The next few days were painful. I didn't talk to Maxon at all. I slept in a separate room and took all of my work elsewhere. Since I made Marlee my Lady in Waiting, she was with me all the time, even more than usual these few days. I was absolutely pissed at Maxon. I didn't want him to risk his life in New Asia. I didn't want him to die and leave me alone with this country.

After three days, Maxon left. He tried to come and say goodbye to me but I refused to see him. I hid in a library reading a book. I sat in the cushioned windowsill staring at the garden. All I could think about was the fact that my last possible discussion with my husband was an argument. Imagine if that was the last thing he remembered as he died there. I cried. I loved him, and all I did was ignore him. I can't believe myself. I pulled myself together and began to walk to the meeting room to speak to the advisors.

I walked in and they all bowed to me as I took my seat at the head of the table.

One of the advisors, Owen, cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, King Maxon landed safely in New Asia yesterday and is working out a deal with the king and queen there. For now, we need to go over a few things with budgeting in the provinces."

I tried my hardest not to groan. I hated talking about budgets. I picked up the folder that Aspen placed in front of me and I mumbled a thanks as I opened it. I frowned instantly. "There's no way. We can't cut the food programs. People depend on them, they have a safety in knowing they get a full meal once a week."

"Your Majesty," Palser interjected, "we simply do not have the funds. While it would do our country good, we cannot go into debt. We know what happened to the States the last time that happened."

A wave of understandment circled around the room. Some advisors looked deep in thought while others looke at me or Palser while nodding their heads. I sighed. I cared about my people. Protecting them was my main duty as their queen.

"We cannot stop feeding them. When Maxon comes back from New Asia we will discuss where to get the funds from. Until then, the public kitchens will remain open for the people." A few people started to speak against me. "We will figure it out! He will be back soon so until then you do as I tell you to." I sighed while everyone else quoted down. The meeting went on for a little bit after that. I didn't look at a clock until I yawned. It was 10 p.m. I have never been in a meeting this long. I adjourned the meeting and went to my bedroom whee I soaked in a tub before tucking myself into bed.

A wave of sadness came over me. Across the world, my husband would be waking up. I started crying. Why did I push him away like that? I knew he had to go and that protesting would do nothing, so why did I still do it? I wanted to pick up the phone and call him. I would have to wait. I cried for a while longer before I finally succumbed to sleep.

The next couple days went by fine. I took multiple walks outside in the warm Angeles air, had more meetings, and read multiple books. I tried to distract myself from thinking about Maxon. I heard reports about his safety multiple times, but I didn't pay too much attention. As I was playing piano in a parlor one day, I felt someone sitting down next to me. I looked up just enough to make out the lines of Maxons face. I leaned into his body and started crying.

"Maxon, I'm so sorry. Could you ever forgive me? I don't want to fight with you. I miss you so much. I don't want to be alone" I kept mumbling apologies as Maxon just sat and stroked my hair.

"Darling, you don't have to worry about anything. I had to go, I hated being away from you but now I think I don't have to go for a while. The trip went smoothly but it's nothing that can't wait. We'll have a meeting in the morning with the advisors, but until then, let's have a date night."

I looked up and smiled. There was a reason I married this man. "I bet you that I'll beat you to the movie theatre."

"We'll, if you win then I get to pick out the movie." Maxon countered me.

I sighed and weighed my decisions. Then, I took off suddenly, running surprisingly fast in heels, down to the theatre. Maxon picked an action movie that had a lot of fights but I didn't care. I was just happy to be in the strong arms of my husband again. We didn't pay much attention to the movie anyway from how much we were talking and kissing. I know we will fight again, but for now I'm happy.

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A/N

Hey guys! Thanks for reading if you got this far. Sorry for the late update, school is hectic in a pandemic. I'm gonna probably do a small time jump in the next chapter. anyways, leave a review and like please! (also feel free to PM me, I'm antisocial so I need more friends lmao)