The Ball - Chapter Sixty One

James waited as Amelia emerged from the top floor. She walked down the steps, all dressed in an elegant dress with a feathered mask to conceal her identity until James wanted to reveal who she was to his parents.

 .

James walked over to Amelia and stroked her cheek gently. "You're so beautiful. I don't think they will guess who you are." James told Amelia. She started to blush, but no color would come to her cheeks to show it.

They were joined by Kristen and William. Kristen was very intrigued to see this young girl wearing a unique mask. "So you are the young lady that my son has fallen for?" Kristen asked Amelia.

Amelia's voice was very low when she replied, "we do love each other. I hope that we can make you very proud of our union." Kristen paused for a moment, thinking she knew that voice but wasn't sure where to place it. "I'm sure if you make him happy, we will be happy for you both," she replied. "Let's go enjoy the dancing that I have arranged for everyone's entertainment," James told them.

The Lady's and their partners whirled around the ballroom. Amelia was enjoying dancing around the ballroom with James while his parents dance alongside them. They really seemed to be enjoying themselves.

James and Amelia spent the most part, dancing. Amelia was having the time of her life. She felt like the top of the world. It was like something out of a fairytale.

"I'm so nervous; what if they don't accept me?" Amelia told James as he whirled her around. "I think it will be a shock to her, but I think she will be ok with it. And may I add, your so beautiful tonight." James replied.

"He seems to really love her. You can see the love in their eyes for each other. Kinda reminds me of how we were when we first fell in love with each other, But there's something strange about her; it's like I already know her." Kristen told William. "I think she's a lovely girl; they really look like they're in love. I'm just glad that he found someone that he wants to marry, and that makes him happy." William replied to Kristen as he danced with her on the ball floor.

After the dance had ended, Kristen and William walked over to James and Amelia. "So you are to be my new daughter-in-law. I'm pleased he found someone that he loves him as much as he loves you." "So now that we have met you, can you remove your mask and let me see who my son is marrying," Kristen asked Amelia.

Amelia removed her mask, and Kristen gasped to see that it was Amelia behind the mask. "I knew there was something familiar about you. Is this some kind of joke!" Kristen, now mad, snapped at Amelia. "Please! Mom, it was all me. I fell in love with Amelia when we were kids. She's my whole world. Please don't be mad." James begged his mom.

"It's true, we have loved each other for a very long time. I love him for who he is, and he accepts me for who I am. I know I'm not a princess, but my family is of noble blood. Please don't be mad." Amelia begged Kristen.

William knew the whole time it was Amelia and was hoping that she would accept her. But as Kristen got mad, he feared that she wasn't going to accept her. 

"We need to talk in private. I don't want to make a scene." Kristen told James as she tried to keep herself from blowing up in front of all his guests.

Kristen followed James across the corridor into a sitting room.

Amelia's Lady's all saw from a distance the whole thing unravel. "Poor girl, she seems so nice." Lady Karen told Lady Molly. "I know, but we have all heard the horror stories of how the queen gets when she doesn't get her way," she replied to Lady Karen. "I wonder if she will let them get married?" Lady Carrie asked Amelia's sister. "I hope so, but I'm not sure. It all depends on how much James stands up against her. He would be the only one to get by with it." she replied.

Amelia stepped out of the ballroom to hide her tears that were streaming down her cheeks. She hid her face when she saw William. "My dear, please don't cry. I'm sure it will all work out. Shes just mad right now." William told Amelia.

Amelia gave William a hug. "You have always been really good to me. I will never forget your kindness to me. Amelia replied to William.

"I'm sure after she talks to James, she will calm down and rethink her logic. She will see why he has chosen you and come to terms with it."William told Amelia. "I hope so; I would hate to see James and his mom not talk due to this," she replied.

Once they were alone, Kristen began to yell. "What are you thinking? She was an experiment that was supposed to help us find a cure for children that was passed down with the curse. Not for your future wife. I'm still waiting for you to cure yourself, and now you get with another with the curse. So now I'm to have grandchildren with the curse as well?" Kristen screamed at James.

"Wait! Please let me explain! She's the only one for me. I don't want anyone else. I like the way I am, and I like the way she is. If she decides after she's older that she wants to be cured, then we will. But I like my life the way it is." James pleaded with Kristen. 

