Maxon's POV

She said yes! Woo-hoo! I had never been so happy in my life!

"But," What?! Why is she saying but, "I'm only giving you a second chance because that's the thing you didn't give me when I asked for it."

She was right about that, and it made me feel like a horrible person. Here I was asking for a second chance, when I didn't give her the same thing years ago.

"America, I'm so sorry for that, but this will be way for us to start fresh. I want to try to see if we can still be a thing. We might not be able to, but I'd feel better if we tried first."

She nodded, "I understand," then smiled.

I grinned back and just got up and engulfed her in a hug. She laughed that wonderful, musical laugh of hers.

America's POV

I thought it would take time before we got used to each other again, but when Maxon hugged me, it felt so natural and familiar. Maybe this really could work out again.

I heard someone come into the garden. When I turned my head to see who it was, my eyes were met with King Clarkson. I got out of my seat and quickly curtsied.

"Your Majesty."

"Hello America. You can get up. I just came by to see how you are doing."

"Very well, thank you. And how are you?"

"Also very well. I will get going now. You two, enjoy yourselves." With that he exited the garden.

Was that some kind of act? He was just so…so nice. I looked at Maxon with such a flabbergasted look on my face, he started to laugh.

"I guess you want an explanation for that?"

"Well, duh."

"Once upon a time, while he whipped me, I whipped him back, and afterwards I blackmailed him. Now I have him under my control." Maxon gave me devious smile. I raised my eyebrows at him.

"I may have stretched the truth a little. What really happened was he just had a change of heart."

"Really? Your father?" I was in disbelief. After the way King Clarkson treated Maxon and me, he had a change of heart. I did have to wonder…

"Um, Maxon, I don't want to be rude, but about the whipping…Does he still, you know…"

"Whip me?" I nodded a bit nervously.

"No, my father turned over a new leaf and he was especially regretful about the whipping."

"Oh, that's a relief." It really was. Even if I don't love him the way I used to, I still couldn't bear knowing Maxon would be in pain.

We were going to continue with our conversation, when someone else came into the garden and King Clarkson's voice.

"No, please don't go in there!" A short man with glasses and curly hair appeared.

"I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I'm already in the garden. Well, look who's here. America Singer with Prince Maxon." He bowed at Maxon, "You know, your majesties, I came here for an inside story on royal life, but this seems to be more interesting."

"There is nothing interesting about it. I am only having lunch with Prince Maxon, nothing more," I said.

"Are you sure? Nothing's interesting about Prince Maxon having lunch with a former Selection member, one who he took a certain liking to, who just happens to be single?" I couldn't believe he could just say that to my face.

Maxon looked like he was getting angry, "Get out. That's an order."

The reporter put his hands up, "Okay, okay. I'm leaving. But how about a picture?" He snapped a picture of us, before anyone could say anything.

"I said get out!" Maxon was really mad at this point. A guard came in and grabbed the camera and King Clarkson grabbed the reporter. The reporter said one last thing as he was dragged out.

"Looks like Illea might be getting a queen and an heir sooner than expected."

I'm really busy these days, so chapters might not be uploaded as soon as you want.