Near, Yet Far

Anastasia felt a small tingle of happiness amidst her anxiety and fear when Caspian suddenly stopped her from leaving.

She gulped and took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.

“Anna?” Caspian called her name again.

Anastasia looked over her shoulder to see Caspian expectantly looking at her. He wasn’t letting go of her hand.

“Yes, umm…” She looked ahead again. Her guards were still standing at the door, waiting for her to come out of the room. So, she ordered her guards first, “Please wait for a moment. And could you close the door?”

The guards sensed that the King and the Queen had some unfinished conversation. So, they bowed and quickly pulled the door close as they were asked.

The moment the door was shut, Caspian let go of his grip on Anastasia’s hand.

Then the two of them slowly turned around to face each other.

“Yes? Did you want to say something? Or… ask something, perhaps?” Anastasia looked Caspian in the eyes and asked in a hopeful manner.