♔Afterwards: Falling For Aspen♔✔️

Chapter 1: The Announcement

💔America's POV💔 

"Everyone, may I please have your attention?" Maxon commanded with a strong voice that resonated around the room. I can't believe I have to go home tomorrow. I have to put on my brave face when he announces the winner of The Selection.

"For many months, you have observed the Selection and its progress through The Report. Today, I will be announcing the winner of The Selection." Maxon explained. At that statement, camera flashes went off. Here it is, time to put my brave face on and plaster a smile on my face. I feel nervous even though I know the outcome.

"The winner is...Kriss Ambers!" Maxon said acting excited. Some people whispered and gasped, but soon, loud cheers filled the room as camera flashes went off, once again. Tears started to pool in the corner of my eyes.

Stay calm. You'll be out of here by tomorrow morning, under 24 hours left. Ugh! I thought. I took a deep, but shaky breath.

People started to calm down as Maxon raised his hand. "Thank you to all the other young, beautiful, and talented ladies who participated and tried their best. Once again, thank you for participating. "

"You will have more details on The Report this Friday, which is two days from now. Thank you, thank you all." After that last statement, cameras went off again, and soon, people started filing out of the room.

I got out of my seat and faced Maxon. 

I said this with my shaky breath, "Congratulations your Highness. I hope you and Lady Kriss will have many fruitful and long years to come as King and Queen of this wonderful Kingdom. Once again, congratulations." I curtsied and saw Kriss with a smile on her face and Maxon with an unreadable expression. I mentally sighed.

He just said, "Thank you Lady America. You will be leaving tomorrow morning after breakfast. Thank you for your hard work." That's it. I'm at my breaking point. Tears started to stream down my face.

"I hope you won't regret your decision!" was all I shouted before I ran out of the Great Room, crying. One day, he will regret his decision. Kriss is a Southern Rebel. Maxon's going to marry a rebel who wants to rule all of the Kingdom their way and have only wealth and fame. I didn't want to tell him right then and there because of his father sitting next to Kriss. For all I know, I might have gotten canned for that.

I ran into my room and slammed the door shut.

"Are you okay Lady America?" Anne asked with a look of concern.

"Anne, Lucy, Mary, can you please all leave right now? You can finish packing during breakfast tomorrow." I demanded.

"Yes, Lady America." Lucy said. My maids knew me enough not to bother asking anything. They all bowed and left the room.

Before Mary left, she said, "Call us if you need anything , Miss." I just nodded my head as she closed the door behind her. I fell onto my bed and cried even harder.

I cried for what seemed like hours, until Lucy and Mary came in with a tray of food and a piece of paper.

"Miss America, here is your dinner since you didn't arrive. Mary has a note for you from Lady Kriss." Lucy explained. I didn't realize how late it was. I began to feel hungry, but I still felt miserable inside.

"You can just sit the food on the coffee table and the note on my makeup dresser. Mary, can you please bring a bottle of wine along with a single glass please?" I requested. I hardly drink wine, but this is going to be one of those times.

"As you wish my Lady." Mary responded back before the two curtsied and left.

Mary came in with what I requested about 10 minutes later and I ate most of my food while she was gone. I didn't care if I ate like a lady anymore. 

What's the point if I'm leaving tomorrow anyways? I thought.

"Here it is, Miss." Mary said.

I thanked her, and before she left, I asked, "Can you get Officer Leger for me? Have him here within an hour, please."

"Yes ma'am." she replied back, curtsied, and walked away.

I looked at the bottle label and it said it was a Semi-Sweet White Wine produced from 60 years ago. I decided to open it and poured myself a glass of it. I took a sip and it was gone within mere seconds. About 30 minutes later, the bottle was over half empty and I began to feel dizzy and lightheaded as I hears a knock on the door.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Make sure to vote, comment, and check out my other stories as well, please! The MV is a song that would fit in with what America feels when Maxon chose Kriss over her. This is a cover by Cascada. The original singer for this song was Rascal Flatts. MV is from YouTube.