Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty-Four

Amy, Fiona and Tallulah were gone within a few hours, I don't know if it was because of Sylvia's efficiency or if the girls were too scared.Our numbers were reduced to nineteen.All of a sudden, I felt that everything was speeding up. Of course, this speed was really not what I expected. The Monday after the attack, we were back to our old schedule.Breakfast was delicious as usual, but I can't help but wonder if there will be a day when I lose interest in these foods as well. "Chris, isn't this delicious?" I exclaimed as I bit into a star-shaped piece of fruit.I had never seen this fruit before coming to the palace.Chris's mouth was full, so she just nodded in agreement.This morning, I felt a warm sense of sisterhood, and now that we've gone through a major assault together, it feels like our bond has sublimated into an unbreakable bond.Emily next to Chris handed me honey, and on the other side of me, Dinnie asked me enviously, how did I get my nightingale necklace.The atmosphere was very similar to dinners at my house years ago, before Kota was a jerk and Kenna got married.How warm, brisk and harmonious it was at that time.

It dawned on me that, like Maxson said his mother would do, I would be reaching out to these girls in the future, and I would want to know who everyone married and send them Christmas cards.Twenty years from now, if Maxson had a son, I'd call and ask them which girls they liked the most in the casting.We will all remember everything we experienced together today, as happy and excited as remembering an adventure, and it will not feel like it is a game at all. Oddly enough, McKesson seemed to be the only one in the room depressed.He didn't move the food on the plate, but scanned every girl present with a pensive expression.Every now and then he would pause, as if mentally struggling, before moving on to the next person.

When he saw my row, he caught me looking at him and gave me a weak smile.We haven't spoken since the fight, except for that brief conversation last night, but we need to.This time, I must take the initiative to talk to him.With an expression of plea rather than demand, I tug on my earlobe.Although his expression was still serious, he still pulled his ears. I breathed a sigh of relief, and my eyes began to scan the doors of the room.As I expected, there was another pair of eyes watching me.I had noticed Aspen when I came in, but I tried to pretend I didn't see him, but it's almost impossible to ignore someone you love so much.

Maxson stood up suddenly, and the motion made his chair screech, drawing everyone's attention.We are all looking at him now, and his expression shows that he really wants to sit down again quietly, but when he realizes that this is impossible, he changes his mind and speaks. "Ladies." He nodded lightly, with sincere pain on his face, "After yesterday's attack, I'm afraid I have to reconsider the specific process of choosing Fei. As you know, three ladies offered to ask Go, and I agree, I don't want to force anyone to stay here. And, with constant threats like this, I don't want to keep you in the palace if I feel there is no future for each other inside."

Everyone's mood changed from confusion to a clear displeasure. "He won't..." Ding Ni whispered. "Yes, he is." I replied. "Although it is really not easy to do so, I have already discussed with my family and several close advisors, and decided to select the elite level from the candidates now. However, unlike the usual ten elites, I It was decided to keep only six people, and send the rest home." Maxson said in a business-like tone. "Six?" Chris gasped. "It's not fair." Ding Ni said aloud, unable to hold back her tears. Everyone complained one after another.I looked around the room, and Celeste had her arms around her, ready to fight to stay.Vallei closed his eyes, folded his hands together and prayed, maybe he hoped that this appearance could win some sympathy points.And Mary, who admitted that she had no feelings for Maxson, is very nervous now.Why did she want to stay so much?

"I don't think it's necessary to prolong this process, so the following ladies remain: Ms. Mary and Ms. Chris." Mary let out the breath she was holding, and pressed her hands on her chest.Chris danced in his seat, looked at the girls around him, and hoped that everyone would be happy for her.It didn't take long for me to realize that two of the six spots had already been taken.At the point of disagreement between Maxson and me, would he send me away?Does he not see a future with me?Do I want him to send me away?What would I do if I were really let go? Before this moment, the power to go or not has always been in my own hands.Now, I suddenly understand how important it is to me to stay.

"Ms. Natalie and Ms. Celeste," he went on, looking at each of them.I cringe at the sound of Celeste's name.He couldn't keep her without me, could he?I can't even believe he's keeping her.Does this mean that I too will be sent away?We had an argument about whether this person should stay or not. "Ms. Elise," he said again, and the room gasped, waiting for the final name.I just realized that Ding Ni and I were holding each other's hands tightly. "Also, Ms. America." Maxson looked at me, and I felt every muscle in my body relax.Ding Ni immediately burst into tears, but she wasn't the only one.Maxson let out a long breath.

"To all the other ladies I'm really, really sorry and just want you to trust me and it's really for your own good. I don't want to put your expectations too high for no reason and risk your life in the process. Any If the person who is leaving wants to talk to me, I will wait in the library, and you can come and find me after eating." Maxson almost ran and hurried out.I watched him walk up to Aspen, and my attention was distracted from him.Aspen's face was full of confusion, and I could see why.I told him I didn't love Maxson, so he didn't think I was of any importance to Maxson.So why am I so nervous about going or staying?And why, did Maxson want me to stay?

