A/N: Hi. I love this chapter with my entire soul. That is all.

I make my way up to my room after dinner. I tugged my ear, and Maxon had agreed, but said it would have to be in the morning after breakfast. Which means I'll be talking to Aspen first, I guess. It's probably better that way. I see Aspen outside my door and I shudder, thinking of the conversation we will be having very shortly. As I pass him to go through the door he's opened for me, I whisper "After they leave," knowing he'll understand that I want to talk to him after I dismiss my maids. He nods, and I close the door behind me.

"Will you be getting ready for bed, miss?" Anne asks after a short curtsy.

"Yes," I say. "I'll be turning in early tonight."

"Yes, miss," Mary says, going into my closet to bring out a soft nightgown.

I let them brush out my hair and rub lotion into my hands and arms while I mull over what I'll say to Aspen.

All too soon, they turn back the covers and help me into my robe. "Thank you girls, this is perfect. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, miss," Lucy says cheerfully, and they all leave me in the silence to wander around the room.

Until, that is, Aspen comes in, leaving the door open.

"Are you crazy?" I hiss. "Close the door!"

"No, I thought about it!" he objects. "This way, if someone comes through, I can just say that I heard something so I was checking on you."

"I suppose," I say, chewing on my lip. I guess it is better than being found behind a closed door. "I, um, need to tell you something."

Aspen immediately frowns and seems on edge. "So you've chosen?"

I nod slowly. "I'm so sorry, Aspen. But it's… not you."

"So you've sold out? You'd rather have your cozy palace where you can help your family, and that's it, and ignore everyone else? I thought you were better than that."

"Aspen, the fact that you'd even say that is half the reason that I'm not choosing you. Not that it's any of your business, but I'm not even sure that I'll choose Maxon either. But I know you have pressured me and thought the worst of me and you broke me, Aspen. You can't fix it, because there's nothing to fix. I am whole, and I am not yours. I will always love you, but not like before. Whether you choose to avoid me or not is your choice, but I hope we can stay friends," I say, softening my voice at the end.

Aspen sighs heavily. "Yeah, whatever. I guess from now on, I'm just a guard and you're just one of the Elite."

"I wish things could be different," I whisper.

"Don't we all. Goodnight, Lady America." Aspen bows, and shuts the door firmly behind him.

~PtG~

I wake up early the next morning, too excited to sleep in. I can't do much but wait for a more reasonable time to call Anne, Mary, and Lucy. I read a bit of a book, try to sleep more, and explore in my closet. There are some seriously beautiful dresses in there, but I don't know when I'll find time to wear them all.

The girls come up soon after I ring for them, and I try to take a little more care with my appearance than normal. A light blue day dress, mainly lace, a little off my shoulders, and nude-colored flats. We decided to leave my hair down, 'framing my face' apparently. I feel like myself, just dressed up, which is nice.

I try to play the violin to pass the time until breakfast, but I'm out of practice and it cuts my fingertips, which makes me frown. I should practice more, if only to keep my calluses. Those will be awful to rebuild later.

Finally, after fussing with everything around my room, it's time for breakfast. I try not to race downstairs, but I still move faster than Silvia would like me to. I curtsy to the royal family at the head of the table, and move to my seat. Thankfully, Kriss and Elise have arrived already, so I am just on time. I sit as gracefully as a can, trying to catch Maxon's eye, but he's reading a newspaper. Celeste and Natalie come in just a minute or two after me, and we are all served. We all chat like normal, Maxon joining in occasionally and even Queen Amberly makes a comment here and there. The King sits silently, reading files and newspapers, also as usual. I keep trying to casually catch Maxon's attention, but it never happens. He's not ignoring me, but there's definitely no hint that he remembers that I want to speak with him. After he finishes eating, he kisses his mother and pats his father on the back. He doesn't appear to give us a second thought after wishing us a good day, but I see him tug his ear as the guards open the door for him.

I can't hide my grin very well as all of us excuse ourselves, so Marlee catches me.

