The princess made her way through the palace checking to make sure that everything was perfect for when her guest arrived. Lina and Gourry were off chasing bandits and her father, Prince Philionel, was away travelling in secret, so it would be just her and her guest, alone. He normally didn't venture into cities, but she had insisted that he was welcome to stay at the palace anytime and he finally decided to accept her invitation.
"Your highness, your guest has arrived," stated one of the palace attendants, startling her out of her thoughts.
"Thank you, was he shown to the library as I asked."
"Yes, we also took the liberty of placing his belongings in the rooms you had prepared for him."
"Very good Randolph."
Randolph bowed his thanks and left to attend his other duties. The princess felt a sense of nervousness overtook her at the prospect of seeing visitor again after nearly a year and a half.
"What if he's changed, what if we have nothing to talk about?" she thought. All of Ameila's dreams of seeing him, holding him and hoping that all her fantasies could somehow break the surface of reality had been running through her mind at a frantic pace. But her doubts and fears had resurfaced as well the moment she heard that he had decided to except her long-standing invitation. She decided to push those thoughts aside as she made her way to the palace library were the object of her long held affections waited.
Zelgadis had found an interesting book on customized spells and made himself comfortable in a large cushioned chair in front of a huge window, and waited. He idly flipped through the books pages, not taking in the words that lay on them. His thoughts kept drifting back to his current situation, Sailunne, the palace and in particular Amelia. He could have done this without staying here, probably should have considered the prospects that lay ahead could very easily fall through as so many others had in the past. He had heard that there was a wizard in the area that could help him find a way to change him back to normal, something he had to investigate to see if there was any truth to it.
"But was it a good idea to except Amelia's invitation," he thought closing the book and laying it on a small table beside him. He didn't want to get anyone's hopes up if this turned out to be another dead end.
"If your thinking of changing you mind and leaving, forget about it," came a familiar voice from across the room, which also seemed to be coming closer.
Zelgadis looked up to see Amelia walking over to him with a concerned expression on her face.
"She's really changed," he thought taking in her appearance fully as she sat in the chair across from him. The princess had grown a few inches taller and her hair was a little longer, from the last time he had seen her.
"And what makes you say that," he asked adjusting his position to face her more directly.
"The look on your face," she said crossing her legs. " You always get the same expression on your face when you think of leaving everyone behind and going off on your own. I guess some things just don't change about people." Zelgadis couldn't help but crack a slight smile Amelia's words.
Ameila couldn't help but notice him smiling. A rare wonderment that always made her heart beat a little faster when she saw it. She was thankful that their conversation hadn't started off so awkwardly.
"As much as I'd like to think it, I know your visit to Sailunne was not to see the palace and tour the city, what brings you here?"
She wanted to say, "to see me" but she had caught the thought before it was able to escape her lips.
"The same thing I've been looking for, the possibility of a cure for what Rezo did to me." then he began to explain about the information he had optained to Amelia's attentive ear.
Zelgadis had noticed something else different about Amelia aside from her physical changes as he discussed his current circumstances. She seemed calmer and a little more posed unlike before were she was hyper with an overload of energy and optimism.
"Now she seems more ... collected." he thought as he finished recapping the events that had lead up to this point.
Amelia had almost forgotten how smooth and sexy Zelgadis's voice was. Listening to him talk was like eating her favorite candy, both made her feel wonderful inside. As much as Amelia liked were her thoughts were going she put them to a halt and focus on the matter at hand. "I'll save thoughts like that for later" she told herself.
"I can have some inquires made to see if this wizard is in the area?" She asked.
"You don't have to do that I had just planned to ask around myself."
"But you've only been here once or twice Zel, you don't even know where to begin looking for this guy. And ... what's wrong?"
Zelgadis looked at her with surprised expression.
"Did you ... just call me Zel?" he asked.
"I guess so, why?"
"Well, you usually call me Zelgadis, not Zel like Lina does."
Amelia stared at him for a moment surprised that he even noticed the difference.
"Do you mind?"
"No, I just noticed the difference is all. I didn't mean to make it seem like it was a big deal," he added as his face colored slightly in embarrassment.
