Groggily, I slowly lifted me head from the table, while removing a sheet that was clinging to my face and in the process lost my glasses, which dropped onto the table. I had been at the palace two days and I was already overtired. As I sat up I noticed that someone was in my room. I could tell at that moment because my eyes had betrayed me and refused to focus on anything, leaving me in a sea of blurred colours. Rubbing my eyes hard, the blurred smudge formed into Lucy. I caught her smiling at me, before she noticed and turned back to her work.
"Afraid I'll bite?" I joked as I stood up and stretched.
"N-No Miss Weston. I-I-" She stuttered as she tried to fix imaginary wrinkles on my bed sheets.
Concerned, I moved towards her carefully. It broke me to see my maid and friend so frightened and upset. I wondered what on Earth it could be about - the rebel attack, a fight or maybe something much more serious.
"Lucy, what's wrong?" I asked seriously before adding, "And do not say it is nothing. I won't get you into any trouble."
It was many minutes before she responded - as if she was calculating whether it was a smart decision.
"It's just - the rebels." She confessed quietly, staring at the floor, "We haven't had an attack in so long and -"
"I understand Lucy, I really do. If you ever need anyone to turn to, I'm always here." I smiled while I squeezed her shoulder.
She nodded her head carefully as I moved away towards my wardrobe because it occurred to me that I was acting too much like America instead of a woman who didn't really know her. Even though I now preferred to dress alone, I hurriedly threw my glasses onto the bed and pulled off my shirt to change into a new one as I was late for my meeting - which was becoming all too common. Lucy had also noticed my urgency and quickly pulled out a simple collared shirt and suit jacket to go with a pair of heels and smart black trousers. I hoped that there was no rebel attack today, as my days of running in heels were truly over. As Lucy turned to pass me my shirt, she froze. I followed her eye-line to find that she was focusing on my right arm - where my scar was. I stood still as she came closer to inspect the scar that I had earned during my time in the Selection. My heart beat faster as recognition became eminent on her face, it was a very distinctive scar and - although it had been sewed up well by Anne - it was prominent when you were close to me. I turned to face her slowly and she looked into my eyes silently.
"America?" she asked quietly, her eyes full with disbelief.
My expression must have given the answer away because slowly a wide smile grew on her small face and she pulled me into a tight hug. She knew.
Without out my glasses, my features were truly recognizable and it became scarier to think that someone could guess who I was so easily when I didn't have my glasses on. It hadn't come as a surprise that she had recognised the scar either as she had seen it countless times during my time. Still in a state of shock I hugged her back and started to sob with her. I had hidden the truth to protect all of the ones I loved but to have someone know that I was alive - it was a truly amazing feeling.
When we finally calmed down, my happiness turned to worry as I realised the dangers that she now faced knowing my deadly secret.
"Lucy, go and find my assistant Andrew." I informed her quickly, looking around to make sure that no one was here, "He will make sure to put the right precautions in place now that you know."
"Is it really that dangerous to know?" she asked, wide eyed.
"Yes - but I'm so glad you know!" I replied with a sad smile as I pulled her in for another time.
However, it was at this moment when Maxon knocked on my open door. I suddenly felt very exposed and rushed behind the nearest screen to finish changing. While hiding behind the thin sheet, I listened to Lucy calmly speaking to the Prince. It surprised me just how good she was at lying now - her past attempts hadn't always been as successful. While I put on the new jacket, I wondered what had changed during my time away to my maids and Aspen. As I emerged, both of them turned to face me. As predicted, Maxon had a face like thunder - which seemed to be a common theme when he was with Eadlyn - but it had also occurred to me that I was late for an already rescheduled meeting - with the King who didn't like waiting. As I straightened the jacket, I apologized quickly and made my way towards the door. Maxon remained silent throughout most of the trip towards the office until I tried to break the ice - although it had occurred to me that I hadn't spoken to him since he had stormed into my room on my first night.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" I asked as I stopped him - which clearly agitated him.
"Nothing. You are just late and Father is annoyed." he replied bluntly before trying to continue.
"It isn't...Is this because of my friendship with your daughter or America or-"
"No. It's just -" He paused to look at me, as if he was trying to form a good answer. "Ever since you have arrived, there have been problems in this family regarding the rebels and - well other matters."
Fury rose inside of me at his comment. I became so frustrated that he blamed everything on me and never on someone else. I was here to protect him, yet he proclaimed that I did more harm than good!
"That isn't my fault Maxon!" I gasped as I realised that I had called Maxon by his first name and not by his title. "I am so so-"
"It's fine." he said quietly, "I actually like that you treat me like an actual human, rather than a royal. I also never did thank you for befriending Madeline - she really does like you."
I smiled at him - and got a smile in return - as I motioned for us to continue down the hall to the doors that lead to King Clarkson's office. The ever present knot tightened in my stomach again as the guards opened the doors for us to enter. As I walked through, I noticed that Maxon had stood up even straighter and his smile had disappeared. For all I had done to ensure that Maxon was protected, I always knew that he was in constant danger of his father. I looked towards Clarkson, who was leaning back in his chair as he motioned for us to approach. I carefully sat down on the edge of the chair, fearing what could happen with this unpredictable man. It seemed incredible to me that even after all I had faced - Alexander included - I still felt nervous when I was with the King.
