Chapter 76: chapter 76

After Felix left the room, a storm erupted within Caspian—of burning jealousy and rage. His chest rose and fell rapidly, as though each breath fanned the fire growing inside him. The image of Amelia in Ivar’s arms—clawed at his insides like a beast let loose.Without a second thought, he called out, his voice sharp and commanding. "Bring her here."The maid bowed silently and vanished from the room like a shadow on command.In Amelia’s chamber, Violet was guiding her how to be a noble lady. Amelia was focused, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration, until a knock came at the door."Come in," Violet said calmly, without breaking the posture she was demonstrating to Amelia.Andrea stepped inside with a graceful bow. "His Majesty has summoned Lady Amelia."Amelia froze. Her heart missed a beat, then caught up with a thudding panic. She turned to Violet, her eyes filled with unspoken fears.Violet studied her for a moment, then gave a solemn nod. "You may go now—His Majesty has summoned you."With a hesitant nod, Amelia followed Andrea down the corridor, her palms cold and her breath shallow. As they neared the King’s chamber, she stopped for a moment, placing a hand against her chest. Breathe. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm within her.Andrea announced softly, "Your Majesty, Lady Amelia is here."Caspian turned slowly, his piercing gaze landing on Amelia with a weight that nearly made her knees give way. He spoke without looking at Andrea."You may go now."The door clicked shut behind Amelia. Silence settled between them like a blade.Amelia lowered her eyes, a sinking dread crawling up her spine. Something is wrong."Where were you last night?" Caspian asked directly, his tone cold and devoid of warmth.The question caught her off guard. Her breath hitched. A thousand lies rushed to her tongue, but her voice failed her.Finally, she whispered, "I was in my chamber, Your Majesty."Caspian did not blink. "If you were in your chamber, then tell me—who was flying in the sky with that beast after midnight?"Her eyes widened, her lips parted in disbelief. Her mind raced. How could he know? Felix. It must have been Felix. He saw us and told him. And the King trusts Felix completely. My words... they mean nothing now."I don’t know what you are talking about," she said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady.Caspian’s expression darkened. His jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his side."You truly don’t know, or are you just pretending not to know?""I don’t know, Your Majesty," she repeated, keeping her head bowed to hide the fear in her eyes.A cold silence followed. Then Caspian’s voice, lower now, almost a whisper."So you’ve chosen to lie. Then tell me—did you go willingly with him? Or did he take you against your will?"Amelia’s lips trembled. She knew that any answer would be dangerous. To say she went willingly would only fuel Caspian’s fury. To say she had been taken would endanger Ivar—so she kept quiet.Caspian took a step forward. The silence stretched too long."Answer me," he growled.Still, she remained quiet.In a flash, his hand shot out. He seized her by the neck, pushing her back against the stone wall. Her eyes widened in shock. Fear gripped her limbs like ice."Speak now," Caspian snarled, his voice low and trembling with rage, "or you will never speak again."He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. His eyes, blazed with betrayal."Was it fun?" he whispered harshly. "Did it feel good, being in his arms? Did his touch excite you?"Amelia began to tremble. "Your Majesty," she gasped, her voice barely audible. "There is a misunderstanding.""A misunderstanding?" he echoed bitterly. "Are you suggesting my men’s eyes are rotten? Or perhaps it wasn’t you at all—just a maid with your face?"Her silence was unbearable."Answer me!" he roared, his grip tightening.She flinched, startled by the sudden outburst. Her eyes filled with tears—not of guilt, but of helplessness.Caspian finally released her throat, but remained towering over her, his breath warm against the delicate curve of her ear. Amelia froze, her pulse racing as his voice slipped into a low, dangerous whisper.“Trust me,” he murmured, his lips barely grazing her skin. “I can give you pleasure beyond anything he’s ever offered you. Let me… please you, Amelia. Be mine—only mine.”Her breath hitched, betraying the storm building within her. His nearness was suffocating, intoxicating, and yet entirely unwelcome. She felt the weight of his desire pressing against her like a fever, and for a moment, her body trembled in unease.Caspian’s eyes flicked down to her lips, dark with intent. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned in. Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest. Just before he could close the distance, she shoved him back with all the strength she could summon.“No,” she said firmly, her voice unsteady but defiant.He staggered a step, stunned by her rejection. His eyes, once seductive, now burned with fury. Without a word, he lunged again, grabbing Her roughly by arms and slamming her harder into the wall.He gripped her chin tightly, forcing her gaze to meet his. “You think you can push me away?” he snarled, his voice low but laced with venom. “You belong to me, Amelia.”Then, without waiting for consent, he pressed his lips against hers—hard, hungry, and unrelenting. The kiss was not tender, not loving—it was a warning. A claim.She struggled beneath him, her fists pressing against his chest, but he didn’t relent until the fire in him dimmed for a fleeting moment. He finally pulled back, his forehead resting against hers, his breath ragged and hot.“If you keep resisting me like this,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with restrained hunger, “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to wait until our wedding night.”Caspian pulled away from her abruptly, as if touching her any longer might break whatever control he still had left. His chest rose and fell with sharp breaths. He turned his back to her, trying to bury the storm of emotions churning beneath his skin.His voice, when he spoke, was strained—tight with rage barely held in check.“Stop loving that beast,” he said, his tone low, dangerous. “Because if you don’t…” He paused, swallowing hard, jaw twitching. “I’ll do things, Amelia. Terrible things… and you’ll be too afraid to even remember his name.”His words weren’t a threat—they were a warning, to her and to himself.The words sent a sickening twist through her stomach. Amelia stood frozen, stunned by the intensity in his voice. But she couldn't respond. Her throat closed around the silence, and her heart ached with the weight of it. Whatever little respect she once had for the king disappeared in that moment. His touch now felt like poison on her skin. And in that moment, she didn’t just feel disgust. She felt hatred—deep, furious hatred that bloomed in her chest like a firestorm.