"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."
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Paige came back with the box full of medics and placed it on the bed. She began to prepare everything. Mary had put me on a stool and was helping Paige while Marlee was facing me.
"America, what happend?" she asked concerned.
"Marlee, you have to swear you won't tell anyone. No one knows, except you three, Dr. Ashlar and Maxon," I begged.
"Of course I won't tell anyone, but please tell me. Who did this?"
"...Clarkson." I whispered.
"What?!" she yelled.
"Please, you can't tell anyone. I am begging you," I begged with tears in my eyes. Mary came to stand behind me with a wet towel.
"I am going to clean it, okay?" she said. I nodded and felt the washcloth on my back. It stung.
"How can he do this to you? You're the princess and he's the king." Marlee said, not understanding.
"He may be the king, but that doesn't stop him from doing so. He... was mad and angry at some things I said and did and this is the way he takes his anger out."
"Why did you let him? I know you, you don't let anyone hurt you just like that," she said, trying to understand this.
"Because..." I was searching for the right words. I needed to tell her the whole story or she wouldn't understand it, but I would leave Maxon out of it. "I got beaten even before I was married. He said I couldn't tell anyone, not even Maxon because if I did, he would still hurt someone who is dear to me. So I kept my mouth shut and Paige and Mary found out, obviously. After I got shot I told Maxon but he couldn't confront his father because then someone also would get hurt. And this time when he wanted to beat me, I stood up against him. But he got really, really angry and if I did not take the lashes he would give you and Carter an caning, again. I couldn't let that happen, and certainly not while you are..."
She knew what I was talking about, I just couldn't get her and her baby get hurt because I wouldn't take those stupid lashes. A tear escaped and I hold back a sob that was trying to escape. "Oh America," she whispered.
Mary was finished with the towel and grabbed the disinfectant. "This is going to sting," she warned. I nodded and led out a whimper as she began to work on my lower back. It was not as if I wasn't used to it, but still.
"Come here," Marlee said as she went to stand in front of me and put her arms around my neck. I sighed and led my head rest against her body. The tears I was holding were finally rolling. I got my best friend back, which I was so happy about. But I got injured, again, and Maxon had left so suddenly. It was a bit to much for one day, not to count the pain I was currently feeling.
Once Mary put the pain soothing ointment on my lower back the pain did ease a lot. After she was done with that she led Paige bandage me and then I was done. "Do you want to eat downstairs or in your room?" Paige asked.
"In my room please. Could you tell Amberly that I am not feeling well and won't join her in the Dining Room?" I asked.
"Of course," she replied.
"Here, let's put you into a nightgown," Mary said. I sighed.
"Thank you. I honestly don't know what I would do whit out you guys," I said to her as she helped me into my nightgown. Not soon after Paige returned and I was still sitting on the stool. Mary and Marlee where standing next to me and I pulled them into a hug and Paige joined us after I asked her too. Then there was a knock on my door.
"I'll go get it," Paige offered. Not a minute later she peeped "Your Majesty!" that made me turn around on my stool to see Amberly standing in front of my bedroom. They all three curtsied to her.
"Paige told me you weren't feeling well," she said.
"That's right," I answered.
"Do you mind if I sit with you?" she asked. I shook my head.
"No, not at all."
She smiled. That's when she saw Marlee and turned towards her. "Marlee, I am happy to see you," she said with a smile on her face. I could see that she truly meant it. Marlee smiled too.
"The pleasure is all mine, your Majesty," Marlee replied.
"I am truly sorry for everything that happened to you. I hope you can find forgive me and find happiness again within the palace."
"I already have, your Majesty, and I already do." they smiled at each other.
"Could you please leave us alone?" she asked in a gentle tone. They all three left leaving me alone with Amberly. She then looked at me.
"You look awful, dear," she said concerned walking towards me and feeling my head for fever.
"It's alright," I shrugged.
"Why don't you eat something?" she offered. "I bet it will help you feel better."
"I think Paige will be here shortly with my food. I can ask her if she will bring you your food, too so we can eat together if you like," I offered. She smiled.
