~* SLAYERS: FALLEN STARS *~
I don't know if was my computer or the website, but I couldn't get this chapter up before now. Anyways, time for some mushy Amelia/Zelgadis, then off to some more mushy couple stuff later. Enjoy!
Chapter 26: Party for a Princess Part III
Zelgadis had been purposely avoiding Amelia all day figuring she would much rather spend her birthday without him altogether. However, when evening came around and everyone headed back to the palace for the ball, he began wondering if it had been a good idea to keep out of her sight. Normally she eventually sought him out no matter how big the disagreement, but it would have been impossible with so many guests to attend to during the last few days.
Then Zelgadis remembered the way Amelia avoided looking at him even when he spoke right after the big meeting and thought perhaps he did do the right thing.
He had never let a little argument get to him like this, and many times he went back and forth between mentally berating himself for reading into Amelia's actions too much and worrying if this was her way of saying this was the last straw and was tired of waiting around for him to be done searching for his cure. Though, he had to admit, it was hopeless for her to expect anything could come of their friendship in the first place. Amelia may have been idealistic, but even Zelgadis believed she was not that naïve.
The dinner that took place before the ball was uneventful. Torrin provided Zelgadis with some stimulating conversation until Filia came in halfway through the meal from tending Val. Lina and Gourry were actually watching their manners for once, but Lina seemed more nervous than usual. Jean kept close to Samira to make sure no one bad-mouthed her. Pokota sat next to Amelia and Prince Philionel who was wearing all white and was chattering away about what a fun day it had been while Amelia kept a brave smile on.
Alyssa was nowhere to be found at the table. Claiming she was not feeling well, she headed straight for her room when they returned and had not come out since.
The ball was only slightly more interesting for Zelgadis. The ballroom itself was brightly decorated with flowers and ribbons like the grand dining room, just like what Amelia wanted. He remembered her going over the ideas in the last letter she sent to him as if he cared about such things. Normally he did not, but over the last year it he took in anything she was willing to talk to him about.
The most entertaining thing he did see that evening was Lina clumsily dancing around with Gourry with great determination, but luckily, her green skirt covered the worst of her steps. Zelgadis watched them go around the dance floor until Lina finally tripped, and Gourry caught her. She mumbled what looked like an apology, and of course Gourry smilingly said there was no need. He had both of his arms around her, making Lina look even smaller than usual as she coward against his chest, and they stared at each other, like they were waiting for one of them to make the next move.
A few seconds later, Lina pushed away and hurried out one of the ballroom doors.
"Well," Torrin spoke up from behind, "those two are getting along, aren't they?"
"I guess," Zelgadis agreed, "but Lina's going to have to be a bit braver next time." He noticed Filia following Lina out the door. "Speaking of which, how is Filia doing? I haven't had a chance to really talk to her in the last few days."
Torrin sighed. "She's still unsettled, but she's doing what she can. I actually convinced her to go outside the palace without Val today, though she was very nervous all afternoon."
"That's good to hear," said Zelgadis. "How does she feel about you leaving?"
"Filia understands. It's a trip I've been planning for a while even before I met her." Torrin stared at the door where Lina and Filia just went through. "I can't believe it hasn't even been seven weeks since we've first met."
Zelgadis looked at him inquiringly. "You sound worried."
"I am," he said. "I spent a whole month getting to know her including the most mundane things about her everyday life before we became a couple. Just a month, and already I can't imagine my life without her. She doesn't even know half as many things about me, and she already trusts me with her life."
His comments impressed Zelgadis. He was happy to see Filia managed to find another dragon to trust, even if the circumstances of their meeting was not ideal (the way he met Amelia was not ideal either). Like Torrin, Zelgadis also believed it was Filia's right to choose how to raise Val, no matter what the other dragons thought.
"I'll have to talk to Lord Milgazia soon," Torrin said concernedly. "Hopefully, I'll be able to change his mind. He's very set on taking Val in."
"Then I hope the trip goes well and not just for Filia," said Zelgadis. "We'll need all the help we can get in taking care of the monsters as well."
Torrin turned to him with a very somber face. "And I won't leave until I've convinced them. I told Filia it'll only take a month, but dragons like to take their time in deciding things." There was slight disgust in his voice.
Zelgadis sympathized with him. "Must be tough growing up around such beings."
"Not exactly, but they do frustrate me." Torrin now had his eyes on Jean talking to other children his age across the ballroom. "That's why I chose my line of work. It allows me to escape them once in a while."
