xxvii

"What do you mean?" Caspian asked, following Kahlil down the stairs and towards the infirmary, where the men were being treated by Apollonia and Ryuu. Kahlil propped the door open and moved to the side, letting Caspian brush past him.

His eyes soaked in the scene before him. There were bloodied bandages sitting on the metal tables and Apollonia was putting stitches underneath one of the guard's eyes. Caspian walked up to the man with the bandage tied around his left eye.

"Tell me, what happened, soldier?" Caspian crossed his arms over his chest. The man looked up at Caspian, taking a deep breath before starting to speak lowly. "All we saw was a flash of red and white, then the leader of the squadron was lying on his back, choking on his own blood.

"A white fox attacked next, causing panic among them. That's when she attacked again. Kain and me barely made it out alive, but Kain hid under some brush and she let me go to give you and Princess Ophelia a message."

Caspian reached up and stroked his chin. "What was the message?" Kahlil slowly backed out of the infirmary, slowly turning invisible, as to not be seen.

The soldier sucked in a breath before looking Caspian in his eyes. "She said "We have eyes and ears in the castle. Whatever you do, whatever move you plan to make, we'll know."."

Caspian stayed quiet for a while before grabbing and patting the soldier's shoulder. "You and Kain take a few weeks to rest up and heal." "Thank you, sir." The soldier bowed his head and slowly slid down into the hospital bed.

Caspian turned to speak with Kahlil, but noticed he was gone. Kahlil can't be... can he?

---

Ophelia opened her eyes, greeted to the cawing of a bird outside her window. She stood up and noticed that two crows were hoping around on her balcony. Ophelia smiled to herself and opened the balcony doors slowly.

The crows looked at Ophelia, hoping backwards a little. "Hi." Ophelia said softly, holding her hand out. One of the crows warily hoped forward, and gently pecked at her hand. "I'm sorry, I don't have any seed for you." Ophelia pouted slightly and watched as the crows cawed, as if upset by her declaration.

Ophelia sighed and stood up, dusting her hands off and turning her back towards the doors. A knock rang through the room and Ophelia called out, telling whoever knocked to come in.

"I have a letter for you, Ophelia."

It was Anaieese, shutting the door as she walked into the room and gave the rough envelope to Ophelia.

"What's this?" Ophelia asked lowly, flipping the envelope over and opening it up. She pulled the paper out and read it.

Your Highness,

I have moved your wedding at the end of the week - all plans have been figured out, thanks to your father - and your coronation is tomorrow. Please up early so you can get ready in time!

Your advisor, Kahlil.

Ophelia sighed and walked to the table and dropped the letter onto the table. She pressed her hands against the edges and leaned against it.

"He couldn't tell me?" Ophelia sighed out. "I'll choose my outfit today, Anaieese. Please help me get into it?" Ophelia smiled towards Anaieese.

Anaieese smiled and nodded. "Of course, my dear." Ophelia walked into the closet and shuffled through the hangers before deciding to wear a simple v-necked dress with a slight puff to the sleeve.

Ophelia walked out of the closet and hung it up before pulling the dress over her head and slid the dress off of the hanger. Anaieese helped her put the dress over her head and moved the dress around before zipping it up.

Ophelia hiked her skirt up and walked back into the closet and grabbed a pair of black silk shoes, slipping them onto her feet. Anaieese was bending over and gathering the dress Ophelia had slept in as Ophelia walked out of the room.

"Have you seen my wandering fiance anywhere?" Ophelia asked, turning to face Anaieese. She turned and nodded.

"While I was walking over here to give you the letter, he passed me and was on his way towards the dining hall."

Ophelia thanked Anaieese and left her room, rushing through the halls and walked into the dining hall, seeing that Caspian was helping some of the servants move some of the tables around.

"My love!" Ophelia called, folding her hands in front of her. Caspian turned towards her and smiled before telling the servants to continue working. He turned and walked towards Ophelia and leaned down, pressing a kiss to her mouth.

"What brings you here?" Caspian asked, smiling softly. "Did you hear what Kahlil did?" Ophelia asked. Caspian knit his eyebrows together. "No, not yet. What did he say?"

Ophelia sighed. "The coronation is tomorrow and the wedding is at the end of the week." Caspian stopped, resting his hand on his mouth, before widening his eyes and looking down at Ophelia. "What?" Ophelia shook her head.

"Why is he rushing?" Caspian continued, rubbing his hand down his face. "Not that I don't want to marry you as quickly as possible." Caspian added, noticing Ophelia's look.

Ophelia nodded slowly. "Uh-huh. Anyways, apparently dad had the wedding figured out before he died." Caspian shrugged. "Maybe he did."

Before anyone could continue the conversation, the dining hall doors swung open and Kahlil walked in.

"Ophelia, Caspian! I've been looking for you." He smiled at both of them, resting his hands on his hips. "Ophelia, did you get my letter?" Ophelia nodded, before sucking in a breath to ask Kahlil the question that had been bugging her.

Kahlil cut her off. "Good, good. Please be ready in the morning." Ophelia rolled her eyes and looked at Caspian. "Will do, Kahlil. I actually have some things I need to do, I'll talk to you later. Caspian, dear, please, can you help me out?"

Ophelia batted her eyes and smiled sweetly. Kahlil knit his eyebrows and looked between them. Caspian nodded, looked at Kahlil and asked him to help the servants complete setting the dining room up.

Kahlil - albeit hesitantly - nodded and turned to start directing. Caspian and Ophelia walked out of the dining hall. Ophelia grabbed his arm and pulled him into a small cove a little ways away from the dining hall.

"Why is he being so demanding?" Ophelia whispered, searching Caspian's eyes for any answer he might give. "I really don't know." Caspian responded.

He hated not telling her what he had heard last night from the wounded soldier, but he didn't want her to worry too much.

"It's a little strange. He went from suggesting different things to forcing us to do whatever he decides." Ophelia pointed out, sighing through her nose. "If he continues doing whatever he's doing, I think he'll need to go."

Caspian nodded before gripping her hands. "I really hope that this is to see if you can handle someone trying to tell you what you can and cannot do."

I hope he's not the spy I think he is.