HEIR

Chapter 1

March 1990
Paris,France

* Ameilia's POV *

I stood behind the wall listening to my parents and grandparents talk. I knew it was about me, I had an idea what exactly it was they were discussing and I was trying to figure out exactly what the plan was.

" François nous avons convenu de son mari. Elle épousera John elle ne pourra pas prendre le trône à moins de l'épouser " Grandfather said. [T: Francois we've agreed on her husband. She will marry John she can not take the throne unless she marries him! ]

I really despise my grandfather. I've never met anyone so controlling. I shouldn't have to marry someone to take the throne. I could easily run this country on my own.

" Père, nous comprenons. Nous en discuterons avec elle ce soir. Elle sera mariée à lui avant la fin du mois de juin. " I heard my father say sternly to my grandfather.
[ T: Father, we understand. We will discuss it with her tonight. She will be wed to him before the end of June. ]
I shook my head disagreeing I knew they couldn't see me but there was no way in hell that I'd be marrying a man I didn't know nor loved.

I walked down the wall determined to make this difficult for them. If they planned on forcing me to marry they had another thing coming. They could forget about it.

As I entered my bedroom I looked around the only thoughts that played in my mind was that I needed to get out of here and fast.

• Evening •

" Le dîner de la princesse Amelia est prêt et vos parents vous attendent dans la salle à manger. Ils ont dit que vous ne devriez pas être en retard. " The maid called on the other side of the door [T: Princess Amelia dinner is ready and your parents are waiting for you in the dining area. They said you shouldn't be late. ]

" D'accord Esme, je serai là dans une minute s'il vous plait, laissez-les savoir. " I responded promptly as I fixed myself in the mirror [T: Okay Esme I'll be down in a minute please let them know. ]

Esme has been with us for as long as I've lived.
Where are my manners? Let me introduce myself. My name is Amelia Rose Audibert, I am 19 years old and I'm an only child I'm the heir to the French throne.

I walked down the spiral staircase knowing that once I'd get to the dining area we'd discuss this arranged marriage.

" Amelia dépêche-toi! " I heard my mom call out [ T: Amelia hurry! ]

Once I set foot in the dining area I could feel their eyes on me. Father gave me a stern look I knew he was upset because I took too long. " Asseyez-vous, nous avons beaucoup à discuter. " he said [T: Sit we have a lot to discuss] I sat down.

The servers placed our food in front of us suddenly the soup looked more interesting then the discussion I was dreading to have.

" Amelia " mom said and I looked up. " Nous avons parlé à vos grands-parents, nous en avons discuté à fond. Pour que vous puissiez obtenir le trône à la place du cousin Albert, vous allez épouser John." she finished [T: We spoke to your grandparents we've thoroughly discussed it. In order for you to get the throne instead of cousin Albert you will marry John.] I stared at her in disbelief.

" Père s'il te plaît non. Je ne peux pas " I desperately said turning my head to my father. I couldn't marry that man. I didn't want to. I wanted to marry for love even if it meant giving up the throne. [T: Father please no. I can't]

My father gave me one look and sternly replied " Assez! Tu n'as pas le choix. Vous n'avez pas votre mot à dire! Notre décision est finale! Vous épouserez John en mai et vous prendrez le trône une fois que vous aurez 21 ans! " [ T: Enough! You have no choice. You have no say in this! Our decision is final! You WILL marry John in May and you will take the throne once you turn 21! ]

I couldn't help but let a tear slip down my cheek. I wasn't going to do it.

The rest of the dinner my parents spoke to one another. As if I wasn't there which made my decision to run away so much easier.

Once I was dismissed I walked straight back to my bedroom.
I'd start planning my great escape tomorrow for now I was going to get a decent nights rest.