He continued to watch Jean. Zelgadis did as well. The boy never bothered to change out of his usual clothes, but that was exactly what drew the other children to him. Anything or anyone from the West Lands was very popular with nobles, and Jean managed to make himself quite at home.
Samira, on the other hand, was standing off on her own not talking to anyone. Torrin made a move towards her, but then stopped when he spotted Gourry coming towards her, offering his hand for a dance.
Torrin sat back with a good-natured laugh. "He's quite the gentleman. It's a wonder, after five years, Lina's still afraid to make a single move."
"You don't know the half of it," said Zelgadis with a playful smile. "I've watched them for nearly five years. Quite the show."
Out of the dancing crowd, Zelgadis saw Pokota hopping around like a frenetic little bunny looking for something. He eventually came up to Torrin.
"Have you seen Amelia?" he asked.
"Sorry, I haven't," answered Torrin.
"I saw her talking to some ladies just a few minutes ago," said Zelgadis.
Pokota did not look at him. "I did see her talking to some ladies, but I took my eyes off of her for only a minute. Next thing I knew, she was gone."
Zelgadis flinched in irritation as Pokota purposely copied what he said to Torrin as if he was not there. "Maybe she's out in the garden somewhere," he growled through his teeth.
"Try the garden," suggested Torrin, realizing Pokota was not going to respond to him. "She probably just wanted to get some fresh air."
"Right," said Pokota thoughtfully. "I check out the big fountain. Thanks." He took off in the direction of the main hall.
"That stuffed animal is really asking for it," Zelgadis grated, keeping his eye on the prince's back.
He new perfectly well the reason for Pokota's attitude, and deep down Zelgadis did not blame him, though it was irritating.
"He's obviously smitten," observed Torrin. "He never seems to let Amelia out of his sight if he can help it."
"Or Alyssa, for that matter. Which reminds me…" Zelgadis looked around. "She hasn't come back from her room yet. I should probably go see if she's alright. She said she wasn't feeling well."
"I'll keep an eye out here then," said Torrin.
Zelgadis nodded and walked off towards the same doors Lina went through a few minutes before. He did not see anyone in the hallway, but he heard Filia's voice at the end of it to his right. Down around the corner, he found her crouched on the floor attempting to comfort a very pale Lina clasping her legs with Audrey on the other side on her knees.
"I'm never dancing again," Lina moaned into her skirt.
"You've said that like twenty times already!" said Filia. "You did very well, and Gourry obviously enjoyed himself."
"She's right," said Audrey, patting the poor sorceress on the back. "You made some real progress out there!"
"But I ran off!" Lina contested miserably. "He was holding me in his arms, and I ran off!"
"Excuse me," Zelgadis interjected. All three of their heads jerked up. "Have any of you seen Alyssa?"
"Um, I think I saw her head towards the library when she came back out of her room," answered Audrey.
"Thanks." He was about to leave but then he caught Lina's eyes staring sulkily up at him. "What's the matter?"
"Don't mention this to Gourry," she softly pleaded.
"I won't. Just don't run away next time." Then he put on a teasing look. "Next time, just let him kiss you."
Lina's face went from pale to scarlet in less than three seconds. "I didn't say anything about that!"
"Then don't get so worked up about it," he said, then continued on down the hall.
"Wait! Mr. Zelgadis!" Audrey caught up with him. "Can you check on Amelia as well?"
"What's wrong?" Zelgadis did not like her bothered tone.
"She won't say," said Audrey. Her now grey-blue eyes shifted uncomfortably towards the floor. "I promised not to tell where she was, but I really think she needs to talk to you."
"Why would Amelia need to talk to me? She's been avoiding me all week." He did not want to think about Amelia right now, but there was something about the way a normally mature Audrey (except when it came to dragons) was avoiding his eyes like a child having a hard time snitching on a best friend in trouble.
"You should talk to her anyway," Audrey insisted, still not looking at him. "She was okay when she came back to the palace, but now…She looked very tired."
"Where is she then?" Zelgadis asked.
He softly opened the door to the prince's private study and found Amelia sitting at her father's desk quietly crying into her arms while clutching her circlet tightly in one of her hands.
He cautiously took a couple of steps towards her. "Amelia?"
Her head shot up, and when she saw who it was, Amelia got out of her father's chair wiping her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing," Zelgadis answered, crossing his arms. "Audrey told me where you were."
Amelia sniffled. "I'm going to kill Audrey for that." She sat her circlet back on her head but did not look at him. "You're the last person I want to see."
