In no time, Amelia was ready to go. Her beautiful gold gown shimmered as she made her way to the door. Sir Guillaume was surprised as she opened the door. She is so beautiful he thought as he accompanied her to the main room.
“My Lady, this dress has made you look content and bright.” Sir Guillaume whispered as he led her into the room.
Amelia smiled and winked.
“You look beautiful, my Queen” King Erich said.
Amelia smiled and replied “Thank you my King, you are too nice. Where are we going that I must dress so elegantly?”
King Erich walked towards her smiling. As he stood in front of her, he reached over her head and placed a small crown on her head.
As he did he whispered, “This was one of my mother’s crown, she did not like anything too fancy.”
Amelia bowed and replied, “I should not be wearing your mother’s crown, I am not your Queen.”
He smiled and responded, “You never know, maybe someday you will be.”
He then grabbed her hand and said “The carriage is waiting, let us go to Schillingburg”.
Amelia was elated, she had not been out of the castle in months. The King helped Amelia into the carriage.
“We will go for a nice carriage ride, we can both use the fresh air. I also wanted to take you through St. Vangaltier, it’s a beautiful small town.” He whispered.
Amelia could not help but remember the last time she was in a carriage. She and Thomas had shared an intimate moment. Still, her mind could not wrap itself around the idea that he did not even look for her.
“But then Thomas did want to be King and getting rid of her would have given him that.” Amelia thought.
Amelia looked across the carriage at King Erich and smiled.
He smiled back.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality and for offering me a new home, King Erich.” She said softly.
He replied “I wish it would have been under better circumstances but I am happy to have you here. I know your heart aches for Landford but I am hoping I can heal that.”
Amelia smiled and nodded her head. To surprise Amelia, King Erich takes her to a small town in between Schillingburg and Willshire. Little did he know this is where Thomas and Amelia were wed. She never knew this was St. Vangaltier, she just knew it as the place she fell in love. It was still as beautiful and bewitching as the last time she saw it.
“It is so beautiful here, my Liege.” Amelia commented.
“Oh yes, the springtime here is enchanting, so many colors, I truly love it!” King Erich replied.
Amelia nodded and smile as old thoughts danced in her mind.
Upon reaching Schillingburg, Charles stopped the caravan and asked “King Erich, the local baker has a gift for you, would you like to stop there first?” King Erich nodded yes.
“This will be quick, he makes a great scone, you can wait for me here, Sir Guillaume will watch over you.” He said.
Amelia smiled and replied “Bring me something sweet.”
The King smiled and nodded.
As the carriage made its way to the bakery, the townspeople lined the sidewalks. They cheered as King Erich came out of the carriage. He was well-liked in his Kingdom, despite all the rumors that he was a tyrant. Amelia looked through the crowd to see if she recognized anyone. She really did not know anyone from Schillingburg. As royals, they were sheltered. While the King was in the bakery, Amelia just sat looking out the window.
Sir Guillaume approached her window and whispered “My Lady, please be careful, the King is not who he appears to be. He may become angry if he notices what you are doing.”
Amelia reached out the window and pet his horse.
“I am always careful, Sweet Sir Guillaume, no need to worry.” She responded.
Sir Guillaume smiled and answered, “Just be cautious, my Lady. I do not want the King to notice, it could turn bad for you.”
Amelia nodded and replied “Not at all Sir Guillaume, I am just watching you.”
Sir Guillaume nodded and rode towards the front of the carriage.
As her eyes searched the crowd, she came eye to eye with an older lady whose face was very familiar.
Could it be? Amelia thought.
The lady just stared and gasped as she knew her. The lady then mouthed “Amelia?”
Amelia nodded and mouthed back “Shyanne?”
The lady smiled and began to approach the carriage. The soldiers detained her. At that moment King Erich exited the bakery and entered the carriage. Shyanne looked confused. Amelia tried not to have eye contact with her but hoped that by seeing her she would come to the Schillingburg castle.
The King handed Amelia a chocolate-covered strawberry.
“Something sweet for the sweet,” He said.
Amelia smiled as she put the delightful treat to her lips.
Seeing Shyanne bought back so many memories of Landford. She wished she was back home but was convinced she was not wanted there.
“Is all well?” Asked King Erich.
Amelia smiled and replied “Oh Yes, my lord. Thank you so much for the strawberry. It is heavenly.”
He smiled and continued “Amelia, I am ashamed to say. When you were bought to Schillingburg, I thought I had a prisoner, finally leverage over Landford but that is not so now. I have grown to adore you. When Landford did not come calling, my wishes were that you too would have feeling for me also, stay in Schillingburg and be my Queen. I know you were once wed to Thomas but he does not deserve you. He has not even come for you here or even Willshire.”
Amelia turned away.
“I do not wish to upset you by telling you this but if I lost you, I would go to the ends of the earth to retrieve you.” He ended.