Chapter 2
Love or Punishment?
As the coming weeks passed, Amelia became fed up with the onslaught of suitors. They kept coming in waves and crashing on her. The princess felt she was going to drown right in the middle of them.
None of them made her heart thump or made her stare at them lovingly, as she should for a potential husband. Amelia decided she should take matters in her own hands and go visit the famous oracle Vrumugen.
She was in high hopes that he could shine some light on her predicament and guide her to her fated lover.
Not wanting her sister to venture alone, for Amelia was an extremely naive and curious girl, Naga tagged along. The journey, however, was much farther then Naga had originally thought. Had she known.....she would have carefully reconsidered.
"Are......huff we there yet?.......huff"
Amelia sighed, muddled. "Naga, we've only been walking for an hour?"
"You try traveling in these shoes!!" she declared, pointing to her feet. "If I'd known we were going this far, I would have brought my horse!"
Amelia was exhausted as well, but her older sister's whining was the main source of her discomfort. "You didn't have to come....."
"Of course I did!" Naga huffed. "It's my duty as your older sister!"
Amelia was skeptical. "Really?"
"Yes! And I also want to ask the oracle if he can tell me who'll win the coming chariot race. If I can find that out, I'll make a killing in the gambling ring! OH! OH! OH! OH! OH!"
The whole mountain terrain shook. Down below the mountain, a couple of old women prayed for the horrible laughing to stop.
Amelia plugged her ears to reduce the pain. She prayed that Naga wouldn't laugh in front of the oracle. The poor guy might be scared away and go into retirement.
Giving up the discussion, the sisters continued on their way. Finally, much to their joy, they reached the cave where the legendary oracle lived.
Everything within was illuminated by an intense light. It was bright. Too bright. The sisters had to bring out their sunglasses to protect their eyes from going blind. Where they got the sunglasses is a mystery, since they weren't even invented yet.....but that's not important.
Amelia and Naga stared though their black thick sunglasses in awe. The oracle Vrumugen, stood silently. A glittering orb was held firmly in his hands as if it was attached to his actual body. The orb was also the source of all the intense light.
Her goal in mind, Amelia approached. "Great Oracle I came to ask you......"
"Who'll win next week's chariot race?!"
"Naga please!.....Err......as I was saying, can you please tell me who is destined to become my husband?"
Vrumugen's face remained emotionless. He gazed into his orb. Eyes rolled back. Awaking from the trance, Vrumugen spoke. "Your future husband is not mortal. He is feared among both the Gods and monsters because of the power he possesses." The oracle expressed no remorse. "That is your fate."
Amelia went numb, like she had been dipped into an icy sea. A creature that both monsters and Gods fear? She had prepared herself for the worst, but.....this was beyond her expectations.
"What kind of prophecy is that?!" Naga roared. "You must have made a mistake!"
The oracle was unfazed. "There is no mistake. That is her fate. She can not escape or change it."
Naga fumed. Was she, the great Naga, going to let this poorly dressed man ruin her baby sister's future? Not while she was around!! "Listen you......"
"It's alright Naga." Amelia voiced, eyes lowered. "If that's my fate, I must accept it." Her fist tightened. "And.....I'm sure as long as I have faith in true love, justice will prevail!!"
For once, in his immortal life, Vrumugen sweat-dropped.
Naga, slightly sheepishly, coughed. "She.....gets it from our father."
The oracle told Amelia of where she had to go. Her destination was the top of a tall cliff.
The cliff was high. VERY high! It would have taken forever for a rock to hit the bottom if it dropped. Amelia would die instantly if she jumped. The princess calmed her rattled nerves.
The oracle had said this was where she had to go to meet her destined husband. Although, she was beginning to wonder if the oracle was playing a mean practical joke on her. Either that, or he had been stuck in that cave far too long. It was a peculiar place to go to, to meet a future husband and she really didn't desire to be a step away from certain death.
The wind picked up and her dress flapped in the breeze. This was mind boggling. She still found it hard to believe that her so called "true love" was a man both the Gods and monsters feared.
What if he was some ghastly man eating beast?! She shivered.
The wind began to blow much more strongly. Amelia found it difficult to stand. The wind shouldn't be this forceful. Then in a huge gust, the wind lifted the young princess from the ground.
Amelia screamed, flying over the cliff. She soared higher and higher into the sky. Amelia tumbled and rolled in the air. She prayed that she wasn't going to be suddenly dropped! That wouldn't be good at all to experience!
Suddenly, a palace on a mountain appeared. The wind then gently placed her on the ground. Amelia gazed about her new surroundings. The palace was gigantic. Twice the size of her family's.
"Is this where I'm going to live?" She told herself to be optimistic. "At least the palace looks nice."
Amelia walked up and entered. The hall was made of solid marble. She rubbed her fingers against the fine smooth stone, in awe.
"Who lives here?"
"That would be me." answered a voice.
Amelia whirled around sharply. There no one....... except a candle.........that....was floating....in mid air....BY ITSELF!!
