Chapter 30: chapter 30

The soldiers marched steadily toward a small, modest house perched on the edge of the village. It belonged to Mr. Eric Risberg, but he was nowhere in sight. Instead, his daughter, Amelia, knelt in the garden, her hands coated in dark soil as she tended to the blossoms her mother cherished. The flowers’ vibrant colors stood in stark contrast to the somber, menacing presence of the soldiers.Amelia’s long, dark hair shimmered faintly in the waning light, strands escaping her braid to frame her delicate face. She worked with quiet focus until the crunch of boots on gravel pulled her attention. She stood, wiping her hands on her apron as she caught sight of them.Leading the group was Christof, a tall, imposing figure whose sharp features wore a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on Amelia, his expression twisting into something predatory. He slowed his pace, his dark eyes scanning her intently. Amelia straightened her back, a mix of defiance and unease flashing in her eyes.Her mother, Alexis, emerged from the house, her face tight with worry. “Good evening, sirs,” she said cautiously.Christof’s voice was smooth, almost too polite. “We’re here under the king’s orders to collect food and supplies. Bring us what you have.”Alexis hesitated, glancing between the soldiers and her daughter. She disappeared into the house, returning moments later with a small bundle of provisions—bread, dried meat, and a few apples. She held it out to Christof with trembling hands. “This is all we have,” she said softly.Christof’s lip curled as he examined the modest offering. “This?” he scoffed. “This is barely worth our trouble. Surely, you can do better than this.”Alexis faltered, desperation in her voice. “Please, sir, it’s all we can spare. Times have been hard.”Christof turned his attention back to Amelia, his smile widening. But there was no warmth in it—only cruel amusement. “Perhaps,” he began slowly, “you can offer us something… more.” His gaze fixed on Amelia with unnerving intensity. “What’s your name, girl?” he asked, his voice low but commanding.Amelia didn’t answer right away. Her jaw tightened, and she stood rooted to the spot, her hands still clutching her soiled apron. The silence stretched between them, tense and unyielding. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she met his gaze and said, “You have no business with my name. So why do you want to know?”A flicker of amusement crossed Christof’s face, a smirk playing at the edges of his lips. “Oh, I have plenty of business with you,” he said smoothly. He stepped closer, his boots crunching against the gravel, the space between them shrinking with every deliberate stride. His voice dropped, his tone laced with a chilling promise. “Do you want to know what business I have with you? I could tell you the detail—if you dare to ask.”Amelia held her ground, refusing to flinch under his piercing gaze. Her silence spoke volumes, a quiet rebellion in the face of his veiled threat.Sensing the tension crackling in the air, Alexis stepped forward, her voice trembling as she interjected. Desperation sharpening her tone. “Forgive her, sir. She doesn’t know her place. We’ll gather more supplies tomorrow, I promise.”Christof turned his head slightly, casting a cold glance at Alexis. His smirk returned, but there was no humor in it, only a dangerous edge. He let out a soft chuckle, his focus never fully leaving Amelia, as though her defiance intrigued him more than her mother’s desperate plea. “Tomorrow?” he echoed. “My dear lady, tomorrow doesn’t exist. Besides…” His gaze drifted back to Amelia, lingering on her face. “Your daughter is so beautiful she’s stolen my heart. Would you mind if I took her with us tonight?”Alexis’s eyes widened in horror. “What madness is this? She’s our daughter, not some possession to be taken!”Christof smirked, ignoring her protest. “I know exactly who she is, my lady. But worry not—I’ll return her to you tomorrow. In one piece.”Amelia’s mother fell to her knees, her voice trembling with despair as tears streamed down her face. “No, sir, please… have mercy. Don’t do this to us. She’s just a girl!” Her hands clutched at the fabric of her apron, her body shaking with the weight of her plea.Christof glanced at Amelia, his smirk deepening as though her mother’s words only amused him. His dark eyes lingered on Amelia’s face, studying her with unsettling intent. “I promise,” he said smoothly, his tone laced with mock sincerity. “I’ll be very gentle. I won’t harm her. You have my word.”Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest. She stood still, her fists clenched tightly by her sides, her face a mask of defiance even as fear crept into her eyes.Before Christof could step closer, Nicolas, one of the soldiers, raised a hand in a silent but firm gesture. The movement was subtle, but it carried authority. Christof paused, his smile faltering as he turned to look at Nicolas. A brief, tense silence passed between them.“Christof,” Nicolas said quietly but firmly, “We have what we need. Let it go. This isn't the right time.”Christof’s smirk slowly returned, though there was now a hint of irritation in his expression. He turned back to Alexis, who was still kneeling, her face pale and streaked with tears. “Well,” he said, his tone suddenly light and casual, as though the last few minutes hadn’t happened. “Thank you for your kindness, madam. We’ll be leaving now.”As the soldiers began to retreat, Christof’s  gaze lingered on Amelia one last time, his dark eyes holding hers with an intensity that made the air feel heavier. When he spoke, his voice was softer now, almost intimate, as though the words were meant only for her. “I will never forget you,” he said, his lips curling into a sly, unsettling smile.There was something in his tone—a promise or perhaps a threat—that sent a cold shiver down Amelia’s spine. She stood still, her expression carefully blank, though her heart raced wildly. She said nothing, her gaze steady and unyielding, though inside, her thoughts were a storm of fear and anger.Then, without another word, Christof turned and followed the others. The sound of their boots faded into the distance, leaving behind a silence that felt heavy and oppressive.Amelia rushed to her mother, helping her to her feet. Alexis clung to her daughter tightly, her tears falling freely. She stared at the path the soldiers had taken, her jaw tightening, " I don’t think this is the end.”