Inflamed

Chapter One

(Cover art: @_midnight-writer_ made this cover! It's looks great, doesn't it? :) Check @_midnight-writer_ out, and who knows, maybe give a compliment or too. :D)

CHAPTER ONE

In Cia's Vales: the palace of Relli

Amelia followed the cat as it ran away. It scampered past the paintings on the walls, avoided the statues, and leaped its way to freedom. Eagerly, it raised its nose, smelling the joys of liberty -- salmon. Stealthily, it padded its way towards the steaming salmon just off of the pan, resting innocently on a plate.

"Get out of the kitchen!"

The chef, a tall, foreboding hulk of a man, waved the cat away. It purred, licking its paws as the owner caught up with it. "About time you stop coming here," he muttered. "What kind of owner allows its pet to roam free -- oh, hello, Princess. I was just giving the kitty some fish. I love cats too."

Amelia laughed. She'd heard his earlier comment. "No, I shouldn't be bothering you. After all, you've been preparing for a feast this whole day. Come along, Ruby." She leaned down, scooping up the brown cat. The head chef stood there uncertainly as she murmured promises of food later.

"My lady, I can afford to get rid of some of this fish." He gestured around him. The cat raised its head and purred, as if agreeing. Amelia smiled. With her brown hair and green eyes, she was a calm yet quiet figure.

"That's quite all right. Ruby gets spoiled enough these days." The man could've sworn the cat frowned at her at that. "Good luck with cooking." With that, she left, holding the cat in her arms. It turned its head briefly to look accusingly at the chef, who raised his hands.

Amelia Ryanna Silveste, crown princess of Relli, hurried through the corridors of the palace. Ruby scratched at her blue gown, obviously impatient for her food.

She walked quickly up the stairs to her suite, pushing open the door with one hand. Amelia placed the cat onto the ground; it immediately slunk off, giving her a look. "Come now, it's not time for your lunch yet!" Amelia rolled her eyes. "Ru-uby..."

It raised its tail in the air and walked away. The girl sighed, then laughed. "Have it your way." She had an important meeting and didn't have anymore time. "I'll be back in an hour," she said.

The cat watched her as she half closed the door. It then padded up to the knob and nudged the door open, going back to the kitchen.

Amelia hurried down the steps to her father's meeting room, pausing to look at a particular portrait on the wall. Her heart ached as she stared at it. Sven, oh, Sven. They'd been so in love -- or so she'd thought. Barely two weeks before she'd turned eighteen, he'd run off with a maid. Amelia bitterly looked into his warm eyes, his dashing smile. He had no place here and no hold over her.

She turned away. She'd get the servants to take off the portrait as soon as possible.

She paused before the door, hearing nothing. Usually they would be in full discussion. Amelia pushed open the door. She looked around the airy, spacious room, seeing the Province leaders but not her father.

"Where's.. the King?" she asked. The closest man opened his mouth.

"He's not feeling well. Stomach problem, he says."

"That's all right." She gave a large smile. "I'll listen to your reports."

She paused before the seat she usually sat, and looked at her father's seat. Should she...? Amelia rolled her eyes to herself. Why was she considering this? She sat down at her usual seat.