The Prince (Maxon's Selection POV)

Chapter Two

During the Northern rebel attack, I managed to get myself a date with Lady Marlee and get to know some of the ladies. The girls that had asked me if they could leave, had changed their minds once everything had settled down, like America had predicted. Meanwhile, Father was quite upset that part of the rebel attack was filmed by some camera crews and was aired live all over the country.

Despite all that, the whole day all I could think about, was America. I really wanted to talk to her and ask how she was doing after the attack, but how could I reach her? Stupid Maxon! Just go to her room! But how could I let her know that she and I wanted to talk, since we were "friends". It was then I realized that we need a way to show that we needed to met.

-o-

The next day, I walked throught the palace toward the guest suites that the selected were staying in. Many of the guards and maids bowed or curtseyed as I walked past them, as I gave a nod of acknowledgment. Towards the end of the hall, I noticed America' door was open wide. I quietly stood in the doorway taking in the sight before me. She was playing cards with her maids and they were chatting like they had known each other for ages. The door to her balcony was open wide, letting in some sweet fresh air. Then, America looked up and saw me in the doorway, our eyes meeting, clearly wondering what I was doing here. One of the maids followed her gaze and swept the cards into a basket, muttering something under her breath. She and the other two rose, and curtseyed with a series of "your highnesses."

"Ladies" I said.

"Your Majesty, the one maid said with a curtsy, such an honor, sir."

"For me as well" I answered with a smile.

The maids looked at one another, flattered. The room was silent for a moment, unsure what to do or say.

"We were just leaving" one maid said.

"Yes! That's right. We were-uh-just..." The blonde maid trailed off, looking at the other for help.

"Going to finish Lady America's dress for Friday"

"That's right, only two days left!" They slowly circled us to get to get out of the room, huge smiles on their faces.

"Wouldn't want to keep you from your work" I said fascinated with their behavior.

Once in the hall, the maids gave me a small curtsey and walked away quickly, trying to hide their giggles.

"Quite an interesting group you have" I said, walking into the room, surveying the place.

"They keep me on my toes" America said with a smile.

"It's clear they have affection for you. That's hard to find." I said and stopped looking around to face her. "This isn't what I imagined your room would look like".

She raised her arm and let it fall. "It's not really my room, is it? It belongs to you, and I just happen to be borrowing it."

I made a face, "Surely they told you that changes could be made? A new bed, different paint."

"A coat of paint wouldn't make this mine. Girls like me don't live in houses with marble floors" she joked, shrugging.

I smiled. "What does your room at home look like?" I asked curious and trying to paint a better picture of her life.

"Um, what did you come for exactly" she hedged.

"Oh, I had an idea."

"About?"

"Well", I started, walking around her room again. "I thought that since you and I don't have the typical relationship that I have with the other girls, maybe we should have.... alternative means of communication". I stopped at her mirror looking at the pictures of her family. "Your little sister looks a lot like you" I said, amused.

America walk towards me a bit. "We get that a lot. What was that about alternative communication?"

I moved toward the piano in the back of the room. "Since you are supposed to be helping me, being my friend and all," I said with a pointed look, "perhaps we shouldn't be relying on the traditional notes sent through maids and formal invitations for dates. I was thinking something a little less ceremonial."

I picked up the sheet of music on top of the piano, distracted again. "Did you bring these?"

"No, those were here. Anything I want to play, I can do from memory" she said.

My eyebrows rose up, "Impressive." I walk toward her.

"Could you please stop poking around and complete an entire thought?" She asked.

I sighed. "Fine. What I was thinking was that you and I could have a sign or something, some way of communicating that we need to speak to each other that no one else would catch onto. Perhaps rubbing our noses" I said running my finger across my nose.

"That looks like your nose is stopped up. Not attractive."

I gave her a slightly perplexed look and nodded. "Very well. Perhaps we could simply run our fingers through our hair?"

She shook her head immediately, "My hair is almost always pulled up with pins. It's nearly impossible to get my fingers through it. Besides, what if you happen to be wearing your crown? You'd knock it off your head".

I shook a thoughtful finger at her. "Excellent point. Hmmmm." I walked around a bit and paused by the table next to America's bed. "What about tugging your ear?"

America thought for a minute. "I like it. Simple enough to hide, but not so common we could mistake it for something else. Ear tugging it is."

I stared at the jar with a penny in it on her table, and I quickly turned to smile at her. "I'm glad you approve. The next time you want to see me, simply tug your ear, and I'll come as soon as I'm able. Probably after dinner." I said with a shrug.

No longer able to keep it in, I walked across the room toward the jar and went back to her with it in my hand. "What in the world is this about?"

She sighed. "That I'm afraid, is beyond explanation."

I shrugged and returned it to the table. "If you excuse me, I have to go to a meeting," I said.

"Alright," she said taking me to the door, "I will be tugging my ear soon."

We smiled and I kissed her hand, hoping she wouldn't notice my heart beating quickly. "I will see you then, Lady America."

I left with a smile on my face as I walked through the palace toward Father's office.