Hello everyone! I am finally back from a vacation that turned out to be longer than expected- more than three weeks. I apologize for the delay.

WannaGoMate Review:

"This is really good, but I have two questions. 1) (this was for last chapter and I was going to comment but you uploaded this one), If Kile and Evelyn are a year to two years apart, when can we expect America finding out she is pregnant with Evelyn? and 2) Were you rooting for Evelyn and Kile or Evelyn and Eric? Sorry I had to ask. :)"

WriterQueen123 Response:

This is a fun question! America's twins are going to come in about two years in this story, following the timeline of the original books. I was honestly rooting for Kile and Evelyn, because Kile is who I would choose for myself. I like his sense of humor. However, I can't argue with the fact that Evelyn and Erik were in love, so then of course I had to root for them. Thank you for commenting!

bja133 Review:

"armed guards at the interviews would be a good idea"

WriterQueen123 Response:

That's a great thought! I can have one of the most trusted guards follow the royals into the interrogations, because other guards may not be trustworthy. Thank you for leaving a review!

Virtue01 Review:

"Great chapter. I love how you have the interaction between America and Maxon. He so concern and over protective of Her that he grealises that he has been a stupid king and a terrible husband. America is truly a great great queen in the way she handle the situation, now they are a team. Thank you for the regular updates."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you so much for the thoughtful review!

xoxowb4ever Review:

"love how they made up! all the stories i've read keep ending their chapters in a sad note and i'm so depressed these days... keep up the good work!~"

WriterQueen123 Response:

I'm sorry you're not feeling 100%. I do love the way Maxon and America always resolve their conflicts. Thank you for the kind comment!

Guest Review:

"Cute, I loved the ending!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for reviewing.

Virtue01 Review:

"Safe travels, enjoy you break and have a lovely time."

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you so much. I had a great vacation!

Guest Review:

"Have so much fun travelling! I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading your chapters"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you for leaving such a sweet message! It means the world to me.

Guest Review:

"Why hasent there been a next chapter yet. The suspense is killing me. Also I loved this chapter, you can really see Maxon and America's love for each other. Please make another chapter soon!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

I'm so sorry you had to wait for this chapter - as I mentioned, I couldn't control that my travels were extended. I'm glad you liked the chapter and thank you for reviewing!

Guest Review:

"Please make another chapter soon. I love this series of books so much. I love that your continuing the story of Maxon and America. Please, please write another chapter. I think I speak for everyone when I say your a great writer and this story is amazing. Please don't give up on it!

P.S. LOVE YOUR WRITING!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Thank you so much for the motivational comment! I'm honored to know that you love my writing.

WannaGoMate Review:

"Hi! My summer started in May. I think I had read chapter 16, then I had CAT class, and I couldn't find the time to log on. I would think you're around my age, which is 11-14. I'm turning 14 exactly one month and a day from now. If you are around 11-14, then I would like to say: Wow! You're an exceptional writer! And even if you aren't 11-14, then I would also like to say: Wow! You're an exceptional writer. I love your story line and especially your way of writing. You are very good at what you do. You would make my English teacher proud!"

WriterQueen123 Response:

Wow! Thank you so much - your words go straight to my heart. I am just a few months younger than you - you guessed it perfectly! It makes me so happy to know that you like my writing. Thank you for commenting!

Thank you all for your kind reviews and patience for this chapter to come out!

"Here are the three lie detectors that were requested, Your Majesty." Maxon's butler placed them on the table gently.

"Thank you, Davidson. Please hook me up to them, one at a time, so they may be tested," Maxon replied, sitting in a chair in the private room.

"Of course."

"Wait a moment," I interrupted, putting a hand on Maxon's strong shoulder. "Don't we need four detectors?"

"Why is that, Queen America?" Davidson asked as Maxon bit his lip.

"I think we should go in together, America," Maxon said quietly. "Before you say anything, I completely trust you, but I want to be assured that you are safe."

I clenched my jaw tightly. I knew that Maxon only wanted to protect me, but this felt too overprotective. We weren't even positive that there were any more rebels in the palace.

"It doesn't make sense," I protested. This argument felt like it was going around and around in circles. "With one more person handling interviews, you, Carter, and Aspen have fifty less people to talk to."

"Davidson, would you please excuse us for a moment? The queen and I have something to discuss." The butler nodded and walked out.

"Okay, let's just not disagree," Maxon gave in reluctantly. "I will pose this as a choice - you can help decrease my stress levels and allow me to assign a trusted guard to wait outside of the interview room, just in case anything happens." He ran a hand through his golden hair. "Or, you can go in alone."

I exhaled slowly. Maxon clearly just wanted to make sure I was okay. If this was really about his worry, then I could compromise and allow a guard outside of my interviews.

"You may assign a guard," I nodded. Maxon's eyes flashed with relief.

"Thank you, America."

"And, I think you should have one too," I suggested. "A little extra security can't hurt, right?"

"Fair enough," Maxon chuckled, relaxing a bit. "Let's go ahead and test these out." He stepped out of the room and called Davidson in.

"All settled, Your Majesties?" Davidson checked.

"We're going to need one more lie detector," Maxon said.

"I'll call for one to be brought in. Now let's test these." Maxon was carefully strapped to the device. "Answer with as few words as possible. What is your name?" Davidson quizzed him.

"Maxon Calix Schreave."

"Positive," the butler nodded. I could see the even line of data on the detector. "What country do you rule?"

"Illéa," was the answer.

"All good," Davidson said. "Let's do one more."

"Are you part of the Southern Rebels?"

"No."

The same test was used on all four detectors, and they were all clear. "Now, all we have to do is complete this test on Officer Shane, who will be coming with me, and Officer Goods, who will follow Queen America," Maxon said decisively.

