Hi people! I had a lot of trouble brainstorming for this chapter for some reason. At first it was going to be in Maxon's POV, but then nothing made sense. So I changed it to Kriss's POV. Same problem. Finally, after many restless hours, America came to me and told me what happened after her debacle with Maxon in the gardens. It's pretty interesting, so I hope you enjoy. :)

All rights to Kiera Cass. I did not write the Selection Trilogy.

Chapter Nine

(America's POV)

After sufficiently crying my eyes out in the gardens, I walked inside. I knew that this was a possible outcome of my confession, I just didn't think it would hurt me this much. My heart was broken and beyond repair, and I was afraid that without Maxon's forgiveness, it would stay that way.

I started walking towards my room, trying to act as though I hadn't been sobbing for the past hour. As I was going down the hallway towards the stairs, I bumped into someone.

"Oh, Lady America, how wonderful. I was just looking for you," said Queen Amberly, sounding very happy for some reason, "follow me."

I was so shocked that she was addressing me alone, that I nodded my head, at a loss for words.

She led me throughout the halls and up a few stairwells before finally stopping in front of a room I had never seen before. I tried to keep my emotions in check, but I was really confused. Queen Amberly started to laugh.

"This is my study. I just wanted to go somewhere where no one would barge in on our conversation." she explained, smiling down at me.

She led me inside, sitting down on a chair next to her fireplace. I followed her lead, sitting across from her.

"I'm sorry if I am being rude, your majesty, but why am I here?" I asked, very puzzled. I had never talked to the queen in a one-on-one situation, and it was making me very anxious.

She smiled kindly, a motherly look on her face.

"My son has spent a lot of time with you recently." she said, trying to hold back what I think was a grin.

"Yes," I replied shakily, "after both of the rebel attacks, he and I got back on good terms again."

Once again, a smile appeared on her face. Did she not know that Maxon had started to avoid me again? Was I missing something?

"Is something funny?" I asked when her smile didn't waver.

Without a second to spare, she hastened over to my chair and sat on the arm, looking down at me with joy.

"America, while you were unconscious and in the hospital, Maxon came to me and asked me a question. Do you know what that was?" I shook my head no. She leaned in conspiratorially, "He asked for my blessing. He wants to marry you, America. He loves you." she answered.

My jaw dropped slightly at what she had said.

"He had it all planned. He was going to do it today, right after dinner. He was so excited, I had to hold his shaking hand under the dinner table. But then you left, and he was immediately worried for you." she sighed, "He ran after you, and... well I'm not sure what happened, but he never proposed, did he?" she finally asked.

"No," I replied softly, "no, he didn't."

A dreadful feeling engulfed me. He had wanted to propose, to make me happy after Aspen's death; and I had ruined his chance to do so.

Suddenly, all I wanted to do was to go to Maxon. I wanted him to know how much I loved him. I wanted to tell him how much he meant to me. And, most importantly, I wanted to make things right again; because without Maxon, I could not survive.

"Will you excuse me?" I asked, trying hard not to get up and bolt from the office.

She must have read my thoughts, because she started to grin ear-to-ear.

"Go to him America."

There was no need to tell me twice. Without another word or glance back in her direction, I set off in search for Maxon.

Okay, I just wanted to say sorry for the long wait. I have had writer's block for the past few days, and I couldn't get any of my thoughts or ideas into coherent sentences. I really hope you liked this chapter, or at least thought it was okay for someone who had writers block for over 24 hours. Anyways... review, PM, follow, and favorite if you like my story or have any suggestions for what should happen next. Thanks for reading!

-Property of Illea