First off, I'd like to say I'm sorry. It was brought to my attention that I killed off America's father during the Ball attack. But then in the last chapter, he was in the safe room. You're not going crazy, I didn't put that in there. I'm sorry. It's my fault. Can we please just imagine that he wasn't there and it was just Kota walking in, not Kota and the dad? Thanks!

I also forgot to say THANK YOU! To all who reviewed and voted! Thanks so much!

Anyways! You guys have been lacking on the reviewing! C'mon! More reviews!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

AMERICA'S POV

I eyes opened and the first thing I saw was my royal blue ceiling. I smiled. It was going to be a good morning; I can just feel it now.

Then I tried to move to get out of bed. I groaned in pain… Maybe there was a little too much stress yesterday…

"America? Are you okay?" Nurse Madeline asked. I didn't notice she was in the room.

"Yeah, just a little sore," I answered.

"Too much stress yesterday, what with the fainting and the wedding planning. Then the Rebel attack! Maybe you should stay in bed for the day. Just relax."

"RELAX? How am I supposed to plan a wedding in bed?"

"You have plenty of time to do that. For now you just need to heal." Then there was a knock. But it didn't come from the bedroom door. It came from the door connecting my room to maxon's.

"America? Are you okay? I heard yelling."

"Yeah, I'm fine." I called back.

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah," I answered him. The door opened. Without him even asking, I told him the problem.

"She wants me to stay in bed all day!" I said stubbornly.

"Ya know, after yesterday, that might not be so band am idea." He stuck up for her.

"Ugh! Fine!" I slammed my head back on the pillow. Maxon walked over to me. I heard the door shut and assumed Madeline found her way out.

"Just relax, please." He took my hand that was rest on top of the sheets covering me.

"Stay with me?"

"I'm sorry. I wish I could. But I have meetings and things to do. And you have some healing to do." He kissed hand and left with an "I love you".

MAXON'S POV

I made my way down to the Palace prisoner holding cells. It's in the lower basement, under the maid's quarters. I went to the back of the prison. In by the door of the back room, a guard was standing.

"Sire, with all due respect, I'd like to know why another soldier is being held prisoner."

"Because he's a traitor, that's why." I said gruffly. He sensed my bad mood and nodded curtly. He opened the door for me and I glided through. The man, now in loose prison uniform that hung loosely on his malnourished body, lifted his head. He had a black eye. He was tied to a chair. There was an empty chair in front of him. I spun it around and sat on it backwards. I took out his file I took before I came here.

"You here to brag? You win. You get her." He said, his voice raspy. I ignored the comment.

"Aspen Leger, age nineteen. Previously a six before drafted into the military, where you were stationed at the Royal Palace. There, you had an affair with one of the Selected, America Singer." His head shot up. He had a panicked look in his eye. I knew the silent questions he was asking. "Yes, I knew. No, I'm not going to punish her for her. She's a big girl; she can make her own decisions." He relaxed. "You were raised with a single mother. You have three siblings, Celia, Kamber, and Jemmy. You lived in the Carolina Province." I paused.

"Why you sayin' what I already know? This for me or for you?" I pursed my lips at his interruption.

"Sometimes the simplest of information about a person can show cause for their actions."

"Okay, doctor, go ahead. Figure me out." He taunted.

"I don't think you're in place to taunt me. You're the traitor being held captive. I'm the Prince doing the interrogation."

"Interrogation? So that's what this is… I thought it was two guys talking about the girl they both love." He teased. I punched his jaw. His head whipped to the side and he flexed his jaw.

"I'm not in the mood for your comments!" I hissed. I didn't like hurting someone who was so close to America. But he betrayed her. He hurt her. He deserved it. "Now…" I said when he only glared at me, not saying a thing. I hope he learned his lesson. "The Rebels moved from the warehouse we were kept at. Where are they?" He scoffed.

"How am I supposed to know? I'm here." He pointed out. I punched him- in the gut this time. He let out a groan at the impact. I waited patiently for him to answer. "I really don't know. It's not something they would tell me."

"So you weren't high up enough to know things like that?"

"Yeah, okay? I was just a pawn to get to America." He admitted.

"How long have you been in contact with the Rebels?"