That comment honestly cut him. "If this is about what I said before-"
"-Its not about that." Amelia took out a handkerchief to dry her face. She was not ready to talk to Zelgadis though she could tell her avoidance obviously hurt him.
"Then what?" he asked.
He would find out tomorrow anyway, she thought. "The king…Grandpa…he's dying."
It was unexpected but not too surprising to Zelgadis. The king had been bed ridden for years even before the assassination of Amelia's mother, and Prince Philionel took over acting as a steward in his place. The death of yet another family member after tragically losing an uncle and cousin only a few years before would upset anyone, but there had to be more to it if Amelia's father insisted that she keep it a secret until the day after her birthday. Something still seemed off.
"In about two weeks, Daddy will be crowned king," Amelia continued. "Then…I'll be named the next heir, which means…" she trailed off.
"It just means that you'll have to take on more responsibility," Zelgadis added on, relieved that it was not about him after all.
"…And…I'll have to start thinking about getting married." She stared at the desk in front of her, feeling very nauseated as she said it.
Zelgadis came over and stood across from her. Putting his hands on the desk, he leaned over. "You can take your time on that. There's no rush." His comment came out a little more hopeful than he intended.
Amelia's heart clinched at his tone, and she raised her eyes to his for the first time in days. "But, I'm the only one left in line after Daddy. They're wanting me to start courting within the next year."
The optimistic look on his face fell. "Your father wouldn't…"
She slowly shook her head. "Daddy wouldn't force me, but his advisors…They're concerned about insuring the family line."
"But what about your other uncle?" he asked. "Couldn't he…?"
"Once he renounced his claim to prove his innocence when Daddy went missing, he understood there was no way he could reclaim it," Amelia said sadly. "Unless my sister suddenly decides to come back, I'm the last one."
If it were four years ago when they had been dealing with the supposed death of Amelia's father, Zelgadis would not be so bothered by her predicament. He knew how committed she was to her country and would do what was needed, and he wondered if he should say something about how he felt before it was too late, as impossible as a relationship would be between them would be. I can't believe I'm actually thinking that now.
Amelia turned away and leaned against her side of the desk, holding herself. His reaction confirmed what she, until now, had hoped.
"You know…" she said after a few moments silence. "When I invited Mr. Aldrich to meet Daddy, I was really hoping some sort of an adventure would come of it. I've been dealing with nobles all year, and I missed going out and doing what I wanted." Amelia let the frustration pour out in her voice. "I also used to dread it when Miss Lina dropped by unexpectedly. Now…I just wish those monsters Mr. Xellos was telling us about would show up, so we can fight together…like we used to."
Zelgadis huffed with some amusement. "I know you don't mean that Amelia. That isn't like you at all. You're for peace and justice, remember?"
"You forgot love." She choked out, feeling another sob in her throat. "I'm afraid that won't be an option for me anymore."
He sighed, lifting himself of the desk. "As scary as this seems for you, its still your choice."
"I don't want to make that kind of choice right now," Amelia said petulantly.
"But for your kingdom's sake, you'll have to eventually," Zelgadis reminded her. "All of us have to make similar choices sooner or later."
She looked over her shoulder looking very tired, just as Audrey described. "But why?" she asked redundantly.
"Its called growing up." He felt his lips curl into a small smile as if it would give her some small comfort. "Everyone goes through it. I was even younger than you when I had to make tough choices and force myself to grow up."
Amelia took in a deep breath. She knew he was right. "Its funny…Miss Lina never seems to have to make those kinds of choices."
"On the contrary, she has many times, just not one that demands a permanent life change yet." Zelgadis then broke into a mischievous grin. "Though, if she's willing to be brave enough, that might change."
She blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"I found her in the hallway freaking out when I went looking for Alyssa," he said. "Did you know she was dancing with Gourry?"
When Amelia realized what he was getting at, she started laughing. "I never thought she-" She stopped suddenly. "You were looking for Miss Alyssa?"
There was sad suspicion in her voice, and Zelgadis was afraid he had stepped on another nerve. "Yes. I hadn't seen her since this afternoon. What about it?"
She turned away. "Are you and Miss Alyssa…?"
"…No!" He felt his face grow very warm, and he rose his hands defensively. "I-I…" Then he thought back to the incident with Xellos. "All I did was calm her down! Nothing happened!"
Amelia let out a small giggle, feeling very relieved. She never had anything against Alyssa, but Pokota had made it sound like something was going on, making Amelia fret needlessly. At least that's one less worry.
Zelgadis calmed himself down. "I don't know what you heard," he said more calmly, "but I've never thought of Alyssa that way."