"Well Miss Weston, you have decided to grace us with your presence." The King said , with a hint of annoyance detectable.
"I'm sorry Your Majesty, there were many preparations to sort out in order to make the palace safer." I replied calmly, looking him straight in the eye.
"Are you implying that my castle isn't safe?" He asked, with an anger in his eye.
In my head I wondered how, after being tied up and held at gunpoint, the King could lie about the safety of his castle. This man would put his whole family in danger just to ensure that the public image remained strong. I could see that Maxon had become weary of the situation and looked at me intently. I could only guess that he was asking me silently to not screw this up. I drew a breath, calculating my next move.
"Your Majesty, you had you first rebel attack in over seven years by a dangerous man who could have killed you. I needed to ensure that he couldn't do this again, even though he has done this before." I answered, before cursing silently for revealing Alexander's past in the castle.
"What on Earth do you mean by that?" the King asked, anger glowing in his eyes.
"The rebel that attacked you is a known Southern Rebel to us. He has posed as a guard before - at Maxon's engagement celebration." I paused to allow them to come to terms with what I had said as I could see the disbelief in their eyes.
"Then why did they not attack then?" Maxon asked as he looked between his father and myself.
I realised then that by telling them the truth, I would be at risk of revealing Special Forces' secrets. I did not trust Clarkson at all and by giving him classified information, I knew that he would become even more power mad than he already was.
"Classified." I replied bluntly, while also giving both men a glare that signified to not try any further.
"Whatever the case, I will need to ensure the palace is secure this evening for the ball." The King said simply, looking me directly in the eye.
I sat in shock. This was the first time I had heard of this and I was supposed to be informed of all gatherings when I arrived - Andrew was not going to hear the end of this. A party was not a good plan and I planned to stop it. As the meeting continued, I felt like I was in a game of tennis. I would suggest cancelling it or changing things but Clarkson would return with trying to force his opinions on me. After two hours of this continual battle, we finally reached an agreement. I would have to attend to ensure the royal's safety - much to my annoyance - and in return additional guards would be posted and all guards would be checked to make sure there were no unwanted visitors.
After this, I escaped the office and made my way back down the corridor. Following in close pursuit was Maxon, who quickly caught up and stopped me in my tracks. It was clear to me that he was not finished on the subject of Alexander. He had been silent during the meeting but I had noticed just how agitated he had been after I had closed the subject.
"Why won't you tell me what happened with the rebel?" he asked angrily as he looked me in the eye.
Hiding a secret from Clarkson was one thing, but I found it much harder to try and hide it from Maxon. He deserved to be trusted if I was going to have a good working relationship with him when he was king - whenever that was seeing as Clarkson was clinging to the throne with everything he had. Looking behind me, I pulled him into a side corridor where we were alone.
"I can't Maxon, it's a state secret!" I whispered urgently as I searched the corridor.
"Please, can't you tell me anything?" he pleaded.
As I took a breath, I calculated this decision slowly. Even though I wasn't prepared to tell him much, I felt like he should know at least one thing.
"America. She managed to convince them not to." I whispered, as I watched shock spread across his features. "I can't reveal any more than that. But when you become King, I will. I promise."
It annoyed me that I couldn't trust him enough and I was leaving him with so many questions, but I hoped that it would change his hateful opinion of me. I had to make sure that he never knew more than that because I was more afraid of what he might do if he realised what I had suffered in order for him to survive - though after promising him more i doubted how well I could fake a cover story. Reaching down I gave his hand a quick squeeze to comfort him before I marched back down the corridor to find Lucy. I turned back to see that he was watching me and it was at this moment I knew that we weren't done with this conversation.
Upon reaching my room, I saw that Lucy and Madeline were inside, giggling away uncontrollably on my bedspread. I smiled as I leaned on my door frame, watching them talk about everything. I had always admired Lucy's way with children and I knew that she was a future mother. But while I wondered about her future, I thought about her connection with Aspen. I desperately wanted to know whether they had ever progressed or if they had chosen to stay apart. In my heart, I hoped that they hadn't as I knew how amazing they could be together. I also remembered that she had gone to see Andrew this morning - which now meant I terrified of his response as he was never happy when someone new found out about my secret double life.
Noticing that I was standing watching, Lucy turned very red and jumped off my bed. Madeline had also turned around and as soon as she realised it was me, ran towards me to give me a hug - which nearly knocked me over.
"Are you going to the ball?" Madeline asked excitedly, bouncing up and down as she spoke.
"It seems I am." I grimaced as I looked to Lucy, "Could you help?"
"With pleasure." Lucy replied, with a wide smile on her face as she walked towards me and guided me to my chair, "I'll make you as beautiful as the Queen."
For the next hour, I was in a chair having my hair elegantly styled into an updo while Anne and Mary gave me simple makeup and jewellry. But before they had come in, I had put in green contacts to make me look different to avoid people at the ball - and my other maids - recognizing me as Lucy had insisted I was not allowed to wear my glasses. It wasn't until I stood in-front of my mirror that I realised how different I looked in one of my old red dresses. But even though I wasn't pleased about the situation I knew one thing, even though I was more nervous about facing this crowd than one hundred armies, I was ready.