Hello everyone. Today you are about to read my version of the proposal to America. It's a little sad but please enjoy and review!

America's Pov

I was walking to the women's room for the usual Saturday obligation. While rounding a sharp corner I ran right in to King Clarkson. He grabbed me by the shoulders roughly, "I was looking for you," he said with a maniacal smile. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, I am already late for a day in the women's room. If you will excuse me I need to speak to Queen Amberly about an upcoming project." I said. My shoulders started hurting from his tight grip.

"Hmmm." He thought, "No. You are not excused. Come with me." He released his grip only to grab my arm and drag me somewhere. I didn't fuss, not wanting to make any of these matters any worse than what they were. Once we got into his study he tossed me on to a couch. I landed with a large thud on the leather sofa and a little "Oof." escaped my mouth.

"What you did in the report, I didn't like it. Not one bit. I could have you killed for your actions. Removing the castes that is a brave move and a stupid one. Now, girl," he spat, "Lean against that wall. Now." I stood up my legs already wobbling. I knew exactly what was about to happen. I braced myself and took a deep breath in as I leaned against the wooden wall for the support I knew I would need. The sound of a drawer opening and closing rang in the nearly silent room. His footsteps getting closer to me made my lip quiver. My eyes automatically shut as the large whip slashed my back. I cried out in pain and slid down the wall on to my knees. Tears rolled down my cheeks as he slashed again. And again. Again. Again. Again. Again. He tossed the whip on the floor by my feet and said, "You will never suggest anything like that again. And you mention this to no one. Got it?" I nodded weakly and he spat out, "Leave."

I struggled to stand but left the room as quickly as my barely functioning legs would take me. I wandered down the hall and made my way to my room. I could not tell anyone about this except for my maids. I would need their help cleaning the wound. It was worse than Maxon's back the night I had cleaned his back and it stung so bad. I hobbled through the door and my maids bright smiled washed off their faces as I turned around. They saw the blood and flesh torn on my back and laid me down on the bed. They called the doctor to come and he arrived with a similar silver box that Maxon had. They dressed the wound and bandaged it. I won't be able to wear open back dresses now, great. The bandages would show through any see through materials so I would have to wear solid dresses for quite some time.

"Miss, dinner is in 15 minutes." Lucy said. "We might be able to get you ready in time." I nodded and sat up weakly. They dressed me in a deep purple gown that came into a high collar on my neck. It looked very regal and did a good job in covering my back. My make up and hair was simple and I slid on nude heels before I walked out of the door. I arrived in the dining hall a little late but took my seat casually. I looked up from my soup bowl and the King gave me a menacing glare. I nodded and looked back at my bowl. The room was full of small talk between the elite, the queen, and Maxon. Thank goodness no one asked where I was all day. I stayed silent as well as the King.

The pain in my back was so agonizing I stood up early and excused myself from the table. Maxon stood up with me and I tried to rush to my room. Maxon was the last person I needed to see. Who knows what would happen if he found out about this. "America!" He called out. I ignored him and kept walking. He ran up to me and grabbed me around the waist and pulled me close to him, his other hand against my back. I cried out in pain and shrunk away. He removed his hands from me and said, "What's wrong?" With a sad puppy look on his face. I shook my head and replied, "It is nothing."

I began to walk away but he caught up again. "Did I do something wrong? Why does it seem like you are avoiding me?" He said softly. A tear escaped my wet eyes and I knew he saw it. He wiped it away and said, "you can trust me." He placed his hands on my back again, reeling me in.

"Oww!" I exclaimed. "Just. Let me go. I'm fine." I insisted. I turned around and began walking again. I heard a gasp behind me and then, "No. NO!" He ran up to me and said, "Why are you lying to me America? There is blood coming through your dress. Tell me it isn't what I think."

