Break My Heart a Thousand Times (The Selection Series Story)

Chapter IX: "I Remember You"

Chapter Nine

I quickly decided to get the apology over with. I felt bad enough that I screamed at him in front of little Chase, and I owed it to him (and the country) to make amends. It was even harder than I thought. I sighed as I came closer to his door.

What if he didn't want to even see me? What if he was thinking of ways to get rid of me?

The build-up was killing me.

When I finally got to his door, I hesitated at first, but eventually I raised up my hand to knock on his door. A heard a stack of books fall over and a worried reaction. Was this a bad time? Oh, how I regretted this.

But it was too late for regrets.

King Maxon opened the door. He looked stressed. I slightly shifted myself to peer over his shoulder, to see if Prince Chase was in the room, and I was a bit disappointed when I saw that he wasn't.

"Oh America, hey-- I mean, hello." He said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. I looked up at him, instantly blushing. He seemed so... normal when he was laid back. I was shocked that I was even able to see this side of him. Is this what Queen Kriss fell "head over heels" for? I could kind of see why.

"Oh, well... I just wanted to say I'm very sorry for when I yell-- no, screamed at you. I didn't mean it, really. I just missed my daughter and I guess I just let my emotions get the best of me," I stared off, curtsying immediately, "though, I didn't think that you'd take it lightly, so if my presence is bothersome to you, I will stay away from maidly duties concerning you." I implied as I stayed in my deep curtsy.

I heard him sigh, and I was frightened for my life. My heartbeat increased by a landslide and I thought that it would pound out of my chest. I gulped nervously, the thought of my consequences was fleeting off any self-esteem I had left in myself.

Instead, he started to laugh.

He laughed.

I shot up straight, looking at him as if he were a madman.

"Y-Your Majesty! Are you a-alright?" I asked quickly. My eyes darted from the beginning to the end of the hallway. Only two guards stood there, and they weren't swayed at all at the King's sudden outburst of laughter.

"America, did you think that I would be so angry that you yelled at me?" He paused for a minute, thinking about how he could rephrase his statement. "Don't worry, I'm not mad at you, but I still can't let you bring your daughter here." I looked down, disappointed, but I couldn't blame him for doing his job. He cleared his throat, grabbing my attention. His kind eyes met mine, and if I could become even more red, I would've. I probably looked like a tomato with all this blushing going on.

"The argument was partly my fault, of course." He sent me an apologetic look. "I suppose I got upset in that moment because I had realized we were having a fight. It was surprising that you had yelled at me... I'm just used to..." he scratched the back of his next. "Well, everyone doing what I want all the time." He saw my face and smiled sheepishly. "You're probably wondering how I manage to walk with my head so big." He made a funny face, and I couldn't help but laugh. He chuckled awkwardly too, and furrowed his brow, but then his eyes brightened.

"Hey, to show you that I'm not mad at you, why don't I take you to the beach with Chase? I've been missing the ocean, and I just thought taking little Chase would be a bonus." He shrugged. "Usually my regular maids and butlers would come, but I'm sure you'd be allowed to come if I said so. Plus, he thinks your his 'Ma' now, so don't let him down, alright?" Maxon chuckled as he gave me a reassuring wink.