Thanks for reading!

-CL

I stare at Michael. "What—what do you mean?" I choke out. I didn't even realize I was crying until the tears fell down my cheeks and into my hands.

Michael rakes his hand through his hair, the gesture reminding me of Maxon. Another pang hits my heart. Will I ever see Maxon do that again?

"He may never wake up, Bella. His circulatory system may shut down, which is fatal," Michael says. "I'm so sorry."

"No," I say quietly. "No! No, no, no!" I shout. Michael makes no hesitation to wrap me in his arms. I pound his chest, shouting, "No! No! No!"

"I'm so sorry, Bella," Michael repeats. He squeezes my arm before letting go. "Do you need anything?"

"I need to talk to Ames," I say, taking a deep breath to calm down.

Michael nods. "I'll text her to come down."

"Preferably without Annabella," I tack on.

Michael nods. "Alright."

A little while later, Ames enters my room after knocking. "Bella? You wanted to see me?" I nod, and she closes the door behind her. She turns to face me, her eyes bloodshot; it's obvious that she's been crying. I stand up without a word and wrap my arms around her, careful of my wounded arm. She starts sobbing, causing my sobs to begin in tandem with hers. We hold each other while we both break.

Ames and I decided to go up to my bedroom since I moved back into the Queen Suite. It's early in the morning, and even though we are both tired, we can't sleep. Ames has been helping me clean myself up, but I refuse to change out of my masquerade outfit.

"Please explain to me why you won't take off your faerie outfit again?" Ames asks, sighing. She's getting frustrated with my stubbornness.

"Maxon didn't know that I was Cat. He deserves to know, and my outfit will help him make the connection," I say. "Although, I will have to ask Celine for a new dress. And wig," I say, grimacing at the bloodstains on my white wig. "Can you call for one of the maids and ask them to do that?"

Ames shakes her head, sighing. "Bella, you're going to have to do a broadcast as soon as possible."
Suddenly, this all seems so very real. I think of Maxon lying on an operation table, fighting for his life. The least I could do is do a broadcast. "Alright," I whisper, "for Maxon."

Ames sighs in relief, nodding. "I'll get one set up. Then I'll come back here to help you change alright? I'm here to help; I was raised for this," she says with a small smile before exiting the room.

A woman knocks on my door soon after Ames leaves. "Your Majesty?" she calls through the door.

I open the door and notice a maid. She curtsies before saying, "I've notified Celine about your garments. She said she should be able to deliver them in the next couple of days, Your Majesty."

I nod, leaning against the door. "Thank you. You can go now," I say. The maid curtsies once again before leaving. I shut the door and sigh, waiting for Ames's return. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking. My nerves are starting to skyrocket thinking about the broadcast. I just want to talk to Maxon. He would know how to calm me down. If only—

Another knock at the door snaps me out of my thoughts. "Bella?" I hear America say through the door.

"Come in!" I shout, too lazy to get up from the bed. I hear the door open, and Ames enters soon after. I glance at her and see the dress in her hands. "You want me to wear a ballgown, Ames?" I ask, skeptical. I sit up, intrigued.

"This is the first time you're doing a broadcast on your own. You need to look like the Queen and that you have everything together, even though you may have lost your husband."

"But, Ames, a ballgown?" I question.

"Just let me get you into it and then you can judge, alright?" she says. I nod and stand up. Ames helps me take off my faerie costume and get the ballgown on.

I step back and get a look at myself in the full-length mirror. "Ames, it's gorgeous, but—"

"Yes, I know, your arms. Here are some gloves," she says, handing me matching black elbow-length gloves.

"That's not what I was going to say, but thanks," I say, putting the gloves on. I glance at the gown again. The ballgown is black, with lace in a floral pattern at the hem; the corset has a matching pattern. It has a sweetheart neckline and floral straps for off-the-shoulder sleeves. "I think it's missing one thing," I say, realizing I truly do like the gown. I grab the tiara from the safe in my walk-in closet and put it out, looking at myself in the mirror again. I take out the bun that was in my hair for the wig, allowing my curls to spill over my shoulder. "It's perfect," I say, "but can you put my hair in a chignon? A side chignon?"

Ames smiles in the mirror. "Of course, Bella." She gestures for me to sit on the ottoman. I do, and she leaves the room, entering the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Ames comes back, supplies in her arms. "Turn," she instructs. I do, and I feel something cool touch my throat. "I'd figured you would want this," she says.

I touch the object, realizing it's the choker Maxon gave me. Tears spring into my eyes.

"Thanks, Ames. It's perfect."

Ames smiles, tears in her eyes. "Let's get your hair done, shall we?"

Once Ames finishes my hair, she makes me take a look one last time in the mirror. She places my tiara back on my head. She puts her hands on my shoulders, her head on mine. "You're gorgeous, Bella. You look like a queen."

"Thank you, Ames. Truly," I say, placing one of my hands on hers. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"You're welcome, Bella," Ames says, stepping back. "Let's go. I'll be with you the whole time, alright? I'll mention some points about what you should say while we're heading downstairs."
I nod and take a deep breath through my nose. "I'm ready." And I truly am.