Hey! This is chapter four. I just wanted to say thank you. I know I've been saying this but it really truly means a lot when you guys review. It's a nice reminder that people actually LIKE my writing. haha.
As always, I want to thank my reviewers!
winterprincess, thank you for the video diary idea! Thank you for all of your reviews. You've been a repeat reviewer and that means a lot! I GIVE HER CREDIT FOR HER VIDEO DIARY IDEAS I'M GOING TO USE!
PeetaOrMaxon, thank you for the compliment! I don't like how everyone tries to be like everyone else and I do try to be at least a LITTLE different. So thank you!
maggiebswim, I WANT THEM TO JUST GET MARRIED ALREADY, TOO! haha. did you like my part with the wedding ring? I know I did (Yes, I know, I'm the one who wrote it ;) )
atiyaturrehman64, Thanks for the idea! I GIVE HER (OR HIM, SORRY) CREDIT FOR THE VIDEO DIARY IDEAS I'M GOING TO USE! haha thanks!
avaatquevale2250, Thank you! As I said earlier, things like that mean a lot to mean!
Frankfish, thanks for the ideas! I GIVE HER (OR HIM, SORRY) CREDIT FOR THE VIDEO DIARY IDEAS I'M GOING TO USE! Thank you!
Dl9571, THANK YOU!
ALL RIGHTS GO TO KIERA CASS! NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!
CHAPTER FOUR
After Celeste took her seat, Queen Amberly took the stage.
"Well done, ladies! I know this is the first time we had a mini-challenge. But you all did wonderfully. America, you are automatically exempt from elimination, not matter your score on the video diary vote. You have two hours before dinner. I'd use that time to tape some footage for your video diary. I understand that you may not know how to edit the footage you take, so help will be given if you ask. Before you go I want all of your Clues and souvenirs that you were to take from almost all the stations and set them in front of where you're sitting. Thank you, ladies.'
"Wait! We were suppose to take souvenirs?" Celeste exclaimed.
"Yes," The Queen answered calmly. She hid her irritation well. "That's what you're suppose to do in scavenger hunts. To prove that you've been to each station." Celeste's face fell. She put her clues on the table and walked out of the room. Kriss, Elise and I did the same.
I immediately went to my camera in my messenger bag when I arrived at my room. Mary, Lucy and Anne were already in the room.
"If you want to tape a little bit, we can leave." Mary offered. I smiled. I have an idea for my next video diary.
"Actually no. I want you guys to stay." All three looked a little apprehensive about this but did anyways. I hit record.
"Hello! I'm here with my three maids that were assigned to me." I moved the camera so I could see all three behind me. "They've been some of my best friends since I got here! We would play cards and they're always there for me! I just wanted give them credit for all they do for me. They make the best dresses and always just know when I need a friend. Thank you guys!" I waited for them to respond.
"Of course! It's so easy to be friends with you when you're always the best to us!" We did a little mini group huge and I ended it. Then I put on some winter boots that go with my dress and my cloak.
"Thank you guys! You really are the best! I'm going to head outside to show everyone how pretty the garden is in the winter. I'll come back if I'm too cold, I promise."
I walked outside to the gardens. There was snow and icicles hanging off the trees. Snow sat on top of the bushes but the path was plowed just enough for me to walk through without getting wet. I held the camera up and pressed play.
"So I know I said earlier how much I LOVE the gardens. I love how pretty the flowers are and how beautiful they smell. I love the peacefulness of the trees. It's my favorite place to be both alone and with Prince Maxon for walks. But this is one of the first times I've seen the garden under snow. I think it's almost as equally as beautiful as in the summertime. I feeling like it's a winter wonderland!" I started walking. "I think my family needs another shoutout. Guys, I love you! I miss you so much! I'd like to tell you a little about my family if that's okay. I love them all so much. I have two older siblings, as I said before. Kota is an amazing artist and when we were little," I smiled at the memories, "He would always play with me, even when it wasn't cool to play with your younger sister. Kenna, is my older always had the best advice. I could ask her anything. Then there's my little sister May. She's the sweetest thing ever. And I miss her to death! My youngest sibling is my brother Gerard. He's so smart, especially for his age! And then there's my parents. My dad is the best father I could ask for. He loves me no matter what and wants nothing more than me and the family happy. And my mother- she'd do anything for me. She always wants the best for me, even if it's not what I always want. I love you all! I miss you!" I pressed stop on the camera and headed inside. Of course the maids ran a nice warm bath for me.
