"Amelia, eat your breakfast dear." My grandmother demanded as she gestured towards my plate. I looked up with sore eyes and began, "I don't know how any of you expect me to eat when I just found out you're all werewolves!" My father rolled his eyes and said, "Come on Amelia, don't be difficult in the mornings!" I quickly replied, "Maybe if you told me more about this 'ritual' I might not be so cranky!" I aggressively picked up my fork and shoved a bite into my mouth. I was still in my night gown so I needed to go change. I love that it's 1730, the fashion is so much more bearable than what I wore as a child. Corsets and fancy dresses all day every day. My maid, Miss Maya, laced up my corset strings and helped me with my dress. I have to make an appearance in front of the royal family today, they've found an interest in my family since apparently they know we're wolves too! I put on my dress, the color of a deep purple and black. Once Miss Maya finished curling my hair into tight ringlets I headed downstairs where my father and grandmother were awaiting me. "Finally Amelia, we've been waiting for you for a very long time now!" I giggled and my grandmothers remark and said, "Haven't I already asked you to call me Lia?" My father and grandma smiled as we headed to our carriage. I waved goodbye to our white mansion for the day. I hardly ever leave it, I mostly get to be in our garden, I love flowers so it's perfect for me, but I'm relieved that I can finally leave the mansion grounds!
. . .
[AT THE PALACE]
Father was greeted at the door by a few servants and guards. They quickly ran inside to alert the King of our arrival. I'm so excited, my first time out of the mansion and I get to meet Royals! They signaled the guards to let us in so we drove to the front doors where we'd be dropped off. I saw the royal family waiting at the top of the steps for us. The King, the Queen, and two Princes. One of the princes looked about my age, and the other looked slightly older than the others. (I'm 17 by the way) Grandmother stepped out first, then father, and finally, me. I looked around while I got out of the carriage, and when I turned back I made eye contact with the older prince! He smirked wickedly which gave me butterflies. Then the prince my age approached me with a dashing smile and said, "I'll show you around our castle while the adults chat!" I nodded my head and returned the smile. As I followed the prince and his brother, I turned back and glared at my dad...knowing exactly what they're going to talk about! I continued walking back as the prince leaned over and whispered, "They're talking about business, something about a peace treaty between us, (England) and France." I smiled and nodded my head. I quickly asked, "What's your name?" The prince laughed and answered, "How rude of me, my name is Thomas. That's my brother, James. Now what might your name be?" I took a breath and said, "Amelia Crescent, but please, call me Lia!" The prince gave a charming smirk and replied, "A pretty name for a pretty girl!" I blushed. After that he asked, "Would you like a beverage? Perhaps some tea?" I nodded and as soon as Thomas left his brother James appeared out of thin air and said, "Hello Amelia." I quickly curtsied and replied, "Tis' an honor to make your acquaintance my lord!" James laughed and said, "Amelia, please, I hate the bowing and fancy talking. Just speak to me as you would any normal man." My smile faded a little as I spoke up, "I actually do not speak to any men outside of my family." James looked at me very confused and replied, "What do you mean by that?" I said a cheerfully as I could, which wasn't that much, "I've never left my mansion home, except for today. The farthest I've ever been was to our garden right outside. So, as you can see, I don't know how to speak to a man such as yourself!" James seemed suspicious and a little concerned as he asked, "And why is that?" Before I had the chance to answer, Thomas thankfully came back with the tea. He poured me a cup and had everyone sit down. As we drank our tea James asked me, "So, Amelia, tell us about yourself. What's your life been like up until this point?" Thomas smiled as if to go along with it. I quickly smiled and answered, "I don't believe it's a very happy conversation to be told." Both James and Thomas looked at me confused. Thomas spoke up, "I believe it's worth hearing Amelia. We want to get to know you better, that way we'll be able to spend more time together...Since our fathers work together of course!" Nice save Thomas, nice save. I simply took another drink out of my teacup. James glared at me and said, "Why so shy Amelia? Don't want to share your life with your new friends?" I knew my father needed this job terribly, he's been so bored at the house constantly, so I finally caved, "Well, when I was only 6 months old my mother died from a sickness. I was kept cooped up in our house ever since, barely getting out. Then when I was 14 I began a rebellious faze that led to me being almost kidnapped and raped by a peasant man. And just three months ago I tried taking my own life, for reasons I'm uncomfortable with sharing. Then I found out a big family secret and I haven't really been the same ever since." Thomas grabbed my hand tightly and said, "I am so very sorry for what you have gone through, mine and James's deepest condolences." I smiled and replied, "Its very much alright, I'm doing fantastic now. My whole life to look forward too! Now, enough about me, would it be inappropriate to ask about both of your lives?" Thomas smiled and began, "Well, when James and I were young we played a game called football. You kick a round ball across a lawn and try to get the most points, it's quite fun actually. Then we went to a private school for 6 years together, and when we left we got a private tutor. James went off to fight in the wars for three years and just recently got back, and I spent my time studying to become a doctor, or at least have a medical record. That pretty much sums up our lives, wouldn't you agree James?" James smiled sarcastically and said, "But brother, aren't you forgetting something." Thomas and I looked at him confused as he continued, "I know Amelias big family secret! Care to elaborate for my baby brother Amelia?" I froze. I quickly started running, running as fast as my legs would take me until I found my father. I barged into the room and said, "We have to leave, NOW!" My father quickly said to the king, "I am so sorry your majesty. This will only take a moment..." I dragged him out of the room with me and he said, "What the hell is going on Amelia? Do you know how important that meeting is!" I began in a panic, "James and Thomas know about us! I don't know how, but they do. I think the King told them, nobody is supposed to know, that's what you told me!" Father put his hand on my shoulder and in a calmer voice replied, "I know sweetheart." "What?" "I know that King George's sons know about us. That was part of the deal I'm making!" I was in shock as I asked, "What deal?" My father took a deep breath before saying, "The royal family are werewolf hunters, Amelia. The deal I'm making ensures that no matter what, after we sign a paper, they won't hurt us or kill any of us, so long as we agree not to kill or hurt any of the innocent people in the city!" I was in a panicked. I'm so confused, how can this be? How do the royals know about werewolves, let alone that they're hunters? I felt the room grow black and everything began spinning...