Chapter 19: Chapter 19

"What on earth are you talking about?" Amelia asked, confused as to how her father won anything today and her being a distraction. None of his men returned home. How was that a win?

"I was hoping there would have been a victory with the men I chose to tag along for the trap I laid out but you can't win everything. What is more important is that Killian separated from another group of his men. Thanks to their king following the trap I lined up for them, I was able to capture the men from the group Killian left. I let it slip to Killian about my trap being bait," said Richard.

Amelia wasn't sure if her father expected her to be clapping for him capturing men from the north. Did he forget she said none of their men returned? Staring at his face, Amelia realized there would be no point talking to her father about what happened today.

Capturing some of Killian's men while he killed all of theirs was not a victory but she no longer had the energy to explain that to her father. Maybe this was a moment where silence was the best response? Her father's actions today will catch up to him. It was unfortunate everyone else around him had to pay the price.

"Where are you going child?" Asked Richard when Amelia turned around and walked away. "Have you realized how wrong it was to doubt me? I said to tell me why what happened when you met Killian. Why did he release you? Did you offer your virtue?"

Amelia kept walking with her head held high and her fists clenched. She wanted to yell at him but for some reason, her body felt defeated.

"Should I get rid of the young men I had lined up for you to meet? No one will want to marry a princess sullied by the northern king. And how am I supposed to know if it was only him? Though your appearance looks clean it can be deceiving. Go to a doctor Amelia," said Richard.

Amelia didn't allow his words to affect her. He was talking about her possibly being taken advantage of by Killian as if it was nothing. This was his daughter who could have been taken advantage of and tormented but instead of trying to comfort her, he was mocking what could have been a horrific experience.

"You're right. I shouldn't have come here. What point is it in trying to talk to a fool," she said to Cyrus when she exited the throne room. "My father will always be a fool and everyone here will die because of it. Why haven't you tried fixing that wound," she glanced at his shoulder.

"I will take a look at it after you are safe in your room princess," he replied with his head low.

Amelia sighed, annoyed by his stubbornness. It must be a punishment that her stubborn self ended up with someone as stubborn as Cyrus for her personal guard. "Fine. I am not in the mood to argue with anyone."

"That is a surprising princess."

Amelia smiled a little, cheering herself up with their conversation. "I had to get tired of it at some point. I want to rest for the remainder of the day and have no one bother me. Killian should be a good excuse for me to be able to cancel everything."

'I could be a monster,' his words echoed in her head.

'Why am I thinking of his words now? That man is the enemy,' she scolded herself. She wanted nothing to do with Killian and wished there was never a way the two of them would meet again.

Amelia doubted if there were to be a second encounter between the two of them, Killian would allow her to live. "I'm lucky he let us go. Does he normally do that? Killian, I mean," she looked to Cyrus for an answer.

Even though he claimed to have just been a simple farmer he must've seen the king before or at least heard stories from his battles.

"No, he normally does not leave anyone alive in his fights. I'm surprised he didn't join his men in the bloodshed," said Cyrus.

"The sight might've been too cruel for me to witness. I've heard he is like a demon on the battlefield. He was nicknamed the demon king after his battles. I get to tell the tale of how I stood right in front of him. He really is as terrifying as the rumors say."

Cyrus remained silent thinking of their run-in with the king. He was confused as to why Killian allowed Amelia to leave without a scratch. Killian Bune was not a nice man to meet and they were at war so taking the Blackwell princess would have benefitted Killian.

Cyrus couldn't help but wonder if there was a possibility Killian had become interested in Amelia back there. Then again, if he was interested in her, why did he let her leave? He would be killing two birds with one stone if he kept Amelia. Unless he was confident they would be seeing each other again?

That is if he was actually interested in her.

Cyrus peeped at Amelia who was unaware of the type of man she caught the attention of.

'I have to train to protect her better. He can never take her,' Cyrus promised himself. There shouldn't be another situation where Amelia would be in the palm of Killian's hands.

Since Killian had said he was no longer a man of the north it meant Cyrus did not have to think twice about hurting the man if it meant protecting Amelia. It would also do Amelia some good to learn the basics when it came to defending herself so that if needed she wouldn't have to wait on someone to save her.

"Princess, would you like to learn how to fight? I can teach you what I know," he offered.

"Yes, please. Throwing a shoe won't work in the future. Plus, I hate being a damsel in distress."