A/N: Hey! So I'm really sorry for such the long waits! School has been in the forefront and I haven't had time to write. I'm sorry! Anyways I hope you like it!
Kiera Cass owns all the characters and The Selection Series! This is just a fanfiction!
THE ONE
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
They think the bout of sickness I had was either too much stress or a simple twenty four hour virus that hit at the wrong time. But either way, I'm perfectly fine now. Instead of pajamas I've been wearing, I dress in a comfortable dress and make my way out of my bedroom. I started to take a short walk. But that didn't last long. Curious about the multiple voices in the Parlor, I opened the door a crack. When I saw who was inside, I just opened the door all the way and walked in.
"Darling! You're out of bed! Are you feeling better?" Maxon got up and kissed me on the cheek.
"Better, much better. What are you guys doing?" My mom and Kenna moved over the couch so I could join them.
"We're planning dad's funeral." Kenna was the only one who answered. There was an awkward tension in the room. Then Kota walked in, talking rapidly.
"Hey, have you guys seen Ameri-," He cut himself off when he saw me. He face turned to utter rage. "YOU! What are you doing here? So you just magically feel better at will? How dare you! While we've been working out butts off for you and for dad and for your wedding you've been going 'poor me'! 'Poor Princess Me'!" He spat the word princess. "And while you've been so worried about your wedding, we've been planning dad's funeral. Which, by the way, wouldn't be happening if you weren't such a coward and let dad DIE FOR YOU! Do you ever think of anyone but yourself?!" Angry tears were now running down his face. I stood up shakily as tears threatened to overflow.
"Oh that's RICH coming from you! Aren't you the one who, the second you became rich and famous you ditch us! Not a penny from you while Gerard and May were sent to bed HUNGRY! How dare you call me selfish when you left this family for dead! You're such a hypocrite!" Before I could add something more, or even comprehend what had happened, I felt a stinking on my cheek. Kota slapped me! Before I knew it, Maxon was between us.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" He punched Kota. "GET OUT! GET. OUT." Kota just walked away. As soon as the Parlor door slammed shut behind him, I burst into tears. An arm wrapped around my shoulders and led me to the couch. If I'm going to be Queen, I need to get a handle on my emotions! I sniffed and forced the tears away. Then I looked up.
"I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Maxon said comfortingly.
"So what do we have so far?" I looked at the papers scattered on the table.
"America-," Maxon started.
"No," I interrupted. "I want to help." I said stubbornly. He just smiled and sat down. Mom, Kenna, and Maxon dove into an explanation of what's been done so far and what needs to happen. Being Princess, I knew this was supposed to be solely my job. But with the recent happenings and health, they wouldn't agree to that. But they did agree to me being in charge.
But all good things must come to an end. Maxon's phone eventually interrupted us.
"Yeah?" he snapped into the phone. I knew I shouldn't have, but I listened closely and caught a few words.
"Prisoner… Princess…."
"That's my call, not yours." Maxon in 'Prince Mode' can be scary. The man on the other line said a few things. "We'll see…" He hung up and turned to me. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but can I borrow America real quick?" I could tell he went from my Maxon to the Prince. I nodded and got up. He led me out of the room, to the empty hallway. "Before I tell you, can you promise me you won't got mad?"
"Can't make any promises."
"America-," He started.
"Okay, okay! I promise!"
"Good… There is a prisoner down in the Palace prison cells. And he's calling for you. He's requesting to speak with you."
"Who?"
"America-," he started again. But I just interrupted again.
"Who?" I demanded.
"Officer Aspen Leger." I pretended that didn't faze me…
"And he wants to talk to me?"
"Yes."
"Should I?"
"That's your choice?"
"What do you think?"
"As much as I don't like it, I know how close you two were. It might make you feel better if you made amends with him before the wedding." I thought about it. As much as I hate him right now for what he did to me, I know I'd regret it in the future if I don't talk to him.
"When?"
"Anytime you want."
"Now?"
"If you really want to, I can cover for you with your mother and sister."
"I kinda want you to come with him. And plus I don't know where it is." He smiled at my sheepish statement.
"Okay. How about we go tell your family we have to go do something then we can go down." He offered. I nodded and we walked back into the room.
