A/N

Thanks for continuing to read! It's been fun reading and responding to your reviews, too. :) Hope you enjoy this next chapter. -SJ (Comments to reviews at the end. XOXO)

Four days later and flower arrangements are beginning to cover every available surface in the palace. Or so Mary tells me. There are thirty or so in our common rooms alone. I pace from one to another, reading cards from our citizens and friends. I feel little twinges of guilt with each one, especially the one from Kriss. The card was exquisite and bore beautiful and characteristically Kriss-like homemade touches, including a heartfelt message penned in her own hand. Gavril really sold my illness on The Report.

I prowl from room to room, making a circuit from our bedroom to the common area to the empty nursery to the common area to our bedroom and back. I've been confined here for most of the morning, and I am ready to pull my hair out. I can't open the balcony doors like I usually do, and the claustrophobia is overwhelming. Elise cannot visit me, as she is busy settling her prime minister. My piano is off limits, as the music would draw attention. Mary comes in and out, but I think I am driving her a bit batty as I can't sit still. She tries to engage me in card games, but I can't concentrate and she wins every hand in a matter of minutes. Every book I have attempted to read is discarded and littering one half of the couch. My stack of project files sits untouched in the middle of my desk, again, because I don't want my lack of focus to make a mess of the work Georgia, Marlee, and I have already done.

I sit at my dressing table again, and take the pins out of my hair. I glower at myself in the mirror and my reflection shows me how utterly ridiculous I look. I hear a commotion in the corridor outside the room and it continues through the common area. "Wait! You can't go in there," Avery protests, as the door to the bedroom is flung open wide and I leap to my feet.

"I'm sorry Your Majesty. I tried to stop her," Avery explains. He has always been a little unsure of what to do with the force that is Princess Nicoletta of Italy.

Nicoletta pats him on the cheek, "And he did try so hard. Now be a dear, and track down some tea for us?"

I nod to dismiss him and in a haze of confusion, Avery bows, and returns to his post.

"Well, he's not going to find any tea there," Nicoletta mutters, and then turns to me. "America, you look so, so…I think it's rested!" she exclaims, kissing both my cheeks exuberantly. "Has it only been a week? A coma wears well on you." She winks and links her arm through mine, guiding me back into the common room.

"Oh thank heavens you're here! Please, sit." I sweep the books onto the floor and we both collapse onto the couch. "How are the children? I wasn't allowed to call the last few days. Aspen is afraid the phones are tapped, and is working on securing more lines."

"I am fine, thank you for asking," she teases. "And, the children have been absolutely wonderful! They are so lively after a bit of expresso." I raise an eyebrow, and she laughs. "I'm just kidding…mostly. Our castle has a needed little excitement and your group has provided it. And your sisters! Così prezioso! Thank you so much for sending them to us."

Despite myself, I am soon laughing, too. "Thank you for taking them in. They can be quite the handful, even not drinking expresso at breakfast. And, mother?"

"I can see you take after your father," she says, patting my arm.

"Nicoletta, you've never met my father."

"Right," she smiles and changes the subject. "I do have one complaint for you. At breakfast, I was seated by the King of Swendway. We both know he is a horrible bore!" I can only laugh in reply. "At home, we have art younger than he is! But, America, he brought his grandson." She fans herself, "Is twenty-three too young for me?"

"For me, yes. For you, never, Nicoletta," I respond, and we lose ourselves in another fit of giggles. I do not know who directed Nicoletta to me, but I suspect Mary is to thank. Especially as she enters and winks at me as she lays out tea, including sandwiches and fruit, and leaves again.

Nicoletta muses, "Oh! Avery did manage to find tea standing against the wall. I was wondering how he would accomplish that."

"In all seriousness, my friend, how is it going?" Nicoletta knows I am dying to be involved in the proceedings. Maxon and I rule as a team, and I hate being left out of the final phases of this plan.

She responds, "Everyone is completely on your side about Daphne. They are so aghast that she could harm you, after all your advances in Illea. If this sting doesn't work, she'll be crushed like a bug. Besides this France thing, so much is being accomplished by simply being in the same room together. Would you be against being attacked once a year so we all have an excuse to meet?"

