Chapter Six
1125 Words
A WEEK LATER
It was the day of the boarding; Amelia wakes up and begins to get ready for her first day of work on the ship. Camille comes into her bedroom.
Camille: You ready to leave?
Amelia: Yeah.
Camille: Will you be okay?
Amelia: Yes. The boat departs soon, we should hurry.
Camille: I've packed everything I needed.
Camille looks at Amelia and sighs.
Camille: It's a shame you can't dance.
Amelia: Don't worry, I'll be fine.
Audra enters the room.
Audra: Are you girls ready?
Camille: Yes, mother. we are ready to leave.
Audra: Let's go, then.
They leave for the seaport. When they arrived, they were amazed by the number of people that were gathered at the seaport, excited for the royal ball.
Audra: Oh my. There are so many people out there.
Camille: Who knew that there were so many people in one small kingdom.
Amelia looks around and gasps as she catches a glimpse of Lauraine and Liza chatting with some other people.
Camille: Amelia? What's wrong?
Amelia shakes her head.
Amelia: I-I have to... I have to go. I think they need the servers onboard. I'll see you later.
Amelia takes a deep breath as she puts her hood over her head and she scrambles through the crowd. She enters the ship and goes to the main lobby. She takes her hood off, sighing with relief.
Frederick: Amelia? What are you doing here?
Amelia turns around to face Frederick.
Frederick: I thought you weren't coming to the ball.
Amelia: Oh, um... I am on serving duty.
Frederick: Really? Come on then. I'll show you your cabin.
Amelia follows Frederick to the cabins. He opens the door to her cabin and she enters to look around.
Frederick: Your uniform is in the closet. When you're done dressing, go help the other girls decorate the ballroom.
Frederick hears the sound of the trumpets outside.
Frederick: They're here. I'll see you around.
He closes the door behind him. Amelia looks around before heading to the closet and taking out her uniform; She takes off her cloak and clothes and changes into the uniform; it was a black, plain knee-length dress with a white apron. She ties her hair with the black ribbon and heads out to the main entrance where everyone is aligned to greet the royal family. As the king enters with the rest of the family, they all bow and greet the royal family individually. When Amelia's turn came to greet the king and queen, she politely curtsied.
Amelia: Your Majesty, my lady.
They both smile at her
Alexander: Good morning, young lady. What is your name?
Amelia: It's Amelia, Your Majesty.
Alexander: What a nice name. Thank you for helping.
Amelia: It is an honor, your Majesty.
As they walk away, Amelia overhears the queen saying.
Octavia: I like her.
She smiles at the comment. Zac walked behind them along with his twin sisters. Zac turned around to catch a glimpse of Amelia. He smiled and continued walking. Once they had greeted everyone, they headed to the first-class lobby. Frederick then dismissed the staff to their various jobs and went outside to tell all the other guests to come in. Amelia and six other girls head to the ballroom. They begin decorating the tables with roses and attach golden ribbons on each table. As they're working, they began talking to each other.
Girl 1: Did you see the prince?
Girl 2: Yes, he is so dreamy.
Girl 3: I heard he was going to choose his future bride tomorrow at the ball.
Girl 1: I thought that wasn't until the day after...
Girl 4: Lucky is the woman he chooses to marry.
They leave and continue working. Amelia sighs as she looks at the table where the Royal family will sit.
Amelia: Lucky is the woman he chooses, indeed.
LATER AT NIGHT
Amelia was reading under the bright light of the moon. Her reading is interrupted by a knock on the door. Quickly, she closes the book, shoves it under her pillow, and adjusts her nightgown before opening the door. To her relief, it was Camille.
Amelia: Hey! How'd you find my cabin?
Camille: Frederick told me.
Amelia: Oh...
Camille: How are you?
Amelia: Oh, I'm alright. A little tired, but alright.
Camille: I know why you ran off so fast.
Amelia looks at Camille then gestures for her to come in. She closes the door behind her.
Camille: You saw Lauraine and Liza.
Amelia: Did they see you?
Camille: They did but they didn't seem to care.
Amelia runs her fingers through her hair and paces around the room.
Amelia: This is a disaster! What am I gonna do?
Camille: Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be fine as long as they don't see you.
Amelia: (sighs) Maybe you're right. As long as they don't see me... Everyone will be wearing a mask, including the staff.
They both stay silent. Camille then takes out an envelope from her pocket.
Amelia: What is that?
Camille: A letter for you.
Amelia: For me? Who is it from?
Camille: Take a guess.
Amelia: ...No way. Did he ask you to give this to me?
Camille: Yeah. Here.
She hands the letter over to Amelia and she opens it. Amelia's expression lights up and later on turns gloomy.
Camille: Well? What does it say?
Amelia: He wants me to meet him on deck.
Camille: And?
Amelia: I-I can't.
Camille: Why not? He wants to see you. That means he likes you!
Amelia: I-I really can't! What if I meet one of them.
Camille: They're probably all asleep. Just go.
Amelia shakes her head.
Amelia: I really can't! I'm not feeling well.
Amelia takes the letter to her table and begins writing. She folds the paper and hands it back to Camille.
Amelia: Please give this to him...
Camille takes the letter and hugs Amelia.
Camille: I hope you feel better.
Camille leaves the room and heads on deck.
Camille: Zac?
Zac turns around.
Zac: Did you give it to her?
Camille: I did.
She hands the letter to Zac and he reads Amelia's response.
Camille: Things are a little hard for her right now. The fact that her evil "mother" and sister are on the ship scares her, but don't worry, she'll come around; All she needs is time.
Zac nods.
Zac: I understand. Could you please give this to her?
Zac gives her a book.
Camille: Do you like her?
Zac looks up at Camille.
Zac: A lot.
He clears his throat.
Zac: I meant... she's amazing.
Camille: I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow at the ball.
Zac nods and Camille leaves. He looks up at the sky and closes his eyes as the wind blows through his hair.
Zac: Normally, women would fall weak on their knees for me. But Amelia is something different... even mentioning her name takes my mind somewhere else.
He sighs in frustration.
Zac: She's hard to get... and I love it.
Camille drops the book in front of Amelia's door and knocks before making a run for her cabin. Amelia opens the door and notices the book. Confused, she picks it up and stares at it for a while before opening it. She flips through the pages of the book but there is nothing written in it. She then flips the book upside down and a folded piece of paper falls out. She picks it up and unfolds it.
This is a small gift to help you get better. I hope you like your new journal. You can pour your emotions into it. I hope you get better soon.
Amelia smiles as she sits down and places the book in front of her. She picks up a pen and begins writing.
- Writer
