The Second Choice | COMPLETED

Chapter 2

FOUR YEARS LATER

Kriss waddled into my office, happiness radiating off her face and she seemed to glow with joyfulness, like always. I smiled tiredly at her, rubbing my eyes. I'd been up all night trying to figure out a storm in Kent. The whole province had been almost destroyed.

"Morning, love." I murmured softly. Her arms cradled her bump.

"Good morning!" She smiled happily as she bent down slightly and kissed my cheek. I kissed hers in return. She blushed, I loved that about her, even the smallest gestures of affection could send her over the rainbow with happiness.

"How are you?" I asked, it was the same question everyday but I always wanted to make sure.

"Wonderful," She grinned and lowered herself slowly into a flower printed chair. She leaned back,

"The little one kept me up a bit though, kicking and all." She put a hand on her abdomen. I reached over and patted her stomach affectionately. Suddenly, I heard a knock on my wooden oak doors.

"Come in!" I called out, rubbing my eyes again. Ugh, I was so tired. A maid walked in, her black and white dress prim and proper, blonde hair tucked neatly inside her cap and her heels clacked against the waxed floor.

"Your majesty." The maid curtsied gracefully and deeply. Suddenly she looked up and her blue eyes, eyes blue as ice and the morning sky met mine and I gasped. I would know those eyes anywhere. I swallowed uncomfortably.

"Hello." I managed to choke out. The maid smiled and my heart seemed to stop. It really was her.

"Your majesty, you have a visitor." She replied.

"A v-visitor?" I stammered, still shocked but I couldn't let Kriss know anything. I cleared my throat,

"Alright. Er, thank you. Kriss, love, stay here. I will be right back." The maid curtsied one final time before turning on her heel and walking back out of my office.

"Wait!" I called out. The maid's eyes met mine once more,

"She is waiting for you in the gardens." With that, her dress swirled as she turned and disappeared from my sight. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding,

"Yes, alright then, Kriss, I'll be back." Before my wife could utter a single word, I rushed out, almost running to the gardens. As I rushed through the long, tiled, waxed halls, I bumped through several maids.

"Sorry, sorry." I repeatedly muttered. I could hear the whispering and mumbles but I ignored them and continued down to the gardens. As I stepped out from the huge doors that led to the gardens, my heart ached. I hadn't been out here since the selection had ended and I had chosen Kriss. But then, I remembered why I was here. My face broke into a smile and I ran, scraping myself on prickly thorns and sharp branches but I didn't care. She was here. My America, my lovely America, was here. Here.

I walked around until I saw a flash of black and white. A maid's dress. She really was here. For me.

"Hello?" I called. I saw another flash of blonde hair and then blue eyes latched on mine.

"Maxon?" Her lilting voice called out to me. My heart ached even more for her.

"America?" I replied. That's when I ran, I ran and lifted her into the air.

"Oh America." I murmured into her dyed blonde hair. Of course she had to dye her hair, the old fiery red was too obvious and unforgettable.

"Maxon." She whispered my name over and over again.

This was my secret. I was still in love with America. I wanted to marry America but because of my stupidity, I had chosen Kriss. Yes, I did have feelings for her but I wanted America. Only America.

"How did...Where are... When did... How?" I stuttered, trying to ask my questions and get my answers.

"I dyed my hair and came to the palace, undercover and Marlee helped me get a job." She explained. That explained a lot. Marlee was an advisor, the highest, to be exact. Everyone followed her orders.

"I missed you. So much. So very much." I whispered, with a small smile.

"And I as well." She murmured into my chest. The feel of her in my arms was blissful. I wanted to kiss her, to love her without any restrictions, to tell her I loved her but I couldn't. I was married to Kriss not America and that was my fault.

"How long are you staying?" I ask, chest tightening anxiously as I waited for her answer.

"Forever." She mumbled absentmindedly as she played with my honey blonde hair. My heart swelled with happiness before it plummeted to the ground when I realized something. I would have to face her everyday with Kriss. I would have to pretend to not have any feelings for her anymore.

"That's... nice." I paused as I tried to find award that would fit.

"Just nice?" She asked, noticing the change in my voice. Kriss never noticed. It was easy to lie to her if absolutely had to. America on the other hand? I could never lie to her. She always knew. I merely shrugged in answer to her question.

"I have to go." I said hurriedly and let go of her reluctantly.

"Wait!" America called. I turned around to look at her,

"I'm sorry. I really have to go. Come to the library tonight. I'll meet you there." I managed to catch a glimpse of her beautiful smile before I ran back inside to my office. Kriss was still there but struggling to get out of her chair. I bit down a laugh as I ran over to her. I used my arm to support her and she gripped onto my arm. With a final oomph, she pushed herself out of the chair. She managed a tired smile at me.

"Are you alright?" I asked gently. She nodded.

"I'm hungry." I laughed as we walked down the hall, arm in arm. We made it to the dining room and sat down.

"So who was the visitor?" Kriss asked as we ate.

"Oh.." I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth.

"It was just a new maid that I was supposed to meet." I made up lamely. She raised an eyebrow.

"Really? You've never had to meet new staff before." She accused but I merely shrugged. Suddenly she gasped out in pain and gripped the arm of her chair, face pale as a sheet.

"Kriss?"

A/N: So how was this chapter? Bae or nay? Haha so anyways I'm sorry for not updating but I have a book chat book where you can see if I updated it for little notes from me! It's called Book Chat.
Stay Fabulous,
Valerie.