Chapter 80: chapter 80

By mid-morning, the royal courtyard had come alive with grandeur and anticipation. The cobbled square shimmered beneath the pale sunlight, casting golden light over the assembled nobility. Members of the royal family and highborn houses stood together, draped in velvet tunics and fur-lined cloaks, their garments rich with embroidery and house sigils. The guards, resplendent in polished breastplates, lined the edges of the courtyard, standing tall and alert. Servants and attendants moved swiftly between the groups, carrying woven baskets filled with fresh bread, ripe fruits, and flasks of aged wine wrapped in linen.The clinking of bridles, the occasional whinny of horses, and the rustle of layered garments blended into a gentle murmur of courtly excitement.Amelia emerged at last, walking into the courtyard with her two maids trailing behind her, holding the edge of her gown to keep it from brushing the dusty stones. Her dress was a soft lavender shade, cinched at the waist with a silver ribbon, and her hair had been pinned back in an elegant twist that shimmered with tiny pearls.Rosaline spotted her instantly. With a faint, teasing smirk curling on her lips, she glided over, her presence as poised as always. She tilted her head slightly and greeted Amelia with a voice soaked in feigned concern.“What took you so long, love?” she asked, her tone suggesting a mix of affection and amusement.Amelia gave a sheepish half-smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I woke up late today,” she said. “I suppose I lost track of time."Before Rosaline could say anything, the sound of hooves echoed through the courtyard. Caspian entered astride a tall, sable-colored stallion. His cloak, wind-tossed and travel-worn, framed his lean frame, and his green eyes swept the courtyard with calm authority. At once, the idle chatter died down, and everyone turned toward him.Caspian dismounted with quiet ease, handing the reins to a waiting stableboy. “Mount up,” he called across the courtyard, his voice steady and commanding. “We ride within the hour.”One by one, the nobles began climbing onto their horses, their movements practiced and confident. The courtyard filled with the rhythm of shifting saddles and clipped conversations. Horses snorted and stamped, anxious to begin.Amelia turned to her assigned horse—a gentle bay mare already saddled and held steady by a stable boy. The mare looked docile, almost too calm amidst the flurry, but to Amelia, she seemed like a towering beast. Her throat tightened.She didn’t move.She stood still, rooted to the spot, her gloved hands clutched tightly in front of her. Her eyes darted nervously from the mare to the others already mounted and talking casually. This should’ve been simple. Expected. Routine.But Amelia had never ridden a horse before.Not once.“My lady, are you okay?” her maid whispered softly behind her.Amelia nodded once, her expression unreadable. “It’s nothing,” she said firmly, brushing past her maid before that girl could press further.She walked toward her assigned mare. The horse blinked at her with mild curiosity, as if sensing her hesitation. The courtyard was already clearing. Riders were beginning to move out through the gate. She was running out of time.Amelia gathered her skirts awkwardly and placed a hand on the saddle, her fingers trembling. She tried to lift herself up, copying what she had seen the others do—but her foot slipped from the stirrup, and her body swayed. She almost fell backward before catching herself.“Did you ever ride a horse before?” the stable boy asked, his voice low and direct.The words struck her like a cold breeze.There was something about his voice—it was eerily familiar. Amelia glanced at the stable boy—that sent a chill running down her spine.Her hands gripped the saddle tighter as she kept her head down. Her voice, when it came, was stiff. “I’ll manage.”Across the courtyard, Caspian watched the small commotion unfold, arms folded loosely across his chest. Felix stood beside him, adjusting the gloves on his hands.Caspian narrowed his eyes. “Something’s going on over there,” he said. “Go take a look.”Felix gave a short nod and made his way across the courtyard, weaving between departing horses and nobles until he reached Amelia.He stopped beside her and dipped his head respectfully. “Is there something wrong, my lady?” he asked.Before Amelia could even open her mouth, the stable boy—still holding the mare’s reins—spoke up in a flat tone.“This lady doesn’t know how to ride a horse.”The words hung in the air, plain and sharp.Amelia froze.Her cheeks flushed with heat as several lingering attendants and guards turned their heads toward her. The humiliation pricked at her like needles beneath the skin.Felix’s brow furrowed, but his voice was gentle. “Is that true?”Amelia exhaled slowly and lifted her chin. “Yes,” she admitted, her voice steady despite the sting in her pride. “I’ve never been taught.”Felix glanced at the stable boy, frowning slightly. “That’s no way to speak to a lady,” he said sharply. “Step back.”The boy said nothing, simply raised both hands in a silent gesture of surrender and retreated a few paces. But Amelia could still feel his presence—could feel his eyes on her back.Felix turned back to her. “You should have spoken up earlier. We’d never have let you struggle like this.”Amelia straightened, brushing a stray curl from her cheek. “Please don’t trouble yourself about me… Sir Felix,” she said firmly, her voice laced with anger. “Just help me mount the horse.”She extended her hands toward him. Felix hesitated only a moment before stepping forward, his movements steady and respectful. He clasped her hands and guided her into the saddle with practiced ease.As she adjusted herself, gripping the reins with uncertain hands, Felix studied her with a faint frown. “My lady… are you sure about this? Riding alone without experience could be dangerous. You can still ride with one of us—”“No, thank you,” Amelia cut in, her gaze fixed ahead. “I’m fine on my own.”He sighed softly. “My lady, this truly isn’t a good idea.”“Don’t waste your time worrying over me, Sir Felix,” she replied with quiet steel. “We’re already late.”Felix hesitated, clearly weighing whether to push the issue further. Then, with a resigned nod, he turned to the stable boy standing nearby—still watching, quiet and unreadable.“You,” Felix said sharply, pointing at him. “Take the mare’s reins. Walk beside her, steady her path, and make sure she doesn’t come to harm.”His eyes narrowed slightly. “If anything happens to her—anything at all—you will answer for it.” Then he met Amelia’s gaze and added gently, “We’ll be riding just behind you, my lady.Then stable boy bowed his head. “I will keep her safe, no matter what, my lord,” he said. His voice was calm but resolute—too calm, perhaps. Felix watched the boy take the reins and guide the mare forward slowly, careful not to jolt Amelia. She held her posture stiffly, jaw clenched, eyes set ahead—trying to appear in control, even if her grip was a little too tight.Felix turned and made his way back to Caspian, who was mounted and waiting just beyond the courtyard arch.“There was a mild problem,” Felix reported, climbing onto his own horse. “But I believe it’s managed.”Caspian’s eyes followed Amelia as she rode ahead, her posture tense but determined. “She insisted on riding alone?” he asked, his tone laced with curiosity—and a hint of disapproval.Felix exhaled, nodding once. “She did.”Caspian turned his gaze toward him, brows slightly raised. “And you let her?”Felix offered a small shrug. “She seemed angry… for some reason. I didn’t think pressing her would help.”Caspian was silent for a moment, then urged his horse forward. Felix followed him, and the two of them followed behind Amelia at a careful distance as the royal procession finally rode out of the courtyard and into the open road. The sun had risen high now, casting long shadows ahead.