The Royal cruise

Chapter Three

AT THE ROYAL PALACE

Zac is practicing fencing in the backyard with Frederick.

Frederick: One, Two, Three, and... STRIKE!

Zac strikes at the dummy facing him; He misses his target.

Frederick: You missed it... again.

Zac drops the sword.

Zac: I'm not in the mood.

Frederick: Well, that's too bad because your Mother said to join your sisters for the waltz practice.

Zac: Won't you come along?

Frederick: I'm going for a stroll.

Zac glances over at Frederick.

Zac: Camille?

Frederick rubs his neck sheepishly as he laughs nervously. Zac places his hand on Frederick's shoulder.

Zac: Go get the girl.

Zac sighs and goes inside. He goes to his chamber and changes into his attire and goes to the ballroom. His mother and sisters were there.

Zac: Good morning, mother.

He kisses his mother on the cheek.

Octavia: I'm so glad you could make it, son. 

Zac: Olivia, Sophia. Good morning

Olivia and Sophia: Good morning, Zac.

The dance instructor claps twice.

D.I: So glad you could join us today, your highness. Now, let's begin with the greeting.

Zac heads to the dance floor along with Olivia. He bows while Olivia curtsies and they begin dancing.

D.I: One,two, three. One, two, three.

Zac steps on Olivia's foot.

Olivia: Ow!

D.I: Take a break.

Octavia: Is something wrong, Zac?

Zac: Everything is fine, mother. I need to rest

Zac leaves the ballroom and heads to his bedroom.

***ZAC'S FLASHBACK***

Amelia: I SAID I'M FINE LEAVE ME ALONE!!

***

Zac sighs and falls on his bed. 

ZAC'S P.O.V

Something about her just doesn't feel right; She seems to be in a lot of pain. If only I could know more about her...

An idea flashes in Zac's mind.

Zac: The Royal archives!

He gets off of his bed and runs to the royal archives.

IN THE VILLAGE

Camille is walking towards Amelia's house with a basket full of baked bread she made. As she was walking, Frederick comes in front of her by surprise and she gasps.

Camille: You scared me!

Frederick: I didn't mean to.

Camille: What are you doing here, anyway? Isn't your master looking for you? Aren't you supposed to be working?

Frederick: Aw, come on, love. Aren't you happy to see me?

Camille blushes and smiles.

Camille: We barely know each other.

Frederick: Yet I feel like we've known each other for a long time now.

He hands Camille a flower.

Frederick: For you, m'lady.

Camille smiles as the takes the flower.

Camille: Thank you.

They walk together

Frederick: So... where are we headed?

Camille: I'm off to see a friend of mine.

Frederick: Then I shall accompany you.

Camille looks at Frederick and he blushes.

Frederick: To protect you... of course.

Camille rolls her eyes and giggles.

Camille: Oh, alright. I guess a little company can't hurt

 AT AMELIA'S PLACE

Camille and Frederick arrive at Amelia's house. Camille knocks the door but no one answers.

Camille: Amelia?

There is no response; Camille opens the door and they walk in.

Camille: Amelia, are you here? I brought you some bread.

Frederick: Perhaps there's no one home.

She enters into the doorway and gasps in utter shock; Amelia was laying in the hallway motionless; She was bleeding from her mouth and there were whip bruises all over her body; her face was red from the slaps her stepmother gave her and she looked frail.

Camille: Amelia!!

Camille quickly drops the basket she had and runs to Amelia; she then places her head on her thighs and tries to wake her up.

Camille: Amelia, please wake up! Please.

Amelia shakes her head and slowly opens her eyes. She stares at Camille for a while and begins sobbing.

Amelia: Cami...

Camille starts shedding tears.

Frederick: I'll go find a nurse.

Camille: We can't leave her here. 

She looks back at Amelia.

Camille: Who did this to you?!

Amelia responds in a wobbly voice

Amelia: Mother and Liza. They're right; I don't deserve to live. My parents gave up on me because they hate me!

Camille shakes her head.

Camille: No! Don't give up on me; That witch is NOT your mother. Don't listen to her. There are so many beautiful things waiting ahead for you, believe me. Your real parents love you and we will find them. You are my best friend and I will not leave you alone, okay? 

Amelia says nothing. Camille looks out the door and glances at Frederick.

Camille: We have to get her out of here.

 Frederick: Right.

Frederick carries her and Camille picks up the basket of bread. She closes the front door and gestures for Frederick to come down.

Camille: Through the back door, quick!

Frederick  carries her downstairs and they enter the basement. Camille picks up Amelia's cloak and the book Zac gave her. She also picks up Amelia's dagger.

Camille: Let's go.

They exit through the back door.

ONE HOUR LATER; BACK AT THE ROYAL CASTLE

Zac is searching through the files and parchments searching for Amelia's name.

Zac: So many names... and I still can't find Amelia.

