The Lies that Made Us

Amelia

It had been such a long time since Amelia had socialized with so many people that she felt a bit overwhelmed as she entered the parlor of the Celestial Palace. She stood close to Brynn as he was again greeted warmly by the king and queen. As he spoke with them, Amelia tried to listen and not think about what she had done in her room. It was dangerous to contact Gareth and listen to his words. She had no interest in being with him, but she could still feel the pull of his magic.

Guilt laced in with her fear, making her stomach feel ill, and her head ache. Every now and then, as he was speaking, Brynn would grab her hand and squeeze it as though to make sure she was still there. It was clear the king and queen cared for Brynn, and he was so close to Princess Melwa. It was no wonder as he was a good, caring man. People had always been drawn to him. She could remember he always had numerous friends and many young women who vied for his attention.

He would have no problems finding a wife after taking the throne. Not only would he be king, but his looks and personality would again draw much female attention his way. He may not have been as light-hearted as he once was, but there was still something captivating in his manner and conversation. The queen laughed at something Brynn said, giving him an affectionate swat with her hand.

“Lady Amelia,” said a soft voice near her. “I wanted to be formally introduced to you.”

Amelia turned to see the man she took for Melwa’s brother next to her. “I think I can guess who you are, and I am happy to meet you, your highness.”

He bowed to her. “I am Prince Tristeen, and I have heard much about you, Lady Amelia, over the past few years.” She smiled as he took her hand. “Would you come meet my betrothed? She is very interested in getting to know you.”

Amelia looked back at Brynn to see him still speaking with the king and queen as Melwa and her husband came to join. “I would be honored, your highness.”

He led her to a small, pretty woman sitting in a chair near the back of the room. She stood as Amelia approached.

“Here you are, dearest. Just as I promised. Lady Amelia, this is my soon-to-be wife, Lady Lyneth.” Amelia and the woman curtsied to each other. “Her father is Master Ruan, the leader of the Guardians of the Moon.”

Amelia raised her eyebrows. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I hope I get the chance to be introduced to your father at some point.”

“I am sure you will. He will be around during the festival and will want to speak with you,” said Lady Lyneth softly. “You are a Light Bearer, aren’t you?”

Amelia nodded. “I have wanted to come to Erialla for some time, not only to see its beauty but to visit where the Guardians train.”

“I will be happy to take you,” said Lady Lyneth. She pursed her lips for a moment and looked at Prince Tristeen. “Lady Amelia, I want you to know that I never thought you were guilty of your crime. I don’t mean to cause offense, but neither Trist nor I ever thought you really did it.”

“You have not offended me, and I appreciate your support. Can I ask why, though? You don’t know me, and I wouldn’t blame you if you thought it was possible.”

The prince looked towards Brynn. “Brynn spent a good year telling us about you, reading us bits of your letters when they came. The woman he presented to us could never have done it. I hope you know he never once doubted you.”

“No, indeed,” said the Lady Lyneth. “It was very hard on him when he thought you had died with his father. We weren’t sure he would recover.”

Amelia glanced over at Brynn, giving him a small smile as she caught his eye.

“We have read the letters from Brynn and my sister explaining what has happened. I imagine this has been an awful time for you.” The prince’s voice was soft and full of feeling.

Amelia turned back around to the prince, her smile dropping from her lips and a cold feeling running through her body. “It has.”

“You are safe here,” he said in his gentle voice. “And very welcome.” Lady Lyneth nodded her agreement.

Amelia swallowed hard, wishing she had a drink. She barely choked out a thank you before she walked away to the far side of the room. Keeping her breathing even was not easy, and the tears in her eyes had threatened to fall. She didn’t know what to expect in Erialla, but to be met with such kindness was almost too much. Looking around the room, she saw people smiling at each other, laughing even. It had been so long since she had felt the amount of joy and comfort surrounding her. It was confusing, making her feel hopeful yet lonely at the same time.

“They are kind people, but it is easy to feel like an outsider here,” said Melwa’s father-in-law as he walked up to Amelia, holding two glasses of wine. “I hope you don’t mind me asking for an introduction and thinking you might like a drink.”

Amelia looked at the older man into his deep, steady brown eyes. “I do not mind at all, your majesty.” She curtsied before taking the drink from his hand.

“I am Ignacio Acin, King of Tildia, and you are Lady Amelia Fox, correct?”

Amelia nodded while taking a sip of the wine. “Yes, your majesty.”

“Nasty business with your kingdom. It is a shame. Evalmore has always been such a strong beacon of light for our world.”

“I hope it can be again, sir. If we can get the right king on the throne.” Amelia raised her glass towards Brynn.

“You think the young prince can do it?”

“I have no doubt of it, your majesty. You will hear the whole story in a bit, but his father wanted him to rule. Gareth knew it, and that is why King Iver was killed.”

“Iver wanted Prince Brynnwynn to rule, or did he want you and the prince to reign together?” Amelia looked up at him, her mouth open. “I knew Iver quite well, my dear. We were friends almost our whole lives. As we grew older, we could not see each other as much as we liked, but we wrote to each other often. You came up in many of his letters.”

