The Selection without America?

The Aftermath

(3 months after the death of Kamber)

Maxon's POV

The selection was coming to a close. The elite were the only ones here. I haven't talked to America lately, she's always in her room crying. I can't stand to see her so hurt, but she is. I can't comfort her. Only one person can, I don't like the idea of it, but right now all I care about is America feeling better. Aspen is the only one that can have that happen.

America eats in her room, doesn't communicate with anyone but Aspen, Marlee, and her three maids. I've tried to talk to her but she just pushes me away. All I know is that the whole castle is not as bright now than it was before. The selected mingle with themselves and I go on occasional dates with a few. Lady Kriss is my father's favorite. But she isn't mine. America is my mothers favorite, but America doesn't want to talk with me. My dad says just to let her go and to eliminate her. He says she's dead weight holding me down.

"How's she doing?" I ask Aspen when he was on guard duty by my room.

"She's getting better. She still cries but like I said she's getting better." He says and looks down at the floor. Aspen and I have a small friendship blooming. We both care deeply for America.

"And you?" I asked genuinely concerned.

"I'm doing fine. Kamber and I were never Buddy Buddy And sometimes now I feel like I should have gotten to know her better. But overall I just realized that America was closer to my sister than I was. Which also means that it takes longer for her to grieve." Aspen explained. I gave him and hug and went inside my room.

I flopped down on my bed while my butler took off my shoes and then left. I should be working right now but I'm not. My father has been getting on my back about it. He also found out that we have been keeping Kamber in the castle and that got mother a strict talking too about disobeying him and as for me one of many beatings.

I get up and take my shirt off and pants. I head into the shower and just do it myself. After that I get ready for bed.

~•~

Life goes on like usual I do I bunch of work, my dad tells me it's not enough work, I go on a date with one of the selected, and then dinner comes and then I go back to work. Dad is stepping down one year after the selection is over. He says he wants to get away from the castle and just be alone for once. But then he counters it with that I need the most help and he will be here to guide me on my "journey" as he calls it.

"Son. You have to pick a selected. This can't go on forever." My dad argues with me while I'm in his office.

"I don't know who to pick though. I haven't had a good connection with any of them." I counter.

"Just pick the one you feel would make a good Queen. The favorite right now is that Marlee girl, but I've heard rumors she is seeing one of the guards."

"That's not your place to judge Father." I say quickly.

"I know I know. You're still mad about that? I think it's fine. We all make mistakes here. Some more than others." My dad coughs the last sentence out and look away from me.

"So what are you telling me? I need to pick a selected quickly?" I asked.

"Yes. By tonight. You will tell the selected by tonight who you pick for the next queen. I suggest Lady Kriss, She is one of my favorites out of many-I mean one." He says.