Zac sighs and puts the parchments back. As he folds the last parchment, he notices an unopened parchment on the floor. He picks it up and opens it. There was a painted portrait of a beautiful baby girl. Zac reads the information below.

 Missing baby; The Williams family had a break in and their daughter, Lyana, had been kidn*pped in the process. They are willing to pay a huge amount to who ever finds this infant will be paid a large sum of money.

Zac: This was dated eighteen years ago...

He flips the parchment and sees the name on it.

Zac: Henry Fieldsman; Married to Lauraine Agatha-Fieldsman. Has two daughters; Liza Fieldsman and Amelia Fieldsman.

Zac turns the parchment and looks at the baby again; he notices the baby's beautiful hazel eyes and lightly brown skin; her shiny dark hair is emphasized on the notice. He takes the parchment and goes to his room.

AT CAMILLE'S HOUSE

Camille is seated next to Amelia, who is fast asleep and bound up. Camille shakes her head.

Camille: Why would they do this to you?

A maid comes in.

Maid: Lady Camille, lunch is ready.

Camille goes to the dining table alongside with Frederick. They sit at the table and begin to dish food.

Audra: So Frederick.

Frederick: You can call me Freddy for short.

Audra: So Freddy, what do you do for work?

Frederick hesitates before answering.

Frederick: I work as a confidant for the Prince.

Camille chokes on her piece of bread. She looks at him.

Camille: Oh?

Audra: Isn't he worried about your whereabouts?

Frederick: Oh, he knows I'm here. He's making some preparations for the cruise.

Audra: Interesting.

Camilla: I'm going to check on Amelia.

Camille stands up and leaves them talking. She goes to the guest room where Amelia is and sits next to Amelia. Amelia opens her eyes and gasps.

Camille: Amelia!

Amelia: Camille? Why am I here?

Camille: I found you unconscious at your house. We patched up your wounds. You're safe now.

Amelia looks at her hands; They are bound up. Tears roll down her eyes as she pulls Camille in for a hug.

Amelia: Thank you.

Camille hugs her back.

Camille: You need to eat. I'll get you some food.

Amelia nods as Camille heads out of the room. She looks out the window and sighs deeply.

AMELIA'S FLASHBACK

Amelia was playing in the garden with her father.

Amelia: Daddy?

Henry: Yes sweetie?

Amelia: Why does mommy hate me?

Henry carries her and sits her down on his lap.

Henry: Honey, there's something you should know and I think you're old enough to know.

Amelia: What is it Daddy?

Henry sighs

Henry: Amelia... I'm not your real father.

Amelia: You aren't?

Henry: And mommy is not your real mommy. I found you when you were still a tiny baby.

Amelia pouts.

Henry: I'm sorry I didn't tell you soon enough. Are you mad at Daddy?

Amelia shakes her head.

Amelia: Who are my real parents?

Henry: I don't know about them honey. But what I do know is that they love you so much and we will find them, okay?

Amelia: You are my Daddy and I love you so much.

Henry smiles as he carries her and spins her around. He kisses her forehead.

***

Camille comes in with food.

Camille: Here you go.

Amelia: Thank you.

Amelia starts eating.

Camille: Are you going to the ball?

Amelia: To assist in the kitchen. I have to go to the castle tomorrow and the king will take us to the ship. My mother sent a letter to the king and I'm in kitchen duty.

Camille: What about those evil witches?

Amelia: Don't say that.

Camille: Have you seen what they've done to you?

Amelia: Even if, they still put a roof on my head.

Camille: I would rather be homeless than be mistreated that way. 

Amelia sighs as she looks down at her loaf of bread. 

Camille: You have to rest up; I'll go to the castle with you. 

Camille takes out the empty bowls and heads out f the room. Amelia lies on the bed and slowly closes her eyes.

Frederick: How is she doing?

Camille: She is fast asleep.

Camille puts down the dishes and looks at Frederick.

Camille: So... you're the prince's confidant, eh?

Frederick nods.

Frederick: I think he sees me more as a brother than a confidant.

Camille sighs.

Frederick: What happened to her?

Camille: She has gone through so much; her father passed away when she was eleven and there's those two witches that treat her like a slave; She knows nothing about her real family.

Frederick: Her real family?

Camille: Her father found her as a baby and the only thing that connects her to her parents is a mark on her shoulder. 

Frederick: That's so sad.

Camille: She refuses to admit it but I can see in her eyes that she's hurt and she feels so lost. I want to help her the best way I can but I don't know how.

Frederick: We'll try to help her the best way we can.

Camille: (confused) We?

Frederick: You and I. We can help her find her real family.

Camille: You'll be willing to help me?

Frederick: The best way I can.

Camille hugs him and she quickly pulls away and blushes.

Camille: Sorry, don't know why I did that.

 Frederick smirks and kisses her cheek. 

Frederick: I have to go, love. I'll see you at the ball?

She nods while holding her cheek and smiling. Frederick leaves.