Chapter 65: chapter 65

After Amelia’s parents left the grand hall of the castle, the heavy silence that followed lingered in the air like a fog. She stood there, feeling the weight of the walls around her — tall, ancient, and unforgiving. She turned to retreat to a quiet corner. Moments later, the silence was broken by the sound of boots clicking against the marble floor.Felix stepped into the room with quiet grace, He walked with the confidence of someone used to discipline. Stopping at a respectful distance, he bowed his head slightly and said, “My lady, His Majesty has commanded me to escort you to the Queen’s chambers.”Amelia turned toward the voice and truly noticed him for the first time. He appeared to be around Caspian’s age — tall and composed, with neatly combed blonde hair and a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes that seemed too gentle for a place like this.After observing him carefully, Amelia raised her brows, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “I am not his queen yet,” she said, her voice cold. “And I will not step foot in that room.”The young knight didn’t flinch. “But, my lady… it is the King’s order.”Amelia’s eyes narrowed, a storm of frustration building within her. “Then tell your King that I deny his order. What will he do? Torture me? Kill me?” She took a step forward, her voice rising just slightly, yet still controlled. “Let him. I am not afraid of him. Find me another room. Anywhere but there.”There was a moment of silence. Then the knight bowed his head again, lower this time. “I will relay your words to His Majesty.”As he turned to leave, Amelia called out after him. “Wait… what’s your name?”He paused, glancing back over his shoulder. “Felix, my lady.”A beat passed before she asked again, softer this time. “And how long have you served the King, Sir Felix?”He turned to face her fully, “Since he became crown prince,” Felix replied.Amelia tilted her head. “And before that? Did you know him?”There was a flicker of hesitation in Felix’s gaze. He looked away for the briefest moment before answering. “Since we were children. We were friends, my lady.”She noticed the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips, as if he were momentarily lost in a pleasant memory from childhood.Amelia’s tone softened. “Then be honest with me, Sir Felix... is he a good man?”Felix met her eyes. There was no hesitation this time.“He is,” he said, firmly. “He is a good man. You may not see it now, but he is nothing like his father. There are reasons that make him seem cold. But he carries more kindness than you’d believe.”Amelia’s voice trembled, but she kept her composure. “Then why is he so cruel to me? I don’t understand. I’ve never done anything to deserve his contempt.”Something shifted in Felix’s expression—barely noticeable, like a shadow flickering across his face. He looked away, jaw tight, as if he were hiding something.“I don’t know, my lady,” he said finally, though the way he spoke suggested otherwise.She watched him closely but didn’t press further. Felix bowed once more, and without another word, turned and left the hall.Amelia stood in the silence he left behind, staring after him, her thoughts spinning. Something about Felix’s words lingered—like a thread that tugged at the edges of a truth she hadn’t yet seen.It had been two long days since Lucy last heard from Amelia. The silence was unsettling. Usually, if either of them had somewhere to be, the other would tag along. They were inseparable. But with the festival drawing near, Lucy had been caught up in the chaos—helping her family, hanging lanterns, and arranging flowers. Still, the quiet gnawed at her, refusing to be ignored.So, Lucy decided to visit Amelia’s home. The moment she reached the small, ivy-draped gate, her footsteps faltered. The house stood still—no streamers, no garlands, no scent of incense wafting through the air. It was as though the place had forgotten there was ever a festival to celebrate. A strange hush cloaked the entire yard, like the air itself was holding its breath."Amelia?" Lucy called gently, stepping onto the porch.A moment later, the door creaked open, and Alexis, Amelia’s mother, appeared. Her eyes were swollen and red, her face pale and sunken like a dying flame. Lucy's heart dropped.“Come inside, Lucy,” Alexis said, her voice barely above a whisper.Inside, the house felt cold—void of warmth, of laughter, of Amelia. Lucy followed Alexis into the small drawing room. “What happened, Mrs. Risberg?” Lucy asked gently, sitting down beside her.Alexis looked at her with tear-filled eyes. “Amelia isn’t here, Lucy.”“What do you mean she’s not here? Where is she?”There was a long pause before Alexis finally whispered, “She’s been taken to the capital. The king… he’s going to marry her.”Lucy’s breath caught. Her eyes widened with disbelief.“No,” she shook her head. “No, that can’t be true. Amelia would never agree to that. She would never—” Lucy’s voice broke, emotion rising in her throat. “Mrs. Risberg, I’m sure she didn’t do this willingly. The king must have forced her.”Alexis nodded slowly, wiping her tears with a trembling hand. “We thought so too. But she told us not to interfere. She said it was her choice. But that’s not my daughter, Lucy. I know her heart. Something isn’t right.”Lucy reached out and gently held Alexis’s hand, trying to offer comfort, but it was no use—grief clung to the woman like a shadow that refused to lift.Lucy left the house, determined to find a way to help her friend. She ran through the narrow trail behind Amelia's house, which led into the forest. The person who had saved Amelia before from the previous king was Ivar, Lucy knew he lived somewhere near the woods and if anyone could save her again, it was him.The forest grew darker as she pressed deeper into it. Branches scratched her arms and thorns tore at her dress. Her feet slipped on the mossy ground, and she fell more than once. Hunger gnawed at her belly. Her limbs ached. She had no idea where she was going, and soon, even the path behind her disappeared.The forest swallowed her whole.By dusk, Lucy collapsed onto her knees, dirt-streaked and trembling. Her voice cracked as she screamed into the shadows, “Ivar! Where are you? You bastard! Please… I need help…” She broke down, sobbing violently. Her cries echoed among the trees.She was crying and screaming so loudly, her voice raw with desperation. She was just about to give up on herself when she saw a black, shadowy figure coming toward her.Her breath caught in her throat. She started to run as fast as she could, but the shadowy figure was faster. It reached her just as she stumbled again—and caught her, saving her from falling.“No—don’t—” she cried, covering her face with her hands, bracing for the worst.But then a familiar voice broke through the fear. Calm, slightly amused.“What in the world are you doing here, little firefly?”Lucy’s breath caught. She slowly lowered her hands.It was Ivar.His pale blue eyes gleamed in the dim light, a mixture of surprise and concern etched across his face.“Ivar…” Her voice trembled. And then, all the fear, exhaustion, and frustration crashed over her. She began to cry, uncontrollably. Ivar got her out of the forest, took her near an open ground, and made her sit on a large stone pebble. She kept crying.Ivar teased her, “It looks like you missed me so much… huh?”Lucy said with a trembling voice, “I hate you. But I have no other choice but to come to you.”Ivar asked, “Then stop crying and tell me why you came to me?”Taking shaky breaths, Lucy wiped her face. “Amelia… she’s been taken by the king. He’s going to marry her.”Ivar’s expression darkened instantly. The air around him shifted, colder.“She wouldn’t have agreed to that,” Lucy continued. “She wouldn’t. Her parents said she told them not to meddle in her life—but that’s not Amelia. I know her. She’s in trouble. And she said… that you saved her before.”Her voice broke again as she whispered, “Please, Ivar. Save her now. I don’t know who else to turn to.”Ivar looked at her for a long moment. Then he said with quiet resolve, “I promise, Lucy. I will save her. No matter what it takes.”Lucy nodded, eyes still wet. “Thank you…”“Let me take you home,” he said. “You look tired”He helped her up and they walked back through the forest under the rising stars. Neither spoke much on the way.When they reached the edge of the village, Lucy turned to him.“You promised me, Ivar,” she said softly, her eyes searching his face.He met her gaze, unwavering. “I will save her, Lucy.”And with that, she nodded and walked the rest of the way home, her heart still heavy, but no longer hopeless.