Tears welled up in my eyes and I looked at him and bit my lip. "No," he repeated. He walked slowly to me as if I were asleep. He took my hand softly and led me to my room. He unzipped the dress but kept it on to cover the front of my body and took off the soiled bandages. I bowed my head in shame and turned around. I dared to look up and saw Maxon looking into my eyes, his face full of sadness, hatred, fear, and anger. He didn't say anything to me and called a doctor. He came up and said, "Lay down." He redid the bandages and told Maxon, "She needs rest. Moving around tonight made the cuts break open again. She must stay in bed. Back up. I will be here in the morning to check on the bandages." He left quickly.

Maxon moved to me and held my hand against his lips and then on his cheek. "I'm okay Maxon, really. Dont you dare go to your father because he might want you again. Or me. It won't do any good. Promise me you won't go to him. Please." I croaked out. He nodded and said, "I promise. I can't believe this happened to you. I thought I kept you safe from him. Just once I thought he couldn't hurt you." Tears brimmed his eyes as he continued, "I love you America, I am, so, proud, of you. I hope you know that my dear. I love you so much. How did I let this happen?"

I stroked his face and said, "Ssh, I'm fine, I am. I love you too Maxon. I know this is a lot to ask of you, but would boundary the night. I feel safe, like your dad can't hurt me when you're here."

"He is not my dad." He said grimly. His face did lighten a bit when he moved on and said, "It most definitely is not too much to ask. Of course I will stay." He kissed me so delicately on the forehead before I moved over a little to make room on my bed for him. He laid on top of the soft covers and held my hand. I then quickly fell into a deep sleep in moments.

Maxon POV

A small knock sounded on the door and I stood up as carefully as I could, not wanting to wake America up. It was 6 am and I hadn't slept all night. The door opened up and the doctor walked in with a box full of bandages and creams to heal the still fresh wound. He silently nodded his head at me and pulled out a large needle. He injected the serum into her arm and said, "This will keep her asleep while we clean the bandages. She will be in a lot of pain after this. I couldn't properly clean them before now because this medicine didn't come in til this morning. Like I said she will be in a great, great amount of pain. She will not be allowed to even get up out of bed for today and tomorrow. She will be fine by then but not completely healed."

I took in his words and thought about a million things all at once; what will I tell mother, the elite, and my father? Will she be okay? can I stay with her? To confirm I heard him I nodded at the doctor. He then proceeded in removing the bandages off of her back. Dried blood was caked on her back and the wounds were unbearable to see. I decided to head down to breakfast. It was very early so I had loads of time before anyone else got there. I ordered breakfast to bring to America and let the staff know that all meals were to be sent to her for the next two days.

By the time I had arranged her meal schedule and had gotten ready for my own breakfast, it was time to eat. Naturally I was the first in the dining hall along with my mother. My father was almost always the last one to arrive because of meetings and what not. I took a deep breath in and pulled out my mother's chair for her. I then sat in my own and didn't say anything.

"Maxon, darling, what's wrong? I can see it in your eyes. I am here for you. You know that right?" She asked. I looked at her and her eyes turned soft. "Please." She whispered.

"Last night I was talking to America and she was hurt." I said through right teeth. My mother put a delicate hand in my shoulder and said, "I am sure she is alright my dear," she said.

"But she's not! She is in her room having her back cleaned and treated right now. FATHER WHIPPED HER LAST NIGHT BECAUSE OF THE REPORT!" I exploded. I felt my mother's hand tense up and excused herself from the table. The rest of the elite walked in together chatting and giggling amongst themselves. They all curtsied and smiled flirtatiously at me. I nodded with a grim face and they all seemed disappointed but sat down. "Celeste, since you and America have gotten all buddy buddy lately, do you happen to know where she is?" Kriss said a little rudely. Celeste dropped her spoon, obviously frustrated and looked up at Kriss with a menacing glare and said, "Even if I did know why would I tell you?"