"I would be delighted."
Not soon after Paige came in with our food and we ate dinner together. I asked her if it was okay if I would lay down in bed in my nightgown and she understood it and asked if she needed to leave.
"I would like it if you would rather stay," I asked her, sitting in bed.
"Of course," she said and she slid off her shoes and sat down next to me in the bed at the side Maxon usually sleeps.
"Do you know why they had to leave so suddenly?" I asked. She shook her head.
"No, I don't. But I don't think it is something dangerous or so because the German Federation has been our ally for so many years."
"I still hope they are safe."
"So do I," she said and she stroked my hair, playing with it. The gesture made me lazy and I laid down on the bed, thinking.
"I actually never wanted this," I said quietly after a while.
"Never wanted what?" she asked, not understanding what I was talking about.
"This," and I gestured around the room. "I never wanted to be princess or marry Maxon."
She laughed at that. "And yet you did both," she said amused.
"And I couldn't be happier."
It was quiet for a moment before Amberly spoke again. "Why didn't you wanted it at first?" she asked curious.
"I was in love with someone else and I always thought that Maxon was a boring, stiff person."
"I bet you figured out he was not." We both laughed at that, talking freely about Maxon while he was far away, probably above an ocean or something.
"I did."
"But why did you enter the Selection even though you loved someone else?"
"The person I loved made me do it. He would always blame himself if he was the reason for not giving me a chance at a better life, since he couldn't offer that to me."
"What do you mean that he couldn't give you a better life? Well, besides the obvious that a One has the most luxury."
"He was a Six," I told her. "I was willing to marry a caste down for him, but he always wanted to give me a better life than his and we both had tricked ourselves into believing that we both could do it. So when the letter came he made me enter, to see what would happen. I didn't think I would get picked out of the millions of girls who had entered. A week before my name got called he broke up with me and I joined the Selection."
It was quiet for a time. She was letting it sink in. "Does Maxon knows this?" she finally asked. I nodded.
"Yes. I told him on one of our first dates and that I wasn't ready yet to have a relation with someone else and that I only wanted to be here so I could get over him. Maxon, the gentleman that he is, promised me I could stay here until the end. But slowly I fell for Maxon and he fell for me and now I am here."
"I am glad you are," she said while she still played with my hair. I was really tired and so was Amberly, hearing her voice.
"Why don't you lay down too," I said to her.
"No it's fine, I'll go to my own room shortly to sleep too."
"You can stay with me if you want," I asked her. "I have plenty of space and you can grab one of my nightgowns to sleep in."
"You're such a sweetheart," she said and got up. When she returned I laid on my side and she slipped in next to me.
"Goodnight," she said and gave me a kiss on my head.
"Goodnight," I whispered before falling to sleep abruptly.
The next day I woke up by myself. Amberly wasn't lying next to me anymore and the sun already stood high above the sky. When I looked for the time I saw it was already eleven am. I rang for my maids and they appeared moments later.
"Good morning," Marlee said happily.
"Good morning," they made me ready for the day and while Mary was brushing my hair, she spoke.
"Prince Maxon called and asked if you could call him back, once you where awake."
"Thank you," I said and they excused themselves. Once they were away I dialed Maxon's number after the third ring he picked up.
"Hello darling," he greeted me.
"Hello," I replied. "How was your flight?"
"Long. We arrived a few hours ago and dinner will start soon. Did you sleep well last night?"
"Yes, I did," he mumbled something that I couldn't hear. "What did you say?" I asked.
"Nothing, just that I miss you." I smiled.
"I miss you too."
"I am really sorry for the way I left. I didn't like it and you seemed to not like it either."
"Maxon, it is fine," I assured him. "I wasn't feeling well and when you found me and told me you needed to leave... it was just a bit too much for me at the moment," I regretted what I had said the instant it left my mouth. Now he would be worried sick about.
"Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?" he asked with concern in his voice.
"Because you would be worried sick like you are now. But it was only a headache, it is already gone," I assured him.
