Chapter 85: chapter 85

After returning from Ealdor, Caspian couldn’t stop thinking about Ingrid’s words. They played over and over in his head, but they were so scattered, so random, that he couldn’t make any sense out of them. That woman had spoken like she was half in this world and half somewhere else, rambling about things he didn’t understand.
Something about a key.
He didn’t know what key she meant, or what it was supposed to unlock. The more he tried to figure it out, the more confused he became. After a long hour of sitting in silence, staring at nothing, he ran a hand through his hair and let out a tired breath.
He needed answers.
That’s when his mind turned to General Alrick. That man knew his father better than anyone. He had stood by his side through every battle, every decision—and if his father had any secrets, Alrick would know them. And he knew that Oracle too. If anyone could help make sense of what Ingrid had said, it was him.
Caspian didn’t waste another moment. He got up with a quiet resolve.
He might provide some answers, he thought.
That night, Caspian summoned Alrick to his chamber. The fire in the hearth was burning low, casting flickering shadows on the walls when a knock came at the door.
“Your Majesty, I heard you summoned me,” Alrick said from the other side.
“Yes, General. I wanted to discuss something,” Caspian replied, walking toward the door. “Please, come in.”
Alrick stepped in, his posture straight as always, though the years had clearly begun to weigh on him. He came closer with a steady look. “I heard from Felix that you suddenly fell sick. You didn’t even come to court today. How is your health now?”
Caspian avoided his eyes for a moment. He didn’t want to answer that—because it wasn’t true. He hadn’t been sick. He had been out the whole day, traveling discreetly to visit the Oracle.
“I’m fine now,” Caspian said quickly. “I wanted to talk to you about the Oracle my father trusted so much.”
Alrick’s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was more behind the question. “What about her?”
“Did she ever say anything to Father… something about a key?” Caspian asked, watching Alrick’s face closely.
Alrick paused. “How do you know that? Did you visit her today?”
Caspian sighed. There was no way he could lie to this man. Alrick had known him since he was a child, had served his father like a shadow—always present, always knowing.
“Yes, Alrick. I went to visit her,” Caspian admitted. “And she said… I have the key. What does that mean?”
Alrick’s face grew serious. He looked toward the fire, as if the flames might help him find the right words.“Once” he began, “ I heard something from your father, back during the invasion in the north. Your father had captured a girl in the forest near the mountain. He believed she was the key. He never explained it, not fully—but he believed it deeply.”
Alrick looked back at Caspian. “It’s the same girl you’re going to marry.”
Caspian stood still, the words sinking in. Now he understood what that woman was trying to say. The strange things Ingrid had spoken—it was all about Amelia. She was the key the Oracle had mentioned. The same key his father once believed in.
“Thank you, General,” Caspian said quietly. “You may go now.”
But Alrick didn’t leave just yet. He stepped closer again. “Your Majesty, please don’t listen to that blind woman. I don’t think trusting her would do any good.”
Caspian gave a small nod. “I don’t trust her. You may rest assured.”
Alrick didn’t seem fully convinced. He looked at Caspian for another moment, reading the weight behind his calm words. He knew something was going on, but he didn’t press further. With a short bow, he said, “As you wish, Your Majesty,” and turned to leave.
The door closed quietly behind him, leaving Caspian alone with a storm of thoughts. Caspian paced the length of the chamber, the flickering light of the torches cast restless shadows on the stone walls, echoing the turmoil in his mind.
Now it made sense. Every piece of the puzzle began to fall into place.
So that’s why Father had captured Amelia, he thought grimly. It wasn’t out of cruelty or suspicion—it was strategy. She’s the key. She can lead me to Ivar.
His jaw tightened, breath shallow as realisation hardened into resolve. She knows something… and she’s hiding it. Protecting him. He turned sharply, the hem of his cloak swishing behind him. He slammed his fist down on the table. "You think you can keep him safe from me." He growled. "Let's see how long that lasts." There was a pause, then his eyes narrowed, full of intent. " I will see the end of him." He muttered under his breath, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Ivar stood from afar, watching over the royal procession as it moved slowly through the winding path below. The banners, the guards, the king—it all seemed distant, yet so painfully clear now. A cold wind brushed past, but he didn’t move. His eyes were fixed, his thoughts racing.
Now everything was making sense. It had always been between him and the king.
At first, he didn’t understand how Amelia got involved in all this. She was never supposed to be part of it. She had nothing to do with power or politics or war—at least, not on the surface. But the things that had happened until now, every twist and turn—it was that old woman’s doing.
That witch.
She had exposed her.The king wasn’t after Amelia by accident. He was after her because of her—because that woman had made sure he saw what Amelia was. And now her life was in danger.
All because of that witch.
Ivar’s jaw tightened. He could feel it now—how carefully everything had been set in motion. And Amelia, unknowingly, had walked straight into it.