Three Kings and a Queen

Chapter 3

Amelia looked into the prince's sparkly green eyes as he took her into his arms. His elegant fingers arranged themselves on her hips as she placed hers on his shoulders. The fabric of his coat is so soft, she noted, much softer than the horrid fabric this dress is made of. It was then she noticed that Rodriech was playing her country's anthem. How adorable, Amelia thought, he thinks he can subconsciously trick me into thinking Arthur and I should marry. If Arthur and I marry, it will be my choice, and mine alone.

"So love," The charming Emeraldean Prince whispered, "Any ideas on who you're going to pick? And before you say anything I would just like to add that you look absolutely ravishing in that dress." Amelia blushed, she usually wore pants and an old shirt, so she was seldom called beautiful. And even when she did wear a dress, she insisted on wearing her hair down, which caused many people to think of her as a slob who didn't have the time to even bother to put her hair up. Beautiful... She had never thought of herself like that kind of person before.

"Oh-erm-ah- not really, and thanks... I guess." She replied, flustered. Her cheeks had gone from light pink to magenta, which the prince did not fail to notice.

Arthur smiled, saying, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, but that blush certainly does add to your beauty."

"So, Arthur," Amelia said, "What does your kingdom look like nowadays? I haven't been there in over two years and you seem to love changing things around." Memories of her last visit came to the forefront of her mind.

Her carriage ride came to a halt at the beginning of a long and narrow pathway through a garden. The tall trees curved into archways and white flowers bloomed along the edge of the winding path. It smelled like dirt and flowers, one of Amelia's favorite scents. It spoke of a sanctuary where hard work was valued, not frowned upon, and allowed one to make a natural sort of beauty. She saw some berries, bright red and dotting one of the bushes. A small sign next to it read "Raspberries- edible." Princess Amelia was absolutely famished by the end of the ride, so she immediately plucked several off the strange bush and shoved them in her mouth. The red juices streamed down her face as she savored the delicious flavor of these newly discovered fruits. It was then that she decided that she was going to take off her shoes, and afterwards she felt the smooth dirt beneath her now bare feet. Up ahead she saw a small stream, which she ran up to and splashed some of the cool water onto her raspberry-juice stained face which turned it back into its normal color. She thought about making something like this in her own kingdom, except instead of green it would be blue. Blueberries, blue flowers, and seemingly endless blue lakes. It was then that Yao caught up to her and dragged her up to the front steps of the palace where the wonderful sanctuary came to an end and the lavish life of royalty began.

Amelia truly did enjoy that garden area, but when she mentioned the idea to Yao, he had immediately turned it down too many places for intruders to hide, he had said. His words rang true, and so Amelia hadn't pushed the matter, but she still secretly yearned for a place like that in her kingdom. Although... If they married she could go there as often as she wanted! No, Amelia, you're not going to choose who you want to marry based on how pretty their garden is.

It was then Amelia realized Arthur had been talking, and started to take in some of the things he was saying. "And after that mess with the shoes, we had to take all of them off of the decorative pieces of armor around the castle. We also added a new tapestry to the dining hall, and other than that it's the same!" He finished.

"Wow, cool!" She answered enthusiastically (even though she was faking the enthusiasm because, let's be real, very few people actually enjoy hearing about interior decorating).

"So Arthur," Amelia said, "How long have you had that beautiful trail leading into your palace? I absolutely love it there!"

"Well," Arthur said, adjusting his shoulders in a way that she noticed the compliment had been received, "It was my great-grandmother who first thought up the idea, she was Sapphirean, and my great-grandfather would do anything to please her, so the garden was built. Their love was so strong, and the alliance helped both their, and now our, kingdoms prosper. It would be wonderful if an alliance like that could be forged again." Arthur hinted not-so-subtly.

"Well, we'll see about that." Amelia answered. "Oh- Arthur- I almost forgot to ask, how are your brothers?" She asked

"The same as ever, I suppose. Still not very mature, unlike me." Arthur answered.

"Oh Arthur, did you see the new tapestry we put up over there?" Amelia inquired as she pointed at said object.

The tapestry was split into four sections, one for each of the kingdoms. Each had the current ruling monarch and the background had the actual gems woven into it. She wasn't supposed to know this, but as soon as she chose who she wished to marry, there would be a heart placed next to her and her husband.

AN:
Ahhhh! Sorry for the long wait but I will try to update on Saturday or Sunday!