"Princess Amelia"
"Yes?" she answered through the door.
"Your father would like to speak to you"
"I'll be down shortly. Thank you"
"Yes, princess"
Amelia sighed and got out of the bathtub. More and more often her father was asking to see her, wanting to know if her mind was completely made up. In just a few weeks, I won't be going through this anymore, she thought. The eighteen-year-old dressed and went downstairs.
"The crown prince is in the library," a guard told her.
"Thank you." She stepped inside.
"Amelia"
"Hello"
His smile faltered, but didn't vanish completely. "You won't change your mind, will you"
"No. I don't think it's fair to have Seyruun led by someone who is as self-absorbed as I have been. I know it causes you and Uncle Christopher a lot of trouble, but"
"I understand." He gently hugged her. "But the Purification Temple"
"I would do much better as a shrine maiden than as a leader." Amelia stepped back. "Is that all"
"Yes." She gave a little curtsey and left. When his daughter, who had became someone very different in the last few years, left Phil wrote a letter to Lina Inverse for help.
Two days later...
When Lina and Gourry first saw their friend, they were stunned. She was now close to six feet tall and her hair reached the middle of her back. All the childish features that they had known in her were completely gone. "Wow, Amelia"
"Thank you, Miss Lina. I guess I have changed a lot." She grabbed Lina's hand. "If you want to talk, we should go somewhere else"
"Alright." The petite sorceress looked back for a second. I could have sworn there was someone
As they sat in the small park, Amelia broached the dreaded subject. "Did father ask for you to come"
"What? What makes you think that"
Gourry put down his tea. "We did get that let-" He was cut off by a fireball.
"Miss Lina, you didn't have to do that. I know he doesn't want me to go to the Purification Temple and he can't change my mind. Now he wants you to try"
"Amelia, I've been hearing things about that place, like"
"Like nobody ever comes back out? They tell you that when you ask about joining. It's not a secret." She brushed the small diamond away from her forehead. "I know you're worried about me, but I want to do this"
"Instead of ruling your kingdom? Instead of being the protector of Justice you always wanted to be"
"Those were silly dreams. I've grown up"
"And what about Zelgadis"
Amelia jerked slightly. "I don't know. I haven't heard from him since after we fought Darkstar"
Ah, that's got to be it. Lina began to pry. "If he had written you, would you be doing this"
"I don't know. Maybe"
"But you wouldn't be as sure as you are now, huh"
Her face flushed. "That has nothing to do with it"
"Then why are you getting so mad"
"Why won't you leave me alone?" she yelled. Amelia covered her mouth in shock.
"Alright, I'll stop"
The one subject I'm sensitive about and... The princess turned for a second. I thought
"Amelia"
"I'm sorry. It's just everyone is convinced I'm doing this to avoid my duties. You can come with me when I go, if it'll make you feel better"
"Yeah. Right, Gourry"
"Yeah"
The princess laughed. "Good." However, as they walked back to the palace, Amelia had the feeling they were being followed.
The Purification Temple
Amelia was excited and scared, but stepped into the great hall confidently. Of course, having Lina and Gourry accompanying her made things a lot easier for her. After a few minutes of waiting, a very average blonde woman greeted them. "Hello, my name is Miranda." She held out her hand to the princess. "You must be Amelia. I'm so glad you came"
"Yes, thank you. These are my friends, Miss Lina and Mr. Gourry"
"It's always nice to have friends come to see our girls off. This way please"
"Lina," Gourry whispered.
"What"
"I think there's someone following us"
"Yeah and he's been doing it for several days." He really should've just talked to Amelia
Soon they came to a large cylinder of glass with a small amount of water in the bottom. "I'm sorry, but you aren't allowed to come any further"
"What is this?" Lina asked.
"It's the purification cylinder, Miss Lina. I told you about it yesterday"
Yeah, but I doubt it's all on the up and up. "Really"
"Yes. But I'm sorry, you will have to go"
Miranda opened the door. "If you'll step inside"
Amelia moved to get in and caught a figure in the corner of her eye. Zelgadis... Instead of turning to look at him, which was what she wanted to do, the princess climbed into the cylinder and let the door close behind her. Then things went black.
"What's going on? Why is she glowing"
"It's part of the process. She's"
"Get her out of there"
"Oh, nice timing, Zel!" Lina said as she smacked him.
"How did you get in here? You're not-don't touch that!" Miranda was trying to pull the chimera away from the cylinder, but having no luck. "It won't open until the process is complete. Stop"
"I've got it! That stuff in there purifies the mind by extracting her memories! It's supposed to be highly illegal"
"Get her out of there now"
"I told you, I can't. It won't-" She backed away from the chimera as he pulled out his sword. "Don't"
"Be careful, Zel"
The shattering glass was deafening and the purification liquid spilled everywhere. Miranda was the only person who had shielded herself from the onslaught. Lina, Gourry, and Zelgadis all stood dumbstruck for a moment. Most of the liquid began to pool and make its way back to where they cylinder had been. The princess was still glowing as she was resurrounded. "What's happening?" Zelgadis asked softly.
"Her memories are returning to her"
Suddenly he couldn't see or hear the others anymore. What the hell? Then he was hit by something hot. "What"
"Damn, Zel, wake up"
"I didn't-" He stood and looked around. When he saw Amelia lying still on the ground he went to lift her up.
"That was incredibly stupid of you. You could've just talked to he.r"
"How do you start a conversation after five years"
Lina almost punched him, but restrained herself. "'Sorry I haven't wrote or visited, but I want to talk to you' is a good way to start"
"Yeah, right"
"It's better than eavesdropping. C'mon, let's get out of here"
Zelgadis held her close. At least you're safe for now. They went as far as Sairaag -and stopped at an inn for the night.