The Royal cruise

Chapter Four

AT THE ROYAL PALACE

Frederick enters the palace quietly. Alexander, the king sees him and calls out to him.

Alexander: Good evening, Frederick.

Frederick turns around and bows.

Frederick: Good evening, Your Majesty.

Alexander: Have you seen Zac?

Frederick: No, your majesty. I was looking for him.

Alexander: If you see him, tell him to meet me in the throne room as quickly as possible.

Frederick: Yes, your majesty.

Alexander: And how are the preparations going?

Frederick: They are doing a great job, your majesty. 

Alexander leaves and Frederick goes to Zac's bedroom. Zac turns around and smiles.

Zac: You're back.

Frederick: I am. 

He notices the parchment.

Frederick: What's that?

Zac: Oh, this? It's a parchment I found in the royal archives.

Frederick: Who's it about?

Zac: I was searching for some information on Amelia.

Frederick: Amelia? As in the Amelia, we found barely conscious and hurt?

Zac glances at Frederick.

Zac: (surprised) What did you just say?!

Frederick: Camille told me about her; She has a cruel mother and sister who treat her like garbage. Her father died when she was eleven... I've said too much.

Zac: How are you so sure it's her?

Frederick: She matches the description you gave me the other night; Hair as dark as night, beautiful hazel eyes... really beautiful apart from the bruises and wounds, of course.

Zac: What else do you know?

Frederick: That is all I know. 

Zac looks back at the parchment and sighs.

Frederick: Oh, by the way, your father wants to see you in the throne room.

Zac: I'll be there.

Frederick: I'll let you get ready.

Frederick leaves the room. Zac looks at the parchment and sighs as he puts on his jacket and leaves his room. He enters the throne room and bows before his father.

Zac: You asked to see me, Father?

Alexander: I did. As you know, the ball is in no less than a week away; There'll be plenty of women attending and many princesses would be there as well. I'm not growing any younger and I want you to start considering marriage; you'll inherit this kingdom and you'll need a queen by your side, which is why you will be leading the opening dance with the woman you choose to dance with.

Zac looks up at his father.

Zac: ME?!

Alexander: Is there a problem with that?

Zac: I thought it was going to be you and mother as it has always been.

Alexander: Your mother and I decided to change the tradition a little and besides, it's been in our generation for years. You are already twenty-one.

Zac hesitates before answering.

Zac: Yes, father.

Alexander: Well, then. Also, I need you to accompany Frederick and the people who will be making the preparations for the ball to the ship. They'll be here at the castle by noon tomorrow.

Zac: Yes, father.

Alexander: You are dismissed.

Zac leaves the throne room and heads back to his room. He lets out a groan as he throws his jacket away. He then runs his hands through his hair in frustration and sighs.

ZAC'S P.O.V

Why me?! Why do things like these have to happen to me? I am not ready for marriage yet!

Zac: I need a drink.

Zac grabs the glass next to him and pours himself a glass of water and drinks it. He puts the glass aside and looks at the parchment once more before crashing his bed.

THE NEXT MORNING 

Amelia was getting ready to go to the castle. Camille comes into the room with a hairbrush.

Camille: Here's a brush.

Amelia: I'll just wear my hair in a bun.

She wears her hair up.

Amelia: Do you think they know where I am?

Camille: Who? 

Amelia: Mother and Liza...

Camille: I honestly don't think they care.

Amelia: Yeah...

Camille places a hand on Amelia's shoulder.

Camille: Don't worry, everything will turn out to be just fine.

Amelia: I hope you're right.

Amelia finishes tying up her hair and puts on her shoes.

Amelia: Let's go.

They head down to the kitchen and grab something to eat. Audra comes into the kitchen.

Audra: My, my. You girls are gonna be late. Camille, make sure you reserve a room for us, okay.

Camille: Yes, mother. See you soon.

Camille pulls Amelia out by the hand and they head toward the castle. Once they arrive the guards lead them to the lobby where they sit down patiently along with the other people. The king comes out and they all bow.

Alexander: Good morning, fellow subjects.

People in the room: Good morning, your majesty.

Alexander: It delights me to know that you are willing to help us prepare for our annual ball. It is a  shame, however, that I cannot be able to take you to the ship myself because of an upcoming conference with my knights. I shall send my son and his confidant to escort you there and tell you what to do. 

Frederick comes in and bows before the king. Amelia looks over at Camille who is blushing and smiling. Camille turns to Amelia.

Camille: Isn't he dreamy?

Amelia smiles.

Amelia: He is indeed, Camille. He is indeed.

Zac comes into the room and stands beside his father. Amelia lets out a subtle gasp as she recognizes him almost immediately.

Amelia: No way...

Amelia overhears a girl talking about Zac.

Girl: Prince Zachary is a total dreamboat!

Girl 2: I know. 

Amelia: Prince...?

AMELIA'S P.O.V

Oh My Goodness! That guy was the prince?! And I pointed a DAGGER at him?! I spoke to the prince!

All the girls squeal in excitement as Zac waves casually at them. Camille shakes Amelia and whispers to her.

Camille: He's handsome, don't you think?

Amelia looks at him and she notices as his bright ocean eyes stare at her. He smiles at her before looking at the other people in the crowd.

Alexander: I'm sure you guys might be exhausted after a long walk, so rest up and you leave for the ship in thirty minutes. I hope you all have a wonderful day. 

The people applaud as the King, Zac, and Frederick leave the lobby. Amelia sits down and tries to process what just happened. Camille sits next to her.

Camille: I think the prince likes you.

Amelia glances a Camille.

Amelia: How would you know that?

