Amelia couldnât understand what Ivar was trying to say. His words flew over her head like the wind brushing past the leaves. She frowned, unsure of how to respond, and decided it would be better to change the topic. "Did you hear? Soldiers are gathering on the northern mountain. They might invade the forest soon. I saw them on my way here," she said, glancing at him.They both began to walk, the silence between them heavy. Ivar finally replied, "Yes, I saw them."Ameliaâs brows furrowed, frustration bubbling within her. "What do they even want? I donât understand their motive. Last time, they destroyed our whole village." Her voice wavered with the memory.Ivar suddenly stopped, turning to her. His intense gaze fixed on her, and he called her name. "Amelia."Startled, she looked at him. "Yes?""A reckoning is near," he said, his tone low and deliberate. "People are going to suffer because of it. Will you promise me something?"The seriousness in his voice made her pause. She searched his eyes, seeing a quiet intensity that made her chest tighten. "Yes," she said softly."Promise me you will keep yourself safe. Donât wander into the forest until itâs over," he said, his voice firm.Amelia stayed quiet for a moment, her gaze dropping to the ground. She felt a knot of unease forming in her chest. Finally, she spoke, her tone firm but tinged with concern. "You should be the one who should be protected. You live in that forest. You should leave the place until the war is over. Do you have someone you can stay with?"Ivarâs lips curved into a faint smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Hmmm... I can sense something here. Are you worried about me?"Ameliaâs cheeks flushed as she quickly turned her gaze away. "Iâm worried about the whole village, including you," she said, her voice defensive. "Donât make things in your head."Ivar chuckled, his laughter warm and teasing. "Iâve already made up things in my head, and you canât stop me from doing that."Amelia opened her mouth to retort but found herself at a loss for words. How does he twist my words so effortlessly? she thought, frustration bubbling within her. Before she could respond, Ivar continued, his tone shifting."You might not see me for a while," he said, his voice quieter now. "Donât go into the forest to find me. Just miss me from home."Her face turned red with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "Youâre really something," she snapped. "Donât tell me what to do. Iâll do whatever I want." Saying this, she started to walk ahead, trying to distance herself from him.But before she could get far, Ivar reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her back toward him. Amelia gasped, startled by the sudden closeness. She looked up at him, her heart racing. His grip was firm yet gentle, his eyes boring into hers."You will do as I said," he said, his voice steady and commanding. "And when this chaos is over, I will tell you about my secrets, the ones youâre so eager to know. Do we have a deal?"Ameliaâs breath hitched, and her eyes widened. For a moment, she couldnât find her voice. Then, her lips curled into a small, hesitant smile. "Do you promise me that? Youâre not going to break your promise afterward, right?"Ivar smiled, his expression softening. "No. If I live."Her face darkened, a sudden weight settling on her chest. "You will live," she said firmly, her voice trembling with emotion. "You have to. You have to tell me your secrets."Ivarâs smile widened slightly, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Your home is near," he said, his voice gentle now. "I will take my leave. Youâll be in trouble if your mother sees you with me. Go home safely."Amelia looked at him, her chest tightening with an unfamiliar ache. Somewhere deep in her heart, she felt a strange, inexplicable painâa feeling she had never experienced before. She watched as Ivar turned and disappeared into the woods, leaving her standing there, her thoughts swirling in the cool evening air.When Amelia reached home, the first thing she noticed was her mother standing by the doorway, her face etched with worry. Alexis's eyes scanned her daughter from head to toe, relief washing over her features as Amelia stepped inside."What took you so long?" Alexis asked, her voice tinged with both irritation and concern. "Why are you always late these days?"Amelia sighed, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "There were soldiers all over the market," she explained. "I couldnât even buy the groceries properly."Her motherâs brows knitted together as she grabbed Ameliaâs hands and gently pulled her toward the house. "I know," she said, her tone softening. "Lucyâs mother came by earlier and told me about it. Things are getting worse."Amelia nodded, letting her mother guide her inside. She could feel the weight of the day settling on her shoulders, but something about her motherâs presence made her feel safe, even if only for a moment.By evening, the family gathered around the dinner table. The warm glow of the lanterns cast a soft light on the modest meal before them. Ameliaâs father broke the silence as he reached for his cup."Amelia," he began, his tone casual but curious. "Today, a young man came to my shop. He was asking for your name."Amelia froze, her spoon halfway to her mouth. "What?" she asked, her voice sharp with surprise. Amelia guessed who that man could be. How did that bastard know my father? she thought to herself.Amelia's father raised an eyebrow at her reaction but continued. "He said he met you at the grand ball. Do you remember him?"The words sent a jolt through her. Her fingers faltered, and the spoon slipped from her hand, clattering against the plate. Her mother glanced at her with concern. Amelia quickly gathered herself, her cheeks flushed."I met quite a few men that day," she said, trying to sound indifferent. "I donât remember who he could be."Amelia's father studied her for a moment before shrugging. "He seemed eager to speak with you. Polite young man, but a bit... persistent. And he seems to be from a noble family."Alexis chimed in, her voice laced with suspicion. "What would he want with you?" She turned to her husband. "Did you inquire about his family?"Her father replied, "Yes, he told me that he is the son of the Duke of Aldmoor. Does that ring any bell to you, Amelia?"Amelia shook her head quickly. "No, Papa, I don't remember him."Her mother didnât look entirely convinced, but Eric changed the subject, sparing her further interrogation.Amelia barely touched her food. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, one concern chasing another.Why on earth would he talk to my father? she thought, her brows furrowing. What does he want? And how did he even know my father?Her appetite vanished completely, and she excused herself from the table, retreating to her room. Sitting by the window, she gazed out at the darkened sky, the stars twinkling faintly above. Her heart felt heavy with worry.Something about it all felt like the beginning of a storm, and she didnât know if she was ready to face it.
Chapter 23: chapter 23
Beneath The Pale Blue Eyes•Words: 7104