Hello all! Responses to reviews are below...

Littlesunshine123 Review:

"It's amazing, astonishing, beautiful, detailed, awesome, cute and sweet, spectacular, BAM BOOZA! (I don't know what that was) but the story is so good! Update Soon!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you so much! I love the support and I'm so happy you're enjoying the story!

bja133 Review:

"That is some friendship skipping the last bit of a honeymoon to come home and sit in on someone else's painful and messy labor. I would say you are mid to late 20's. But I cant say much because I am 38 and read fanfiction every single day like a teen would play video games."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Haha! Marlee is one of America's few best friends, so I thought it would be fun to have America rush back to the palace for the delivery. It was the last day of their honeymoon, anyway. Truthfully, America and Maxon were interrupted because I didn't really feel like writing about the details! Thank you for commenting!

azaliaandguillermo Review:

"I hated it! So bad! The plot was terrible. 0/10 recommend. Just Kidding Maya"

WriterQueen123 Response:

I'm sorry you don't love my writing, but I'll take any feedback. It's a little hurtful how harsh you are, though.

azaliaandguillermo Review:

"LOVE THIS STORY! BEST I"VE EVER READ"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Is this a joke? Please just stick to one solid opinion.

azaliaandguillermo Review:

"I'm so confused...I just wrote a review for my friend Maya and it somehow ended up under this chapter. WriterQueen123, I'm sorry and I didn't mean to be offensive. I love this fanfiction more than my life and I hope you continue to update. I don't know you, but I respect you and feel like we could be friends."

WriterQueen123 Response:

I'm really confused about what this whole chain was. I hope you respect me and enjoy the story - that's all I can wish for.

Virtue01 Review:

"Such loyal friends they, rushed from their honeymoon for the birth of Maelee's baby. Great chapter thanks for the update looking forward to the next chapter."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you for commenting! I do think the bond between America and Marlee is strong.

aura-w Review:

"Hmm.. Not that writing style is really an indicator of age, but I'd guess you're about 15."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Interesting...thanks for posting your guess!

Guest Review:

"I'm guessing you're about 16-21. I know that kind of a long space, but it's pretty hard to tell. Love the chapter! Can't wait for Maxon and America to have their one baby. I'm guessing since you named Marlee's baby Kile, that you are going by The Heir book? So they will have twins?"

WriterQueen123 Response:

I am going to stick to the original books as best I can, which means that America and Maxon's kids will stay the same. Thanks for commenting!

Guest Review:

"U just know how to keep us on our toes"

WriterQueen123 Response:

I'm glad you think so!

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. If you're wondering, I'm actually younger than every guess anyone had at my age. I may be young, but writing is my passion and I take this very seriously. Also, you may have noticed that more and more time is passing between each update. I've just been super busy, and it's hard to find time to sit down and write. I'm not at all saying that I'm never going to update anymore - I'm explaining that writing is fun for me and I want to keep it that way with minimal pressure to publish on time. I will always try to update as soon as I can, and every sweet comment that I receive makes the bit of work I put in 100% worth it. Thank you for continuing to support me! Enjoy!

"America, will you join me in the meeting with the advisors today?" Maxon asked at breakfast. "We're going to discuss ways to eliminate castes."

"Sure!" I replied. I really wanted to abolish the caste system in Illéa, and would never forget my experiences as a poor Five. "I'm done with breakfast. Do you want to go now?"

Maxon nodded with a smile and took my hand, leading me to the Meeting Room. Inside, our advisors were already bustling about and scrambled to bow as we entered.

"Your Majesties," they murmured solemnly.

"Good morning," Maxon addressed them, dipping his head for the advisors to take their seats. Maxon and I sat together at the head of the table, still linked.

"First of all," Maxon began, "we are attempting to merge the eighth and seventh castes together. Once that is completed, the levels will continue to be combined until there are no more. This way, everyone will be able to choose their own career and create their own life for themselves." I squeezed Maxon's hand in support.