In less than a second, both Imega and Dusty chased Maxson out, and they must be asking why.It falls to those of us who stay behind to comfort the heartbroken and weeping girls. The situation became unbearably awkward, and Dinnie shook off my hand and ran out.I can only hope she doesn't hold a grudge against me ever since. Within a few minutes everyone was gone, and no one had the appetite to stay and eat.I myself didn't stay because it was difficult to deal with fluctuating emotions.When passing by Aspen, he whispered, "Tonight." I nodded slightly and continued walking. The morning after that was eerie.I never had a friend to miss, but today, the doors of almost all the rooms on the second floor are open, girls come and go, write notes and addresses to each other, we cry and laugh together.By the afternoon, the palace had become a more serious place than it had been when we first arrived.

No one could stay in that part of my room but me, so there was no longer the noise of the maids rushing in and out and doors opening and closing.I was sitting at the table in the room reading a book, while the maids were sweeping the dust.I don't know if this palace has always been so desolate, this empty feeling makes me very homesick. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and Anne rushed to answer it, glanced at me, and asked if I could see the visitor, and I nodded slightly. When Maxson walked in, I stood up immediately. "Ladies," he said, looking at my maids, "we meet again."

They giggled and curtseyed, and he nodded and turned his attention to me.Before he appeared, I didn't know that I was so eager to see him, and I just stood by the table in a daze. "I'm sorry, but I need to speak to Ms. America, can you leave us alone for a while?" Then they were on their knees and laughing, and Anne asked the Prince in an adoring voice if she wanted to bring him anything.Maxson said no, and they went out.He put his hands in his trouser pockets and we were silent for a moment. "I thought you wouldn't keep me." I finally confessed. "Why?" There was genuine confusion in his voice. "Because we fought, because of a lot of weird situations between us, because..." I said to myself, because even though you were dating five other women, I still felt like I was cheating. Maxson approached me, trying to figure out what to say.When he came up to me, he took my hands and explained everything to me. "First of all, let me say I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled at you," he said sincerely. To be able to make this decision on my own, and to be in yet another situation where my opinion isn't taken seriously, is just so frustrating." "Another situation?" I asked. "Well, you have also seen my choice. Mary is the most beloved of the people, and this cannot be ignored. Celeste is a young man of high status, and her family background is very deep. The kind that wants to be allied. Natalie and Chris are both pretty sweet girls and are the go-to for quite a few in my family. Elise has a lot of important connections in New Asia so if you want to end this damn War, we have to think about that too. I was challenged and pressured about every aspect of this decision." As for my stay, he didn't say anything, and I almost didn't ask.I know we're friends first and I know I don't have any political rivalries.But I do need to hear it from him so I can make a decision.I couldn't even look him in the eye. "Then why am I still here?" My voice was just a little above a whisper.I'm pretty sure that answer will make my heart ache because of how sure I am that the only reason I'm here is because he doesn't want to break his promise. "America, I think I need to clarify," Maxson said calmly, exhaling to be patient, and put his hand on my chin.When I looked into his eyes, he spoke his mind. "If it was an easy thing, I'd have sent everyone else away. I know how I feel about you, and I think I validated my feelings, maybe, an impulse. But I'm sure , I can be happy with you." I blushed and tears welled up, but I controlled them by blinking, not wanting to miss the adoration on his face. "Sometimes, I feel that there is no barrier between me and you, but at other times, I feel that you stay only for your own convenience. If I can confirm, I, and only I, are the motivation for you to stay... ..." He paused and shook his head, as if the second half of the sentence was something he didn't allow himself to want. I don't want to hurt him, but I have to tell the truth: "No." "Then, I have to buy an insurance policy for myself. You may decide to leave, and if that time comes, I will let you go. At the same time, I will also find myself a wife. Within the allowed range , I will try my best to make the best decision. But please, don’t doubt my sincerity for you, not for a second.” I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.Thinking about Aspen and what I've done, I'm incredibly ashamed. "Maxon?" I sniffed, "Can you...can you forgive—?" Before I could tell the truth, he moved closer, wiping my tears with his strong hands. "Forgive what? Our stupid fight? Forgive it long ago. Your feelings develop slower than mine? I'm ready to wait." He shrugged, "I don't think you'll do anything I can't forgive Do you need me to remind you to kick me?" I couldn't help laughing.Maxson smiled too, and suddenly became serious again. "What's wrong?" I asked. He shook his head: "They went too fast this time." Maxson's voice was full of helplessness towards the rebels.I suddenly realized how much trouble I had almost put myself in trying to save my maids. "I'm getting more and more worried, America. Whether it's the northern rebels or the southern rebels, they have become more determined, and they will never stop until they achieve their goals. However, we don't know what they want." Maxson looked confused and sad, and I worried that sooner or later they would hurt someone important to me. He looks into my eyes. "You know, you still have a choice. If you're afraid of staying, just say so." He paused, thinking, "Or, you don't think you'll fall in love with me, so it's kinder to tell me now. I'll let you go, and we'll at least be friends when we part." I threw my arms around him and rested my head on his chest.Maxson showed a look of surprise and relief at my actions, and within a second, he also opened his arms and hugged me. "Maxson, I'm not entirely sure what our relationship is, but I know that there must be more than just friendship between us." He let out a sigh.Because I was leaning on his chest, I could vaguely hear the beating of my heart under the suit jacket, which seemed to be beating very fast.He cupped my cheek in his tender hands, and as I looked into his eyes, I felt an inexplicable feeling grow and spread between us. He questioned me with his eyes, it was our tacit agreement, and I'm glad he decided not to wait any longer.I nodded to him and he finally kissed me tenderly without leaving any space between us. There was a smile under his lips, and this smile could not be erased for a moment.