Amelia couldn't help but let out a little giggle as she watched him blush.
"What's so funny?" he asked looking up at her.
"Nothing, " she said fighting back the fits of laughter that wanted to erupt from her body. Amelia cleared her throat in an effort to regain her composure when Randolph entered the library. "Princess, would you and Mr. Zelgadis like to take your dinner now?"
Amelia turned her attention from Randolph to Zelgadis.
"Are you hungry Zelgadis?"
"Very actually, it's been a long trip?"
"Will you be eating in here?" Randolph interjected.
"Yes, just have everything brought in when its finished."
"Of course," then Randolph bowed politely to the two and left the library.
Amelia and Zelgadis had a wide variety of dishes to choose from when dinner was finally served as well as to Zelgadis's surprise very stimulating conversation. After dinner Amelia decided to show Zelgadis to his room. It was huge room with a large balcony that gave a beautiful view of the eastern part of Sailunne as well as the countryside that lay beyond.
When Zelgadis looked around his new room he quickly noted that his things had been put away and marveled at the large four poster bed made from very detailed carved Redwood that was in front of him.
"This is very nice," he said as he further took in the room's every dimension.
"I'm glad you like it. The balconies in this wing of the palace have the best overlook of the city, at least I think so."
"You didn't have to have my things put away for me Amelia."
"It wasn't any trouble and besides I wanted to make sure you were comfortable." She smiled over at him as she over to the balcony and opened its large, stained glass doors to let in the late afternoon air.
"I appreciate that, thank you Amelia."
Somehow without her noticing it he had managed to walk out on the balcony and tell her his thanks. The combination of his voice, nearness to her and the warmth of his breath on her skin made the princess want to pass out from how wonderful she felt. She turned to thank him for his compliment of her efforts when she found herself caught in an unexpected kiss.
Amelia stood for what felt like an eternity. She didn't move, she didn't breath; she didn't want to do anything that would ruin what she felt was the most wonderful moment in her entire life. She found courage to lean in just a little to deepen the kiss, and was surprised when he responded.
Zelgadis stood completely frozen. He didn't realize he was standing that close to her until she turned and her lips met his. "She's going to get the wrong Idea. She's going to think I did this on purpose. She's ..." Then he felt her lean forward deepening the kiss. Zelgadis opened his mouth in surprise to her actions, which only resulted in prolonging the moment even further.
His lips felt surprising warm and gentle against hers. Amelia thought she could have stayed like this forever, but decided she should break the kiss before he regained his senses and with that she reluctantly pulled away from him.
"Zelgadis, I didn't mean to um ... " she started realizing that he may feel really awkward about what just happened.
"No, I should apologize, I didn't mean to ... stand so close to." with each word that escaped his lips Zelgadis turned a deeper shade of red. By the time he almost finished Amelia thought her looked like one of Lina's fireballs.
"I'd better let him off the hook before this gets out of hand." she thought.
"Look Zelgadis, it was an accident it could have happened to anyone, don't worry about it."
Zelgadis looked at her with relief that she wasn't angry about the kiss.
"Are you sure you not mad?" he asked just to be certain.
"Positive," she smiled as she walked off the balcony. "It's getting late, I'll see you at breakfast and then we'll start looking for that wizard, okay?"
"Amelia, you don't have to help ... " he started thankful for the change of subject.
"I want to help," she interrupted. "And like I said before I know this city better than you do so no more discussion about it, goodnight," she laughed lightly as she left the room.
Zelgadis stared at the door for a few moments after Amelia left, when it suddenly opened again. Amelia popped her head through the crack in the door and smiled.
"Oh and another thing, you're a good kisser Zelgadis, maybe next time you'll but even more effort into it, night."
This time as she left Zelgadis heard her footsteps retreat down the hall. He walked over to his bed and removed his boots, mulling over her words.
"Goodnight, Amelia." he said.
Then something else occurred to him.
"Hey, what did she MEAN Next time?"
As you can see I am one of the few otaku out there who feels that Amelia and Zel could make a pretty good couple. I hoped you liked the story. Comments and so forth can be sent to me Here!
Thanks for Reading!