"King Maxon, I propose that we pronounce each Eight casteless and encourage them to find new jobs among Sevens. They could try to find work in higher castes, but they would likely face backlash. It would be easier for the lower castes to slowly work their way up to higher careers as each group is declared casteless," Sir Jensen suggested.

"That's going in the right direction," Maxon agreed.

"What if people can't afford to move into a new home and get a new job, even if we allow them to?" I asked.

"We can give each family a small sum of money to help them get started again. It's our system's fault that they haven't been given the opportunities in the first place. People just need a little boost," Maxon decided.

"Good," I answered.

"Your Majesty, when will this be put into action?" Sir Wrights asked. "I propose next month, before more rebellion can occur."

"It's a bit soon, but I agree with your reasoning," Maxon replied. "Let's start to ease the idea of casteless citizens through the news, so it doesn't hit people as hard. Get some speculation on whether it could happen in the media, Mr. Timberly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Thank you." For the rest of the conference, we talked about possible reactions from Illéa and how we could relieve some pressure from the situation. Twos and Threes would likely be angry, because their power was being stripped away. Lower castes would be thankful. However, if the society still treated them as lesser because of their existing financial differences and old castes, would there be any gain at all?

"We can face these issues again in a few days," Maxon addressed the group. "You may all be dismissed from this meeting. Thank you." The advisors shuffled to their feet and bowed before leaving the Meeting Room.

"You're doing great," I said encouragingly as my husband wearily organized his papers back into their binders.

"I'm just worried about how Illéa will react to this. So many powerful people are already against me, and now we're doing something big to disrupt their comfortable control."

"We'll face those problems as a team when they come," I said, rubbing his strong shoulder. "But we're doing this to improve Illéa. Either way, if the castes are removed, we've won."

"I guess," Maxon said closing the binders with a click as we walked out together.

I headed up to my room to read a book while Maxon went to the shooting range to clear his head.

After stepping into the suite, I clapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp. Horror clouded my mind as I gazed at my neat room, only one thing out of place. Anne, my loyal maid, lay on the floor next to my bed. I ran over to her, trying to control my quick, frantic breaths.

"Anne," I cried, lifting her arm to feel her pulse. It was silent.

"Anne!" I shrieked, terror taking over. A guard ran up to my room from the hall, taking in the scene.

"Your Majesty, are you all right?" he asked, stepping in to examine Anne.

"I'm fine, but what happened to Anne?" I whispered desperately.

"She could be dead," he said hoarsely. He lifted his radio and called for another guard to bring Dr. Ashlar up. The doctor came quickly, stress etched in the lines of his face.

"Let me feel her," he ordered, and the guards separated to give Dr. Ashlar space. "Ms. Anne is dead," he confirmed gravely.

"What?" I said, struggling to breathe.

Aspen ran into my room, and the other guards nodded to him respectfully. My best friend was lifted to the status of a general after Maxon saw that he'd do anything to protect me, though it was not longer out of love.

"How is it going?" he asked grimly, sitting next to me comfortingly.

"Queen America's maid, Anne, is dead," a guard explained quietly.

"How are you holding up, Mer?" Aspen said softly, so that no one else heard the informal nickname.

I opened my mouth and closed it, tears forming in my eyes. I couldn't believe that the situation wasn't a nightmare.

Dr. Ashlar opened Anne's mouth and examined it. His brow furrowed as he came back up. "It seems like an overdose. I can plainly see residue from a poison. This could be suicide," Dr. Ashlar whispered.

"But why?" I wailed, grief consuming me. "I don't understand...wait, there's a note under the bed," I noticed, reaching for it.

It read:

Dear Queen America,

The South wanted information. They thought I would be of use. I would not reveal anything about Your Majesty. They would have come to torcher me, so the best way to remain silent was not to breathe. Thank you for your kindness. You will always remain deep in my heart, even when it no longer beats. I wish you and King Maxon the best life that could be. Do not worry about me; it's better this way.

The last of my love,

Anne