Chapter 20: chapter 20

Amelia’s thoughts churned restlessly as she walked to her father’s shop with the lunch her mother had prepared. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the memory of Ivar. His piercing gaze and the aura of mystery surrounding him kept pulling her back, even when she resolved to sever all ties. What was he hiding? she wondered, the question clawing at her resolve. Shaking her head, she pushed the thought aside.Her father’s shop was bustling with activity when she arrived. A handful of customers were engaged in animated discussions about market prices and the latest gossip. Amelia quietly placed the packed lunch on the wooden counter and called out, “Father, your lunch is here. I’m heading to get the groceries now.”He glanced at her briefly while attending to a customer. “Thank you, Amelia. Be careful on your way,” he said distractedly.Nodding, she stepped out into the chilled afternoon air. The market wasn’t far, but as she turned the corner, a commotion caught her attention. A line of soldiers, clad in gleaming armor, marched with precision toward the mountains that loomed in the distance. The rhythmic clinking of metal and the heavy thud of boots on the cobblestones echoed in the streets.Amelia paused, intrigued. A few townsfolk had gathered to watch, their whispers rippling through the air like an undercurrent. She approached an older woman standing nearby, her eyes fixed on the procession.“What’s happening? Why are they heading to the mountains?” Amelia asked.The woman shrugged, her face a mix of curiosity and worry. “I don’t know, child. They’ve been gathering since morning. Only the gods know what for.”Amelia’s heart tightened. The forest had always been a place shrouded in tales of danger and mystery, a land where men often ventured but seldom returned. She watched the soldiers until they disappeared into the horizon, a sense of unease creeping over her.---Meanwhile, in the grandeur of the royal castle, tensions simmered. Prince Caspian stood rigid, his fists clenched as he confronted his father, King Magnus. The Queen sat gracefully beside the King, her expression unreadable, while ministers lined the chamber in silence. Among them stood Aron, watchful and tense.“Father, this is madness,” Caspian said, his voice firm but edged with desperation. “There is no logic in sending the entire troop into that forest. Do you not remember the lives we’ve already lost? Our bravest men, gone! If we continue this folly, we’ll weaken our defenses. The kingdom cannot afford such a loss.”The Queen objected, her voice laced with concern. “Prince Caspian, this is no way to speak to the King.”But before she could say more, King Magnus raised a firm hand, silencing her with a simple gesture. His eyes remained fixed on his son.The King, seated on his ornate throne, regarded his son with a hardened gaze. His hands rested firmly on the armrests as he leaned forward. “You speak of logic, Caspian, but you lack vision. I am doing this for us—for you! If we succeed, we will wield a power beyond imagination, power that will secure our reign for generations.”Caspian’s eyes burned with frustration. “At what cost? The forest holds nothing but death and despair. You’re gambling the safety of the kingdom on myths and whispers. If our enemies learn of our dwindling army, they’ll attack. Do you not see the danger in this? More people will die.Magnus’s voice grew cold, cutting through the air like a blade. “Enough! You will not question my decisions. I have made up my mind. You speak of danger, but the true danger lies in doing nothing. I will not squander this opportunity.”“Opportunity?” Caspian snapped, stepping closer to his father. “This obsession will leave us vulnerable. You are risking everything—our people, our strength—for something that might not even exist!”Magnus rose from his throne, towering over his son. “I do this because I must. Because I am king. And if you cannot support me, then stay out of my way.”Caspian stared at his father, his chest heaving with restrained anger. For a moment, the room fell silent, the weight of their argument hanging heavy between them. Finally, he turned on his heel and strode toward the door, his voice low but resolute.“You may be king, but your choices will destroy us. And when that time comes, I hope you are prepared to face the consequences.”Queen Rosaline’s lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile as the King dismissed Caspian’s bold words with cold indifference. She turned slightly toward the prince, her voice smooth but laced with veiled reproach.“You should stand by your father, Caspian,” she said, her tone calm yet firm. “That is what is expected of a crown prince. Loyalty. Obedience. If you continue to behave in this reckless manner, you may force your father to reconsider his decisions—decisions that favor your future, dear son.”Caspian's eyes narrowed, the flicker of restrained defiance burning in his gaze. He took a slow breath before responding, his voice steady but edged with quiet sarcasm.“My queen,” he began, “how deeply concerned you seem for my well-being. It's touching, truly.” He stepped forward, his eyes briefly meeting hers. “But rest assured, I will do everything in my power to ensure the King does not change his mind. Not for your sake, nor out of fear—but because I believe in what is right. Even if I must walk that path alone.”A tense silence followed his words, as if the very walls of the throne hall had drawn breath and held it. Queen Rosaline’s expression froze, her smile fading ever so slightly. Yet she said nothing more, for Caspian’s resolve was no longer something she could casually dismiss.As Caspian left the hall, the heavy doors closing behind him, King Magnus sat back down, his expression unreadable.Felix, the right-hand man of Caspian, hurried after him as the heavy doors of the throne hall shut behind them with a resounding thud. The tension inside still clung to the air like smoke, but the prince walked briskly, his steps unwavering.“My prince,” Felix called, quickening his pace to match Caspian’s long strides. “Where are you going?”Caspian didn’t slow down. “To the Northern Mountains,” he said simply, his voice low and resolute.Felix frowned. “But… we haven’t received orders to move, not yet. The King hasn’t given his word. We should wait, Caspian.”At that, Caspian stopped by the stables. Without turning to face him, he placed a gloved hand on the saddle and spoke, his tone sharper now. “Then you can stay and wait, Felix.”With practiced ease, he mounted his horse, his eyes fixed on the horizon beyond the castle walls. The wind caught the edge of his cloak as he gripped the reins and gave them a pull.Felix stepped forward, his voice rising with urgency. “My prince—!”But Caspian was already riding out.For a moment, Felix stood frozen, torn between duty and friendship. Then, with a frustrated exhale, he muttered to himself, “You reckless fool…”He mounted another horse in one swift motion and urged it forward, galloping after Caspian. The thunder of hooves echoed through the castle grounds as the two disappeared into the fading light, leaving behind the safety of stone walls for the unknown dangers of the North.