America

'They still haven't arrived Maxon,' I said worriedly, slipping on my pale blue heels. Mary, despite my logic that they would be hidden beneath the ruffles of my matching blue dress still insisted I wear them. 'I'm beginning to worry. What if something happened to them?'

'I'm sure its fine America,' Maxon assured me, joining me by the mirror and straightening his pale blue tie. 'There was probably just a hold up that stopped them from leaving on time in London. You know how hard it can be to get an entire family of royal children on a flight. Especially if there are crowds of people filling the streets.'

'I know, I just want everything to be perfect for Harmonia and that includes having her sister here,' I sighed handing Maxon the necklace he had given me on our tenth anniversary. It was a silver locket with a picture of us on our wedding day and one he had taken only that morning.

'Remember when I gave you this,' Maxon chuckled, resting the silver heart against my chest and clasping it behind my neck as I held my hair out of his way.

'How could I forget?' I smirked, recalling the day in question. 'Harmonia wasn't even one and we had a total of five children under the age of ten. Not to mention we still had the country to run when we weren't chasing after Marinda as she tried her hardest to single handedly tear the palace apart.'

'I can't decide whether she was more destructive when she was under the age of five or now,' Maxon laughed, spinning me so I was facing him, his arms encircling my waist.

'At least if Aisling stays around she can put her in her place every now and then,' I replied remembering yesterday when I watched my middle daughter finally receive what she had been handing out all these years. Her face was priceless and I wished Maxon had his camera handy to capture the moment.

'I'm not sure the palace could handle the two of them.'

'At least Aisling uses her powers for good and not evil like our daughter,' I offered, leaning up and pressing a gentle kiss against my husband's cheek.

'Where did we go wrong?' Maxon sighed dramatically, releasing me and taking my hand instead.

'It's the hair,' I smiled up at my beautiful blonde haired husband, the white of age streaking through his once golden hair.

'Is there no cure?' He moaned playfully as he led me from our room.

'Maybe we could find her a nice prince, I've heard they can have a calming effect on those troublesome red heads.'

'In my experience the opposite occurs,' he smiled giving my hand a squeeze.

'What about that Australian prince? He was such a lovely boy,' I mused.

'That would be a sight,' Maxon chuckled. 'I imagine our daughter might feed him to one of his snakes in under an hour.'

'I wish he had accepted our invitation,' I frowned mockingly.

'Do you really want to be rid of all our children America?' Maxon asked worriedly.

'No,' I sighed sadly. 'I wish Amberly and Anthony weren't such a perfect fit. I wish I could keep them all locked away with you and me forever.'

'Sounds like a plan,' Maxon smiled.

'I just feel like I'm losing a daughter and I hate it. Why did they need to grow up?' I complained, looking up at Maxon almost angrily.

'Think of it like you're gaining a son. You're not losing her America, she's only a plane ride away.' Maxon reasoned but it didn't change my feelings. Once she was married to Anthony she wouldn't just be a member of this family anymore but his as well.

'I just miss her I guess, I wish they would hurry up and get here.'

'So do I,' Maxon answered thoughtfully as we came to a stop in front of the ballroom.

'Here we go,' I smiled, giving his hand a squeeze.

'Do we have a location on the redheaded princess?' Maxon asked gravely to the guard beside the door.

'She was last seen entering the ballroom with a known accomplice,' the guard replied with equal seriousness.

'Michael,' we sighed together at Michael's misfortune.

'Maybe she'll behave tonight,' Maxon said hopefully as the doors to the ballroom opened and we were announced. I simply replied with a doubtful raise of my eye brows and pulled him into the room, filled with party guests.

Looking around I was a little baffled by the decorations which had completely transported our guests from a solid reality to an unknown destination where the trees were all the colours you could imagine and delicate teacups hung from the ceiling. However, nothing compared to the centre table which was reserved for the royal family where all the chairs were somehow crafted into giant tea cups and the table somehow fashioned from a cupcake.

'Who was in charge of decorations?' Maxon whispered in my ear and I quickly ran all the girls names through my head finding the source of this alternate universe easily.

