Chapter 62: chapter 62

As the day of their visit to the castle arrived, Amelia and her parents prepared in tense silence. The air inside their home felt heavy, an eerie stillness settling over them like an unspoken omen. Even the usual creaking of the wooden floorboards seemed muted, as if the house itself was holding its breath.Amelia stood before the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with quiet resolve. She wore a simple gown, its fabric plain yet elegant, draping over her slender frame. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the sleeves, but her eyes burned with determination. Whatever lay between her and the king, she would put an end to it. It was not just her own fate at stake—her family, too, had suffered because of it.The decision had been made to leave Adam behind. They had sent him to their aunt’s house, shielding him from whatever storm was about to unfold. The thought of her younger brother safe, far from the castle’s walls, brought Amelia a small sense of relief. But as she turned away from the mirror, the weight of what awaited them settled firmly on her shoulders.As Amelia and her parents arrived at the castle gates, they were greeted with unexpected warmth. The towering stone walls loomed over them, but the air of hostility she had feared was absent. Instead, Felix, the king’s right-hand man, stood before them with a courteous smile. His dark cloak rustled in the wind as he bowed slightly before speaking.“Welcome to the castle, my lord,” he addressed Eric, his voice steady yet formal. “His Majesty is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please, follow me.”The grand corridors of the castle stretched endlessly before them, lined with flickering lights that cast dancing shadows on the marble floors. Amelia’s fingers curled into the fabric of her gown as they walked, her unease growing with each step.Felix led them to an opulent hall, where the ceilings arched high, adorned with golden chandeliers that bathed the room in a warm glow. Richly embroidered tapestries hung on the walls, depicting scenes of great battles and past kings. The scent of freshly polished wood and burning candles filled the space.“Please wait here,” Felix announced. “We have arranged refreshments for you.”At his signal, maids entered, carrying silver trays laden with fruits, pastries, and goblets of wine. The clinking of the dishes echoed in the silence, but Amelia had no appetite. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs, her hands trembling in her lap. She couldn’t shake the ominous feeling creeping up her spine.Moments later, the heavy wooden doors swung open, and Caspian entered.The sight of him stole Amelia’s breath. Dressed in royal robes adorned with gold embroidery, he exuded authority in a way she had never seen before. His presence was overwhelming. He was no longer just the man she had seen before—he was the king, and the weight of his crown made him seem almost unrecognizable.Her gaze lingered a moment too long, and in an instant, she realized her mistake. Looking directly at a king without permission could be seen as insolence. Heart hammering, she quickly lowered her eyes.Caspian’s attention shifted to Eric. His expression remained unreadable, but his voice carried a certain finality."Thank you for accepting my invitation and coming to the castle,” he said. “I am delighted by your presence.”Eric, though visibly tense, bowed his head. “The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty.”Caspian did not waste time with pleasantries. His gaze flickered toward Amelia before he spoke again, his tone calm yet deliberate.“I have heard that your daughter has reached marriageable age and that you are searching for a suitable husband.”Eric hesitated before nodding. “Yes, Your Majesty, what you have heard is true. We are indeed looking for a suitor.”“Have you found someone?”Eric’s throat tightened. “No, Your Majesty, we have not.”Caspian’s next words shattered the room’s fragile stillness.“I have taken a liking to your daughter,” he said, his voice firm. "I wish to marry her."The weight of his declaration sent shockwaves through the hall. Eric’s hands trembled at his sides, his fingers gripping his robe as if to steady himself. Alexis, standing beside him, let out a sharp gasp, her face pale. Amelia’s breath caught in her throat.Before today, she had never even considered this possibility. Marriage to the king? The very idea seemed impossible, yet here he was, stating it as if it were already decided.Caspian observed their stunned silence before continuing, his voice calm but edged with unmistakable authority.“Think about my proposal carefully,” he said. “You have two hours to decide.” His eyes locked onto Eric’s. “If you accept, your daughter will become the Queen of Oslo. Your family will be elevated to noble status. You will receive an estate and a position in my court. You will live near the castle, away from the hardships of your current life.”The offer was tempting—almost too tempting. They were poor, their lives filled with endless struggles. This was an opportunity beyond anything they had ever dreamed of.But the tension in the air thickened as Eric hesitated. He glanced at his wife, whose lips remained parted in shock, and then at Amelia, whose wide eyes brimmed with unease.Then, breaking the silence, Amelia found her voice.“Your Majesty,” she spoke, forcing her voice to remain steady, “what if I refuse your proposal ?”Caspian’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.A chill ran down Amelia’s spine.The smirk deepened as he met her gaze. “I will use my power to make you mine.”His words were soft, almost gentle, but the threat beneath them was unmistakable.He then turned back to Eric. “You have only two hours. Make a wise decision for yourself and your family.”With that, he turned and strode out of the hall, his heavy robes trailing behind him.A cold silence settled in his absence.Amelia felt her pulse roaring in her ears. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to steady her trembling hands.Eric let out a shuddering breath, his face lined with worry. Alexis sank onto the nearest chair, still speechless, her expression frozen in disbelief."That wasn’t a proposal," Amelia whispered. "It was a threat. I will never say yes to him, Papa—never. Even if it costs me my life."Eric remained silent, his hands still shaking. His wife gripped his arm, her voice barely above a whisper. “What do we do?”No one had an answer.Two hours. That was all the time they had before their lives changed forever—whether they wanted it to or not.