Chapter 44

"Amelia, can you please explain what just happened? What were you saying about Killian Bune? Did you see him back there?"

"No, I heard him in my head. I felt too real for it to be a misunderstanding, grandmother. I don't know how to explain it," Amelia leaned back in her seat.

Margaret and Amelia were successfully taken back to the carriage and on their way back to Margaret's home.

"Say what happened and we can try to make sense of it together. I won't judge you, child," said Margaret. She wanted to know what made Amelia suddenly want to leave when they were about to have fun with the townspeople.

"I heard a voice like a person was right over my shoulder. The voice felt familiar but I had no idea where I heard it from. Then, I heard it again and it was as if it was in my head. I don't want to think I am going crazy but how could I be hearing Killian Bune in my head, grandmother? It does not make any sense."

"Your body could still be shaken up from the last time you left the castle walls. This is my fault, Amelia. I should not have taken you from the castle when you did not want to. I'm sorry," Margaret apologized.

"I came here on my own two feet, grandmother. It is not your fault, grandmother. It felt so real inside of my head. There has to be an explanation behind all of this. I've heard people from the north sometimes practice witchcraft. What if Killian was back there and that is how he got inside of my head? If this is true, he is awfully close to the castle, grandmother. I must return and warn them."

"But this is only a theory I have. No one would believe Killian is here unless I claim to have seen him. I have a bad feeling about the next couple of days, grandmother. Something bad will happen and I don't think there is anything to stop it from happening. I must return to the castle to know what is happening with our search for Killian. That is more important than having fun," Amelia said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

She wished to have fun with Margaret but other things that needed her attention.

"It is alright, Amelia. Perhaps I should change my stance and return to the castle with you for a little while. We can spend time together and I can offer my son a bit of advice to keep our kingdom falling-"

Amelia lunged forward to hug Margaret. She knew how much her grandmother hated the castle but she was willing to return to be by her side. It wasn't an easy decision for Margaret to come to when she rarely spent more than two hours in the castle since she was no longer queen. "Thank you, grandmother."

"I think we have both lost the bet, Amelia. However, there is something I wish to give you once we have returned to the castle. I am dreading having to be around that woman now that she is pregnant," Margaret sighed, annoyed by just the thought of Annabelle.

"You will have to deal with Fraser too. He is buzzing around the castle now that my father is filling up his head with promises of becoming the next king. Would you be able to find out if this order has been finalized, grandmother?" Amelia asked.

"If it is, do you plan to kill your dear cousin, Amelia? The only way such an order could be changed is if Annabelle bears a son or if Fraser suddenly dies. The only heir left would be you. Honestly, you are the only heir. It's about time we allow a princess to become queen without any objections. Why are they in desperate need for there to be a male heir when your father and his father sit on the throne while others fight their battles?"

"I would fight battles for my people. Even if I would die. I have been asking to learn how to fight for many years but I have only heard the same foolish reply that I should focus on dolls and dresses. I think it is smart for all royals to know how to defend themselves. It should be required that men or women know how to fight. I don't like being so defenseless and relying on others. I want to prove a princess can save herself," said Amelia.

"Do you know why I love you so much, Amelia? Why do I love you more than my own son? It is because I am certain you will shock the world. I have faith you will open doors for other young ladies like yourself. I love that you step by step try to push yourself out of the box others place you in. The box I sometimes place you in. I feel so guilty then I try to suggest other paths than you becoming queen," Margaret stated what had been on her mind for a while now.

She had just been suggesting Amelia marry Killian to end the war, something she knew Amelia didn't like. Amelia never wanted to be used as an exchange to end wars created by kings. She also suggested Amelia give up becoming the queen to live a quiet life.

"It is alright, grandmother. I know your heart is in the right place when you tell me certain things. You've been in the castle longer than I have and you've seen the inner battles. I know you fear what my life will become if I stay in the castle where there are many people who wish to hurt me. In regards to marrying Killian," Amelia looked out the window before she continued.

"I know that before you are my grandmother, you are a former queen therefore you would look for any solution to end the war before more of our people get hurt. The suggestion annoys me but I am glad you brought it to me as an option and not an order. How sad is my life when small things like this make me happy?"