AN: Finally figured out the timeline thing! This is set after TRY.
As soon as they reached the gates of Seyruun City, the excitement that Amelia always struggled to contain boiled over and she broke into a run, driven purely by the desire to see her daddy. The surrounding sights of the city she loved so much were a blur as she focused on getting to the palace as quickly as possible. For once she didn't even call out to her friends behind her. Since learning about the assassination attempt she was desperate to see Phil as soon as she could so she could be absolutely certain he was okay!
The blaring sound of trumpets acted like a brake, and she fell forward as she stopped to listen, fearful that they were about to announce a second assassination attempt that was more successful than the first. Lina, Gourry and Zelgadis caught up to her as she got up and dusted herself off as the herald proclaimed, "Ladies and Gentlemen! I have joyous greetings to share!"
Amelia relaxed a bit. If it was bad news then the greetings would not be joyous! Her relief was short lived as the herald continued, "On behalf of our illustrious sovereign, King Eldoran Seyruun, I am honored to announce the betrothal of his first son and heir, Crowned Prince Philionel El Di Seyruun to the Lady Maxine DuBerry."
"That poor woman!" Lina exclaimed as her hair stood on end as Amelia felt her legs go out from under her. Zelgadis reached a hand out to steady her as she felt as though she had been bowled over by a troll as she struggled to process what she had heard.
"Daddy is getting married?" Amelia breathed as she wondered how it could be true, "To…to Maxine? Maxine will be my stepmother?"
"I'm going to barf! Thinking of the horrors of her wedding night!" Lina's trailed on, oblivious to Amelia's struggle as she ranted to Gourry.
Zelgadis drew closer to Amelia as he asked, "So it is that Maxine?"
"Yes." Amelia said as her eyes widened in disbelief.
Even through her rant, Lina managed to register that bit of information as she butted in, "You mean your childhood companion. But that would mean that she's your age! And that Phil knew her when she was a little girl and…"
Lina shuddered as she went green again and she threw her hand over her mouth as Gourry said, "Now that you mention it, it is strange. Phil isn't creepy like that."
"And why would a young woman throw away her life to marry Phil?" Lina asked.
"He's the Crowned Prince of Seyruun!" Amelia snapped as she glared at Lina, "He will be king one day! He has money and power and he is known as a wise and just man! Women have always thrown themselves at him! He's not that repulsive Miss Lina!"
Lina looked a bit chastened as she said, "Well, I guess these things are in the eye of the beholder and all…"
"Was Maxine mean to you?" Zelgadis asked.
Amelia slumped forward, "No, she was sweet. But, well, it would be weird to have my childhood companion become my stepmother."
"Definitely weird." Lina said. "Well, should we go and congratulate the happy couple?"
"Yeah," Amelia said as she took a deep breath and continued to the palace at a much slower pace. Lina and Gourry started speculating about what was wrong with Maxine as Zelgadis was quietly contemplatively as the fear of what Maxine had already told Phil warred with the anxiety of how Maxine would react to seeing her again. "Let's get this over with."
Even though Amelia had heard the announcement of the royal engagement, nothing could have prepared her for running into Phil's chambers and seeing him sitting on the couch with Maxine sitting companionably on his knee. The jealousy that hit her stopped her in her tracks. And on its heels was the fear. What had Maxine told Phil about her?
"Amelia!" Phil cried as he and Maxine stood up and he held his arms open wide and she ran into them, feeling some measure of relief that he was as happy as always to see her. He embraced her with the same warmth and exuberance as always as he said, "I'm so happy you're home safe."
"I missed you!" Amelia said. "And when I heard about the assassination attempt…"
"Oh, don't worry about that!" Phil said as they broke apart and Amelia tried to avoid looking at Maxine, "I'm fine! Thanks to Maxine and General Sherra. You remember Maxine?"
Amelia could not avoid it anymore. She looked at Maxine, who had matured into a beautiful young woman with wavy chestnut curls and stunning green eyes, and wondered if it would be best to get the apology out of the way with. "Yes, of course. Thank you for saving my daddy. He means the world to me. Especially after..."
"And to me! And to all of Seyruun!" Maxine interjected as she clasped her hands together. "It is so good to see you again Princess Amelia. Would it be too forward if I gave you a hug?"