"Are you sure?" he asked skeptical. I laughed.
"Yes, I'm sure. Do you know when you will be back?" he sighed.
"No. but I hope it all won't take to long because I miss you already very much."
"I miss you too."
"I need to go. The German's are very strict here and I can't be late to dinner."
"We wouldn't want that, now would we?" I teased.
"I love you," he said with so much emotions attached to it. It made me smile.
"I love you too," and with that I hung up the phone and headed down for breakfast.
When I was sitting at breakfast with Amberly I tied up something. "I was thinking getting something for Maxon his birthday," it told her. Maxon his birthday would be in one and a half month.
"Oh," she said. "What where you thinking about?"
"He always tells me how much he wanted to have a dog, so I thought maybe we could get him one for his twentieth birthday," I suggested. She looked at me and stared laughing. "What?" I asked.
"Nothing, just that you really seem to understand his mind and reasons."
"Not all the time though," I said.
"Well, I think it would be a wonderful present to give him and that he would be very happy with it. Did you had any dog in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking about a labrador. They are very friendly and playful dogs."
"That they are. I was also thinking something. How about we go visit your family on Sunday?" she suggested. I raised an eyebrow. I didn't get the opportunity much to see my family.
"Really?" I asked. She smiled.
"Really. We can go all day long and eat dinner with them if they are up to it."
"Thank you so much!" I said as I attacked her in a hug.
"Your welcome," she said ans she kissed my cheek.
. . .
I was sitting at my desk in my study, reading documents about the New Asia war. I kept looking it over and over bu it just wouldn't click. Silvia decided to walk in that moment.
"Your Highness," she greeted me and curtsied. "Could you please sign this?" she asked as she handed me a document about the food programs. I nodded and signed it.
"Thank you," she said and she left for the door.
"Silva?" she turned around.
"Yes, your Highness?"
"I was wondering something," I began. "I have been studying the documents about New Asia for a while now but it looks like there are things missing. Do you perhaps know anything about it?" she came to stand beside me and looked at it.
"You know it is not your department," she said. I sighed.
"I know, but this war is going on and on and there seems to be no way to stop it and I thought I could have a look on it and maybe try to find something."
"The war will end," was all she said. She studied the documents for a moment and then looked up at me. "Where did you get this?"
"I asked one of the advisers for all the documents and this was everything he said."
"Well, I don't know anything about missing files and if one of the advisers gave you everything we have then there is no way that something could be missing."
"In that case, could you look for me if Stavros has time for me?" I asked. She raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you want to talk to Stavros?"
"To clear this." She did not say anything else and left with a curtsy. About half an hour later Stavros entered my study.
"You Highness," he bowed, "what can I do for you?"
"Thank you for coming. Please take a seat," I offered him. He sat across from me.
"I am studying the New Asian war and there seem to be things missing," I told him. He look at me confused.
"If I may, princess, this is not your department. But I am interested in what you have to say," he said. Although a lot of Clarkson's advisers didn't like me, it was not the case with Stavros. He always stood by my side and reasoned Clarkson, he was after all the most important adviser in the country.
"Do you know how long the war is going on?" I first asked him.
"About six years," he answered.
"And do you know who started the war?"
"I believe it was New Asia, Your Highness."
"And do you know what the cause was to start a war against them in the first place?" he thought about this for a while but failed to answer.
"I do not, your Highness."
"I don't know either and neither do the files."
"Excuse me?" he asked, not understanding what I was saying.
"Here," I said as I handed him the files. "I have been studying them for quite some time now and nowhere it reports when the war started officially and what the cause was."
"And what are you thinking?"
"Well, we have been trying to stop this war for so long, but isn't it handy to know how the war happened? Instead of stopping this war with violence, we can try to stop the war by finding out what caused it in the first way."
"I don't know why we didn't know this," he said. "What do you suggest we do?"
"I suggest we call with the emperor of New Asia and talk things through."
"That is the not done thing, your highness."
"There are so many things that are the 'not done thing'. Maybe it is time to change those, don't you think?" he smiled at that.
