and steady, but with variations on the harmonies in the strings. I used to get requests for it at every fancy Two party I played at. Couples floated over the dance floor like the ballerinas in the music boxes Dad used to tell me about. It was beautiful.
The herald at the door banged something twice. Heads snapped up. King Clarkson stood at the head of the staircase with Queen Amberly's hand curled around his arm. I spotted Maxon's blond head behind them. The herald banged his staff again.
"Announcing His Majesty King Clarkson of Illéa, Her Majesty Queen Amberly of Illéa and His Royal Highness Prince Maxon of Illéa."
They descended down the staircase with all the dignity and grace befitting of the Royal Family of Illéa. The King and Queen reached the bottom of the stairs and walked to their thrones below the center window of the Great Hall. A ripple of curtsies and bows followed them. Maxon stopped around three-quarters of the way down the staircase, his eyes searching through the crowd. I straightened from my curtsy, turning towards a maid with a tray of hors d'oeuvres. I whispered my thanks, turning back to look at the King and Queen. I had expected one of them to welcome their guests to the ball and make some comments about continuing trade and good relations with our fellow countries. To my surprise, they stayed seated. I glanced back at Maxon, who was still standing on the staircase. By now, most of the crowd had come to the same realization as me: Maxon's would be the first words spoken. The orchestra quieted from their corner to my left. His eyes had stopped searching, but when I looked, I realized that he was staring at me. My cheeks warmed. My fingers wandered to the diamonds dangling from my ears. He smiled and nodded imperceptibly.
"Good evening and welcome to our home. I hope you find it to your liking." Chuckles rumbled through the room. As if it wouldn't be to anyone's liking. It was beautiful. A shock went through my body as I realized that I once didn't like the Palace. A beautiful cage, I called it. I realized that it wasn't a cage anymore. Quite the contrary, the Palace felt more and more like home as the days went by. Part of me wondered whether it was the Palace that I grew to love or if it was just the person on the stairs who became my home.
Maxon's eyes flicked around the Great Hall as he spoke. There was something about his voice that always made me feel like he was speaking just to me. A group of cameras turned to me. I tried to ignore them and focus on Maxon. He wasn't looking at me anymore. Instead, his eyes were fixed on his parents.
"My parents and I are thrilled to have had you here for the past week and get the chance to introduce you to the lovely Selected. I know with the utmost certainty that one of them will make an amazing Queen one day. I hope that you agree."
I blushed, looking at my hands folded at my waist. Did he really believe that? I glanced back up to Maxon. His gaze met mine across the room. Yes, America. You will be wonderful.
I bit my lip, trying to hold back a smile. Maxon continued.
"I have known many of you in this room since I was a child. To Princess Nicoletta, Princess Daphne, and Princess Emilia, we grew up together and I anticipate many more years of friendship between our nations. We are the next generation of monarchy in the world. I trust our reigns will be peaceful and prosperous. So let us raise a glass."
I hadn't noticed maids circulating the room with thin-stemmed champagne flutes. A maid extended one in my direction. I took it graciously.
Maxon's voice boomed through the Great Hall. "To honoring the past and remaking the future and friendship that endures it all."
I raised my glass to him.
"Cheers, America!" Marlee said next to me. I jumped, but a smile broke onto my face.
"I didn't realize you were there," I laughed. She tipped her glass towards mine. I followed in kind. "Cheers! You look beautiful, Marlee!"
"And you look like a queen, America." I glanced down at my dress, long red curls coming to frame my face. Maybe I did. My girls evidently tried to dip me in diamonds. Lucy even placed small diamond clips in the braid she wove across the crown of my head. She leaned toward me. "I wasn't the only one that thinks so. Don't think I didn't notice Maxon watching you during his entire speech."
Warmth flooded my cheeks. I was sure I looked as red as my hair. I looked up at her, stepping closer. "I wasn't the only one being watched…"
She froze, all of the color leaving her face. "I don't know what you're talking about." She spoke automatically. Marlee raised her glass to her lips shakily.
I nodded slowly. "You need to tell Maxon."
She shook her head. "I can't, Ames. He would send me home and I can't go home. Not yet. Not now."
"Marlee." I swallowed hard. "You tell him… or I will."
Marlee froze again. She turned to leave, but I grabbed her arm.
"He won't be mad. I promise." I hoped my promises were valid. "But you need to tell him yourself."
"Okay." Her voice shook. She moved to go and this time I didn't stop her.