"You did say that I could marry who I wanted this time as long as I was happy. She makes me really happy." James told Kristen.

"I did say that, but I didn't expect you to go and fall in love with Amelia," Kristen told James. "I have to have a word with her alone," Kristen told James. She left him standing in the room and headed down the corridor to find Amelia.

Amelia was standing in the corridor alone and unsure what to say when she saw Kristen heading her way. Amelia stood quiet as Kristen started talking to her in a much calmer tone. "I realize I have acted a bit harsh to you. I wanted the best for my son, as any mother would their child. I now see you mean everything to him, and it would crush him if you two were torn apart." Kristen told Amelia.

Amelia was now in shock at what Kristen just told her. She didn't know what to say or do. "So, are you saying that we can get married?" Amelia asked her. "If that is your wish, then yes, but I do have one thing that is a request from both of you. I want my grandchildren to be normal. So if you want any children, you need to take the potion along with James so that they will have a normal life like I wanted for James. "Now enough with this, let's go have a ball," Kristen told her as she tugged on her arm, leading her back to the ballroom.

The guest all stood waiting on James and his family to return. They had no idea what was going on. "I do hope they work it out. They have been gone for a bit." Lady Molly told Lady Karen. "I hope so; she seemed really upset with James and Amelia." Lady Karen replied.

Everyone returned in a much better mood. James could see Kristen and Amelia getting along. His heartfelt relief when Kristen announced everyone to dance. Amelia joined up with James as the music began. As they danced, James got close to Amelia. "What happened?" James asked her.  

"Shes approved of us being together, but she has a request that I will have to talk to you about later after all the guests have left," Amelia told James. "Ok then, let's have a ball that any princess would dream of," James replied as he twirled Amelia around him.

The Proposal - Chapter Sixty

James was sitting in the banquet hall when Lady Carrie walked in. She arrived to start her duties as a Lady to Lady Amelia. "Your Lady Carrie?" he asked her. "Yes, they told me to meet you in here," she replied. "I'm pleased to have you in my household and to be with my Lady Amelia. I think you will really like it here. Meet the other Lady's in the kitchen; they will fill you in on your duties." he told her.

She headed out of the banquet hall and was amazed at its beauty.

Amelia sat in her room, waiting for James to come to see her. He had been really busy with the fire that happened last week and tried to get everything lined out.

Amelia jumped to her feet when she heard a knock at her door. James entered the room, walking over to Amelia, waiting on him. "Did you miss me?" James asked Amelia with a smile on his face. "You're terrible! James," she replied with a grin. "I have some new ladies for you in spite of the tragedy. One will be arriving soon. Today my parents are coming for a visit, just in case until I can tell them about you, Lady Marie will be here to keep you company till I get back." he told Amelia. "Ok, I will stay put. I will miss you until you return to me," she told James.

Lady Marie arrived at the castle. She meets up with the other servants that told her where to go. She climbed the steps to the second floor. And knocked on Amelia's door.

James opened the door and let Lady Marie into the room. "Lady Marie, this is Amelia. You are to serve in her household. I must tend to some business and will return shortly. Please stay here with Amelia and keep her company and tend to her needs." James instructed Lady Marie.

"Please sit with me by the fire. Tell me a little about yourself." Amelia asked her. "I come from a smaller part of the village. My parents died when I was young of the sweating sickness that killed a lot of people. I was raised by my aunt. She took good care of me. I was asked to be your new lady and was excited to do so." she replied.

"That's so terrible; I hope you will find yourself welcomed here. You will be treated well. I know you don't know much about this condition that me and James have, and the terrible fears that most have, but I will not harm you." she told Lady Marie. "I fear you not, I know you are a sweet Lady; I look forward to getting to know you better," she told Amelia.

Kristen and William arrived at the castle gate. Kristen was taken by the beauty of the castle. "I can't believe my eyes; it's stunning. I'm so proud of him." she boasted to William.

They entered the entrance of the castle and was greeted by the servants. They directed them to the sitting room where James was waiting on them.

"I hope your trip here was a pleasant one. I'm so glad to see you here." James told his mom and dad. "I can't believe what you have done to this castle. I see you have your household in order." Kristen told James. 