'Lady Aisling and Lady Alice,' I smirked looking over to where the girls sat arguing over something. Alice dressed in peaches, and I don't mean the colour. Her entire dress was crafted from a peach pattern with one colossal peach sitting atop her golden hair. When I looked at her feet I realised her shoes had been made to look like the leaves of a peach.

'Is that a peach?' Maxon asked in surprise and I nodded my head turning my attention to her sparing partner. Aisling had gone down a much more conservative route and wore an intricately woven pair of silver and gold wings. They were small and delicate just like her but drew your attention to them immediately. Her dress was a simple pale green and fell in waves from her waist. I noticed that since she had arrived she had lost the gaunt look from the abuse I knew she had suffered even though Adam had never explicitly told me and neither had Maxon.

'Amercia, I believe our youngest daughter is about to make her grand entrance,' Maxon whispered wrapping his arm around my waist and turning me to face the doors Harmonia was about to enter through.

'...her royal highness Harmonia Nicoletta Schreave,' the man announced as the doors of the ballroom were thrown open revealing the youngest of my children, her face alight as the crowd turned to greet her. Suddenly, hundreds of butterflies escaped into the air and Harmona's smile somehow grew wider.

Justin was quickly by her side but I was surprised to see a shocked look pass across Harmonia's face as she linked her arm through his, hesitantly. He ignored her rapid whispers and led her to the dance floor her mouth never ceasing to move even when the first strains of the melody began to drift through the room.

'What is wrong with Harmonia?' Maxon whispered as Justin led Harmonia around the dance floor with the all the grace of a fourteen year old boy who hadn't yet grown into his body.

'I have no idea, maybe they had a fight?' I suggested.

'Only one of them seems to be fighting,' Maxon observed.

'Then one of them must know women much better than you,' I joked spinning in his hold to place a sweet kiss on his cheek.

'Yet I still managed to charm you,' he smirked

And quickly leant down, covering my lips with his own.

Harmonia

'Justin, just answer me,' I hissed as he held me close in his arms a blank expression on his face. 'Where is she and why are you here dancing with me?'

'Can you just...be quiet,' he complained, looking down at me with a frustrated expression.

'How can I be quiet when you were meant to bring the girl you were in love with but instead you're here dancing with me? Did she turn you down?' I probed.

'Harmonia,' he groaned, glancing at the couples around us who had joined in the dance.

'Come on Justin just tell me what's going on,' I demanded impatiently, stepping back from him as the last strains of the song ran into the next one. 'Well?' I promoted when he remained silent in front of me. I watched as he took a deep breath, his eyes closed before all his words came out in one quick rush.

'She hasn't turn me down because I never asked her. I have known her all my life and for that time she has been my best friend, my only friend. Then suddenly one day everything changed. Being around her made me nervous but I couldn't be without her either.'

'Then why didn't you ask her tonight?' I asked trying to hide the hurt I felt that he didn't consider me his friend. How could this girl have stolen him from me so easily? I thought we were best friends.

'Harmonia,' he sighed tiredly. 'I couldn't ask her because it's her party.' Immediately, my face scrunched up in confusion and before the realisation hit me he disappeared into the growing crowd of dancing couples.

But, this was my party, I thought. Was there another ball in the palace tonight?

I was completely oblivious to everyone around me as they spun and twirled happily on the dance floor, confusion clouding my thoughts.

'Nia? What are you doing just standing here?' I jolted at Marinda's sudden intrusion in my thoughts and she smirked at me before asking her question again.

'I don't know,' I muttered in reply, my mind nothing but a muddle of mixed up thoughts.

'What happened between you and Justin?' She asked curiously. 'The boy looked crushed.'

'I-I don't know,' I repeated.

'Did he finally tell you? Did you reject him?' She asked urgently, obliviously to the rapid feet and twirling dresses around her.

'I-what?' I asked, my heart beating strangely in my chest.

'So he didn't tell you,' she sighed, rocking back on her heels.

'Tell me what?' I demanded, frustration thumping loudly through my veins.

'Never mind,' Marinda shrugged and suddenly realisation hit me like a brick to the back of my head.

'Its me,' I breathed my eyes wide with the shock of my revelation. 'This is my party.'

'Nia, I would have thought that would have been obvious.' Marinda answered in amusement.

'He likes me,' I almost shouted startling the couples around us. 'This is my ball and he likes me.'

