Queen Chalyela is on her throne when Amelia enters the throne room. One of the Rat King’s thugs sits and watches the queen closely. Amelia observes this and quickens her pace in concern.
“Your majesty,” Amelia greets and bows before the throne. “I need to speak with you most urgently!”
“I have an idea of what you want to speak to me about, meet me near the map room,” Chalyela whispers under her breathe as if she suspects someone may attempt to overhear them.
Amelia walks over to the spot the queen suggested and waits. Queen Chalyela does not get up right away.
When the Rat King and Queen Meghan are busy watching the Rat King’s goons dueling…
…Chalyela finally gets up and walks over to Amelia. Amelia notices that the queen is obviously expecting. “Congratulations M’lady,” she offers.
“Thank you,” the queen answers, but it is concern hidden under her slight smile, not gratitude.
“Your majesty, I do not believe that Aarbyville is here to form an alliance with Archolia. I believe they are here to capture the kingdom.”
“Why do you believe so?” Chalyela asks, but she does not seem surprised by Amelia’s statement. Instead it sounds as if she seeks confirmation of some type.
“I have spoken to two of their gang leaders as well as their queen directly. Their queen basically admitted as much.”
Amelia continues, “I have observed the gang leaders, Rat King and Queen of Hearts, roaming our borders. They appear to be scouting out the kingdom, particularly our walls and defenses…even you here in the throne room.”
“Aye Troubadour, I am aware, but my hands are tied. They have broken no laws. Also, Knight Captain Ivan is away, I am with child and I have a room full of dignitaries to host.”
“I am afraid that there is nothing that I can do…but you may be able to help…” Chalyela whispers this last part.
“Do not bother me with such foolishness! We are hear to make friends not war!” Queen Chalyela shouts loud enough for Meghan and the gang members to hear. But as she walks away, she slips a stack of papers into Amelia’s hand.
Queen Chalyela prays that Amelia understands that she has to put on airs in front of Queen Meghan, but she wants Amelia to come up with a plan and help save the kingdom.
Amelia understands perfectly. She conceals the papers and leaves the castle immediately while the Rat King and his hench men take over the throne room with their sword fights.
Outside of the castle, Amelia stops at the pigeon post to pay her taxes. She will continue with her duties for the day and play it cool. She does not want the Aarbyville gangs to suspect anything unusual.
Many see Amelia as only a quiet, innocent , pretty face. But unfortunately, Amelia knows more than her fair share of gangs and street life. Having grown up in the streets after being orphaned at a young age, she learned to be tough and she learned never to show fear. The only threat to her toughness is her insecurity.
This insecurity is something she is forced to fight on a daily basis. Having no firm home when growing up, Amelia never quite feels at ease or settled and it takes her a while to trust others.
She enters the tavern and heads to the stage.
Amelia walks on stage and performs a poem.
She chooses a safe topic; food, music and merrymaking. She does not want anyone to suspect that below her performance, she is plotting on how to bring down the Aarbyville gangs.
The crowd applauds her performance.
Amelia is delighted to see the princess after her performance. “Greetings Princess Adela,” Amelia says with a slight bow.
“I liked those words. It was amazing,” Princess Adela compliments.
“Grammercy Princess, but I do not believe that a tavern is a good place for a princess to hang out.”
“It is no fun to be a princess when you are always told where you can and cannot go. It tis more fun to be a peasant freely running around the kingdom.”
“With respect, I do not believe that to be true princess…and that is from experience,” Amelia answers knowing all too well the struggles of peasant children.
“You are a lucky little girl. You are told where you can and cannot go because we all love you and want to protect you. After all, you will be our queen one day,” Amelia answers.
Adela thinks about Amelia’s words. “It is sometimes very tough to be so loved,” she finally says before leaving the tavern.
Sadness appears in Amelia’s eyes as she walks up the stairs. “No my princess…it is much tougher to have never been loved,” Amelia says softly with a sigh.