"Sorry." She looked back down at the desk, only slightly embarrassed for bringing it up, but there was still a smile on her face.
Outside the door, they heard two men talking and walking towards the study. One of them sounded like Amelia's father.
"Uh oh." Amelia launched off the desk in a panic. "I have to get out of here!"
Zelgadis watched her looking around her frantically for a way to escape. "Its just your father."
"U-uh, about that," she laughed nervously. "I'm not really allowed in here without his permission. This is his private study!"
"What?" He looked back and forth between her and the door.
Zelgadis spotted the red velvet drapes drawn over the windows on the opposite side of the room and quickly pulled Amelia behind them. He set her up on the window sill, then himself, and steadied the both of them by holding onto the window frame.
The doors opened. Amelia recognized her father's unusually grave voice and peeked between the curtains to see who he was talking to.
"I assure you she will eventually come around," said Hunter.
"That jerk!" Amelia muttered under her breath. "What is he doing talking to Daddy?"
Zelgadis hushed her so they could listen in.
Prince Philionel scratched his beard thoughtfully. "The problem is she's now the only heir to the throne. If only her sister were still here, it wouldn't be such a difficult decision."
He's serious, Amelia thought. Her father never mentioned her sister outside the family, and worse, Lord Darrem somehow convinced her father to tell him about the king before anyone else. She glanced over at Zelgadis who was also now peeking between the curtain.
"There will be many others asking to court her once I make the announcement," said the prince. "But you've been such a great help to us this past year."
Hunter nodded exaggeratedly with understanding. "I'm well aware of it. All I ask is a chance to be the first."
Prince Philionel extended a hand to his shoulder. "It will have to wait until I'm crowned and give her a chance to prepare. There are many other things I must attend to first." He led Hunter back towards the door. "I will say nothing until then, and I must ask you to do the same, Lord Darrem."
"Yes, your majesty," said Hunter gratefully.
As soon as the door closed, Amelia burst out, "I can't believe this!"
"So, that's the Lord Darrem," said Zelgadis. He remembered Amelia talking about the young man on Zelgadis' last visit with such distain that it was any wonder her father held him in high regard.
"Its bad enough so many of the others gave me unwanted attention whenever I traveled." Amelia clenched the drapes in front of her. "But he's the worst out of all of them."
Zelgadis took the drapes from her to open them and step out. "You can still turn him down, Amelia. It won't be the end of the world."
"But either way, I'll still have to spend time with him, for Daddy's sake," she said miserably.
Zelgadis had taken only two steps from the curtain when his sharp ears picked up footsteps coming back down the hall. He whirled back around, threw Amelia who had just stepped off the sill back against the window, and quickly closed the drapes behind him. He held Amelia against the panes of glass not daring to move and hoping the drapes were long enough to cover his feet.
Amelia became very flustered and confused at his actions, and the fact that Zelgadis' face was very close and almost level with did not help. "M-Mr. Zelgadis? What are you-"
He quickly covered her mouth. "Hush, Amelia!" he whispered hoarsely.
The door opened again and in came the steps of heavy boots, staying for only a moment, then left, closing the door behind them.
Zelgadis sighed in relief. "It was only a palace guard making his round."
"U-u-um, Mr. Zelgadis," Amelia stuttered under his hand. She felt the blush appear on her cheeks as she could not help but notice his body squishing hers up against the window.
"Sorry." He lowered his hand and moved so that she could breathe, keeping his cool as he did, but still held her by the waist.
Both of them locked gazes. There was not more than three inches between their faces.
For Amelia, there was nothing else she wanted more than to be in Zelgadis' arms when there was no other reason than just because. She had watched Filia and Torrin throughout the week, and today especially, and the way they held and kissed each other made her feel very happy but also ache.
But she needed to know how Zelgadis felt about it before she did, and she had a feeling that he would turn her down regardless of what he felt.
Amelia broke her gaze and cleared her throat, leaning against the panes behind her a little more as she did. "Mr. Zelgadis?"
"What is it?" he asked. His hand was still around her waist but was reluctant to remove it.
"I…want to…ask you-" Amelia leaned back a little more and heard an odd click behind her.
The windows gave way, and she fell backwards before she could steady herself.
Zelgadis' hand nearly slipped away, but he quickly jumped onto the sill and got a better hold of her. By then they were already leaning too far out the window to get back in, so he cast a Ray Wing to keep them from plummeting to the ground.
