Zelgadis found himself standing in front of Amelia's door after Lina had told him what had happened with the princess. However, he was nervous all the same. I can't believe Lina did that. I don't even know if she'll- He shook his head as he knocked and opened the door. "Amelia"
"Mr. Zelgadis"
He closed the door behind him. "Yes"
She looked relieved. "I'm sorry. I just didn't know what to expect"
"Lina didn't tell you that"
"No." Amelia stood up. "I don't remember you at all"
"That's all right"
"Really? But I know nothing about you..." She hesitated a minute. "You seem uncomfortable being here"
"We've never really been alone like this"
"Even though we're going to be married"
Zel had to think fast. "Your father wouldn't have liked it"
She smiled. "I guess he wouldn't." After a moment of silence, she asked, "Can you tell anything about us"
"Sure." Zel pulled a chair over to the bed after she had sat down. "What did you want to know"
Everything... "When did we first meet"
He smiled. "When we were fighting Copy Rezo. You were with Lina, Gourry, and Sylphiel"
"That was here in Sairaag, right"
"Yes"
"It's strange that I don't remember seeing you there. Were we close"
Um... Zel shook his head. "You were only thirteen at the time and you were a little annoying"
"Oh." Amelia dropped her head. "Am I still that annoying"
"No. Not at all." He reached out and touched her hair. "It was hard for me to get used to you and your attitude. I'm not as sociable or optimistic as you are." Zel then took her hand. "You should go eat something. It's been three days"
"All right."
Two days later...
Lina had refused to have their group move on so she could research a little bit more on the liquid from the Purification Temple. At least, that's what she told Zelgadis. She had immediately sent a letter to Prince Phil to inform him of her plan and requested that he send his approval or disapproval to Sairaag. Meanwhile, she would try to keep Amelia and Zelgadis together. Today it had been easy.
"It's nice out, isn't it"
"Um"
She looked at him briefly, then squeezed his hand a little tighter. "Mr. Zelgadis"
"Hm?" Amelia grabbed his wrist and began to run. Zelgadis was stunned, but started running with her. Soon they were in the woods and the princess had to stop. "Amelia? Are you all right"
"Yes." She laughed. "You finally said something"
"What? That's why"
"If you didn't want to stay in the city, you could have told me. I don't mind being out here with you." Amelia found a fairly clear spot on the ground and sat down. "This is nice too"
Zel sat beside her. "Amelia"
"Yes"
"Why did you bring me out here"
"You're more comfortable when there aren't that many people around." I don't understand why I know, but I do
"You're right. But there's something else"
She nodded. "I wanted to know a few more things"
"Like what"
"Do you still want to get married"
He was taken aback by the question. I never asked, so
"I mean, it's all right if you've changed your mind. I wouldn't blame you." Amelia touched her heart. But I would be sad
"I haven't changed my mind." He took her hand. "It would just be better if we slowed down a little bit. You can't learn everything about me in just a few days"
"I know." Amelia leaned her head on his shoulder. "Will you tell me about when you were little"
"Sure." She listened as he talked, paying more attention to his voice than the actual words he was saying. The princess was soon asleep.
That night...
Zelgadis had moved into his own room, not wanting anyone to see him this way. At first the memories had come over him in a vague wave. Now each memory was surfacing in clear detail. He at first found it odd that each memory somehow involved him. However, the memory he was now experiencing told him what even Lina wanted to know.
Amelia? Prince Phil's voice asked.
Yes
Why don't you come down
I'm tired. I just want to rest
All right. Sleep well
She pushed herself away from the door and cast a barrier spell around her room. (This seemed irrational to Zelgadis, but this wasn't him, he remembered.) Amelia took a stack of letters and her diary from beneath her bed and sat on the floor. She sat quietly for a moment. (What is she doing? Zel wondered.) The book suddenly smashed into the mirror. Why did things happen like this? Amelia asked. Why did I even think... She untied the stack of letters and began to rip them up and throw them into the fire place. I'm such an idiot. I should have known better. (Zelgadis wanted to reach out to her, then noticed it was his name on the envelope she was tearing apart.) I can't do this anymore! The more I try to forget, the more I- She jerked back having burnt her hand throwing the last letter in. If tears hadn't already been in her eyes, they would have now come. Instead of healing her wound, the princess retrieved her diary from the broken glass. She received several cuts, but paid no attention to them. Her expression became vague as she tossed the book into the fire. There's one last thing... Amelia went over to her desk and opened a tiny box. (What are you doing? Why won't you stop? It hurts! the chimera thought.) The bracelet was small and had a pentacle ball on it. (That's like...) I thought that maybe you'd remember me if you had this, but I was wrong. You've never even thought of me in the last few years. I'm tired...of everything. Amelia hesitated before she threw it into the fireplace. The princess slipped to the ground and pulled her knees to her face.
Zel sat up and wiped his face. She did all that... "I'm so stupid! If I had just-" He picked up his sword and strapped it to his belt. "I can't believe she went there all because of me." He jumped at the knock on the door. "Come in"
It was Amelia who opened the door. "Mr. Zelgadis, I couldn't..." She stepped inside and closed the door. "What's the matter? Did something happen"
"Amelia, I think that you should go back to Seyruun without me"
"What? Why? You said you hadn't changed your mind"
"That was before"
"Before what? Why did you change your mind"
"It's not important"
"It's important to me"
"I can't"
"Tell me why"
"I hate myself! I don't want to start hating you!" He pushed past her and left the inn.
Amelia sat on the floor, crying. "I don't want to hate you anymore," she whispered.
