America sighed as she slouched in her chair. The ladies had all gone down to dining hall for lunch… and why shouldn't they? … It was well past the normal time to eat. Her eyes closed for just a moment… then she heard the door open.

"Miss?"

"Lucy? Is everything ok?"

Lucy sniffled. "I'm alright. Thank you for asking." She paused. "I should have been here this morning."

Getting up she gave her friend a hug. "If there is anything I can do… just ask."

"Unless you can bring someone back from New Asia… I doubt that it would help."

She gave her friend a long look then went over to her desk… quickly she penned something down and folded it. "Give this to the Captain. As long as your friend wouldn't cause a problem I don't see a reason not for him to work here. However the final decision is up to the captain. I can only ask for him to consider it."

"Oh thank you…" She threw her arms around America.

"Oh now, shoo. You go take care of this and by dinner I should have a good idea on how my wedding dress should looks."

Lucy smiled and curtsied, "Thank you, miss."

Lucy tapped on the study door where The Captain was working, and waited until it opened.

"Can I help you?" He smiled knowing this maid was one of Lady America's and knowing if she was here there was a reason.

Carefully she held out the folded letter, "From Lady America."

Wonderful. "Thank you." He started to dismiss her then read the note. "A moment please."

"Yes, sir?"

"It seems the Lady forgot to mention a name of this solider."

Smiling brightly she softly spoke his name.

America had just sat down in the woman's parlor when the captain knocked on the door.

"Lady America? A word please?"

She smiled and slipped out, "Please tell me there is not a major problem."

"Depends." He took a deep breath. "Did you ask the name of the person that your maid was inquiring about?"

"No. But I told her the decision was up to you and only agreed to ask but not interfere."

"In this case if might have been a good thing to ask a name first."

"Why?" Oh now that didn't sound good… not at all.

Maxon came down the steps and saw the captain speaking to America. "Problem?"

"I was just about to explain to the lady who her maid had befriended… and was now asking to bring back here."

"Alright. I'll bite. Who… since I was wondering as well."

"Officer Leger."

"Oh for the love of…."

"This might work."

Both the captain and Maxon looked at America like she just grew another head. "I beg your pardon?"

"Just hear me out."

"America." That was a warning tone.

"Maxon, just listen. You don't have to agree but please at least hear me out."

"Fine. Let's go somewhere a bit more private." A few moments later they were in a library. "Alright, I'll listen. This does not by any means … mean… I will like it or will go along with it."

"Carolina."

Maxon gave her a puzzling look. "What?"

"Carolina is going to be the first city to have the open draft. Meaning people can volunteer to join the military."

"What does that have to do with… him?"

"If I'm right about Lucy she loves him. And if she is writing letters to him I bet he is returning those letters."

"Meaning he's getting information about the place."

"Hardly. Lucy may mention things that are public knowledge but she wouldn't dare say anything that was private."

"So, what is in it for him?"

"She's someone that his mother would approve of."

"I still don't…"

"As a condition to coming back… he would be helping out with the military office in Carolina… Also he would be asked to consider Lucy to be his wife."

Maxon paced for a long moment, "You would lose a maid."

"I would rather see her happy then here miserable."

"He would need someone to keep an eye on him. And he would be allowed to carry any weapons… ever."

America touched Maxon's arm, "I know what he did is inexcusable. And I know you would rather see him dead. However without making public why he is New Asia… A change might be the answer so that everyone can put this behind us."

Maxon took a deep breath. "What do you think, Captain?"

"I've looked over what the military office will need. It would be reasonable to have one soldier there who has seen combat."

Trying to find a reason… any reason… not to have him back here Maxon asked, "And what if he tries a coo?"

"The rebels have already had their chance to have them… and turned him over to the palace guards. I highly doubt he would try to go to them knowing they would kill him… possibly on site."

He paced a bit more then looked at America. "I'm not saying yes. At least not yet. Get the program started. Get the office put together and let's see if it's even worth continuing it. If by some chance that works out. We can discuss the possibility of sending him back to Carolina. Until then he can stay right where he is… and maybe … if… and this a big if… if he does come back before his four years is up he will be thankful and not try to do anything stupid that would result in his death."

"It's fair. I'll talk to Lucy tonight after the report."

"America…"

"I only will tell her what I have to."

That evening : The report

America took her place next to Maxon and Queen Amberly the events from today swimming in her head. Lucy befriending Aspen… Aspen who took a shot at Maxon and Killed the King. Choosing the colors of the wedding… or more like keeping a balance between simple and over extravagant … because after all she was marring the next King. Finding out that there were rebels in the place walls.

Maxon leaned over, "Are you alright?"

"I could use a nap" She sighed, "For a year. But I'm alright."

"This will be over shortly then we… and I do mean both of us… are finding a bed for the night and not going to do anything until morning."

"And what about Charlotte?"

"Sweetheart. May will be with her and she is staying in your room for the moment. She will be fine."

The lights turned on and Gavril gave the nod to begin, "Ladies and Gentlemen of Illea. We have a special Report this week. Over that past few days Both Prince Maxon and Lady America have been visiting a few of our nation's cities. Tonight you will be able to see some of what happen during those visits."

