2 Coming of Age

Since her arrival at the orphanage, Amie followed Heidi's lead and did exactly what Helen said. She was still brutally punished but nothing visible to visitors. There was a delay in the Royal Family's arrival and poor Amie was stuck suffering for several months instead of just a few weeks. But with the help of Heidi sneaking her food and giving her medical attention whenever Helen wasn't looking, Amie was able to maintain her poise and to progress in her lessons.

The day finally came when a representative of the Royal Family arrived at the orphanage. Being the only orphan not too sick or maimed, Amie was easily picked for adoption. She was still called Adeline by the Royal Family, but at least Heidi kept her promise and snuck Amie's necklace, the only mark of her true identity remaining, back into her hands on her way out of the orphanage. Her parting words and final piece of advice to the only girl she had ever seen adopted was, "Don't look back. Don't come back."

There was no doubt Amie gained wisdom beyond her age after experiencing such a traumatic year. Despite being so young, she was able to perceive her status with ease as the outcast. Knowing her standing, she adjusted to her role quickly.

It didn't take Amie long either to discover the reason why she was adopted. The King and Queen intended to marry her out when she was of age to build relations with an ally to the Kingdom. Not only were they intending to build external relations, but the Royal Family's image had been suffering within the Kingdom's borders. Her adoption served a secondary purpose as a means to squash the public's disdain towards the monarchy.

Valued as a delicate gift and an instrument to keep the peace, she was treated with extra care. Not actually being of royal blood, it was easy to keep Amie separated from the rest of the household to be trained into her role for marriage. She spent the rest of her childhood and early teenage years confined to the South Tower of the Royal Palace.

Groomed to be the perfect wife, Amie was trained in the arts of proper etiquette. She was taught the latest trends in haircare and what the appropriate attire was for every occasion. She learned many languages so she could entertain any guest. Managing banquets and festivities was a must, as was having excellent taste in art, music, and theatre.

The years past and the little girl crying alone in her family's home turned into a beautiful princess. Amie's 16th birthday was fast approaching, where she would host her first banquet. It would be the first time she saw anybody in her adopted family. It would also be the first time any potential suitors would lay eyes on her.

Being the first party she would ever host and being the guest of honor, both Amie's handmaid and now former nanny were by her side to ensure everything went smoothly. Julia and Edith had been the only family Amie knew during her time in the South Tower. She felt close enough to them to tell them her true name and when nobody was around, they called her Amie instead of Adeline.

While Edith made sure her studies were attended to and taught her how to present herself, she also offered comfort to Amie and gave her advice whenever Amie felt lost. She was the only mother figure Amie had growing up. Julia, now her handmaid and assigned to be devoted to her through life, was Amie's best friend and confidante. Whenever there was something she couldn't tell Edith, she knew she could talk to Julia. They were like sisters.

Amie never felt as though her makeshift family were indentured servants, all she could feel was that she was surrounded by love even when the rest of the world had rejected her. She didn't think she would feel loved again after becoming an orphan, but even if she didn't have a place in the Royal Family, she knew she had a real family with Edith and Julia.

Edith was coaching Amie through ceremony conduct one last time while they directed other servants to their places, "Don't forget to curtsy when introduced."

"Yes I know, Edith." Amie was trying to wrap up the decorations and table placements quickly. She had to leave to her quarters soon to get ready, "I'll be fine, we've practised a million times already." She tried to sound confident, but she was secretly ovewhelmed.

Edith caught on, "Sorry dear. I know you'll do fine as long as you remain calm."

"Remaining calm is the last thing you should say to someone who is trying to remain calm." Amie retorted.

Edith quipped back, "Well it shouldn't be a problem then, since you just said you were fine."

Amie, knowing she had just been caught in a fib, turned to Edith, "Alright, fine, I'm a little nervous. We didn't practice in the main dining hall, we practiced this in a tiny little backroom in the South Tower with almost nobody around. I don't understand why we couldn't have had some sort of rehearsal dinner before the main event. Is this party really important to the King and Queen? They really have a lot of faith in me to just leave this all to me without ever even meeting me."

Edith, knowing how callous the Royal Family could be, didn't want to mention what their nefarious plans were for Amie if she made a mistake in her coming-of-age banquet, "Don't worry about it my dear. If anything, they trust that I raised you right and I trust that I raised you with everything you need to know. If I have faith in you, then you should have faith in yourself."

The small bit of reassurance steadied Amie's thoughts. She gave Edith a hug, "Thank you, Edith. I'm going to miss you when I have to leave."

Edith hugged Amie back, "Just always remember how proud of you I am." Pulling away to look Amie in the eyes, she said, "And please take care of Julia. It breaks my heart seeing my daughters go. I just want the two of you to be safe and to always have each others' backs."

Looking back at Edith with a loving smile, Amie said, "Don't worry, we'll be ok."

Edith smiled, and turned away, "Speaking of daughters, don't forget to address the King and Queen as Mother and Father. The Princes are brothers. Do you remember which one is which from the paintings? Also, remember to respond to Adeline, not Amie."

Amie rolled her eyes, "Yes ma'am. I don't know how you think I could forget, you've been drilling it into my brain nonstop for the last few months now."

They laughed and bantered back and forth as they finished setting up the banquet hall. It was the last night Edith would be her servant before retiring to be a regular housemaid for the palace. Amie anticipated seeing much less of her after the banquet and hung onto every word they shared, enjoying every second she had left with her foster mother.

As much as Amie wanted to stop and have a heart-to-heart with Edith one last time, she was starting to slip behind schedule and had to cut things short. She wrapped up her duties in the banquet hall and retreated to her quarters to finish getting ready for the event.

A beautiful light blue lavish gown awaited her in her room. Amie began to feel anxious when she checked the clock for how much time she had left.

A voice behind her asked, "Is everything alright Ami-Adeline?"

Amie turned to the direction of the voice, "Julia? what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be helping Edith?"

Julia walked up to the vanity and started sifting through the drawers looking for the makeup and hair products Amie needed, "The hall is ready and they began to seat guests right after you left. You should be careful, a few more minutes and they would have seen you. Come here, I'll help you get ready. I can't believe you haven't even begun setting your hair!"

Julia went to fix Amie's hair while Amie quickly worked on her makeup. Amie slipped on the dress and they both went to work getting it fitted on properly while also trying to finish Amie's hair. Through all of the chaos, Amie managed to come out looking stunning in her floor length gown, her brown hair strategically curled and pinned to frame her face. Her makeup was light, utilizing soft pinks in imitation of innocence. She looked like the personification of a blooming lily: delicate and pure.

Ready just in time, the usher knocked on the door, "Lady Adeline, It's time."

Amie took a deep breath. Slowly exhaling, she steadied herself and exchanged glances with Julia one more time. Julia nodded her approval. Amie opened the door. She took the arm of the usher who walked her to the start of the red carpet. From there, she walked alone to the front of the banquet hall where the announcer was waiting. She waited for her name to be called. It was the first time she would ever hear anybody call her by her full royal title.

"Princess Adeline of the Kingdom Lutetia, daughter of King Javert."