Camille: Are you okay? You look pale. Do you need some water?

Amelia: No, I'm fine. I just... need to take some air.

Camille: Do you want me to come with you?

Amelia shakes her head.

Amelia: No. I'll be fine on my own. I'll be right back.

Amelia stands up and leaves the lobby. She walks down a hallway and notices an old woman on the floor. She runs over and kneels in front of the woman.

Amelia: Oh, dear! Ma'am, are you okay?!

Adeline: I'm fine, my dear. Could you please help me stand up?

Amelia helps the woman get up.

Adeline: Thank you, dear. 

She looks up at Amelia and smiles at her. 

Adeline: My, my, look at you. You are such a beautiful woman. Are you the prince's fiancee?

Amelia: (surprised) M-me? N-no. I'm just a servant.

Adeline: You look more like a princess to me.

Amelia blushes.

Amelia: You're too kind, ma'am.

Adeline: Do you think you can escort me to my bedroom, Dear?

Amelia: Of course, ma'am.

She walks Adeline to her bedroom. Once they arrive at Adeline's room, Adeline glances back at her.

Adeline: May God bless your heart. Now, what is your name, dear?

Amelia: I'm Amelia.

Adeline smiles as she notices the mark on Amelia's shoulder.

Adeline: That is a beautiful mark, by the way.

Amelia smiles and Adeline slowly closes the door. She sighs as she walks back towards the lobby. On her way, she hears Zac's voice coming from across the hallway. Without hesitation, she hides behind one of the curtains. Zac was walking with Frederick.

Frederick: What's got you so worked up?

Zac: I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that I have to do the opening dance with the woman of my choice or the fact that I have to make sure everything is ready for the ball... (sigh) I don't think I'm fit to be king.

Frederick: Don't say that. You'll be a great king. You're handsome, intelligent, kind at heart... you're everything a king needs to be. The only thing you should be worried about is finding a good queen...

Zac: Do I need a queen?

Frederick shrugs.

Frederick: You need a woman who is witty, smart, is as kind-hearted as you, and will love you for who you truly are and not for the material things. 

Zac: That's like finding a needle in a stack of hay.

Frederick: You can never be so sure.

They walk away. Amelia peeks her head from the curtain. The coast is clear. She slowly comes out from behind the curtains and heads back to the lobby.

Camille: There you are.

Amelia: Yeah, sorry. I got  lost. It's a huge place in here.

Camille: It's okay. 

Frederick and Zac enter the lobby 

Zac: This way, people. 

The guards open the door and the people go out. There were ten carriages standing outside the castle. A group of six could enter one carriage. They entered the carriage and they drove to the port. Once they arrived, Frederick begins assigning them to their various duties as he gives them a tour of the ship.

Frederick: This is where the guests will come and choose their clothing for the ball.

Frederick opens the door of a large clothing closet. The girls look in awe as they admire the beautiful dresses in the room.

Frederick: We will need ten people to place these dresses into the various cabins. Moving on...

Camille and Amelia stay back.

Camille: Wouldn't it be amazing to wear one of these?

Amelia: It would.

Camille: Come on.

She pulls Amelia away and they continue the tour of the ship.

THREE HOURS LATER

Frederick: And that concludes the tour of the ship. Does anyone have any questions regarding what to do?

The crowd stays silent.

Zac: Very well. We'll see you all tomorrow.

Everyone leaves except for Camille and Amelia.

Camille: So what are you gonna do?

Amelia: I'm on serving duty.

Camille: I really don't think it's fair for you to be on serving duty. Your father was a wealthy man and Lauraine and Liza get to enjoy themselves and make you do the cleaning duty. You deserve to have fun.

Amelia: It's no big deal. Masquerades are pretty boring, anyway.

Camille looks at Amelia wide-eyed

Camille: Are you joking? We always dreamed of going to a masquerade ball since we were little girls.

Amelia: What's the point of going if you can't even have fun?

Just then, Camille notices Zac and Frederick coming toward them.

Camille: Okay, don't look now, Frederick is coming over with Zac.

Amelia: Oh, no. Hide me!

Camille: Too late for that.

Frederick: Hey Camille.

Camille: Hi. Hello, your Highness.

Zac: Zac is enough.

Amelia curtsies and tries to avoid looking at Zac.

Frederick: Camille, can I talk to you in private, please?

Camille nods and they leave Zac and Amelia alone.

Zac: Look at those two lovebirds. 

Amelia nods in silence.

Zac: How are you feeling?

Amelia: I-I'm feeling better. Thanks.

Zac notices the whip bruises on her arms and looks away in horror and sadness. They stay in silence before Amelia breaks the silence.

ZAC'S P.O.V

Why would they do something like this to you?!

Amelia: So... You're the famous Prince everyone's been talking about.

Zac: People talk about me?

Amelia: All the ladies talk about you. You're pretty famous.

Zac: But would that have changed the way you saw me? If you knew I was the Prince?

Amelia looks up at him.

Amelia: No. You saved my life and I would be forever grateful.

Zac smiles.

Amelia: Also...

Amelia pulls out the book from her pocket.

Amelia: Here's the book you gave me.

She hands it over to Zac.

Zac: You can keep it.

Amelia looks at him.

Amelia: Really?

Zac: Yes, I want you to have it.

Amelia: Thank you.

Zac smiles at her and he stares directly into her eyes. She does the same as she smiles at him.

Zac: Your eyes are really pretty.

Amelia blushes

Amelia: So are yours.

Camille and Frederick come back.

Frederick: Zac, is it okay if we take them home?

Zac: Yes, of course.

The four of them walk to the carriage.