"I agree. I'll make the arrangements and let you know it. Was there anything else?"
"No, that was it," and I stood up. He followed me out of protocol. "Thank you, Stavros."
"Your welcome," he said and bowed. After that he left. I kept studying the files and other things. Around dinner time a maid brought me a note from Stavros. It said that we would have a call with the king of New Asia tomorrow morning at nine. I smiled at myself, it went a lot easier then I thought. I stood up and went down to dinner.
I was a reck of nerves in the morning, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. Amberly was with me, too. She actually found it an very good idea and some of the advisers too. So now we were sitting in conference room A with almost every adviser, Amberly and Silvia. I had prepared myself and I was still reading some stuff through, just to make sure I got everything. Stavros asked if everyone was here and when we said yes he made the video phone call. After two rings they picked up.
"Your Majesty's," emperor Tadao greeted us. He was a man with black hair and dark brown eyes. He made a kind impression, just seeing him. But I could be wrong.
"Emperor Tadao," Amberly replied. "Thank you for taking time for us. We appreciate it."
"Your welcome," emperor Tadao replied. "I do have to say that I was very surprised to hear that the princess of Illea wanted to have a word with me. May I ask what this is about, princess America?" he asked me.
"Yes," I answered. "I wanted to talk to you about the war that has been going on for a very long time."
"I see," he said. "Please continue."
"As you may know this war is going on for several years now, several years to long. You are killing our people, and we yours. It is tearing family's apart and in the end it is tearing both monarchy's apart. In the opinions of our people, this has to stop."
"I agree on you, your Highness, but I am not going to give in so easily. What are you willing to do for us?"
"Actually, nothing, your Majesty. You see, in all of our files there are things missing about this war, a lot of official things that could help to stop this war. So first I have a few questions for you and then we will see," I said to him. Everyone in the room was quiet and I got the kings attention.
"Fire away," he finally said.
"Do you know how long the war is going on?"
"Several years," he answered.
"And do you know the exact date the war started?" he looked surprised at the question. It was quiet for some time.
"I do not know, your Highness," he answered. I nodded.
"Do you know what started the war in the first place?" now it was really quit on our side. I heard him talking to his own advisers. After a few minutes he replied.
"I do not know the answer to that question."
"And that is where both of our country's go wrong, your Majesty. You seem not to know the answer to that question, and we neither. So instead of trying to stop this was with violence I suggest we talk things through and find out what is the cause of all this."
"Very well. Is it okay with all of you if we call you back in a minute?"
"Yes," Amberly replied and they hung up the phone. I led out a breath I was holding and leaned back in my chair.
"You did a good job," Amberly said while she patted my knee.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"So what is going to happen now?"
"Why won't we let the advisers discuss this?" she said and we both looked at them. They all were all busy talking with each other and looking at files. I nodded at her and looked back at my own files. That is when I found something. There was something typed on the paper, barely noticeable and impossible to read with the human eye.
"Silva?" I asked her.
"Yes, your Highness?"
"Would you care to grab an magnifying glass?" she raised an eyebrow but stood up anyway. Not long after the emperor called back. We were in the middle of a discussion when Silvia came back with the magnifying glass. She gave it to me and I read what I wanted to read.
"Gentlemen," I called to the room. Everyone grew quiet. "I have the answer for the cause of this war," I said.
"And what would that be?" the emperor asked a bit angry.
"A trade disagreement," I answered. They all looked shocked.
"That must be wrong," the emperor fired back.
"Here it says," I grabbed the magnifying glass again and began to read.
"Do to the circumstances New Asia and Illea did not come to an agreement about the trade of several raw materials. The disagreement came from New Asia, while they always agreed about the trades before and were happy about them. Things escalated quickly and caused a fight between the two sovereigns, and so their countries. On November the third, in the year of 3195 the war was official. This document here is the only one with the cause and the signatures from both sovereigns. The rest had to be destroyed because both countries were to ashamed about the cause."
