Note to reader: I may incorporate this into my 16th Century style work previously published on Wattpad.

"Are you well?"

Silence followed.

"My lady, are you well?"

"Oh do speak up, Amelia!"

"Hmm, sorry father. Yes, Edric, I am well."

Edric walked away, seemingly unimpressed with my daydreaming.

"That was rather rude of you, Amelia," my father muttered whilst pretending to watch the acrobats and jugglers in the middle of the hall.

I stabbed my fork into a juicy tomato and watched the red liquid ooze out. "You insist on bringing me to these banquets, father. I do not have to pretend to enjoy them." Stuffing the tomato into my mouth, I swiftly looked around the room.

"I insist on upholding our rightful position, as the King's family it is expected."

"That may be, but I would have been reading a good book by a nice fire, these halls aren't exactly what you would call homely."

Father knew I did not enjoy being paraded every holiday to the gentry of the court, he knew even better than to insist I put on a smile to act as though I am happy.

To the right of our table was a raucous applaud from a small crowd of men, it wasn't clear what they were doing but it definitely involved a lot of ale and mead. A small smirk crept across my face before I penetrated the crispy skin of my chicken breast.

The air in the banquet was more warming than it had been of late, with the absence of one man: Felix; he was commanding an army in the North against some rebellion or other. The last anyone had heard of them was they had driven the fight towards the western coast, no messengers had been sent since. His absence had been noted by everyone, resulting in the absence of bitterness.

Felix was a force to himself, a Knight but of his own calibre too. He was known for his anger and rage, especially when confronted. Yet his seat remained empty for months now.

I looked up, noting the change of entertainers. The tempo of the music changed and everyone cheered. I felt a nudge on my left elbow and swiftly rose to my feet as my father had, grabbing my goblet as I did so.

The hall fell quiet. A small declaration was made as my cousin and his wife entered through the grand wooden doors to the left.

"Lords and ladies, thank you for celebrating with us both tonight," my cousin spoke as they step in front of their seats, much more splendid and cushioned. "May we celebrate the continuing of the Einar line!" he proclaimed, as his wife gestured she was bearing a royal child. The room filled with cheer and everyone toasted. She then whispered into his ear and Richard signalled for all to quieten again. "And we hope soon our royal cousins join us in celebrations."

My father raised his goblet, "Congratulations, your majesties. May your heir be the prince we all pray for." Biting the inside of my lip, I hoped this would end soon. "And for a union of my daughter, Amelia to a worthy suitor."

Another cheer, although louder from the right of the room, all took a swig of their drinks and the celebrations continued.

I knew this day was fast approaching; the day my eligibility would be declared to the whole world. What would indeed follow soon after tonight would be nothing short of unbearable. Letters, flowers, trinkets and favours, all to win my hand in marriage. As if I had much of a say in who would win this game of fate.

"This will simply not stand, Amelia!" my father shouted as yet I sent another suitor storming from our manor.

"You don't understand, father," I began.

"You cannot send away every young man who visits." He slumped down in his armchair.

Spinning on the spot, I pleaded with him. "I can if I feel they're disrespect towards me before even uttering a word."

"You don't expect me to believe that again." The disbelief in his voice was all too clear.

It is true I have had a reason to dismiss five men from my home but not without reason. "Father, I will not be treated like some petty where! I deserve just as much respect as Kathy does, more so if I am worth anything to you and Richard!"

"What did this one do this time? Hmmm..." Father dropped his hand onto the arm of his chair and looked at me in bewilderment.

Shaking my head, eyes closed, I through my arms wide open. "He tried to kiss me, father." He tried to interrupt. "After! He eyed me up like the freshest hunted deer. There."

Rolling his eyes, he stood to his feet. "I see, and yet you will not allow me to chaperone you." He turned and walked away. "Your mother would not approve," I heard him mutter.

"Mother isn't here." And with a swift lift of my dress, I also left the small room.

