Chapter 21: chapter 21

As Prince Caspian rode his steed through the dirt paths leading to Riverfield, his mind lingered on his recent argument with his father. The heaviness of duty and his father's stubbornness weighed him down, but he sought solace in the tranquility of the countryside.Beside him, Felix guided his own horse with care, watching the prince out of the corner of his eye. After a stretch of silence, he spoke, his voice steady but considerate.“My prince, we should stop and let the horses rest. They’ve been riding hard since morning. A meal and water will do them good before we head for the mountains.”Caspian slowed his horse, casting a glance toward Felix. His hardened expression softened slightly, and he gave a small nod.“You’re right, Felix,” he admitted. “And truthfully, we could use the rest ourselves. I haven’t eaten since dawn… and my stomach doesn’t seem to care that I’m royalty.”A faint smile touched Felix’s lips.Caspian smirked lightly. “Especially before climbing mountains.”They strayed from the main path toward a shaded patch near a brook just outside Riverfield. When they approached the edge of the bustling village, they dismounted and guided their horses to the stable beside the local inn, making sure the animals were fed and given time to rest.As Felix tended to the horses, the air grew rich with the scent of wild herbs and distant chimney smoke. For a fleeting moment—far from the burden of the crown and the icy gaze of King Magnus—there was peace. Delicate, temporary, but undeniably real.Leaving his horse behind, Caspian walked the village road, his boots crunching softly on the dirt path. The sights and sounds of the market filled his senses—vendors haggling, children laughing, and the warm aroma of fresh bread wafting through the air. As he moved through the market, his eyes fell on a young woman standing at a vegetable vendor’s stall.For a moment, his stride faltered. It was her. The girl he had met during the grand ball, the one whose beauty had captivated him then and did so now. But as he observed her in the simplicity of her surroundings, surprise flickered across his face. She’s not a noblewoman? A village girl? How could someone from such humble roots look so… ethereal?Caspian’s curiosity got the better of him. He began to follow her, weaving through the crowd until he stood right next to her at the vendor's stall. Amelia, sensing someone beside her, turned her head slightly. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him. The same man who had cornered her during the ball, his sharp eyes and confident smirk unforgettable. A shadow fell over her face, and her chest tightened with unease.She immediately looked away, her mind racing for an excuse. “Sir,” she said quickly to the vendor, “I’ll return shortly. I need to check something.” She turned on her heel and took a few hurried steps away when a voice behind her stopped her in her tracks.“Wait, my lady.”Amelia froze, reluctantly turning to face him. His piercing gaze met hers, amusement flickering in his expression.“You remember me, don’t you?” he asked, his voice smooth and confident.She clenched her fists, willing herself to remain calm. “No,” she lied, her tone steady despite her unease. “I don’t. Who are you exactly?”Caspian chuckled softly, tilting his head. “Really? By the startled look on your face, I thought for sure you recognized me.”“I’m afraid you’re mistaken, sir,” she said, feigning indifference. “I don’t know you, and I’m certain I’ve never seen you before. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to attend to.” She turned to leave again, hoping he would let her go.But Caspian stepped in stride beside her, his presence unnervingly close. “At least tell me your name,” he said.“Why should I?” Amelia snapped, her annoyance bubbling to the surface. “I’ve already told you, I don’t know you.”“Well,” Caspian replied with a playful smirk, “if you tell me your name and I tell you mine, then we’ll know each other."Amelia shot him a sharp look, her patience wearing thin. “Will you please stop this?”“Stop what?” Caspian asked innocently, though the glint in his eyes suggested he knew exactly what he was doing.“Stop following me!” she said, her voice rising slightly.Caspian placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. “Following you? My lady, I assure you, I’m simply walking my way. This just happens to be my way.”Amelia’s cheeks flushed with anger. She stopped abruptly, her fiery gaze fixed on him. “You are insufferable,” she said through gritted teeth before storming off toward her father’s shop.Caspian stood where she left him, watching her retreat with a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. She is something else, he thought to himself, amusement and intrigue sparking within him.As Amelia disappeared into the distance, Caspian lingered for a moment longer, wondering what it was about her that made her so unforgettable. Then, turning back to the bustling market, he resolved to uncover the mystery of the village girl who had captured his attention so completely.