I had woken the next morning lying in the softest bed imaginable. It beat any bed I had had at the Special Forces base. I smiled as I sat up in bed and looked towards the sunrise - as usual my body had woken me up at what I used to refer to as a ridiculous hour. I showered and dressed quickly, while also checking my hair dye as it was due a redo soon because red roots were beginning to show. As I sat down at my computer and focused on the reports from other soldiers, I thought about what Maxon had said the night before... he missed me. I shook my head and carried on until three servants walked in - to my surprise they were Mary, Anne and Lucy.

"Miss, your presence has been requested for breakfast." Mary informed me as they curtsied.

I rolled my eyes at their curtsies and said:

"Please, do not curtsy. I don't like it or need it."I smiled, "I better go then as I don't think the King will take no for an answer."

The girls looked at me oddly as I made my way to the door. As I walked down the many corridors, guards stopped to salute me - even though many knew I didn't like it. I wanted to be their equal, not their boss. I sighed as I made my way to the doors to the dining room and opened them to find the entire royal family waiting for me.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't informed that you requested my presence." I apologized as I made my way to the only available seat - next to the seven year old Princess Madeline.

King Clarkson didn't reply and simply nodded for the food to be served. The meal went by quietly, making me feel very uncomfortable. I considered taking the rest of my meals in my room for the duration of my stay. I had always enjoyed it when I had lived here before and it was useful when trying to stay on top of the ever growing paperwork waiting for me. The only noise that could be heard was of Maxon helping his son cut his food. I had always thought that he would make an amazing father and he seemed to enjoy it. Clarkson gave him hard stares on numerous occasions making it clear that Maxon was nothing like his father. It wasn't until I had nearly finished when the Queen broke the ice.

"Miss Weston, how long have you been with the Special Forces?"

"Around six years now Your Majesty." I replied quickly.

"Well! That is impressive! But before you joined the forces, what kind of life did you lead?" she asked kindly.

"I... I was a five. I lived with my family as a musician." I replied honestly, which was when Maxon looked up at me for the first time during the meal.

"I can't imagine what made you choose the life of a soldier over a musician!" Kriss said from across the table.

"Well, I get fed better and-"

Suddenly, the doors swung open and Andrew made his way towards me carrying a small file. He quickly whispered in my ear and I excused myself to join him in the corridor - much to the horror of the King. As the doors closed I grabbed the file and scanned through it. The file was of the rebel we had apprehended the day before - a man who had seemed familiar to me at first glance. It was really him.

"After all these years we finally found him!" Andrew said excitedly.

I smiled as I looked over the file again. His name was Alexander Luca and he was the one who had set me on my path.

Seven Years Ago

I sat on the stage waiting for the ceremony to begin. I was going to leave and I had lost him forever due to my mistakes. But in the corner of my eye I noticed something suspicious - the guard at the edge of the stage. He wore a Guard's uniform but the name was not correct. As I looked harder at it I recognised the name, it was one of the soldiers who had abandoned his post while I had been at my home for the funeral. I had known that soldier as he had been one of the guards on rotation outside of my room. The man in the uniform was not the same man - he was a rebel.

Excusing myself from the platform, I made my way over to the guard. Asking him politely, I took him out to a nearby corridor. It was there where I kicked him hard and he fell to the ground groaning. I tried to be as elegant as I could bending down in the large dress and looked him in the eye.

"What are rebels doing in the palace?" I asked him angrily.

"Are you really that stupid America?" He laughed through is pain.

It was then when I realised - they were going to kill the royals. I didn't know how many there were but I knew that there wasn't enough for them to be successful in killing everyone. But all of them were armed and dangerous and needed to be stopped before they killed anyone. I thought quickly before saying:

"You'll never win this way. One royal will survive... but I could help you to make an even better plan."

The rebel looked interested and motioned for me to continue. I knew it was risky saying it, after all I was against everything they stood for. But I knew if I could exchange my life for everyone in that hall, I would do anything it took.

"Let me join your cause. I have valuable information, about the royals and your enemies. I'm not going to be the next Princess so let me help you."

The next few minutes were tense as he contemplated my decision. I could only hope that he would agree to what I had planned because I was risking my life to ensure the safety of those who now hated me. I breathed a sigh of relief as he used a small radio to signal to his partners that the plan was off. He looked me up and down as he said:

"Stay quiet for the rest of the day and I will collect you this evening." he informed me, " And if you tell anyone of what you are doing, I will personally kill you."

Brushing off his threats, I focused on the problem with his plan.

"But I'll be leaving after the ceremony." I replied.

"No. Your family couldn't make it today and should be picking you up tomorrow - travel issues."

I nodded as I went to rise up before asking:

"What is your name? Just in case I cannot find you and need help from the others"

"Alexander Luca."

I nodded quietly and returned to my seat on the platform. Maxon had clearly not noticed my absence and continued to laugh with Kriss. As I looked around I saw Celeste who had a questioning look in her eyes. As I did a minuscule shake of the head, she returned with a thin smile. As I looked down, I knew that she only thought I had lost the competition, not my freedom as well. I continued to look around to see anyone I recognised.

"Trying to arrange a meet later?" Maxon asked as I turned back to him. I knew he thought I was looking for Aspen.

"No, of course I wouldn't."

"Well your family will be here to take you home because they don't like the last loser to be alone. She tends to get dramatic."

I knew this was not the Maxon I wanted to remember, always cold and distant. I looked him in the eyes and replied simply:

"My family couldn't make it. I'm being picked up by someone else."

He angrily shook his head and returned to speak with Kriss. I knew there was no point trying to reason with him now the deal was made, I was never going to be his choice. I sat there quietly and wore a fake smile for the rest of the ceremony. He would never know the deal that I had made to protect him from the evil in his kingdom. But I knew that he would be happy with Kriss and I was thankful that she was there for him. I smiled at the knowledge that he would live a long and happy life while my fate had been sealed with the rebels the moment that Maxon bent down on one knee in front of Kriss and asked:

"Kriss Ambers, will you marry me?"