America & Me..

Chapter 1

I awoke the next morning debating whether I should send America back home or let her stay. Her behavior the day before was simply unacceptable. I am a very respectable gentleman, not to mention the Prince of Illéa! How could she have misunderstood me that way? The audacity!

I walked to the dining hall, still wondering how on earth I was supposed to say to America. Now, I knew exactly what she thought of me. And the fact that even the others think that! Might as well screw breakfast. I sat down in my seat, and put on a smile. My thoughts still lingered back to yesterday, but I tried to ignore it as much as I could.

Breakfast so far was as mundane as could be. I stole a glance at America and noticed her nodding morosely at something Kriss was saying. A feeling of dread washed over me. What if America had spread word about our "date"? Will I ever be able to hold my head high? Oh, no, no, no...

Just then, I heard noises in the hallway.

"To the back of the room, ladies!" Father yelled and ran over to a window, pulling down a shade. Oh, God! Of all the days, why today?! Luckily, even though they had no idea what was happening, they obeyed.

"They're inside the walls, Majesty, but we're holding them back. The ladies can't leave, they're so close to the door—"

"Understood, Markson," Father replied, cutting off the sentence. Sometimes, he never listened to what anyone had to say. Acting all high and mighty. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flicker of red, and a chair that clattered to the floor. What the hell was she doing? I saw America rush over to a window and pull down the shade. Others followed, understanding the urgency.

But, to my horror, something, I believe a rock, struck the shade America was pushing down on, knocking her backward, screaming. NO, I couldn't stand by and watch her get hurt. Even after what she had done. I hurried over.

"Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine." Not really an answer, but I couldn't really bring myself to care. Everything else was in utter chaos.

"To the back of the room, now!" I ordered. She obeyed. I stared after her as she walked slowly to the back. Was she limping? As my eyes followed her, I gasped. Before me, nearly all of the Selected were having a nervous breakdown. Tears stained their heavily made up faces. One girl had fainted. Tiny Lee I guess. I looked at my mother, desperately searching for any way to get the huddle of ladies under control. She was completely calm, standing next to father. She was used to this, after many years in the palace. Hopefully this will be my first and last experience with crying women.

Out of thin air, I watched in horror as crudely made tins fell through the only window that had not been closed yet. I gasped. Smoke bombs were not frequently utilized. This was not good. I coughed as the smoke took over. I glanced at my parents. Both of them were hurrying towards the only passage in the room.

"Ladies! Please follow me!" I yelled. I half ran, half walked to the open passage. The click clack of heels assured me that everyone was following.

I noticed a soldier carrying Tiny, I assume, so I wasn't concerned. I dashed to the safe room's entrance and checked to make sure everyone was inside. The Selected made their way inside, most of them weeping. One clutched my arm and wailed.

"Please send us back home, Your Majesty." She choked. I froze in panic. My experience or shall we say inexperience with women was really not helping. What was I supposed to do?

"Please, ladies, enter the safe room. We'll talk about the rest after this attack is over."

Reluctantly, they obeyed and stumbled inside.