Amelia was starting to get a headache. First she'd been having troubles because she'd had too many suitors. Now the Council was in an uproar because she didn't have any. Any hint of the word 'Dragon Spooker' and any potential suitors vanished. 

She was starting to wish that the same would happen to some of the Council members. It would make her life a lot easier. 

Her Father sat above them all, arms crossed as he watched the verbal exchanges flying, his grin hidden by his mustache. He was leaving this battle up to her as it was good training for dealing with the Council when she took on more responsibility. 

She loved her father dearly, but every so often she just wanted to kick him in the shins or something. Right now 'or something' was looking a lot better. 

"It just isn't right." One of the older council members snapped. "It doesn't do well at all if it looks like our Princess has run off every potential suitor that has looked our way! We don't need this sort of reputation for the Princess of Saillune."

Princesses did not roll their eyes. So Amelia did not roll her eyes. Though not for lack of wanting. "Their leaving just proves that they were not true knights of Justice." She retorted. "A true Champion of Justice would not shy away from such a minor challenge!"

After all, she traveled with Lina-san constantly and she was still in one piece. Anyone with much of a brain would realize that Lina-san would only Fireball someone asking if she had Amelia's permission. Well, Amelia hoped so anyway. It was hard to tell sometimes...

"It is in the Future of Saillune's best interest to see it's royal lineage continued." Someone on the other side snapped. "I don't care if that means you kiss the next person who walks through those doors as long as it means that you're at least -dating- someone!"

"That's not fair!" Amelia snapped, her temper fraying. She was aware that it probably sounded pretty childish, but she couldn't think of anything else at the moment.

As if on cue, the doors opened. Everyone turned to look as Zelgadis attempted to sneak unobtrusively into the room. He froze as he realised everyone's gaze was on him. 

"Sorry to interrupt." He apologised. "I need to borrow Amelia for a moment. Lina's attempting to dress Gourry in drag. Again."

"Never mind!" Amelia chirped, her attitude pulling a sudden 180. "That'll work!"

There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone stared. 

It was broken as Prince Phil started to roar with laughter. Then the Council members started to shout.

"HIM?! But... But..."

"He's not Royalty! Or of noble rank!"

"His Great-grandfather was Rezo the Red Priest." Amelia cheered, gleefully shooting down that argument.

"He's not human!"

"His Great-grandfather Rezo turned into a chimera! He's still human!"

"He's made of stone!"

"That makes him all the harder to kill! And a good protector!"

"He's- he's..."

"A White Mage as well as a Shamanist and Master Swordsman. He can even beat Tousan in a fight!"

" .... " The Council's eyes all turned to the Prince. 

Zelgadis sweatdropped and attempted to blend into the stone work. Accidentally Flare Arrowing Prince Phil was not one of his more fond memories.

"He did." Phil nodded, somehow managing to look serious despite the mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"!!!!"

"I've also traveled with him for several years and can vouch for him as a True Defender of Justice!"

"I see no problems with the arrangement." Phil added. "We could do a lot worse. It's official then!" The loud bang of Phil's fist against the desk silenced any more arguments from the Council.

Zelgadis stepped closer to the princess, wondering what he had just stepped into. "Ano... Amelia?" 

"Hai, Zelgadis-san?" 

"What just happened?"

Amelia twinkled at him, then lean up on her tip toes to give him a peck on the cheek. "We're now dating."

"Oh."

Zelgadis took a moment to process this, then fell over backwards in a dead faint.

Amelia blinked, wondering if this was a good reaction or not.

"We'll just inform him when he wakes up that he needs to ask Lina Inverse when he wakes up to finish making it official!" Phil cheered, looking highly amused by the outcome. "Meeting Adjourned!"

Fin.