That shut Kriss right up and the room fell silent again. Kriss finally spoke up again after the few minutes of silence, "So, Maxon, do you know where America is? I'm worried about her." She said with a little sad face. I wiped off my mouth my napkin and responded, "She is quite alright, just a little sick." I quickly went back to my eggs Benedict and stood up from the table once I finished. I took a final swig of water and left the room. I entered the kitchen quite hastily and grabbed America's breakfast tray to deliver to her room. My footsteps against the cold marble were loud as I walked alone in the empty halls. At first I had trouble opening the door with a tray I'm my hands but managed after a couple tries.

"Hello?" A voice squeaked out. She sounded frightened and I peeked my head around the corner. A loud sigh was released from her and she smiled she saw it was just me. I set the tray down on her nightstand and sat down, taking her frail hand into mine. "Its just me. How are you doing?" I whispered.

"You don't have to whisper Maxon." She smiled, "It hurts. A lot. Could you grab me that little pill bottle over there?"

"Of course, anything else?"

"I see orange juice here that should be fine." I took a pill into my hands and noticed its rather largesse, almost the size of a penny! I shuddered a little and popped it I to her mouth following a sip of Orange juice. She looked pained when she swallowed it but smiled weakly again when she finished. "Thank you."

"Its the least I could do. Hey. Um. I don't know how to say this but my mom found out about your back. She asked me what was wrong this morning and I had to let it out. I don't think she will tell anyone, I hope bot, it's just-"

"Sssssh." She interrupted. "Its fine. Really. It's fine." My brows furrowed together a little but I tried to stay calm. I began to feed America and she closed her eyes and sighed after the first bite. "That tastes so good." She ate and I began to talk, I don't really remember what about but little things, memories, meetings, plans, the future. She just sat and listened, nodding to let me know she was still listening. "I know you have to stay in bed for today and tomorrow, but do you think you would be up for having dinner with me. Just me. And you. By the stars."

She smirked and said, "Like a date?" I laughed and replied "Yes."

"I would love to." She said, and then laughed. She quickly stopped, realizing all the movement is hurting her. But then she just smiled.

"What?" I chuckled. She lifted an arm and brushed my hair a little. Flipping it back and forth. "There." She said. "Now you don't look like a dork."

"Uh, excuse me?" I said. She tried to stifle a laugh but it just came out louder in a second. She covered her mouth and said, "Did that just come out of me?"

I began laughing then and we sat there laughing, breakfast long forgotten about. Once we got ourselves together she said, "Ooh! Go over to my piano and lift the bench up. In there you will see a black deck of cards. Grab it." I did as she commandeered brought her the little black box of cards. She opened it and instead of a pile of cards falling out, a little pin did. "I brought this on case I actually did end up liking you. I did, so here you go. It was my great great grandma's pin. This particular pin was given to her by her husband who said it was a symbol of love. It has been passed down to the girl of the family every generation. I was going to give it to my husband as a wedding gift. But I think even if we don't get married, you deserve it. You weren't my first love, but my first true love."

The pin was two little silver doves flying together. I looked at her and she had tears in her eyes. "I love you, America." I leaned down and gently pressed my lips against hers. I wiped away her tears and then pinned it to my jacket. "Thank you. No one has given me something. I mean Kriss gave me a card but. This means a lot to me. Thank you." I said. She beamed at me and said, "You are so welcome. I have to get some rest know the pill is kicking in but I'm glad you like it. Goodbye." I kissed her again and said, "Wait. Don't fall asleep quite yet. I know I can't end the selection right now but let me give you an advanced notice." I pulled the little ring out of my suit jacket and knelt in one knee.

"America Singer, before the selection I had a life, but it didn't have love. So I might as well not have been living. When you came to life, you were what made all of the happiness I have now. You know I always thought of this palace as home. But now that I think about it, home is anywhere with the person you love. And that's you America. I love you so much. Will you marry me?" Tears flooded her cheeks and she nodded, unable to speak. I slid the ring on her finger and kissed it.

I crawled into the little space between her and the edge of the bed and kissed her. She took a closer look at the golden ring with our birthstones and whispered, "Yes."