'Interesting way of seeing it,' my older sister commented.

'I need to find Justin,' I replied urgently.

'So he did tell you?' Marinda asked in confusion but I ignored her, pushing through the crowd searching for the boy I had known all my life. How had I not seen this before?

Aisling

'Do you want to come and see my family?' Alice asked, gesturing to her family who were seated on the other side of the ballroom among the flower garden we had created indoors. When you sat amongst them it was if they were singing to you. Each with its own individual scent and beauty dividing your attention but overwhelming you with it's splendour.

'Um...' I stalled, looking for a response she wouldn't find offending. Glancing at them again I saw her younger brother wore a giant pocket watch on his head as way of a hat and he was talking rapidly to his mother who was smiling at him with genuine interest. Maybe over the years she had simply learnt how to give off that impression.

'Its all right,' Alice smiled. 'I know they can be a lot to handle.'

'Its just a little overwhelming,' I admitted guiltily.

'I'll talk to you later,' she promised getting to her feet. 'Try not to monopolise all of the prince's time.' I smiled weakly at her before she was swallowed by a cacophony of colour swirling around the dance floor. Crazy hats standing above everything, like birds flying high among the treetops.

'Lady Aisling,' I cringed hearing her voice and involuntarily shuffled my chair away from her when she sat beside me. 'I hope you are enjoying the ball.'

'I am thank you,' I muttered wondering why she had chosen now to remember her hatred for me.

'You did a wonderful job with the decorations, so innocent and juvenile. It amazes me how your mind works, as if you were still a child yourself.' Medea smiled sweetly but it was easy to see the thorns hiding in her compliment.

'It did turn out well,' I said softly, looking out at the crowd of people, hoping to find an escape.

'It seems you're in the same predicament as myself,' she continued despite my disinterest, reaching up and taking two flutes of a bubbly liquid from a passing tray. When I didn't answer her she set one down in front of me and spoke as if I had replied. 'You aren't spending time with the prince either tonight.'

'He just busy,' I mumbled, fingering the stem of the untouched glass in front of me. 'His family's here and princess Amberly is meant to be here tonight with her fiancé. I know he was excited about that.'

'But where is he now Aisling?' She questioned knowingly and I followed her gaze to see him with Melody in his arms. Instantly I felt the same pain twist through my chest like before when Melody had spoken about her date with Adam.

'He's just...' I trailed off as he leant down and whispered something that made her smile like she was the only girl in the room. A smile filled with confidence but instead filled my heart with ice.

'He's just entertaining the idea of other girls Aisling. What do you think he's doing when he's not with you?' She probed and it felt as if every question sent a new wave of uncertainty rushing through my body. I was confused, my mind whirling with possibilities, my heart yelling in Adam's defence.

'He's busy learning to rule the nation,' I offered unconvincingly.

'Hes's not ruling it yet,' Medea replied simply and I found myself unable to pull my eyes away from Adam as he led Melody in another song. I sat silently beside her and all I wanted was for her to leave. Why was she still sitting there?

'I want to help you Aisling.'

'Why, every time before now you have claimed vehement disgust for me? You hate me,' I laughed humourlessly.

'I know but I was wrong before,' she said and I looked up at her curiously. 'You are no threat to me. It was absurd to ever think that you could be Adams wife, a princess.' She scoffed.

'I never said I wanted to be,' I muttered under my breath so she couldn't hear.

'Adam needs someone who will support him, who can help in ruling the nation, who can read,' she emphasised and my eyes went wide in shock. How had she known that?

'I-I can read,' I stuttered.

'You're just a burden Aisling, it's selfish of you to place all of your problems on Adam. He already has so many. He will drown under the weight of it all. The nation will fall and it will be all your fault,' she grinned darkly and I felt all her words settle on me like a familiar blanket reminding me of everything I've always known.

'Adam doesn't think that,' I whispered looking back out at him as he danced with Melody, a warm smile on his lips.

'Adam has a duty, eventually he will see you aren't what he needs. Eventually, he will forget you Aisling. You'll just be another girl in the crowd, a memory of the past but never there in the future.'

'Lady Medea, would you join me for a dance?' I jolted at the sound of Adam's voice and watched with defeated eyes as he led her away to the dance floor without even sparing me a glance. Would I really just become a distant memory? Would Adam really not be in my life? It just didn't make sense.

