Chapter 71: chapter 71

Amelia didn’t return to her chamber.She ran—barefoot and breathless—down the stone corridors, her dress catching on corners and her heartbeat thundering louder than her thoughts. Sunlight streamed through the palace windows, too bright, as if mocking her misery. Servants turned their heads in surprise as she passed, but no one dared to stop her. She didn’t look back. She couldn’t.She burst through the doors into the palace garden, where the sky stretched wide and unforgiving, and the air buzzed with the scent of roses and fresh earth. Her legs carried her until they could no longer bear the weight of her emotions. She collapsed beneath the large willow tree in the farthest corner, where its sweeping branches hung low like a curtain, shielding her from the world.She curled into herself, clutching her knees to her chest. The tears came quickly, silently, carving their path down her cheeks. The vibrant garden blurred around her.Caspian had followed her, quietly. He stood just beyond the curtain of willow branches, his presence still and watchful. He didn’t speak at first. He only listened.And then he heard her whisper—low and trembling, like a wound reopened.“Why me?” she choked. “Why do I always end up as the pawn in their cruel games? I’ve done nothing. Nothing to deserve this. So why is it always me?”Caspian’s voice came gently through the leaves. “You’re not a pawn, Amelia. And I swear… I won’t let anything like this happen to you again. Not while I’m alive.”She froze. Her breath caught. Slowly, she lifted her tear-streaked face and looked at him through the veil of green, but her eyes—those stormy, furious eyes—were filled with something darker.“Who the hell are you to protect me?” she snapped, standing unsteadily. “I don’t even know who you are. Everything—everything that’s happened to me began with you. You brought me here. You caged me in this palace. You watched while I suffered—and what? Enjoyed it?”Her voice cracked.“You bastard.”Caspian didn’t flinch. He didn’t speak right away. He just looked at her—his expression unreadable, quiet. Then a small, pained smile pulled at the corner of his lips.“You’re wrong,” he said softly. “I didn’t keep you here to hurt you. I kept you here to keep you safe. I’ve seen what’s out there, Amelia. I know what’s coming. And I couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to you.”“I don’t want your protection,” she said, her voice sharp as glass. “And what exactly are you protecting me from? It was you and your men who hurt me. No one else.”“That’s not true,” Caspian said quickly. “The creature who took you—he’s dangerous. He abducted you once. He’ll come for you again. He isn’t—”“Stop.” Her voice was icy. “Don’t twist this. Amelia’s eyes narrowed, her brows furrowing as disbelief twisted across her tear-stained face. “That 'creature', you're talking about, saved my life. I am still breathing because of him.” her voice sharp and unyielding. “You moron—it was your father who tried to kill me.”The words hit Caspian like a slap, but he stood his ground, jaw clenched. “Amelia, you don’t understand—”But she cut him off, her voice rising with every syllable, raw and desperate. “No, it’s you who doesn’t understand!” Her fists trembled at her sides as she took a shaky step forward. “You keep talking about protecting me, but all I’ve felt since the moment I stepped into your world is pain.”Her voice cracked, but she kept going. “Let me go. Please… I’m begging you. I just want to live my life—on my own terms. Not behind walls. Not under watch. I’m not your prisoner.”Caspian's voice rose, not in anger, but in desperation masked by frustration. “No, you are not,” he snapped. “You are not my prisoner, Amelia." His expression hardened, "I never treated you like one.” He took a step forward, eyes fixed on her. “Now go to your chamber. We will talk when you calm down.”Amelia didn’t move. Her chin lifted slightly, her gaze locked with his, unwavering. “No,” she said firmly. “We have nothing to talk about. We have nothing in common.”His expression darkened, pain flickering across his features. “Go now,” he said coldly. “Or I will take you there myself. Do you want that?”Amelia shot Caspian a fierce glare but didn’t say a word. Instead, she turned sharply and began stomping toward the castle, her footsteps echoing with anger across the stone path. Caspian let out a heavy sigh, ran a hand through his hair, and took a long, steadying breath before following her in silence.After sending Amelia back to her chamber, Caspian remained in the corridor for a moment, watching the heavy wooden doors close behind her. His face was unreadable, but his eyes burned with a mixture of anger and betrayal. Turning to the nearest maid, he spoke coldly, his voice devoid of warmth.“Do not leave her alone. Not for a second. I want someone watching her at all times. Do you understand?”The maid nodded quickly, bowing her head as she hurried away.Caspian exhaled sharply and made his way to his own chambers. The large room was dimly lit, the fireplace casting flickering shadows against the stone walls. He didn’t bother removing his cloak. Crossing the room in a few long strides, he grabbed a crystal decanter and poured himself a full glass of deep red wine. Without pause, he downed it in a single gulp, the burn of it doing little to calm the storm inside him.Just then, there was a knock at the door. Caspian didn’t answer, but it creaked open slightly, and Felix stepped inside. His expression was cautious, eyes scanning the room until they landed on the king.“Your Majesty,” he said gently, concern lacing his voice, “are you all right?”Caspian turned toward him, his glare sharp and laced with frustration. “She was defending that creature,” he said, his voice rising. “She said he protected her. And I am the one who's hurting her.” He tossed the empty glass onto a nearby table with a sharp clink. “She took his side, Felix. That winged thing.”Felix stepped closer, choosing his words carefully. “She was angry, sire. Hurt and confused. I don’t believe she meant what she said. Not truly.”Caspian paced a few steps, then turned to Felix with narrowed eyes. “Why did you let her visit Rosaline?  This is your doing.”Felix bowed his head, his hands behind his back in silent remorse. “Forgive me, my lord. But I had no right to disobey the former queen’s orders."Caspian clenched his fists, the tendons in his hands tightening. “From now on, I want her watched. I want to know where she goes, who she speaks to, and what she does. I trust no one but you, Felix.”Felix straightened, his voice resolute. “I will do that, my lord. You have nothing to worry about. She won’t leave my sight.”There was a long pause. Caspian’s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. Without a word, he poured a second glass of wine and extended it toward Felix.Felix blinked in surprise. “Your Majesty… I can’t. What if the maids see? Or someone else?”Caspian gave a dry laugh, lifting his own glass. “I’m not offering it to a knight. I’m offering it to an old friend. If it bothers you, close the damn door.”Felix looked around, half-smiling, then turned and quietly shut the door behind him. The room felt heavier now, sealed off from the world outside.He took the glass from Caspian’s hand.“For old times, then,” Felix said quietly.Caspian nodded. “For old times.”They stood in silence for a moment, drinking, the only sound the crackling of the fire and the weight of all that remained unsaid.