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CHAPTER 22
~Amelia's POV~
I had barely gone a step forward when Damien stepped directly into my way. I stopped short.
He was close enough that I had to lift my head to see his face.
"Damien?" I said, confused.
He cleared his throat, shifting his weight as if unsure how to begin. "I should escort you back."
I frowned slightly. "Back? I'm not done walking."
His jaw tightened. "It's not a good idea to stay out."
"Why?" I asked.
He hesitated, then said carefully, "For one, you aren't feeling well. Then, there are… visitors in the palace."
Ah, there it was. The main reason.
"Dangerous ones," he continued, "His Majesty wouldn't want you wandering around."
I didn't need him to say Ethan's name. I already knew. So Ethan had spoken to him and issued instructions.
I studied him for a moment, then haled slowly, the fight draining out of me before it could even begin. "Alright," I said quietly. "I'll go back."
Damien looked relieved, but he still didn't move aside. "I'll walk you."
I sighed. "I can manage on my own."
"I know," he said gently. "But I insist. As a guard. Not… anything else."
There was no threat in his voice. No authority. Just concern.
"Fine," I muttered.
We walked side by side in silence for a few moments.
"You don't have to treat me like glass," I added eventually, just to keep communication a nd possibly get him to spill anything Ethan had said unintentionally.
"I'm not," he replied. "I'm treating you like someone worth protecting."
I didn't respond to that.
When we reached my corridor, he stopped a few steps away from the door.
"Damien?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Thank you," I said, out of habit. "For earlier."
He bowed slightly, a small smile framing his face. "Good night, Your Highness."
"Please Damien, Amelia," I corrected. "When no one else is around."
He smiled faintly. "Can't, Your…"
"Then would you prefer I called you Gamma Damien even when we are alone?"
For the first time in a while, I noticed the unease in his eyes and posture, an entirely different look from his stoic neuual face.
"Good night, Amelia."
My smile must have spilled into my eyes in silent jubilation. "Goodnight."
I turned my doorknob, got inside and closed it without looking back. I could tell he still hadn't left my doorstep thanks to the stares I received.
As soon as the door closed, I heard thudding footsteps and felt my chest heave.
*******
The next morning, I was woken by a soft knock.
"Come in," I called groggily, my hands flying up to clear what sleep was left in my eyes.
The door opened almost immediately, and Damien stepped inside, flanked by two maids carrying a garment box.
"Good morning, Your Highness," he said. "I was sent to deliver a message."
I sat up. "From Ethan?"
"Yes." He hesitated, then added, "There's also something else."
One of the maids opened the box, revealing a riding outfit laid out neatly inside. Dark green, tailored, elegant without being restrictive.
"He wants you to join the hunt today," Damien said. "With Alpha Kaelan."
Of course he did.
"And the clothes?" I asked, keeping my composure as though the mere mention of Kaelan wasn't affecting me.
"A gift," Damien said neutrally. "Orders from His Majesty."
I nodded. "Thank you."
He lingered for a moment, then said, "Are you well enough to ride?"
"I'll manage."
"That's not what I asked."
I looked up at him. "I'm fine, Damien."
He studied me, then inclined his head. "I'll escort you when you're ready."
Once he left, the maids moved quickly.
As they helped me dress, I caught my reflection in the mirror. The outfit fit perfectly, hugging where it should, practical yet unmistakably deliberate to show me off to everyone.
By the time I stepped outside, the courtyard was already alive. Horses stamped their hooves. Guards stood ready. Kaelan was there, speaking quietly with one of his men.
Ethan stood near the centre. When he turned and saw me, he froze. Just for a second.
His gaze swept over me slowly, dark and assessing, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth….
"Ethan!" Charlotte's voice cut through the movement.
She approached him quickly, dressed head-to-toe in brown riding gear, her hair pulled back tightly. She smiled brightly, slipping right into his space.
"Good morning," she said sweetly.
Ethan's attention shifted instantly. "Charlotte."
Kaelan turned toward me then, his expression softening. "You look well," he said softly. "That colour suits you."
"Thank you," I replied.
Ethan's jaw tightened. He stepped closer, his hand settling firmly at my waist. "She does," he said coolly.
He turned to one of the stable hands. "Bring her horse."
As the horse was led forward, Ethan moved behind me.
"Hold still," he murmured, placing his hands on my waist. He lifted me easily, setting me onto the saddle himself.
I didn't want to, but I did. I looked ahead to see Charlotte's eyes darkened.
The hunt began shortly after.
For a while, everything seemed normal. We rode in formation, the forest opening before us. Kaelan rode a short distance away, speaking occasionally, while Ethan remained close, too close like a child scared to lose its mother.
I felt Charlotte's presence behind me. Watching. At some point, she fell back, pretending to adjust her saddle.
I didn't think much of it until my horse suddenly reared. I gasped, grabbing the reins as it bolted forward without warning.
"Amelia!" Ethan shouted.
The horse took off, racing through the trees, ignoring every command I gave. My heart slammed violently against my ribs as branches whipped past.
Something wasn't right. I heard shouting behind me. Hooves pounding.
"Pull left!" someone yelled.
I tried. The horse resisted, wild-eyed and panicked. Then another horse came up beside mine.
Kaelan.
He leaned over, grabbing my reins with one hand. "Look at me," he ordered. "Breathe."
"I—I can't stop him!"
"You can," he said firmly. "Trust me."
With a sharp command and a strong pull, he slowed my horse enough for Ethan to catch up.
Ethan grabbed my arm, his strength anchoring me as he forced the horse to halt.
The moment we stopped, he pulled me off the saddle and into his arms.
"Are you hurt?" he demanded.
"I don't think so," I whispered, shaken.
Charlotte rode up then, feigning concern. "Oh no—how terrible. Horses can be so unpredictable."
Ethan didn't look at her. He looked at the horse. His eyes and mine drifted to the strap near the saddle.
My eyes widened. Something had been loosened. I watched Ethan's expression darken.
"We're done," he said coldly. "Return to the palace. Now."