Amelia's mind halted, desperate for a logical explanation. She found one. THIS PLACE WAS HAUNTED!!
She screamed. "EEK! A GHOST!!"
Joining the floating candle, a sweat-drop appeared. "I'm......not a ghost." the voice sounded annoyed.
Amelia's face reddened. "Oh........sorry, but what are you? Some kind of spirit?"
"No. I'm invisible."
Amelia blinked confused. "Invisible? But aren't you supposed to be my future husband?"
"If you would like me to be, then yes."
"Then why are you....."
"These are my terms." the voice suddenly spoke. "You may live in this palace and I can become your husband, but only as long as you agree not to see my true form."
Amelia was muddled. Those were some bizarre terms. "So,......I can't see you at all?"
"No and it is important you do not enter my chamber when I'm asleep. That is the only time my true form is shown. Do you accept?"
Amelia was unsure. Not allowed to see him? Could she live like that? But this was her fate and he didn't sound like he meant her any harm.
"What's your name?"
"Zelgadis."
Amelia smiled. "I'm ....."
"I know, princess Amelia."
Amelia stared surprised. "You already know my name?"
The voice sighed. "Yes, but do you accept my terms?"
".........Yes...I do."
"Good." The candle moved down the hall and, she presumed, so did Zelgadis since he was carrying it. "You must be hungry. Follow me and I'll take you to the dining hall." said Zelgadis
Amelia felt awkward, but she trailed after him. They walked along the long corridor. At last, the couple appeared at the dining hall.
The princess sat down at the end of the long table, then watched as the candle was set down. A chair was pulled backward and then forward, meaning Zelgadis must have sat down too.
Amelia wasn't sure if she should begin eating the food in front of her. "I should be polite and wait for Zelgadis to start. But he's invisible! How will I know when he's eating?!"
Amelia was puzzled by the dilemma. A crunch was heard, breaking her chain of thought.
Across the table an apple was floating in the air, a bite taken out of it.
Amelia sweat-dropped. "He must have started. I guess that solves my problem." She began to eat her meal. They ate in silence, but Amelia was on edge by it.
Her family was always very talkative and chatty at dinner. She wasn't accustomed to such stillness.
"I wonder if Zelgadis is uncomfortable too? I should try to start a conversation." She cleared her throat. "You have a lovely home."
A shuffle was heard from the other end. "Yes, thank you."
Then Zelgadis returned to crunching. Amelia wrinkled her nose in annoyance. He could at least try to be social! But Amelia refused to give up!
"Does anyone else live here?"
"No, just me."
"But this place is so big! You must be lonely."
"Not really."
Amelia leaned forward and surveyed the dining hall. "This room is big enough to host a party. Do you like parties?"
"I haven't been to that many and I've never particularly enjoyed them that much."
Amelia was disappointed. Throwing parties was one of her favorite events. But they both can't enjoy everything, maybe there was something else they had in common.
"Do you at least dance?"
There was silence.
"Zelgadis?"
"I......don't know how to dance."
Amelia blinked, surprised. Dancing was so natural to her, she assumed every person could at least dance a couple of steps. "How come?"
She could hear Zelgadis shift uneasyily in his chair. "I just never bothered. I doubt anyone would want to teach me."
The statement was the golden opportunity Amelia had been seeking. "I can teach you!" she cried, excited.
Zelgadis gulped. "Er....no...it's.."
Amelia ignored his protest and bolted to his end of the table. "It's simple once you learn the basics." She reached for and grabbed his arm, at least she thought it was his arm, and forced him from the table.
Tugging all the way, Amelia brought him to the center of the room. She then felt for his other hand and planted it on her waist.
Zelgadis was squirming like a worm on a hook waiting to be gobbled by a fish.
"Amelia.....let's not...."
"Why? If, we're going to be a couple, we have to dance."
"Who says?"
"I do! Now watch and pay attention......you're blushing!!"
"I am not!......Wait how could you even tell?"
The princess was laughing too hard to speak. A big red mark appeared where his face should have been. Once he realized this, Zelgadis blushed even more.
Amelia found it easier to coax her future husband into simple dance moves. They moved around the room in a clumsy circle.
Zelgadis eventually relaxed, until Amelia laid her head against his chest. "Why did I let her drag me into this?! I could have refused!"
Sure, but even a heartless beast can't resist those puppy-dog eyes. Frustrated with himself, Zel stared at his dancing partner.
Amelia's eyes were shut, but she seemed happy. Zel caught himself smiling. Maybe, this wasn't such a big deal after all.
Author's Note: I know, not much action in this chapter, but don't worry there will be a lot more in the next chapter along with more interruptions from Filia, Val and Xellos.
I know Amelia and Zel's relationship is developing rather quickly, and if I wanted to make a really good story, I would try to take time to have it mature more........but I don't want to make this story too long and it would slightly get sidetracked from the main plot.
I hoped Naga was in character enough, I wasn't sure how she would react to the oracle, when he told them Amelia's fate. As Amelia's older sister, I like to think she would feel some concern for her baby sister's safety.