xxi

The blood will forever taint Ophelia's hands. His head falling into the basket will forever haunt her dreams. Ophelia immediately handed the executioner his sword and rushed off, making a bee-line to her room.

Caspian - after being excused by Abraxas - rushed off to comfort her. Ophelia had collapsed on the staircase, holding her stomach with one hand and had her mouth covered by the other.

Caspian dropped down beside her and pulled her into a tight hug. "It's okay. I'm here." He stroked her hair. "I... I felt his soul leave his body." Ophelia sobbed out.

She gripped the collar of Caspian's shirt tightly and pulled him closer. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up." Caspian shifted her to where he could slide his arms around her body and carry her up the stairs to her room.

Anaieese was in Ophelia's room, straightening it up when Caspian - albeit struggling - opened the door and walked in. "Oh!" Anaieese jumped and dropped the blanket onto the bed.

"Can you start a bath for her, please?" Caspian asked, setting Ophelia down onto the armchair. She curled around herself when Caspian pulled away and stepped towards the bathroom. Anaieese walked out, telling him that the water was running.

"Thank you. I'll take over from here." Caspian bowed his head and turned back towards Ophelia. "Come one, my dear, your bath is waiting for you."

Ophelia looked up at him, eyes wet with tears, but far away. She nodded and pushed herself from the chair, turning and moving her hair so Caspian could get to the zipper.

He stepped forward and gripped the zipper, and pulled it down. Ophelia reached up and slid the shoulders down her arms and let the dress fall. The slip danced as she walked towards the bathroom.

Caspian leaned down and picked up the dress, draping it over the back of the chair. Ophelia cleared her throat, causing Caspian to turn and face her.

"Come. Help me."

Caspian nodded and walked to catch up with Ophelia, and gripped her outstretched hand. She pulled him into the bathroom and let his hand go. She pulled the slip from her body and stepped into the large bathtub.

Caspian moved the chair by the far wall beside her head and reached over the rim of the tub and started rubbing her shoulders.

"I'm sorry that I didn't try harder to stop you." Caspian said, leaning down and kissing the crown of her head.

Ophelia shook her head and leaned it back. "No, I have to learn to get over it." She gulped heavily before letting out a shaky breath. She sunk deeper into the water, allowing the warmth of it seep into her muscles. Ophelia closed her eyes, the scene repeating in her head over and over.

Caspian gently touched two fingers to each side of her temples. Ophelia jumped, but didn't jerk away. He was numbing the memory, making it as if she were just watching a movie.

Once finished, Caspian pulled his fingers away and reached them to his temples, trying to ease the small headache starting to pound in his head.

"What did you do just now?" Ophelia asked, opening her eyes and turning towards him. Caspian smiled. "I made it easier on you. I helped the memory become more like a movie and not what actually happened to you." He leaned forward and smiled. Ophelia leaned and pecked his nose.

"Thank you. I know you were trying to help, but it's not something I will get over anytime soon." Ophelia sighed. Caspian nodded. "I know, Darling. I was just trying to make it easier for you."

She smiled and turned back around, allowing her face to fall. I don't know how I'm going to fake this. Ophelia thought. She slipped beneath the surface of the water, letting it block all of her senses.

Caspian sat back, letting her move through her processes of grief and change. When she broke the surface, she sucked in a few deep breaths. Ophelia turned around and looked ar Caspian.

"I'm ready to get out." She said, moving to get out of the bathtub. Caspian went to leave but Ophelia snapped her fingers.

"You saw me naked before I got into the bath, what's different about me getting out?" Ophelia tilted her head to the left and smiled sweetly. Caspian sat back down, crossed his legs and wrapped his left arm around his torso while resting his elbow on top of it, resting his hand on his chin.

Ophelia pushed herself out of the bath, water rolling down her naked body as she walked towards the marbled counter, pulling a towel around her and turning to look at Caspian. He was shaking his leg lightly, and his eyes were darker than normal.

She smiled sweetly before turning and grabbing another towel, wrapping her hair up. "I'm finished." Ophelia stated, leaving the bathroom and walked towards her closet. Caspian drained the bath and left the bathroom.

Ophelia was rummaging through some of her clothes when she noticed Caspian leaning against the door of her closet. She was pulling out a various amount of lingerie, putting up the ones she doesn't want to wear.

"Eli." Caspian cleared his throat. Ophelia kept rummaging through the drawers. "Eli." Caspian tried again. Ophelia stopped and released a slow, calculated breath from her nose. "Yes, my love?"

Caspian walked up to her and wrapped her in a hug. "You don't have to pretend to be okay." Ophelia knit her eyebrows and bit her lip. "I have to act like I'm okay, for my kingdom." She looked up at Caspian, noticing for the first time that he wanted nothing more than to make sure she was okay.

Caspian ran his thumb over her cheek. "Sometimes, even royalty needs a break. Sometimes they're not okay. You're not emotionless." Caspian pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"But what if I become emotionless?" Ophelia asked, eyes widening with worry. Caspian shook his head. "You know right from wrong. You care too much for your citizens. You have so many emotions that won't let you become emotionless."