"What might you be so thrilled about?" she teases.

"Just the Halloween party," I fib. "I am so excited to see my parents again." I'm not lying...

Celeste rolls her eyes. "I don't understand how you could be so excited to see them. You're living in the palace, that has to be seven steps up from whatever shack you were living in before."

I'm not really sure how to respond to that, and I also see Maxon lurking just outside the door to the gardens, so I just smile, and tell Marlee I'll see her later before hurrying off.

"Hello, my dear," Maxon grins. I roll my eyes, and pinch the hand he's holding out to me. I still take it though. He feigns being hurt, and we both laugh as we stroll through the lush greenery together.

"Did you have something specific to tell me, or did you just miss me?" Maxon asks me, trying to seem important.

I bite my lip, suddenly nervous. "I have questions," I finally say. "About what choosing you means."

Maxon suddenly turns serious, leading us towards our bench and sitting close to me. "Ask away then."

"What does being queen mean? I know we're being trained for things, but it seems like we're just being trained to look pretty and throw parties." I flush, realizing that was rude. "Not that I think that's all Queen Amberly does, I know she's important-"

"America," Maxon says firmly, but he's smiling. "Calm down. You're not going to offend me. That's complicated. It's true, the queens of our country have historically not held much power. But, that was what their King wanted. In Illéa, the hereditary monarch holds all the power, thus far the Kings, so essentially, you'd be what I want you to be," he answers.

"If you're expecting me to somehow magically become a delicate little princess to give you heirs and smile at you, you are delusional, Maxon Schreave."

Maxon throws his head back with a loud laugh, his embarrassing one. "Yes, darling, I think I would be. No, I am by no means expecting a doll. I want you to be what you want you to be. Yes, in some cases we would have to make concessions to our public image, but when we're in the palace, it couldn't matter less. I want a partner, someone to make me a better King than I could be on my own, someone to push me and help me, and who will get involved. I don't want to feel alone in my family, as I'm sure my father does. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, actually," I smile, looking away. "But do you think I could do it?"

"Oh, love, you'd be fantastic. I know it's hard to see. I know that it takes faith. But I need you to trust me," he says sincerely, placing a gentle finger under my chin to make me look at him. I blink back a few tears, but of course he notices and wipes them away. "You already push me. You help me see what the people really need. I have such a rose-colored view of the world. I know people are suffering, but you make me feel how urgently they need help. You'll have all these crazy ideas, and I'll just be along for the ride." Maxon says all of this simply, as if it is a fact.

I try to pull away, to think for a moment, but Maxon won't let me. He continues, "It's hard. But we will get through it."

"Are you sure, though?" I blurt out hurriedly. "It's just that you've been spending so much time with everyone else lately, I thought maybe you decided I'm not worth the trouble and you were trying to find someone else-"

"What?" he says, astonished. "I thought you knew, America, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-I was trying to give any of them a fighting chance. From the beginning, you've been the only one for me, and the thought of losing you, well, I knew it would be over for me, but I needed someone to give to the country, that maybe I could get along with."

"So, it's just me?" I ask hesitantly. "You're sure?"

"My darling, if you're sure, I'm sure. We will have a family, and we will make this country a better place, and we will be the two happiest people in the world."

I laugh. "My dad used to complain about us leaving peanut butter fingerprints on his art supplies. Are you sure you want that?"

"I will be overjoyed when I see peanut butter fingerprints on any and all state documents," Maxon says, as a matter of fact. "But, my dear, we have to be together for any of that to happen. Do you want that?"

"Almost as badly as I want you to stop calling me 'your dear'," I mutter.

"Never," he says, his gaze too stern for him to be serious. I grin. "I will call you 'my dear' at least once a week in memorial to our first meeting," he jokes pompously.

"Well, I suppose that's the end of this conversation," I say, standing and making for the doors back into the palace.