Thoughts were colliding in my mind and skittering chaotically around until I felt my temples pounding and I closed my eyes trying to shut out the rest of the world.

When I opened them again I found them resting on the glass Medea had placed in front of me. I had seen countless parties where Malvolia and her guests would drink this liquid filled with bubbles and they would be so happy, laughing, dancing, singing. That's all I wanted right now, I wanted to forget, I wanted to be happy. Without a second thought I gently took the glass and threw it down my throat before the taste could hit me but when it did I almost wanted to cough it back up. Then a lightness came over me, pushing everything from my mind. Eager to feel it again I took one from the passing waiter and ignored the concerned look he shot me and swallowed that one too.

Adam

Where was Amberly? She and prince Anthony were meant to be here hours ago. Thankfully, Harmonia had been so busy looking for Justin that she hadn't noticed their absence yet.

'Adam,' I turned quickly from surveying the dance floor to find grandpa Shalom by my side smiling broadly.

'Hey grandpa,' I smiled back distractedly, now searching the room for a different girl entirely.

'I see you've had a busy dance card,' he chuckled and I looked at him in confusion.

'What?' I asked scrunching my face up.

'Never mind,' he sighed, resting his hand on my shoulder. 'Which girl might you be looking for this time?'

'Aisling,' I muttered catching her eye from across the dance floor, where she sat beside Medea an unfamiliar look in her eye. As soon as she realised I was watching her she pushed back from the table, stumbling slightly but righting herself before turning and disappearing among the joyful dancers. I had just finished dancing with Aurora and was glad to be out of the choreographed chaos.

'I'm not sure she's looking for you,' grandpa laughed, giving my shoulder a squeeze, obviously noticing Aisling's retreat.

'What girl would turn my grandson down?' Grandma Magda asked disapprovingly appearing from nowhere to stand beside me. 'He's perfect.' She beamed before taking my cheek in her pincers never giving me the chance to escape.

'Women are a tricky business Magda,' my grandpa commented sharing a knowing look with me but I apparently didn't have the wisdom he had because I had no idea what he was talking about.

'If you men would listen once in a while I'm sure we wouldn't be nearly as tricky,' she spat back only causing my grandpa's smile to widen.

'Its when you listen that you get confused,' he whispered to me, releasing my shoulder to cover his words from my glaring grandmother. 'They never say what they really mean.'

'Shalom, don't you dare try and give that boy advice about women, you have no idea,' Grandma tutted, trying to shoo him away from me.

'I've been married to you for over forty years, I must have done something right,' he chuckled.

'Oh don't try that with me,' Grandma scolded and I watched the two walk away bickering with a small smile on my face.

'I see your grandparents have already gotten to you, trying to corrupt the next king.'

'Hey Uncle Gerad,' I smiled, turning to face my uncle. 'Where's Uncle Jameson?'

'He's around, you know him. Always wants to check out the fashion,' he answered dismissively of his partner. They were complete opposites but when you saw them together it was obvious they fit perfectly. Uncle Gerad was a sports teacher at one of the public schools my parents had set up in Carolina and Uncle Jameson was a well known fashion designer who often travelled the world with a reluctant uncle Gerad, attending fashion shows.

'I see you aren't having any problems with the selected girls,' he laughed and I ducked my head bashfully.

'Just one,' I muttered. 'I can't seem to find her.'

'Green eyes, blonde hair, looks like a dreamer who can't seem to keep her two feet on the ground,' he answered with a knowing smile.

'How did you know?' I hadn't even spoken to Aisling all night, how did he know all that about her already.

'The entire country is certain of your choice Adam, we're all just waiting for the moment you decide to end the competition and give us a new princess.'

'I'm that obvious aren't I,' I groaned, looking out at the dance floor again for her.

'It's not a bad thing Adam, but you should make sure she knows that you're chasing her. Your uncle never made that clear to me,' he laughed reminiscently. 'Took me months to realise he was after me, months we wasted.'

'She knows, but she isn't ready yet,' I shrugged looking back at my uncle.

'Don't give her too long, your heart matters in all of this too Adam.'

