Chapter12- Caught in the Crossfire

The palace halls were eerily quiet as Amelia and Clara slipped back inside through the servant's entrance. The cold marble floors sent a chill up Amelia's spine, or maybe it was just the lingering fear from their mission. Every step she took felt like an echo of her heartbeat, loud and incriminating. If anyone caught them sneaking in at this hour, she wouldn't be able to explain her absence.

"Go to your chambers," Amelia whispered to Clara, glancing down the corridor. "If anyone asks, you were tending to my wardrobe all evening."

Clara hesitated, her eyes scanning Amelia's face. "And you? What will you do?"

"I'll go back the way I came. If I run into anyone, I'll make up an excuse," Amelia said firmly.

Clara exhaled shakily but nodded before slipping away. Amelia took a deep breath and straightened her posture. She had played the role of a dutiful princess her entire life—tonight would be no different.

As she rounded the corner toward her chambers, she froze. A figure stood waiting in front of her door, arms crossed over a broad chest.

Prince Edric.

Her stomach flipped violently. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, unreadable in the dim torchlight. He was dressed in his usual black and silver uniform, his sword strapped to his hip as if he had just returned from a patrol.

"You're out late," he said smoothly, though there was an unmistakable edge to his voice.

Amelia's pulse quickened. "I couldn't sleep. I went for a walk."

Edric tilted his head slightly. "Alone?"

She lifted her chin. "I had Clara with me."

His gaze flickered toward the empty hallway. "And yet, you returned separately."

Amelia forced a light laugh. "I dismissed her early. You know how I hate being fussed over."

Edric stepped closer, his presence consuming the space between them. "I do. But I also know when someone is lying to me."

Her breath hitched. He was suspicious—too suspicious. Amelia needed to divert his attention before he started asking the wrong questions.

"Why are you waiting outside my room?" she asked, shifting the conversation.

For a moment, Edric simply studied her, as if debating whether to push further. Then, with a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair. "The King asked me to check on you. He said you've been distracted lately."

Amelia's chest tightened. Of course, her father had noticed. He noticed everything.

"I'm fine," she said quickly. "There's nothing to worry about."

Edric's jaw tightened, his sharp features cast in shadow by the flickering torches. "Are you?" he murmured.

Something in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"I am." Amelia forced herself to meet his gaze, willing her heartbeat to steady.

He held her stare for what felt like an eternity before finally stepping aside. "Get some rest, Princess."

She nodded and slipped into her chambers, locking the door behind her.

Amelia didn't sleep that night.

She paced the floor, her mind racing. She had delivered the information to the rebellion, but at what cost? Edric was watching her more closely than ever, and her father was growing suspicious.

She was running out of time.

A soft knock at her window made her freeze. Slowly, she turned toward the sound.

Kael.

She rushed to unlatch the window, allowing him to slip inside. His dark hair was tousled from the wind, his eyes sharp and alert.

"You shouldn't be here," she whispered, but she was already reaching for him, clutching his arm as if grounding herself.

"I had to make sure you were safe," Kael murmured. "You took too long to return."

"I ran into Edric," she admitted. "He's suspicious."

Kael's expression darkened. "We need to move faster."

Amelia swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"

"The King is planning something," Kael said. "We intercepted a message. He's preparing for an attack—on our people, Amelia."

Her blood ran cold. "When?"

"Two nights from now."

Panic surged through her. That wasn't enough time. The rebellion wasn't ready.

"We have to stop it," she whispered. "We have to warn them."

Kael nodded. "That's why I came. I need you to get me into the war council meeting tomorrow. If we can hear the details firsthand, we'll have a chance."

Amelia hesitated. Sneaking information out of the outpost was one thing—this was something else entirely. If she was caught listening in on a war meeting, it wouldn't just be exile. It would be execution.

"Amelia," Kael said softly, stepping closer. His fingers brushed against hers. "I know this is dangerous. But I trust you."

Her heart clenched.

There it was again. That unwavering faith in her, the belief that she was more than just a princess trapped in a golden cage. Kael saw her for who she truly was—someone who could make a difference.

And despite everything, she wanted to prove him right.

She took a deep breath. "I'll do it."

Kael exhaled, relief flashing across his face. "Thank you."

For a moment, they simply stood there, the weight of their choices pressing down on them. Then, without thinking, Amelia reached up and touched his cheek.

"You should go," she murmured.

Kael hesitated, then nodded. But before he climbed out the window, he turned back. "Be careful, Amelia."

And then he was gone, disappearing into the night.

Amelia pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her racing heart.

The rebellion was about to enter its most dangerous phase yet. And she was right in the middle of it.