The lights dimmed and on a television monitor America could see what everyone else at home was seeing. Black and white photographs that Maxon had taken. People working in factories. Their faces seen through windows. Children playing in the streets no parents in sight. More children curled up and huddled together trying to keep warm in a cardboard box that they were sharing. Women begging for coins to feed their children. Men digging fresh graves. These were the people who those who where a higher caste pretended not to see. These were the people who were suffering the most. Then a picture that made America smile. Charlotte standing there wide eyed and hopeful. There captured for all to see … her… the people's princess giving this child an apple. Then another picture Her the princess sitting on the stage her legs hanging over the side and Charlotte coming toward her wearing Maxon's jacket.

Then the pictures stopped and what Gavril had captured began to play. Questions from the people. The answers that she or Maxon had replied to. The outline of the programs and how the advisors would be picked.

After the video ended the lights came back on and Gavril smiled, "That was a lot of questions asked and answered… however the one that the people at home are probably all asking … what are your favorite moments while traveling through our great country?"

Maxon smiled, "I have a lot of great memories thanks to the wonderful people of Illea and I am looking forward to working with the chosen advisors from each provenance. But my favorite must be … being able to walk through the streets and seeing how everyone lived and worked. It has giving me the insight to see what needs to be changed and what could be expanded on so everyone might have the opportunity to advance their own lives."

"Well I am for one glad that you were able to see everything that you did without any trouble. And I and all of Illea thank you for the photographs that you were able to obtain." Then Gavril turned to America. "Lady America, Would you like to tell us your favorite part?"

America smiled, "Oh yes… But first Gavril do you have the video of when you first arrived?"

"Yes, I believe I do."

Maxon covered his face with his hand, "I don't think that… everyone would want to see that."

"Of course they would. Gavril if you please."

The video played. A swarm of boys covered in mud, dirt and sand playing some sort of game. America's voice "Max, Gerad it's time to get washed up."

Maxon spotted America before realizing the camera was on and pointed at him, "Well hello Gavril. I … um ... found some very interesting young men to …"

"Roll around in the mud with?" America laughed as she butted in.

"Oh… be quite. If it was up to you I would be having tea with your mother and sisters."

The video stopped and America smiled brightly, "I think I should explain that video a little bit."

Maxon Had his face hidden behind his hand not sure if he wanted to laugh or be embarrassed. His mother who was beside him was having a hard time not laughing as it was.

Gavril smiled, "If you would be so kind."

"You see, Maxon wanted to play a game with my brother. Of course once they were outside tossing a ball around a few boys from the neighborhood asked to join in. Within moments the game of toss turned into… well I'm not really sure what the game was meant to be but you saw the outcome. Needless to say all the boys that had stopped by will have a grand story to tell one day."

"You might as well tell the people of Illea the rest while you're at it, Darling."

America gave him a shy smile, "And what rest would that be?"

"The rest of… your idea of using a shower while still outside."

Now America tried to cough back a laugh, "Oh well you see, my mother has a rule of not coming into her house full of mud or paint for that matter. So my father keeps a hose out back by the garage and he build a outdoor shower… and by shower I mean a enclosed area with a bench and the water hose."

Queen Amberly snorted a laugh. "Oh my. That reminds me of the house that I grew up in. It was quite an experience, Don't you agree Maxon."

"Quite." He sighed, "And I must say anyone who willingly does that daily I have to applaud you because I'm not sure I would be able to do that. However I would like to know how we can improve that so those who don't want to take icy cold showers in the winter time don't need to. If any citizen has an idea please send that suggestion along with any other questions or concerns."

The second they were alone Maxon pulled America into his room. "I don't think I'm going to forgive you that easily for showing that bit of video."

"No?" She leaned in and gave him a long kiss. Her hands working to pull his shirt out from where he had it tucked into his pants.

Carefully he pulled her away. " How can I be mad at you if you're going to kiss me like that?"

"Think of that video as the people getting to see you as a person and not their king. You are willing to work with them. Get to know their children. Play made up games , walk the streets and see what they do… not just live here and expect them to pay their taxes, send you their sons for war, and eat the food that they grow. They need to see that… not just hear it."

"And seeing me all muddy and looking anything but the prince that I am… is going to help that?"

"Those who want change will see it as you are the leader that they have been waiting for. Those who would rather keep their money and keep everything the same will see you as a threat. But if we're lucky the rebels will look at you and see a reason not to keep fighting."

"I hope for all of Illea that you're right." He pulled her close, "Now do you want to sleep… in a bed… or do you prefer tossing the pillows on the floor?"

She playfully smacked his arm, "If the bed is as comfortable as it looks…" A soft knock came on the door, "If we ignore them do you think they'll leave?"

Maxon smiled, "No." He cleared his throat, "Who is it?"

"Anne, Your majesty."

America opened the door, "Yes Anne?"

"I'm sorry for the intrusion but miss Charlotte and miss May wanted to know if either of you were going to join them for a bed time story?"

Maxon rolled his eyes, "I completely forgot. Tell the girls We'll be right there."

America turned, "Bedtime story?"

"Hmmm, I found an old book of stories about princesses and their prince charmings or what nots… I mentioned it to Charlotte before the Report."

"Ah. Well then let's go so you can read it to them."

"I thought…"

"Oh, no. You told them that you found the book. So you get to read it."