'Adam,' Uncle Jameson called coming over and wrapping his arm around his partner's waist. Uncle Jameson always had a flare for the dramatic and being a fashion designer he never paired back his creative flurry. This, unfortunately resulted in some of the most flamboyant outfits anyone has ever seen. Tonight, he wore a green suit with flying monkeys. A banana-yellow shirt and a purple tie. Not to mentioned the giant banana on his head he was trying to pass off as a hat. 'Don't you look cute in your little suit there. All grown up right before our very eyes.'

'Come on Jameson he's not a puppy, he's the next king of Illea. He is not cute,' Uncle Gerad scolded.

'Thank you uncle Gerad,' I said, shooting uncle Jameson a look.

'I still think he looks cute,' Jameson muttered.

'Why don't we go and show these people how to really dance?' Uncle Gerad suggested.

'Sounds like a marvellous plan,' he almost squealed, pulling a somewhat reluctant Gerad behind him, despite him being the one who suggested it. There was no doubt that my uncles, no matter where they went would always breathe life into any party and they were in full party mode out on the dance floor.

At least someone was enjoying themselves. I on the other hand couldn't find the only girl I wanted to dance with all night. Casting one last glance over the ballroom I moved towards my mother hoping she was a little more help than my uncles had been.

'Mom?' I asked, approaching her noticing she was staring intently at something obscured by the flurry of twirling people.

'Yes sweetheart?' She replied distractedly, never taking her eyes off the people she was watching on the dance floor.

'Have you seen Aisling recently?'

'No, sorry I've been busy…' she trailed off as a look of anger swept across her face, the same one she gave our father when he did something that enraged her.

'Mom, what's going on?' I questioned, confusion furrowing my brow deeply.

'What?' She asked, jolting her attention to me finally looking away from whoever had captured her attention on the dance floor. 'What did you want to ask me?'

'Are you all right?'

'Fine, enough about me, what was your problem?' She prompted, swivelling in her chair to face me fully and I took the one beside her.

'I think Aisling is angry with me, but I have no idea why and now I can't find her.'

'I'm sure she's just off with Alice or Michael. You'll find her,' she soothed.

'I don't think she wants to see me, when I saw her before she didn't look happy.'

'Well, have you danced with her at all tonight?' Mom asked. 'Did you maybe do or say something that could have upset her?'

'No, I haven't even seen her tonight,' I answered exasperated.

'Oh Adam,' my mother chuckled lightly before continuing. 'You're so much like your father. You can't just ignore her all night and expect her to be all right with it as you dance with all the other girls.'

'I don't understand, I have to dance with them,' I answered in confusion. 'You told me I couldn't spend the entire night with Aisling.'

'Did you explain this to her?'

'No, why would I need to?'

'She's jealous Adam, it's only natural,' she laughed as if it were some inside joke that only women knew about.

'Why would she be jealous, I spend almost all of my time with her? She should know that she is my only choice,' I reasoned.

'Adam, she's still a young girl who has had her entire world thrown up into the air, in a competition where she needs to share you with nine other girls.'

'But, it's obvious that I put her above all the other girls, why would she be acting this way? Did you ever get jealous over dad?'

'Of course, but not now. After years together I trust him to never betray me.' She answered with certainty.

'So she doesn't trust me?' I asked in alarm. I thought we were making progress.

'You-what does he think he is doing?' She finished in a growl getting to her feet quickly almost knocking me from my seat.

'Mom?'

'Just because he is king doesn't mean he can get away with this,' she hissed.

'Mom, what are you talking about?' I asked cautiously afraid she might turn on me.

'Who added her to the guest list?' She muttered, storming off in the direction of where I thought my father might be. It looked like he was in for a world of trouble, if the veins in my mothers neck were any indication. It appeared jealously lasted a lifetime.

Maxon

'It was wonderful seeing you again Kriss,' I smiled warmly, leaning down to place a kiss on her cheek. 'We mustn't go so long bef-'

'Maxon,' I quickly turned from Kriss and was met with a very angry America. Immediately, I started running through anything I could have done to make her this mad but nothing I could think of would have caused this.

'America?' I asked in confusion.

'What do you think you are doing?' She growled and Kriss wisely stepped back from me.