"Oh it most certainly is not," Maxon says, pulling me back into his embrace. "I don't want to rush you, I want to give you all the time you need-"

I level my gaze at him, fully aware of the gravity of what I am about to say. "And I love you for that, but I don't need any more time."

"Oh," he says, barely louder than a whisper. "So that's it, being queen is too- wait, what?"

"Maxon," I whisper, winding my arms around his neck, standing up on my tiptoes. My voice is so soft it is hardly a breath. "I love you."

Maxon gasps, tightening his arms around me and spinning me around. I laugh, much more loudly than I should. But I am so happy.

He looks down at me like I hung the moon for him, cupping my face with one hand, the other still on my waist. "America Singer. Hell if I don't love you too."

He kisses me softly, and my world couldn't be any more perfect.

~PtG~

I stand in line that afternoon with the other girls in the massive foyer of the palace, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

"Lady America," Silvia whispers, and that is all it takes to know I am behaving in an unacceptable way. As our main tutor for the Selection, she takes our actions quite personally.

I try to still myself. I envy Silvia and the staff and the handful of guards who are moving around the space if only for the fact that they are allowed to walk. If I could do the same, I know I'd feel much calmer.

Maybe if Maxon were here already it wouldn't be so bad. Then again, maybe it would make me more anxious. We still have to hide most of our relationship from everybody.

"They're here!" I hear through the palace doors. I'm not the only one who makes sounds of delight.

"All right, ladies!" Silvia calls. "Best behavior! Butlers and maids against the wall, please."

We try to be the lovely, regal young women Silvia wants us to be, but the second Kriss' and Marlee's parents make it through the doorway, it all falls apart. I know that both girls are only children, and it is obvious their parents missed them too much to bother with decorum. They run in screaming, and Marlee dashes out of the line without so much as a pause.

Celeste's parents are more put together, though they clearly are thrilled to see their daughter. She breaks rank as well, but in a much more civilized way than Marlee. I don't even register Natalie's or Elise's parents, because a short figure with wild red hair blazes around the open door, her eyes searching.

"May!"

She hears my call and sees my waving arm and races to me, Mom and Dad following her lead. I kneel on the floor, embracing her.

"Ames! I can't believe it!" she croons, admiration and jealousy in her voice. "You look so, so beautiful!"

I can't speak. I can barely even see her, I'm crying so much. A moment later, I feel the steady arms of my father taking us both in. Then Mom, abandoning her usual propriety, joins us, and we all hold one another in a heap on the palace floor.

I hear a sigh that I know is Silvia's but I really don't care at the moment.

Once I can breathe again, I speak. "I'm so happy you guys are here,"

"We are too, kitten," Dad said. "Can't even tell you how much we missed you." I feel his kiss on the back of my head.

I twist so I can hug him better. I didn't know until this very moment how badly I had needed to see them.

I reach for Mom last. I'm shocked that she is so quiet. I can't believe she hasn't already demanded a detailed report of my progress with Maxon. But when I pull back, I notice the tears in her eyes.

"You're so beautiful, sweetheart. You look like a princess."

I smile. It is nice not to have her question or instruct me for once. She is just happy in the moment, and that means the world to me. Because I am, too.

I notice May's eyes focus on something over my shoulder.

"That's him," she breathes.

"Hmm?" I ask, looking down at her. I turn to see Maxon watching us from behind the grand stairwell. His smile is amused as he makes his way to where we are huddled on the floor. I simply grin back. My father stands immediately.

"Your Highness," he says, his voice full of admiration.

Maxon walks up to him, hand outstretched. "Mr. Singer, it's an honor. I've heard so much about you. And you, too, Mrs. Singer." He moved to my mother, who had also risen, and straightened her hair.

"Your Highness," she squeaked, a little starstruck. "Sorry about all that." She motioned to the floor as May and I stand, still holding each other tightly.

Maxon chuckled. "Not at all. I'd expect no less enthusiasm from anyone related to Lady America." I was sure Mom would want an explanation for that later. "And you must be May."

May blushes as she extends her hand, expecting a shake but getting a kiss. "I never did get to thank you for not crying."

