xxiii

The whole castle was heavy with sadness. The throne room was full of the citizens of the kingdom. Ophelia was sitting on her throne with Caspian standing behind her. Abraxas' casket - which was black and gold - was sitting on a special stand.

"It is a sad day for everyone. Our beloved king had passed on." A highly respected man said, head bowed over the podium standing behind the casket.

Ophelia closed her eyes and waited until she was beckoned forward to make a speech. "I will now hand the microphone over to Princess Ophelia."

Ophelia stood up and walked to the podium, and cleared her throat.

"My father was a good man. A great king, and an even better father. I wouldn't give him up for the world."

Ophelia blinked back tears and brought her hand up to her mouth. "I'm sorry. Even though I wouldn't give him up for the world, I lost him. He was taken away too soon. Thanks to a fugitive who was set free by a traitor to the crown."

Caspian took a step forward and gently called her name. "Eli? What're you doing?" Ophelia ignored him and continued. "I want her found. I want her brought to me alive. If you're a citizen, please be careful around her. She's dangerous."

A low murmur rose from the crowd, and the guards stood at attention. "Your king wouldn't want you to get hurt. I don't want you to get hurt. Please, take caution." Ophelia called out to her subjects.

Caspian fully walked up behind her and rested a hand on the small of her back. "Ophelia, are you sure you know what you are doing?" She looked back to Caspian and nodded. "Yes. I'm tired of running. Of fearing this foe. It's time we fought."

The guards moved everyone out of the middle of the pathway, so 6 of the guards could carry the casket to the tombs below the castle.

Caspian pulled Ophelia back to her throne, and stood beside her, holding her hand tightly. Abraxas' most trusted advisor took the stand. "Our new ruler's coronation will be at the same time next week. The wedding of Caspian and Princess Ophelia will take place soon after that.

"This kingdom will last for a long time, with two wonderful people on the throne." Ophelia smiled and tilted her head. The crowd of citizens called out in agreeance.

"Come, let us allow the new queen and her betrothed to grieve." The man dismissed everyone. The guards ushered them out of the throne room and shut the doors gently.

"Thank you, Kahlil." Ophelia smiled at the man with copper skin. Kahlil bowed his head. "Your father will be missed. I hope I can help you as much as I help your father." The wizened man smiled. Ophelia wrapped him in a hug and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "I'm certain you will."

---

Caspian and Ophelia sat in the garden, under the open roofed pavilion, staring up at the star-speckled sky. "Are you nervous?" Caspian asked, tearing his eyes from the stars to stare at Ophelia's side profile.

Ophelia nodded, not looking away from the sky. She was deep in thought, Caspian knew just by the way she held herself.

"It's going to be okay." Caspian reassured, scooting closer to Ophelia and wrapped her in a hug. "You're going to be okay." Ophelia sighed and rested her head onto his shoulder.

"What if I won't be a good enough queen?" Ophelia whispered, low, Caspian almost didn't hear her. He reached down and gripped her hand tightly before bringing it up to his lips and pressed multiple kisses to the knuckles.

"You'll be a wonderful queen. I'll be beside you the whole time." Caspian promised. Ophelia watched as Caspian let her hand go and kneeled in front of her.

"I know your father made it so you and I got married, but I wanted to ask you officially." Caspian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box and opened it. A teardrop diamond gleamed in the low light and Ophelia gasped, bringing her hands up to her mouth.

"I know this is such a sad day, my love, but I wanted to help make it better by asking you to be mine. Be mine." Caspian asked, his look pleading. Ophelia smiled and nodded.

"Yes, of course."

Caspian broke into a wide smile and slipped the ring onto her finger before wrapping her into a tight hug. Ophelia hugged him back. "I love you." Caspian murmured, resting his hand on Ophelia's cheek.

She nuzzled her cheek into his hand and looked lovingly up at Caspian. He looked between her lips and her eyes before slowly leaning in. Ophelia pushed up onto her tip toes and closed the gap, moulding her lips against his.

Caspian pulled away, panting. Ophelia smiled and let out a breathless giggle. "I love you too." She responded.

They spent the rest of the evening in the garden, looking at the stars and talking about the future. Ophelia's face slowly fell. "I knew he was dead the moment he showed up in my room." Caspian looked at her, knitting his eyebrows together.

"He immediately went to tell me. He... he..." Ophelia choked up, biting her lip hard. Caspian reached over and rubbed her bicep. "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready."

Ophelia nodded. "I just want this whole situation over with." Her voice cracked with emotion. Caspian pressed a kiss to her temple before standing up. "Are you ready to go inside?" He held out his hand, waiting for Ophelia to take it.

Ophelia shook her head. "I think I'll stay out here for a little longer. You go ahead." Caspian nodded and dropped his arm by his side. "Don't stay out here too long, okay?"

"Okay." Ophelia said, smiling sadly. Caspian turned and walked back into the castle, leaving her alone.

Ophelia sighed and looked back up to the sky. To whatever god can hear me, please let this end soon!

"I didn't take you to be much of a religious person."

Ophelia jumped and turned, coming face to face with a masked woman. "I'm not. Who are you?" Ophelia slid off of the chair and turned towards the strange woman. A white fox jumped around a post and landed beside the stranger's feet.

"I am Aisling. I help Yuki now, since you killed Perseus." The woman pulled off the fox mask and smiled slyly. Her hair fell like pin needles, white like the fox curling around her legs. Her eyes sparkled under the pale moonlight.

"Yuki won't win this war like she thinks she will," Ophelia said. "It won't happen the way she wants it to." Aisling smirked and took a step closer. Ophelia took a step back.

"I know what you're thinking. I can read your mind," Ailsing sauntered. "I know you're scared." Ophelia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "I'm not scared. If you have actually been reading my mind, you'd know I want all of this to stop. I am very annoyed. If you don't leave this castle now, I will call for the guards."

Ophelia stood straighter and took a step closer to Aisling. She looked unsure, and her fox yipped warily. "I'm giving you a few seconds to leave."

Ophelia warned. Aisling sneered before putting her mask back on, jumping upwards, out of sight as her fox scurried off into the darkness.