Here it is! The first chapter to the conclusion. The first chapter of meeting up with the New Asian embassy. And some Maxerica thrown in there for all of you fans of that ship. I really hope that you enjoy the rest of my story (I know I keep saying that but I'll keep saying it until the very last chapter). Sorry this one is a little on the shorter side, I've been running out of time to write. I start classes again on Monday and I have nonstop class and homework and work until Labor Day weekend. I hope that I will be able to finish this story by then or else I fear that it won't be until write out the ending until my October Break...or maybe Thanksgiving...or at the absolute Christmas. So let's really hope I finish writing this out by next weekend. If you guys are great reviewers again (which you always are) I will try my absolute hardest to update Friday, Saturday, and possibly Sunday. Unfortunately I have an all day work training tomorrow or I would offer you all tomorrow too. Keep rocking on and being the best reviewers there are :)
Maxon's POV
We reached New Asia in the early hours of the morning and were greeted by Delegate Fa at the front gates of the Prime Minister's home. Our agenda told us that we wouldn't be meeting until later in the evening, starting with a welcoming peace dinner put on by our hosting party. My eyes kept flashing over to America, trying to decide what was going through her mind. We hadn't spoken since the plane ride and I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to apologize for assuming things about her again and I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted her to know that I should've sent Kriss back home the moment the Northern Rebels had brought her back to the palace. I didn't really want her there, I wanted America in the Princess Suite. I wanted her to be able to become my wife and to make up for the time that we had spent apart. I knew it would never really work though. Perhaps she would at least believe that I would be able to work alongside her. I walked through the halls as Fa and Emmett followed suit behind me, making conversation about the upcoming switch of information. I listened in quietly but tried to keep my distance, making sure that I didn't receive too much of the New Asian's plan of peace so they couldn't argue that I had time to change my mind or my plans. Behind them was Daniel and America, whispering amongst themselves about something or another. The guards flanked around us and dropped us off in our wing of rooms.
I watched as America was put two doors down from my room and debating going to continue our conversation right away. However, I decided that it was better to just wait and leave her alone. If I could give her some space perhaps her temper towards me would be cooled down just enough to have an actual conversation with her. I opened up my files and looked through the plans for the meeting tomorrow. We would agree to within drawl our troops within six weeks of the treaty being signed. There would be a small monetary compensation for the area that our troops had been renovating to repay the government for keeping farming and stock from being raised up on that land for so long; they didn't really need the money but it was ground basics that were to be upheld. I flipped through the rest of the pages, looking at the notes that some of the others had put down on the files. I remembered that the Prime Minster was never fond of my father and always tried to put in my opinion during the meetings and I hoped that meant he would listen to me now. I leaned back looking at the day sky here. It was so different from Angeles. There were buildings as high as the heavens that extended even further than that. Each had a few cultural designs left from the old country of China. From my window, I could see the little bits of the Great Wall that once existed. I wondered if I should take America out here, show her the history of the world. Perhaps that would help her understand that we could work together and be in each other's presence again.
I walked down the hallway to her room, pausing in front of the one that separated it. I heard muffled yells from Emmett in his room, wondering who he could be speaking to that could make him that angry. I leaned up against the door only hearing muttered words of the plans will work and there won't be any problems. I wondered if the Illéan embassy had already called him, as half of them had deemed him unfit for service here in New Asia with me. I figured DeLisle was trying to break down his confidence so we didn't stand a chance against New Asia in the peace offering. We had to be able to pull this off though.
I walked the rest of the way to America's room and knocked softly. At first there was a smile on her face when she opened the door until her eyes registered the fact that it was me. Her arms found their way to be folded across her chest, her eyes narrowing, and that same old fire and ice behind them. "King Maxon, how may I help you?"
"I'd like it if you and I went for a walk, Lady America. I've decided to show you that we can be friends and that we can work together."
She raised her eyebrow. "Look, I don't know if that's the best idea. We just had a huge argument and it's not like in the Selection when we could just kiss and make up. I don't want to put any more awkwardness into our relationship." She replied, looking me dead in the eyes. The fire in her eyes had disappeared a little but there was still a bunch of ice and hurt in them.
I reached out to put my hand on the New Asia bracelet that I had given her, the little beads still positioned on her wrist. "Obviously you think we can," I replied. "I just thought you'd like to see some of the remaining parts of China that are surrounding the Prime Minister's house. I've found that relaxing before a big meeting is especially important when that meeting is your first." I smiled at her, flashing her puppy eyes to try and help convince her.
"Alright," she replied, taking my hand as we walked out of her room. "What's been going on with Emmett?" I noticed the concern in her eyes and shrugged.
"Some of the other delegates didn't agree with who I had brought with me. They've been trying to make this whole operation fall apart. It's gotten quite ridiculous but no one really listens to me. I've been trying to make things possible for us to get rid of the Caste System but they keep throwing wrenches in at every turn. Somehow they managed to convince a few others to their side and I'm worried that they are trying to break at Emmett and someone else to get the votes in their favor. I could authorize it without them since we are a monarchy but I would like to get a little more choice in my government. That's the whole point of ending the Caste System." I opened the double doors to the balcony of the Prime Minister's house. There was a small walkway between the main house and the tower building where you could stand and look over most of New Asia. I gestured America towards the walkway and told her to try and wait to look around until we reached the top.
"But if they are trying so hard, can't you just replace them?'
"I could but again, I don't want to stuff the government with people who will just agree with everything I say to please me. He threatened me with what he knew about my relationship with my father."
"He knew?" She whispered, and I could hear the upmost sympathy in her voice.
