The Kiss - Chapter Thirty-Eight

Amelia was a bit sad. She couldn't spend any time with James without Julia being right there with them. She felt like she was losing her best friend to Princess Julia. She went out to the field where the horses were kept. She could always talk to them; they were so understanding. 

Amelia heard a noise and turned to find James standing there."Why are you out here all alone?" James asked Amelia."I can't stand her! She's trying to break our friendship up!" Amelia exclaimed."Don't worry.... she will never come between us. I promise you." James told her.

"I just don't know why I feel like this. They never let me attend anything, and it's like I always have to hide. What did she mean earlier when she said that she didn't know you had a sister?" Amelia asked James. "I have to tell you something." James paused and took a moment to gather his words. "I didn't want you to know the truth, but there is a reason we feel very close." James started to explain. 

Amelia got a puzzled look on her face. "You're not my sister. You came to court as a baby, and I begged them to let you stay." James went on.

"You're not my brother?" Amelia said in disbelief. Little did they know that Julia was spying on them the whole time.

"You are my Amelia and always will be," James whispered to Amelia as he hugged her. Before he let her go, he kissed her. "I will always love you," he told her. Amelia was shocked at first but knew that she, too, held a special spot in her heart for James.

Julia watched everything happen between them. She was hurt and shocked at the same time. Now she had to find a way to rid herself of Amelia before she could take her crown. 

So Julia began to plot. She was sure her plan would work and that she would get Amelia out of the picture. "I will not let her take my crown away!" Julia told herself.

First, she went to the queen. "Oh, your majesty! I have a broken heart. I have been betrayed by James," Julia cried out. Kristen stood there, not quite sure what Julia was talking about."What makes you feel this way, Julia?" Kristen asked her, concerned. "I saw James and Amelia in the field talking, and then he kissed her! It broke my heart that my betrothed would betray me like this! He even claims that he loves her." Julia sobbed. Kristen was stunned by what Julia was telling her. "I'm sure he was talking about a brotherly love he has for her. She's been raised like his sister. I will straighten this out," Kristen replied.

Julia's plan was now in motion. "She found her mother in the banquet hall and ran up to her with a sad face and tears in her eyes. "Mommy, my betrothed kissed someone else!" Julia told her. She told the whole story to her mother, the same way she told Kristen. Isabel was shocked that the prince would be so foolish. "I will speak to the queen at once," she told Julia.

Kristen summoned her son to meet her. He arrived to see his mom waiting for him. "What were you thinking when you kissed Amelia and told her you loved her?" Kristen demanded. James was shocked that his mom knew and wondered who had told on him. "You don't even know what love means! How could you be so stupid!" Kristen shouted at James.

"I did nothing wrong. I don't love Julia. I love Amelia. I will never marry Julia," James yelled. Kristen was furious and began to scream at James. "I knew it was a bad idea for Amelia to stay here. You're going to ruin everything! You will marry Julia someday, and stop this nonsense right now!" Kristen told him sternly.

James was mad, and he knew there was no use in trying to talk to his mom when she was mad. His mother was not listening to him and was dead set on the arranged marriage.

Kristen then called for Julia to come into the room. "I want to let you both know that you are both young and how important it is that you both obey your vows to each other even though you are both still children. It would be wise that you both grow to love each other and not allow anyone else to come between the two of you," Kristen told both Julia and James.  

Kristen then went to see Julia's mother. "I'm sorry that Julia had to see that. I had a talk with James, and I will take care of this matter. This will not happen again." Kristen assured Isabel. "I do hope so. I wouldn't want our alliance to be ruined," she replied.

She then went to see Amelia. "I don't know what you're up to, little girl, but this will stop immediately. How dare you kiss James after everything we have done for you. This is how you repay us! I looked at you like a daughter!" Kristen shouted at Amelia. 

Amelia began to cry. "I didn't mean to do it. Please forgive me," Amelia pleaded with Kristen."I was a fool to let James have you stay here. You were never my daughter. You are to be removed from the court as soon as an arrangement can be made. In the meantime, you are to stay away from James." she told Amelia sternly. As Kristen walked out of the room, Amelia broke down and cried, wondering what her fate would be and, more importantly, whose daughter she really was.