The dark hall had dark iron, cage-like doors on either side. Arms were sticking out between the bars, reaching for me and Maxon. His eyes were straight forward, ignoring the prisoners on either side of him. But I couldn't help but notice. Some arms were skeleton-like. Skin was either taunt on the bone or loosely hanging. Some arms were muscular and tattooed. Most arms reached for me, but didn't dare come close to touching me, though I had a feeling if they really tried, they could. But most knew who I was and didn't dare touch me. Scared and wary of the people surrounding us, I clung to Maxon's side. One large, tattooed arm grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me to come face to face with him; the only thing between us was bars. What was supposed to be the whites of his eyes were yellow, and the rest was pure black. When he smiled at me sinisterly, his teeth were yellow. I gasped and tried to rip my arm from his grip, but he was stronger than me.
"You're a pretty girl. Smart, cunning. Why don't you help us? Huh? You can help me! I didn't mean to! I didn't mean to!" Maxon interfered, ripping my wrist from his hand.
"Get off her!"
"I didn't mean to! I didn't mean to!" He yelled as Maxon led me away.
"I'm sorry." Maxon said as we walked away. "Some have been in here long enough." I didn't say anything. He didn't mean to what? At the end of a hall was a door that was pure metal, with bolts on it. There was a guard stationed there.
"This is your stop." I nodded and faced the door. Another guard came with a tray of food.
"Oh! Princess! Are you visiting him?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why don't you bring this in with you?" He offered me the tray of food and I took it. The other guard, who was at the door, opened it and I walked in. The door shut behind me.
It took me a second to let my eyes adjust to the dark, musty and dusty room. The only light was a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. I noticed a crude toilet and a bed pad on the floor. Then I heard chains drag and my eyes went to the person sitting on the floor.
"I was wondering why the chained me up. They usually just let me walk around the room." A familiar but raspy voice came from the shadowy figure. I took a hesitant step towards him.
"I brought food." I offered. Not wanting to go any farther, I set the tray on the floor and slid it over to him. He reached and dragged it over the rest of the way. He started eating. Halfway through a bit, he spoke.
"Hmm, my apologies." He swallowed the food and stood up. "I forgot." He bowed deeply. "Your royal Princess." He said sarcastically.
"Sarcasm isn't needed."
"America, please," He started to beg when he realized I wasn't in the joking mood.
"Please, what?"
"Please forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you. You need to understand, I didn't have a choice!"
"Yes! Yes, you did have a choice! How could you not know they would hurt me in some way?!"
"It's not like that… I knew they might hurt you. It's just…. America, I didn't have a choice. Please. They had my mom and sisters and brother! I really do love you! But they were gonna kill them if I didn't do that! Mer, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please, forgive me! Please!" I approached him and held my hand out. His dirty hand touched my clean one. I helped him to stand up. He hugged me. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He mumbled into my hair.
Walking away, I never felt lighter, more carefree. As much as I wanted to just sit in the dusty old cell with him, like it was our old treehouse, I knew I couldn't. I had responsibilities. I had a funeral and a wedding to plan and a man to get out of jail. How ironic… I'm preparing to find closure in one life, to start a new life in my own, and to help another.
I don't know whether or not I forgive him. He probably could've taken better paths for helping both me and his family without having to choose. As much as I hate him for what he did, I understand why he did it. How would I have reacted in that situation? Would I have just about sold someone I love for someone else I love? Or would I have tried to find a way to get both to safety? I know what the better choice is and what the easier choice is. But what would I choose under pressure? These are questions I hope I never have to test.
So maybe I don't forgive him. So maybe I can see where he's coming from, though. But does he need to stay in jail? Or does he need to be let go? What happens now? It's something I need to talk with Maxon about…
A/N: Hey! So what do you think? Should America forgive him now that she knows the truth? Would you? What happens to him now? Continues being imprisoned, banished, killed, simply let go? Your choice! So more Maxon/May sweetness and Maxon/America sweetness coming up! Should Kota come back or do they never see him again, or? And maybe a little bit on Gerard, because I haven't brought him into this lately. And their mom… Tell me what you think! Thanks for reading!