It's So Much More Than That (A Selection Story)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9:  

It was only a week until the wedding, and with all the preparations to be done, I was surprised that Silvia hadn’t had a full blown panic attack already. Guests would start arriving in a couple days, and the palace staff was making sure every single guest room and other accommodations were ready. Even though we were getting married in the Angeles church (a long lived tradition for royalty I guess) I’m nervous at how large the guest list has become. I was trying to keep it small, but “small” for royalty isn’t really that small. there was enough people to fill up every single row in the largest sanctuary in the country. Just thinking about how long that aisle was going to be gave me chills. What if I tripped? What if I just completely forgot my vows? 

“America.” Someone whispered, pulling me out of my daydreams…(or were they nightmares?) It was Georgia. I shook my head, pulling all of my attention back to the meeting. We were in one of the many meeting chambers in the palace…and Maxon, Georgia and I were talking to August via camera. It was strange that this technology existed. I had just recently found out that this was how we talked to long-distance diplomats or other people who couldn’t call or make it to the palace. I guess during Clarkson’s rule it had been to dangerous to video chat with other people, however, with the recent changes, Maxon seemed to be using it a lot, especially with the Northern Rebels. 

“I can’t promise that there won’t be an attack next week, Maxon. However, I know that the possibility is quite…slim. We’ve intercepted quite a few of their weapon resources and am making sure we check every one of our members as well.” 

“Good. August, I want to make sure that nothing goes wrong this week, or when we’re on our honeymoon either. We’re kind of in a precarious situation here, with both me and America gone after next week. I don’t want to the leave the palace open to attack…”

“It won’t be. Trust me. We’ve triple checked all of the defenses, and destroyed their base just south of Angeles. I’ll be down there for the wedding, and I’ll try to stick around longer than that, but I don’t know if I can…” 

“It’s fine. As long as all of the secure points are locked up…I’ll talk to Aspen about security while we’re gone. I’m sure he has a plan…” 

“Yes.” August interjected. “And if need be, I’ll send down more troops.” 

“Good. We have a deal then. Are the supply trains doing okay?” I knew that Maxon had sent out some supplies to the Northern Rebels in exchange for their service. The Southern Rebels were mostly subdued for the moment, mostly because of the treaty with the Northern Ones. We had discovered that there were a lot more Northern Rebels than we had thought before, but that actually helped our cause in the long run. 

“They’re doing well, actually. We are helping some of the lower casts by distributing more goods and such…and with the legislation that you’re about to pass, it’ll make the transition much easier.” 

“It’s my pleasure. Thank you August, we will speak later.” 

“Don’t forget to call me soon!” Georgia added. August smirked. “You better, or I’ll come and get you myself.” 

August laughed. “I wouldn’t dare forget. Nice seeing you, Maxon, America. I guess I’ll see you next week at the wedding!” Seconds later the footage shut off. Georgia began to leave. “Sorry, but I have to go run some errands and such. Don’t worry, I’ll be back for the wedding!” She winked. I watched her go. Suddenly it was just Maxon and I in the room. He was hunching over a stack of notes. 

“We a little time to get ready for the report.” I say. Tonight will be the last report until the wedding, which is next Saturday, July 4. I had picked the date, well, first because it was in July, which was what I was aiming for, and second, I read somewhere that this was the independence date of the old country I was named after.