Another Year, Another Banquet

Prince Peter found himself in good graces with the King and Queen after their discussion. He was able to make it through the first round and as promised, Amie was able to see her love again.

A month after the excrutiatingly painful quick courting sessions ended, Amie was in the presence of Prince Peter once more, "You must have impressed them quite a bit! You're the first date in round two!"

Prince Peter replied, "I'm not sure that's a good thing."

Amie asked, "Well, why wouldn't it be?"

Peter elaborated, "I think they're scrutinizing me more. I'm not sure why, but I don't think I wasn't originally one of their choices."

Amie brushed his suspicions off, "Oh nonsense! Isn't Navarre prosperous? It sounds like it's doing well, especially considering it's recent expansion."

Peter nodded, "Yes, but receiving those lands by conquering them is much different than a peaceful transition of power."

Amie countered, "But you just offered them a token of peace with the trade deal, right?"

Peter flirtingly responded, "I think that might be the only reason they decided I was a worthy candidate for such a beautiful bride."

Amie blushed at his compliment, "Well I hope they choose such a handsome prince as yourself."

Peter flashed his enchanting smile briefly before becoming curious, "By the way, how many suitors are left?"

Amie grimaced, "Including you? 60."

Peter was shocked, "Still!? Oh you poor creature."

Amie sighed, "They plan to whittle it down to 10 by the time I turn 17, but the whole process is going to be exhausting and miserable."

Peter responded, "Well, I guess it was't a good thing I was first. It appears it will be a long time until I see you again. Why don't we enjoy the time we have?"

Amie's replied enthusiastically, "Sounds like a wonderful idea!"

The two of them wondered off through the gardens once again, laughing and playfully teasing each other. Neither one wanted to say goodbye even as the day started to wane.

The months past and Amie was able to see Peter just a handful of times before her next birthday. While they relished in those few moments together as much as possible, Prince Peter also spent quite a bit of his time in the Lutetian palace trying to win the King and Queen over. Amie wished they could spend more time with each other, but she knew how important it was for Prince Peter to leave a good impression on her adopted parents.

Things had changed quite a bit over the year as Amie approached her next birthday. Amie was yet again preparing her birthday banquet, except this time there was no Edith for guidance. While she still saw Edith frequently as she would always stop by to say goodnight to her daughters, she wasn't around during the day anymore to offer advice or help when Amie needed it.

Both Julia and Amie felt the growing pains of the absence of their mother, but that along with their tied fates brought them closer than ever. They cried on each others' shoulders when things were rough and they turned to each other for help when either one was stuck.

While setting up for her banquet, Amie's stomach was filled with knots. Her fear of making a mistake at the banquet, which was such a prominent concern the year prior, seemed trivial now. Now she worried about Prince Peter not being picked.

Julia, who was helping Amie set up, picked up on Amie's nervous behavior, "It'll be alright, I'm sure Prince Peter will be picked."

Amie wasn't convinced, "Are you sure? I've overheard talk about marrying King Charles of Aragon."

Julia's face scrunched, "The one with the weird jaw? Ew, why would they pick him?" Julia leaned towards Amie to whisper, "I'm not sure he's capable of producing heirs."

Amie was nauseated at the thought of what producing heirs would entail with him, "Bite your tongue! You're going to make me yack before the banquet!"

Julia retorted, "You haven't had anything all day, you wouldn't be able to."

Amie said, "With a suggestion like that I could!"

Julia returned to the topic, "Still not sure what they would see in him."

Amie suggested, "Actually, his lack of..." Amie didn't want to say it, "might be what Mother and Father were counting on."

Julia looked at Amie, "You don't need to call them that in front of me."

Amie leaned in to make sure nobody could hear, "I do when there's people around." Amie looked around at everyone helping with setup. At least one of them would be willing to report back to the Queen.

Julia acknowledged Amie's fears and continued on the conversation, "Anyways, what do you mean by that?"