Amelia blinked in surprise. Had she heard that right? Was Maxine really not angry? Or was this some set up to stab her in the back? Still, there was only one diplomatic response. "Well, I hear that you are going to be my stepmother."
Amelia opened her arms and Maxine embraced her warmly and pulled away to kiss her on both cheeks, "I have missed you! And are these your new friends?"
"Yes," Amelia said, still blindsided by how magnanimous Maxine was being.
"Let me introduce you to Lady Lina, Sir Gourry, Sir Zelgadis." Phil interjected, "Welcome back!"
"Glad you're still among the living." Lina said. "And engaged?"
"Ah, that." Phil said as he scratched his head nervously.
Maxine wrapped her arm in his and patted it gently, "He's a bit embarrassed by our age difference. But you see, there's a rather archaic custom that if someone saves the life of an unwed royal than they can claim the right to marry him."
"What!?" Lina exclaimed as she turned a little green at the gills. "But that means that I could have…Oh no. I can't go there! I can not go there!"
"I never brought it up because I figured a woman like you would never want to settle down to be queen." Phil explained diplomatically, "But the older I get the more pressure I receive to choose a new bride. I never wanted to settle down again until both of my girls were happily settled. But it's not as though you're children anymore."
"So when the Council asked me how I would like to be rewarded, I decided to invoke the ancient tradition and I asked to become his bride." Maxine continued.
Amelia wanted to ask Phil if he was happy with this. But she couldn't in front of Maxine. She so plastered the biggest diplomatic smile that she could upon her face as she said, "I see. Well, this is happy news!"
"Forgive my rudeness, but what are your reasons for wanting to marry Phil?" Zelgadis asked in his deadpan way.
"Mr. Zelgadis!" Amelia admonished.
"No, it's okay." Maxine said, "He's just being protective of Phil and the royal family in asking the hard questions. That is admirable, and anyone who wants to marry into royalty should be treated with due suspicion. I'm sure many opportunists would love to marry a prince such as Phil. But I am coming from a place of love of prince and country. I have always remembered how kind Prince Phil was. Growing up I would think of all the horrible men out there and I would pray that I would be betrothed to someone kind, like Prince Phil. I never dreamt I would have the opportunity to actually marry him! And when it fell before me, why it was like an answer to my prayers! And if I can be a worthy Queen of Seyruun then that will be enough. Please, Sir Zelgadis, ask me all the questions you want."
Zelgadis seemed disarmed by her intensity as he took a step back and looked at his feet as he muttered, "That will suffice for now."
"Please, why don't the rest of you get settled in while I catch up with my daughter." Phil said. "Tomorrow we can even have a welcoming home feast."
"Yeah," Lina said as she looked at Gourry and grabbed his hand, "If you don't mind, we've not had a nice dinner to ourselves since we regrouped."
"Go have a night on the town." Amelia said with a smile. "But Mr. Zelgadis, would you like to join my family for dinner?"
As Zelgadis looked at her she feared for a moment that he would decline. "Sure."
So I'll have Mr. Zelgadis with me at least. She thought to herself as she struggled with whether or not she should clear the air. The least she could do was apologize to Maxine. But doing that would mean explaining what she did in front of Zelgadis and Phil. And the mere thought that they would both hate her forever if they knew the truth halted her in her tracks. And besides all of that, with Maxine being so gracious, it didn't exactly seem the right time to bring it up. Perhaps Maxine did not want to revisit it? At least not publicly. And if that was the case, then the best thing Amelia could do was not air it publicly.
So Amelia said nothing and put on her best face as they went to dinner.
Usually there was something comforting about Amelia's first meal back home. Being able to eat delectable meals prepared by chefs who had known her her whole life and knew exactly how she enjoyed her food was always something that she privately relished. But even though the hot pot looked delectable, Amelia simply did not have an appetite as she watched as Maxine cuddled up to her father as they ate.
Amelia looked over at Zelgadis, who was seated close to her but felt as distant as ever. And then she remembered that the worst feeling ever was to be lonely when surrounded by loved ones. But damned if she was going to express it! "So, how did you save my daddy?" Amelia asked as she kept her voice chipper.
Phil smiled at Maxine fondly, and Amelia felt a pang in her heart as she realized that there was some genuine affection on his part as Maxine smiled demurely as she began, "A few weeks ago I attended your grandfather's jubilee celebration."
