Chapter 20

Amelia walked the busy halls back to her room with Cyrus walking not too far behind her. She was dragging her feet against the stone floor thinking about the dead bodies they saw today. Letters would have to be sent to the families of those who died today.

'Why can't you listen to my prayers for once?' She questioned the Gods. Amelia asked them to protect the warriors but as always, her prayers fell on deaf ears. 'What's the point of praying to you when nothing happens? Great, now I am also pointing fingers.'

"Just in time. I was able to snag something from the cook for the two of you to eat," said Gina as she carried a tray of food. She hoped this one would be eaten as the cook had scolded her from returning twice even though it was meant for the princess.

Cyrus took the tray from Gina and held it with one hand. He used his other free hand to open the door for Amelia to enter.

"Sometimes you're really a catch," Gina whispered soft enough that no one should be able to hear.

"Thank you," Cyrus replied to her comment before entering the room right after Amelia so that he could place the tray in his hand down on a table.

Gina turned red realizing he heard her words. "What kind of ears does he have?"

"I hope the two of you aren't behind me flirting. Don't mix business with pleasure," Amelia said, collapsing onto one of her chairs.

"As if!" Gina defensively yelled. "No offense," she told Cyrus.

"None taken. She is not my type," said Cyrus, not even the slightest bit interested in Gina.

"Exactly-Wait! What about me is not your type? I'm pretty, smart, capable-"

Amelia cleared her throat upon hearing this. "Let us not get carried away with lying."

"Of course, you can't join the conversation because you have never been in a relationship," Gina stated in triumph.

"Obviously. I have not forgotten the whole save yourself for your husband talk. As if my husband will be a virgin. I can picture him now rolling around with some woman he doesn't know the name of. Now I'm annoyed thinking about the men my father says he has for me to meet," Amelia sighed resting back her head against the chair.

"It might not be so bad. There are many situations where arranged marriages work. It might take some time but you will fall in love with one another," Gina handed Amelia a piece of apple the cook sliced into a bunny for her.

Even though the head cook wasn't pleased to see Gina by his door wanting more food, he took his sweet time cutting bunny apples for Amelia just like queen Anne used to do.

"I disagree but the future is unknown," Amelia bit into the apple slice given to her. "These apples don't taste the same."

They were missing the sweetness they used to have when her mother sliced them for her.

"The castle is still getting them from the same place." Gina took up one of the slices and bit into it. She was confused as to what Amelia was tasting as the apple tasted sweet. Then again, the slice could have come from another apple. "I will tell the cook about it though there isn't a way for him to know which apples are sweet unless he bites into all of them."

"That would just be a waste of apples. Don't bring me any more apples. They make me remember my mother," she finished off the piece she was already eating but didn't bother to ask for the next slice. "You can start eating Cyrus. Take some if you want to, Gina."

Amelia stood up taking a piece of bed from the tray. "I'm going to bathe. My body doesn't feel clean. And no," she pointed at Gina who had already begun to follow her. "I don't need your help. I'm capable of preparing my own bath. You know what," she picked up a plate filled with meat. "I'll take this."

"You traitor! That plate had most of the good meat!" Gina raised her hand in the air ready to riot. "If only she wasn't the princess, I would give her a good beating. How can you just sit there and eat quietly while she has taken the good meat and your shoulder doesn't look good? I can help you-"

"I'm fine," Cyrus abruptly stood up to avoid Gina looking at his shoulder. "I'll be back shortly to stand guard," he informed Gina before leaving with a small plate of meat, bread, and fruits.

"Not only do I have to deal with Amelia but I am also stuck with Cyrus. Did I offend someone powerful without realizing it?" Gina muttered trying to think of anything wrong she did in the past. "Nothing is coming up. The world just hates me but luckily I get to try all sorts of food thanks to Amelia. I hope she's really fine in there," Gina stared at the closed bathroom door.

Inside the bathroom, Amelia leaned against a counter eating the plate of meat while she stared at the water filling up her tub. "I wonder how many other people eat in their bathroom?" She asked herself.

Amelia wouldn't normally eat in the bathroom but she wanted Cyrus and Gina to eat while she remained by herself. The bathroom was the only place where she could have privacy.

"What mix should I use today?" She went to a shelf full of different liquids and chose a small green bottle. "Surprise me," Amelia said, pouring the liquid into the water. A citrus lime scent filled the bathroom when the liquid mixed with the water. "I wonder how they get the scents so strong?"

Partially finished with her food, Amelia started to undress. Her mind subconsciously drifted back to Killian and his ability to scare someone by just looking at them. "To not have to say anything to make someone tremble. I'm jealous," she muttered letting the dress fall to her feet.