I knew the question lingered between us about whether or not I would be able to get through telling Kriss—or what I would even tell Kriss. "I think lying to her would be the best option. She doesn't have the heart to see such evil in someone. Even if she is a Northern Rebel, it would have been to end the Castes and the suffering of everyone in Illéa—not because she saw how evil my father was."
"I'm sorry," she replied as we reached the top. I saw her eyes widen at the scene. I couldn't blame her it was completely breathtaking. She leaned over the side of the railings at the top of the tower. I saw her run around quickly in a circle, trying to take in every inch of the scene in an instance. "Hopefully you'll find a way to make her believe it."
"It's gorgeous, isn't it? Aren't you glad to be able to see it all?" I replied, leaning against one of the railings. "On my first meeting here I snuck up here to try and escape all the pressure that had been put on me. It was one of my father's first lessons about how I had to keep composed and not try and breakaway from a meeting just because I was getting stressed out. Got me two whips," I replied, shaking my head up to the sky.
She stopped and looked at me. "Well, apparently you didn't really learn your lessons." She gave me a soft teasing wink and I couldn't help but give her a soft laugh in return. "I guess you're right, we can keep working together after all." I nodded.
"Perhaps we should head back down and get ready for the dinner?" I suggested. "After all, the New Asians are very particular about time of arrival and departure and I wouldn't want to irritate them before such an important meeting. Your maids should have laid out proper business attire for you to pack for the meeting?"
"Yes, luckily for me that means slick black pants and a blouse." She said, smiling back over the railing. I knew that would make her happy. Luckily the Asians weren't as partial to dresses as the Illéan government was. They tended to have more decorative tops rather than the elegance of a dress. "I'll meet you down at dinner?"
"Yes," I replied as we walked back down the stairs together. "Don't forget that you have to follow me with Daniele. Customs." I finished as we went our separate ways.
America's POV
The dining room of the Prime Minister's home was more stunning than any room I had seen in the Illéan palace. I was completely breath taken by the fact that they had a fix of former architecture in the room but enough added additions to add the past to the future. I looked around the room for a moment before walking towards the dining table behind Maxon. Besides the coronation, I hadn't ever seen him so dressed up. His robes touched just above the ground and were a beautiful mix of purple and silver fabrics. His black suit had a deep purple shirt beneath it without a tie. The crown was polished on his head and he stood regally, sitting down and keeping the same posture as when he was walking. The Prime Minister was already sitting in front of him and the two reached across the table and shook hands. The rest of both the parties were extended the invitation to sit down. I looked across the table from me and was shocked to find Elise sitting diagonally across from me, sitting next to someone who resembled Minister Li. She gave me a soft smile before placing her hand lightly in his palm, a small ring on her finger—yet another of the Elite to be engaged.
"King Maxon, what an honor it is to have you in our home," Li said, his voice thick with an accent unlike anything I had ever heard before. I wished that travel between countries was still as common as the days when America the country was still standing. I would love to come and explore here, Italy, and so many other places. I tried to contain my excitement, wanting to be professional but I couldn't help but admire all of it.
"And what a pleasure it is to be here, Minister Li. I have always admired your home and your hospitality." He replied, cool and calmly. I was impressed with the way that he conducted himself and wondered if Clarkson had been able to do the same impression that came so naturally to his son. I seriously doubted it however, it was probably the reason that he had never managed to get very far with the foreign dignitaries.
"Yes, it was a cultural practice that had to be fixed within my people. That was such a disappointing characteristic of our people." He replied before drawing silence back to the table. Everyone was very composed in posture as they ate and I couldn't imagine being able to enjoy the food as much as I did in Angeles. A few random facts were thrown out about the old world compared to the new one and I wished I could have seen some of them in action.
We finished our meal and followed behind Maxon and Minister Li to an adjoining room. This would be where we debriefed each other on our plans and tomorrow we would begin in the morning and work out the rest of our plans together. If we managed to come to an agreement in that small timeframe, we would be able to file out the paperwork right away and would be able to leave New Asia in seven days instead of ten. If we were unable, the trip would be extended by one day for every day we had to add to reach an agreement. I sat next to Daniele and was finally directly in front of Elise. I wondered if they had her fulfill her new life as the diplomat to Illéa for New Asia.
"King Maxon I know that you are fully aware of all the struggles we have had with your country. Your father was very repressive of his people and of his temper. I have already spoken with Delegate Daniele and heard of your plans to remove the Caste System. That is the only reason that we have agreed to meet with you and try to reach any sort of peace agreement. That is the first point of our agreement with your country. We would like to suggest a time frame of fifteen to twenty years to have the Caste System completely removed in your country."
Maxon nodded and offered his figure for the peace settlement. Then Li continued with his choices for the Illéa country to do. "If we do respect that offered figure we would like to have you agree to the fact that our country will not be exploited in any of our goods if an alliance follows suit. I would assume that you are interested in an alliance with us."
"If your country would like to be our trade partners and allies then we would be more than honored to have that partnership. You should understand that our country might be a little weak once we demolish the Castes until we find a complete way of operation once again. Anyone who will agree to stand behind us as we figure that out instead of trying to break at a smaller union would be greatly appreciated."
"Understandable. We agree that you will need that. Yet if you cannot remove the Castes by the end of the twenty years, we will invade your country like China did before us."
Maxon nodded and slid over his folder to the Prime Minister. The movement was mimicked and the two shook hands once again. "We shall restart in the morning once again, correct?"
"Yes, King Maxon that plans sounds very well. I hope that you can look over our requests from your country and not have to make too many changes. The sooner we can stop the fighting in our country, the better my people can get back to business. And the sooner you can get back to business in yours the less time it will take you to complete our biggest request."