"I wanted you to come and see the castle but to also let you know that I have found someone that I want to marry. I will introduce you to her if she accepts my proposal." James told Kristen. "I'm shocked you have found someone that fast. Are you sure that you love this girl?" Kristen asked James. "Yes, I really do love her. I have known her for a long time, and she's the sweetest girl. I want her to be my wife. I'm going to throw a ball, so you can meet her." James told her.

"Is she of noble blood or a princess?" she asked James. "Shes a princess to me, but no! Shes not; I want nothing to do with any princess again," James replied to his mom. "I can understand that, but I wish you would have kept the bloodline of full royalty. I hope she's at least of noble blood," she told him.

James came back to Amelia's room. "I have arranged a ball for you to be introduced to my parents," James told Amelia. "I'm so worried that they're not going to let me and you be together," she replied. "No worries, I will make it possible even if we have to run away together," James told Amelia.

Lady Molly and Lady Karen were in the garden. "I have heard that James has a big surprise for Amelia. He's going to surprise her tonight." Lady Molly told Lady Karen. "I hope he asks her to marry him. We all know he absolutely adores her." Lady Karen replied.

"Take a walk with me, Amelia," James asked as he grabbed hold of her hands. Amelia smiled up at James and replied, "I would love to."

Just as they passed the fountain, James dropped down on one knee and looked up at Amelia. "You know I love you with all my heart. I can't see a day go by without you by my side. Will you do me the honor and be my wife." James asked Amelia.

Amelia was speechless; she couldn't even respond immediately. James reached around into his back pocket and pulled something out, hiding it in his hand.

Finally, she managed to say yes. She was overjoyed with such emotions she hardly could believe this moment.

He held his hand out, and she placed her hand into his. He took a ring and slid it onto her finger.

"You have made me the happiest man alive," James told Amelia now with tears in her eyes with happiness.

James stood up and pulled Amelia into his arms. He leaned over and kissed her on her forehead. "You are always my Amelia," James told Amelia. 

Tragedy Strikes At James's Castle - Chapter Fifty Nine

The fireplace shot flames out, causing the room to catch on fire. It didn't take long for the flames to spread through the room.

The servants were doing their choirs when this happened. The flames blocked the path to the door, leaving them trapped. With no way out, everyone began to scream out for help in hopes someone would hear them.

The others only a few rooms down heard the explosion and their cries for help. They ran down the hallway to see flames and smoke coming from the door.

Mark went to open the door when flames shot from under the door burning his hands. While rest ran down the hall to get some water to put out the flames in hopes of saving the ones that were trapped.

As the fire spread through the room, a small explosion of flames shot out towards them. They put their hands up the shield their faces from the flames.

As they moved away from the flames, another explosion sent Lady Kristi running with pain from the heat and flames.

"You're on fire!" Steve shouted to Lady Kristi.

She turned to try to put the flames out that engulfed her dress; the rest began to panic. Steve tried to help her, but the fire was too out of control. 

The tapestry and the rugs went up in flames, fast separating them from Lady Kristi that was struggling with trying to put out her dress that was now engulfed with the flames.

Lady Kristi falls to the floor from the pain of her skin on fire. Her screams were so horrible, the others couldn't do anything to save her. They had to look away from the site of her dying. After a few minutes, she stopped and laid lifeless on the floor, still on fire.

Now the room was almost completely engulfed with the fire. Realizing that no one could help them in time, they tried to keep away from the flames as long as they could. This left them trapped in the corner of the room.

Smoke and the intense heat became too much. Lady Ann, Flo, and Steve all struggled to breathe as the smoke-filled their lungs.

One by one, they all collapsed to the floor and laid lifeless on the floor.

The flames were finally put out, and the rest was able to finally get to them. Sara bent down to check them to see if they were still alive. She checked each of them only to confirm that they all died. She noticed a pile of ash near the main part of the fire. As she looked closer, she realized it was what was left of Lady Kristi when she saw her ring.

They were buried beside each other in a small graveyard not far from the castle. They engraved their stones with their names. Lady Kristi, Flo, Steve, and Lady Ann.

Everyone attended their burial. To pay their respects.