A/N: I know it's been a while. A looong while. This colledge year is really difficult for me, and demanding, so it's hard to find the time or will to write something. I apologize for the long wait, and I promise I'll have the next chapter up in 1 week tops.
English is not my native langauge, as you can probably tell ;) SO grammar can be a bit awkward sometimes. Just warn me if you see any mistakes, and i'll try to fix it!
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The whole evening passed in some kind of a haze, thanks to wine, heat and the sheer multitude of people around her. The ladies of her court complimenting her 'new look'; the men, well... Being men and leering at her. Countless dance partners whirled her around the ballroom, and as many glasses of wine passed through her hands... To replenish her lost energy, and help her keep the pleasant smile that went with being a princess.
It certainly wasn't just that she was the only person not having fun at her own birthday party; but the world was an unjust place (even tough Saillune was certainly better than most places). Yes, what a shocking statement coming from her, she thought bitterly. Most people thought she still hasn't realized that, and she always tried to keep it that way. It made her people happy to think that a person like that still existed; good, unspoiled, innocent... That she managed to keep herself so pure in spite of everything she went through. The dark thoughts that sometimes gripped her and the pain of having her heart broken for the first time were only for her to bear... She was a princess, and as such owed herself and her life to her people. These matters were something that just belonged to the dark in her bedroom.
She never cried, she would just lie down in the dark of her room and tried to consciously seal off the parts of her inside that hurt so badly. At first, she thought it would be easier with people around, cause then she could just slip into the same old pattern of childish behavior and unbridled enthusiasm she was known for... But she would feel lonely, and it she would feel even worse. 'Never less alone than completely alone', was a quote she once read, and noo knew to be true.
Her big eyes screamed for help, but she could almost SEE what everyone was thinking: "Little Amelia, look how cute she is, look at that smile; pat that head, give her a pretty trinket and laugh at her passionate and just declarations. But never look at her long enough to see the way she really felt, never approach her without a patronizing smile, and never treat her as your equal. Because... What does she know about the world?"
Xellos was the only one that knew. Sometimes, in that dark, she would hear the rustling of fabric in the quiet of her room. She would shift a little in her bed to allow room for him, and soon felt two strong, soothing arms around her. They would lie like that for hours, not saying a word, and not sleeping. Amelia never wanted to sleep, because the times that she felt so peaceful and protected were rare and valuable to her, and Xellos... Well, who knew anything of his motives? These night occurrences were never mentioned in the day... The harsh light could ruin the fragile comfort she had in him, and she wasn't ready to talk about it, because she just couldn't explain it.
She was called back to reality by a new glass of wine offered to her by yet another of her guests. It came as no surprise that the hand which held the glass belonged to Zelgadis; her evening was obviously on a downward spiral. She gratefully accepted the wine and tried to be equally graceful about the company; she really had nothing against Zelgadis at this moment. But… She was so tired... Too tired to cover up all the anxiety and annoyance his sudden appearance caused her. Slowly raising her head, she gave him a long, hard look, trying to see into him... To find anything that didn't make her want to turn and leave.
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When Amelia finally entered the room, Zelgadis was taken aback at how different she looked. Still beautiful, maybe even more so than just an hour ago, but the change was almost dramatic. It couldn't have been just the dress, it was her posture, the serious and piercing look, the set of her chin. Serious, grown up, elegant. It took his breath away.
He tried to make his way through the crowd to be near her, but everytime he got close, she would be snatched away by one of her many guests. Fist clenching in sheer frustration, he sat down near the dance floor, waiting for his opportunity to finally talk to her. But.. What would he say? 'Hi Amelia, I'm human now, I've found you attractive for a long time, but couldn't do anything about it before cause I was sleeping with your best friend. I'm available now, though'.. wasn't the best approach. He would have to seduce the little princess bit by bit... And Zelgadis was pretty sure of his imminent succes. She fell in love with him once; without any encouragment from him. How could she possibly resist him then if he used all his charm (and he had charm, judging by the giggling serving girls eyeing him even now) on her?