After dinner, I settled into the fireplace with a nice book. Lucy came up to me.
"America, there's a not for you." I took it.
"Thanks." I recognise the handwriting.
Tugging my ear. Meet me in my mother's private study when you get this. I want the three of us to talk. Oh and by the way, if a guard stops you on the third floor, don't show them the note, just the seal. It's my private seal.
Love,
M
I marked the page I was on in my book and got up.
"I'll be back. Maxon wants to see me." I made an excited face at them with they smiled and clapped. I left.
"Excuse me, Lady America," I heard a familiar voice. Aspen. "You're not allowed on this floor."
"I am with permission." I said coldly. I held up the Prince's seal. "The Prince wishes to see me." Aspen must've sensed my mood (or the fake one I put up for him)
"America,"
"Lady America to you, soldier." I brushed past him. I went to the wooden door I was at last time I visited the Queen. I knocked.
"Come in!" I took one last glare at Aspen, down the hall, before I opened the door. Queen Amberly was sitting in her seat behind and desk, looking up at Maxon, who was next to her behind the desk, looking at her. They're in the middle of a conversation. I hesitated.
"Come on in, close the door behind you. Sit, make yourself comfortable." She motioned toward the fire, which was glowing warmly around the room. There was a leather couch and two chairs by the fireplace. Maxon and Queen Amberly joined me a few seconds later.
"So how's the video diary coming along?" She asked.
"Very well, I think. I think I'm almost done with the video portion of it. It's just a matter of what to edit in and how."
"Good, that's very good. From the sounds of it, most of the other girls have barely started." There was a smile but not awkward silence. I struggled to find something to say. "America, because we couldn't meet at all yesterday like I had wanted, I'd like to meet tomorrow. Would that be fine?"
"Yes. Thank you again for doing this for me."
"Oh and I spoke to the king. You don't need to take extra lessons from Silvia because you'll be taking them from me." I nodded, showing I understand.
"America, you've become familiar with my me and my family. But I've only become familiar with just you. I'd like to get to know your family. And I'd like them to get to know me. Now usually we'd have all of the families come here for things like this. But I'd like to go to your home town. I'd like to see your home and your friends and your school. I'd like to see you in your natural environment. So next week, after someone has been eliminated, I'll be going to the last three's hometowns." I gasped. I was going to go home! But then I remembered something.
"But- Maxon- I live in a one story, three bedroom house. It's old and it's worn. And my school! All the books are years old! So outdated! You don't wanna see that! I-" He cut off my babbling with a finger to my lips.
"Yes I do, America. I do wanna see that. I wanna be able to have dinner with your family and be a part of your family as much as you've become a part of mine." He placed a chaste kiss on my lips. I remembered his mother was there and blushed. "We'll spend a week there." he said matter-of-factly. "I'll spend a week with everyone's family, just to make it fair. I'll save the best for last. Then we'll bring your family back with us for the Gala." He said it in a way I could never disagree with. So all I could do is smile and throw my arms around him.
"Thank you."
"Now, there is a Ball coming up. And I understand you're not the best dancer." She got up and turned ballroom dancing music on. Maxon stood up and offered me his hand.
"Could I have this dance, m'lady?" He asked joking.
"I'd be honored, my Prince." I took his hand and he guided me through the office. Amberly and Maxon patiently directed me when I made a mistake and slowly, I became comfortable with the dancing.
The next day I met with Queen Amberly. She instructed me on how to behave like a Princess. How to speak and think politically and act like royalty. She showed me what she does as Queen and what I would do as a Princess. If I did this once a week I would be set. I could do this. I worked on the video diary and I think I finished the taping. Now I can edit. I remember Maxon's offer to help me edit it. I asked him as we were walking around the Palace one day.
"I'd like to take you up on the offer to help me edit my video."
"Actually, America, can I tell you the truth?" I nodded. "I'm going to edit all the girl's diary's. I'm going to go through all their footage and pick out the best. Then I'm going to write a narrative and maybe some music to go in the background. Then Gavril's going to do the voice-over narrative. And America? I'm going to make sure your's is the best.
"Thank you, Maxon. You're the best." We shared a soft kiss.
The rest of the week flew by fast.