Hi everyone! This is my second chapter and I'm definitely going to make it longer than the first. Chapter 1 was just me figuring things out, so now I have some ideas for the chapters to come! Please comment about what you want me to write about. This story is just kicking off so I'm open to a lot of new thoughts. Enjoy!

After finishing up our breakfast, Maxon had to attend a meeting with his advisors about plans for his reign. While he figured things out, it was my job to add the finishing touches to the ceremony that would take place after Amberly and Clarkson's funeral. The ballroom, where the event was going to be, was a flurry of stressed decorators that made my head spin.

"Becca, would you please get the plates of appetizers? I just want to make sure everything's perfect," I explained to the first maid I saw. Though I didn't know Becca, I had made it a point to get to know most of the staff's names at the palace during the Selection, because I had always felt close with them, having been a Five most of my life.

"Of course, Lady America," Becca replied and shuffled away to get the food.

"Lynda!" I called to one of our decorators who was hanging forget-me-nots around the room. She turned around and greeted me. "These napkins are too bright for such a sorrowful occasion. Can we make them a navy blue instead of royal blue?"

"Absolutely, Your Highness. I'll go switch them out right away." I smiled at my new title, which would take some getting used to. Though I hadn't officially married Maxon yet, word spread around the palace quickly that he had proposed to me. Overnight, newspapers had changed from guesses of who Maxon would choose to guesses of when our wedding would be. Glancing up at the clock, I realized that Maxon's meeting would be over in a few minutes. It was nearing lunchtime, and the funeral would be in an hour.

I rushed through the halls of the palace that were becoming familiar and waited outside of the Meeting Room. I heard the rustling of papers inside and figured they were finishing up. Finally, the advisors strode out tensely and I went in to find Maxon.

"Hi, Maxon," I said as he closed his binders with a click. I put an arm around his shoulders, feeling him relax.

"America, I don't know what to do. The advisors are killing me. There are thousands of things to be done, and sometimes I find myself wishing my father were still around. I'm sure he would have some sort of advice," the young king worried.

"I know, Maxon," I comforted him. "It's not fair, but I know you're going to make a fantastic king. You have so many special ideas that I'm excited to see in action." He smiled wearily and let me draw circles on his back. "It's going to be okay, got it?"

"It's definitely going to be an adventure with you by my side," he joked. He took my hand and kissed it. "Thank you, America. You're right. We've got this under control."

"I hate to ruin these spirits, but we have to get to the funeral. It starts in an hour, but it's a thirty minutes drive." Maxon nodded bluntly and he tensed up again. I could almost see the wave of grief hitting him.

"Hey," I looked him in the eye, cupping his face. "We can do this." I desperately wanted to kiss his unhappiness away, but I knew this wasn't the time. I just squeezed his hand and we walked out of the Meeting Room.

The funeral took place in a royal cemetery thirty minutes away from the palace. We were discreetly taken in a simple, black car. Though it didn't look like much, everything was bulletproof and very safe. Maxon and I sat in the back, a soundproof screen preventing the chauffeur from hearing our conversation. Not that we really had one. We were pretty much silent the whole way to the cemetery, lost in our own grief, remembering our parents.

Always the gentleman, Maxon held his hand out so I could step out of the car. I rolled my eyes and took it, but my fiancé seemed distant and wasn't paying attention to my expression. We walked to the cemetery reserved for Ones quietly. To the advisors' annoyance, Maxon had decided to keep the funeral small, with only close family. About thirty people stood around the two caskets as they were lowered into adjacent graves. I squeezed Maxon's hand reassuringly, telling him I was there for him, but his face was stony.

After a few minutes of silence, it was time for us to say our last words. Maxon spoke up first.

"I am my mother Amberly's only son. Writing this eulogy to her was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but it was very important to me say some words to honor my mother. Amberly was a very patient, fair, and kindhearted woman. She cared greatly for every soul on earth – her friends, family, and the country. It was so important to her that everyone around her was happy and loved. Growing up as a Four, my mother knew what it was like not to be born into royalty. She worked hard in everything she did and made sure to save time for her loved ones. Amberly Schreave was a mother, wife, sister, daughter, and queen. I will be forever grateful to have her in my memories, though it is hard to say good-bye. She is gone now, but I know that her legacy will live on in all of us. Mother, I am forever grateful to have known you. You have shaped me into who I am today, and your memory will remain in hearts forever."

Everyone nodded and wiped tears from their eyes. I was completely moved by Maxon's speech.

"Maxon, that was incredible," I breathed into his ear, my voice only wavering slightly. He just sighed and put an arm around my shoulders, and I knew he was having a tough time. It was my turn now.

"Amberly Schreave was a strong woman and a fair queen. She radiated golden energy and was always so understanding with us Selected girls. Before the Selection was even over, many of us already felt like we had a second mother. I wish I could have gotten to know her better, and I know filling in her role will be difficult. Though I will never be Queen Amberly, she has taught me so many life lessons, and I am going to take on the role of queen while keeping her treasured guidance close to heart. Good-bye, mother."

I took a deep breath and saw tears forming in Maxon's eyes, though he was trying to keep it together.

"That was amazing, Ames. Thank you," he whispered lovingly. I nodded and smiled feebly.

A few other speeches were made about the late King Clarkson and the couple together, and it was finally time to leave. Maxon knelt by his parents' graves for a few moments before linking his arm in mine as we climbed back into the car. Soon, we were on our way to the palace.

It was time for the celebration. Maxon was still acting reserved, but I knew he was grieving and didn't press the matter. We walked into the ballroom hand in hand, where three hundred people had gathered to remember the late king and queen. I didn't want to leave Maxon's side, so I walked around with him, quickly welcoming guests and sharing memories.

After about an hour of mingling and talking, I was feeling spent, though we still had dinner and dessert to get through. Finally, everyone was seated and the food was served. Maxon and I ate quickly, not having much to say and just wanting to retire to our rooms. At last, after finishing up our dessert, we excused ourselves and walked slowly to our rooms. I had already moved into the Princess Suite, which adjoined Maxon's room. Soon, we would have to move into the King and Queen's Suite.

I changed into my nightgown and walked through Maxon's door. He was on his bed, head in his hands.

"Hey," I consoled him, sitting down next to him.

"America, I wish you didn't have to see me like this. I'm just...lost. And the two people I could ask about this new job are gone."

"Maxon, they aren't gone. They're in your head and will never leave."

"I know, I know." Finally, he was done keeping up the act. His face crumbled, his shoulders sagged, and he wept into my shoulder. Finally, after trying to stay strong for him, I gave up too. We cried together, bonding in a moment of grief, remembering King Clarkson and Queen Amberly.

"We're in this together. I love you," I promised.

"I love you, America," he whimpered. We wrapped our arms around each other, just using the other's heartbeat as comfort. Slowly, our breathing relaxed, and we fell asleep in our embrace, vowing to never let go of each other or our parents' memories.