Princess Redemption

By GilmoreAholic

Chapter 1: Picture of Royalty

She was leaning slightly forward, her back straight and rigid, to give of the impression that she cared deeply for the words floating around. Perfectly manicured hands were folded gracefully on her lap, not fidgeting or otherwise indicating that she would rather be anywhere else. Her outfit gave off the impression of class and sophistication. Every item the young woman was wearing was perfectly crisp and clean from her elegant pale pink dress, to the matching shoes adorning her delicately crossed ankles. She wore no flashy jewelry, as to not draw away from her guest. Her locks, matching the color of the brown tea that she was serving, were spilling around her shoulders in large, tamed waves. If one were to look into her face they would be met with nothing but gentleness, and attentiveness. All in all, the brunette was the picture of royalty. It was a good thing to, because the woman was no mere citizen. She was Princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo of Genovia.

" Would you like so more tea, Princess Sarah?" Amelia asked the blonde before her as she lifted the shining pot.

"Please." Sarah politely replied, raising her cup in acceptance. As soon as the little cup was brimming full again, the woman returned to her speech on the importance of parental influence in the lives of the children filling the lowest percent of their demographic.

Amelia had been lost on the meaning of her words ages ago. It was not that she did not possess the intelligence to understand the woman's sentences, but simply, she had not the interest. However, Amelia had been trained by the very best on how to appear as if she was hanging on the woman's every phrase, while occupying her mind otherwise. Sarah's words were merely dancing through the princess's ears now, processing in her mind just enough to decide if a response was in order.

She was going through her day's schedule in her brain. It was, once more, going to be a packed day, full of events and ceremonies. After a while, one becomes desensitized to the awe of all the occasions. They become mindless, and mundane, hardly calling for any brainpower. However, Amelia dutifully attended each and every one of them, breaking the grounds, cutting the ribbons, and signing the pages requested of her.

On the outside, the woman appeared as if she absolutely adored her crown and its responsibilities. To any outsider, it would seem as if the princess was much happier with her life in the palace than she had been in New York. Long gone were the days when the gossip columns of the papers were filled with their royalty's latest mistake or break down. Every moment of her life was scheduled now; she always knew what to expect of the day. Princess Amelia had become a young woman of class, sophistication, and sovereignty, and for that, the people loved her more than they ever had. This, most of all, seemed to drive their princess to keep up the lifestyle that made her country happy.

The sound of the doors opening, and clicks of someone's heels on the marble floor, reached Amelia's ears. She turned her head slightly from Princess Sarah of Italy and toward the source of the disturbance.

An aging petite woman was walking toward them, briefly pausing to bow to each of the royals, before speaking.

" Please pardon my interruption, Princesses, but I am afraid that Princess Sarah's audience has been requested by her father in the letter chamber of the west wing."

" Well, I have had a horribly good time talking with you Princess Amelia. We absolutely must get together some other time. I will put in a good word with father for you and your country." Sarah said as she rose along with Amelia.

" Yes we must have tea together soon. And please write to me and inform me of how your plan pans out with the children's education reform. I hope everything works out." Amelia told the other woman with a large smile.

Sarah nodded her agreement, leaned over to kiss each of Princess Amelia's cheeks lightly, and walked attractively from the room. Amelia waited until the large ornate doors had swung close with a small click, before sitting once more.

Father will be happy, Amelia speculated. The entire meeting between the two had been arranged in hopes that Sarah would take Amelia in her favor incase that the negotiations between her Father and Sarah's did not go well. She knew that the Princess had been impressed with her ability to discuss matters other than fashion and tea, and believed that woman had truly enjoyed the meeting.

" Princes Amelia?"

The brunette turned her toward the voice to find the same aged woman as before. A smile grew on her face at the sight of the woman.

" Aw, Lady Markus." Amelia said as she rose to hug the short lady.

Lady Markus had been a dear friend to Amelia since the day she had arrived to live permanently in the palace. The woman had acted as a teacher, a confidant, a friend, and a grandmother to the Princess, helping her become accustom to the ways and goings of the palace. Amelia's success in her country and palace were all due to Lady Markus, without whom Amelia feared she would never have become so popular.

" How did it go Amelia?"

" Very well, Anne, very well. I believe Father will be pleased with my success." The older woman smiled at the younger, and clasped their hands together. "Come help me dress, Anne? I must attend a dinner with the French tonight." Anne nodded dutifully.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Amelia stood back and studied her reflection in the mirror. Something was wrong. It was not her dress, for the pale yellow fabric was shimmering and glowing, each bead reflecting the chandelier light perfectly just as it was supposed to. It was not the jewelry, for each piece was shined and clasped correctly. It was not her hair, for her stylist had spent the last couple hours perfecting its curls and pins.

She went through this every time she dressed. Something always seemed off, but upon closer inspection, everything was in place and perfect. It infuriated the princess to no end. Amelia sighed and left the chamber, knowing that there was no solution.

Once outside she paused as a servant opened the limo door. Throngs of people were awaiting her departure outside the palace gates. She could hear their yells now. As the vehicle inched its way through them, Amelia glanced at some of their faces. There was an older couple smiling tenderly at their princess, and a young family, the parents scolding the children. A few teenagers in plastic tiaras were waving toward her, goofy grins plastered to their faces, and off to the side there was man her age with dark curly hair, a slight frown adorning his chiseled features.

Amelia's heart all but stopped, and her breath hitched his her throat. The car kept its steady pace; slowly taking her from the form she was studying. No thoughts were building correctly enough in her mind to tell the driver to stop. Her eyes were still latched unto his form, taking in every detail that she had known so well: his dark eyes, broad shoulders, and casual poise. It couldn't be him. It mustn't be him, the princess told herself. However as the car finally cleared the gates and rounded the corner, she lost sight of him.

" Everything all right, Princess?" asked the large man in the seat beside her. Amelia did not look at her bodyguard, nor answer his question. She merely let one word slip from her lips, one word that would change everything.

" Michael."

Well there it is! I hope you enjoyed it, and thanks for reading. Please leave a review for me if you think I should continue this! Thanks again!--GilmoreAholic