After the guards had been tested and cleared, Maxon gathered Carter, Aspen, the officers, and me together.

"Nobody else in the palace can be alerted that we are doing these tests," Aspen clarified. "It would cause mayhem. After people go through the interrogation, they will be sent back to their duties with the threat that they could lose their job if they talk."

"Yes," Carter agreed. "Also, each interrogation will be recorded so that there are no uncertainties later on." He passed out lists of who we would each be questioning.

My posture sank slightly as I took in the people on the list. So many kind, good helpers and friends. Paige, my new maid to fill in for Anne, was on the list, as was one of our sweet chefs. I pursed my lips as I read the first name, finally understanding what it meant to trust no one. My first interrogation was with Marlee.

"Hello, Marlee," I greeted my best friend as she entered the room. Officer Goods was stationed right outside.

"Hey, America," she smiled. "What's going on?"

"I'm afraid I can't give the details, but interrogations are being held for everyone staying at the palace. We're just making sure we can trust everyone."

"Oh," she said, surprised.

"Unfortunately, you're going to have to be hooked up to a lie detector and everything. It's not about you specifically, we just have to take the same measures for everyone."

"I understand," she nodded. "Is Carter in on this?"

"Um...please just ask him," I said hesitantly. "I don't want to speak for anyone."

"Okay," Marlee said, looking slightly hurt but shaking it off. "I know that this is just standard. I get it."

"Right," I confirmed, relieved that she wasn't taking this too personally. "Let's just get this over with. Answer with as few words as possible, please." I fit the lie detector on Marlee and started my first question. "What is your name?"

"Marlee Hope Woodwork."

Are you in any way part of the Southern Rebels?"

"No."

"Do you feel any temptation at all to join the Southern Rebels?"

"None."

"Thank you, Marlee. That's all."

"How was I?" she asked nervously. "I'm fine, right?"

"Perfect," I answered with a grin. I was relieved that Marlee's tests came back normal, even though I was already sure that she was innocent. If the lie detectors were ever false, it could lead to trouble for anyone.

"What is your name?" I asked for the twenty-third time. All my interrogations had been clear so far.

"Paige Luz Hemmen," my new maid answered truthfully.

"Are you in any way part of the Southern Rebels?"

"Not at all." The results in the polygraph came back choppy. My heartbeat sped up. Why did there have to be problems with Paige?

"Do you feel any temptation at all to join the Southern Rebels?"

"I do not." The lie detector showed that this was the truth. This was odd, I thought.

"Paige, I'm sorry, but you're under arrest." On cue, Officer Goods entered and firmly locked Paige into handcuffs.

"Wait, why?" she asked wildly, her eyes pooling with tears. "Queen America, I promise I'm not with the Southern Rebels. Please, please believe me!"

If I was a lie detector, I would have no doubts believing that this was the truth. However, I couldn't argue with the facts.

"I'm sorry, Paige," I repeated with a heavy heart. "We will run more tests before you are deemed guilty, but I have to temporarily take you in."

"Okay," she mumbled, terrified.

In my last twenty-seven interrogations of the day, nobody else had rough results. I was completely worn out when I got together with Maxon, Carter, and Aspen to discuss the outcome of our project.

"So, Paige was guilty?" Maxon murmured as I snuggled under his arm.

"Yes." I didn't tell the group about feeling hesitant about arresting Paige. I didn't want them to think I wasn't strong enough for another day of interrogations tomorrow. "What's weird is that she appeared to be lying about having nothing to do with the Rebels, but then she was telling the truth about not wanting to join them."

"Hmm," Aspen wondered.

"Well, one of the people I questioned was lying about their name," Carter said. It was Burton Shereel or something. He was lying about everything else, too."

"Two of the people I interviewed were lying," Aspen said.

"Hunter Bersole is still in jail, isn't he?"

"He's in prison a hundred miles from this palace. Don't worry," Maxon comforted me, hugging me closer. I relaxed, breathing in the soft scent of his cologne.

"Wait!" I suddenly bolted out of Maxon's arms to stand upright.

"Are you all right, Your Majesty?" Carter said quickly, on alert.

"Hunter Bersole, Burton Shereel. Think about it." The three men were clueless. "They use the same letters. And I already know that Hunter Bersole rearranged spells 'Southern Rebel.'

"You're right, America," Maxon said with admiration. "If that's the case, then we've found a pattern."

"But what about Paige?" I asked, stumped.

"Maybe the lie detector was wrong?" Aspen suggested doubtfully.

"Or the Rebels are trying to throw us off track by thinking we're onto something, only to meet a dead end."

"Let's talk to her tomorrow," I decided.

"I think we're done for the day," Maxon concluded. "Good work, Queen America, Officer Woodwork, and General Leger."

I couldn't unwind after Maxon and I went to bed. My mind kept wandering to Paige. How was she? Did she have a good bed for her to sleep? Was she still as tense and terrified as when I'd last seen her? Paige seemed too young to have committed any crime. She seemed too innocent.

Maxon ran his fingers gently through my hair. "I can tell that you're worried, Ames," he said softly. I rolled closer to him as Maxon continued to lightly brush through my red locks, making me tingle. "I'm sorry for all the stress."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I sighed.

"I'm guessing that this has to do with Paige," Maxon said. "I promise that she's comfortable. She's in her usual room, just with guards all around. Don't worry about it."

"You know me too well," I whispered.

"We're going to figure this out, okay?"

"Thanks," I said.

"It's what I'm here for." I could feel Maxon's loving smile in the dark.

"Love you." He kissed me reverently, erasing all of my problems. We were in another world when our lips met, where everything was perfect and issues didn't exist. Hopefully, our world would come closer to that beautiful utopia soon.