xxvi

Ophelia was walking around the castle as Caspian followed her, quietly thinking through all of the things Kahlil had told them. Ophelia didn't say a word, listening to the drone of her shoes clicking against the floor.

Guards bowed as they walked past Ophelia and Caspian, but neither acknowledged them. Caspian reached for Ophelia's hand, causing Ophelia to jump.

"Oh, you scared me." Ophelia breathed out, putting her hand against her chest. Caspian wrapped her into a hug. "I was thinking, whatever Aisling does, we will have an advantage. We will be able to know anything they do."

Ophelia wrapped her arms around Caspian's waist, smiling into his chest. "Hopefully, all of this will be over." Caspian nodded, looking out of the window by the courtyard. A faint blood stain where Abraxas had laid, dying.

The image flew full force into his frontal lobe and the wind left his lungs. Ophelia noticed that his chest had tightened, and she looked up, asking if he was alright.

Caspian looked down, swallowing the lump in his throat, nodding. "Yea. I'm alright." He looked up and smiled, stroking the hair from her face. Ophelia - albeit unconvinced - tilted her head into his hand and turned, and continued walking.

Caspian reached down and interlocked their fingers. Ophelia smiled and sighed. If only my parents were alive to see this.

---

That night, Ophelia stood outside on her balcony, looking up at the stars. They were duller than normal, not twinkling as brightly as they usually did. There was a slight wind, blowing the skirt of her white cotton dress.

Ophelia sighed, closing her eyes, lost in thought, when an unexpected voice caused her to jump. "It's our lovely little princess."

Ophelia opened her eyes and looked to the side. She was met with the familiar copper eyes. "What do you want, Yuki?" Ophelia growled, curling her fists. "I want you to leave. Give me your kingdom." Yuki answered, not missing a beat.

Ophelia shook her head, glaring at her. "No. Never. You will never get the crown, nor will you ever win whatever game you're trying to play."

Yuki knit her eyebrows together. "You took everything from me-" "Well, you forced me to take a responsibility that I am not ready for!" Ophelia yelled. "You forced me into this when you killed my father!" She growled out, taking a step forward.

"What's going on here?" Yuki and Ophelia both turned and looked at the source of noise. Caspian stepped from the far end of the balcony, hands folded behind his back as he slowly sauntered to stand behind Ophelia.

Yuki's eyes flashed with malice, and she released a low growl. "It was only fair, Ophelia. You took what mattered most to me, I took what mattered to you. I was originally aiming for Casanova there, but Abraxas had to be a hero."

Ophelia raised her head, clenching her jaw. "You admit to killing your king?" Yuki sneered. "He wasn't my king. I bow to no one." "Except the gods." Ophelia drawled.

Yuki rolled her eyes. "The gods died a long time ago, when they failed to save my family." Ophelia crossed her arms over her chest and looked towards the doors. Caspian stepped out in front of her, looking at Yuki.

"I get that, Yuki, but stop this foolish quest. You're not going to win." Caspian tried to reason. Yuki glared at Caspian. "I continue this quest so I can protect the people who can't protect themselves."

Ophelia turned towards Yuki. "What do you think I'm trying to do?" "Oh please," Yuki scoffed. "The only thing the crown thinks about is its own safety." Ophelia shook her head. "The crown wants to protect its people."

Caspian stood between the both of the girls, looking for a chance to stop the growing argument. Yuki was the first one to talk. "You heard my request. If I don't hear anything soon, I will be back." Yuki jumped onto the railing of the balcony and fell backwards.

Caspian looked over the edge, pursing his lips and looked at Ophelia. "She's gone." Ophelia dropped her arms to her sides and turned, walking into her room and sat down onto her bed.

Caspian followed, shutting the balcony doors and sat down beside Ophelia, pulling her into his side. Ophelia closed her eyes and bit her lip. "She only attacked you to get back to me for killing Perseus." Caspian rubbed her back. "She killed Abraxas due to vengeance."

Caspian sighed, unwrapping his arms from Ophelia. "Get some rest, Darling."

Caspian stood up and turned to walk to the entrance of her bedroom. Ophelia stood up, jogging to catch up with Caspian's strides and wrapped her arms around his waist. Caspian stopped, hands dropping down on top of her hands.

Ophelia buried her face into his back and breathed in deeply. Caspian spun in her grip and wrapped her into a tight hug. "I have to go and do some rounds, Darling, and you need to get some rest." Ophelia looked up at him, slowly shaking her head. "I don't want you to leave. Why don't you stay, at least until I fall asleep."

Caspian looked at Ophelia before glancing back at the door. "Until you fall asleep." Ophelia smiled and gripped his hand, pulling him towards the large bed and sat down in front of him. Caspian moved to sit beside her and Ophelia scooted back to the front of her bed,

Caspian followed her and pulled the stray blanket up to cover them both. Ophelia curled into Caspian's side and looked up at him. Caspian looked back down and smiled.

"What?" Caspian asked, smiling. "Nothing. Nothing." Ophelia answered innocently, resting her head onto his shoulder. Caspian stroked her jaw and rested his head back against the headboard and closed his eyes.

He was deep in thought when he heard Ophelia sigh. He looked down and made sure she was okay. She nodded her head and nuzzled her head back into his side. Caspian shifted slightly and fixed Ophelia's head, resting her head onto his shoulder.

After what seemed like forever, Ophelia was softly snoring. Caspian gently moved her head onto a pillow and slowly got out of bed. He walked around to Ophelia's side and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Caspian walked to the door and turned to check - one last time - and make sure Ophelia was asleep. "Goodnight, my love." Caspian whispered before turning and shutting the door. Caspian had just reached the grand staircase when Kahlil rushed up the stairs and stopped Caspian from walking the rest of the way down.

"Kahlil, what's wrong?" Caspian asked, stopping the man from tumbling down the stairs.

"The kitsune attacked a whole squadron while they were out patrolling. Only two came back."