When I was done reading I looked up. As I thought, everyone was quiet and surprised, the Emperor the most. His expression was actually a bit funny. He picked himself up quickly to reply.
"Are you sure that is what happened?" he asked skeptical.
"Yes, I am sure. I can copy the document and send it to you to read, if you like."
"Yes, that would be nice."
So we sent him a copy of the document and once he read it he actually believed it.
"I think I owe, you, and all of Illea an apology," he finally said.
"Thank you," Amberly replied. "So now stands the question: what are we all going to do?" she asked. The emperor was quickly to reply.
"I want to stop this war. The soldiers that are drafted to Illea will be called back and I will make an announcement in the news later in the evening tonight, if you agree," he asked. Amberly looked at me, telling me that I should finish this. I nodded.
"We agree, but what does it yield us?" I asked.
"I think we can settle back on those trade agreements, seeing what would be best for both countries. We can discuss the details when we will meet in person."
"I can see you already have a plan on this. When would you like to meet?" I asked.
"Sometime next week. Our advisers will discuss this further. Goodbye, Princess America," and with that he hang up. It was quiet before the advisers started to applause. It took me of guard. Amberly stood up and gave me a big hug.
"You just stopped the war!" she said so happy.
"I did?" I asked a bit surprised, still not fully aware of what just happened.
"Yes!
. . .
Later that day Amberly and I were in the living room, seeing the news from New Asia. The emperor stood true to his word and announced that the war was practically over between Illea and New Asia, that we only needed to sign of both country's that the war is over.
The next day we were in the studio where the Report was held and I was a bundle of nerves. Because I had practically stopped the war it was to me to bring the news to the rest of Illea.
"America dear, you don't have to be so nervous. You are going to be fine," Amberly assured me. I sighed.
"I know, I am just excited, I think."
"Why don't you sit down with me?" she asked gently. I nodded and followed her to our seats. She studied me for a moment and then began to smile. Gavril took that moment to appear.
"Are you ready, your Majesties?" he asked with a soft voice. He too, was aware of the situation and you could see he was happy. I nodded.
"It will happen just like always; first the advisers and then I will come up stage and talk to you both a bit and you will share the happy news," he explained. I nodded with a smile.
"Yes, thank you Gavril," I said. He nodded, bowed and left. The news went by in a blur and before I knew it it was my turn to speak. I stood up and went to stand before the camera, a small smile on my face.
"Good evening, Illea. Tonight I stand before you to share some news. As you know the war with New Asia has been going on for several years now, several years to long where it caused to many lives and to many people who has suffered and are still suffering. Yesterday, Queen Amberly, the advisers and I talked to Emperor Tadao of New Asia and we talked some things through.
One of the things we discussed what the war is doing to both of our country's and we came to a solution. I am very happy to announce that the war with New Asia has finally come to an end is over," before I could say anything else the crowd erupted into applause and whistling and a lot more. I smiled and looked at Amberly, who too was applausing and had a big smile on her face. After a while they stopped and I could continue.
"We are already in the process of withdrawing our troops out of New Asia. The possibility is quitev big that you all will be reunited with your loved ones soon. To make the peace between New Asia and Illea official, the Royal Family and I will be going to New Asia next week to sign the peace treaty. By then the war will be officially over after so many years of war. I thank you all, goodnight Illea!" I said and that was the end of the Report.
Everyone was so happy and I went straight to Amberly.
"You did an fantastic job, my dear," she said, glowing. I was enveloped in her hug and allowed myself to smile.
"I did?" I asked to be sure.
"Of course you did! Why wouldn't you?" I shrugged.
"I don't know, maybe I would have made an complete fool out of myself."
She sighed and I could practically feel her eyes rolling. "How about you and I get something to eat. I am sure Clarkson and Maxon will be calling us right this moment."
I nodded and walked to the dining room, her arm looped around mine. We both couldn't stop smiling.
I know it has been a while since I last updated, but school, sport and work just takes so much of my time right now that I don't have much time to wright anything. Sorry! I'll try to update more often but I can't promise anything :)