A/N

And, Daphne's here! Enjoy and thanks for reading! -SJ :)

Briefly, I consider staying in my pajamas and robe all day. Then I decide, at Mary's urging, to prepare as if it were a typical day. A typical day where the woman who is intent on my death is in my home is definitely a day to wear pants.

I stand back and view myself in the mirror, slim black pants pair with a light blue linen shirt. I roll up the sleeves and unbutton a few buttons, another way my husband has rubbed off on me. Mary insisted on putting my hair up, but I consider pulling out the pins and braiding it down my back instead. Ultimately, I decide to leave it, as she did take the extra time, and I know I am not easy to be with right now.

"America?" I hear Georgia calling my name from the common room. She smiles as I enter, "There you are. I brought popcorn!" She turns and switches on the television, and we view the small receiving parlor. It's empty, but ready for guests. Chairs and small sofas are arranged around a viewing screen. Light refreshments are on tables in the perimeter of the room.

I join her on the couch, "Isn't it a little early for popcorn?"

"It's not for eating," she explains.

Cocking my head, I question, "Then what's it for?"

"Throwing. I have a feeling it will be for throwing." I laugh and toss a few pieces at her.

After a quick knock at the door, Avery enters. "Your Majesty, the French delegation has arrived. The king thought you would like to know."

"Thank you, Officer." He bows slightly and returns to his post.

On screen, Maxon enters the parlor, flanked by both Aspen and Carter. He's still carrying the yellow roses, and as the other men take their places, he roams the room. His nervousness rubs off on me and I grab Georgia's hand as my stomach churns.

Daphne appears at the door, escorted by her husband Frederick. I take a second to really look at him: Frederick is almost the direct opposite of Maxon. Dark where Maxon is light, and while they are both tall, Frederick is so tall he is imposing. His breadth that used to be completely muscle when he was younger has turned slightly softer, especially around his abdomen. But his suit jacket cannot completely disguise the power of the shoulders contained within it. And while Maxon's hair has kept its honey color, Frederick's is peppered with gray. They have been married almost as long as Maxon and I.

I see, rather than hear, Maxon greet them both and Daphne turns to Frederick. I scrabble for the remote, pressing up on the volume button. Her expressive voice asks him to double-check on the luggage in their room, but it is clear that it is not simply a suggestion.

My jaw drops a little at her commanding tone, and Georgia comments, "Well, yes, ma'am." She nudges me with her elbow, "What do you know about the Queen of France?"

"Besides Kota's confession, not much more than what Maxon has told me over the years. She professed undying love for him at his nineteenth birthday party. Which, being Maxon, he was completely surprised by and didn't handle particularly well. She calls us with what used to be amusing regularity, until last week, of course."

I can't tear my eyes from the screen as Frederick leaves, and Daphne takes the yellow roses then Maxon's arm. "You remembered!" she croons. "Yellow roses are my favorite."

"I wanted to show you how glad I am that you're here," he murmurs. I turn up the volume even further. Nice try.

He guides her to a small sofa toward the front of the room, as she responds, looking up at him through her lashes, "I will always be here for you." She wraps both arms around his elbow as they sit.

Georgia huffs, "I am sure you will, dear. I'm sure you will. Are you certain you want to do this, America?"

"If you touch that remote, I will be forced to use some of my training on you," I say, through clenched teeth, my eyes fixed on the screen. I sit on the edge of my seat, spine straight.

"Don't forget who is teaching you those moves," Georgia retorts, but almost immediately softens, "Hard to watch is an understatement, isn't it?"

"How is your wife?" Daphne asks, taking the hand closest to her.

"My wife? Oh. America is still in a coma. It is very sad," Maxon says flatly. "As you can tell, I am horribly distraught."

Daphne giggles lyrically, "Maybe I can comfort you?" She places a hand on his cheek and leans closer to him; I spring from my seat, fists clenched taking the first two steps toward the hallway door.

Nicoletta breezes in to the room, "Oh, King Maxon! I was hoping to have a word about the Napoli Treaty. Do you have a minute before the meeting begins?"

I exhale, as the Premier of Germany and the delegation from Swendway follows Nicoletta into the room. Daphne looks confused, and Maxon says, "Of course you understand, when something goes awry, I enlist the help of all my allies. War is a decision that impacts us all." He stands, "Please excuse me, as I greet my other guests, my dear."

"Yes, of course," she replies as Frederick reappears. Instead of taking a seat beside her, he turns to the back of the room and pours a cup of coffee. He stays standing. I see Aspen raise his hand to his ear piece, and turn his back on the crowd. Moments later Avery pokes his head into the room.

"Yes, Avery?"

"Your Majesty, Commander Leger would like me to let you know that the king is sorry." Georgia throws back her head, laughing.

"Is that all, Officer?"

"No, Your Majesty," Avery swallows, and looks more than a little uncomfortable.

"Well, continue, then."