He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice Xellos until he sat right next to him, sporting a smile even more annoying then usual, if it was even possible.
"You don't look like you're having much fun, Zel-chan. I would be honored to have this dance, tough", Xellos said in a tone of voice that could only be described as lecherous.
Realizing that strangling Xellos wouldn't be the best way to start a relationship with Amelia, Zelgadis coolly replied through clenched teeth:
"I'm afraid that would be your last dance, EVER. Now, what are you doing here? I don't think you are exactly welcome here in Saillune..."
His statement was rewarded with a rich laugh coming from Xellos, which was interrupted only to deliver a mocking reply: "Why, Zelly-chan, I am more welcome here than you are, that's for sure. You might even say I'm popular, being the closest friend of the princess."
"What are you doing with Amelia, you pervert?!", Zelgadis almost yelled. "You stay away from her, you hear? Thanks to the Claire Bible, I am more powerful then I used to be... And I will protect my friends."
Xellos seemed to think all of this amusing. "Friends? Where were you for the last 2 years when your 'friend' needed you? Have you bothered coming to see her even ONCE? I was there, by her side, when nobody else cared... You are free to think whatever you want, but Amelia and I have a special relationship nobody can threaten. Not even you. Especially not you. If you want to worm your way back in her life... Well... You've done too little, and came too late. It would be better for all of us if you just left her alone... Go away, Zelgadis." With that said, Xellos turned his back and left.
Was there a threat in his eyes, just now? Or was it threatening enough that his eyes were open? Zelgadis decided not to dwell on that right now, and just find Amelia. He's eyes started scanning the crowd, every now and then meeting some enamored woman's gaze, but finally, there she was.. All alone, taking a break it seemed. Chance, chance!, his heart sung. Once again surprised by the strength of emotion he felt in his chest every time he saw her, he pushed forward through the crowd. He picked up two glasses of wine from a passing servant, and covered the final couple of steps that divided them. She looked a bit tired and worried, so he just wordlessly offered her the glass... Waiting for her to speak and acknowledge his presence.
English is not my native langauge, as you can probably tell ;) SO grammar can be a bit awkward sometimes. Just warn me if you see any mistakes, and i'll try to fix it!
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The whole evening passed in some kind of a haze, thanks to wine, heat and the sheer multitude of people around her. The ladies of her court complimenting her 'new look'; the men, well... Being men and leering at her. Countless dance partners whirled her around the ballroom, and as many glasses of wine passed through her hands... To replenish her lost energy, and help her keep the pleasant smile that went with being a princess.
It certainly wasn't just that she was the only person not having fun at her own birthday party; but the world was an unjust place (even tough Saillune was certainly better than most places). Yes, what a shocking statement coming from her, she thought bitterly. Most people thought she still hasn't realized that, and she always tried to keep it that way. It made her people happy to think that a person like that still existed; good, unspoiled, innocent... That she managed to keep herself so pure in spite of everything she went through. The dark thoughts that sometimes gripped her and the pain of having her heart broken for the first time were only for her to bear... She was a princess, and as such owed herself and her life to her people. These matters were something that just belonged to the dark in her bedroom.
She never cried, she would just lie down in the dark of her room and tried to consciously seal off the parts of her inside that hurt so badly. At first, she thought it would be easier with people around, cause then she could just slip into the same old pattern of childish behavior and unbridled enthusiasm she was known for... But she would feel lonely, and it she would feel even worse. 'Never less alone than completely alone', was a quote she once read, and noo knew to be true.
Her big eyes screamed for help, but she could almost SEE what everyone was thinking: "Little Amelia, look how cute she is, look at that smile; pat that head, give her a pretty trinket and laugh at her passionate and just declarations. But never look at her long enough to see the way she really felt, never approach her without a patronizing smile, and never treat her as your equal. Because... What does she know about the world?"