Is it even possible to feel worse? Amelia asked herself as the guilt overflowed like a full tub. When she set off on her latest adventure she had thought she'd be home in plenty of time for the celebration of her grandfather's fifty year reign. But one thing led to another and she was a few weeks late. The pull between a life of adventure and the duties of a royal princess was as pronounced as ever.
Amelia let the feeling wash over her as she focused on what Maxine was saying, "…And I got hot so I decided to walk in the gardens. I'm not much of a fan of crowds, so I ended up going further than I should have, and along the way I heard about a plot to assassinate our dear Prince Phil. Naturally I was alarmed, and I went straight away to the head of the royal guard to inform him, but he didn't believe me! And then I didn't know what to do! After how poorly I'd performed my duties when I was in service to you, well, I knew no one in your family would have any reason to believe me…"
Amelia reddened as she opened her mouth to protest but it died in her throat as Maxine continued, "But General Sherra had overheard and she asked me to tell her everything."
"She?" Amelia asked.
"Yeah, she rose through the ranks rather quickly." Phil said, "A tremendous talent!"
"And General Sherra believed me," Maxine continued as she put her hand on Phil's chest, "But she knew that people would doubt her because she was a woman."
"So that's when I decided that if you need to get a job done you have to do it yourself." An unfamiliar voice said, and Amelia turned to see an imposing looking woman with her hair in a long blue braid walk in. "So I waited for the assassins to make the first move and stepped in before they could do any permanent damage, and just like that, their evil plan was foiled and justice prevailed!"
"General Sherra," Phil said, "I'd like you to meet my daughter, Amelia."
"Princess." Sherra said as she bowed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. Thank you so much for saving my daddy!" Amelia said as she got up and clasped her hands.
"It was an honor." Sherra replied as she bowed her head respectfully.
"And this is Sir Zelgadis." Amelia said as she indicated Zel.
"Good to meet you. I am aware that Amelia thinks rather highly of you and that we are indebted to your services during the incident with the corrupt royal sorcerers."
"Right," Zelgadis said as he lowered his eyes and squirmed a bit.
"Your highness," Sherra said as she looked at Phil, "Do you have a moment? I have some updates to share with you."
"I've worked with many generals through the years, but none are as prolific and productive as you. When do you sleep?" Phil asked.
"I never really needed much." Sherra said.
"Go ahead then. Everyone in the room is someone I trust."
"There was a border incursion at Reyte, but it was successfully subdued. The crowned jewels have been moved and readied so that Lady Maxine may choose which ones she wants to add to her collection upon your marriage. Food has been successfully distributed to the Kingdom of Lyzeille due to famine and they extend to us their more sincere thanks. The city of Saqara has unearthed a trove of Claire Bible manuscripts and is requesting the services of a specialist…"
"What?" Zelgadis asked.
Amelia looked at Zel and smiled, "Maybe they found something that can help you find your cure, Mr. Zelgadis!"
"Yes, I think we should send Sir Zelgadis at once!" Phil added, "The Kingdom of Seyruun will even fund your expenses."
"That's very generous…" Zelgadis said as he looked at Amelia and she was surprised to detect a note of hesitation in his eyes.
"That's settled then." Sherra said as she checked something off her list. "Would you be ready to leave by tomorrow morning?"
"It's not as if I ever truly settle in anywhere." Zelgadis said.
"Now, Princess Amelia, if I may bring up a matter of some concern."
"Yes?" Amelia asked.
"There are some troubling reports from the Outerworld..."
"The Outerworld?" Amelia repeated as she wondered how Sherra could have known anything about their adventures therein. It wasn't as though there were established trade or postal routes!
"Of how you and your friends operated a train that destroyed many towns and villages."
Amelia squirmed in her seat, "That's true, but…"
"As a royal princess of Seyruun and a Hero of Justice, how does this square with your mission of spreading justice and building diplomatic alliances?"
Amelia felt as though she had been punched in the gut as she glanced at her father, whose face betrayed not one bit of what he felt. Did he think that she was failing as a Hero of Justice? More importantly, had she actually failed in her mission to be a Hero of Justice?
"General Sherra!" Maxine admonished to Amelia's surprise, "It is so easy to judge Princess Amelia when you don't know her reasons for reacting as she did. She's been out there on the front lines, fighting Mazoku! And when fighting something as strong as a Mazoku sometimes there is going to be collateral damage."