Amie started in on her theory, "My thinking is, if he's not able to... then there's nobody to inherit the throne. The throne would be up for the taking and they could use me as leverage to try to take Aragon under control of Lutetia. Either that or it's a convenient way to get rid of me. Ship me off to a country, say it was out of goodwill so they look good to their allies, then when the King dies with no heir, then suddenly I'm in despair of my own making for not completing my duty as a wife. Honestly, now that I'm saying it all out loud, I can believe the second option much more than the first."

Julia didn't feel her theories were quite right, "That would be a waste of a pawn. I know Prince Peter's kingdom isn't as large as Aragon, but with their impressive trade skills and recent expansions, I think he would be a better fit."

Amie sighed, "Let's hope Mother and Father agree."

Julia nodded in agreement, "For our own sakes."

Uncomfortable with discussing their uncertain fates further, Julia and Amie changed the topic and began talking about more lighthearted subjects for a time while setting up before heading to Amie's bedchambers to prepare for the banquet.

In her room, Amie started reflecting on her circumstances again. Looking at the green dress she was supposed to be wearing this time, she asked Julia, "If I went to the banquet hall dressed as a beggar, do you think everybody but the Prince would rescind their bid?"

Julia, also feeling the weight of the night, replied, "A true fantasy that would be. If only things were so easy."

Amie let out a sigh before replying, "I know, you're right. Let's get his over with."

Julia helped Amie put on her dress, "It will be alright."

Just as the year before, Julia helped Amie pull herself together before the banquet. This time, instead of excitedly rushing around, they were somber, slowly preparing to face their fate.

Amie was a little too slow getting ready. Even though she was running late to the banquet, she didn't feel the need to rush. Outside of her room, however, everyone was starting to become impatient. The Queen kept sending maids and butlers and even the gentleman who was in charge of announcements for the night. Amie finally emerged just as the first guard was sent.

The guard looked at Amie, "Queen Zephine believes you have run away."

Amie bowed her head, "My apologies, we are just running a little late is all."

The guard replied, "You better be ready now. The Queen has ordered me to bring you to the dungeon if you are not."

Amie was a little startled the Queen would go that far. But then she remembered why their kingdom was struggling so much with their reputation. Even King Javert was beginning to grow concerned because of the Queen's habit of acting first and thinking later.

Amie started to walk towards the banquet, "No worries, I'm ready now. Let's go."

She exchanged a quick glance with Julia. She was certain both of them were thinking the same thing. Taking a deep breath, she nodded to her sister and turned towards the hall.

The weight of every step felt as though an elephant was resting on Amie's shoulders as she made her way to where the irritated announcer stood. He whispered to her before anyone could see, "Are you finally ready, Princess?"

Remorseful for dragging everyone else down with her, Amie replied with her head down "Apologies."

The announcer continued, "Let's get on with this then, shall we?"

Suddenly she remembered what happened last year, her head shot up and she looked around, "Is everyone here this time?"

The announcer did a quick glance, "Yes, Your Highness. It appears even Prince Jacques is here on time for once as well."

Amie hadn't seen Prince Jacques since the incident several months ago. Her hair stood up at his name and she fought herself to maintain her poise, "Oh."

The impatiently asked, "Are you ready now?"

She was more ready before than she was now after hearing the mad Prince's name. Even as her heart filled with terror though, she replied, "Let's hurry this up."

The announcer stated her royal title as Amie canvased the area. She found Prince Peter seated relatively close to the Royal Family's table. And she found Prince Jacques, seated next to the empty seat reserved for the Princess.

Amie felt herself filling with dread. Her hands began to shake. She wanted to scream, but couldn't. She thought in her head about how that psycho could turn violent at any moment. After all, he was the violent Queen's son.

What's worse is the more Amie looked at him, the more she realized Jacques' demeanor was off. He didn't appear to be in a playful mood, and he didn't have a mischievous look on his face. He looked completely enraged. He was completely still, gritting his teeth, glaring at Amie.