Amelia

Chapter One

The world was a woeful place. Full of wars and over-run by technology. Kings and queens where long gone re-placed by presidents who didn't know what to do. People were homeless if and not homeless starving and if not starving dead. Nothing felt the same, teachers with no students, students with no mothers, mothers with no husbands. Discarded papers and trash laid strewn all over the ground. Shops closed buildings burnt. But out of the rubble that coated the earth a strong man rose stronger than any man before. His name was Maxinos Gillia.

Maxinos rose above all men, leading the North American Troops of the United States of America and Canada to victory in world war IV and again in The Battle of the North, where Northern Europe Fought Northern America. When the fights were over though the world was a mess it was decided that the world would start over. All advanced technology would be discarded the continents where divided among four of the strongest and bravest men who fought through out the war. Sir. Titan Carbon, General Nico Van Hall, General Thomas Chang and the bravest man Maxinos Gillia was given the biggest piece of land.

The laws had to be approved by all four of the kings and no war should break out. The world finally came together again, problems found solutions and everything was perfect. No longer were people abandoned and homeless but instead were given a new and fresh start at life.

My mother's words played through my small mind over and over. Everyday for the past five years before dinner my mother, Bailey Gillia, would read the story of my ancestor the heroic Maxinos Gillia to the family as a tradition. I watched from my seat as my mother said the whole story word for word perfectly not missing a single phrase like every night. But tonight was different, tonight would be the last night I would hear my mother's sweet mellow voice narrating the inspiring of their past since tomorrow would be the day of my brother's coordination. Once my brother was king my eldest sister, Lacy, would stand at the head of the table until Timothy was wed. Looking over beside my mother was Lacy silently mouthing the short story to herself to ensure that she would not embarrass herself the next night.

Once Mother had finished and was seated the waiters and waitresses came out with silver platters piled high with food. I thanked the waiter as he placed a serving of pasta and salad in front of me. Forgetting all my manners I started eating immediately. "Amelia! Have I not raised you to behave like a lady! You will wait until everyone is served, is that clear?" scolded my mother ashamed in my behavior. "Yes Mother, I apologize." I bowed her head in shame but was nudged by my older sister, Mallory, not to slouch at the dinner table. "So Lacy how were your lessons this afternoon, dear? Did you ask your professor about his opinions on that article you wrote?" asked as she carefully changed the subject. "Lessons were okay, same as always but I forgot to mention my paper." Lacy's voice quivered as she mentioned the last words aware of what her mother's reaction would be. "Do you realize the importance of getting you this job? Without it how are you supposed to take care of yourself?" Bailey looked at her daughter first with disappointment then with kindness. "I'm sorry for raising my voice, dear, but you must understand that once you are of age you need to get a job. It's only policy and I do not want you to be stuck living a life unsuited to you."

"Thank you for your concern Mother but I am just considering my options before I commit to something. Now if you excuse me I will be finishing my meal in the privacy of my bedroom." Lacy looked around the table as if she directing the message towards everyone especially her Mother. With a quick gesture she scooped up her plate and marched out of the dinning hall, leaving only the sounds of the heels of her shoes and the loud thump of the door as it swung shut. "Mama?" ,Marlee,the second eldest daughter, let out a shy little word to receive her mother's attention.

"Yes darling." it was oblivious in Queen Bailey's voice that she was under much stress.

"Is Papa going to be home in time for tomorrow?" as soon as Marlee finished her sentence five pairs of eyes looked upon their mother for an answer.

"No darling, Papa must stay with the Van Halls for another night." the children looked down saddened by her news. "But my lovelies he will be home for Timothy's coordination!" but this did not cheer them up since their father, the king of Gillia, had been absent for a three weeks now and everyone missed him dearly.

I was the only one looking at our mother, my siblings were talking among themselves. I marveled in her natural beauty, her silky dark hair that was pulled up into a elegant bun, her smooth ivory skin and her bright blue eyes made her one of the most elegant women alive. I picked up my spoon looking at my face in the silver surface admiring the trait that I had inherited from my flawless mother. We shared the same brown straight hair and the small lips and noose but I realized early on that I had eyes of my own. I stared at them falling deep into their emerald colour, the layers of various shades of green and the flakes of light brown that sprinkled in my iris. I looked upon my siblings the twins, Marlee and Mallory, had hair the colour of gold and eyes the shade of sand as well as freckles sprinkled across their nose. Most of their facial traits had been inherited from their father. The two boys, Timothy and Tucker, had darker hair like me and our mother. Tucker's hair was a deep inky black and Timothy's a thick rich chocolaty brown. Both boys had blue eyes. Lacy was the only one in the family with naturally curly hair which according to our father was a attribute from our grandmother. She and my sister shared the large, thick, blonde head of hair as well as a small beauty mark on the side of their faces below both their left ears.

Sooner than later the maids brought out dessert for us. Tonight was going to be a choice of vanilla or chocolate cake served with an ice cream of our choice. The younger children opted for the cake and ice cream whereas the Mother and Timothy requested to skip dessert. My Mother sat up straight in her chair watching as everyone ate since it was her job to excuse us from the table. One by one the princes and princesses left until it was just Amelia and her mother. "Mama?" I asked.

"Yes Sweets?" replied the Queen softly.

"What is gonna happen to me once I become of age?" I pushed bits of chocolate cake mixed with melted cream around her plate as I spoke

"Well, my darling girl when you turn sixteen, like how Lacy is now, you will be required by law to obtain a job. But if you cannot find a job on your own by yourself then you are appointed a government job."

"What's a government job?" asked Amelia as my looked from my plate to mother.

"It's a job that is assigned to citizens if they have not found one within the year that they become of age. They are mostly only assigned to people who do not know how to apply for a career or have not had a proper education. Because of the circumstances though the jobs that provided for these few civilians are not the most comfortable." Mother spoke with a sense of caution lingering in her voice she looked around the room and was noticeably uncomfortable. Because of this I decided to end the conversation at that.

I left the dinning hall just a few moments after my mother. I looked at the beautiful golden grandfather clock that sat beside a small blue love seat in the grand entrance. It read quarter to eight, that meant I had and hour of recreational time before I had to be in my room. Bored I skipped down the empty hallways listening to the echo of my black ballet flats hitting the solid marble floor. This went on for a few moments, until I saw the entrance to the King's Study. This was one of the few rooms I was not allowed to go into. Mentally debating my consequences I questioned whether I should enter the magnificent study or not. I looked around the hallway, no one in sight. I took a deep breath and quickly opened the door and lunged into the room. I was only able to enjoy the gold plated statues, ceiling high bookshelves and marvelous oil murals for a matter of seconds before I heard someone's high heels approaching the room.

I quickly lunged myself into a nearby coat closet. The footsteps grew closer and closer to my hiding spot until they were planted right outside the door. I stood there petrified.