I spotted Maxon's blond head across the dance floor. I took a step forward to meet him, but he turned and extended his hand to Elise. I bit my lip. It was okay. He had to dance with the other girls or it would look like he had already chosen. He has.
"May I have this dance, Lady America?" I started. I followed the proffered hand to find his eyes. It was Marlee's guard. All of our escorts and several other guards wore their dress uniforms and were invited to dance. I smiled at him, taking his hand.
"I would love to," I studied his uniform, looking for the name stitched on his breast. "Officer Woodwork. Though I must confess, I am not a very good dancer."
"I don't mind." He said, leaning towards me, "I can't say I am a very good dancer myself."
I laughed, allowing him to guide me towards the couples gliding across the floor. It was a waltz. I counted the time in my head as we stepped. 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2-
"Have you enjoyed your time at the palace, Lady America?" Officer Woodwork's voice cut through my thoughts. I stepped on his toe.
"I'm so sorry, Officer Woodwork." I tried to find my way back to the count. "As I said, I'm not the best dancer. What did you say?"
Officer Woodwork laughed. "Oh please, call me Carter. I asked if you like being at the Palace?"
"Oh." I paused. "Well, first, if I call you Carter, then you must call me America. And… actually yes. I never thought I would like it, but it has grown on me. Do you?"
"It has its moments, America." His eyes faded a little as if going out of focus. My own eyes caught on golden curls before the music swept us away. I bit my lip. She could get in a lot of trouble with this. The song ended before I realized it. Carter bowed in front of me. I dipped into what I hoped was a graceful curtsy.
"It was nice to meet you, Carter." I tried to sound warm, but ice leaked into my tone. If he and Marlee were to each other what I thought they were… I swallowed hard. I didn't want my best friend to be hurt like that.
"I hope to see you again soon, Lady America." Carter said stiffly, looking over my shoulder. My brow furrowed. I opened my mouth to protest. He had just called me America. A cold finger tapped the top of my shoulder.
I turned slowly, to meet King Clarkson's eyes. I fell into a curtsy immediately. "Your Majesty," I murmured, trying to sound as much like Queen Amberly as possible. I kept my head bowed slightly as if in reverence when I came up from my curtsy.
"May I?" He said, extending his hand. I must have looked confused because he continued. "It seems that you are in need of a dance partner."
"I would be honored, Your Majesty." I took his hand with not a little apprehension. Within seconds, I wished I had conjured some excuse. But who was I to deny the King? Especially when the entire plan was to get him to like me. Not that dancing was exactly the best way to do that.
His grip on my hand and my back were firm, but not oppressive. I could easily slip away if I needed to. I silently found the downbeat and counted the steps in my head. My feet glided over the floor with a grace I didn't think possible. My mind scrambled for something to say. Despite the music, the silence between us was deafening.
"I just spoke with King Lorenzo." King Clarkson broke the silence. He paused as if looking for a reaction from me. "It seems the Italians are rather impressed by you."
"That's very kind of them." I said evenly. He would get no reaction from me. He wouldn't get the satisfaction of knowing what I knew.
"I have to admit, they were not alone." His face twisted slightly. "You and Lady Marlee did a fair job planning your reception.
A wave of relief flooded over me. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"But, you are not a good choice." His voice twisted to match his face. "You will not marry my son. I can guarantee that to you."
I swallowed hard. "I see. Are you-"
Someone across the room screamed. A gunshot echoed through the hall. The room fell to the ground. King Clarkson remained standing, shouting orders at the guards posted along the walls. A group of them dragged Maxon out of the room. He was shouting something, but I couldn't hear what amidst the screams. I turned back to King Clarkson. I was still close enough to hear him. He refused to leave the room, yelling at the guards to bring Queen Amberly and the guests to safety. A man ran into the room, shooting randomly. A window shattered and the women still in the room shrieked. King Clarkson marched back to me.
"Get down! Go to the safe room! Now!" He grabbed my arm, trying to force me towards the door leading to the safe room. He pushed me away and turned back towards the melee. I turned, my eyes searching for the man with the gun.
He had caught sight of the crown glittering on the King's head now. He raised his gun, aiming it just below the golden circle. "No!" The scream ripped from my throat before I realized it. My hands danced across silk. A blinding pain ripped through my chest. The ground was cold under me. I was distantly aware of something wet and sticky sliding down my chest and strong arms picking me up and running. Suddenly I was lying down. Someone was shouting. It was loud and frantic, almost begging. A hand gripped mine squeezing tight. I smiled softly before everything faded to darkness.