Chapter 37: chapter 37

Caspian was heading to the castle under his father’s command, the weight of his father’s word pressing upon him. As he approached the stables to retrieve his horse, the familiar scent of hay and leather mingled with the crisp morning air. The stable was quiet, save for the occasional snort or shuffle from the horses. Caspian untied the ropes securing his steed, but something unusual caught his eye—a figure lying motionless in the corner of the stable, partially obscured by shadows.Curiosity compelled him to step closer. The light filtering through the wooden slats revealed the unmistakable features of a young woman. His eyes widened as recognition set in. It was her—the girl from the ball, the one whose father ran the modest woodshop in Riverfield Village Market. He had never expected to see her here, of all places.Shock turned to suspicion as he thought, What is she even doing here? Kneeling down, he called to her, “Why are you lying here?”The girl stirred, her lashes fluttering open. When her gaze landed on him, her expression shifted from confusions to exasperation . She was so tired from the last night’s exertion that she didn’t even realize when she fell asleep. She groaned softly and sat up, brushing stray strands of hay from her hair.Caspian raised an eyebrow, “You haven’t answered my question. Why are you lying in a stable?”"Why is that annoying person here?" Amelia thought, her irritation bubbling to the surface as she stared at Caspian. Of all the people to stumble upon her in this precarious situation, it had to be him.Amelia’s mind raced. She wasn’t tied up anymore—Christof had untied her earlier—but she knew she couldn’t leave. His threat lingered in her mind, a heavy chain of fear: If you try anything foolish, your brother dies. She took a steadying breath, masking her turmoil with feigned composure.Amelia lied. “I was looking after the horses,” she replied curtly, avoiding his gaze. Caspian chuckled, the sound low and skeptical. “Looking after the horses? This isn’t work for a lady. There are plenty of men who can handle such tasks. Who is your master?”Her annoyance flared at his condescending tone and unnecessary prying. “Don’t meddle in my job, sir. Mind your own business,” she snapped.His demeanor shifted abruptly. The teasing smirk vanished, replaced by an authoritative edge that made her pause. “Tell me the name of the man who appointed you. Now,” he demanded, his voice firm and unyielding.Amelia faltered, taken aback by the sudden change in his behavior. She hesitated, unsure if answering him would make things worse. After a tense silence, she finally muttered, “His name is Christof.”Caspian’s jaw tightened at the name. Without another word, he rose to his full height, his presence commanding. “Come with me,” he ordered, turning toward the stable entrance.Amelia hesitated but reluctantly followed, her heart pounding in her chest. Outside, Caspian signaled to his guards, his voice carrying a sharp edge of authority. “Bring Christof here. Immediately.”Moments later, Christof appeared, his demeanor calm yet calculating as he approached. His intense gaze briefly swept over Amelia before settling on Caspian. “My prince,” he said, bowing slightly. “You summoned me?”Caspian didn’t waste time. His tone was clipped and direct. “Why is this girl working in the stable?”Amelia stood rooted in place, her mind reeling. The revelation hit her like a thunderclap. He’s the prince?Christof’s eyes flickered to Amelia, and a glint of understanding passed through them. He realized she hadn’t revealed the truth. Composing himself, he replied smoothly, “She needed money, so I gave her a job.”Caspian’s expression darkened. “Release her. Now.”“Pardon me, my prince,” Christof said, his voice measured, “but I have already paid her wages."“I will return your money,” Caspian said sharply, his frustration evident. “Release her immediately.”Christof hesitated for a moment before bowing his head. “As you command, my prince. But if I may, I request a moment to speak with her before she leaves.”Caspian’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face. After a moment’s deliberation, he nodded curtly. “Make it quick.”Christof went to Amelia who was standing few feet away from them, his polite façade dropping the moment Caspian’s attention shifted. His voice was low, a dangerous undertone lacing his words. “What kind of trick are you pulling now? Know that I am not going to free you," Christof whispered in Amelia's ear.  "Don’t think you’ve escaped. ”Amelia’s fists clenched at his threat, but she held her tongue, her fear for her brother overriding her desire to lash out.Christof stepped back, bowing deeply to Caspian. "I can't let her go. She has no one except me. She is mine, a lowly whore, sir. She doesn't deserve your mercy." Caspian frowned at his words, stepping closer to him. "I know who she is. She is not your whore, and she will never be as long as I live. Don’t you dare call her that or I’ll kill you myself!". Both Amelia and Christof froze in shock at his words. Caspian’s sharp gaze shifted between them. His expression hardened as he pressed the blade of his sowrd against Christof’s neck. "Now tell me the truth Christof, " Caspian demanded coldly, "Why is she here? Did you abduct her?Christof knelt before Caspian, trembling, his voice strained as he pleaded, "I didn’t abduct her, my prince. She came here by her own will." His gaze darted toward Amelia, desperation etched into his features. “Tell him,” he urged. “Tell the prince you came here willingly.”Amelia stood frozen, her pulse pounding in her ears. Her mind swirled with confusion and fear. Everything had unfolded so suddenly, so strangely. What could she say? A single misstep could doom her family—and herself. To make matters worse, the annoying man she had once dismissed as a troublemaker had turned out to be the prince.Caspian’s sharp eyes bore into her, his voice cutting through the rising tension. “Is he telling the truth?” he demanded. “Did you come here willingly?”A ripple of curiosity spread through the camp. Soldiers emerged from their tents and chores, forming a semi-circle around the scene. Their murmurs rose, questions and speculations buzzing like flies. The news quickly reached the king, who arrived moments later, his commanding presence silencing the crowd.“What is going on here?” the king asked, his voice deep and authoritative as he approached. His gaze swept over the gathering before resting on Caspian.Caspian stepped forward, his tone steady but edged with anger. “This man,” he said, gesturing toward Christof, “abducted a girl from Riverfield Village. She was at the grand ball—I recognize her.” He turned to Christof, his expression hardening. “And now he’s lying to me.”Christof’s voice cracked as he pleaded for mercy. “No, my lord! That’s not true! I swear, She came here willingly. Please, believe me!”The king’s piercing gaze shifted to Amelia. For a moment, he seemed captivated. Her ethereal beauty caught him off guard, and a memory stirred—something the Oracle had once told him. Could this be the girl foretold? The thought settled heavily in his mind.Turning to his men, the king gave a decisive command. “Keep the girl safe. Make sure no harm comes to her. As for him”—he pointed to Christof—“take him into custody. We will determine the truth.”“But Father,” Caspian interjected, his frustration bubbling to the surface, “I know her family. Let me take her home. She doesn’t belong here.”The king’s voice remained calm but firm. “We must understand the truth before making any decisions. She has not accused the man—it is you who have brought the charge.”Caspian bristled. “Father, please—”“I will see that justice is served, son,” the king interrupted. His tone softened, but his authority remained unyielding. “Trust me. Now, obey my orders and return to your duties. You’ll reach your destination before evening.”Caspian clenched his jaw, clearly unhappy but unwilling to openly defy his father. “Very well,” he said tersely, “but let me speak to her first.”The king shook his head. “There is no need. Focus on what you were sent to do. You don’t have to concern yourself with a lowly girl.”Caspian’s gaze flickered to Amelia, a mixture of regret and helplessness in his eyes. He nodded stiffly before turning on his heel, his cape sweeping behind him as he strode away.Amelia stood rooted to the spot, her hands trembling at her sides. The king stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “You are safe here,” he said, his voice low but firm. “No harm will come to you. My men will ensure that.”She nodded silently, her mind racing.As the soldiers led Christof away and the king’s retinue began to disperse, Amelia felt a sense of unease settle over her. She had escaped one danger only to find herself ensnared in another—one far more intricate and perilous than she could have imagined.