Betrothed (The Selection series and Red Queen Fanfic)

Chapter 30 - Cal & America

America's POV

I felt my body being shook, I fluttered my eyes open to see Lucy and Mary smiling down at me. My eyes filled with tears, threatening to spill anytime now.

"Girls!" I squealed.

"Lady America!... We miss you so much!!" They both cried.

So much reuniting, so much better than before. I couldn't believe this was happening.

"How on earth-"

"Did you like my surprise?" Maxon asked, he's leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed in his own suit.

He looks so handso— Stop America! He's out of your reach now!

"It's wonderful!... Thank you..." I paused, not knowing what to call him. "Your Highness"

"America, don't call me that" He approached me, he sat beside me, his hand over mines. I have to let him go.

"But sir" I protested, pulling my hand away from his

"America, I can't believe that you agree to her stupid idea" He spat, tucking a hair strand behind my ears.

"I don't see it as stupid... I see as a better opportunity for my family to be safe" I confessed, It maybe difficult but its worth the shot. We're talking about future here! DUH!

"You know, we could always run away" Maxon whispered, for the first time, shivers went down my spine.

He's like a drug addict that ought to go to a rehabilitation center. Kind of. He loves me as much as I love him but this... Its more stupid than marrying a Prince.

"What are you doing here?"

I sighed in relief as Cal entered my room, he's not furious, Cal's irritated.

"What are you doing here, Cal?" Maxon shot back, planting his feet on the ground, he's the one who's furious.

"I'm here to escort Lady America to the dining hall... To propose to her" Cal spat, his strong voice is enough for me to take his arm.

"She's not going anywhere with you!" Maxon pulled me fiercely.

"You agreed to this... She's mine!" Cal pulled me to his side.

"AMERICA IS MINE!!" Maxon yelled, pulling me with great force that I stumbled and hit the floor hard.

They ruined my dress, urgh!

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" Princess Delancy's voice boomed inside the room. The two boys flinched, both of them curtsied to the furious Princess.

"America, hush now dearie" She cooed, helping me up and brushing off the dirt and fixed my hair.

"No one will escort her but me! You two make up!" She pointed, her eyes piercing Maxon's guts. Then she turned to Cal. "It will happened, whether he likes it or not" He nodded. Then lead me out.

"Sorry about Maxon, he just can't let you go"

I nodded, eyeing the ring on her finger.

"Are you hurt?" She asked, then we heard foot steps behind us. The boys stopped.

"I'm not hurt, Miss Del. A little shaken by the encounter" I gave her a small smile then she returned a bigger one.

A maid rushed beside Delancy, holding a small tiara on a velvet pillow.

"Thank you Thalia" She whispered but very audible for me to hear. "Try this on"

I bent my neck and she put on the tiara on my head. Its no that heavy as I expect them to be, but I worry that it might slip off and lost.

"Its yours to keep, You need to practice it more often" She smiled.

We were half-way to the dining hall when King Tiberias showed up.

"Your Majesty" We sunk into a curtsy, mine was not as graceful as the princess.

"Delancy... And look at this pretty girl with you" He pointed at me, he's warmer than Clarkson. PFFF! "I believe you're Lady America Singer"

"You're not mistaken, My king"

"My son really knows how to pick, but I'm afraid you're a red? previous maid that caught my son's attention"

"I'm afraid those were true"

"No biggie! As long as Cal loves you, that the most important... But you know the rules" He shook his head.

"I already told him, Your Majesty" Delancy answered for me.

"Of course you did! Now, you girls go inside and stay pretty" He sang cheerfully.

"Is he really like that?" I asked Del once we are out of earshot.

"Maybe. Can't say!" She shrugged. "Beware with Queen Elara, sometimes, she's freaking me out and if you have problems, feel free to go to my sister for help. She's living with you here in Archeon for the rest of your lives"

"Awesome!"

"Yeah, I kinda envy you" She whispered. The girl who has everything is envying a girl who has nothing?!

"Why?"

"You have refuge. You are surrounded by nice people forever while I got stuck with mister-I-don't-care-about-you, over there" She pointed at Maxon whose giving me death glares.

I chuckled, it's nice to talk to her.

The moment we are waiting for is finally here. Cal cleared his throat, getting everybody's attention. The girls from the queenstrail shifted under their seats.

"I have an announcement... I will be proposing to a Lady that caught my heart, the lady I want to spend the rest of my life with, the woman that will own my heart and bear our child. She's so special, that I'm not just proposing like the usual way we are.

He paused and looked at me.

"Lady America" He called out.

I stood up, giving my best smile. The girls were shocked to see a Red maid getting the crown. I spared a look at Maxon, he's keeping it cool. Delancy hold his hand. I also saw his knuckles turning white and his face getting red. Ms. Del leaned and whispered something and made him calm.

"America, The first time I saw you, I know in my heart that I want to spend my entire life with you, I want to have a life with you. Our status were complicated back then making it impossible for me to kneel down and ask your hand but it was all made possible by Princess Delancy, the girl I thought I was in love with. But it turns out, It wasn't true love. I love the way your blue eyes balances the fury of your gorgeous hair. I'm captivated by your sweetness and smile... You may think it's absurd to marry me because I'm a Prince. Let me be clear, my love, I would love to see ourselves in our children, silver streaks on your hair, and to spend the eternity with you... America. Will you please Marry Me?"

That was it...

His words weren't rehearsed, it came from the bottom part of his heart. Words that ought to be Delancy's. Words that made my eyes form tears, I can't stop looking at his eyes. So much warmth in those eyes.

My body is shaking, I was lost of words. Maxon's glares didn't swayed me.

"Yes" I manage to say, he got up grinning.

Gold ring with red and yellow gems kissed on top with diamonds surrounding the outer part of it was slipped on my fingers. It was more unbelievable when Cal kissed me.

My knees tend to shatter, I melted. I kissed back and everyone clapped. We pulled away, his thumb wiping off the tears. The King, Queen, and Prince Maven came to hug me. I feel welcome. I don't regret this, I won't regret this.

Once again, Princess Delancy was right. Cal won't let me down, he would catch a bullet for me. He would save in any harm. I looked at them, Maxon is looking calm and contented.

We approached them hand in hand. I hugged the Princess tightly, she's my sister-in-law because of Princess Wendy.
..........

Night came and Cal walked me to my room, kissing me good night. I lay down on my comfy bed, not taking off the grin I have on my face.