Chapter 15: The Kidnapping
1149 Words
Several peaceful days passed after Lucien's birthday celebration.
Amelia spent most of her time in the Royal Library, studying books about magic, history, and the neighboring kingdoms.
Eventually, she closed the book in front of her and stretched.
"I've been reading too much..."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Perhaps some fresh air will do me good."
Remembering the horse the Emperor had gifted her after she moved into the palace, Amelia decided to go riding.
---
The palace stables were calm that afternoon.
Her white mare greeted her with a gentle neigh.
Amelia smiled as she stroked its neck.
"Let's go for a ride."
Within minutes, she was galloping through the forest that surrounded the Imperial Palace.
The wind brushed against her face as the horse raced across the open path.
"It's beautiful..."
For the first time in days, she felt completely relaxed.
Then...
A strange feeling washed over her.
Her expression changed.
Someone was watching her.
She immediately pulled on the reins, scanning the trees.
"...Who's there?"
Silence.
Nothing moved.
She frowned.
"Was I imagining it?"
Just as she was about to continue—
Whoosh!
An arrow shot from the shadows.
It struck the horse's hind leg.
The frightened animal let out a loud cry and reared onto its back legs.
"Ah!"
Amelia lost her balance.
She was thrown from the saddle, rolling across the rough ground.
Her shoulder scraped violently against a large stone.
Pain shot through her arm.
She gritted her teeth.
Before she could stand—
Several figures dressed in black surrounded her.
Bandits.
One of them threw a dark cloth over her head.
Another tied her hands.
"What are you—"
Before she could finish speaking, she was lifted onto a horse.
Nearby, Lily froze in horror.
"My Lady!"
The frightened maid immediately turned her horse around.
"I have to tell His Highness!"
Without looking back, she raced toward the palace as fast as she could.
---
Inside the Imperial Palace...
The doors to Lucien's study burst open.
Lily stumbled inside, gasping for breath.
"Your... Your Highness!"
Lucien immediately stood.
"What happened?"
"They..."
"They took Lady Amelia!"
His eyes sharpened.
"Who?"
"Bandits dressed in black!"
"They attacked us in the forest!"
For a brief second...
The room became deathly silent.
Lucien grabbed his sword.
"Prepare the Royal Knights."
Before anyone could answer—
He was already gone.
Moments later, he mounted his horse.
Ignoring the protests behind him, he galloped toward the forest alone.
The Royal Knights quickly followed behind, struggling to keep up.
---
Meanwhile...
Amelia slowly opened her eyes.
Her hands were tied behind a wooden post inside an abandoned hideout.
The cloth covering her face was suddenly pulled away.
She blinked against the light.
Footsteps echoed through the room.
A woman stepped forward.
She possessed long golden-blonde hair that reached her waist and deep brown eyes.
She wore expensive clothing that clearly didn't belong to a common bandit.
The woman stopped directly in front of Amelia.
"So..."
"You're Amelia Hart."
Amelia looked at her calmly.
"And you are?"
The woman ignored the question.
Instead, she leaned closer.
"Stay away from Crown Prince Lucien."
Amelia frowned.
"What?"
"Lucien belongs to me."
"I've loved him for years."
"And I won't allow another woman to steal him from me."
Amelia stared at her for a long moment before letting out a quiet sigh.
"You've mistaken me for someone else."
"I have nothing to do with him."
The woman narrowed her eyes.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"It's the truth."
"I don't love him."
"And I have no intention of stealing your man."
"If he truly belongs to you..."
"Then keep him."
The woman studied Amelia carefully.
Unable to decide whether Amelia was telling the truth, she finally turned toward the bandits.
"Keep an eye on her."
"We'll decide what to do later."
The woman walked away.
---
The moment the others disappeared...
Amelia looked around the room.
Only three guards remained.
She slowly tested the ropes around her wrists.
"I can break these..."
She hesitated.
"No..."
"If I reveal my true abilities now, people will begin asking questions."
She quietly loosened the ropes and slipped free.
Without making a sound, she headed toward the exit.
Just as she reached the doorway—
"She's escaping!"
The bandits rushed toward her.
Amelia clenched her fists.
"Should I fight?"
"Or should I let them capture me again?"
She was still deciding—
Crash!
The wooden door exploded inward.
Several bandits were thrown across the room.
Standing in the doorway was Lucien.
His sword gleamed under the afternoon sun.
His expression was colder than Amelia had ever seen.
Without saying a word, he moved.
One strike.
Another.
Another.
Each bandit fell unconscious before they even realized what had happened.
Within moments...
The room was silent.
Lucien immediately turned toward Amelia.
"Are you hurt?"
He reached out instinctively.
Before his hand could touch her—
Amelia stepped back.
"Don't."
Lucien froze.
Amelia held her injured shoulder tightly.
Her eyes burned with anger.
"If your lover has something to say to me..."
"Tell her to stay in her lane."
"I don't want to steal your man."
"I've already told her."
"I don't love you."
"So whatever relationship the two of you have..."
"It has nothing to do with me."
"You belong to her."
"Not me."
Every word struck Lucien harder than any sword.
"...My... lover?"
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Amelia didn't answer.
She simply walked past him.
Outside, she untied one of the bandits' horses.
Ignoring the pain in her shoulder, she climbed into the saddle.
Without looking back, she rode toward the palace.
Lucien remained standing there.
Watching her disappear into the distance.
For the first time...
His heart ached.
Not because of the attack.
But because Amelia truly believed he belonged to someone else.
---
Back at the palace, Amelia went straight to her room.
She locked the door behind her.
Only then did she remove her riding jacket.
The scrape across her shoulder had become red and swollen.
"It hurts..."
She cleaned the wound herself, biting her lip as the medicine stung.
Just as she finished...
A soft violet light began to glow around her fingertips.
Amelia stared in surprise.
"My magic..."
She remembered the strange power she had awakened after entering this world.
"Could it..."
Taking a deep breath, she carefully placed her glowing hand over the wound.
The purple light spread gently across her shoulder.
Warmth filled the injured area.
The pain faded.
Before her eyes, the torn skin slowly closed.
Within moments...
The wound had completely disappeared.
Amelia's eyes widened.
"It healed..."
She touched her shoulder in disbelief.
"So..."
"My magic can heal injuries."
A smile slowly spread across her face.
"But if healing is one of my abilities..."
She looked thoughtfully at the glowing magic still dancing around her fingertips.
"What else... can these powers do?"
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