Here is the newest chapter. I don't know if anyone is actually reading this but it's fun to write anyway. Here's to the people who are reading it.

Chapter 1: a healing kiss of magic

Part 2

Touching my lips, I stare after the door. I can still feel the warmth and softness of his lips on mine. (Stop thinking about a silly kiss, Amelia.) Shaking my head, I pace around the room. My body feels much lighter but something feels very off. Only I can't pinpoint it. Knowing this makes me feel uneasy.

Harold comes back with a tea tray. He acts as if nothing even happened. It makes me frustrated but I don't say a word.

Someone else knocks on the door and I look up at Harold in question. "Come in," he calls to the door. It opens to reveal Silvio. My grip on my tea cup tightens. I won't ever forget how he harassed me the other day. He's a sadistic pervert if I ever saw one. I shrink against the sofa I'm sitting on beside Harold.

"Why Queen Amelia, you are awake. Hal here has been keeping you all himself I see." Silvio's suggestive tone has Harold scowling at him.

(Hal? That must be Harold's nickname.) Silvio reaches for my hand. (No! No, no no. Eh!" He kisses the top of it in a Princely fashion.

Not wanting to be ungrateful I say, "Thank you for helping me."

A grin spreads across his face. "I can think of many ways you can repay me. Especially, with your body."

I try to snatch my hand away but his grip is strong. My heart is pounding in fear.

Silvio leans closer and close…

"That's enough, Prince Silvio!" Harold nearly growls. His arm is now in front of me and shields me from the Prince. "You are acting more like a wolf than King Luca."

Silvio narrows his eyes at Harold but draws back with a sigh. "Until we meet again." He leaves and I look toward Harold who looks angrier than I've never seen. (Silvio must really get under Harold's skin. Hmm.)

The next day I am told I have to do another ritual in the upcoming week but there's a catch. I have to choose a partner for it because my magic is weak and another ritual by myself would be too dangerous.

All the princes seem to convey my attention and wanting me to pick one of them. It was too overwhelming. Their close presence, especially Luca's and Silvio's make me take a step back. My back rams into Harold and he steadies me.

"Your Highness', please give the Queen some space and let her decide her partner for the ritual herself." Harold tells them and it's like his words are the law. Butler or not, Harold held an authority, and the Princes were always quick to obey. At least, that's what I've noticed.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Only Albert seemed apologetic for badgering me.

"Queen Amelia, who will you choose?" Harold asks me.

I don't want to pick any of them. Maybe Albert since he seems the nicest. They all intimidate me to an extent. Is that horrible of me? Turning to Harold, I wring my hands together. "Does my partner have to be a prince?" my voice cracks and I want to disappear into the floor.

Harold's scarlet eyes widen and Luca and Elio sound upset. "N—no it doesn't have to be a prince." he trips over his answer.

"Then I—" I glance toward the shocked faces on the other side of the room. "I—I rather choose you, Harold."

Harold beams and I relax for the first time that day.