After the One: A Connected Selection Series

Someone New

I had finished my light work load for the day -Maxon insisted- and was walking around the castle, admiring the gardens outside. I wondered how lonely Queen Amberly must have gotten in those early days as princess, and eventually queen. Marlee and Carter were on a weekend getaway, Lucy was working, and Aspen was on duty. My eyes searched the gardens for any familiar flowers, but they all started to look the same. I sighed, trying not to think about whether or not I would be pacing these gardens with glassy eyes forever.

"Your Majesty?" I turned and found a guard standing at attention. "The king requires you in his office immediately."

My veins became icy. "Is something wrong?" I asked quickly. The guard shook his head.

"I am not at liberty to discuss, ma'am. His Majesty will explain everything." He began escorting me to Maxon's office, but I kept thinking of worst-case scenarios.

The rebels had gotten my family in their perfect yellow house.

One of my Selected sisters was being held hostage.

The rebels are planning an attack and we need to prepare.

Someone died.

"Maxon?" I said, my voice pitching up. I entered his office and the guard closed the door behind me. the door behind me. "What's wrong? What happened? Is someone hurt?"

Maxon stood, brushing off his suit and straightening his cuffs. His brown eyes were not worried; they seemed to be excited.

"I'm sorry, America. I should've known you would've gone to extremes first. No, nothing is wrong. But there is something I need to tell you." I stood across from him, wringing my hands.

"It's about time I told you about this. You should know." He ran a hand through his hair, trying to find his words. 

"My father had an affair." I kept staring at him. Honestly, I wasn't surprised. I just felt horrible for his mother. I pursed my lips.

"Did your mom ever know?" I asked. Maxon sucked his teeth as he thought.

"No, I don't think so. He would get her drunk, give her a gift, and send her to bed. That's how I knew his mistress was coming over. My mother was just so in love with my him, I think the thought of my father being unfaithful would've been enough to crush her." I lowered my head. 

"One day his mistress was walking out. I said something to her about having some nerve to show her face in the palace while my mother slept. She smiled at me and bent down." Maxon shuddered, remembering this moment vividly. "She said 'I'll tell your little sister you said hello.'"

My jaw dropped. "Another princess?" I asked. Maxon shook his head.

"Illegitimate royal children are supposed to be killed so as to not tarnish the line. On a visit to my father, his mistress brought her along. A quiet maid took her to me, too afraid to show her to either of my parents. She's so beautiful and sweet, America," he said, a sparkle in his eye. "I couldn't dispose of her. She's my sister." I nodded, still unsure of where the story was going.

"That's a lot," was all I managed to choke out after a long silence. Maxon sighed and made his way around the table to me. He took my hands in his and looked deeply into my eyes.

"Please understand that this is very important to me. She must stay hidden for long enough until she is an adult. I'd appreciate your discretion." He raised an eyebrow. "It's not necessarily a gift of yours, but please keep this a secret. Not even Marlee or Lucy can know." I bit my lip and nodded, knowing he was right. It would destroy the country if they found out.

"What are your plans for her? Is she safe?" I asked, holding his hands tighter. Maxon laughed lightly.

"Of course, darling. Shall I take you to meet her?" His eyes lit up. I nodded. Maxon kissed my hands and pulled me out of the doors. I giggled and looped my arm through his. We descended through many layers of the palace that I hadn't seen before. I began to smell what would be our dinner and my stomach began to rumble as the savory smells of garlic and onion permeated the air. Maxon took me past the kitchen.