Xellos was the only one that knew. Sometimes, in that dark, she would hear the rustling of fabric in the quiet of her room. She would shift a little in her bed to allow room for him, and soon felt two strong, soothing arms around her. They would lie like that for hours, not saying a word, and not sleeping. Amelia never wanted to sleep, because the times that she felt so peaceful and protected were rare and valuable to her, and Xellos... Well, who knew anything of his motives? These night occurrences were never mentioned in the day... The harsh light could ruin the fragile comfort she had in him, and she wasn't ready to talk about it, because she just couldn't explain it.
She was called back to reality by a new glass of wine offered to her by yet another of her guests. It came as no surprise that the hand which held the glass belonged to Zelgadis; her evening was obviously on a downward spiral. She gratefully accepted the wine and tried to be equally graceful about the company; she really had nothing against Zelgadis at this moment. But… She was so tired... Too tired to cover up all the anxiety and annoyance his sudden appearance caused her. Slowly raising her head, she gave him a long, hard look, trying to see into him... To find anything that didn't make her want to turn and leave.
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When Amelia finally entered the room, Zelgadis was taken aback at how different she looked. Still beautiful, maybe even more so than just an hour ago, but the change was almost dramatic. It couldn't have been just the dress, it was her posture, the serious and piercing look, the set of her chin. Serious, grown up, elegant. It took his breath away.
He tried to make his way through the crowd to be near her, but everytime he got close, she would be snatched away by one of her many guests. Fist clenching in sheer frustration, he sat down near the dance floor, waiting for his opportunity to finally talk to her. But.. What would he say? 'Hi Amelia, I'm human now, I've found you attractive for a long time, but couldn't do anything about it before cause I was sleeping with your best friend. I'm available now, though'.. wasn't the best approach. He would have to seduce the little princess bit by bit... And Zelgadis was pretty sure of his imminent succes. She fell in love with him once; without any encouragment from him. How could she possibly resist him then if he used all his charm (and he had charm, judging by the giggling serving girls eyeing him even now) on her?
He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice Xellos until he sat right next to him, sporting a smile even more annoying then usual, if it was even possible.
"You don't look like you're having much fun, Zel-chan. I would be honored to have this dance, tough", Xellos said in a tone of voice that could only be described as lecherous.
Realizing that strangling Xellos wouldn't be the best way to start a relationship with Amelia, Zelgadis coolly replied through clenched teeth:
"I'm afraid that would be your last dance, EVER. Now, what are you doing here? I don't think you are exactly welcome here in Saillune..."
His statement was rewarded with a rich laugh coming from Xellos, which was interrupted only to deliver a mocking reply: "Why, Zelly-chan, I am more welcome here than you are, that's for sure. You might even say I'm popular, being the closest friend of the princess."
"What are you doing with Amelia, you pervert?!", Zelgadis almost yelled. "You stay away from her, you hear? Thanks to the Claire Bible, I am more powerful then I used to be... And I will protect my friends."
Xellos seemed to think all of this amusing. "Friends? Where were you for the last 2 years when your 'friend' needed you? Have you bothered coming to see her even ONCE? I was there, by her side, when nobody else cared... You are free to think whatever you want, but Amelia and I have a special relationship nobody can threaten. Not even you. Especially not you. If you want to worm your way back in her life... Well... You've done too little, and came too late. It would be better for all of us if you just left her alone... Go away, Zelgadis." With that said, Xellos turned his back and left.
Was there a threat in his eyes, just now? Or was it threatening enough that his eyes were open? Zelgadis decided not to dwell on that right now, and just find Amelia. He's eyes started scanning the crowd, every now and then meeting some enamored woman's gaze, but finally, there she was.. All alone, taking a break it seemed. Chance, chance!, his heart sung. Once again surprised by the strength of emotion he felt in his chest every time he saw her, he pushed forward through the crowd. He picked up two glasses of wine from a passing servant, and covered the final couple of steps that divided them. She looked a bit tired and worried, so he just wordlessly offered her the glass... Waiting for her to speak and acknowledge his presence.