Amelia wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tightly as they floated gently in the night air towards the garden below. She took a good look around and was relieved that no one was around to see what happened.
Their feet touched the path. Zelgadis let go and tried to unwrapped her arms, but Amelia wrapped them even tighter.
"Thank you for that," she said taking a couple of calming breaths. "If you haven't, I probably would have gotten seriously hurt."
For the first time, he could sense just how drained she was and not just physically. Her stress would have affected her ability to cast any spell, and like she said, she could have gotten seriously hurt.
"We better get back inside," said Zelgadis as he unwillingly pushed her away. "Everybody's looking for you."
Amelia refused to let go of his arms. "I don't want to go back right now."
He forced her to let go. "You can't hide out here all night. Pokota's been looking for you, and your father will eventually notice."
"I don't care," she retorted, suddenly losing her nerve. She did not want to start another fight with him, but she did not like how quick Zelgadis was willing to return her where she felt the most uncomfortable at the moment.
"Yes, you do," Zelgadis shot back. Amelia turned away and prepared to stomp off, but he caught her arm. "Amelia!"
She flinched at the sound of his voice kept her back to him.
"Look at me," he demanded.
She slowly turned around. Her eyes were already tearing up again.
"What's really going on?" Zelgadis asked. He was getting tired of her silly attitude changes. When Amelia did not answer fast enough, he changed his question. "What were you going to ask me?"
Amelia felt her body start to shake. "Its not important," she lied.
"Ask me anyway," he said determinedly. "What was it about?"
"…Courting." Her voice was very small. She pulled her arm out of his grip and fell back on to a nearby stone bench.
Zelgadis was a little confused. "What could I tell you about courting?"
"No…" Amelia shook her head, trying her best not to look away. "I wanted to ask Daddy's permission…about you."
"About wha-" it finally hit him.
On and off, he had been entertaining the same thoughts as well, but so much more was on the line than just their feelings, so he often reminded himself that it was a bad idea. He had done just that earlier that afternoon, then a couple of minutes ago, he retracted it.
Zelgadis never thought Amelia would have such a hard time as well. She was normally clear cut about her decisions, whether they were misguided or not. Amelia made the decision to 'wait' for him, but what for? He had always figured that if there was any romantic intention there, she would have said something before now, and he probably would have promptly shot her down.
And that was where the problem lied. It was the same reason he never said anything.
At his own admission, Zelgadis turned away and quietly laughed at himself. I'm no better than Lina.
Amelia stared down at her hands, feeling quite foolish now. Her one-time daydream fantasy was now colliding with harsh reality, and she reminded herself to not take all of Audrey's suggestions to heart anymore. Admitting how you feel no matter what was apparently not always the best choice.
Then, Zelgadis turned back around. "Amelia."
She looked up curiously at the sound of her name. Amelia had never heard him say her name in such a gentle tone before. "Yes?"
He took a quick scan around him to make sure no one was around then slowly walked over and held out his hand to her. "Come with me."
Amelia hesitated for a moment, feeling her face flush a little, but she took his hand. Zelgadis led her over to a darker corner of the garden where large pink rose bushes grew into a nice little niche against one of the walls.
"Close your eyes," he said, taking her other hand.
In her chest, Amelia could feel the rapid beating of her heart rise to her throat, not sure if what he just said was real. There was only one reason she could think why a guy would ask a girl to do that, but Amelia did not want to keep her hopes up.
She closed her eyes anyway.
Zelgadis admired her for a few seconds thinking how much she really had grown, but amazingly enough, it was still her. It made him wonder if what he was about to do was right.
The wind kicked up a little making Amelia's dress flutter about and her shoulder length hair brush her face. Zelgadis placed the palm of one of his hands on her cheek to move the strands of hair out of the way and before he could change his mind placed his lips on hers.
Hee~. Been wanting to get this one out for a while. Don't worry about our Torrin/Filia/Xellos triangle, got some goodnes coming up in the next couple of chappies, then hopefully, we'll finally get the main plot moving again. Things are happening, just not in the current spotlight, and I don't want to give it all away just yet. We're still roughly a third of the way, so there's plenty of time.
I do get worried about the pacing (I understand the erratic updates don't help either), so if you have anything to point out, let me know. I'm not afraid of a little criticism (or praise). I'm also currently looking out for a new outlet for this story to get more critiquing for it. Lukily, I'll be attending a convention soon, so who knows. The Slayers fandom has been very small for a long time, but I always manage to find a couple of dedicated fans of old or obscure anime floating around (though I refuse to think of Slayers as old!).
Review please! ~NB~