Hello everyone!

Virtue01 Review:

"Brilliant chapter I love the twist in the way you had Anne died. Knowing how she reacts when there is a rebel invasion and she would not betray America. I would guess that you are around age 10 to 14 years old and love that you are passionate about your writing, hope school doesn't too tense. Thank you for the update stay cool."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you so much for the heartfelt review. Summer has just begun for me, so thankfully I'll now have more time to write!

bja133 Review:

"OMG!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

OMG is correct! Thank you for commenting.

Guest Review:

"BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUH IT CANT END LIKE THIS! THIS IS NOT THE DIRECTION THAT I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING IN. PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPIER!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

In the original books, it was stated that Maxon and America would not have a "happily ever after." Their royal life is tough, with many complications, and I'm not going to pretend that they're perfect. In The One, Anne dies anyway, so it's not like I was killing off a special character that was meant to live on. Thank you for reviewing your thoughts!

Guest Review:

"Wow. That really hurt. Thanks a lot for that. Also that's not how it happened in the book, I thought you were sticking to the books mostly? Anyway, I love your writing! I can't wait to read more!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

I've explained many times that I am mostly sticking to the books, but tweaking the detail about Anne's death in The One so that I could turn it more dramatic now. Thanks for the support!

Thank you all for reviewing!

I gasped after reading the note over and over again. Anne had sacrificed herself for me.

"I'll go find Maxon," I said, my voice quivering.

"I can call for His Majesty," the guard offered, but I shook my head.

"I need to get some fresh air," I explained shakily, tearing out of my room. As soon as I ran out, I couldn't hold back strangled sobs. Several guards asked me if I was alright, but I just nodded and ran for the outdoor shooting range. "Maxon!" I shouted tearfully as I saw him. I ran up to the protective barrier.

"America?" he said, dropping his gun and sprinting to me. "What happened?" he asked worriedly, opening the gate and hugging me. "What did I miss?" I leaned my head against his shoulder as his arm wrapped around me protectively.

"Anne is dead," I whispered, battling a fresh wave of tears as we headed back. "She...she committed suicide. She left a note for me to find that explained everything, how she was being blackmailed and killed herself to save us."

Maxon was silent for a moment, taking in the news. "How? Why?" he stuttered.

"I don't know, but the Southern Rebels must have many more inside supporters than we think. Like Hunter Bersole..." I couldn't bring myself to continue. "Please, let's just talk about this later."

"Of course," Maxon said soberly.

A few hours later, after my shock had slightly worn off, Maxon called in another meeting. He wanted to waste no time.

"Clearly, the Southern Rebels have many people working here at the palace that are actually getting information on us for them. My wife, Queen America, was hurt by Hunter Bersole." Maxon's voice hardened. "Now, a maid has killed herself instead of being forced to give up data on the royals and our palace. We don't know how many other men or women are being blackmailed and giving in to the Rebels. We also don't know who we can trust, at this point."

"I propose that we do an interview connected to a lie detector with every person at the palace," Sir Wrights said evenly.

"That would be hundreds of people to talk to!" Maxon exclaimed. "Even if it could work, lie detectors can be damaged. If we weren't completely sure that the interviewer was on our side, they could sabotage the evaluation or affect the results."

"It's a good place to start," I offered, putting my hand in Maxon's to calm him down. He brushed me away.

"It is our only plan so far, and we need to start the investigation immediately before anyone else can be harmed," Maxon said stiffly. I will select a group of people that can do the interviews and will personally test our lie detectors beforehand. You may all be dismissed. I will call you all back later today to begin the inspection." The advisors rose, bowed, and walked out.

"Maxon, talk to me," I said softly. He didn't respond, and simply shuffled through his files again. "I know you're stressed. I'm grieving, too."

"People are dying because I can't solve this problem," he said at last, taking his binders and walking out of the room.

I bit my lip as he simply left me in the Meeting Room. Maxon rarely lost control of himself to the point where he wouldn't comfort me or be open with me. I knew he must be stressed, but I felt a twinge of annoyance as I left the room a moment later. In difficult times, we were supposed to be a team and stick together.

Maxon thought people were dying because he hadn't solved the problem, but weren't we supposed to resolve it together?

Maxon chose Aspen, Carter, and himself to hold the interviews.

"I can do it too," I muttered as he told me at dinner.

"America, please. You're still grieving and I don't want to put this pressure on you." He almost looked exasperated with me for wanting to help.

"You're just saying that!" I said angrily, folding my arms over my chest. "I am the queen. I'm supposed to help you take care of this. You just don't trust me to hold a proper interrogation." Rebellious tears sprung from my eyes and I turned around, running up to my room.

"America, come back," he sighed, but I didn't care. Why was he just abandoning me when we both needed all the support we could get? I had tried to be patient, but I was done.

Maxon still hadn't come to check up on me after what felt like an hour. I had wanted him to follow, to say that he was sorry, but clearly he had better things to do. I hopped onto my bed, trying to ignore the fact that Anne's lifeless body had been lying in my room a few hours ago.

After ten more minutes, I was tired of waiting. I was Queen America, and I had power that I wanted to use for the good of Illéa.

I pushed out the hurt that Maxon had caused and walked back downstairs regally, promising myself that I would help this case in some way.

Maxon was talking to Aspen and Carter at the table when I came back. He looked so handsome when he was upset, but I shoved the thought out as I approached the men.

"America," Maxon exhaled as the others nodded to me.

"I'm here to help," I stated flatly. "May I please have a word with Maxon?" Aspen and Carter shared a glance and left the room, leaving me with my husband.

"What is it, America?" Maxon asked tiredly.

"I want to assist you in the investigation. I can do some of the interviews. You have to let me help," I said.

"I just don't want you to be caught in the middle of this," he said.

"I already am!" I objected. "I have been caught by the Southern Rebels! They threatened my maid to the point where she had to kill herself! Stop pretending that I'm useless!"

Maxon took a deep breath. "I never said that. I just want you to stay safe."

"For all we know, half of the residents of this palace work for the Southern Rebels, Maxon. None of us are safe and I'm trying to change that!"

"You could get hurt if one of the people you interview is a rebel," Maxon protested.

"What really hurts is you pushing me away and treating me like I'm worthless!"

"No, America...I'm sorry," he said hesitantly. "You know that I'm really stressed and I feel guilty-"

"Which is why I don't understand why you aren't taking my help or comfort," I finished. "You don't have to face this alone."

I reached for his warm hand carefully, and Maxon let me take it.

"I'm really sorry, Ames," he repeated. "I've been a stupid king, but being a terrible husband is worse. You needed my support and I wasn't there. And you are not worthless. You are the most precious, important thing in my life. I'm sorry." He smiled weakly, hoping I would accept the apology.

A true smile finally spread across my face. My Maxon was back. My lips pressed to his, communicating that he was forgiven. Maxon caressed my jaw, sending warmth to the places his fingers touched. I relaxed into his strong arms as he created a trail of kisses that followed his skilled hands.

When we came apart, we were both glowing with renewed energy and love. He leaned in so that our foreheads touched. "Time to fight this as a team," Maxon murmured with a smile.