Chapter 22: chapter 22

After Amelia left her father’s shop, a tall young man entered. The faint jingle of the doorbell echoed softly in the small wooden space, followed by the crisp shuffle of boots against the floor. Caspian glanced around briefly, his sharp features betraying a sense of purpose as he approached the counter where Amelia’s father was arranging some freshly chopped firewood for another customer.The man behind the counter, with silver-threaded hair and a face etched by years of hard work, looked up and greeted him with a polite smile. Before Caspian could speak, the older man finished assisting the customer, then turned his full attention to the newcomer.“Good afternoon, sir. Can I buy some firewood?” Caspian asked, his voice steady, though there was a certain unease in his eyes.Amelia’s father nodded. “How much are you looking to buy?”“Just enough for a few days,” Caspian replied casually. “We’re camped not too far from here, and the nights have been colder than expected.”As the older man began gathering the requested firewood, Caspian hesitated briefly, then added, “Sir, if you don’t mind me asking… who was the young woman who came to your shop just before me?”The question hung in the air, and Amelia’s father froze for a fraction of a second before straightening up. His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to face Caspian, his expression shifting from warmth to wariness. “Why are you asking about her?”Caspian quickly raised his hands, palms outward, in a gesture of reassurance. “I know her. We met before—at the Grand Ball. But I didn’t have the chance to learn her name.”The man’s eyes darkened with suspicion as he leaned his weight against the counter. “Are you from a noble family, then?”There was a moment of hesitation before Caspian answered. “Yes. My father is the Duke of Aldmoor.”Amelia’s father’s gaze swept over him, scrutinizing every detail, from the finely tailored edges of his coat to the polished leather of his boots. Finally, he spoke, his tone guarded. “The girl you saw before was my daughter.” His voice carried an undercurrent of warning. “What business do you have with her?”Caspian visibly stiffened, his confidence faltering. “I—I don’t have any business with her,” he stammered, then quickly added, “I was just curious. That’s all.”The older man’s eyes bore into him, his intense stare unrelenting. “Sometimes,” he said slowly, his voice dropping to a low, deliberate tone, “over-curiosity can lead to trouble, my lord. It would be better for you to drop this… curiosity.”Caspian forced a nervous chuckle, attempting to mask his unease. “Of course, sir. I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for the firewood. It was a pleasure meeting you.”Amelia’s father stepped back, his expression unreadable. “No need to thank me. You paid for it, after all.”Without another word, Caspian picked up the bundled firewood and exited the shop quickly, the jingle of the bell marking his departure. Outside, he paused for a moment, glancing back at the shop before shaking his head and walked away.Amelia trudged along the snowy path, her boots crunching against the thick layer of frost. The air was crisp, her breath forming soft puffs that dissolved into the winter stillness. Around her, the forest stretched out in serene whiteness, yet her mind was too preoccupied, weighed down by uneasy thoughts.Why are the soldiers here? she wondered, her eyes scanning the treetops that swayed gently in the winter breeze. Are they here to destroy the forest? Her heart clenched at the memory of what had happened a few years ago—the soldiers had invaded, cutting down trees and laying waste to the village. Families were left broken, livelihoods destroyed. If that happens again, we’ll all suffer.But why? What reason could they have to invade the forest again? The question gnawed at her, clouding her thoughts with worry and fear.Lost in thought, Amelia nearly missed the figure standing off to the side of the path. Her gaze caught movement, and her heart skipped a beat as her eyes focused. It was Ivar, leaning casually against the trunk of a tree, his form partially shrouded by the branches. His dark cloak blended with the shadows, but his piercing eyes were unmistakable.As she approached, he stepped forward, his movements fluid and deliberate, as if he’d been waiting for her all along.Amelia stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you here?” she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.Ivar’s lips curled into a faint smile. “I’m here for you.”Her heart raced at his words, though she quickly masked it with a frown. “For me? Why?”Ivar held her gaze for a moment, the intensity of his eyes making her stomach twist. “You were angry with me that day in the forest,” he said finally, his tone soft but unwavering. “You didn’t get your answer.”Amelia crossed her arms, the memory of their last encounter flooding back. “So, are you here to answer me now?”Ivar’s expression shifted, a hint of sorrow flickering across his face. “You wouldn’t understand if I told you,” he said, his voice low.His words only fueled her frustration. “Why wouldn’t I understand?” she snapped. “You owe me an explanation, Ivar. You can’t just appear and disappear whenever you want and leave me in the dark.”He took a step closer, his presence commanding yet strangely gentle. “Because the truth isn’t something you can simply hear. You have to see it, feel it. And even then, it’s not easy to accept.”Amelia’s breath caught, her anger giving way to confusion. “What does that even mean?” she asked, her voice quieter now.