The Other Side Of The Coin: The Selection Series

Deserts- done, band-  ready, presents- on the table, decorations- hanged. The list in my mind went on and on. It was late afternoon when everything was finally ready. I glanced at my pirate costume in the mirror and laughed at my reflection.

"Wow, now you look like a mature king Maxon." I said to myself sarcastically.  "Just imagine what your father would think about that kind of parties." Even the thought of my father made me grimace.  His death was a tragedy to all of us, but deep inside I knew  I didn't miss him at all.

"Your highness, Lady May's carriage has arrived." said one of the guardians, with a grin from ear to ear. To be honest it seemed a bit wider than necessary but I didn't mind.  Someone here has a crush, I smiled to myself. But who could blame him. May was our sunshine, the people's favorite person in the palace. She was everywhere, always ready to gratuitously help whoever needed. Her adulteration was a big deal to Ilea. 

All the Singers were waiting next to the entrance. Kenna and Kota stepped aside while taking with low voices. Those two always seemed muted, almost uninterested in whatever was happening next to them, in my feeling. They were nothing like Mer.  Gerad, Aspen and Lucy were looking up the staircase with admiration.

When I took a look I caught America running down the stairs in a  flawless butterfly costume with a rapturous expression on her beautiful face. "Hold on Mer, wait for me!" God, I'm gonna loose my mind because of this girl!  

  As soon as the door was opened May ran toward us and started hugging every single member of her family. Mrs Singer was just behind her. After a good couple of minutes of greetings I took our guests to the ballroom. When I pushed the big, glass door all the guests shouted "HAPPY BIRTHDAY", musicians started playing and the party was on. 

After about an hour of talking to guests and checking whether everything was going smoothly I felt a gentle kiss on the back of my neck. My heart lit as I turned towards America. 

"Are you enjoying yourself your highness?" she asked playfully looking right into my eyes. 

"Indeed, I am your highness. What about yourself?"

"More than ever. So is our birthday girl" she looked at May dancing in the middle of the parquet with the young Spanish princess in a fairy costume. " I guess that means we make a good team. " she joined our lips together, at first softly, then I deepened the kiss, and all of a sudden everything around us disappeared. Her hands, eyes and mouth were the only thing that mattered. 

"I love you Maxon." she whispered.

"I love you too my dear"

"I may be your wife, but you know I'm still not your dear." she kissed my cheek, laughed charmingly and she was gone. Just like that.

Still smiling to myself I went to one of the round, glass tables, took a cup and was reaching for a punch fountain  when I saw an old, hunched lady  crouching behind one of the pillars. Her piercing eyes were looking right at me which sent a chill down my spine....