"Well, in this case there was no Mazoku." Amelia said, "We were simply exploring a temple and it reacted to an amulet that a friend had. Suddenly the train was going and we couldn't figure out how to stop it! We didn't mean to run through those towns, but we couldn't use our magic on the train…"
"A true Hero of Justice will find a way that doesn't involve the harm of innocents and destruction of hapless villages!" Sherra replied intensely. "Such as not exploring temples they are warned to stay away from."
How can you even know about this? Amelia thought again as she stumbled for a response.
"Now, General Sherra, if my daughter was at that temple then I'm sure she had a good reason." Phil said.
"If you want someone to blame, then blame me," Zelgadis said, "Further, General Sherra, don't stand there so high and mighty and tell me you have never experienced collateral damage in the pursuit of justice."
"I've never destroyed several towns in one night." Sherra retorted. "The standards for being a Hero of Justice are high for a reason. It is a narrow path."
"General Sherra, please, I know you mean well." Maxine said as Amelia looked down at her lap as she wondered just how far from the path she had strayed that Maxine was having to defend her, "It sounds like a terrible accident, and these things befall even Heroes of Justice. And please, the other day you had reported on some of the successes of Princess Amelia's mission. Including saving the world. That some towns were destroyed is terrible, but since the world is still here they can be rebuilt."
"Of course." Sherra said as she smiled, "You did some good work saving the world. And under the previous general it would be enough. But my standards are higher."
"Well, a true Hero of Justice pushes herself to be better." Amelia said as a desperate desire to redeem herself flared within her.
"That's my girl!" Phil said.
Usually Amelia would run into his arms for a hug to hide the fact that she wanted to cry, but it no longer felt right anymore. Somehow she managed to keep the torment she was feeling subdued beneath the surface as she wondered if she had truly fallen short of her duties as a Hero of Justice and this was why all of this was happening.
"Now, General Sherra, is there anything more I can help you with?" Phil asked.
"That is all for now. I will leave you to enjoy your dinner." Sherra said.
"So, Amelia, why don't you tell us about everything that happened in the Outerworld." Phil said once Sherra had left.
Amelia started the story, but found herself questioning every decision she made and wondering if it was worthy of a true Hero of Justice. And while usually she enjoyed staying up late when she returned to Seyruun to tell her father everything about her adventures, tonight she was relieved when they finally parted for the night, far earlier than they usually did.
"So, what do you think?" Zelgadis asked as they walked to Amelia's chambers.
If Zelgadis noticed that she was taking longer than usual to compose a reply because she was scared she would start crying if she opened her mouth, he gave no indication of it. But if she was going to be brutally honest with herself she wanted nothing more than to grab him and cry until he made it all better. But he gave her enough time for her to force a smile instead as she said, "It looks as though justice has favored us with a competent general."
"That may be. But I'm suspicious. How did she even learn about the incident with the runaway temple?"
"What does it matter how she knew?" Amelia replied, "It wasn't our best moment."
Zelgadis opened his mouth to reply but stopped when he saw the look on Amelia's face as she recognized the rather severe looking old woman approaching them from the opposite end of the hallway. A moment of panic washed over her as she wondered just how many skeletons could be unearthed from her closet in one day. But as they drew close Amelia smiled as she said, "Good evening, Madame Martinette. How are you tonight?"
"I am well, Princess." Martinette said as she leaned forward on her cane, and Amelia reflected that she always seemed so much larger as a child.
"Allow me to introduce my friend, Zelgadis Greywards. Mr. Zelgadis, this is Madame Martinette, my governess."
They nodded at each other, and Martinette said, "Rather good news about your father the Prince and Lady Maxine."
"Isn't it?" Amelia said as she plastered on a smile so big that her cheeks hurt.
"I take personal responsibility for how Lady Maxine turned out to be a true Hero of Justice. While some little girls, like you, are born full of righteous justice, others need a firm hand to get on the path on the first place!" Martinette gripped her cane more tightly as Amelia felt sick to her stomach as the older woman continued to boast, "Yes, I was hard on her! She was so rotten I swear a demon had corrupted her. But all of my hard work paid off in the end. She has now embraced justice with an admirable devotion and is on the path to becoming a righteous queen!"
"Indeed." Amelia said as she became desperate for a way out of the conversation, "Well, it's been a long trip and I am tired. It was wonderful to see you again. Good night."