Weeks went by without another suitor. I was grateful to have my peace back. The late spring stormy season had arrived which only meant the summer festivities would soon begin. Sitting on my cushioned window ledge, I stroked my fluffy black cat, Azrael, he had his eyes closed and was purring away.

"It must be nice being a cat," I said to him. "You can come and go as you please, sleep most of the day, chase mice, curl up wherever you want." I often spoke to him as if he could understand me.

Azrael stretched his back, digging his front class into the cushion, hopped down onto the stone floor and sauntered off into the rest of the mansion.

Now sitting alone, I pondered on my options, watching rain splatter on my lead framed windows. On one hand, I could just pick a suitor and hope things worked out; on the other, I didn't want to be stuck with someone who would only act the part of a loving husband. Richard seemed all too keen to have me married off.

Richard had been king for three years now, following my uncle's passing, and married for seven. Kathy had been an acquaintance of mine for awhile and met my cousin through another mutual friend of ours. They married months after that first meeting. Being slightly younger, my fate would not be fulfilled for awhile with one king dying and another to be crowned, it led to a period of bliss whereby I seemed forgotten to the outside world. I did enjoy my own company, or that of the few friends I kept in touch with. I was hoping the anticipation and arrival of a new heir would bring back a similar atmosphere.

Richard had ordered me to court. I was not happy. I attended of course, anticipating what he may say to me. Standing amongst my peers, I listened to the other ladies discuss the royal baby.

"I am sure it is a boy, have you seen the way she is carrying?" Lady Randall whispered into our circle. She was a beautiful woman, ten years older than myself and married quite young.

"Well, you would know just by looking, Tess," Lady Musgrove kindly commented. "How many do you have now? Four?!"

We all chuckled. Indeed Tess did have her hands full when she was home on the Randall estate. "I was so glad to have my little Beth on my last. I couldn't bear the thought of another boy. Four is bad enough, if you count their father." Another giggle filled our space.

"What of you, Lady Lambert? Have you had many suitors yet?" one of them asked me.

"Ladies, if I so much as hear of another visitor to Dovegrove, I will scream." And before I could say anymore, the herald called for me. "Excuse me, ladies."

The members of the court parted, giving me a clear line to the opened double walnut doors. Most gentlemen bowed their heads but it was not expected, only being the King's cousin.

"Amelia!" Richard exploded in glee. "I am so happy you came."

"You didn't give me much choice, my lord," I said as I curtsied. "May we speak more privately?" I requested.

"Of course." I was glad he accepted. Richard grabbed my hand and pulled me into the room adjacent to the court room. "My dear cousin, your father is most upset with you."

"Richard, this is between me and father, you..."

"You are making things very difficult, almost to a point I may have to use my power over you, as head of our family." We had been so close as children, almost like siblings since we were both lacking real ones.

"Richard, I am begging you to let me choose. Do you remember what happened to Princess Bianca? I will not have the same fate."

"We are at war with northern rebels and you want me to pretend you will be safe forever? Amelia, you are like a sister to me but staying unmarried will not help me protect you." Richard had begun to pace haphazardly around the room, whilst I kept turning to keep facing him. "If you cannot make a choice, you will leave your father and I with little choice. Questions of your position may arise, although I think they may have started."

I swept my hand through the air as though to sweep away a fly. "You would listen to rumour over your own blood?"

He swiftly stepped in front of me and took my hands, cupping them between his own. "I know you do not seek it, but you are in line to inherit my crown. Unless you marry strategically." Our eyes met and his sincerity for my safety washed over his features. "What do you want?"

"Surely my position is safer being unmarried." My voice cracked towards the end of my words.

"You could be forced into a union that could benefit an enemy." I ripped my hands from his slight hold. "We want you to be happy. I... want to see you happy. This once, please listen to your father."

I hesitated. The truth is... I was afraid of marrying, knowing the position I carry could be so easily manipulated. "I will try, cousin."