I gasped. "But Maxon said he didn't have any siblings!" She looked at me somberly.

"Queen Amberly sent me to live with Adele because she knew that if I was raised as a princess, then I would have to be sold off in marriage and would have no freedom. She faked the miscarriage." Lauren looked close to tears too. "But I never got to know my parents. I was always kept a secret. Not even Adele's other children knew I existed. The queen thought she was giving me freedom, but she sentenced me to a life of confinement until I could go out on my own. That's why I lead the Southern rebels. I want to take back what's rightfully mine." Her sad eyes had quickly turned to rage. "I want to kill off the royal family so that I, and I alone can be the ruler of Illea." Suddenly I was mad. No matter how terrible your family seemed, you were supposed to stick together. I felt my temper rising and I grabbed her shoulders.

"Do you even know what you're saying!" I demanded. She tried to interrupt me, but I was getting even madder now, "Laurelie Schreave, you're going to listen to me now," I yelled, "Do you know what your life would be like if Amberly had kept you? She gave away her baby so that you could live a better life. Do you know how much that hurts her? Do you know how much she cries when she thinks no one is watching? Here's you, complaining about being free, while your entire family suffers because they sacrificed their only girl so you live your own life. And how do you repay them? You try to kill them? Well, you know what Laurelie? I don't give a damn what you think. I'm going to protect the royal family if it means the death of me, and I hope you follow my example because else you'll do a fine job repaying them for all that they've done for you. If you don't stop, I will tell the royal family all your secrets, I'll tell them how to get here so they can give you all what you deserve. I'm not trying to blackmail you, but killing people isn't right, no matter what they did to you. Especially in your case. I hope I at least taught you that." I stormed off, leaving Laurelie gaping behind me, but I stopped when I heard someone start clapping.

I turned to see all the rebels step out of the shadows, clapping. I noticed something else, too. They all took all their weapons and threw them at the floor, effectively breaking them. Laurelie stood up on a chair so everyone could see her.

"I'm guessing you all heard our exchange?" She asked. Everyone nodded. "Then I hope you'll be pleased to hear that I will join Lady America. Her words have taught me more important things than I ever thought they could. I refuse to lead anymore attacks, and if any of you continue to terrorize the country, I will personally hunt you down and bring you to the palace to be hanged on live television. I think we would make wonderful palace guards, don't you?" The rebels nodded. "I ask for only one thing in return." I was surprised, I hadn't expected this.

"Anything," I promised.

"Well, the Southern rebels originally began because they didn't like the way the royals were running things. We will openly come out of hiding and ask the royals for forgiveness, but I daresay they won't full trust us. I want you to be a correspondent of sorts. You can bring our ideas to the royals so that we may be more a part of society and our visions of a better country may be brought to the light." I ran over to Laurelie and hugged her

"It's a deal." Everyone cheered. I would head back to the palace in the morning, along with the Southern rebels. They gladly helped change my appearance back to the way it was, and we prepared ourselves for the long walk back to the palace.

We had just set off when we heard the sound of footsteps. We fell silent and listened. A person stepped into the clearing.

"Maxon?" I whispered.

"America?" He responded. I walked slowly towards him, nervous that he didn't want to see me. He grabbed my arm and kissed me. All hesitations were swept away as his lips connected to mine. We finally pulled apart and I was gasping for breath, but I didn't even notice. Maxon had come for me, and we were together. Nothing else mattered.

"America, er, let's go before the rebels come, I think their base is around here." He sounded worried, but I just laughed.

"You can come out guys." The rebels stepped out from behind trees and bushes, where they had been giving us a little privacy. Maxon looked horrified, but his expression changed to confusion when the rebels all sank into deep bows.

"Ames, what's this?" I smiled at the familiar nickname. I had heard his voice say it so many times, and it was comforting.

"I'll tell you but first, there's someone I want you to meet. Laurelie? Can you come here?" Laurelie stepped up, then enfulged Maxon in a huge hug. She drew back and smiled.

"Hey little brother." She said teasingly to Maxon. Maxon gasped.

"Are you- I read Adele's letters- You're-" He stuttered.

"Your big sister." She jumped as Maxon hugged her suddenly, then smiled and ruffled his hair affectionately.

"Maxon, sorry to interrupt," he looked at me, "the Southern rebels wanted to come to the palace and ask for your forgiveness. They're never going to hurt anyone again." Maxon looked shocked. He took my hand.

"Let's get going then, we're going to have a hell of a lot of explaining to do when we get home." He smiled at me. I pecked him on the lips.

"I think we can do it." I said.

"I'm with you Ames, I could jump over the moon." We kissed again and I leaned my head on is shoulder as we walked on, headed towards home. Maybe the king would hate me even more when we got back, but with Maxon by my side, I knew I could handle anything.