"Good night, Princess."
Once Martinette was out of earshot Zel asked, "What do you think about Maxine and your father?"
Amelia's stomach flipped as her lip trembled and everything she wanted to say died on her tongue and she made a strange choking sound. Zelgadis continued to press, "You didn't seem happy when you heard that it was Maxine who rescued your father. But she appears to be a sweet young woman. Too sweet, if anything. And what did Martinette mean by her being corrupted by a demon?"
How could she explain the truth to Zelgadis and not lose his respect? That Maxine was being so gracious continued to haunt and bewilder her. Unless, as always, Maxine felt that if she was honest no one would believe her. The word of a princess went further than that of a noblewoman. But once that noblewoman was a queen...?
Perhaps she just wants to kill me with guilt and kindness. Amelia thought as they reached the door to her chambers. She stopped and said, "It's a lot to take in. It's just been my daddy and me for so long. I can't even think about it right now."
"I guess I can understand that." Zelgadis said, looking thoroughly unconvinced.
Amelia knew that she should just walk into her chambers now. But she was not ready to part from him. "So do you think you'll find your cure in Saqara?"
"Why get my hopes up when it could be the ultimate recipe for chocolate chip cookies?" Zelgadis said as he leaned back against the wall, "Besides, I'm a bit worried about leaving you here right now with everything going on."
Amelia felt herself grow warm inside and she latched onto the feeling like a life raft. Finally, something that pushed away the misery of the day! She smiled, "Why Mr. Zelgadis! Does that mean you care about me?"
He turned purple as he stuttered, and Amelia leaned over to kiss his cheek. His stone skin was hard against her lips but pleasantly warm. And the smell of impending rain that tickled her nostrils was intoxicating! "It's only a day away! And you can be back soon!"
"Amelia…" he said as she wrapped her arms around him and ignored the way the rocks on his body pricked her skin through their shirts. But she could not stop! Lina was with Gourry. And her daddy was with Maxine. And she did not want to be the only one who was alone! And he was the only one who could make her feel better.
She pulled him to her and placed her lips over his, ignoring the way the rocky texture of his skin bruised her lips as she felt the stinging sensation of her forehead being torn open as it was grazed by his hair. The pain spurred her on as she pressed against him, desperate to show him that she could endure it, that he was worth enduring it until he put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her away. "Amelia…"
She opened her mouth to protest, but he brushed his hand against her forehead and she felt something warm and wet start to flow down her face. He brought his finger down and she could see it was covered with blood. "I can't." he said, "Until I have my cure, I can't!"
Amelia turned red with embarrassment, "I don't know what came over me!"
"As soon as I am cured, it will be different." Zelgadis said, "But Amelia, that could be years."
Amelia smiled, "It will be worth the wait. Goodnight, Mr. Zelgadis."
She opened the door and walked in fast and shut it behind her. Beside her she could hear Zelgadis walk into his own room. After the incident with the royal sorcerers Lina, Gourry and Zelgadis had been granted rooms surrounding hers for protection. It was good to know that for one final night at least she would be under the same roof as Zelgadis.
She drew what comfort from it that she could as she started to undo her belt and then paused as from the room next to hers Amelia heard the sounds of Lina yelling, "Great! How are we going to explain this to the maid!?"
"We could tell the truth." Gourry said.
"I'm not telling her that I was eating it off of you!" Lina yelled.
While under other circumstances Amelia would laugh, tonight it just made her feel even more lonely and she cursed the fact that the walls in her room were deliberately thin so that if anyone did attack her then her bodyguards could come running inside. Privacy was a rare thing in a palace.
"Then you can tell her I was eating it off of you." He said.
"Um, Gourry, what are you doing…Oh!"
Amelia shook her head as Lina started to gasp and moan. And then she looked over at the wall that separated her from Zelgadis and a gleam formed in her eye as she set her belt on her dresser. Perhaps being physically intimate with Zelgadis was impossible, but that didn't mean that there weren't ways that they could share intimacy. And it would be so much more fun than stewing in her worries about Maxine and whether or not she was an adequate Hero of Justice! So she walked over to the wall and put her back to it and slid down so she was sitting on the floor.
If he could hear me in the inn, he should be able to now! Amelia thought to herself as she moved her hands under her clothes to touch herself as she indulged in her favorite fantasy.