Chapter 64: chapter 64

As Amelia and Caspian made their way down the grand marble corridor, the heavy silence between them was broken only by the distant echo of their footsteps. The warm golden light of the chandeliers overhead contrasted sharply with the chill that was creeping into Amelia’s bones. Her heart raced—not from the hurried pace, but from the weight of what was coming.Caspian glanced at her sideways, his eyes unreadable, like a locked room with no key.“I’ve noticed something about you,” he said, his voice low and measured. “You think fast. You act even faster. That’s a rare trait.”Amelia looked up at him, trying to read the intent behind his words. She didn’t respond.He continued, “We have five minutes before we reach the hall—where your parents are waiting. That’s all the time you have to make a decision.” He stopped walking, and so did she. His tone turned colder, edged with threat. “Either you accept my proposal now, or… your family will be in danger.”Amelia's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re threatening me?” she whispered.“No,” he replied with a smirk. “I’m giving you a choice. A quick and wise one, I hope.”Amelia stared at him. She felt like the ground beneath her was dissolving. Her options weren’t choices—they were chains. “You’re worse than your father,” she said bitterly.Caspian tilted his head slightly, amused. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”They stood a few feet from the tall double doors that led to the hall. She had to decide now. Her family had no idea they were just pawns in a silent war being waged in this very corridor.Just before reaching for the door, Caspian turned to her again, his voice almost casual. “So, Amelia. Tell me—what’s your decision?”She looked up at him, her voice trembling with frustration and defiance. “Why are you doing this? What do you gain from forcing me like this?”Caspian’s smile was faint but cruel. “I have my reasons.”She stared at him, searching his face for a crack in the armor. “This has something to do with me, doesn’t it?” she asked quietly. “Then leave them out of it. If you need to punish someone, punish me. Don’t drag my family into your darkness.”He slowly raised a finger, wagging it as if correcting a child. “No, no. That’s not an option,” he said with mock sympathy. She remembered Ivar’s warning—how he had told her Caspian intended to make her his queen. “I should have listened to him... none of this would’ve happened,” she thought. Amelia clenched her fists. Her chest rose and fell with the weight of what she was about to do. “Fine,” she said, her voice steady now. “I’ll accept your proposal. But you have to promise me—swear it—you and your men will stay away from them. No interference, no surveillance, no contact. My family doesn’t need your protection, and they certainly don’t need your manipulation. You have to give me your word.”Caspian’s expression lost its smirk. For the first time, there was a flicker of something serious behind his eyes. “Okay,” he said plainly. “Fine. You have my word.”He gestured toward the large doors that stood before them, a polished mirror of everything that had been lost in the past few minutes. “Shall we?”Amelia hesitated for just a moment, then stepped forward. Her decision was made, but her heart felt heavier than ever.Inside the grand hall, the air was thick with tension. At the far end, Amelia’s parents—Eric and Alexis—stood huddled together, worry etched into every line of their weathered faces.Every tick of the towering clock echoed like a drumbeat in their hearts. Alexis clutched her husband's arm tightly, her knuckles white. Fear coiled around their minds like a venomous snake. When the double doors creaked open, relief washed over them like a wave. Their eyes locked on Amelia, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt alright.But the moment shattered as Caspian stepped forward, tall and commanding in his regal attire, a cold smile curling on his lips."Your daughter has accepted my proposal for marriage," he announced without preamble, his voice echoing through the hall. "However, she has declined the offer for me to provide anything for your family. From now on, my men will not bother you. She will remain here. The wedding will be arranged soon. You will receive an invitation, of course. And once again… thank you for coming."Eric’s knees buckled, and he dropped to the floor, bowing before the king with desperation. "My king," he pleaded, his voice trembling, "we are simple, poor people. Please have mercy on us. Don’t take our daughter away from us. She is our life. We live only for our children."Caspian chuckled, amused by the man’s plea. "Sir, I am offering your daughter a fortune. She will be queen. Is that not the dream of every parent—for their daughter to rise beyond poverty?"Alexis stepped forward, her voice cracking with emotion. "My king… please, let us take our daughter home. We don’t want gold or riches. We only want her. She is everything we have. We’ve heard you are merciful… please, prove it true."Caspian tilted his head and spoke calmly, yet with an edge. "My lady, I believe you’re mistaken. It was your daughter’s decision to be with me. If you doubt it, ask her yourself."Both parents turned to Amelia, searching her face for the truth, for any sign of resistance. But what they saw shattered them.Amelia stood straight, her expression unreadable. Her voice was calm, distant. "The king is right, Mama. I wish to be his queen. You may leave now… and please, don’t meddle in my life again."Alexis gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as tears spilled freely. "This… this isn’t you, Amelia…"Amelia’s voice sharpened. "It is me, Mama. Who wouldn’t want to be a queen? I’m no different. I’ve made my choice."Eric stepped forward, his voice urgent, trembling with fatherly fear. "Your Majesty… please. Let us speak to our daughter. Just for a moment."Caspian gave a dismissive nod. "Take as long as you like." Then he turned and walked away, his cloak brushing the floor behind him like a shadow fading into the distance.As the doors closed behind the king, Eric rushed to Amelia. "Amelia, this can’t be real. Tell me—did he threaten you? Is he forcing you into this?"She shook her head slowly. "No, Papa. I am doing this of my own will."Alexis stepped closer, her voice barely a whisper. "But sweetheart… that can’t be true.""Mama, please," Amelia said, soft but firm. "Stop crying. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I will be queen. I will have power… safety… status. I won’t let anything happen to me."Eric’s voice broke. "Something’s wrong. I can feel it in my bones. Don’t accept this fate if you don’t truly want it. Don’t leave us like this. We almost lost you once to these people—how can we trust them now?""I’ll be fine, Papa," Amelia said, holding his hand gently. "You can’t imagine how much power I’ll gain. No one will hurt me again. I promise, I’ll keep myself safe. Please… trust me. I’m doing this for all of us."Alexis couldn’t speak. Her heart ached with confusion and helplessness. Eric looked at his daughter one last time, silently begging her to change her mind. But her gaze was steady. Unwavering.Amelia turned to the guards stationed by the wall. “Please show my parents the way out.”The guards obeyed, stepping forward quietly. Eric and Alexis turned, their steps heavy, tears falling freely. They didn’t look back.And as the doors closed behind them with a final, echoing thud, Amelia stood in the silence. She was pretending to be strong in front of her parents. But deep inside, her soul trembled. She was afraid. Afraid of what this man might do to her. She couldn’t understand his true intentions.