The One Fanfiction

Chapter 12

        Maxon and I were cuddling on my bed when my maids came in. Mary gasped when she saw Maxon. "Lady America, would you like us to come back later?"

        I looked over at him, questioning with my eyes. Should we tell them? He nodded. Maxon cleared his throat to speak.

        "Actually, ladies, we have an announcement to make. America and I are getting married." Lucy squealed in delight while Anne and Mary grinned ear-to-ear. The girls rushed in to hug me and get a look at the ring. They started spurting out ideas so fast it was impossible to keep up.

        Maxon was leaning on his elbow, watching us with an amused smirk. He scooted to the edge of the bed and motioned for me to come. I settled next to him and rested my head on his shoulder. My maids hadn't even noticed I was gone they were so immersed in planning.

        I tilted my head and gave his shoulder a quick peck. Maxon sighed contentedly before getting up, pulling me along with him. He placed a slow kiss on my lips. Maxon grabbed my hand with the ring and stared at it a little while before murmuring, "I should probably go. If you're to be my wife, you'll need your beauty sleep." I slapped his arm playfully and kissed his cheek before pushing him out the door. I plopped down on my bed and closed my eyes. The girls kept on chattering. I fiddled with my ring and half-listened as Lucy and Anne debated what flowers should be in my bouquet. I let their voices lull me to sleep.

        As I was getting ready for breakfast, thoughts whirled through my head. I'm getting married! How would Maxon send Kriss and Elise home? Should I wear my ring? That last one was, weirdly, the most important right now.

        I felt like taking it off would betray Maxon. On the other hand, wearing it might give away the secret before it should be. My maids and I talked it over and we decided to to put gloves on over the ring. It was small enough that under the fabric, you wouldn't be able to tell my ring was there. What would I do without them?

        The girls fluttered around me trying to make my first day engaged to Maxon magical. My hair was pulled up into an elegant bun at the top of my head. I squeezed into a form-fitting ivory colored dress. Since there were no sleeves, the elbow length gloves looked amazing.

        When I looked in the mirror, I thought for the first time that maybe I could do the whole "Princess of Illéa" thing. Maybe even queen one day.

        Mary, Anne, and Lucy congratulated me one last time before sending me on my way. I kept glancing down at my hand to make sure the ring wasn't visible. My breathing was getting ragged from being so anxious. How would today play out? Do Maxon's parents know he proposed already? Before turning into the dining room hallway, I composed myself as much as I could.

        Okay. I was as ready as I'd ever be.

        I completed the rest of my journey to the dining room and the guards opened the grand doors.

        The royal family was sitting at their normal table, but something was different today. There was a fourth place set. It was for me.

        I curtsied and walked hesitantly to the table. The seat was in between Maxon and Queen Amberly. King Clarkson was directly across, where he could see every move I made. Maxon was looking at me expectantly and I took my seat. He took my hand, but gave me a questioning look when he noticed the gloves. In fact, everyone was giving me that same look. I smiled sheepishly.

        I removed the gloves and explained, "I wasn't sure if Kriss and Elise would still be here and if they knew yet. I didn't want to take the ring off, so my maids suggested wearing gloves to hide it."