'Well, I was-'

'Why would you do this?' She demanded, in a low, menacing voice

'I don't really know what I've done,' I answered, perplexed by her hostility.

'How can you stand there and say that to me?' She hissed and I cast a quick look around the room noticing that a lot of the people were watching us, eager for some gossip to spread about their king and queen.

'America,' I warned and I immediately regretted my words when her eyes sparked with that familiar fire. I knew this situation was about to get out of hand.

'Don't you dare,' she growled menacingly. 'Remember when you gave me this?' She said pointing viciously at the ruby engagement ring I had given her all those years ago.

'Of course,' I answered quickly, still confused by her outburst.

'You promised there would be no one else but me, no other girls,' and suddenly realisation washed over me and before I could stop it a bubble of laughter escaped from me.

'America,' I gasped. 'When have I ever showed any interest in any other girl but you?'

'Maxon, you were dancing with Kriss,' she replied, anger sharpening her words.

'America,' I sighed, wrapping her reluctant body in my arms. She tried to break free but I held her firmly against my chest until her temper calmed. 'I chose you and more importantly you chose me.'

'I'm being unreasonable, aren't I?' She asked with a heavy breath.

'Maybe a little,' I chuckled, running my hand through her hair soothingly.

'I don't know what I was thinking,' she mumbled into my chest.

'You were thinking like you did twenty years ago, only this time it's you, only you,' I murmured placing a kiss on her forehead as she pulled away from me.

'I just-' She stopped abruptly mid-sentence and I felt worry rush through my body.

'America?' I asked in concern as she froze in my arms staring at something intently over my shoulder. 'What's wrong?'

'What's he doing here?' She murmured, her hands unconsciously tightening around where she held my arms.

'Who?' I asked in confusion, looking over my shoulder wondering if I needed to call the guards, maybe they had missed a rebel. It would make sense that they would attack tonight, there were so many important people from both Illea and from other nations around the world. However, when my eyes finally rested on what I assumed had caused my wife distress, confusion filling my body replacing the fear that was once there.

'Celeste Newsome?' I muttered watching as the couple walked confidently into the ballroom. The man on her arm seemed very familiar, I just couldn't seem to place him. However, I didn't need to wait long until his identity was revealed.

'Kota,' America breathed and it all fell into place.

So that was part one of the ball. There were just so many things I needed to cover and so many people we needed to see that it wouldn't all fit into one chapter. And don't think that I have forgotten a certain missing princess, news simply hasn't reached Illean shores yet, what with all the excitement around the princess's party.

T, its lovely to hear from you again :) I know Amberly's disappearance is difficult to digest but it was essential I promise. Tensions will be high and there may even be a confrontation between Adam and Anthony. He is lost, confused and looking for someone to blame. I guess you'll just have to stay tuned to see how he deals with the disappearance of the only girl he's ever loved ;)

There was a wonderful guest who was only a few chapters in and I strongly hope you made it all the way to where we are now, I know it's pretty long. Not really sure how it got so out of hand but here we are, thirty four chapters in and counting :) I'm beyond excited to hear that you like it and thank you so much for your support :)

Sam, her disappearance is all part of the plan and it prompts several different reactions from all of our favourite characters. Some which will be surprising and others quite possibly heart breaking. There is about to be an overlapping in the two stories in a very big way. I adore dogs, obviously because I have three of them. My younger brother and I have been desperately trying to convince my mum to get a fourth dog but she really doesn't want another one. We really want a husky but there's a lot of paper work to get approval for a fourth dog and mum's not keen. I'm allergic to cats too and dogs are just so much better :) They make everything better.

Lola5147, we may find out how Anthony is dealing with the loss of his love next chapter. I tried to fit it in this one but it was getting too long and I still couldn't include everything I wanted to. I hope you liked this chapter anyway, everybody should learn about the tragic news pretty soon and then we will know how they react.

Thank you to all my beautiful readers and reviewers especially those who give me their wonderful thoughts almost every, if not every chapter. You guys are amazing and thank you for sticking with me throughout this entire story. Even when I've disappeared for extended periods of time. It did take me over a week to write this one. I wrote it on the train, in the library, waiting to pick my brother up and in almost every location in my house. I hope you are enjoying it and I'll try and give you guys an update as quickly as possible :) Happy reading beautiful people :)