"I'd rather not, but meeting once a year would serve us all well." We turn to our tea, diplomatic conversation beginning to consume us. Finally, the minutes no longer seem like hours. And before I know it, Maxon is entering the door for the afternoon break.

"Nicoletta," he smiles, "I thought I would find you here. The Prince of Swendway has urgent business with you?"

She darts up, "Apparently, twenty-three is not too young. Please excuse me, dear. Such a pleasure to see you again so soon! I'll be back when I can sneak away." And, just like that, she breezes through the door and down the corridor.

Maxon shuts the door behind her, "What did she do? Avery looks like he's been hit by a truck."

"Well, she is Nicoletta," I shrug, and he nods in understanding. "Remind me to thank Mary later. I was beside myself ever since you left this morning."

I pat the couch cushion, and he sits taking my hand. "How rough was it being stuck in here while everyone was arriving?"

"Probably about as difficult as you think," I respond, gesturing to the mess. "The worst part is keeping the blinds drawn. I don't care how much light they let in, it is not the same as throwing open the windows and doors. I think Nicoletta was Mary's last ditch effort to keep hold of her own sanity."

"Well maybe my surprise will make tomorrow more tolerable," he says, taking the television remote from the coffee table. He turns on the television, and I see our small receiving parlor. Staff are bustling to set up serving tables and arrange furniture around a viewing screen. More than just seeing them, I can hear their instructions to one another.

"Oh," I try to keep the sarcasm out of my voice, but do not succeed. "It's almost like being there."

His expression changes from excited to hurt to resolved at my response. "We discussed this last night. Aspen and Carter explained this yesterday and again this morning. Even Georgia agrees. For your own safety, there is absolutely no way you can leave this room until we have Daphne in custody. And she's not even here yet, love." His expression softens, "Please. For me. This is how we're working together on this one."

"Fine," I relent. I finally smile, and Maxon's face brightens. "Thank you for thinking of me—I appreciate the intent."

He kisses the back of my hand, and asks, "Has Doc been in yet today?"

"Doc? No, why?" Confusion is evident on my face.

"Well, we are putting forth the story that you're in a coma and recovering in the privacy and comfort of your room. It makes sense that Doc would be in and out," Maxon explains. "Plus, you've put off your physical, and refused to visit the infirmary after the attack. It seems that there are many reasons why Doc should pay you a visit. He'll be in before dinner."

I groan, "This day keeps on getting better and better. Next, you'll tell me you're sending the dentist up, too."

ajb1700: Thank you so much! I think I am going to do a sequel; I was roughing out a timeline this morning... But, I have an original project I'm working on with my SO. We'll see if I can do both at the same time! Thanks for reading and being such an enthusiastic reviewer! :)

Strike OOO: Aww-sweet. :) A sequel is in the works... And, what are you talking about? If I had three words to describe America, they would be 'patient,' 'patient,' and 'patient.' Hehehe. ;)

The Devil Wears Westwood: Always good to see your review. :) Thanks for taking time! I know, how often are all the kids out of the way at once? ;)

maxamericalove: You flatter me! :) Thanks so much. I seriously don't know what else to say because your review left me speechless. *mwah*

BlueGirl 1234: Thank you! Is this soon enough? :)

coralsea25: Aspen didn't really consider that part well, did he? Oh, well...we'll see! Thanks for reading & reviewing! :)

AcademicGirl: Thank you so much. I don't think America would go for that...she's pretty particular. ;) But, I'm glad you are liking the story. I *heart* your stories, too. :)

jthornestudent: I'm so happy you love it! Hmm...they haven't made that announcement. Thanks for reading! :)

Totalbooknerd13: I wonder how well that will work? :)

Guest: Hmm, they haven't made that announcement. I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far! Hope you like the resolution! :)

Guest: Thanks! That's something to think about. :) Although, at the end of The One, she saw the light streaming in through the windows during the rebel attack, and she says something about the sun shining while the world was falling apart. :) I hope you liked the newest chapter. Thanks for the review! :)

Kmerebird: So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by and reading/reviewing! :)

Thanks for stopping by! :)