"What?" she asks, blushing even more in her confusion.

"No one told you?" Maxon says brightly. "You won me my first date with your lovely sister here. I'll be forever in your debt."

May giggles back. "Well, you're welcome, I guess."

Maxon puts his hands behind his back, his education coming back to him. "I'm afraid I must meet the others, but please stay here for a moment. I'll be making a short announcement to the group. And I'm hoping to get to speak with you more very soon. So glad you could come."

"He's even cuter in person!" May whispers loudly, and I can tell by the slight shake of his head that Maxon has heard.

He goes over to Elise's family, who are easily the most refined of the group. Her older brothers look as rigid as the guards, and her parents bow to Maxon as he approaches. I wonder if Elise has told them to do that or if that is just who they are. They all look so polished, with matching heads of jet-black hair topping their small, smartly dressed frames.

Beside them, Natalie and her very pretty younger sister are whispering to Kriss as their parents shake hands. The whole space is full of warm energy.

"What does he mean, he expected enthusiasm from us?" Mom demands in a low whisper. "Is this because you yelled at him when you met? You haven't been doing that again, have you?"

I sigh. "Actually, Mom, we argue pretty regularly."

"What?" She gapes at me. "Well, stop it!"

"Oh, and I kneed him in the groin once."

There is a split second of silence before May barks a laugh. She covers her mouth and tries to stop, but it keeps coming out in awkward, squeaky sounds. Dad's lips are pressed together, but I can tell he's on the verge of losing it himself.

Mom is paler than snow.

"America, tell me you're joking. Tell me you didn't assault the prince."

I don't know why, but the word assault pushes us all over the edge; and May, Dad, and I all bend over laughing as Mom stares at us.

"Sorry, Mom," I manage.

"Oh, good lord." She suddenly seems very interested in meeting Marlee's parents, and I don't stop her from going.

"So he enjoys a girl who stands up to him," Dad says once we all calm down. "I like him more already."

Dad looks around the room, taking in the palace, and I stand there trying to absorb his words. How many times in the years Aspen and I had been dating in secret had he and my father been in the same room? A dozen at least. Maybe more. I'd never really worried about him approving of Aspen. I know getting him to consent to me marrying down a caste would be hard, but I had always assumed I'd get his permission in the end.

For some reason, this feels a thousand times more stressful. Even with Maxon being a One, with him being able to provide for the lot of us, I was suddenly aware that there is a chance my dad might not like him.

Dad isn't a rebel, out burning houses or anything. But I know he's unhappy with the way things are run. What if his issues with the government extend to Maxon? What if he says I shouldn't be with him?

Before I can go too far down that path of thought, Maxon bounds up a few steps so he can see all of us.

"I want to thank you again for coming. We're so pleased to have you at the palace, not only to celebrate the first Halloween Illéa has seen in decades, but so that we can get to know all of you. I'm sorry my parents weren't able to greet you as well. You will meet them very soon.

"The mothers, sisters, and Elite are invited to have tea with my mother this afternoon in the Women's Room, You daughters will be able to escort you there. And the gentlemen will be having cigars with my father and myself. We'll have a butler come for you , so no worries about getting lost.

"Your maids will escort you to the rooms you'll use for the duration of your stay, and they will get you properly suited for your visit, as well as for the celebration tomorrow night."

He gives us all a quick wave and went on his way. Almost immediately, a maid is at our side.

"Mr. and Mrs. Singer? I'm here to escort you and your daughter to your quarters."

"But I want to stay with America!" May protests.

"Sweetie, I'm sure the king gave us rooms every bit as nice as America's. Don't you want to see it?" my mother encourages.

May turns to me. "I want to live exactly how you live. Just for a little while. Can't I stay with you?"

I sigh. So I'll have to forgo some privacy for the next few days, so what? There was no way I could say no to that face.

"Fine. Maybe with the two of us, my maids will actually have something to do."

She hugs me so tightly, it is instantly worth it.