Chapter 69: chapter 69

It had been several days since Amelia arrived at the castle, yet each one passed like a trial. The cold, towering stone walls of the palace were nothing compared to the icy glares she often received from certain members of the royal staff and court. Her presence, clearly, was not welcomed by all.She wasn’t a princess by birth, but she had to become one in every gesture, every breath.A woman named Violet had been assigned to prepare Amelia for her new life. Stern-faced, silver-haired, and painfully proper, Violet had served the royal family for decades. She treated her duty like sacred scripture, and it was obvious to Amelia that Violet saw her as nothing more than an unworthy commoner — someone who had accidentally stumbled into royalty’s sacred halls.Amelia had two other maids, Andrea and Elise, who were closer to her age and far kinder. But it was Violet who held authority over her training.On this particular morning, Amelia was practicing the art of walking — yes, walking — in a full ceremonial gown. The dress was heavy, with long layers and a sweeping train, and Amelia’s arms were tired from trying to manage the fabric.“Straighten your back, my lady,” Violet’s voice rang out like a judge’s gavel. “Chin up. Now walk.”Amelia inhaled and tried again, lifting her chin, placing one foot in front of the other. But the flare of her gown slipped from her grasp, tangling around her feet. She stumbled — and before she could catch herself, she tumbled to the cold marble floor.A sharp gasp left her lips as she landed on her hands. Violet didn’t move to help. Instead, she pressed a hand to her forehead, as if warding off a headache.“Why is this so hard for you?” Violet snapped. “Any noble girl would have mastered this by the time she could walk.”Amelia stood slowly, brushing down her gown. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, but her voice was calm. “Because I’m not a noble girl,” she replied. “You know that. I wasn’t raised in silk halls or trained for this life.”For a moment, Violet looked as though she might scold her further, but a knock at the chamber door interrupted them.“Come in,” Amelia called, grateful for the distraction.Elise stepped in, her expression soft. “My lady, breakfast is ready. The royal family awaits your presence.”Amelia turned toward Violet, who gave her a sharp nod. “We’ve done enough for now. You may go, my lady. Try not to trip on your way there.”Amelia said nothing and followed Elise down the winding halls. Her thoughts swirled, heavy as the gown she wore. Why did it always feel like she had to prove her worth here? She hadn’t chosen this life; she had been forced into it.As she approached the grand dining hall, the tall doors were opened by two guards. The room was elegant, bathed in golden light from high stained-glass windows.Amelia’s eyes swept across the room. Caspian sat at the head of the table, straight-backed and calm, as always. Beside him sat a woman she had never seen before — regal, severe, with eyes that seemed to cut like a blade. And next to her, a young man — dark-haired and sharp-featured, with the same quiet confidence as Caspian.Amelia walked in with a deep breath, then bowed her head politely. “Good morning, My King” she said softly. “Your Grace.”Caspian smiled faintly and nodded. The others followed suit, except for the unfamiliar woman, who did not move. She stared at Amelia as if she were studying a strange creature in a glass cage. Her gaze swept from Amelia’s shoes to the strands of her hair, judgment flickering in her eyes.The air stiffened.Caspian noticed it at once.With a smooth, deliberate voice, he spoke. “My lady, please, take a seat.”Amelia nodded, walking to the empty seat beside him. She sat carefully, mindful of every movement.Caspian turned toward her and continued, his tone gentle but formal. “Allow me to introduce you. This is my mother, the Queen Dowager.” He gestured to Rosaline. “And this,” he added, glancing at the man across from him, “is my younger brother, Prince Aron.”Rosaline inclined her head ever so slightly. “So, you are the one,” she said, her voice smooth but edged with ice. “The girl from the village.”Amelia didn’t flinch. “Yes, Your Grace.”Rosaline raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. You speak well, for someone not trained in court.”“Thank you,” Amelia replied, her voice steady. She knew her words were an insult disguised as praise.Prince Aron leaned forward slightly, his eyes curious rather than cold. “Must be strange, being here among all this,” he said, gesturing subtly around the hall. “I imagine it’s quite a shift.”“It is,” Amelia admitted. “But I’m learning.”“Learning,” the Rosaline echoed, folding her hands. “Let us hope you learn quickly. The eyes of the kingdom are always watching — especially now.”Caspian’s jaw tightened, his tone firm as he spoke. “Mother, Amelia is doing well. You don't have to concern yourself about her.” Rosaline didn’t respond. She merely shot a cold glare first at her stepson, then at Amelia, before turning her attention back to her plate.The tension lingered in the air like a shadow, but nothing more was said. Breakfast continued with light conversation — polite, restrained, and carefully curated. Eventually, the meal came to an end, leaving behind only half-empty plates and the quiet weight of unspoken thoughts.Caspian and Amelia walked side by side through the long, echoing corridors of the castle. Sunlight filtered through the tall arched windows, casting golden patterns on the stone floor as their footsteps fell in quiet rhythm.Caspian broke the silence first, his voice low and thoughtful. “Don’t mind my mother,” he said, glancing at her briefly. “She isn’t particularly fond of me, so I imagine she may treat you in much the same way.”Amelia looked ahead, her expression calm. “I understand, Your Majesty. Don’t worry yourself. I’m used to this kind of treatment.”Caspian paused for a moment, as though her words stirred something in him. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, but there was a seriousness in his gaze.“You shouldn’t be,” he said softly. “From now on, you won’t tolerate mistreatment. If anyone dares to treat you unfairly—servants, nobles, even my own family—you come to me. Do you understand?”Amelia looked at him, surprised by the warmth and resolve in his voice. Slowly, she nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”They continued walking in silence, the air between them slightly warmer now. Just then, a figure approached from the opposite end of the corridor. It was Felix, one of Caspian’s trusted man. He bowed respectfully.“Your Majesty,” Felix said, his tone urgent, “the ministers are asking for your presence in the courtroom. There’s an important matter that requires your attention.”Caspian’s expression shifted at once, responsibility settling over him like armor. He turned to Amelia with a small sigh. “I must go. Let me walk you back to your chambers first.”Amelia shook her head gently. “No, Your Majesty. Please don’t trouble yourself on my account. I can find my way.”A playful smirk crossed Caspian’s face. “And risk letting you wander the halls alone? What if you run away?”Without waiting for her response, he turned to Felix. “Take her to her chambers and make sure she arrives safely.”Felix bowed again. “Of course, Your Majesty.”As Felix and Amelia made their way down the corridor toward her chambers, a maid appeared from a side passage. She bowed respectfully to both of them before speaking.“Sir Felix,” she said politely, “Her Grace has requested Lady Amelia’s presence in her chamber.”Felix paused and looked at Amelia, concern flickering in his eyes. “Did His Majesty speak to you about the former queen?”Amelia nodded. “Yes, we had breakfast together this morning.”Felix studied her for a moment, then asked gently, “Will you be alright? Would you like me to come with you?”Amelia offered a small smile. “It’s alright. You don’t need to come. I’ll be fine.”Felix gave a slight nod, though his expression remained wary. Without another word, Amelia turned and followed the maid down the hallway, her steps quiet but steady.