"He also says to 'Sit back down and stay away from the door.'" He nods, and quickly leaves the room again.

"Avery!" I call, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Officer Avery, who else is outside there with you?"

"Campbell and Pearson."

"Ah, yes. And they're well trained?" I ask.

"Of course, if you don't mind me saying, Officer Carter and I trained them ourselves for your personal guard. Though, they are new to the rotation."

"Then please stay. Who knows when Commander Leger will think it necessary to send me another condescending message?" I see Georgia nod in agreement. She's enjoying this a little too much.

"As you wish," he replies, and takes a position behind the couch.

"Avery, please sit," I smile at him. He has been my guard for so long, sometimes I feel his formality is over-the-top. But Aspen explained his loyalty reaches back to the Selection when I ran for Marlee during her caning. Since he prefers not to break formality, I don't push him, usually. Having him stand behind me right now however is straining my rapidly fraying nerves.

I turn my attention back to the screen, and see the rest of our allies gather. Maxon returns to the front of the room, and welcomes the group. "Before we begin the discussion of the matter at hand today, I thought I would show a video of interest to all of us." Using the small remote in the palm of his hand, he dims the lights and begins the recording, seating himself beside Daphne again. Bariel's face fills the screen, and she begins to speak. Georgia and I have both seen and read the confession, so we are free to people-watch while we listen again. Even with the faint light, Daphne's surprise is difficult to hide.

Georgia narrows her eyes, and leans forward a little but she says nothing. Bariel shares that she connected with Daphne in France. In fact, Daphne introduced her to her husband Alec, the same man who worked with Clarkson to command the Southern Rebels. The Rebels existed only to keep Clarkson in power and followed his orders. Alec shot Maxon and was under orders to kill me, and Queen Amberly was unfortunate collateral damage. She wasn't to be targeted, but also shouldn't be expressly saved. Bariel confessed to it all, and blamed Alec and Daphne for threatening the lives of her two young boys if she refused to do as she was told. Didasko followed orders directly from Sota, and she arranged the attack on the training center in Bonita. She also revealed that by moving her to the detention center, her life had been saved the night of the attack on the palace. If she had been recovered by the team of Loyalists, she would have died. That was standing procedure. "King Clarkson kept a journal, and I delivered it to Daphne from Alec. In it, he explains how he and France were continuing the war in New Asia to wreak havoc on the economy and collapse it for the gain of Illea and France. He lists his connections and enemies within Illea. He shares the plans for the murder of his son. Daphne used the same network to expand her power into Illea with the hope of taking over its government through the fledgling parliament."

All eyes are on Daphne as the lights come up, and even we can see the sweat on her brow as she says, "I considered this woman my friend. Why would she say such things about me? Perhaps she was a plant by New Asia? You wouldn't believe the lies they told us." She grasps for Maxon's arm, "You know I would never support such a far-fetched plan! What proof is there besides this so-called confession?"

As if on cue, Prime Minister Li and Elise enter the room. Li asks, "Please explain these lies we are telling you, my friend?" Daphne begins to sputter, as Li shares about the so-called "Illean" camp that speaks fluent French and was raided overnight. The noise-level in the room increases ten-fold, as Daphne protests and everyone begins to talk at once.

Avery leans forward in his chair, intent on something in the left hand corner of the screen. "Why is he patting his jacket?"

"Officer, what?" I begin, and he puts a finger to his lips as he squints and then leaps into motion.

"He's on the move," Avery barks, heading to the door. And on the screen, we see Aspen and Carter moving inconspicuously toward the exit, while Frederick heads off-screen. They know they can't leave Maxon unprotected, and their eyes reflect their frustration while their faces are composed, even as they whisper into their ear pieces. "Campbell, Pearson, you're with the queen. Don't worry, Commander Leger, I'm headed to intercept him now. Do we have anyone with eyes on him?"

I sit wide-eyed, watching Avery shift modes.

"Where does Frederick think he's going?" Georgia wonders.

We both come to the answer at the same time, only I say it aloud in complete and utter disbelief, "The journal. Clarkson's journal is back in the palace!"

jthornestudent: Thanks! Hope this installment was satisfying. :)

Guest: Glad you enjoyed it! :)

The Devil Wears Westwood: Well, here's it is. I always like to remember Maxon and America are truly friends. Hope you enjoyed the update! :)

BlueGirl 1234: Thanks! What do you mean, pregnant? :)

PEETAMELLARKLOVER123: Here it comes...

maxamericalove: Thank you so much. I hope you have fun at camp and it's worth the wait! XOXO :)

sushi: Thanks! :)

Molly: Thank you for your kind words-I try to stay true to KC's world. Hope the chapters were worth the wait! Thanks for reading! :)

Guest: They do seem to be falling into place. And, the new summary seems to describe the story better. Thanks!

fantasybookgirl: Thanks so much! How sweet!

Totalbooknerd13: Yes. Just yes. :)

Thanks again for reading and reviewing!-SJ