Our Life Together

Chapter Seventeen

The room bursts out, not into whispers, but into loud voices this time. Everyone, including my mother and father, begin talking over one another even though nobody is listening to them. Several of the congressmen who. . . lets just say, aren't afraid to voice their opinions are yelling over top of each other. In all of the chaos, though, Flynn and I just sit there and watch the unruliness. I can understand why he isn't joining the mess of people, it is the same reason I am. He wasn't alive-or at least isn't able to remember-the time when we were once at war with New Asia.

After a good fifteen minutes of the craziness, most of the senators calm down and those whose reactions are still being displayed are easily cut off by my father. Everything is silent for a few seconds. After the last few minutes, though, it feels like an eternity.

"What exactly happened to solve the problems with New Asia last time? Not all of were exactly around for us to know," Flynn finally says, directing his question to my father. My father nods a little before explaining a story that I have never really understood as a child and never further questioned when I would be able to fathom the concept.

"We were able to get in touch with their leaders thanks to one of the previous selected, Elise Whisks. Once we were able to seize fire, we discussed a peace treaty with their leaders. A couple years back, a new leader came to power and we have had a few disgreements with them," my father says. Flynn nods a little before scribbling something down in a notebook in front of him.

"So, what do they want?" the congressmen across from me asks. My father picks up the letter and passes it to the man to his right, assumably so he could pass it around to everyone else. The man scans it quickly and passes it to the man on his right who happens to be who asked the question.

"Well, their new leader claims to have done some research and has found were we have made some minor mistakes that shouldn't have happened due to the peace treaty, which New Asia has done that as well, though. He is also claiming that we should still be loyal subjects of New Asia, that they should still own us," my father says. Before the chattering could begin again, it was quickly cut off by my mother.

"We are trying to find a solution to this problem, of course. The only way to solve this currently is for us to travel over which could have very bad results," my mother explains. There are a few whispers but far less than I expected. Several people are scribbling down notes while others are staring off into deep space deep in, what I assume is, thought.

"What exactly has been threatened?" a chairmen I can't see asks. My father motions to the letter that has made it several people further down the line.

"It is a list of things. Several silly things. Others more serious. The ones that need the most attention are the threats of shooting down passing planes and bombing ships in sight. They also said that if we don't reply to this message in a certain amount of time they will begin picking off cities to bomb," my father explains. An uneasy silence settles over us once again. Flynn gives my left hand a gentle squeeze before he pushes up from the table and looks down at everyone sitting, except for my father who is standing.

"I think the explenation is simple. We fly in. It's what we should do, despite the threats, shouldn't we?" I look up at Flynn, shock surely expressed on my face as well as those of the congressmen and my parents.

"Flynn, are you sure you understand the risks of this? I don't doubt that they-" my father starts. Flynn shakes his head and cuts him off.

"King Maxon, I am sure that this is what I believe should happen. They are, in fact, just threats. There is no real assurance that they will shoot us down. We just have to go with our instincts," Flynn says. Determination is wrote on his face. His fortitude causes a smile to navigate its way to my face even though Flynn is practically proposing suicide.

"I'm not sure that you completely understand the factors in this situation. When New Asia threatens something, they mean it," my father says. The two seem to be in a second world that is only welcome the two of them. They both seem to be wishing to prove the other wrong.

"They also could be expecting us to take this as a challenge and not be expecting us to come. Based on how you are talking, they shouldn't expect us to come, either. I know that if I were them and had known you would be scared this easily, I would probably make a few threats that I don't intend to keep. Just because they said they would kill us the first chance they got doesn't mean that they will," Flynn says.

"I see where you are coming from, but I don't think that is a risk we are, or should be, willing to take. Maybe a little while later, it would be a great idea but right now, it shouldn't happen," my father says. Flynn shakes his head, denying the defeat that my father has implied.

"King Maxon, I understand that you have done this a lot longer than I have and that you have a better understandment of the Illean government, but I think we need to do something unexpected. I say we borrow a plane from the Italians, maybe, and fly in. The would have very little suspicion of it being us and I'm sure we could make it far enough into the country that there be no problems," Flynn proposes. My father opens his mouth to speak but I find myself cutting him off.

"Father, I think Flynn is right. We need to do something out of the ordinary. You might solved the war, for what now has been proven to not solve all the problems with New Asia, or eliminated the castes, but really you haven't strayed that far from tradition. It is time to try something new," I say. My father looks at me with a shocked face. He opens his mouth to speak again but once again is cut off.

"Maxon, dear, I believe that they are right. Like Flynn, I haven't been a part of the government all my life, but I do know that we haven't changed much in areas concerning foreign affairs. These are our future rulers, I think we should consider what they are saying," my mother says. My father looks at the three of us, a shocked look on his face. My mother and I have rarely had to attend meetings but when we do, neither of hardly speak.

"Okay. I guess we could try something new. I say we take a vote. The majority rules," he says. After giving everyone a few minutes to make their decisions, my father says, "All those who support traveling to New Asia, please raise your hand." Twenty of the twenty nine people in the room raise their hands, including me, my mother, and Flynn. "All of those opposed please raise your hand," The other nine, including my father, raise theirs.

"So, it is decided. Prince Flynn and I will be traveling to New Asia at the end of the week," my father annouces.

Guys, I will be honest. I have no clue how the government works. I am not even sure how they vote. I would have done the thing where everyone goes "I" but I doubt that works. I also realized I never explained what happened with New Asia in my previous stories so I tried to explain. I'm terrible at spelling and spellcheck wouldn't work on my phone when I tried to check it so I apologize for any spelling mistakes. Pleas comment and vote!

Disclaimer: Think Veronica Roth owns The Selection? Sorry, but no. Think Suzanne Collins owns The Selection? Once again that is wrong. You were especially wrong if you thought I owned it. It belongs to Kiera Cass.