“Me?”

“Why would you be surprised? You can’t tell me you didn’t know how important you were to the king. He thought of you as his daughter. Was thrilled with the idea that one of his sons, the more worthy one, would marry you.”

“I knew he cared for me. We spent time together almost every day, but I didn’t know he spoke of me to anyone else.”

King Ignacious chuckled. “I think you might have been one of his favorite subjects.” He took a drink. “So, do you still wish to rule with Prince Brynnwynn?”

Amelia choked on her drink a bit. “Sir?”

“The last few letters I received from Iver were full of hope about you two marrying within a couple of years. Of course, then he died, and you were accused of the murder.” He put down his empty glass. “You were held captive in the palace, I believe, the last three years?”

“I was.” Her voice was barely a whisper as she tried to keep a hold of her glass while not breaking it. Her palms were getting sweaty and her grip hard.

“And now it is said you were not the culprit but the oldest son and the master of the Light Bringers. That is what the messages from Prince Brynnwynn and Princess Melwa said.”

Amelia nodded, finding it hard to speak.

“So, if this is true, do you still wish to rule with Prince Brynwynn when he takes the throne?”

Amelia took a deep breath and looked up at the king. She could see nothing malicious in his questions, just genuine curiosity. “I care very much for Brynn. I want to see him well settled.”

“And is that not with you?”

“Father, are you quizzing the lady? You must see that she looks quite tired. She has been through much,” said King Ignacious’s son.

“I did not mean to press her. I hope you know it, my lady. I am a curious man. It is a part of my nature.”

“I hope she has answered enough of your questions, father. I have been asked to bring her back to Mel, and the prince is desperate to have her by his side.”

The king smiled down at her. “Then she should go.” He picked up Amelia’s hand and kissed it. “I hope we have more conversations soon, my lady.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Her hand was given to the prince, who tucked it into his arm.

“I apologize for my father, my lady. With his age, he has lost some of his decorum. Still a brilliant man, but he can be a bit much.”

“It is no bother, your highness.”

“I am Rayan, my lady, the next king of Tildia, and Princess Melwa is my wife.”

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Likewise, now come with me to my wife and your prince.” He led Amelia back to Brynn and Melwa, who still stood by the fireplace, close together, talking softly.

“Here you are, my lovely. I have found her. She was being ambushed by father, poor thing.”

Amelia let of Prince Rayan and moved to stand by Brynn. “He did not ambush me. He was very kind.”

“He was pestering her with questions. You know how he gets, Mel.”

Melwa gave a short laugh. “I do, and you are almost as bad. Tonight, you must wait with your questions for Lady Amelia. She doesn’t need the headache you will give her with your prying.”

Amelia looked at Brynn as he took her hand. “I turned around, and you were gone, Amelia. I hope you didn’t think I was ignoring you.”

“Not at all, Brynn. Prince Tristeen wished me to meet Lady Lyneth.”

Melwa laughed. “I am sure that was a short conversation. That lady barely says two words at the best of times.”

“I found her charming. Both her and your brother were very kind,” said Amelia.

“You overwhelm her, Mel.” Brynn threaded his fingers with Amelia’s. “I am sure Amelia’s gentler nature suits her better.”

“Gentler nature.” Melwa scoffed.” that doesn’t line up with the fierce Bearer I’ve seen these past weeks.”

Amelia arched an eyebrow at Melwa before laughing. “I am going to take that as a compliment.”

“I meant it as one,” said Melwa with a grin.

Brynn huffed. “Still, Amelia is not as brash as you when it comes to conversation. She knows subtlety where you have none.”

“I speak truthfully.” Melwa looked at her husband.

’You do, my dear, but I am sure Lady Amelia does as well. I think Brynn is trying to say there is a difference in your delivery. The lady’s might suit someone like Lady Lyneth better than yours.”

“Something like that,” said Brynn with a half-grin. He turned to look at Amelia, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand. “Amelia has always been good with all sorts of people, charming. She talked us out of trouble plenty of times.” Brynn looked down on her with so much open affection it made Amelia blush.

“I believe my parents wish for us to gather together,” said Melwa after a moment. “They will want to hear our tales, all of ours.”

Amelia’s breath hitched as Melwa walked towards her mother, her husband following her. Brynn must have heard it because he pulled Amelia close. “You do not have to share anything you aren’t comfortable with. You were accused of a crime you did not commit. My brother is responsible for my father’s death and will be the ruin of this land. That is all they need to know.”

Amelia nodded. “I will say what is needed to help everyone understand. I know what is at stake.”

“Nothing is worth you having to endure more pain.”

“You are,” she whispered. “I would endure anything for you.”

He looked down at her and whispered her name before bending down to kiss her gently, not caring who was in the room. When he pulled away, she smiled at him and looked over, blushing a she saw a few eyes on them, including Melwa, who did not look pleased.