Chapter 63: chapter 63

Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest like a drum of war. The words of the King echoed in her ears, sharp and cold like a blade — a threat masked in royal courtesy. Her parents stood with her, the shadows of fear and despair etched into their faces. The room felt colder, the silence heavier after the King’s men had left.Eric, her father, clenched his fists tightly by his sides. His voice trembled with a mix of rage and helplessness as he turned to his wife. “This isn’t right, Alexis. We can’t give our daughter’s hand to the son of the man who tried to take her life. What are they plotting now? God knows their true intentions.”Alexis’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she placed a gentle hand on his arm. “What choice do we have, Eric? We cannot defy the King. To do so would mean death — not just for us, but for our whole family. Amelia stood still for a moment, her mind racing. Then, stepping forward, her voice rang out, firm and defiant. “I will not marry that man, Mama. I’ll tell the King myself. I will not be quiet about this.”Eric’s face turned pale. “No, Amelia. You can’t say that to his face. He is the King. He could have you punished — or worse. Do not make things harder than they already are.”Her gaze didn’t waver. “Then what am I supposed to do, Papa? Sit here and wait for them to decide my fate? They’ve already tried to kill me once. You think they’ll stop now? I won’t sit back and let them do as they please. If this is the end, I will go down fighting — not surrendering.”With that, Amelia turned on her heel and stormed toward the doors. Her steps were quick, fire burning in her every move.Amelia! No! Please, don’t…” her mother’s voice trembled, choked by emotion.Just as she reached the doorway, she found Felix standing there —  his expression caught between concern and confusion. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of her coming straight toward him.“My Lady?” he asked, stepping aside slightly.Amelia stopped in front of him, her voice unwavering. “I wish to speak with His Majesty. Kindly inform him.”Felix looked hesitant. “The King will be arriving shortly. In the meantime, we have prepared a meal for you. Perhaps you and your family would honor us by partaking in it?”Her expression remained cold, distant. “Thank you, Sir, but we’ve lost our appetite. Please, just inform His Majesty that I seek an audience with him.”Felix lowered his head respectfully. “As you command, my Lady. I will deliver your message without delay. But I urge you —please go back.”She offered him a brief nod and turned back, her cloak sweeping behind her like a trail of smoke. She returned to the grand hall where her parents waited, their eyes filled with worry. She said nothing as she entered — only stood tall, her breath calm and even, as though she were preparing for battle.Moments later, Felix returned, his footsteps quiet but urgent on the marble floor. The tall, broad-shouldered knight gave a respectful bow before speaking, his voice firm yet gentle.“My lady,” he said, eyes meeting Amelia’s with a touch of concern, “His Majesty is waiting for you. He has asked me to escort you to him.”Amelia's throat tightened, and she instinctively clasped her hands in front of her to hide the nervous tremble. She drew in a breath, steadying herself.“Very well,” she murmured, trying to keep her voice from wavering. “Please... lead the way.”Just as she took a step forward, a hand reached out and gently clasped hers. She turned to see her father’s weathered face, lined with worry. His eyes, usually so calm, were clouded with fear and helplessness.“Amelia,” he said softly, his voice almost breaking, “Let me handle this. Let me speak to the King. You don’t have to face him alone.”She shook her head, tears welling up but refusing to fall. Her grip on his hand tightened for a moment before she gently pulled away.“No, Papa,” she said, her voice firm, though her heart ached, “Stay here with Mama. I’ll be fine.”He opened his mouth as if to protest, but she gave him a small, bittersweet smile and added, “Trust me. I have to do this.”With one last glance at her parents, she turned and followed Felix down the long corridor, her footsteps echoing softly behind him.Felix and Amelia walked in silence down the endless corridor. Finally, they stopped before a pair of towering oak doors adorned with golden carvings of lions and crowns. The weight of what waited beyond those doors made Amelia’s stomach churn.Felix gave her a glance — quiet and reassuring — then pushed the doors open with both hands. They groaned as they swung inward, revealing a vast chamber bathed in the golden light of chandeliers. The air smelled faintly of aged wine and burning wood. Lining the high walls were grand portraits of past rulers, each painted with somber dignity, watching silently over the room like judgmental ghosts.At the far end of the chamber, King Caspian stood before a massive portrait — a likeness of the late king, his father — painted in oil and adorned with a heavy golden frame. The present king’s tall figure was draped in a robe of deep crimson. One hand held a glass of wine, the other tucked behind his back as he stared at the painting.Without turning around, he spoke, his voice low and cold.“I gave you two hours.”He took a slow sip of wine.“It hasn’t even been one… and yet here you are. Your decision already made.”Then he turned, his piercing green eyes  locking onto Amelia. A flicker of something unreadable passed through them — disappointment, anger… or perhaps something far more dangerous: obsession.He glanced at Felix and made a subtle motion with his fingers.“You may leave us.”Amelia turned her head toward him, her eyes silently pleading. But the knight could only bow deeply to Her and the king before stepping out, gently closing the doors behind him.Now, she was alone with the King.The silence felt oppressive. Amelia took a deep breath and stepped forward. Her voice, though soft, carried with a steady resolve.“Your Majesty… with all due respect, I must decline your proposal. We wish to leave the palace. I humbly ask that you grant us permission.”Caspian turned slowly, swirling the wine in his glass as he walked toward her, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips.“Do you really think you can just… disobey your king and walk away in one piece?”Amelia’s spine straightened despite the fear gnawing at her insides. She shook her head quickly.“No, Your Majesty. I don’t mean to disobey you. Nor do I wish to insult you. I am only answering  you. You said I had a choice.”He stopped just a few steps from her now. His gaze, cold and commanding, held hers captive.“I did say that,” he murmured, his voice a shade darker. “But it seems you misunderstood me.”He stepped closer, his presence suffocating.“You will be my queen, Amelia. That is no longer a request. It is an order.”Her breath caught. She stared at him, heart racing, words caught in her throat. But she found her voice, however fragile.“You… you can’t force someone to marry you.”A dangerous smile tugged at the corner of his lips.“Of course I can,” he said simply. “I am the King. I can do whatever pleases me.”Amelia took a step back, eyes wide in disbelief. “Why would you even want to? There are countless noblewomen with wealth, beauty, and royal blood. They would be honored to marry you and strengthen your rule. I’m a poor girl with nothing to offer your kingdom. I cannot give you what a queen should.”Her voice cracked.“Please, Your Majesty… let us leave. Let us live our lives.”Caspian set his wine glass down on a nearby table and walked toward her again with slow, deliberate steps.“I already have everything, Amelia. Lands. Wealth. Power.” He paused, voice lowering. “But none of it matters without you. You are the only thing I desire.”She felt her body begin to tremble, a cold sweat forming on her brow. Every instinct told her to flee, but she stood her ground.“I can’t marry you,” she said, more firmly now. “Because… I love someone else.”The king’s expression froze, and then his eyes darkened. He took a slow, controlled breath before letting out a mocking laugh.“Oh?” he sneered. “And who is this man you claim to love? Tell me his name—so I can kill him and remove this… obstacle from my path.”Amelia’s mouth opened, but no sound came. Shock rooted her to the floor. Did he truly mean that? Could he really be so heartless?Her silence was answer enough.Caspian straightened, adjusting the cuffs of his robe with practiced grace. “Very well,” he said coolly. “We’ll discuss this further. But first, let us visit your parents. It’s time we talked about our future.”As he turned toward the door, Amelia’s body refused to move. She stood frozen, her world spiraling. Her mind screamed for a way out, her heart beating a frantic rhythm of fear.