"Since about the time of the ball. Just a little after that, even."

"What did they want?"

"Same thing I actually did. I went to save America, betray you guys and have everyone in the rescue party taken, too. Although, it worked out a little better than expected when it turned out to be just you and me. I warned them. That's why it was so easy to get in." After he finished the explanation, I stayed silent for a bit, taking it all in.

"You two dated for how many years before The Selection?"

"Two years." He answered easily. "But I don't see how this has anything to do with-," I cut him off.

"It has everything to do with it." I waited before asking the next question. I didn't want the answer to it. "And you loved her?" He hesitated, not sure how to answer that. "The truth, preferably," I said when he looked like he was ready to lie.

"Still do…" He admitted quietly.

"Then why did you betray her? Why did you hurt her?"

"Because," he started but he stopped himself.

"Because?" I urged him on. He looked like he was about to explode with the information he's holding back. "Because of self-preservation- like you said before. Right?" I urged him on.

"No-," but he stopped himself again. "They-," he stopped himself again.

"They what? I thought it was self-preservation? Hmm?"

"That's a lie I regret saying." He said sadly. And I almost believed him. Almost. I just stared at him until he spoke again. "They have them," he said brokenly. "They have my mom and siblings. They were gonna kill them if I didn't do this. I love America but they're family. I can't turn my back on them now." I believed him now. Totally and absolutely believed him. I was about to ask another question when my phone rang in my pocket. I took it out to see who it was. It could be important. Nurse Madeline. I told her to only call me if America needed me there. I answered it.

"I thought I told you to only call me if America-," But she cut me off. Aspen shot his head up and her name.

"That's why I'm calling. She's sick. She has a fever and a stomach ache and is currently vomiting."

"She's- I'll be right there." I hung up.

"What wrong with America?"

"Nothing. She's just a little sick." I must've looked panicked because he commented.

"You really love her, don't you?" He asked, sounding defeated. I stopped for a second.

"Yeah, I do." And I left. "Feed him," I said to the guard at the door. "And let him go. Let him walk around the cell." He saluted and I rushed away. My poor America…

AMERICA'S POV
After I barfed in my private bathroom, Madeline helped me stumble back to my bed, where I laid for about five minutes before Maxon showed up. He went right up to me and brushed the hair from my face gently. He didn't even say a thing. I scooted over and he lied next to me, on top of the sheets. I didn't even see Madeline sneak out, like she always does when Maxon and I have our personal moments. We were silent, each to our own thoughts but enjoying the other's company. I slowly drifted off.

When I woke up, Maxon was gone and Madeline was in the room. I could tell it was early to late morning by the sun shining through the window. I could tell, just by the seconds I've been awake, that I was much better.

"Feeling better? You look better." Madeline noted. I nodded.

"Much better. I still have a small stomach ache, but I'm fine."

"Good. You should eat, get some food in you. Then maybe walk around a bit." I nodded and sat up in bed.

A few minutes later, a maid walked in with a tray. She brought down four legs that sat on either side of me, and I had a nice bowl of soup and a bottle of water, sitting up in bed.

A while later, Amberly walked in.

"I'm happy to see you're getting along better this morning."

"Yes, much better." I agreed.

"As much as you need your rest, you should start your duties as Princess. Things like details for the wedding, and who will be your five personal maids. I know Maxon did a little, but you should also decorate your room. Just little things that wouldn't wear you out too much." I nodded, agreeing.

My room, already painted my favorite shade of blue, needed little decorating. A beautiful grand piano was brought in, along with different guitars and a violin or two.

HEY! I'm really really sorry for such a long wait! I've been kinda busy lately…

So anyways! Thanks to the people who are reading this. That means you stuck with with it after such a long wait!

One another note,

YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN REALLY LACKING ON A REVIEWS SECTION! GET WITH IT! C'MON!

Haha… sorry I had to yell… anyways!

REVIEW. IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN BEFORE THE WEDDING OR DURING THE WEDDING PLANNING, PLEASE TELL ME! If you think like two certain people should really bond or anything like th at, let me know. I'm really having trouble writing this lately… So any suggestions would be great! Thanks!

~C.A.M.3